Dear Parents/Carers,

Easter:

As this will be the last newsletter for Term 1, I wanted to wish everyone a safe and joyous Easter break. The week leading up to Easter Sunday is known to Catholics as ‘Holy Week’ and is the most important series of events in the Catholic Church’s calendar. 

Christmas has become very commercialised and associated with gift giving and in Australia falls in a period of holidays for most people, as such Christmas seems to have more prominence in the community than Easter. 

Without the Easter story however, Christmas has no meaning. Without Jesus’ suffering death and then overcoming death through resurrection, His birth has little consequence. Good Friday is a solemn memorial of Jesus’ crucifixion and death. Many people often question why we refer to it as ‘Good’ Friday when Jesus experienced such a violent death. As Catholics however, we believe that Jesus willingly went to His death understanding that this is what God required of Him. Jesus died so that we could be saved and hence the experience whilst very violent was ‘good’ for humanity.

There can be no doubt that Easter Sunday should be cause for a huge celebration. Jesus rises from the dead and reveals Himself to His followers. His resurrection proves His divinity and we celebrate Easter Sunday with feasting, prayer and fellowship. 

St Francis students will have an opportunity to experience the Easter story in Religious Education classes before the end of Term through the Stations of the Cross. I encourage you to ask them about the experience and to take the family to any one of a number of Masses during Holy Week in our local parishes. 

Sacramental Program:

The College has had numerous requests from Catholic families about the sacramental program run in Parishes. Parents who would like their children to participate in the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist or Confirmation should contact their local parish. Father Bosco, Parish Priest at Macquarie Fields is delighted to support families who have established a practice of regular worship at Mary Mother of the Church, Macquarie Fields. He also welcomes families who live within the Macquarie Fields Parish boundary which includes suburbs such as: Macquarie Fields, Macquarie Links, Badia, Edmondson Park, Denham Court. Please contact the Parish office Tuesday- Friday on 9605 6169 to arrange. 

Family College Partnership (FCP) Program:

The Care Committee met for the first time in 2022 on Monday evening. It was a small but enthusiastic group who are looking forward to supporting other families as needed throughout the year. A short article about the work of the Care Committee is included later in this newsletter. 

A reminder that the Social FCP Committee will meet next Tuesday 5th April at 6:30pm in the College Hall to discuss the organisation of social events throughout the year which encourage St Francis families to come together. Everyone is welcome. 

Guillemont Road Gate Opens!

The gate will open in the morning next week between 8am-8:30am and in the afternoons between 2:45pm-3pm. Please note that student supervision in the afternoons is only until 3pm. Junior students who are not collected by 3pm will be escorted by staff to carline which finishes at 3:15pm. Students in Years 5-12 who are not picked up by 3pm will be unsupervised. 

The new Guillemont gate should help reduce traffic congestion and improve the safety of students who walk home or walk to meet parents in cars. Our new extended car park will also greatly assist with traffic management and it is hoped that it will come online mid next term. Unfortunately there have been delays with significant rain events. 

Have a safe and peaceful Easter.

Mr Abernethy
College Principal

Lent and Easter

As the term draws to a close, we continue to learn, advocate and support Project Compassion. As a Catholic school, we support the work of Caritas as an aid agency of the Church. 

As we enter Holy Week during the school holidays, we continue to reflect on the lives of people vulnerable to extreme poverty and injustice and how we can respond through supporting Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion appeal. 

Your generosity is the pebble that allows Caritas Australia to create the ripples that will improve the livelihoods of vulnerable communities, supporting them to flourish and create opportunities for future generations to live to their full potential and thrive. 

Thank you!

Please make any last donations to the SFCC 2022 Campaign before 20th April 2022 https://fundraise.projectcompassion.org.au/stfranciscatholiccollegeedmondsonpark 

To understand and reflect on the Resurrection of Jesus at Easter, we must first place ourselves in the presence of God.  Easter is a time of great joy and celebration. It is also a time of great hope, because the resurrection of Jesus shows us that nothing is impossible to God.  

God of wonder, we rejoice because Christ is risen and we know that all things are possible for you. Bring us new life and help us to make our world a better place for everyone. 

Youth Ministry

During Terms 2 and 3, the Youth Ministry team including Ms Flegg and the Youth Engagement Leaders will be offering the Alpha Youth Series during Wednesday Break 1, for students in the Middle and Senior Years. The Alpha Program engages youth in deeper discussions about Jesus and our Catholic faith. More details to come during Term 2. 

• Mother’s Day Liturgy - 9am - Wednesday 4th May 2022
• Edmund Rice Day Feast Day Mass - 9am -  Thursday 5th May 

More details about the following events to come via Term 2 Newsletter and Compass. 

