CATHOLICCARE PRESENTATIONS – CHILD PROTECTION WEEK

As part of Child Protection Week, the College welcomed CatholicCare on Monday night for two parent/carer presentations: Big Feelings, Calm Responses and Talking About Mental Health. Over 20 parents and carers attended the sessions, which explored practical ways to support young people in today’s complex and changing world.

Presenters Rita Maher, Hannah Stone and Sara-Ann Escarate emphasised the importance of communication, patience, and taking a genuine interest in children’s lives, showing compassion and love while also setting clear boundaries.

We sincerely thank CatholicCare for their ongoing partnership and all the parents and carers who joined us for an informative and engaging evening.

SOLAR BUDDIES

Congratulations to our students—and their families—who helped raise funds for the Solar Buddies initiative. This program provides solar-powered lights to children living in energy poverty, and St Francis Catholic College is proud to support such an important cause.

Our Year 5 students led the way with games and fundraising activities. Although it may not have been pleasant getting slimed (along with other brave staff!), raising over $4,000 for this initiative is a fantastic achievement.

A special thank you to Ms Kolar and Miss Messina for their guidance and support in making this event such a success.

CAPTAINS’ MASS WITH THE BISHOP

Earlier this week, our 2025 College Captains and Vice Captains, together with Mr Watson and myself, attended the annual Captains’ Mass at the Cathedral in Wollongong. Student leaders from schools right across the Diocese gathered for this special occasion.

Before Mass, the Bishop spent time talking with the students about leadership, school life and their hopes for the year ahead (he also had time for a paper plane throwing competition!). The Mass itself was a beautiful celebration, and afterwards the various Captains and Vice Captains enjoyed lunch and conversation with leaders from other schools.

We are very grateful to our Bishop for the encouragement he gives our young leaders and for the genuine care he shows towards the students of our Diocese.

YEAR 9 PUBLIC SPEAKING

Our College continues to enjoy success in Public Speaking, with very strong results at this year’s MISA competition. Congratulations to Year 9 student Olugbemisola (Bumni) F., who achieved 1st Place with her prepared speech on “Fake News in a Digital World.” She spoke with confidence and insight, leaving a strong impression on the judges.

Well done also to Jacob M., who received a Highly Commended award for his impromptu response to the topic “If you could change one thing about your school uniform, what would it be and why?” Jacob’s thoughtful approach and clear delivery were highly praised.

These results add to our ongoing record of success in Public Speaking and Debating over the past few years. We are very proud of both Bumni and Jacob for the way they represented our College, and we thank Ms Tanya Beslic for her ongoing support and coaching in preparing our students so well.

BISHOP’S STUDENT EXCELLENCE AWARD

Last week, Mrs Agostino, Mrs Pearce, Mr Watson, and I joined with schools across the Diocese at the annual Bishop’s Student Excellence Awards in Wollongong. Each Year 12 recipient was recognised as a young adult who reflects the very best of Catholic education through faith, learning, service, and school spirit.

We are proud to announce that this year’s St Francis Catholic College recipient was Thalia S. As College Captain, Thalia has been an outstanding leader within our community. Beyond the College, she has also served as Cadet Under Officer and Company Commander of 22/29 ACU Holsworthy, and is an active member of the Youth Committee of the Sydney Jewish Museum. These commitments highlight her dedication, discipline, and generosity in contributing to both the College and the wider community.

It was wonderful to celebrate Thalia’s achievements alongside her family on the night, and we congratulate her on being such a worthy recipient of this award.

 SAFETY AROUND THE COLLEGE

We continue to be concerned about student safety around the College, particularly on Vinny Road during drop-off and pick-up times. Cars stopping in No Stopping zones, blocking driveways, or parking too close to pedestrian crossings create risks for our students and frustrate our neighbours.

We also ask families not to encourage students to cross roads unsafely when pedestrian crossings are available. Teaching and modelling safe road behaviour helps protect our young people and supports them in developing good habits for the future.

Please park legally and considerately, and remind students to use the crossings provided. Police and Council rangers patrol the area, and fines may apply for illegal parking.

By working together, we can ensure our school zone is safe for everyone—especially our students. Thank you for supporting this important effort.

PRAYER

The following prayer is most fitting in line with this week’s R U OK? Day. 

