Welcome Back to Term Two!

It has been a whirlwind fortnight but it has been great to have the students and staff back in classrooms and learning.

BLESSED EDMUND RICE FEAST DAY

This year, the Feast Day fell on a Sunday, so our College community celebrated Blessed Edmund Rice’s Feast Day Mass on the Thursday prior.

The mass was an uplifting experience, focusing on Blessed Edmund Rice’s immense faith and ability to look outside his own life’s challenges to help those lacking education and those in need.

I have included a prayer from Dr Michael Slattery, Chair of the EREA Council, on behalf of the Edmund Rice Education Australia Council.

Blessed Edmund Rice Prayer

O God, we thank you for the life of Blessed Edmund Rice.

He opened his heart to Christ present in those oppressed by poverty and injustice.

May we follow his example of faith and generosity.

Grant us the courage and compassion of Blessed Edmund as we seek to live 

lives of love and service

We ask this through Christ our Lord. 

Amen

May Blessed Edmund Rice inspire our students and our community to consider how those who live on the margins may be assisted and treated with care and dignity.

DRESS LIKE A PIRATE DAY

As has been advertised on Compass, this year, to support children’s brain cancer research, the College will be celebrating ‘Dress Like a Pirate Day’. 

Students and staff will dress like a pirate on Monday, 20th May, for a gold coin donation.

We encourage our students (from K-12) to get involved on the day and help out such a worthwhile charity.

FRIENDS OF FRANCIS

The next meeting of the Friends of Francis (the College’s newly branded Parents and Carers Association) will be held on Monday, Week 6 (3rd June) at 6pm. Attendees (and those who sent apologies) from the last meeting will be sent details regarding nominations for facilitators of the new parent structures in the coming week.

More details will follow in the next newsletter.

UPCOMING STAFF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING (STUDENT FREE) DAY

As flagged in the College Calendar, our staff will participate in professional learning on Friday, May 17th. This is a pupil-free day from K-12.

The day will provide an opportunity for our staff to delve further into New Pedagogies for Deep Learning - an impressive framework for character education and critical thinking.

REQUESTS FOR LEAVE AND TRAVEL DURING SCHOOL TERMS

Over the past fortnight, the College has been inundated with numerous requests for extended student overseas leave. Over 15 applications request leave for more than 20 days (some even beyond 40 days). Whilst the College recognises the powerful role that travel can play, conversations should be had before travel plans regarding how such leave may impact a student’s learning. Indeed, the length of some leave may cause considerable content and skills to be missed and may cause jeopardy with the completion of NESA curriculum requirements.

The College will be clarifying its approach to leave in the coming months, but in brief, while specific amounts of short leave may be granted, extended requests for holidays are likely not to be approved.

Please read Mrs Agostino’s article in this newsletter about student leave in the Senior Years.

MOTHER’S DAY

This morning as part of the Mother’s Day Liturgy, I offered a short homily at the end of the Gospel reading.

For myself, the Gospel reading from John 16: 20-23 emphasises that while their will be challenges, sorrow and pain, overwhelmingly motherhood brings joy. Indeed, the joy a mother, maternal carer, or mother figure can receive from a child is exceptional. And therefore we all should feel immense gratitude for our mothers, grandmothers and/or maternal figures.

While I do like to remain quite private, my mother’s passing at the start of this year has allowed me to reflect on the love and gratitude that a child can feel for their mother.

Many mothers, grandmothers and motherly figures would concur that motherhood is a little like riding a rollercoaster. So, while mothers are unquestionably the greatest supporters of their children or the young people in their care, with the incredible joys, various milestones and achievements of the children. There is also deep protective love and awareness that when things don’t quite go as you may have expected - they will be there for their children - and they do this because of love.

Therefore, to all mothers and maternal figures, please be confident that, whilst it is not always stated clearly, you are loved and appreciated. Even when children’s bedrooms aren’t as clean as one might expect, or children don’t pick after themselves, know that the children love you and that your presence gives them comfort and a great feeling of being accepted.

