Welcome Back

Welcome to the 2025 School Year!

It’s great to be back for another exciting year at St Francis Catholic College!

A special welcome to our new Kindergarten students, our Year 7s, and all the new students and families joining our community in 2025. It’s always wonderful to see fresh faces and returning ones, ready to take on the year ahead.

At our first College Assembly, I spoke about the sense of anticipation that comes along with a new school year. Our staff have been working hard in preparation for 2025, ensuring that we continue to provide an engaging and supportive learning environment. Again this year, one of our key focus areas will be New Pedagogies for Deep Learning, a way of teaching and learning that helps students develop the skills they’ll need beyond school—things like creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. We’ll be sharing more about how we are expanding this in 2025 as the year unfolds.

I look forward to everything we will achieve together in 2025 and seeing our students thrive in their learning, friendships, and personal growth. Here’s to a fantastic year ahead!

P.S. A huge thank you to Casey Borg from Savy Balloons ( https://savyballoons.com/ ) for once again providing a beautiful balloon display for our Kindergarten and returning students. Casey has been incredibly generous in supporting our school events over the years, and we truly appreciate her kindness.

STAFFING UPDATE

Changes to the College Leadership Structure

As previously communicated, we have changed our College Leadership Structure this year. We congratulate Mrs Rita Agostino who is moving into the Acting Deputy Principal role in 2025. Mrs Agostino has held various senior roles at the College in the past and is very committed in what she does. We welcome Mrs Leonie Pearce to our College - as she moves into the Acting Assistant Principal: Pastoral Care (K-12) for 2025. Mrs Pearce is a highly experienced educator and has been seconded from Catholic Education Wollongong for the year. We also wish Mrs Jennifer Lowe all the best in moving from Pastoral Care into the Acting Assistant Principal: Teaching and Learning (K-12) role. Mrs Lowe has had previous experience in curriculum and will help us continue to build our academic culture. Mrs Alexandra Mediati will continue in her Assistant Principal: Religious Education Identity and Mission role.

New Staff:

As we continue to grow as a College, we have a number of new staff who join us in 2025. As such, we welcome the following staff members to St Francis Catholic College:

It will be necessary for our Junior Year parents/carers to be familiar with Mr Luke Baddock. Mr Baddock has previously held school leadership roles in another diocese and has moved into our Leader of Pastoral Care (K-4) role.

We welcome Mr Greg Lozelle - our new Teacher-Librarian (K-12). In the past, Mr Lozelle has been a teacher-librarian at two of our neighbouring schools and will help guide how our new library functions in the future.

Mr Kevin Reutens will be the Year 8 Coordinator this year. Mr Reutens has been a Year Coordinator in his previous school and is a talented teacher (and singer). He will teach in the CAPA and RE faculties.

Mrs Natalie Collins moves to us, having held various roles at her previous school. Miss Collins will be the Year 9 Coordinator in Term 1 while Mr Baker is on leave, and she teaches HSIE subjects.

Mr Najee Tannous - is a passionate and talented Drama teacher and practitioner, and he will be our new Leader of CAPA (5-12). We look forward to seeing the Performing Arts grow under his leadership. 

Mrs Joanne McMahon is an experienced educator, having held numerous leadership roles. She will be working in Careers education in the Transition & Pathways Specialist (TAPS) role while Mrs Karakus is on maternity leave.

Miss Sarah Albassit joins the College in Term One as a teacher of PDHPE. 

Miss Amelia Baird - would be known by many of our parents/carers who access OOSH. Miss Baird will be one of our JY teachers.

Mrs Harsha Dadlani - returns in the first 12 weeks to support us in Science during Mr Stonefield’s paternity leave. 

Mrs Katrina Gomes, previously an English Coordinator in her last school, joins us as a teacher of English (7-12)

Ms Nardeen Kayser, an Early Career Teacher, joins us in various TAS roles across this year. 

Mr Michael Koch, has had a variety of roles across his career, including previous Pastoral Care roles and Mathematics Faculty leadership. He will join us in the Mathematics Faculty (5-12)

Mrs Elizabeth Melendez, joins us in the English faculty as teacher of English (7-12). Mrs Melendez also has a real passion for the arts.

Currently, overseas, we look forward to Miss Jennifer Tony joining us this year in the English faculty.

We have also expanded the School Support staff who work at our College. We welcome the following talented and committed staff:

• Mrs Angela Camilleri - SSO - Admin
• Mrs Samantha Cook - SSO - Admin
• Mrs Gai Hoban - SSO - Admin
• Miss Brooke Morgan - SSO - Wellbeing Officer

Farewells:

Whilst we have a number of new staff joining us - unfortunately, I must also advise that:

(i) Ms Alyssa McGinnes will leave us this week as she moves to another school and steps back her leadership responsibilities in the coming years. Ms McGinnes has been an exceptional advocate for students with Diverse Learning Needs, and her passion and knowledge in this space will be significantly missed. I hope to advise a replacement in the not-too-distant future.

