Dear Parents/Carers & Friends, 

It was wonderful to see Kinder & Year 1 students return to onsite learning last week and all other students return this week. We have had 96.6% of students return and those that did notice there have been some significant changes. Some demountables have been removed, our new Hall and Middle Years Block is now open and the new walkthrough Senior Canteen is certainly a big hit. Students have enjoyed reconnecting with friends and returning to classrooms. I am very proud of the way they have settled back into learning at school. 

Over the past month we have been very busy recruiting new staff for 2022. The school will grow to a student population of approx. 1380 for next year and we will be bringing on approx. 18 new staff. I was delighted because we were inundated with quality applicants. Our growing reputation for quality is attracting experienced and well qualified teachers with a history of success. Many of the new staff have experience in teaching Gifted & Talented students. In addition to new staff, some of our existing staff have secured new contracts for 2022 or permanent contracts. An outline of teachers who are completely new to the school is listed below: 

Assistant Principal Religious Education, Identity & Mission: Alexandra Mediata

• Alex is currently the Assistant Religious Education Coordinator at Santa Sabina Catholic College, Strathfield. Prior to that she was the Religious Education Coordinator at Christian Brothers Lewisham (an Edmund Rice school). Alex has 15 years teaching experience in both primary & secondary schools. Alex has a Masters of Education, Grad Cert of RE (K-12), Grad Cert of Studies in Catholic Thought, Grad Cert in Inclusive Education & Grad Cert in TESOL (K-12). She is ideally placed to be leading the Catholic Life of SFCC into the future.

Angela Bennett - Year Coordinator 

• Angela has a Fine Arts /Education degree is currently a Year Coordinator at Patrician Brothers College, Fairfield. She has been a Year Coordinator for 3 years with years 7-9 and before that was an Assistant Year Coordinator for two years and Acting e-Learning Coordinator. Angela has 11 years teaching experience and has had success teaching Years 7-12 Visual Arts as well as Photography & Digital Media and Visual Design.

The English Faculty & Middle Years Team welcomes:

• Keely Ashenwald (Permanent Contract) - Keely has a history of strong and innovative pedagogy in a number of state & DOW schools for 7 years. Whilst primary trained, Keely has also had experience teaching in the high school setting and at the University of Wollongong.  

The Science Faculty welcomes: 

• Olivia Scotting (Permanent Contract)- Olivia has 5 years of teaching Science & Mathematics 7-10. Olivia has also taught numerous Year 11 & 12 classes including Biology, Chemistry & Science Extension. She currently is the Year 9 Coord at Frensham College. Olivia has a certificate in Gifted Education. 
  
  
• Sean Duncan (Permanent Contract)- Sean has been teaching at Macquarie Fields HS for the past 3 yrs & is the Assistant Year 9 Adviser. He has experience of teaching Science 7-10 as well as Year 11 & 12 Physics & Investigating Science. Sean also has had experience of teaching Gifted & Talented students in several accelerated Science classes.

The PDHPE Faculty welcomes:

• Mitchell Baker (Permanent Contract)- Mitchell teaches at St Mary’s Senior College and is the Year 11 Adviser. Mitchell has also taught at St Gregory’s College, Campbelltown. He has experience teaching PDHPE 7-10 as well as Years 9 & 10 Physical Activity & Sport, Years 11 & 12 PDHPE, Community & Family Studies and Sport Lifestyle & Recreation. 
  
  
• Kathryn Crawford (Permanent Contract)- Kathryn has 10 years of teaching experience and is currently teaching at Bethlehem College Ashfield. She has experience of teaching PDHPE class 7-10, Years 9 & 10 Physical Activity & Sport, Years 11 & 12 PDHPE, Exploring Early Childhood & Sport Lifestyle & Recreation as well as Years 7-10 RE. 

The TAS Faculty welcomes:

• Lionel Paez (Permanent Contract)- Lionel is currently the Assistant TAS Coord at Patrician Bros Fairfield and has 8 years teaching exp. Lionel has taught Stage 4 Technology (mandatory), Years 9&10 Industrial Technology- Timber, Metal & Engineering, 

Years 9&10 Building & Construction, Years 11 & 12 Engineering Studies and Metal & Engineering (VET).

• Laura Killian (Permanent Contract)- Laura has taught for 3 years at John Therry and is the Assistant Year 9 Coord. She has experience in teaching Years 7&8 Technology (mandatory), Years 9&10 Food Technology & Information & Software Technology as well as Years 11&12 Hospitality (VET). 

The HSIE Faculty welcomes:

• Sarah Mirabito (Permanent Contract)- has worked in Sydney CEO schools for the past 9 years and is currently an Assistant HSIE Coord. She is a Geography specialist teaching Geography Years 9-12. She also teaches Years 11 & 12  Legal Studies & Years 7&8 HSIE. Sarah has also taught Gifted & Talented students in Newman streams. 
  
  
• Hamish McKendry (Permanent Contract)- has taught in the Hunter region for the past 7 years and has considerable experience in teaching Years 7-10 HSIE. He has also taught Years 9&10 Commerce & Elective History as well as Years 11 & 12 Society & Culture, Modern History & History Extension. Hamish has also taught Years 7&8 RE. 

• Rebecca Caltabiano (Permanent Contract) is currently teaching at Holy Spirit College, Lakemba. She has 11 years of teaching experience and teaches Years 11 & 12 Business Studies, Years 9&10 Commerce, Years 7-10 Religion, Years 7-10 History & Geography. Rebecca has experience of teaching Gifted & Talented students in the Newman stream in Sydney Catholic Schools. 

The EAL/D Team (English as an Additional Language/Dialect) welcomes:

• Flavia Arapi Nunez (Permanent Contract, CEO). Flavia is currently the leader of the Catholic Intensive English Centre for Sydney Catholic Schools. Flavia has been teaching for over 20 years and has been leading the pastoral care and language needs of students who are new arrivals to Australia. Flavia has enormous experience in organising supports for students who are developing their English literacy skills.

The Languages Team welcomes:

• Beth Tooby- Teacher of Languages Japanese & Chinese (Mandarin). Beth recently graduated from UNSW with a Bach of Arts/Ed specialising in Japanese & Chinese (Mandarin). Beth is currently teaching Japanese at Terrigal HS on temporary contract. Beth has had a passion for the Japanese language and culture, she has participated in numerous immersions to Japan including a period where she attended school there.

We are coming to the conclusion of our recruitment for 2022 but of interest to parents may be that we are looking to hire a Groundsperson. This is a full-time (38 hours per week) position on a one-year contract. The person will be responsible for general building & grounds maintenance (painting, patching, basic carpentry and plumbing) gardening, event setup, moving furniture & receiving deliveries etc. The person would need to be physical fit and it would be an advantage if they had a trade qualification and Light Rigid drivers licence. For more info go to the following webpage: https://careers.pageuppeople.com/903/cw/en/job/495687.

Thanks

Mr Simon Abernethy
College Principal

We would like to say a Special Thank You to Mrs Casey Borg from Savy Balloons and Events https://savyballoons.com.au/  who generously donated the colorful balloon arrangements to welcome the students back to St Francis.

Dear Families