We’ve Moved In & Moving Up!

Finally, we have moved all the furniture, teaching & learning resources into our new Technology, Art & Science Centre which will now be known as the ‘Innovation Centre’. The block will be ready to go for Term 1 next year and is packed with great gear ready to have a major impact on students and their learning.

The foundations for Stage 2 have been laid and the building is rising at an impressive pace. This building will be home to Music, Dance, Drama & Fitness.

Staffing 2020

We welcome a large contingent of 22 new teachers and 3 new support staff to the College for 2020. Again, we have been blessed by both the quality and quantity of people who have expressed an interest in joining our community. I thank the existing staff and parents for talking so positively about the College. Our good reputation continues to encourage strong applicants.

Sadly, we will be saying goodbye to several staff at the end of the year. Mrs Angela O’Beirne (KB) and Miss Bianca Grasso (3B) will be leaving us and we thank them for replacing our staff on maternity leave. We wish them well.

Miss Gabi Tobin, from the Catholic Education Office, who has provided tremendous support to our K-4 teachers will be supporting other Diocesan schools next year. We thank her for her assistance throughout the year.

Mrs Elizabeth Rickard (Finance) completes her two year contract and relinquishes her position to make way for Mr Massimo Balzarano, our newly appointed Business Manager.

Our Leader of Mathematics, Mrs Sharee Hughes, has accepted a position as an Education Officer, Mathematics at the Catholic Education Office, Wollongong. I thank Sharee for her leadership of the Maths faculty throughout the year. Sharee has been tireless in her pursuit of mathematics excellence. She has high expectations of staff and students and has implemented excellent strategies to help these standards to be reached. Sharee has also been a strong mentor for the Maths team. We wish her well in her new position at the CEO and look forward to working with her.

Miss Libby Small has accepted a promotion position as Middle Leader at St Thomas More Catholic Primary School, Ruse and will be missed at SFCC. Libby is an outstanding teacher who brings passion and energy to her classes. Libby has also worked to assist her colleagues in building their teaching skills, particularly in the areas of literacy and numeracy. Libby is also a foundation staff member. Best wishes in your new role Libby.

Miss Amanda Marshall is relocating to Queensland. She is a foundation staff member and her enthusiasm and passion will be greatly missed. Amanda has also been instrumental as a member of our Positive Behaviours for Learning Team. We wish Amanda well in her new school.

Carols Under the COLA

Last weeek we celebrated Carols Under the COLA.  This was a wonderful community event. It was great to see so many families attend. Thank you to the Family College Partnership Committee who along with Ms Tania Kolar organised the event. Thank you to the large number of staff who attended and either assisted or performed. Most importantly, a huge thank you to the students who were involved as performers. It was a fantastic night!

Merry Christmas

I want to thank everyone for their strong support throughout the year. 2019 has presented great successes and the College has maintained a warm ‘family’ atmosphere despite its rapid growth. We are very excited about 2020, which I predict will be our best year yet.

I hope that each of you have an opportunity to rest and enjoy time with loved ones this Christmas. My wish for you is that you experience the joy and peace of Christ, who is at the heart of our Christmas celebration. Thank you for your role in making this community a special one and I look forward to working with you in the new year.

May God continue to shower you with blessings

Simon Abernethy
College Principal 

Please be advised that our anaphylaxis procedures will change for Middle/Senior Years students as of next year.  This is due to the fact that as the College expands, students will have access to a number of classrooms which may not necessarily be located within close proximity to the College Reception. 

In response to this, all Middle Years and Senior Years students (Years 5 - 10) will be expected to carry their epipens in a protective case in their College Backpack.

These students will also be expected to take their epipens with them when off site, for instance, on excursions or during Tuesday sport for Years 7-10 students. 

Parents are also asked to provide a labelled epipen and any other allergy medication, to be held at College Reception.  

There will be NO change to the procedure for students in Years K - 4.

If you have any enquiries regarding the above, please contact College Reception.

Kind regards

Mrs Rita Agostino
Assistant Principal - Pastoral Care

ALL STUDENTS FROM YEARS 1 - 10 

RETURN TO THE COLLEGE ON 

THURSDAY 30 JANUARY 2020

IN FULL SUMMER COLLEGE UNIFORM

Parents/Carers please refer to the College Website if you are unsure regarding the SFCC Uniform Policy.

