HONOURING MOTHERS AND MOTHER FIGURES 

In the tapestry of family life, not every thread follows the same pattern. Some of us are shaped by the steady presence of our mums; others by women who stepped into that role with grace, generosity, and strength. Whatever form it takes, maternal love leaves a deep and lasting mark.

As a community we reflected this morning in our Mothers’ Day gathering on the way God's love is revealed through motherhood. Motherhood is a gift and we are so very thankful for what mothers and mother figures do. As our recently departed Pope Francis once reminded us, love is not confined to grand gestures or special occasions—it lives in the everyday: in words of encouragement, in acts of quiet service, in hands held and hearts listened to. That is the love we see in so many of the women we celebrate today.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, teaches us that saying "yes" to love is one of the most powerful things a person can do. This Sunday, we honour all those who have said “yes” with their lives—in the joyful, challenging, and ordinary moments that define motherhood.

To all mothers and mother figures in our community: we see you, we thank you, and we celebrate you.

Happy Mother’s Day!

BLESSED EDMUND RICE FEAST DAY

On Monday, our College community came together to celebrate the Feast Day of 

Blessed Edmund Rice—a significant figure whose legacy continues to inspire our commitment to faith, education, and justice. The whole-school Mass, celebrated by Father Bosco, brought students and staff together in a shared moment of reflection and gratitude.

Following the Mass, students participated in a range of activities designed to build connection and community. It was especially heartening to see students from different year levels interacting, collaborating, and forming new friendships. These moments

captured the essence of Edmund Rice’s mission—one of inclusion, respect, and care for one another.

The day was a reminder of the importance of creating a welcoming environment where every student feels seen, valued, and part of something greater. Thank you to everyone who helped bring the day to life and for upholding the spirit of Blessed Edmund in our school.

PARKING AND SAFETY AROUND THE COLLEGE

We continue to receive concerns from local residents about unsafe and illegal parking around the College, particularly on Vinny Road during peak drop-off and pick-up times.

Cars stopping in No Stopping zones, blocking driveways, or parking too close to pedestrian crossings create serious safety risks for students and inconvenience for our neighbours. These rules are in place to protect our children—and they need to be followed.

We respectfully remind all families to park legally and considerately. Police and Council rangers patrol the area regularly, and fines may apply for those doing the wrong thing.

Let’s work together to keep our school zone safe, sensible, and respectful for everyone—especially our students.

Thank you for your support.

FRIENDS OF FRANCIS MEETING

The second Friends of Francis meeting for the year will occur on Monday night (6pm-7pm) 12th May, 2025 in the Staff Common Room.

With 2025 being the year of our School Cyclic Inquiry, there will be an opportunity during the meeting to not only have our normal meeting items - but to also provide feedback on proposed College directions for the next few years.

The more parents/carers there on the night the better - to give us genuine feedback on where we believe we should be heading in the future across faith, learning and wellbeing aspects.

TELL THEM FROM ME (TTFM) SURVEY 2025

Next week, the annual Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Survey will be launched. This important initiative provides students, staff, and families with the opportunity to share their thoughts and experiences of school life at St Francis Catholic College.

The feedback gathered through the TTFM survey helps us better understand what we're doing well and where we can improve—both in the classroom and across the broader school environment.

Students will complete their survey in class on Thursday, while staff will take part in the coming weeks.

The Parent/Carer Survey will be made available via Compass mid next week and will remain open for two weeks. We strongly encourage all families to take the time to complete the survey—your insights and constructive feedback play a vital role in shaping the future of our College and ensuring the best possible outcomes for our students. So look out for the Compass notice!

Thank you in advance for your support.

PRAYER FOR MOTHERS AND MOTHER FIGURES

A Prayer for Mothers and Those Who Mother

Loving God,
We thank You for the gift of mothers—those who gave us life, those who have nurtured us, and those who have guided us with wisdom, patience, and compassion.
We lift up to You all women who have embraced the call to love as a mother does—through birth, adoption, fostering, teaching, or simply by being present in someone’s life with care and devotion.

Bless those mothers who are with us now—strengthen them in their daily work and renew their spirit when they are weary.
Comfort those who mourn mothers who have passed, and be near to women who carry the ache of loss, longing, or unfulfilled dreams of motherhood.
May Mary, the Mother of Jesus, intercede for all who love and lead with a mother’s heart.

We entrust them to Your care, O Lord.
May they know they are cherished, honoured, and never alone.

–Amen.

