Dear Parents/Carers,

Last Sunday marked the beginning of the Catholic Church’s season of Advent. The first candle lit on the Advent wreath is the candle of Hope. 

The readings on this First Sunday of Advent suggest that we are waiting in hope for more than just Christmas. We are waiting for the Day of the Lord.

Pope Francis invites us to experience renewed hope. He says in his third encyclical, Fratelli Tutti 2020, that hope  "speaks to us of a longing for a life of fulfilment, a desire to achieve great things, things that fill our hearts and lift our spirits to the realities of truth, goodness, beauty, justice and love.” He says, “that hope can open us up to grand ideals that make life more beautiful and worthwhile.” May this Christmas season help us all encounter new paths of hope for all our families.

St Francis students continue to excel. Today I received a large number of Gold Awards for the Premier’s Reading Challenge. It is outstanding that so many students are committing to their ambitious reading goals. Well done to all!

Congratulations to Nikolas K. (Year 6) who was a finalist in the Christmas Story Competition. Nikolas built on his success at this level last year and in 2020 he has been awarded a Journey Award. Congratulations Nikolas!  Further details appear later in this newsletter.

Planning for 2021 is well advanced and on Monday 14th December our students in Years 1-6 will be involved in a ‘promotions’ morning. This is an opportunity to hear about and experience life in the year group that they will be moving to for 2021. A list of teachers and classes for K-4, 2021 will be published to parents in Week 10. 

Our Pastoral Team has been adjusted for 2021 and I pleased to announce the following existing and new staff in these key positions:-

• Mrs Sarah Hains (Leader of Pastoral Care K-4) 
• Miss Allira Figueiras (Pastoral Assistant K-4)
• Miss Jasmina Cox (Years 5 & 6 Pastoral Coordinator)
• Mrs Nadia Greci (Year 7 Pastoral Coordinator)
• Mr Matthew Watson (Year 8 Pastoral Coordinator)
• Mr Stavros Arzapitian (Year 9 Pastoral Coordinator)
• Mr Spiro Zakris (Years 10 & 11 Pastoral Coordinator)

Further support will be added to the Pastoral Care Team with the College receiving funding for increased school counselling - an increase from 8 days/fortnight in 2020 to 10 days in 2021.  We certainly welcome this news. 

Ms Helen Lyons will be employed 7 days a fortnight next year as our Careers/Transition Pathways Adviser. Ms Lyons will work with students in Years 7-11 to develop their understanding of career options, TAFE & University pathways and organise work placements. 

We are excited to announce that several of our temporary staff have secured a permanent contract for next year and we have over 12 completely new staff starting next year. Our new staff completed an induction program over the last fortnight and had a tour of the College. The new staff will bring fresh experience and a range of expertise to our community. We are eager to have them on board. 

Farewells

I attended Mass this Sunday at Mary Mother of the Church, Macquarie Fields to farewell Father Joseph (Assistant Priest). Father Joseph has been a great supporter of the College since arriving at the parish and we are sad to see him leave. We wish him well in his new ministry. 

At the end of the year we will farewell the following permanent staff:-

• Mr Damian Sligar has accepted a teaching and middle leader role at Magdalene Catholic College, Narellan.
  
  
• Mrs Bridgeen Pritchard has accepted a position as an Education Officer at the Catholic Education Office, Wollongong.
  
  
• Mr Tim Stibbard will be relocating his family to Newcastle and has accepted a teaching position there. 

We will miss our departing staff and wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

May God continue to bless you.

Mr Simon Abernethy
College Principal

If any families/students are not returning to the College in 2021,
we would ask that you email College Reception as soon as possible
to info@sfccdow.catholic.edu.au so that we can adjust our numbers for 2021
and offer places to students who are on waiting lists.

Parents of students not returning will be required to fill out a sign out form prior to their child/ren's last day at the College.  This form can be requested from College Reception when notification of leaving is made.  

Please make sure that you request this form well in advance of the student's leaving date, as the sign out procedure can take some time to complete.

Kind regards
SFCC Administration

We were extremely pleased to have run our inaugural Gold Award Excursion last week.  Thirty-two Gold Award recipients ranging from Years 3-10 were treated to a day of fun at Zone Bowling to celebrate their hard work and commitment to the College across a range of areas.

Students thoroughly enjoyed the excursion and were appreciative for the opportunity to step away from formal classes for the day.  All students who attended the excursion were commended on their wonderful manners and exemplary behaviour.

Congratulations once again to all of these students on their wonderful achievement.

We look forward to an even bigger Gold Award Excursion next Year.

Casey B's account of Bowling is below.

Mrs Rita Agostino & Ms Tania Kolar

On Wednesday 25th of November, Year 4 learnt about Volume and Capacity in Mathematics. We discussed the words submerged and displacement. Submerged means an object that is completely under the water, and displacement is when the water rises due to the weight of an object. This helped us have a deeper understanding of Volume and Capacity.

