Dear parents/carers & friends,

Short Term Pain for Long Term Gain:

Everyone who has visited the college would by now understand the significant amount of work going on in our carpark. It has resulted in some increased congestion but the school is currently managing this with additional staff on duties and an early dismissal for K-4 students also assists. We ask for your continued cooperation and patience. This work, and a large central ramp and stairs assisting students to negotiate the split-level block is scheduled for completion in early May and will be a game changer in terms of movement to, from and around the college.

Year 12 Retreat 7 upcoming Camps for Years 7, 9 & 10:

It was my great privilege to attend the Year 12 Retreat a fortnight ago. Students universally enjoyed the experience and it is obvious that the experience has helped build a great sense of ‘team’ among them.

Years 7, 9 & 10 have camps next week and I remind all parents/carers that these are considered compulsory. Sometimes we have students who are a little anxious to participate, especially when these events go overnight; but when students actually experience camps, they are so glad they made the decision to go and eagerly look forward to the next opportunity. If your child has expressed a reluctance to attend, please contact your relevant Year Coordinator to discuss what we need to do together to ensure their attendance.

Open Day 2022:

I am very pleased to announce that our annual ‘Open Day’ for 2022 is scheduled for Saturday March 5 from 10am – 2pm. It is the first opportunity to pick up enrolment forms for Kindergarten 2023, Year 7 2023 & 2024 and Year 11 2023. Open Day also provides an opportunity for prospective students and parents/carers to have a tour of our state-of-the-art facilities, meet staff and students, see examples of student work and demonstrations on student learning. 

This year, like last, in order to maintain appropriate social distancing, those wishing to tour the college will be required to book a tour time using our Eventbrite website. Tours will take approx. 45mins - 1hour and we ask that only immediate family members attend.

Those wishing to simply collect an enrolment application form can do so by visiting the school on Open Day, between 10am -2pm, no appointment necessary.

Enrolment applications will also be available to download from our college website sfccdow.catholic.edu.au from 9am on Monday March 7. All enrolment forms need to be returned by 8th April. Please note that there is no advantage to returning forms early but late enrolment forms are unlikely to be considered due to demand.

The College Assistant Principals, Mrs Agostino, Mrs Mediati, Mrs Vella and I look forward to meeting with you and being available to answer enrolment questions at Open Day. There will also be a number of digital resources available from the 7^th March on our college website to support common enquiries.

May God continue to bless you

Mr Simon Abernethy
College Prinicpal

A strong reminder to our parent/carer community that the College continues to have high volumes of traffic both in the morning and afternoon and it is vital that all drivers adhere to road rules.

40km/h school zones help protect children on their way to and from schools at the times and places where they are often in high numbers. This lower speed limit reduces the risk and potential severity of a crash. 40 km/h speed limit – motorists should drive no faster than 40 km/h through school zones, which operate from 8:00am to 9:30am, and from 2.30pm to 4:00pm, on school days.

Your guide to driving and parking safely near schools (NSW Government Road Safety fact sheet):

The beginning and end of the school day are busy times for pedestrians and vehicles outside the school. That’s why you need to take extra care in 40km/h school zones. 

• Park safely and legally, even if it means walking further to the school gate. Parking signs are planned with children’s safety in mind. 
• Slow down to 40km/h in the school zone and stay aware of crossings. 
• Always park and turn legally around the school. 
• Never double park as it puts children at risk. 
• Manoeuvres such as U-turns and three-point turns are dangerous. 
• Never park in a bus zone or in the school bus bay. 
• Make sure your children use the Safety Door (rear footpath side door) to get in and out of the car. 
• Model safe and considerate behaviour for your child – they will learn from you.

Remember to always give way to pedestrians particularly when entering and leaving driveways. Don’t park across the school driveway or the entrance to the school car park. It’s always a good idea to use the drop off and pick up area suggested by your school. This will help keep all children as safe as possible during the busiest times of the school day.

