OPEN DAY

On Saturday 4th March our College held its annual Open Day, where new and current families interested in enrolling their child/ren at our College attended and toured the grounds/learning spaces, collected enrolment packs and spoke to staff.

With well over a hundred student volunteers and numerous staff, the College was abuzz with excitement and activity. With wonderful displays across stages and various faculties, artworks in CAPA, Science experiments, Major Works in TAS and VET, faculty and area presentations (e.g. Ministry, Gifted and Talented; Careers; Duke of Edinburgh Programme), musical performances and learning activities in Diverse Learning - it’s fair to say there was something happening right across the College. This of course was all supplemented by our students taking tours and speaking so proudly of 'their school' and Hospitality and Food Technology students/teachers making some delicious appetisers and beverages.

Additionally, our Uniform Store (run by Noone) showed off our uniform, ‘Air League’ participants conducted various drills and ‘Storm the Stage’ performed many dance routines across the day.

A sausage sizzle fundraiser was also held, where proceeds ($800) went towards ‘Caritas Australia's Syria-Türkiye Earthquake Appeal’; a very worthwhile cause.

A day like Saturday does not just happen without the incredible support and goodwill of staff. I am very appreciative of staff efforts and very cognisant of the fact that we have an incredibly talented and generous group. I am quickly learning that this is one of the critical features which makes St. Francis such a quality institution and what makes it the provider of quality Catholic education.

If families of any potential students were unable to attend on the day and would like to receive an Enrolment Package please contact the College Office.

EDUCATION MASS

Last Thursday night (2nd March) the Diocese of Wollongong held its Education Mass at the Twin Cathedral in Fairy Meadow. The occasion was very well attended and our College had a large group of staff in attendance. The occasion was a solemn and joyous one and both the Bishop and our CEDoW Director spoke of the incredible hope and opportunities which a Catholic Education can provide. Additionally, new staff to the Diocese were blessed and welcomed into our extended community and the new Diocesan Strategic Plan was launched.

ATTENDANCE

I cannot stress enough the vital nature of high rates of student attendance at school.

It is not surprising that the Diocese has set one of its targets in its new strategic plan the need for at least 95% student attendance at school and this is something which I strongly agree with.

At first glance, this percentage may seem quite high but given that there are approximately 200 days in a school year, 95% still represents that students have had 10 days of absence.

In a 2022 Department of Education, Publication on this topic:

https://education.nsw.gov.au/about-us/educational-data/cese/publications/research-reports/understanding-attendance key points about attendance were very well expressed. Here are six of the document’s key takeaways:

• “School attendance impacts students’ academic achievement and other long-term outcomes 

• Non-attendance is linked with poorer academic achievement and long-term student outcomes. 

• Higher rates of absences have been associated with lower NAPLAN scores

• In NSW, students who report positive attendance behaviours in Year 7 are on average 3 months ahead in their learning by Year 9, compared with students who have poor attendance behaviours

• Students’ prior attendance is a strong predictor of their future attendance. A student’s attendance patterns may be established in early primary school, with school readiness being an important protective factor. 

• Students with chronic absenteeism are more likely to drop out of school and experience poorer long-term health and social outcomes.”

Given the above, and the nature of the post-COVID world in which we live, the importance of high attendance of our students is as critical as it has ever been. Accordingly, our College will be reviewing our attendance policy and processes going forward to help support our families and students ensure high attendance rates. For example, while families of course may have crises overseas (or at a distance within Australia) which necessitate unplanned travel, the College will be looking very closely at applications for ‘holidays’ scheduled mid-term. More details will follow in the near future but please be clear that the College’s strong advice is to avoid taking holidays mid-term.

NAPLAN

NAPLAN online tests will occur next week in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.

Our students this week completed brief practice tests to familiarise themselves with the online format. This is the first time that these tests have been completed in March (usually in May) and, given the nature of the tests, more timely feedback and diagnostic information will be available for families and staff.

I direct parents and carers to the official NAP site for advice on supporting your child: https://nap.edu.au/naplan/for-parents-carers 

We encourage students to maintain their regular routines of good sleep, eating well and exercise across the coming week and the College certainly supports the advice from the above link: “You can support your child by reassuring them that NAPLAN is a part of their school program and reminding them to simply do their best.” Indeed, Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 students - we wish you every success.

PRAYER

In this season of Lent may we acknowledge our need for God’s help in listening and hearing. It is so powerful to ask for the “gift of integrity” – to express our desire for wholeness. And, we humbly ask for light in the midst of whatever might “shadow our vision.” 

Let us praise our loving Redeemer, who gained for us this season of grace, and pray to him, saying: Lord, create a new spirit in us.

Christ, our life, through baptism we were buried with you and rose to life with you, – may we walk today in newness of life.

Lord, you have brought blessings to all mankind, – bring us to share your concern for the good of all.

May we work together to build up the earthly city, – with our eyes fixed on the city that lasts forever.

Healer of body and soul, cure the sickness of our spirit, – so that we may grow in holiness through your constant care.

(Courtesy CatholicPhilly.com)