(ii) Mr Milan Cosic also finishes his time with us today. Mr Cosic will be moving to a school in Blacktown, and we thank him for his efforts over the last year. I also hope to advise a replacement in the coming weeks.

We wish them both well.

HSC RESULTS

Wow, wow, wow! 

The Year 12 cohort of 2024 certainly delivered regarding the quality of their efforts and results. I have attached a newsletter covering the HSC achievements and High Achiever outcomes for 2024.

I thank our dedicated and committed staff who have supported our students, and I commend our students for their fine efforts and the passion and dedication they displayed.

Here is a brief snapshot of the efforts. I am particularly proud of ranking 13th out of Catholic Diocesan schools in NSW! I encourage you to delve deeper into the HSC newsletter (attached) for more details.

TRAVEL TO AND FROM THE COLLEGE

The safety of our students, staff and all visitors to the College is paramount. As such, it is critical that anyone entering our College and/or dropping off or picking up students adhere to both College procedures and the road rules dictating travel on the road, around our College plant.

At all times road signs need to be adhered to. Both police and council inspectors randomly visit the site and those breaking various regulations can be fined.

With new pedestrian access on Guillemont Road and Vinny Road I ask parents/carers and any other family members dropping off or collecting students to pay attention to changes in the road set up.

Currently the College is requesting an additional ‘lollipop person/people’ but until then please use common sense and slow down anywhere near or within the College gates.

Our staff are merely trying to look after the safety of the students in their care so any criticism or harsh words directed at them is totally inappropriate; such behaviour will not be tolerated.

Further updates regarding ‘kiss and drop’ and pick up will be provided in the coming weeks. 

Thank you for your patience and support.

Buses - 2025 update

It is pleasing to note that an additional morning and afternoon Willowdale bus has now been provided by Transit Systems NSW. 

An Austral bus has also been provided, but we continue to have issues with our Liverpool and Ingleburn services. Please contact Transit Systems to request additional services.

We appreciate there may be frustration at times regarding the bus services but I reiterate that these are NSW public services provided to the College and the College has no control over when and how they operate. Unfortunately, when buses are full, some students will miss out, and alternate arrangements will be required.

I encourage every family to ensure their daughter or son has an active Opal Card. Students without Opal Cards will often be the first to miss out on a bus spot if buses are full.

I strongly encourage any complaints or concerns about these buses to be directed to: customercare@transitsystems.com.au

A Student’s Prayer for the New 2025 School Year

Loving Jesus,

As I begin this new school year, I ask for Your guidance and strength.

Help me to see the many blessings You place before me each day—the gift of learning, the support of my teachers, the friendship of those around me, and the opportunities to grow.

Open my heart and mind to embrace new challenges with courage and new experiences with enthusiasm. May I approach my studies with determination, friendships with kindness, and school community with a spirit of generosity.

Grant me patience when things are difficult, wisdom to make good choices and a heart that reflects Your love in all I do.

May I always be ready to learn, willing to serve, and eager to become the person You have called me to be.

Jesus, walk with me and help me to give my best this year.

Amen.

Mr Matthew McMahon
Principal

A smooth and orderly afternoon dismissal is essential for the safety and well-being of all members of our College community. Students have practiced dismissal procedures as part of our Positive Behaviour for Learning expectations.  To support this, it is important that all families understand and follow the College’s dismissal expectations to ensure a seamless end to the school day.  As you can imagine,  the movement of 1580 students each afternoon is not an easy task.  We appreciate your cooperation in making dismissal safe and efficient for everyone. A note outlining our procedures was sent via Compass at the start of the school year, however, I would like to reiterate some important afternoon dismissal procedures.

School Zones operate from 8.00am to 9.30am and from 2.30pm to 4.00pm on school days.  School Zones have a 40 km/h speed limit.

Car line

• Car line is a ‘drive through pick up’ service only for K-6 students only.  The Guillemont Gate will open for carline at 2.35pm.  Queuing on Guillemont Road is NOT permitted as it is ‘NO STOPPING’ in both directions.
• All parents/carers who use car line will require a SURNAME sign to be displayed in their passenger side windshield in order for teachers to see and arrange for students to be ready to enter their car. 

• Students must be able to enter the car on the kerbside unassisted.

• Students must enter the vehicle with their bag, as they are not permitted to go behind the car to the boot.

• Parents/carers are not permitted to exit the car to assist students.

• The ‘car line’ cars will enter through the gate on Guillemont Road, go up and around the car park and then into the carline bays and exit the college via JARDINE DRIVE NOT VINNY ROAD (as depicted in the Carline video above). It is one way ONLY. 

