SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Our annual Swimming Carnival was held at Fairfield Pool this year and had all the ingredients of a great day—spirited competition, enthusiastic participation, and plenty of fun. What we didn’t expect was the challenge of grey skies and heavy downpours at times, but in true school spirit, students and staff embraced the conditions, making the most of the day.

With competitors from Years 3 and 4 joining in alongside all students from Years 5 to 12, the carnival featured a mix of serious racing and novelty events and activities. Despite the rain, students showed great determination in the pool, giving their best effort for their houses. On the sidelines, there was no shortage of encouragement, with cheers ringing out from under umbrellas and sheltering gazebos.

Year 12 students added their own flair to the day with their always-popular dress-ups, bringing colour and humour despite the grey skies. Away from the main pool, students rotated through a range of games and water-based activities, ensuring everyone had the chance to be involved.

A huge thank you to Ms. Laskaris and Mrs. Pavlovich for their efforts in organising the day, ensuring everything ran smoothly despite the weather. Thanks also to the staff for their tremendous support and to the students for their energy, participation, and resilience.

It may not have been a picture-perfect summer’s day, but the spirit and enthusiasm on display proved once again why this event is such a highlight of the year.

FRIENDS OF FRANCIS MEETING - 24th February

On Monday night, 24th February, our first Friends of Francis meeting of the year was held. It was a great opportunity to share updates on current events within the College community while also exploring ideas for future social and fundraising activities.

The evening was filled with positive discussion and a strong sense of community, reflecting the generosity and commitment of those who give their time to support the school. Thank you to all who attended—your involvement makes a real difference, and we look forward to seeing these ideas take shape in the months ahead.

I encourage all existing and new parents/carers at the College to attend future meetings across the year.

COLLEGE OPEN NIGHT

Our recent Open Night was a fantastic opportunity to welcome prospective families considering Kindy 2026 and Year 7 in 2026 and 2027. The strong turnout of parents/carers, and extended family members was a testament to the deep interest in our College and the strong bonds within our community.

The feedback from the hundreds of visitors was overwhelmingly positive, with many commenting on the welcoming atmosphere and the clear pride and enthusiasm of both staff and students. It was clear that the sense of connection and commitment within our College was on full display, reinforcing why St Francis Catholic College continues to be a school of choice in the region.

I would like to sincerely thank our staff and students for their efforts—not only on the night but in the lead-up as well. From preparing learning spaces and displays to greeting guests, organising enrolment materials, catering, and ensuring everything was set up beautifully, it was a true team effort. A special thank you also to our Friends of Francis parent volunteers for running the barbeque—your generosity and support added to the welcoming atmosphere and was greatly appreciated by all.

It is through moments like these that we see the strength of our College community. Thank you to everyone who played a part in making the night such a success.

TRAVEL TO AND FROM THE COLLEGE – UPDATE

The safety of our students, staff, and visitors remains our highest priority. We appreciate the ongoing cooperation of families in following College procedures and road rules when dropping off and picking up students.

Unfortunately, we have had a variety of complaints shared with us regarding unsafe behaviours of adult drivers - so we please ask for your support and common sense. Showing patience to our youngest members of the school helps instill patience in them as a life skill - and ensures their actual safety!

With the completion of the pedestrian crossing and guard rails on Guillemont Road and Vinny Road, we have improved safety measures in place. However, pick-up arrangements will remain the same for the foreseeable future until additional pedestrian supervisors can be secured from Council. We ask for your continued patience and caution when driving near or within the College.

BUSES - 2025 UPDATE

While it is pleasing that additional Willowdale and Austral bus services have been provided, some routes, particularly those servicing Liverpool and Ingleburn, continue to experience high demand. We strongly encourage all students to carry and use their Opal Cards, as students without a valid Opal Card may be the first to miss out if buses reach capacity.

We understand the frustration this may cause and remind families that bus services are provided by Transit Systems NSW, not the College. We equally encourage any concerns or complaints about the service to be directed to: customercare@transitsystems.com.au 

Thank you for your ongoing patience and support in ensuring safe and smooth travel to and from the College. Please refer to the Opal flyer later in the Newsletter regarding students tapping on and off the buses with their Opal Passes.

REMINDER

As per our College Calendar, please remember that our staff have a professional learning day soon. This will be a Pupil Free Day on Friday 7th March 2025

PRAYER

Lord, You intended for the Holy Family to be an example for all, and for the Holy Spirit to enlighten our homes. May we, like them, be able to live according to the family virtues and stand united by the strength of Your love before meeting again for eternity in the joy of Your House.