Dear Parents/Carers,

Throughout this year we have had an amazing team of parents who have been helping cover our library books. 

I would just like to thank them all for their continued support and eagerness to help - your community spirit is fantastic.

Wishing everyone a safe and Merry Christmas.

Kind regards

Mrs Forbutt
School Support Officer - Library

The following students were awarded their Silver and Bronze Awards at our
final 2019 Junior Years Assembly, held on Thursday 12 December 2019:-

Silver Awards
(pictured with Mrs Agostino)

Bronze Awards
(pictured with Mrs Agostino)

Emma D, Rose J, Luke S, Alisha S, Ajaswi A

Hudson K, Erika O, Darcy N, Taya W, Will R, Josh R

Krispy Q, Ava T, Sibella R, James K, Rey N

The following students were awarded their Silver and Bronze Awards at our
final 2019 Middle/Senior Years Assembly, held on 10 December 2019:-

(Pictured with Mrs Vella)
Ama A (Bronze), Olivia S (Silver), Liam N (Silver), Jairus P (Bronze).

Also pictured is Nikolas K, who received his 2019 All Schools Team Relay Bronze medal.

Please click on the following link to view CEO Wollongong's article regarding the Sydney Exhibition of the Diocese of Wollongong Christmas Story Art Competition.

Christmas Story Art Competition

This term students at St Francis Catholic College worked with Catholic Care Campbelltown to collect hampers for families in need.

Students from K-9 collected the items throughout Term 4. 

The Youth Ministry Leaders took the lead in this initiative and handed over the First Hamper to Melissa from Catholic Care in what we hope will be a long term relationship.

Ms Tania Kolar
Pastoral Care Coordinator

On Friday 22 November, ten budding historians made the trek to St Clair High School to participate in the NSW History Teachers Association History Mastermind  Competition. This competition was open to students in every high school in NSW and the competition was fierce. St Francis entered a Year 7 and Year 8 team. 

The bus trip was a history trivia competition in its own right, questions and answers were flying in all directions as our historians got in the zone for the tough competition ahead. On arrival we were made welcome and our historians moved to their allocated team tables. The competition involved several rounds of questions which were responded to trivia style by each team. The competition was an excellent experience as our students had the opportunity to meet students from all over NSW and experience the history talent that exists in other schools first hand. 

Our year 7 historians were; Jaidon A, Danielle M, Kye H, Ryan W and Naga A. While the year 8 historians who represented us were were Benjamin C, Ary C, Courtney J and Caitlyn T, and Aditya B from year 7 assisted. Every one of them showed true St Francis spirit and gave their all.

Despite the best efforts of our historians we did not make the semi finals. The return bus trip involved much discussion about questions that were answered correctly or incorrectly. Everyone gained something from the experience and I know our year 7 historians are counting down to next year when St Francis can enter a year 8 team. 

Ms Peta Holmes
Leader of HSIE

On Friday 15 November, Kindergarten went to Calmsley Hill City Farm on a special excursion. 

We have been learning about the farm in class and were extremely excited to see all the things we had spoken about.

When we arrived at the farm, we were met by some farmers who showed us around. Throughout the day we saw many different farm animals and we even got to pat some of them! Then we all had the chance to milk a dairy cow and we also went on a very bumpy tractor ride around the fields.

At the end of the day we watched three different shows. We watched one show where a working dog rounded up the sheep into the yard and another where the farmer showed us how to crack a whip. Then we watched a farmer shear a sheep as we clapped and sang along to ‘Click Go the Shears’. 

It was a fun, busy day where we got to see and learn a lot about the farm!

Kindergarten Teachers

This term Kindergarten have been working super hard on preparing their very first speech! Two student representatives were selected from each class to go to the finals. The overall standard of the speeches was extraordinary!

A huge congratulations goes to our finalists: Jessica S, Tiffany C, Jairus Z, Lexi N, Joshua A and Kia Q. 

The judges had a very tough decision however the overall winner of the 2019 Kindergarten Public Speaking Competition went to Lexi North.

Congratulations Lexi! 

Kindergarten Teachers

PLEASE CLICK ON THE IMAGES BELOW FOR INFORMATION REGARDING
2020 NSWCCC SELECTIONS FOR GIRLS CRICKET, BOYS CRICKET AND SOFTBALL.