• [Please note: Exit via Jardine Drive is temporary until crossings are built on both Vinny and Guillemont Roads].

• Remember to always give way to pedestrians particularly when approaching a crossing or when entering and leaving driveways.

• There is NO RIGHT TURN out of the College of Jardine Drive 2.45 - 3.00pm. It is not acceptable to ignore or be rude to the staff member on this duty.  This rule is in place to ensure effective traffic flow and safety during a congested time entering and exiting the College.

The maximum speed of the carline and internal car park is 10 km/h.

 Please watch the Car line Video afternoon procedure  SFCC Update Carline Exit 

Walkers South

• K-4 Walkers South students who do not have older siblings will be walked by a staff member the entire length of the Bus Bay down to Jardine Drive. These students must be picked up by 2.50pm. They will be unsupervised after this time.
• Yrs 5-12 Walkers South Students (and their younger siblings) are permitted to leave the College via the Bus Bay gate once it is unlocked at 2.45pm.
• Students/parents/carers must NOT cross the Bus Bay road. Students/ parents/carers should walk up the bus bay footpath to ensure safety.

Vinny Road Gate

• Years 5-12 students can access this gate to enter and exit the College.
• Years 5-12 students who have siblings in K-4 are asked to use an alternate entry and exit.
• This gate opens from 8.00-8.25am and then again in the afternoon from 2.45-3pm.

Poziers Road

• K-12  students can EXIT the College via this gate. It will NOT be open in the morning.
• At 2.45pm students will line up inside the College. Once they have gathered they will be walked by staff across the new carpark crossings to the gate on Pozier’s Road.

Guillemont Road

Please note: As of today, we are trialling a new exit procedure for Guillemont Road.

• Guillemont Road is the main entrance to the College.
• K-12  students can access this gate to enter and exit the College.  This gate opens from 8.00-8.25am and then again in the afternoon from 2.45-3.00pm.
• Of an afternoon, K-4 students will be escorted by the supervising teachers to the area outside the hall, near the pedestrian gates.  They will remain seated in year groups.  Parents waiting at the gate will be invited by staff to enter the College and collect their child from their lines.
• Students from Years 5-12 may also collect their siblings from these lines.

Buses

• All students will need to have their Opal card and use this to access public transport. If your child does not have an Opal card, please ensure an Opal Card application has been submitted! [Please note, inaccurate student Opal card sign-ons may lead to inadequate buses!] 

We appreciate the ongoing support of our families in ensuring a smooth and safe dismissal each afternoon.  If you have any questions or need further clarification about our dismissal expectations, please don’t hesitate to contact the College.

Welcome to this special Jubilee year in our Catholic Church! Traditionally, a Jubilee year is proclaimed every 50 years as a time of economic, cultural, environmental, and communal reset—when both the land and the people rest.

In biblical times, the Jubilee year was a time of great renewal. Debts were forgiven, slaves were freed, and land was returned to its original owners. It was a year fully dedicated to rest and restoration. During this time, the Israelites refrained from harvesting, instead spending quality time with family and loved ones.

But why the fiftieth year? The Bible places special emphasis on the number seven. We see this in the seven days of the week, with the seventh day, the Sabbath, set aside for rest and worship. This rhythm of rest brings balance to life. When we multiply seven by seven, we reach 49. The following year, the 50th, is marked as a grand reset—a whole year of renewal and restoration!

The essence of Jubilee is God’s inspired vision to interrupt the status quo. It is a sacred reset, deeply embedded in the way of life for God’s people. It is a call to realign our relationships—with God, with one another, and with creation. In a world where relationships are often strained and broken, Jubilee remains a prophetic reminder of God’s desire for all of creation to flourish.

In keeping with this spirit of renewal, the REIM Team is excited to share our Liturgical Theme and Touchstone for 2025: Pilgrims of Hope and Gospel Spirituality.

Inspired by the Year of Jubilee, our theme and imagery reflect the heart of our college community. The colour yellow, symbolising hope, is warm and uplifting—a reminder that hope is fundamental to our faith and humanity.

At the centre of our theme is the SFCC crest, reinforcing that Pilgrims of Hope will be at the heart of our college journey in 2025. The cross, representing our Gospel Spirituality touchstone, reminds us that as a community in the Edmund Rice tradition, we are called to follow Jesus, pray together, and live out his message of compassion, justice, and peace.

On the right side of the image is the official Jubilee logo, depicting four stylised figures representing all of humanity, coming together from different parts of the world. Their embrace symbolises solidarity and fraternity—a unity that binds all people. The front figure holds onto the cross, a sign of faith and hope, particularly in life’s greatest challenges.

