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Dear Parents/Carers,

Last Sunday at Mass, our priest read the parable of the "narrow door" (Luke 13: 22-35). He reflected that virtuous people constantly strive to do what is right and good, often at great expense to themselves.

In today’s society, the media bombards us with messages encouraging us to spend more, be more than we currently are, be smarter, be better looking; generally not to be content with who we are. I call this ‘wide door thinking’. We can go along with the crowd, seeking to be better through consuming more or having more to show; but ultimately this will not make us happy.

At St Francis we encourage our students to live with gratitude for the gifts they have. To be of service to others and care for the natural and school environment around them. Happiness comes from having a grateful heart and working hard to support others. Narrow door thinking.

The Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him most about humanity, he said:

“Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money.
Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health.
And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present;
the result being that he does not live in the present or the future;
he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”

At my previous school, I had an interview with a father who was very frustrated that his daughter was getting into a great deal of trouble both at school and outside of school. He told me that he was working three jobs to provide her with everything she could ask for; a new phone, a new car, money for nice clothes etc. It didn’t occur to him that the thing his daughter was crying out for the most was to spend more time with him, so that she felt truly loved.

Please share what you are grateful for with your children. Practice being grateful and serve as good role models of gratitude. Point out any acts of service you do for others, not to draw attention to yourself but to remind your children that it is an important part of being a good citizen. Together we can help shape our students to be fine young men and women.

May God continue to bless you,

Mr Simon Abernethy
College Principal

Did you know that if a student misses as little as 8 days in a school term,
by the end of primary school they will have missed over a year of school!

Research shows that regular attendance is integral to successful academic, employment and social outcomes. Therefore, it is important that students, staff and parents/carers have a shared understanding of the importance of regular student attendance. 

Education in New South Wales is compulsory for all children between the ages of six years and below the minimum school leaving age. The Education Act 1990 requires that parents ensure their children of compulsory school age are enrolled at, and regularly attend school.    It is the obligation of the parent to comply with the compulsory educational requirements as set out in the Act, and ensure children attend school daily and without unnecessary absences. 

Equally as important as regular attendance is arriving at school on time each day. Both punctuality and attendance are monitored at St Francis. Unfortunately, some students are consistently late and are therefore missing out on valuable learning.  If students are ten minutes late to school each day, this equates to almost an hour of missed learning each week. Arriving at school and class on time helps your child learn the importance of punctuality and routine, and gives them time to greet their friends, thereby minimising disruptions during class. 

Lateness is recorded as a partial absence and must be explained. Traffic or sleeping in are not suitable reasons for lateness and will be entered as unjustified on the roll. Middle and Senior Years students may also receive an afternoon detention for repeated unjustified late arrivals.  

Understandably, there will be days that your child may need to be absent from school. Reasons may include being sick or having an infectious disease, having an unavoidable medical appointment or urgent family circumstances, for instance a funeral.  If your child is absent from school, it is necessary that you provide an explanation of their absence within 7 days. Students with frequent absences will be asked to provide a medical certificate or other documentation to justify their absence.  

In terms of travel, families are encouraged to take leave during school holidays.  If you intend on travelling during the school term, Mr Abernethy must be notified in writing outlining the purpose, location and duration of travel.  Please be aware, extended leave (over 5 days) taken during the school term will also be recorded as unjustified on the roll. 

For students with an attendance concern, parents will be notified and asked to attend an attendance improvement meeting.  At this meeting, strategies will be discussed to improve attendance. If attendance has not improved, an Attendance Improvement Plan will be developed collaboratively with the Catholic Education Office.  Persistent and unjustified absences may jeopardise your child’s enrolment.

Your support in these matters is greatly appreciated.


Mrs Rita Agostino
Assistant Principal - Pastoral Care

This year's National Child Protection week is from 1-7 September. The aim of the week is to engage members of the community in supporting families and protecting children. 

In 2019, National Child Protection week focuses on introducing a child development communication frame to promote the messages that:

• Kids do well when parents are supported
• To raise thriving kids, parents need support to navigate life’s choppy waters

If you would like further information or support, please visit the link: https://www.napcan.org.au/napcan-brochures/

At St Francis Catholic College, we are constantly working to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all students in our care. Our pastoral and teaching and learning programs provide multiple opportunities for students to learn about safe and protective behaviours. 

Throughout the week, all students will participate in a reflection and prayer on this significant issue that affects all communities, particularly our schools.