I constantly marvel at the depth of love mothers and mother figures demonstrate for their children. Most children see these individuals as having almost superhuman powers so it is only fitting that this coming Sunday we all recognise the joy of motherhood and express our immense gratitude for your immeasurable role and everything you do.

- Happy Mother’s Day!

REFLECTIVE POEM ON MOTHERS AND MOTHERHOOD:

Any Woman

I am the pillars of the house;
The keystone of the arch am I.
Take me away, and roof and wall
Would fall to ruin me utterly.

I am the fire upon the hearth,
I am the light of the good sun,
I am the heat that warms the earth,
Which else were colder than a stone.

At me the children warm their hands;
I am their light of love alive.
Without me cold the hearthstone stands,
Nor could the precious children thrive.

I am the twist that holds together
The children in its sacred ring,
Their knot of love, from whose close tether
No lost child goes a-wandering.

I am the house from floor to roof,
I deck the walls, the board I spread;
I spin the curtains, warp and woof,
And shake the down to be their bed.

I am their wall against all danger,
Their door against the wind and snow,
Thou Whom a woman laid in a manger,
Take me not till the children grow!

- by Katherine Tynan

As we progress through the academic year, I would like to take a moment to remind parents/carers of some important aspects of our Senior Years Learning Assessment procedures.  

In accordance with the NSW attendance procedures, we recommend that all leave for travel occurs during school holidays.  However, we do understand that there will be times when families are required to travel during the school term.

If you intend to travel during the school term, Mr. McMahon must be notified in writing at least 4 weeks before the leave, outlining the purpose, location, and duration of travel.  If the leave is for 5 days or greater, an Application for Extended Leave (A1 form) must be submitted.  Please be aware, that where extended leave is taken during the school term, only the first 5 days will be approved. The remainder of the leave will be recorded as unjustified on your child’s attendance record. 

Once Mr McMahon has approved the leave, students must obtain a Foreseeable Absence Form and are required to have their class teachers indicate on the form assessment tasks that the student will miss during the leave period. A student on Principal’s Approved Leave, will not be automatically be able to sit or be issued with an estimated mark for missing an assessment task.  This is determined on a case-by-case basis and in consultation with members of the leadership team. Where the procedure has not been followed, this may incur a zero mark for the assessment task.

There are a number of upcoming assessment blocks scheduled.

Term 2 - Week 5/6 - Years 9 and 10 

Term 3 - Weeks 3/4 - Year 12 Trials

Term 3 - Weeks 8/9 - Year 11 Preliminary Exams

Term 4 - Week 5/6 -  Years 9 and 10 

It is important to note that travel is not accepted by NESA as grounds for misadventure.  If a student is absent for an assessment task, they cannot seek special consideration because they are on leave.  These assessment blocks are published and students are aware of these assessment periods so we ask that travel should be avoided at these times.  There are also assessments that fall outside of these blocks that are published in the assessment schedules, and students should be familiar with these dates. 

Please be aware that it is not the College’s expectation that teachers should provide work for students on leave.  Teachers will post work via Google Classroom for the entire class as per their normal teaching practice.  Your child is free to access this work whilst they are on leave.  Under most circumstances, students will be required to catch up on the work missed during their absence from school.  

Where students are absent from an assessment task due to illness or misadventure, (Years 9-12), they are entitled to apply for illness/misadventure.  The illness misadventure procedure exists to provide a fair and equitable way for students to manage their academic responsibilities in cases where they are unable to fulfill them due to illness or unforeseen circumstances. It acknowledges that students may face challenges beyond their control that hinder their ability to perform optimally in assessments.

By having such a procedure in place, schools aim to ensure that students are not unfairly penalised for factors outside of their control and that they have the opportunity to demonstrate their learning to the best of their ability under the circumstances. 