Beneath the figures, the rough waves represent the challenges we face on life’s pilgrimage. The elongated cross, shaped like an anchor, symbolises the Anchor of Hope—a maritime term for the reserve anchor used in emergencies to stabilise a ship during storms. This reminds us that hope is our anchor in uncertain times.

The image also illustrates that our journey is not individual but communal. The dynamic cross bends toward humanity, reaching out to offer support and the certainty of God’s presence.

Throughout the year, staff and students will explore this theme and touchstone more deeply. As educators, we will reflect on how this theme can be woven into our wellbeing and learning programs, ensuring that it shapes our college experience in 2025.

We look forward to journeying together as Pilgrims of Hope, inspired by the call to live out the Gospel and embrace the spirit of Jubilee in our lives.

Welcome back to the new school year. 

It has been wonderful to see all our students here at the College ready the year ahead. A special welcome to our students and parents/carers. I look forward to working with all of our parents, teachers, staff and students in ensuring our students reach their potential in their learning here at St Francis Catholic College. 

As always, the best possible learning outcomes are achieved with a positive partnership between home and school. If you have any questions or concerns about a particular class or subject at school, please contact your child’s class teacher or teacher of that subject in the first instance. For K-4 students, concerns can then be escalated to our JY Leader of Learning (Mrs Allira-Figueiras-Carter). For students in Years 5-12, Middle and Senior Years, each KLA has a Coordinator to support in addressing questions and concerns. Please see a list below:

NAPLAN

On Monday (February 10), a letter went home to all parents and carers of students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 in relation to NAPLAN. Please read through this letter carefully for detailed information about NAPLAN here at SFCC and the schedule for NAPLAN test administration. 

ELES - Study Skills Tip of the Week

Thank you so much for the warm welcome I have received as I have begun the school year here at St Francis. It has been great to see the number of parents who have attended our parent and carer information evenings. I look forward to meeting each of you as the year goes on. The students have also shared a warm and friendly welcome.

Thoughts on Attendance: 

Regular attendance at school is integral to students’ learning, wellbeing and future life opportunities. Every day of attendance provides students with the opportunity to experience a sense of belonging within their school community, to grow in their faith and to realise their learning potential. St Francis Catholic College, in partnership with families, is responsible for encouraging and supporting the regular attendance of students at school. Under the Education Act 1990 (NSW), it is the duty of a parent of a child of compulsory school-age to cause the child to be enrolled at and to attend school. 

There have been some changes to the attendance procedures in 2025 (introduced by the Catholic Education, Diocese of Wollongong) as shown in this document.

Every day counts and every lesson counts.

Each lesson missed:

• Puts your child behind and harder for them to catch up 
• Can lead to lower achievement in reading, literacy and numeracy
• Can lead to gaps in learning and connection with friends
• Makes school completion less likely
• Makes the transition into the workforce, or tertiary education, post school, less likely to be successful. Absences add up: if a student misses 2 days a month, that adds up to four weeks a year. This, if it becomes a pattern, adds up to one and a half years from Kinder to Year 12!

What can families do? 

• Be firm! Send your child to school every day unless they are sick.However, if your child is displaying any cold or flu-like  symptoms, please DO NOT send them to school. We do have vulnerable members of our community whose health will be seriously jeopardised if they are exposed to viruses and the flu. 
• Develop good sleep and morning routines.
• Schedule extra-curricular and medical appointments outside of school hours.
• Do not book holidays in term time.
• Seek help before problems become too serious.

Remember: We are here to help: going to school more often will make a difference and positive attendance habits will follow your child into work and life.

Behind the Curtain:
Year 10 & 11 Drama Dive Into the World of HSC Excellence

On Monday, February 10th, St Francis Year 10 and 11 Drama students embarked on the
highly anticipated OnStage showcase, an event that shines a spotlight on the most
exceptional HSC Drama works from across New South Wales.

This experience gave our students the invaluable opportunity to witness HSC major works, including individual and group projects. For many of our Drama students, the experience was thought-provoking. It sparked fresh ideas, igniting their imaginations and expanding their understanding of what is possible in the world of theatre and performance, especially for the senior year. Here is what some of the students had to say about the experience:

“The performances were really funny and captivating, and the scripts
and costume designs were also really good! I enjoyed it overall and found it motivating for future scripts and assessments"

“I was amazed by the performers because they were very talented and used all the skills we learn about in Drama. It made me feel excited to
create more in class and perform in front of audiences!"

Zoya Hassan, Year 10 Drama

The outstanding 2024 HSC performances left a lasting impression on our Drama students, and we can’t wait to see the creative ideas and projects this experience will inspire at St Francis in the future.

Mr Najee Tannous
Head of Creative and Performing Arts

Miss Anna Castagnella
Drama Teacher

Mrs Kylie Jeymour