Celebrating Edmund Rice Feast Day at SFCC

On Monday, our college community gathered to celebrate the Feast Day of Blessed Edmund Rice, honouring the life and mission of a man who dedicated himself to bringing education, dignity, and justice to those most in need.

Our day began with a Eucharistic celebration led by Fr Bosco, where we reflected on Edmund Rice’s enduring legacy and the call to live lives grounded in Gospel values—especially hope, compassion, and kindness. During the liturgy, we also paused in prayerful remembrance of Pope Francis, giving thanks for his life of humble service, courageous leadership, and tireless advocacy for the poor and marginalised. His recent passing invites us all to continue walking the path of peace and love he so faithfully modelled.

After the Mass, the spirit of joy and community continued as students from all year levels participated in a variety of activities that reflected the inclusive and generous heart of our Edmund Rice tradition. It was a day filled with laughter, connection, and purpose—reminding us that hope is alive in the actions we take together for the good of others.

Blessed Edmund Rice 1762 – 1844

Businessman, Father, Widower, Teacher, Founder, Brother,

Friend of the Poor.

Beatified:  6th October, 1996 

The Icon of Edmund Rice was created by Irish artist Desmond Kyne and was unveiled in Liverpool, England in 1986. The original is about the size of a household door. Kyne uses the principles of Byzantine and Celtic iconography. He has devised, through modern technology, a unique process whereby light, falling onto a laser-ruled metal backing, is brilliantly reflected through the glass in front, on which the Icon is painted. The Icon glows and sparkles in different ways depending on the angle of viewing it.

Desmond Kyne's artistic portrayal of Edmund's life in the kinetic glass medium has played a remarkable part in making Edmund's life known.

Edmund dominates the central icon panel. The artist is keen to show him as commanding, relaxed, and intent. He is a person of strength and vision. His eyes are large, taking everything in and revealing his compassion and understanding.

He is a fatherly figure reaching out to marginalised youth. The significance of Mary, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the presence of suffering, and many other facets of Edmund's story are vividly portrayed.

Mrs Alexandra Mediati

Last term, Year 3 has been reflected on the events of Holy Week in preparation for the joyful celebration of the Easter Triduum and the Easter season. As part of their learning, they created informative posters to help teach Year 2 about the significance of Holy Week. Both Year 3 and Year 2 thoroughly enjoyed coming together to explore the meaning behind this sacred time, deepening their understanding of how Holy Week forms the foundation of our Catholic faith.

Mrs Amanda Khoury 

During our first morning back of Term 2, College Captains and Year 9 HSIE students led a combined Easter and ANZAC Day liturgy, uniting the community in a poignant reflection on resurrection, sacrifice, and hope. 

Held during the Second Week of Easter, the service honoured the risen Christ while paying tribute to the courage and legacy of servicemen, service women and a special mention to Pope Francis. 

This meaningful gathering offered students and staff a space to remember the past, celebrate the resurrection, and commit to living with courage, compassion and hope in the present. 

SFCC Drama Students Shine at the 2025 MISA Drama Day.

The MISA Drama Day held at Broughton Anglican College on the 9th of April Term 1, was a joyful and rewarding experience for Year 9 and Year 10 Drama students. Ms Castagnella and Mrs Melendez were proud to accompany the Drama students, who represented SFCC with creativity, enthusiasm, and professionalism. The students collaborated eagerly with other students from across the diocese, embracing new challenges and showcasing their talents throughout the day.

As part of the day’s activities, a playbuilding workshop was co-led by Ms Castagnella and Mrs Melendez. The session focused on using visual stimuli and questioning techniques as springboards for devised performance. Through tableau, movement, voice, sound, and physicality, students explored and developed ideas that communicated rich dramatic meaning. Mrs Melendez appreciated the chance to return to her drama roots for the day, relishing the opportunity to observe such inventive and distinctive student work.

Ms Castagnella reflected on the energy of the event, describing it as a day filled with creativity, collaboration, and meaningful learning. She was inspired by how the SFCC students embraced the challenge of devising theatre in new environments, forming thoughtful and engaging performances. The workshop was not only vibrant and energetic, but also provided students with the chance to deepen their confidence, expressiveness, and playbuilding skills.

Here are some of our students reflecting on the success of the day.

Ayesha L, Year 9 Drama

Hannah A, Year 10 Drama

MISA Drama Day was a powerful reminder of the role the arts play in developing creative, confident, and collaborative learners. Our students not only represented SFCC with distinction, but also grew as young artists, thinkers, and collaborators. Events like these enrich our school cultural landscape and inspire our students to think beyond the classroom walls. I commend all our students and extend my gratitude to the staff who made this experience possible. We look forward to seeing even more of our students shine in future opportunities.