Prayer for Mental Health and Support

Loving God,

You know the struggles of every heart and the weight that each of us carries.

Help us to see the signs when someone is hurting, to listen with compassion, and to speak words of encouragement and hope.

Guide us to be a source of kindness and understanding, reflecting Your love in our words and actions.

Comfort those who feel alone or overwhelmed, and strengthen our community to support one another with care and patience.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Mr Matthew McMahon

Congratulations to Thalia S of Year 12 who is this year's SFCC recipient of the Bishop's Student Excellence Award. Below is the citation which was read out at the ceremony in relation to Thalia's outstanding College and community involvement.

Thalia S - St Francis, Edmondson Park

It is with great honour that I present the Bishop Student Excellence Award to a remarkable young woman, THALIA SINGH, whose contribution to St Francis Catholic College and the wider community has been both significant and inspiring. Throughout her years at the College, Thalia has lived out our motto, Open Minds, Open Hearts, showing diligence, perseverance and genuine care for others. She has built meaningful connections with her peers, teachers and the broader community. A committed parishioner of Mary Mother of the Church, Macquarie Fields, Thalia attends Mass weekly and is actively involved in parish initiatives. Her deep faith is expressed through a readiness to serve, whether in community projects, prayer ministry, or supporting others in their faith journey. At the College, Thalia has excelled academically, upheld the highest standards of conduct and participated wholeheartedly in school life. She has shown outstanding leadership as Youth Engagement Leader and more recently as College Captain for 2024–2025. In these roles, she has led Bible study groups, organised Caritas Australia fundraising campaigns and promoted Catholic social justice causes. She played an active role in MacFest, the Macarthur Catholic Youth Festival and has encouraged younger students in their prayer life, including introducing them to the Rosary. This year, she initiated ‘CROSSFIT’, a Lenten program encouraging students to put Christ’s teachings into action through service and compassion. Thalia’s commitment extends beyond our Catholic community. As a Youth Committee member of the Sydney Jewish Museum, she has supported Holocaust education and the f ight against antisemitism. Through the ‘Youth HEAR’ program, she has helped connect young Australians with survivors’ stories, inspiring empathy and respect for diversity. She has also contributed to educational resources on antisemitism for potential inclusion in the NSW curriculum. Thalia’s service also extends to the Australian Army Cadets, where she has risen to the rank of Cadet Under Officer and served as Company Commander of 22/29 ACU Holsworthy. She has led and mentored cadets from across New South Wales, organised fundraising for Legacy, supported veterans through the Run Army Program and worked with the Liverpool SES to strengthen community resilience. Through all these endeavours, Thalia has shown intelligence, compassion and a quiet strength that inspires those around her. She is a role model for our students, a source of pride for her family and a valued contributor to the wider community. It is with pride and gratitude that we recognise Thalia Singh as a most deserving recipient of the Bishop’s Excellence Award.

Thalia and her family were very proud of her achievement and enjoyed the celebrations! 

Over the past five weeks, more than 50 students from our College have been preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We warmly congratulate all the candidates who, on Friday, 29th of August, celebrated this Sacrament at our parish church, Mary, Mother of the Church, Macquarie Fields.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Miss Meli, Mrs Brites, Ms Hudson, Mrs Ewins, and Miss Bulfon for generously giving their time, faith, and guidance to help the students prepare for this significant milestone. On that evening, the students left the church with renewed hearts, forgiven and cleansed from sin.

As Acts 3:19 reminds us: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”

Mrs Amanda Khoury 

JY Teacher

Teaching Your Child to Communicate Assertively 

Assertive communication is about expressing your thoughts, feelings and needs in a calm and respectful way. It is key for confidence building! The fear of seeming rude or selfish can prevent children from speaking up for themselves. Assertiveness isn't natural to most and needs to be taught and practiced. Here are some helpful tips to help your child communicate assertively.

• Practice your assertive communication at home. Children often learn by watching – kids are more likely to follow modelled behaviours. 
• Use 'I' statement like, 'I feel frustrated when…' or 'I really want this but…
  'I' statements help remove blaming language and communicates the thought, feeling or need.
• Roleplay common scenarios and give your child simple scripts such as:
  'When you do ____, it makes me feel ____. Can you please ____?
• Praise assertiveness when you see it. 'That was really brave and respectful!' or 'you said that so clear and kind, now I know exactly what you need!'
• Help your child to practice tone, volume and body language. If they speak quickly, help them slow down their speech. 