Over the last 4 months selected St Francis students in Year 2 - Year 9 have been very busy working on their individualised projects for our Diocesan ‘Gifted and Talented’ (SPLICED) program.

Students participated in an in-school workshop while others attended a workshop facilitated by Mr John Charadia (CEO Gifted Education Coordinator) in the Wollongong Diocese Campbelltown office.

Mr Charadia has been working closely with SFCC students and applauded them for their depth of thinking and beautiful creations.

Many of the students have created two or three pieces of work including creative writing, scientific papers, musical ensembles, artworks, websites or story books based around the theme “The Good, The Beautiful and the True”. 

Congratulations to all participants for their diligence and commitment to this learning experience.

Miss Sarah Selwood
Leader of Diverse Learning

Congratulations to our Award recipients
who were awarded their Bronze and Silver certificates
at our recent Junior Years Assembly:-

SILVER AWARDS

L-R (pictured below with Mrs Agostino)
Emily V, Ethan P

BRONZE AWARDS

L-R (pictured below with Mrs Agostino)
Mason M, Raunav G, Claire S, Sian V

Last Friday 23 August, students from K-6 WOWED the SFCC community with their creative, colourful and clever costumes inspired by their favourite book character! 

Each grade was given the opportunity to strut their stuff in front of their peers and a large amount of parents and extended family who came to show their support!

It was amazing to have so many parents visit classrooms prior to the parade and we’ve already started thinking that next time we will ask the parents to dress up too!!

We also invited our Kinder 2020 students to attend our Book Week celebrations and visit the Kindergarten classrooms. 
It was an exciting time for our new Kinder students and our current Kinder students enjoyed showing them their classrooms.

On Thursday 22 August students from our Year 7 & 8 Debating teams debated against William Carey College in Round 6 of the MISA Debating competition.

The students should be commended on their commitment and dedication to weekly debating practice and their participation in the MISA competition. 

We are very proud of you!
Mrs Kelleher & Ms Ramos

Following is an account of the Debates, completed by Year 8 students Elliana and Mirelle.

The topic of the Year 7 team's debate was that ‘Swearing should be banned from television.’  Our Year 7 team was affirmative and argued for many reasons as to why it should be banned. The students had a great manner and method and WON the debate.

Year 8 MISA Debating team also went up against William Carey College and debated on the topic ‘War toys and games should be banned for school aged children.’  Our Year 8 students presented many interesting arguments and took a negative stance on the topic. They also WON the debate. 

All students from SFCC recorded incredible speaking times, as well as being able to refute the other team’s arguments skillfully. 

Elliana V and Mirelle D.

SFCC MISA Year 7 and 8 Debating Team

Back row: Courtney J, Elliana V, Nereena S, Oscar L, Mirelle D
Front row: Nicholas C, Honey P, Sienna M, Abigail A

Not pictured - Mirelle D, Cheryl S

On Tuesday 20th August, four students represented St Francis at the Primary Athletics Selection Trials at Beaton Park in Wollongong.

Well done to Noah F, Stephanie G, Hana K and Nikolas K for their efforts.

A special mention to Nikolas K (pictured below) who placed 1st in 100m and 2nd in 800m, to be selected into the Wollongong team to compete at the Mackillop Selection Trials at Homebush on 16th September.


Miss Jessica Flegg
Sport Coordinator

On Sunday 4 August 2019 Anthony C competed at the NSW State Championships for Taekwondo.

Anthony performed very well and reached the final narrowly going down in tense battle 5 points to 4 hence winning a silver medal and earning a place to represent NSW Taekwondo at the upcoming Australian Taekwondo National Championships on the Gold Coast.

Well done Anthony!!

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Recently, Tayte H competed at TFT National Championships in Queensland.  He placed 1st in his section for his age and therefore was awarded ‘National Championship Primary Soloist for Tap 2019’.

He had to compete at state trials and state finals to get to the National level. 

Congratulations on your achievements Tayte!

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Last year we collected bottle tops for a College project (see picture below). Some of our current Year 2 students helped us begin this project.

We are now in need of more plastic bottle tops for this project to continue. If your family are able to collect any plastic bottle tops and send them along to College Reception, they will be gratefully received. All sizes and colours will be accepted.

Please send them in (washed and in a zip lock bag) to College Reception. 

There will also be a basket near the Return & Earn bins so that before placing the bottle in the bin, the bottle tops can be placed in the basket. 

Thank you for your help!

Miss Amanda Marshall