Mr Najee Tannous

CAPA Leader of Learning

Ms Anna Castagnella

Drama Teacher

Mrs Elizabeth Melendez

English Teacher

St Francis Student Wins Top Prize in Statewide Arts Competition

Congratulations to Year 11 Visual Arts student, Athena, who has taken out first place in all of NSW in the Youth Week 2025 Creative Arts Competition.

The competition, run by the Advocate for Children and Young People (ACYP), asked young people aged 12 - 24 to create an artwork responding to the theme “I am…”, celebrating identity, skills, and pride in who they are.

Athena’s winning piece, ‘I’m a Mallu’, is a striking series of acrylic paintings on wooden boards that explores her connection to her Indian (Malayali) culture. Her original work impressed judges with its bold use of colour, symbolism and strong personal narrative.

Her success is a proud moment for both Athena and the wider St Francis creative community. It reflects not only her artistic talent and cultural pride, but also the vibrant creativity nurtured through our Visual Arts programs.

We are incredibly proud of Athena’s achievement and look forward to seeing her continue to thrive as a young artist. Well done, Athena!

Link to ACYP instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJJP_uVtn5c/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Link to CAPA Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/capa_sfcc/

Mr Marcus Fitzpatrick

Assistant Leader of CAPA

Lets Celebrate:

CONGRATULATIONS to our community of TAPS learners. The number of students moving through meetings in Term 1 and the enquiries made about University Entry, Universities, Work Experience, along with specific career pathways beyond school, has been extremely positive.

MESSAGE FROM TAPS:

As we move into Term 2, Year 10 will be continuing to talk about and consider their best fit options for career directions. This will not go without the support of parents and community stakeholders, alongside SFCC staff. Work Experience, and associated module learning for preparation for this experience, will be enhanced by the PDHPE Work Unit organised in collaboration with Ms Flegg and Mr Fricot. Year 10 will also be provided with an opportunity to attend the Macarthur Association Careers Expo (MACE) on June 5 held at Minto Indoor Stadium. So very busy but opportunity filled term for our young adolescents who forge positively into building their capacities to collaborate, engage positively and explore future options.

Years 11 & 12, working with focus as well as together, are continuing their investigations into career options and university connections. UAC (University Admission Centre) was updated at the end of Term 1, so this allows these years to spend time researching the possibilities of university courses.

Across the TAPS meeting space career interests have been identified in teaching, medicine, law, construction management, media communications, film and design. International study as well as interstate study are being looked at and actioned by some of our students. Interviews to discuss subject selections and best career pathways for individuals have also occurred. 

A message to parents, if you need to book a meeting about TAPS related information, please phone the SFCC office and leave a message for Mrs McMahon, who will return your call.

SCAN READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION: to investigate material relevant to your interests and motivations. Follow-up with booking a meeting with Mrs McMahon to continue the next steps in moving forward.

Thinking about a gap year?

If you're in high school and starting to think about what comes next, you might be thinking about a gap year. Traditionally, it's a period of time (not necessarily a year) when students take a break between finishing school and starting further study or work.

Gap years aren’t always right for everyone, and there’s always the opportunity to take a break at other points in your life - but if you're wanting to take one ASAP, let’s take a quick look into why taking a gap year could be a fantastic choice for you.

Boost your university grades

Worried that a year off might make you rusty? Think again: studies show that students who take a gap year often do better academically when they start university. 

Often it's because they've had time to take a break and feel less burnt out, their time away has built up motivation for their next step and future pathway, or because they've gained additional life skills to handle the pressure that tertiary studies can bring.

Figure out your future

Not sure what you want to study or do for a career? You're not alone. But a gap year might actually help you figure it out.

About 60% of students who took a gap year said it helped them decide on their course of study and future career path. This means less time and money spent changing courses later on.

In fact, 95% of 2020 Gap Year Association (GYA) survey participants said their gap year prepared them for their next step into further education or the workforce. And a further 78% of college graduates participating in a gap year believed the time helped clarify what they wanted to do in life.

"60% of gap year students said the experience either 'set me on my current career path/academic major' or 'confirmed my choice of career/academic major'.

Karl Haigler and Rae Nelson, The Gap-Year Advantage

Grow as a person

A gap year isn't just about taking a break; it's also a chance to grow. A whopping 98% of students said their gap year helped them develop personally, and 97% felt it made them more mature. Whether you're traveling, working, or volunteering, you'll gain experiences that shape who you are.