With practice, children can master assertive communication and gain lifelong benefits including healthier relationships, better problem-solving skills and confidence in standing up for themselves.  

Parent/Carer Tips

Congratulations to the following Students who received their Bronze Award:

Year 1 - July Z, Rachel K, Aradh G, Caileigh B, Myanh N, Zoe R

Year 2 - Lucas F

Year 3 - Amirah A, Hannah A

Congratulations to the following Students who received their Silver Award:

Year 2 - Aria H, Izaiah L, Samuel V

Year 3 - Rohan S

Congratulations to the following Students who received their Gold Award:

Year 2 - Tinka Q

Year 3 - Annabel A

Year 4 - Rihanna G

Thank you to all the parents and carers who completed the homework grid during Week 8 to support Literacy and Numeracy Week.

We understand that supporting your child with homework can sometimes be challenging. To assist our community in better understanding the Mathematics curriculum, we’ve created a series of helpful videos.

These videos will be shared on our St Francis Catholic College Youtube Channel.

The videos are designed to explain the strategies and mathematical language your child uses in class. You’ll be able to recognise them by the thumbnail image shown here. Our first videos in the series will cover:

• How to write your numbers 
• How to partition numbers 
• Number Bonds
  
  

We hope these resources make supporting your child’s learning at home a little easier. Thank you for your ongoing support!

Miss Maryanne Bulfon

Junior Years Numeracy Coordinator

A huge thank you to all parents and carers, students, and staff for your support of this year’s Book Fair. As will finalise the orders and await our final delivery, we are pleased to announce that due to your wonderful support, the St Francis Community made over $ 10,000 in sales. This means that the College receives over $3,000 of Scholastic Rewards that will be used to purchase new resources for the College Library over the coming year.

Thank you again to the whole College Community for all your amazing generosity.

This year marked the very first time St Francis Catholic College has implemented the Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee initiative for our Year 3 and 4 students, and the enthusiasm was inspiring. An incredible 102 students eagerly put their hands up to participate in the first round of this national competition. 

While the competition was underway, the remaining students engaged in a range of fun and challenging spelling activities, ensuring that everyone had the opportunity to strengthen their word knowledge and enjoy the spirit of the event.

We are very proud to announce that the following students were successful in progressing to the State/Territory Finals of the Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee 2025:

Mikaela A – 3B, Scarlett F – 3R, Liam J – 4R, Chloe K – 4B, Zach P – 4G

Unfortunately, we did not have anyone that was successful to participate in the National Round. Nonetheless, this is an outstanding achievement, and we congratulate these students on their dedication, confidence, and spelling expertise. They made the College very proud!

Until next year!

Ms Lauren Meli

K-4 Literacy Coordinator

Year 12 Timber Major Projects

This year, our Industrial Technology Timber students have produced some outstanding Major Projects that showcase not only their creativity but also their craftsmanship, problem-solving, and perseverance.

Over the past year, students have dedicated countless hours to designing, planning, and constructing their individual projects — from detailed concept sketches, technical drawings, and material selections, through to the precision and care required in the workshop to bring their designs to life.

The final products are a true credit to their hard work and passion. Each piece demonstrates a high level of skill in joinery, finishing, and design innovation, and reflects the commitment these students have shown throughout the entire process.

We are incredibly proud of what they have achieved, and the projects stand as a testament to the talent and dedication of our Industrial Technology Timber students. 

Regan Suters
TAS Teacher & Acting VET Coordinator

Evening with Year 12: Celebrating Talent and Creativity

On the 20th of August, our College community came together for the much-anticipated Evening with Year 12, a showcase of the incredible talent, creativity, and dedication of our Year 12 Music and Visual Arts students. The event offered a unique opportunity for families, teachers, and peers to celebrate our students and the culmination of hard work and commitment over the last two years.

The evening was filled with unforgettable performances from our Year 12 Music students, who have been preparing diligently for their upcoming HSC Music examinations. These examinations are an important milestone, not only assessing technical skill and musical understanding but also reflecting the discipline, perseverance, and artistic expression that students develop throughout their HSC journey.