We chose an object to submerge in the water and estimated how much the water would rise. Next, we placed the object into our calibrated measuring device and recorded the accurate amount of water in it. We also recorded how much the water had risen.

The lesson was informative and is integral for everyday life situations. Year 4 had a great time increasing their knowledge of Volume and Capacity.

By Daisy 4B, Amy 4G and Kripa 4G.

MISA: Year Seven and Eight Boys Oztag

This year has quite obviously been a difficult year for sports people young and old to engage in their passion area of physical activity, and in particular competition sport. It was however through diligent planning by the Macarthur Independent Schools Association (MISA) in conjunction with the various Sport Coordinators of the schools that form the association that in Term Four we were able to take the field and participate in the Year Seven and Eight Boys Oztag competition (West Zone).

There were a number of enthusiastic students across Year Seven and Eight who trialled for the boys oztag team. I would firstly like to thank all of the students who trialled for the team, and would encourage all students to continue to take up these extra-curricular opportunities. The team selected boasted an impressive group of young male athletes, many of whom soccer was their main sport, as opposed to football (oval ball) type sports. However, it was evident that the underlying skills were easily transferred from one sport to another.

The round matches saw the team versus our eventual grand final competitors (Oran Park Anglican College) in the first round, where we drew with them 2-2. As we progressed through the round matches the team learnt valuable lessons in regards to the rules and offensive and defensive strategies that are employed in the sport of oztag. It was also identified throughout the round matches that the team would be led defensively by the oztag experience of Brayden M who rarely missed a tag and by Tuli V in attack with his ball playing and kicking skills. Other key contributors were Aidan N and Aavash P with their lightning fast speed making them near uncatchable once they got into open space.

Our grand final match, against Oran Park Anglican College (OPAC) was a nail biting experience. We hit the lead 2-0 with tries to Aavash P, who utilised his blistering speed to streak away for a long range try from within our own half and Nikhil S, who used some clever footwork to find space and make his way over the try line. OPAC hit back and drew 2-2 part way through the first half, and would eventually take the lead into the halftime break 4-3. Brayden M scored an excellent try in the corner, where he dove outstretched over the line. Panteley M and Christian P served the team well with their passing from the dummy half position, and their energy and enthusiasm as they steered the team around through good communication.

The second half saw us draw level with OPAC with a brilliant try to Christian A, where he tricked the opposition with some clever dummies (fake passes) in order to open up space. The team defended well in order to build momentum defensively. It was the “never give up” attitude in defence, most notably shown by Brayden M who chased the ball around the field, and made consecutive tags on multiple occasions, and Aidan. N, Aavash P and Maahir M who used their speed from the edges to chase down any players who made line breaks. Nikhil S and Sebastian B covered kick-offs and general play kicks exceptionally well, reading the play and showing clean hands to catch the ball on the full or pick it up as it was rolling along the ground. When we earnt opportunities through our defensive efforts to attack, Na’eem M showed fancy footwork to make good metres. It eventually was through Aavash P that we took the lead, with yet another one of his long range running efforts. However, the try that would eventually seal the victory for us was the best one of our season. The ball travelled from the right side of the field, through many sets of hands, to eventually end up with Tuli V on the left side of the field, who showed composure to draw in the defenders and pass at exactly the right time to Aavash P, who naturally drew players to him, because of his previous try scoring feats, who then passed to Aidan N, who displayed superb ball handling skills to adjust his position and draw the ball in one handed and race away to the try line.

The team were elated with their victory, when the final whistle was blown and SFCC were crowned the champion team for the MISA Year Seven and Eight Boys Oztag (West Zone). The boys showed humility and congratulated the opposition on a well fought battle and respect by thanking the referee for his adjudication of the match. A fitting and memorable victory chant was led by Nikhil S on the bus ride home!

Congratulations to the first ever SFCC MISA CHAMPIONS! The College community is extremely proud of you and the way in which you represented the College -  embodying our values with the way that you conducted yourselves and participated to the best of your ability.

Mr Matthew Watson
Coach

Back Row (standing - left to right): Mr Watson (Coach), Christian A, Aavash P, Maahir M, Panteley M, Aidan N, Sebastian B
Front Row (sitting - left to right): Christian P, Nikhil S, Na’eem M, Brayden M, Tuli V

MISA: Year Seven and Eight Girls Oztag

The 2020 sporting year has certainly been one to remember. The College community is extremely proud of the OzTag players for embracing an opportunity to participate in the external sporting competition. The 2020 girls Oztag team consisted of 13 enthusiastic Year 7 and 8 students who trialled for the opportunity to represent the College at the Macarthur Independent Schools Association (MISA) Oztag. For many of these students this was their first experience participating in the representative competition. 

The students participated in a number of training sessions and games against a variety of local teams. The St Francis girls team's skills, collaboration, communication developed and bonds strengthened as the season progressed, with students building strong rapport and friendship with one another. 