After a postponed event, our swimming squad represented St Francis on Friday the 18th March at the Diocesan Swimming Championships in Corrimal.  

A huge congratulations to all of our swimmers on their selection and participation in the carnival; Accalia A, Nicolas C, Jack F, Bella G, Stephanie G, Zach H, Zacharius M & Ashton S. 

The day went swimmingly, with our squad making a splash on the podium. 

A huge congratulations on the following achievements:

Nicolas C -U/13’s Age Champion and setting a new Diocese record for 50m backstroke

Steph G- Runner up U/15s Age Champion

Bella G- 17+ Age Champion and setting Diocese records in the following events:

-       50m Freestyle

-       100m Freestyle

-       50m Backstroke

-       100m Backstroke

-       50m Butterfly

-       100m Butterfly

-       200m Individual

Congratulations and best wishes to Nicolas and Bella on their progression to the CCC swimming championships hosted at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, Homebush on Wednesday 6th April. 

MISA Sport Term 1

After a soggy start to the year of sport, our MISA teams have represented our school to the best of their abilities in an almost washed out competition, earning our school some valuable points in our MISA competition.

Some special mentions to the following students nominated by their coaches for their outstanding efforts:

Aram B (7-9 Boys Volleyball) - for a positive attitude and great sportsmanship

Elexia M & Chelsea D(7-9 Girls Volleyball)- for demonstrating exceptional teamwork and sportsmanship

Irene J (Girls Indoor Cricket)- great enthusiasm and willingness to improve her game 

Grace L (MISA Dance) -For a sustained focus and commitment to troupe and the learning of choreography

On Thursday 17th March St Francis held their first LIVE event of the year. Below is what one of our Youth Engagement Leaders had to say about the event:

LIVE was such an entertaining, inspiring and eye-opening experience that drew me closer to God. It was an amazing event full of beautiful music, fun games, delicious food and a great word of encouragement. This event was a great event to end my evening as it reminded me to be grateful for everything God has given me in my life. This experience was very uplifting and a great way to spend time with God alongside my peers.

Greetings Parents and Carers, 

As restrictions ease and we are able to gather across year groups and mix in different contexts, our excitement builds in CAPA for the development of a range of CAPA curricular and co-curricular opportunities. 

LIFE WITHOUT ME - EXCURSION 

Some of the HSC Drama class attended  the beautiful Arts Theatre, Cronulla on Sunday the 13th of March for a community performance of Daniel Keene’s play,  Life Without Me. Seeing this script brought to life by a small and talented ensemble cast was extremely powerful for the students and will no doubt provide them with a deeper understanding of the text in performance.

CAPA CLUBS

A number of clubs have been rolled out and interest is strong across CAPA. I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing year 7 & 8 students gathering at the base of the performance centre stairs with excitement, ready to hit the studio and learn a range of Dramatic skills. The year 7 - 8 drama club is open to all students interested in building confidence and creativity. It is also a great way to see if students are interested in picking this subject up as an elective in Stage 5. Numbers in the Middle Years Hoop Troupe have also been strong, so much so, that more hoops will need to be ordered! The enthusiasm is palpable and we have started work on our first hoop dance combination. 

INSTRUMENTAL PROGRAM

Details of this program are almost ready to be released and  information will be communicated to the school community. For now, watch this space!

CLASSROOM NEWS

Congratulations to all of year 6 who have completed their formal assessment task for Creative Arts in the discipline of Dance. The classes learnt a contemporary dance piece titled The Flame and performed in small groups. All of year 6 look forward to performing in front of the whole school at next week's assembly. We can’t wait to see year 6 strut their stuff!

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

As part of St Francis' Family Community Partnership, the Care Committee was established last year to help members of the St Francis Catholic College Family in times of need. The committee meets to discuss and organise ways that we can help and care for families of both students and staff when they need it most.

This could include financial and emotional support, donations, meals and resources to help people struggling through a variety of challenging situations. 

Since meeting last year, the care committee have put together emergency care packages for people who might be needing to flee their homes urgently due to violence, disaster or unforeseen circumstances.  These kits include everyday essential items including toiletries and sanitary items as well as some small treats. We have already been able to assist some members of the college community by providing care packages.

We have established a roster to cook meals that can be given out to St Francis Catholic College members during times of need and grief and are also able to link people to outside specialist services to assist their individual needs. We hope that these small gestures can ease some of the burden, and offer support during difficult times.

If you find yourself in need of the Care Committees services, please contact College Reception, Mrs Agostino or Mr Abernethy who will be able to assist you. Please note that this is a confidential service and your privacy will always be maintained.

We are also hoping to raise some money at future social events to enable us to provide more assistance to those in need in our college community.

If you would like to join the Care Committee or can assist with donations please contact College Reception who can put you in touch with us.