Celebrating Harmony Day – A Reflection of Our Diversity

Last Friday’s Harmony Day was a wonderful celebration of the rich cultural diversity within our College community. From Kindergarten to Year 12, students and staff came together to embrace the message of inclusivity and respect, making it a truly special occasion.

The vibrant array of cultural outfits on display was a highlight of the day. The attention to detail in the traditional dress worn by so many reflected a deep sense of pride and appreciation for heritage. It was a powerful reminder of the many backgrounds and traditions that contribute to the unique fabric of our school.

Most importantly, the spirit of Harmony Day was felt in the way our community united—sharing, learning, and celebrating together. It was a day that reinforced the strength of our diversity and the values that bring us together as a College.

Year 12 Cultural Food Fest – A Special Bonding Moment

As part of the Harmony Day celebrations, yesterday Year 12 came together for a Cultural Food Fest, taking a well-earned break from their busy assessment schedule. It was a chance to step back, enjoy time together, and appreciate the diverse backgrounds that make up their year group.

With a spread of dishes from Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Australia, and Europe, students embraced the opportunity to try new flavours and share stories behind the food. More than just a meal, the event was a reminder of the strong connections within the year group and the richness of the College’s multicultural community.

Travel Safety – A Shared Responsibility

Most of our students do the right thing when traveling to and from school—following instructions, using crossings correctly, and being aware of their surroundings. These safe choices help ensure everyone arrives and gets home safely each day.

However, there have been some very close calls recently involving students and vehicles. A moment of inattention, stepping onto the road without looking, or not following bus/pickup procedures can have serious consequences. These near misses serve as a reminder of the importance of travel safety and the need for all students to follow PB4L guidelines at all times.

Everyone has a role to play. Students must stay alert, listen to staff and supervisors, and make responsible choices around roads and buses. Families can help by reinforcing these expectations at home.  Together, we can keep our St Francis Catholic College community safe.

A Prayer for Understanding and the Common Good

Loving God,

You have created us as one human family,
each of us unique, yet all made in Your image.
Help us to see with eyes of compassion,
to listen with hearts open to understanding,
and to work together with a spirit of unity.

Guide us to seek the common good,
putting aside division and selfishness,
so that we may build a world
rooted in justice, kindness, and peace.

May we always reflect Your love
in our words and actions,
honouring the dignity of every person
and striving to make our communities places of welcome and care.

We ask this in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

Mr Matthew McMahon
College Principal

THE WORLD FOR OUR STUDENTS ONLINE

Some students in the Middle Years have discovered the power of Google Chat! This is an inappropriate use of the Google suite. The school can’t turn this off; the students must turn it off themselves. Unfortunately, it can become a distraction to learning. There will be consequences for students who misuse the chat function. Please discuss this with your child.  Pastoral periods regularly touch on Digital Citizenship and Digital Footprints. 

We are concerned as well about the way some students ‘talk’ to each other online. This can spill over to how they then relate to each other at school and how students are impacted and at times deeply hurt. This is a good conversation to have with your child or young person: Is how you communicate online the same as how you would speak face to face? Is it respectful? Is it kind? 

In recent weeks, you may have heard of, or even watched the Netflix series “Adolescence”. It is both shocking and powerful as it explores the world of adolescent boys and girls in our current landscape. There has already been much written about this program. The renowned child psychologist Dr Justin Coulson refers to it as “incredible television” which has created valuable conversation. I have spoken to some parents who have watched this program with their own adolescent children which has led to revealing insight. Dr Coulson finished his article with the following suggestions: 

What can you do?

- Monitor your kids' online activities

- Talk to them regularly (and listen twice as much)

- Minimise screen time and foster face to face relationships

- Spend more time together as a family

- Make sure he/she gets enough sleep

- Know where your kids are

- Ensure they have access to great adults who care about them

- Tell them the three most important words they can hear: Not I love you... but the next three: no matter what. They need to know they're worthy of your love. Always.

Very helpful resources can be found on the E Commissioner website:

https://www.esafety.gov.au/search?query=parental+controls#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=parental%20controls&gsc.page=1

Mrs Leonie Pearce
Assistant Principal - Pastoral Care

Harmony Day was a celebration of inclusivity and a reminder that “Everybody Belongs” in the SFCC community.

During pastoral care sessions, students explored the significance of Harmony Day, learning key facts such as its inception in 1999 and that more than 25,000 events have been held across Australia since then.

Students engaged in discussions about culture through various Think, Pair, Share activities within their Homeroom Groups. It was wonderful to witness the diverse and meaningful conversations about the importance of culture and identity among our students.