– Amen.

Last week, our Year 12 students embarked on their retreat, a time of reflection, connection, and spiritual growth. Over the course of their time away, they were invited to step back from the busyness of daily life and take the opportunity to deepen their faith, strengthen their relationships with one another, and reflect on their personal and spiritual journey. Through prayer, discussion, and moments of stillness, students explored the ways in which God is present in their lives and how they are called to live out their faith with purpose and integrity. Many described the retreat as a transformative experience, one that gave them time to reconnect with what truly matters and left them feeling renewed and inspired for the year ahead. We are incredibly grateful to all staff and students who contributed to making this retreat such a meaningful and memorable occasion.

As we continue through the school year, we keep Pope Francis in our prayers, asking God to bless him with strength, wisdom, and compassion as he leads the Church in these challenging times but also for his recovery and health. His constant call for unity, justice, and love is a reminder to all of us of the Gospel values we are called to embody. This year, in particular, is a significant time for the Church as we are in the Jubilee Year of 2025, a time of grace, renewal, and pilgrimage. Pope Francis has invited us to embrace this period as a time of hope and deepening faith, with the theme "Pilgrims of Hope." As we are in the midst of this special year, we are called to reflect on how we can grow in faith, strengthen our commitment to justice and peace, and journey together as a people of hope.

Next week, we enter the sacred season of Lent, a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that calls us to renew our hearts and prepare for the celebration of Easter. Lent is a season of reflection and self-examination, inviting us to deepen our faith, to make sacrifices in solidarity with those in need, and to open our hearts more fully to God’s presence. Before we begin this season of renewal, we celebrate Shrove Tuesday, a long-standing tradition in the Church that serves as a final day of feasting and preparation before the fasting and penitence of Lent. The name “Shrove” comes from the old English word shrive, meaning to confess sins and receive absolution, reminding us that Lent is ultimately about turning back to God with sincerity and love. Many communities also mark this day by making pancakes, a practice that historically came from using up rich ingredients like eggs, butter, and sugar before the fasting period began. As we enjoy this tradition, it is important to also reflect on how we can enter Lent with open hearts, ready to embrace the call to repentance and renewal.

We also invite all members of our community to join us for our Opening College and Ash Wednesday Mass as we come together in prayer at the beginning of the school year and the Lenten season. Our Opening College Mass is a time to give thanks for the year ahead, seeking God’s guidance and blessings upon our learning, our relationships, and our journey as a faith-filled community. Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent, is a solemn and reflective day that reminds us of our call to turn away from sin and believe in the Gospel. The ashes we receive on this day are a visible sign of our commitment to this journey of faith and renewal. We encourage all students, staff, and families to take part in these special liturgies as we prepare our hearts for the weeks ahead.

As we begin this season of Lent and look ahead to the Jubilee Year, may we embrace this time with a spirit of humility, reflection, and generosity, seeking to grow closer to God and to one another.

College Swimming Carnival 2025

On Friday, 14th February, our students braved the rain and came together at Fairfield Leisure Centre for our annual College Swimming Carnival. Despite the wet weather, spirits remained high as students showcased their enthusiasm both in and out of the pool. This year, we introduced rotations to ensure everyone had the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities. One of the highlights of the day was the AquaPlay Park, which provided plenty of fun and excitement for all. It was fantastic to see so many students getting involved, demonstrating teamwork, and embracing the carnival atmosphere.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all students who participated, whether as competitors in and out of the pool. Your dedication, sportsmanship, and energy made the day truly special. A special mention goes to our competitors who arrived early, eager to give their all for their House. Your commitment to excellence was evident in every race and event. We also express our gratitude to our Staff and House Leaders, whose leadership and encouragement ensured a smooth and enjoyable day. Your efforts in fostering a sense of school spirit and unity are truly appreciated.

The College Swimming Carnival House Champion is determined by points accumulated from competitive, non-competitive, and novelty events, as well as cheering and cleanliness throughout the day. After an incredible day of competition and participation, we are excited to announce the 2025 House Champion for the Swimming Carnival.

Congratulations to the Swimming House Champions TREACY!!!!