Please watch this 2 minute video to assist you: https://youtu.be/ih0rXAqxSZg

Hello, my name is Mrs. Alexandra Mediati and I have been appointed as the new Assistant Principal Religious Education, Identity and Mission at the College. I humbly join this community with an Open Mind and Open Heart to centre ourselves with God and create an environment within this inclusive college fostering the message of Christ in the Gospels. My role in the College will involve leading ministry, service, and community building to bring the messages of Blessed Edmund Rice and St Francis of Assisi alive. I look forward to working with the Leadership Team, Youth Ministry, and the Religious Education Coordinator (K-4) to teach Religious Education, as well as work closely with staff and students in the Social Justice and Outreach domains. I look forward to meeting many students and families as the year progresses. 

Student Leaders

On Friday, I look forward to the Student Leaders Ceremony. Alongside the Senior Executive Team, I wish the students many blessings and strength to take on their role as representatives of our College and work together to strengthen student voice and participation. Congratulations to the following Student Leaders for 2022:

College Captains

Adithya A
Aaliyah S

Youth Engagement Leaders 

James K
Honey P
Jaidon A
Abigail A

Senior Years Leaders

Hari S - Chisholm House Leader
Tamisha M - Clare House Leader
Kye H - Janssen House Leader 
Krrish G - Mackillop House Leader 
Vanessa W  -  Treacy House Leader 
Capreice A-D - Wellington House Leader 

Middle Years Leaders

Chanelle C - Chisholm House Leader
Jorjen K - Clare House Leader
Chelsea D - Janssen House Leader
Alansa S - Mackillop House Leader
Vevina K - Treacy House Leader 
Ellie M - Wellington House Leader 

Junior Years Leaders

Sienna V - Chisholm House Leader
Divyesh H - Clare House Leader 
Elora C - Janssen House Leader 
Abigail P - Mackillop House Leader
Darcy N - Treacy House Leader
Maya C - Wellington House Leader

A Pray for All Leaders

Leadership is hard to define.

Lord, let us be the ones to define it with justice.

Leadership is like a handful of water.
Lord, let us be the people to share it with those who thirst.

Leadership is not about watching and correcting.
Lord, let us remember it is about listening and connecting.

Leadership is not about telling people what to do.
Lord, let us find out what people want.

Leadership is less about the love of power and more about the power of love.

Let our greatest passion be compassion. Our greatest strength is love.
Our greatest victory is the reward of peace.

In leading let us never fail to follow.  In loving let us never fail.

Shrove Tuesday & Lent

Shrove Tuesday is the day before Lent. Lent is a time of abstinence, of giving things up. In the past, there were many foods that Christians would not eat during Lent such as meat and fish, fats, eggs, and milky foods. So that no food was wasted, families would have a feast on Shrove Tuesday, and eat up all the foods that wouldn't last the forty days of Lent without going off. 

St Francis will be celebrating this day on Tuesday 1st March 2022 by selling pikelets. Students will be able to buy 2 pikelets with or without maple syrup for a Gold Coin donation before school (from 8.00 am - 8.25 am). Gluten-free pikelets will be available for purchase upon request. All profits raised will go towards our Project Compassion appeal for 2022. 
  

On Ash Wednesday during Pastoral sessions and class time, students will participate in a Lenten Liturgy where students and staff will receive a token bookmark to commemorate this important Church event. The Christian season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday and lasts for 40 days. Catholics are asked to make some modifications or changes during this time of prayer, fasting, and giving.  These acts during Lent are meant to be for the purification of the body and soul. Choosing to pray more regularly, go without something special you like to eat, social media or gossiping or perhaps giving to charity and lending a helping hand to a work colleague or friend. Lent culminates at Easter when Christ rose triumphantly from the dead. Easter is considered to be the most important time in the Catholic calendar. 

The tradition of Ash Wednesday in the Catholic Church is a poignant reminder that one day our bodies will die someday and turn to dust. Normally, ashes are placed on people’s foreheads and the words spoken are from Genesis 3:19: "Remember man that thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return." So ashes on Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, are religious reminders, just like holy water and palms on Palm Sunday. Catholics are also expected to refrain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday.