According to Robert Clagett, a former Senior Admissions Official at Harvard, gap year participants often "begin college with a more mature and focused mindset".

Prepare for the workforce

Employers love candidates with real-world experience, and taking a gap year can give you skills and experiences that make your resume stand out.

In a College Finance survey of 210 hiring managers, 80% agreed gap years are important for personal growth, and 21% were more likely to hire candidates who'd taken a gap year, especially if they undertook work experience within that period.

Plus, 78% of gap year alumni believe their time off improved their preparation for college, impacted their career field, or helped them get a job.

Things to keep in mind

While a gap year may have many benefits, it's essential to plan it well so you can really make the most of the experience. Think about what you want to achieve - whether it's saving money, traveling, or gaining work experience. A well-thought-out plan ensures your gap year is productive and fulfilling.  And remember, you don't have to take a gap year straight after high school to reap the benefits. 

Final thoughts: Taking a gap year can offer numerous benefits, from better grades to personal growth and career readiness. If you're considering taking one, start planning early and set clear goals. Still unsure? You might like to take our Gap Year quiz and do some more research, or find lots more information in our latest Gap Year Guide.

PATHWAYS at a GLANCE:

Radiology Pathway:

What if ?... I wanted to set my path on Engineering studying at the University of New South Wales, what might my admission look like? Well this year it involved an Engineering portfolio submission, alongside an ATAR above 90.

Here’s the video submission outline:

Mrs Joanne McMahon

TAPS Coordinator

Diocesan Open Boys Soccer

On April 8th the Open Boys Soccer team made their way down to Myimbarr Community Park, Shellharbour for the Diocesan Soccer Gala Day.

The Open Boys Soccer Team put in a strong and determined performance at the recent Gala Day Tournament, navigating a challenging group stage that included the eventual two grand finalists. While the results on paper were mixed, the team demonstrated excellent cohesion, skill, and sportsmanship throughout the day.

From the first whistle, it was clear the boys had come to compete. They opened the tournament with a confident result, showing sharp passing and clinical finishing in front of goal. Despite facing tough competition in the next matches, the boys held their own, playing with great spirit and tactical discipline.

A particular highlight came in their second game, with a resounding win, where the team rallied together and executed a composed and well-structured game plan. The midfield showed great control, the defense remained solid under pressure, and the forwards made the most of their opportunities.

By the end of the day, the team finished equal 3rd in their group—a remarkable achievement given the calibre of their opponents. Their efforts and positive attitude did not go unnoticed, earning praise from both coaches and spectators for their resilience and teamwork.

Congratulations to all the players involved. A special mention goes to the students who were selected for the representative team following their performances on the day. Their selection is a testament not only to their individual skill and consistency, but also to the way they contributed to the team’s overall success. These players stood out for their leadership on the field, composure under pressure, and ability to lift those around them. We wish them all the best as they move forward to represent the school at a higher level.

Well done boys!

Mr Arzapitian

Welcome back to Term 2! Our Junior Years students have returned to classes excited and our teachers are looking forward to the term ahead.

This term, our Kindergarten students have started completing Mathematics homework and we are looking forward to seeing their young minds grow. We encourage all our parents to sit with their children as they complete their Math homework - no matter what grade they are in. An important part of Mathematics is the ability to verbalise your thinking and it is much easier to do that with someone next to you. Here are some questions you can ask your child as they are completing their homework.

• What is the question asking you to do?
• How did you work out your answer?
• Is there a way you can check your work?

Classroom Spotlight: Year 2

Year 2 students have been learning about Data and how to use it in our everyday lives. They have been learning to ask open-ended questions and record their information clearly. Students have had to use their skills of addition and subtraction to interpret their data and ensure it is accurate. Take a look at some of their great work!

Miss Maryanne Bulfon

Junior Years Numeracy Co-ordinator

MISA Year 10 (B) Debating Success

Congratulations to our Year 10 (B) MISA Debaters on their victory in Round 4 of the competition against Magdalene Catholic College. The topic was ' That cancel culture is a form of accountability.' and we were the negative team. An excellent effort by the following students who are an asset to SFCC.

1) First Speaker - Devika A

2) Second Speaker - Carolina J

3) Third Speaker - Ekisha P

4) Fourth Speaker - Xanthe T.G

St Francis Catholic College’s success story    

First time skippers raised over $32,000 for Australian hearts  

Last year K-6 students participated in the Jump Rope for Heart program run by The Heart Foundation.

SFCC was awarded 1st across Australia raising over $32 000!! The Heart Foundation has created an article on our College's wonderful achievement.

Click on the link to read all about it.