Beyond the music, the evening highlighted the broader importance of arts education at St Francis Catholic College. It is no surprise that participation in the arts fosters critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and resilience - skills that extend far beyond the classroom. For our students, the arts have provided a space to explore their passions, develop confidence, and express themselves in ways that are both personal and universally resonant.

We are incredibly proud of all our Year 12 students for their achievements and for sharing their talents with our community. 

As the Year 12 students move closer to their final HSC examinations, we wish them every success and encourage them to continue embracing the arts as a lifelong source of inspiration and learning.

Mr Najee Tannous

Leader of Creative and Performing Arts

Mrs Katrina Blunden

Assistant Leader of Creative and Performing Arts

A new tradition begins

From humble beginnings, what started as a simple kick-around organised by a group of Year 11 students during their Breaks has grown into something far greater—a tradition in the making. What began as a casual game of soccer quickly captured the attention of students from across different year groups, inspiring the creation of an event designed to bring our whole College Community together. And so, the Francis Premier League (FPL) was born—not just as a soccer competition, but as a celebration of friendship, inclusivity, and College spirit.

After several weeks of intense competition, the tournament reached its peak on Wednesday, 27th of August, when the two top teams clashed in the grand final. Year 12 took on Year 10 in a thrilling match that showcased skill, determination, and passion. With the entire College gathered on the sidelines to cheer them on, the atmosphere was nothing short of electric. In the end, Year 12 claimed victory with a hard-fought 2–0 win, securing their place as the inaugural FPL champions.

A special thank you goes to Sean and Mr Suters, who refereed with fairness and dedication, ensuring the game was played in the right spirit.

The day carried even greater meaning with the launch of the Francis Boot Drive earlier that morning. Thanks to the generosity of our students, more than 30 pairs of boots were donated, which will be passed on to local clubs. This initiative will give more young people the chance to play the game they love, extending the spirit of the FPL beyond the College grounds.

The success of the Francis Premier League and the Boot Drive is a testament to the passion, creativity, and leadership of our students. Together, they have planted the seeds of a tradition that we hope will continue to grow each year—a lasting legacy of sport, service, and community at St Francis.

- Chloe S & Nikolas K

MISA Chess

Students from Years 9 to 11 at St Francis Catholic College eagerly prepared for the annual MISA Chess Tournament, giving up their Break 2 to practise and challenge each other. For several students, it was their first time competing, with some only taking up chess earlier this term. On Friday the 29th of August, our students travelled to John Therry Catholic College with both nerves and excitement, ready to test their skills. Despite a last-minute change to shorten game times from 20 minutes to 15, both teams rose to the challenge and played with great focus and determination.

Our Senior Team performed strongly, finishing just 1.5 points away from third place, with Michael M giving an outstanding performance on Board 1. The Junior Team also showed great promise, with excellent efforts from Aarav C and Harini A, while newcomers Ayesha L and Elphidius B impressed with their resilience and positive team spirit. Both teams should be very proud of their achievements and progress, especially given the challenging competition.

What shone through most on the day was the students’ sportsmanship and College pride. They encouraged one another, displayed humility and respect, and represented St Francis with grace and good humour. A big thank you goes to Dr Chand and Mr Beh for their support in training and preparing the students, and to Dr Chand for accompanying the teams on the day. Congratulations to all our chess players for their hard work and dedication—we look forward to building on this success as we prepare for MISA Chess 2026!

Dr Chand

MISA Chess Coach

Diocesan Boys & Girls Volleyball Championships

The St Francis Open Boys and Girls Volleyball teams have worked hard in preparation for the recent Diocesan competition. With the event delayed from Term 2, students were able to continue developing their skills and teamwork throughout Term 3. Many gave up their time after school to attend training sessions, showing great dedication to improving their game and building strong connections within their teams. This commitment not only strengthened their skills but also built a strong sense of team spirit going into the competition.

On the day, both teams represented St Francis Catholic College with pride, showing enthusiasm, respect, and humility in every match, regardless of the results. The Open Girls team displayed incredible energy and encouragement, using chants and positivity to stay focused and motivated throughout the competition. Their efforts paid off with a school-best result, placing 6th overall, and they are to be commended for their teamwork, perseverance, and determination.