Throughout the week, the Year 7 Middle Years Hallway transformed into a sea of ‘orange hands,’ each representing a student in the grade. This display served as a visual reminder of how special they are and the vital role they play in our College community.

Students in Year 7 also contributed to a collection of ‘hands,’ each featuring personal reflections on what Harmony Day means to them. Words such as Friendship, Inclusiveness, Respect, Culture, Multiculturalism, Belonging, and Religion were prominently shared. One student beautifully expressed, “Harmony Day means belonging, having a sense of inclusiveness, and showing respect and unity amongst all.”

It was a fantastic week of learning, celebrating diversity, and embracing our College’s motto, “Open Minds and Open Hearts.”

Through these activities, students deepened their understanding of one another’s backgrounds and cultures, fostering a stronger sense of community.

Mrs Russell
Year 7 Pastoral Care Coordinator

On the 11th of March, we had two visitors come to our school and talk to us about how Vikings lived and fought throughout the ages. 

Some items that were shown to us included replicas of weapons, punishment/torture devices, armour and shields. The weapons included axes, swords, crossbows, and even jousting sticks, as horses were frequently used in battle. The armour shown to us was built to resist slashing from swords and protecting the Vikings from injury.

Some other interesting things shown to us included a jester hat, scold's bridle, and helmets that people got to try on. This incursion brought us new information and insights into what the vikings' lives were really like. It showed us the contrast of their daily lives, and demonstrated that whilst they had challenges and hardships to overcome, they were creative and resourceful people who came up with unique solutions to the problems they faced.

We are grateful to have had the opportunity to have a deeper understanding of this topic, and we appreciate the engaging way that the visitors presented their knowledge.

Year 12 English Studies students recently took their learning beyond the classroom with an exciting visit to the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) and Allianz Stadium. As part of their HSC module, Playing the Game – English in Sport, this immersive experience allowed students to explore how language is used in the world of sport to engage audiences, inspire athletes, and shape public perception.

During a 90-minute guided tour, students heard captivating stories of legendary players, passionate spectators, and historic sporting events. They explored the rich history of these iconic venues while considering how commentary, media reporting, and promotional language influence the way we experience sport. Walking in the footsteps of sporting greats, they gained a deeper understanding of how words bring the excitement of the game to life.

This hands-on learning experience provided valuable insight into the intersection of sport and language, reinforcing the importance of communication in shaping the narratives that define the sporting world.

Here’s what our students had to say about the experience:

“This was an exciting experience as we are used to hearing about these places on social media, so being able to walk the grounds and sit in the seats of some of Australia’s sporting legends such as Sam Kerr, James Tedesco, Adam Goodes and Shane Warne was something that our class will remember. Thanks to our wonderful Tour Guide; we all learnt something new about the stadium and made a great connection to our unit of work. Personally, I loved this excursion due to being able to see the stadium completely empty and understanding the whole atmosphere that these legends experience.” 
Ella L

Mrs Grace Roman
English Teacher

THE JOURNEY OF A YEAR 12 VISUAL ARTS MAJOR WORK

Year 12 Visual Arts students produce a Major Work, known as a Body of Work, as part of their HSC course. This is achieved through an ongoing collaboration between the student and their teacher, who brings expertise and experience to guide students throughout the year-long process. We spoke to Year 12 Visual Arts teacher, Mr Marcus Fitzpatrick, about developing a Body of Work and the different roles of the teacher and the student.

FROM THE TEACHER

How do you guide students when they begin their Major Work?

Our programs are structured to support students on a creative journey from Year 7, helping them build their skills and knowledge to produce their best work by Year 12. We assess each student based on their strengths and how they develop their concepts, offering personalised guidance that aligns with their current level of ability.

At the start of Year 12, we engage in a conversation with students to explore their interests and aspirations for their Major Work. We also discuss their strengths in material practice and work to connect their concepts with these skills. From that point, students document their entire process in a diary, refining their ideas and techniques.

How do you guide students to make confident, independent creative decisions?

Building a strong, trusting relationship with students is key. It’s essential to believe in them and convey that belief clearly. From there, we continue to provide ongoing guidance, celebrating their progress and helping them navigate the process of bringing their Major Work together. This supportive approach allows students to grow in confidence and make empowered creative decisions.

Mr Najee Tannous
Leader of Learning - Creative and Performing Arts

Mr Marcus Fitzpatrick
Assistant Leader of Learning - Creative and Performing Arts