On Tuesday 1st December, the Years 7 and 8 girls OzTag team played Oran Park Anglican College in the MISA Oztag grand final. The talented St Francis College team showed outstanding skill both in attack and defence, scoring 3 unanswered tries in the first half. Oran Park Anglican College responded in the second half scoring 3 tries. As a result, the game went into extra time to decide the 2020 Girls Oztag Champions. During extra time Oran Park Anglican scored an additional try and won the game successfully earning the championship trophy for 2020.

The St Francis College Year 7 and 8 girls team demonstrated outstanding sportswomanship by upholding the College values, congratulating their opponents and commending one another for their efforts throughout the game. Team discussion quickly turned to the  MISA 2021 Oztag season, the players spoke about their aspirations of building on the culture and momentum of the 2020 Oztag season. 

Congratulations ladies on a fantastic season. Your dedication, enthusiasm and sportswomanship were outstanding and I look forward to many more successful MISA Oztag Seasons in future.

Mrs Kellie Kells
Coach

MISA: Year Ten Boys Volleyball

The Year 10 boys enthusiastically took to the Volleyball court this term as COVID restrictions eased allowing the MISA competition to take place. After a shaky start in the first round of the competition, the team put in some solid work in training sessions coming back to win the following two games.

The highlight of the season being the second of these games versus Magdalene Catholic College. SFCC lost the first set (25 - 22), however the team rallied and returned to the court with a renewed positive outlook, winning the second set (25 - 19). The deciding third set was a nail biter with the lead changing hands several times throughout the set. With a great show of teamwork, SFCC came away with the win in the final set (27 - 25).

Making it to the finals, the boys, once more played our Round 1 competitors, Oran Park Anglican College (OPAC). SFCC played well as a team and took the OPAC team by surprise early in the match. However, despite the team’s best efforts, OPAC were a strong team and claimed victory.

During the term the boys continually impressed me with their dedication and passion for competition as well as their exemplary sportsmanship and resilience. All members of the team are to be congratulated and I look forward to the 2021 competition.

Mr Michael O’Brien
Coach

CAPA CORNER

As the Performance Centre has now been handed over to the College, it has been a wonderful time to begin conducting classes in the Music rooms as well as the Dance and Drama studios.  

Our musicians have loved transitioning into learning in the Music rooms and we have taken delivery of a number of our specialist orchestral instruments, including timpanis and electric guitars amongst others.  

All of Year 5 have had the privilege of studying Musical Theatre in the new Dance and Drama studios throughout term four. Students have learned the protocols and culture of working within these specialist spaces respectfully and they look forward to performing a Musical theatre repertoire piece in week 10 for their peers. All Year 5 students will be expected to bring theatre blacks’ (black clothes that are easy to move in) or a costume (negotiated with all members of each group) for their class performance in Week 10. 

Also this week a number of ‘Taster’ clubs will occur for students across the College. These are a chance for students to meet back up with their club teachers and learn some skills/activities prior to the end of the year.

On some music news, we are thrilled to start bringing live music back as a regular part of our Liturgies. This is something that will become more and more common in the future. As I'm sure you will agree, live music at religious events is such a beautiful way to give glory to God.

We as a College community are thrilled to have Jamie S and Neejay S share their musical gifts with us at our end of year Mass. We are also thrilled to have the Stage 3 Dance Club involved on this occasion. 

Yours in creativity, 

Ms Allen
Leader of Creative and Performing Arts

From January onwards, there will be a number of School Opal cards expiring, as the physical card has reached its lifespan.

These are cards for students who will be in years 8 to 12 in 2021, and only those Opal cards which haven’t been replaced in the last five years.

Impacted students and/or their parent/guardian will be contacted directly by Transport for NSW via email or post. They will be asked to confirm their details online in order for a new School Opal card to be sent to the correct postal address in time for the new school year.

If contacted by Transport for NSW, details should be submitted online by December 1, 2020 at the latest. Affected students who do not confirm their details in time will have a new School Opal card posted to the address we currently have on file.

The University of Wollongong would like to invite your students to LITTLE and EARLY LEARNING LABS, an academic enrichment holiday program.

This program targets students from Year 1 to 6 during 2020, who are passionate, self-motivated and curious learners.

Dates:  Little Learning Labs (Years 1 and 2): 13^th-15th January 202
            Early Learning Labs (Years 3 to 6): 19^th-21st January 2021

Venue: University of Wollongong (Wollongong campus only)

Applications close: 9^th November 2020

For more information on enrolments, please click on the link attached.

Miss Issa
Extension & Enrichment Teacher

The University of Wollongong would like to invite our Years 7 - 10 students to LEARNING LABS, an academic enrichment holiday program.

For further information about workshops and the application process
please visit the Learning Labs website, or contact the Learning Labs team
via email at learning-labs@uow.edu.au or phone on (02) 4221 5557.