BLESSED EDMUND RICE FEAST DAY

Happy Edmund Rice Feast Day!!!

This morning our staff, students and a number of parents/carers attended and reverently participated in a beautiful celebration of the Eucharist to celebrate the Feast Day of Blessed Edmund Rice (5th May).

With our College’s dual charism split between Saint Francis of Assisi and Blessed Edmund Rice, we have the rich opportunity to celebrate the strengths of two incredibly impressive people.

Today we get to focus on and recognise the achievements of Blessed Edmund Rice, a man who was greatly inspired by Jesus’ love, outreach and compassion for those on the margins of society. Our College's focus on inclusivity, as one of our four touchstones, helps us to remember the need for open hearts and minds to everyone - even those perceived as outcasts, on the edge of society or those who are the neediest. In his inspirational work in Ireland in the late 18th and early 19th Century, Edmund Rice reminds us that part of our challenge is to reach out and find solutions to many complex challenges, moving forward in a positive mindset, whilst all the while protecting those in the greatest of need in this fragile world in which we live.

By focusing on the work of Jesus Christ and his accepting approach, Edmund Rice helps us to reflect upon and draw closer to that which is truly important in life. Having courageous, open and loving hearts and minds, prepares our young people for the world they will encounter as children and adolescents and then prepares them for the oftentimes harsh world in which they live beyond school.

It is through individuals like Blessed Edmund Rice that our innate connection with and understanding of Jesus Christ's paramount work becomes clearer - ultimately aiding us to live our best lives and enhance the lives of others.

‘TELL THEM FROM ME’ SURVEYS

The Diocese of Wollongong has commissioned an external body to gain feedback on each secondary school and St. Francis Catholic College. This tool (‘Tell Them From Me’ Surveys) will provide an opportunity for parents/carers to answer a range of generic questions and then provide open feedback on our learning, faith and wellbeing offerings. It is hoped such open commentary will be positively framed as this will be most effective in helping us to explore and unpack this feedback (areas of praise and/or possible suggestions) and continue to help us develop as a community.

Look out on Compass for communication about how to complete these surveys. Students in Years 4-12 and staff K-12 will also have access to their own versions of surveys over the coming fortnight. 

Our Leadership Team and I look forward to exploring the feedback and this information, along with our own internal data and discernments will help us identify areas of need and/or emphasis in the future. Parent/carer focus groups will then be set up later in Term Two.

Athletics Carnivals

I commend our students who have recently attended either the K-6 or 7-12 Athletics Carnival. Both events were highly successful and we were fortunate to have great weather on both days.

There was much House Spirit evident and there was fun, close competition and fair play. A number of College records were broken and many students have now qualified for involvement at Diocesan level Athletics Carnivals.

I would particularly like to thank our student volunteers, our wonderful staff and especially Kristine Micallef (K-6 Sports Coordinator) and Daniella Pavlovich (Sports Coordinator 7-12) for their great organisational efforts before and on the days.

Selective Schools

In recent weeks the College has received a few requests to support student selective school applications. This issue has arisen with the College previously, and so I would like to reiterate that our approach will be similar to past years wherein we will be abiding by Catholic Education Wollongong’s directive to NOT support applications for selective school enrolment. I, therefore, ask that parents/carers do not approach the St Francis Office or any of our teaching staff with forms seeking admission into selective schools; as your request will not be granted.

Obviously, there will be many different viewpoints about the nature of education including the merits of selective schooling. At St. Francis, we proudly provide comprehensive schooling which caters for a broad range of learners - including our top-end students. Our NAPLAN results have been exceptionally strong, and, while we are still only in our seventh year, our trajectory is increasingly upwards. Indeed, we are continuing to build our academic culture and there are many tremendous initiatives and opportunities available to students. It’s wonderful to see our students participating and excelling in a broad range of external competitions - whether it be winning the Opens Catholic School (CSDA) Public Speaking Competition {Courtney J in Year 12}; having recent successes in the NSW Mock Trial Competition and/or students entered into events like the Da Vinci Decathlon and the National STEM MAD (Make a Difference) Competition - there are many chances in which students’ passions and abilities can be catered for. With our work on new pedagogies for deep learning into the future - St. Francis is a very exciting place to be.

I do have my own opinions about selective schooling (which I do not intend to go into in this newsletter) but I will state that I have seen numerous students over the years move into selective schools who are simply not suited, lament the lack of a well-rounded education and/or who have a sudden ‘crisis of confidence’.

If there are any families considering applying for their child to attend a selective school I would welcome a conversation about your high-performing student and how we can better meet their needs and/or further extend their learning. While our enrolment application numbers far exceed the spaces available, it would be sad to lose any of our current students given that our academic trajectory and focus are only burgeoning and our academic tracking is proving highly successful.

PRAYER

Blessed Edmund Rice Prayer

O God we thank you for the life of Blessed Edmund Rice.
He opened his heart to Christ’s presence in those oppressed by poverty and injustice.
May we follow his example of faith and generosity.
Grant us the courage and compassion of Blessed Edmund as we seek to live lives of love and service.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

For a Favour

O God, you inspired Blessed Edmund Rice to follow your Son in a life of consecrated service to the poor and all in need of a truly Christian education.

Grant through his intercession the petition I now make .................

I ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Mr Matthew McMahon
College Principal

After an Easter Holiday’s break, the first week of Term 2 concluded with the annual SFCC Athletics Carnival for grades 7 to 12. For this carnival the Year 12 Class of 2023 participated in another theme-based dress up; an iconic tradition established by the Inaugural Class of 2022 to celebrate their final carnivals. 

The theme for this carnival was ‘Aesthetics’ (or Subcultures), which we voted upon and creatively presented as a grade; ranging from business men, to skaters, to the Roaring 20’s, and even the elderly. But despite this variety, participation was what brought us together.

This day was a clear display of what Strength in Unity meant to us as our grade theme. It recognised the mutual respect we have with one another, and demonstrated the collective appreciation for the diversity of interests, personalities, and cultures across the grade.

With the approaching assessments this term, as well as the trial and HSC exams the following terms, Strength in Unity calls us to back one another and motivate each other to get us through those tough times.

We are wishing everyone, and ourselves; the College Captains, the best of luck this year.

Silver Awards

Congratulations to the following students who received their Silver Award recently:

Year 9
Alansa S
Chelsea D
Ava C
Chanelle C
Theresa P
SerwahA
Lyla D
Sanya S
Hargune S
Annika L
Pocholo A
Gabriella S
Nicholas T
Isaiah J
Nicholas K

Year 10 
Avani S
Elaine T
Christian  P
Ethan  N

Year 11
Adalina N
Peng  C
NithaS
ZackeryC
Isabella K
Steven  L
Hayden P
Elbron B
Giorgio V
Joel K
Dylan C
Christian A
MadianaB
Dylan N

Year 12
Mikaela A
Giorgio V

Gold Awards

Congratulations to the following students who received their Gold Award recently:

Angelina T, Leia J, Nana A, Sandra J, Sonia J, Mai D, Rheeya L, Nicholas C, Jamie S, Kye H, Umang B, Andrea W, Jaidon A, Anna J, Cooper H, Shandesh B, Shreya K, Jacob S