The 2025 College Swimming Age Champions are:

MISA SPORT

This term, our students have shown great enthusiasm and skill in MISA sports, competing in 7-9 Boys Volleyball, 7-9 Girls Volleyball, 7-9 Girls Indoor Cricket, 10-12 Girls Basketball, 10-12 Boys Basketball, 10-12 Girls OzTag, and 10-12 Boys OzTag. The competition has started strong, with our teams securing some impressive wins and putting up a great fight in close matches. Volleyball, in particular, was a highly competitive selection process, as we had many talented students demonstrating outstanding technique and game sense. For those who didn’t make the teams this time, we encourage you to keep training, refining your skills, and preparing for future opportunities. Your dedication and perseverance will only make you stronger for next year’s selections. Best of luck to all our teams as they continue through the season.

Looking ahead to Term 2, our Year 7 and 8 students will have the chance to represent the school in boys’ and girls’ basketball, as well as mixed Ultimate Frisbee. In addition, students in 10-12 Girls Soccer, 11-12 Boys Soccer, and 11-12 Girls Netball will have the opportunity to showcase their talent and teamwork on the court and field. These sports offer a fantastic opportunity for students to develop their skills, compete with pride, and represent the school with great sportsmanship. We encourage all students to get involved, whether you’re an experienced player or looking to try something new. Keep up the hard work, and let’s continue to make an impact in the MISA competition!

Year 10 Pastoral Day with MyStrengths incursion

On Wednesday, 19th February, Year 10 participated in a Pastoral Day led by MyStrengths, a team of coaches dedicated to helping students discover and develop their strengths. Throughout the day, students were challenged to explore different aspects of intelligence, self-awareness, and teamwork.

The day began with a strengths-based quiz, allowing the MyStrengths team to assess each student’s unique qualities and traits. This activity provided valuable insights into students' personalities, helping them better understand themselves and appreciate their strengths. Using these results, students reflected on their identities while the MyStrengths team offered advice on how to harness their traits to their full potential.

Following this, Year 10 engaged in a fun and competitive team-building activity: the Spaghetti Challenge! The goal was to construct the tallest possible tower using only spaghetti noodles, ensuring it was sturdy enough to support a marshmallow at the top. The team that built the highest structure earned the ultimate prize: bragging rights! This challenge served as a clever leadership exercise, testing students' ability to collaborate under pressure.

During the last session of the day, Year 10 gathered in the hall for a final reflection on their lives, habits, and future aspirations. Students took time to consider their greatest experiences and achievements, compiling them into letters addressed to their Year 12 selves. With two years left before graduation, these letters will serve as meaningful reminders of who they were in Year 10, offering valuable reflections when they reach this milestone.

Overall, this experience was both enlightening and impactful. A huge thank you to the MyStrengths team for their guidance and support, as well as to Mr. Fricot for making this day possible!

Devika Anil

On Wednesday 19th February 2025 Year 7 set off on a three day journey to the Great Aussie bush camp at Kincumber. It was a great experience where students made new friendships in their homerooms and they were able to build great connections with each other. 

It started off with a wonderful lunch of burgers and then they headed to their rooms to get ready for the first activity. They had the same leader for the whole camp and this helped them get to know the leader well. The  leaders supported them to challenge themselves to try new things and to gain new skills.

Students had the chance to participate in activities both with their Homeroom and in mixed groups. This allowed them to strengthen their  connections with their Homeroom peers while also engaging with others.

Students were involved in some really fun and exciting activities such as archery, giant swing, tree obstacle course, rock climbing, survival swim and the mud run! Throughout the game they did encounter some rain, which saw the mud run become more like a survival of the fittest as students got extremely covered from head to toe in ‘wet mud’. 

Despite the rain, students were still able to enjoy many activities and participate in collaborative group challenges. These experiences pushed them to trust their teammates as they navigated the TreeTops climb and took on the Power Fan. As Marley Peslasio (7 Clare)concluded that “even though it was raining on the second day a lot of people had lots of fun doing the activities in the rain.”

Marley Pelasio (7 Clare) said that  “all the teachers and instructors were really proud to see that the students were encouraging other students to have a go at the activity and they were really helpful.”

At night, students took part in a range of activities, often out on the oval, playing high-energy games or group challenges. These included small tasks like attempting to stand up from a lying position with a full glass of water balanced on their foreheads. Each game helped students develop communication and teamwork skills as they worked together to earn the most points in every challenge.

Celebrate Pi ‘π’ Day with Us! ?
Hosted by the Maths Department

Calling all number lovers, memory masters, and competitive spirits—Pi ‘π’ Day is coming on March 14 (because 3.14, of course), and the Maths Department has cooked up something special!