The Open Boys team also delivered an outstanding performance. Their strong coordination, dynamic plays, and ability to adapt under pressure made them a tough side to beat. With prayer and encouragement shared before every game, the boys embodied the values of teamwork, faith, and resilience. Their hard work resulted in another school-best achievement, finishing 2nd overall after a close final against Mt Carmel. Both teams should be congratulated for their commitment and are already looking forward to building on their success in future competitions. 

Mr Opalniuk

Diocesan Boys Volleyball Coach

MISA 7-9 Girls Netball

I am delighted to announce that the Year 7/8 MISA Netball team has not only finished their season as undefeated champions, but made history as the first-ever MISA Netball team from St Francis to win the competition. This outstanding achievement is a testament to the team’s dedication and resilience. Each week, the team demonstrated hard work and determination, continually improving their skills while encouraging one another both at training and on the court. Their commitment to supporting each other created a strong sense of teamwork and unity, which became the driving force behind their success.

The grand final was one to remember. Despite trailing for three quarters, the team remained determined and resilient, refusing to back down. With persistence, focus and teamwork, they fought their way back to level the game, pushing the match into extra time. It was in those tense final moments that the team showcased their composure, teamwork, and fighting spirit, securing the victory and claiming the championship title.

The players who proudly represented our College this term were: Emmanuella A, Taanishka A, Sofia B, Maya C, Bea C, Kaya F, Imogen G, Aaliyah T, Sienna T, Nightingale V. A heartfelt thank you must also go to Mrs Agostino-Gorga, who attended training with the team and myself every Tuesday morning. 

Congratulations once again to the Year 7/8 MISA Netball team on this historic and well-deserved triumph. Your hard work, undefeated season, and championship victory will be remembered as a proud moment in our school’s sporting history.

Miss Acitelli 

MISA Netball Coach 7/8

MISA 9-10 Boys Soccer

The Year 9 and 10 MISA Soccer Team on Tuesday made history, becoming the first-ever squad from our College to claim the Title of MISA Champions. The team faced a unique challenge of byes, unpredictable weather including heavy rain, and injuries that sidelined players, which could have disrupted their momentum. However, through exceptional teamwork, determination, and resilience, the players pushed through every obstacle, supporting each other on and off the field. Their unity and perseverance allowed them to remain undefeated, shine as one, and turn every challenge into an opportunity, securing a historic victory for our College. 

We’d like to thank Mr Fricot the coach of the team for pushing the team to the greatest achievement and a big thanks to Ms Pavlovich for organising the MISA Season and the buses to take the team to the grounds.

Steven K (Year 9)

MISA Boys Soccer Player

MISA 9-10 Netball

The Year 9-10 MISA Netball team displayed great determination and teamwork throughout the competition.  Each week, the girls brought their positive attitude, encouragement of one another, and team spirit to training and on the court. Despite facing tough opponents, the girls displayed impressive resilience across all their games and eventually secured a strong win. 

It was a privilege to coach the 9-10 MISA Netball team, assisting in the development of their skills, confidence, and teamwork. I would like to commend the following players, Victoria A, Alexia G, Keziah J, Genevieve M, Laila M, Gabriella M, Alexia P, Michelle P, Laasya P and Chloe P on their efforts this season. 

I would also like to thank Miss Acitelli for her assistance each week with morning training and support throughout the term.

Mrs Agostino-Gorga 

MISA Netball Coach 9-10

MISA 10-12 Boys Indoor Cricket

The Year 10–12 MISA Cricket team has concluded a season filled with both challenges and achievements. Throughout the competition, the boys demonstrated great commitment, teamwork, and school spirit, representing our community with pride.

There were many highlights across the season, including strong batting partnerships and disciplined bowling efforts that kept the team in close contests. However, consistency proved to be the main challenge, with Year 11 and 12 exams impacting on player availability.

Although results were mixed, the players should be proud of the resilience they displayed and the way they supported one another on and off the field. We congratulate the Year 10–12 MISA Cricket team on their efforts this season and thank them for their dedication and sportsmanship.

Miss Flegg

MISA Indoor Cricket Coach