Sincerely

Mrs Alexandra Mediati
Assistant Principal Religious Education, Identity and Mission

Information relating to nominations for NSWCCC Selection Trials is now available on the Catholic Sport NSW website. These trials are for secondary students who are among the best in the state for their chosen sport. Sports include Australian Football, Baseball, Basketball, Cricket, Diving, Golf, Hockey, Netball, Rugby, Tennis, Triathlon and Water Polo.

If you think this may be relevant to your child, please visit the Catholic Sport NSW website (https://csnsw.sport/sports/nswccc) to read eligibility requirements, as these differ across sports. Closing dates for each trial can be found below.

If you require any further information please contact Mrs Pavlovich via the College Reception. 

In week 2 of the 2022 school year, SFCC’s first graduating Year 12 cohort attended a reflective retreat at the Youthworks conference centre, Port Hacking. Over the course of the three days, it was evident the grade had formed a stronger, unified connection between one another. Amazingly orchestrated by Miss Flegg and Miss Randall, the retreat began with a liturgy and followed the focus of who we are as people. It included activities such as ice breakers, reflective small groups and free time which allowed us to explore, get to know people we don't normally hang out with and enjoy the grades' presence. We were also privileged to have our school Principal, Mr Abernethy, attend the journey with us, who showed us the person he is beyond being a school Principal. The second day of the retreat focused on the appreciation of the people around us and how they define us. Activities included identifying who and what were our sails (motivations) and anchors (obstacles). The key takeaway from this day was definitely how much the grade was able to open up to one another and understand ourselves on a deeper level. 

The most memorable day of the retreat was the last day. Students were able to reflect upon the entire retreat and grow as a whole. The year group wrote affirmations to each other sharing something positive about that person or memories they shared together. The experience of the retreat allowed us to become more unified, allowing us to learn more about ourselves, the year group and the teachers who are supporting us. We will certainly look back on this moment at the end of Year 12 and relive those moments spent with each other as it is a memorable time within our HSC journey.  

-Aaliyah, Adi, Dominik

Greetings Parents and Carers, 

Welcome to the first CAPA corner for 2022. Although the start of term 1 has come with it’s challenges for students in CAPA, we have some awesome news to announce…

GUINESS BOOK OF RECORD ACHIEVEMENT

Pritish of year 7 achieved an incredible accolade over the school holidays. He has set the new world record for the 'most drum beats in a minute using drumsticks.' Pritish has shown great determination and perseverance over the course of the last 12 months to train and improve the efficiency of his playing in order to achieve this goal.

His attempt can be viewed here: https://kids.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2022/1/worlds-fastest-drummer-11-year-old-from-australia-breaks-record-688980

The moment when Pritish realises that he smashed the record is a priceless and awesome moment! What an amazing achievement, well done Pritish!

CAPA CLUBS

When government policies allow, we look forward to rolling out our CAPA - co-curricular program. There will be some changes to the kinds of opportunities that were on offer last year. These include but are not limited to the following new clubs: two College Bands, a Hoop Dance troupe and a Film/Media group. Please encourage your child/ren to get involved in the plethora of opportunities on offer at the College. Clubs will only run if there is enough student interest.

INSTRUMENTAL PROGRAM

We do not have the instrumental program resuming as it had previously been on offer in 2021. When the details of this program are ready to be released, information will be communicated to the school community. For now, watch this space!

HAMILTON EXCURSION

In December, year 9 and 11 Drama along with year 10 Music enjoyed an excursion to the city to watch Hamilton at the Star City in Darling Harbour.  This was the first musical theatre excursion at St Francis and I am confident that it was an extremely memorable experience for all. Watching the students jump up to get out of their seats to provide a standing ovation to the cast was a special thing to witness. Thank you to Mrs Blunden for her additional support in running this excursion.

Some of our Performing Arts students having fun outside the Lyric Theatre, Star Cascino prior to the show.
 

CLASSROOM NEWS

I am very excited for the year 10 Drama class as they embark on their study of Verbatim Theatre. This is where students interview and research real life people and explore a theme, bringing the stories of the community to the stage. The students are excited to get started by interviewing family and community members to be provided with content to use as inspiration for their work.

Yours in creativity,
Ms Allen - Leader of Creative and Performing Arts