The Challenge!!

Think you can remember more digits of Pi than your friends? Prove it in our Pi Recitation Competition! Whether you know 10 digits or 100, this is your chance to show off your skills and maybe even make Pi history at our school. The world record for memorising is 70030 digits. Students are encouraged to aim for this record!

The number  is an important number in Mathematics. In stage 4, our students learn to identify and approximate and then apply this most famous irrational number in measurement. Its most common application is in the calculation of perimeters and areas of circles. In stage 5 and 6, students learn to use π in applications of Trigonometry.

This year, St Francis Catholic College will be holding its inaugural Competition. This competition will take place on Tuesday the 11th of March. Students in Years 5 to 12 have been given opportunities in their Mathematics classes to memorise this number. They will then participate in a class competition during week 6. The best students will compete in a final all school round on 11th of March, where the winner will be crowned the St Francis Champion 2025. They will also receive a gift voucher for some more fun at the exciting iPlay.

Even if you’re not competing, come along for some Pi-themed fun, and maybe even a slice of pie! ?

Let’s make this Pi ‘π’ Day irrationally fun!

Pi ‘π’ Day Challenge

? Challenge: Recitation the digits of Pi ‘π’ 

? When: The final will be held during Break 1 on Tuesday, March 11th, (Week 7)
? Where: Rice Room or Middle Years classrooms
? Who can enter? All students from Years 5–12 

(Qualifiers will take place in students Mathematics Classes in Week 6)

? Prize: An exciting gift voucher to iPlay & more importantly bragging rights!!

Junior Years Mathematics

"When the real world throws us a problem, it never asks what chapter we’ve just studied!" -

(Paul Goldenberg, June Mark, Jane Kang, Mary Fries, Cynthia Carter and Tracy Cordner, 2015)  

This past fortnight, our young Mathematicians have been busy exploring real-world connections in their learning, developing skills that go beyond the classroom.

• Kindergarten students have been settling into school life and learning new routines. They have been showcasing their number knowledge and growing in confidence as they adapt to their new environment.
• Year 1 have been focusing on ‘Time’, using ordinal numbers to explore real-life situations like dates and events. They've identified the months of the year, discussed the seasons, and practised reading a calendar.
• Year 2 kicked off the year with ‘Chance’, describing everyday events using vocabulary like likely, unlikely and possible. They've also been working with calendars, calculating time until upcoming events and using terms like hour, minute, and second to estimate and measure durations.
• Year 3 have been diving deep into numbers, learning to read, represent, and order numbers up to the thousands. They've been using place value to partition and regroup numbers up to four digits, strengthening their ability to be flexible with numbers.
• Year 4 are applying their place value knowledge to represent numbers and are working towards confidently adding and subtracting by decomposing and composing numbers in different ways.

Homework Update – Kindergarten to Year 2:

In response to parent feedback collected at the end of 2024, we’re making a slight adjustment to K-2 homework. In addition to the weekly activity sheet, students will now receive an optional Mathematics worksheet featuring extra questions linked to class content from the previous week. This provides an opportunity for further practice at home.

A reminder of our College Homework Policy: K-2 students are expected to spend 15 minutes on homework on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and one other afternoon each week. Teachers plan for students to spend 5 minutes of this time on Mathematics.

We thank you for your ongoing support and look forward to sharing our future learning in Mathematics with the College community. 

Dancing Into Term: Year 5 Take on Dance! 

Year 5 have launched into Creative Arts this term with enthusiasm, diving straight into their exploration of Dance. In just the first few weeks, students have been learning about the Elements of Dance, and applying this to the song “Beautiful People.”

Under the expert guidance of Mrs. Blunden and Mr. Nguyen, Year 5 students have been eagerly collaborating and adapting existing choreography to make it their own. 

Here’s what some of our students had to say about the experience... 

“It’s really fun because we get to collaborate and work in groups… working together and getting our bodies moving” - Ivy K

"We get to move around, it’s a fun lesson, plus it’s good for us! We are getting into the spirit of Dance” - Nicholas M

For more updates on our talented Year 5 Creative Arts students, as well as the broader CAPA community at SFCC, be sure to follow us on Instagram: CAPA_SFCC.

Mr Marcus Fitzpatrick

Assistant KLA Leader of Creative and Performing Arts

Mrs Katrina Blunden and Mr Thanh Nguyen

Music Teachers