In the case of illness, students must obtain a doctor’s certificate and complete an Illness/Misadventure form.  These documents are to be returned to the college upon the student's return to school and given to Mr Barrs, Leader of Curriculum (Years 5-12).  Failure to follow the procedure may also result in a zero result for the assessment task.  Your support in following these assessment procedures is greatly appreciated.

Mrs. Agostino
Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning

Dear parents/carers

Our Formal College Photos will be taking place Term 2 Week 9.

Please note the following dates for the college student photos and order your photos online via the Advanced Life Photographer parent portal

• Mon 24/06/24 (Years 7-11 portrait photos, Year 12 Group and Portrait photos)
• Tues 25/06/24 (Kindy to Year 6)
  • Fri 28/06/24 (Absentee / Catch Up student photos & sibling portrait photos)

IMPORTANT NOTE: Sibling Photo orders will CLOSE at midnight on Tuesday 25th June 2024.
NO further sibling photos will be possible after this date.

SFCC Junior and Middle/Senior Years Scarfs now available for purchase from Noone Uniform shop at $43.

Congratulations to the following students who recently received their College Medallion at our Whole College Assembly.

JYL

Amelia P, Maria I, Katherina D, Emmanuel L, Annabella Z, Zeel M, Joshua A, Zoe D, Elyssa S, Anahat G, Marley M, Nathan B, Hudson K, Jonathan F, Joel P, Baani S, Lizana S, Ritvik S

SYL

Ellie M, Mischa R, Seth B, Alina A, Cheryl S, Sonia J, Ashley K, Nicholas C, Kye H, Sandra J, Danielle M, Jessica M, Anna J, Leia J

On Wednesday the Year 11 Studies of Religion cohort had the opportunity to visit the Gallipoli Mosque and ISRA (​​Islamic Sciences and Research Academy) in Auburn. 

As many of the students had never been to a mosque before, they were both excited and a bit nervous about the experience. When we arrived, we were warmly greeted by the mosque staff who gave us a brief introduction and explained key architectural aspects of the Mosque precinct. They explained the history and significance of the mosque, which is the only one of its kind in the southern hemisphere and it was fascinating to learn about how this place of worship was funded and built using the labour of the congregation.

As we were given a tour of the main prayer hall, the students were struck by the elegant architecture and calming atmosphere. The intricate calligraphy and geometric patterns on the walls were truly beautiful. We appreciated the staff taking the time to explain the purpose and meaning behind different aspects of the mosque's design as well as the proud Turkish history associated with the community.

Overall, this visit to the Gallipoli Mosque was eye-opening. I left with a much greater understanding of Islam. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to learn about another religion and culture firsthand. These experiences lead us to be more curious and open-minded about diversity in our own St Francis community.

At ISRA the students experienced lecture-style presentations on key NSW syllabus topics including the ethical teachings and articles of faith of Islam. The students asked a wide variety of questions to further their knowledge and understanding of the topics which will enable them to succeed during this course of study. I was extremely impressed by the furious notetaking and seeking of clarification on some complex points and as a college, we should be proud of the way that these Year 11 students represented us during this day.

On Wednesday the 8th of May, the two year 9 PASS classes had a wheelchair basketball incursion, which was hosted by Richard who was part of the Basketball roadshow company.. Richard has played many different wheelchair sports, some even at national level, such as basketball, table tennis, rugby, etc. His many experiences really demonstrate how even though he is in a wheelchair, he can still do amazing things. This incursion really made us realise how hard it is for those who are disabled to play other sports. Wheelchair basketball was such an interesting sport to play, and although it has many similarities to abled basketball, there are also a lot of differences. For example, the players are allowed to have two pushes of the wheels before they can take a bounce, so there’s much easier movement. It’s just such a different sport,and is much harder to get the ball off a rebound or if it bounces out of bounds, it’s much harder to try and save it or catch it. Having this opportunity, this experience has made us realise how fortunate abled people are, and how those who have a disability and have a much harder time in everyday life and struggle with things that come easy to us. Thank you to Richard for giving us this opportunity, and to Mr Fricot and Miss Flegg who organised it.