Friday 21, March 2025

From the Principal's Desk

Our students have been training ready for their 800m and Cross Country races in the next two weeks.  We look forward to these events as the start of our athletic events this year. Thank you to all staff who have been supporting the morning training for our students.

Student Protection Contacts

Every school in our Diocese has designated Student Protection Contacts.  These staff members are those who students can go to if they need to report something.  Our Student Protection Contacts have changed this year. Please see below poster showing our current officers.  We all attended our annual training for this role last Friday.   Our Student Protection Contacts provide an extended level of support with the following:

• Support students, staff and parents in creating and maintaining a child safe environment
• Are who students can report inappropriate staff behaviour
• Are a point of contact for students, parents and staff regarding student protection concerns

Often students talk to their own teachers or support officers which is also appropriate. St Francis Xavier’s School Staff are mandatory reporters who complete mandatory training each year before commencing work with our students.

If you need to access further information about this there is a button at the bottom of our school website page called ‘Safeguarding Children’. 

Parent Teacher Conversations

We look forward to parents joining us next week for conversations about your child’s or children’s growth in learning so far this year.  We value working in partnership with parents on the learning journeys of our students.

Important dates

Please mark in your calendars the following:

Friday 4^th April - last day of Term 1

Tuesday April 22^nd  - Term 2 commences (First week is only 3 days Tues to Thurs)

Friday  25^th April – ANZAC Day Holiday

Monday 5th  May – Labour Day Holiday

Best wishes for a wonderful week ahead,

Narelle Harney

Assistant Principal Administration

APA Newsletter Term 1 Week 8

As we head towards the end of Term 1, I would just like to thank everyone – staff, students, and families for all their efforts. As always, it has been a busy term with much still to happen. Our yearly Cross-Country 3 – 6 carnival is coming up on April 3^rd at the Esplanade. Students have been training hard for this over the last few weeks. This event cannot take place without the all the behind the scenes preparation from staff.

On the day of the event:

• Drop-off: Parents must drop off their children (Years 3 to 6) directly at the Cairns Esplanade by 8:15am.
• Meeting Point: The grassed area at the northern end of the Esplanade, between McKenzie and Smith Streets (see below map for the approximate drop-off location).
• Transport Back to School: After the event, students will return to St Francis Xavier's School by bus, arriving by approximately 11:15am.

Prep to Year 2 Students

For students in Prep to Year 2, Thursday, 3rd April will be a normal school day (8:30am – 2:50pm).

• Prep to Year 2 students must NOT be dropped off at the Cairns Esplanade.
• They should be dropped off and collected at school as usual.

We also have our 800 metre event next Friday (March 28^th) from 9 – 10.30am where our 9 to 12/13 yr old students will be participating in a pre-athletics carnival event. Participation is not compulsory and only those students who self-nominate will be running. The 9 to 12/13 year old students will be going to Cairns West State School for this event. Our 8 year old students will remain at school to complete set tasks. Students who do not nominate may also remain at school supervised by staff members, but not necessarily their class teachers. Please note that if it is raining, we most likely still go ahead, but may only take the more competitive runners. Parents are invited to come along and assist with the morning.

This term has also seen SFX be part of the Deadly Choices program where First Nations students in years 4 – 6 have had the opportunity to engage with the Junior Healthy Lifestyle Program. Throughout the entire program, participants have had key preventative health messaging reinforced to ensure they have capacity to make deadly, healthy choices now, and into the future. Thank you to Samual and Shantal from Deadly Choices!

Planning is also well under way for Year 6 Camp to Camp Paterson in Mareeba. This camp is for 2 nights, departing Cairns on the morning of Tuesday  the 22nd of April and returning on the afternoon of Thursday the 24th of April, 2025. Our focus for this camp will be leadership, team building and the creation of many happy life-long memories for our students to cherish. Permission slips have gone out for this and payment is due by Friday 4^th April.

Assembly this week saw us recognising our Tier 2 leaders as they received their leadership badges. ( Grup photo below) 

Congratulations!

All the best for the rest of the term

Kristina Armstrong

Assistant Principal Religious Education

We are now in the Third Week of Lent. We are continuing to promote Project Compassion in our classrooms, and we ask that your child brings in donations to add to our collection boxes. Your children have been learning the difference our contributions can make to different countries, remembering the motto: Unite Against Poverty.

 From Project Compassion website:

​​The transformative work of Caritas Australia is only possible thanks to supporters like you and the dedication, passion, and resilience of our local partners, who tirelessly work to empower communities and create brighter futures.

In Vietnam, Caritas Australia’s partner programs, like I-SHINE, helped Lam, a young man with a disability, gain graphic design skills and start a successful freelance business, inspiring others to pursue their dreams.

In Samoa, Caritas Australia works with Caritas Samoa to improve access to clean water and sanitation through initiatives like water tank installations, transforming health and well-being for families like Toefuata’iga’s.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Caritas Australia works in partnership with Caritas Kongolo on the Youth Capacity Strengthening Program. This initiative equipped Irene, a single mother, with sewing and farming skills, enabling her to support her family and empower others in her community.

Through partnerships like these, Caritas Australia creates lasting change in communities across the globe.

Thank you for your support as we model to our students the importance of thinking of others, especially on helping provide basic needs that we all too often take for granted. While we look globally, we also acknowledge that there are families within our own communities that require support, so please reach out so we can assist in finding the right support.

At assembly this week we congratulated our Tier 2 Senior Leaders for stepping up for the roles of ACT Leader, Faith and Justice Leaders and Wellbeing Leaders. It is heartwarming to see that some of these students have already embraced their roles by demonstrating leadership in our community through our various initiatives.

Thank you to Ashley Cane and her family for the efforts they continue to make advocating for our school in the Recycling Recruits Triple M Radio Station Promotion. We already recycle our poppers within the school for various organisations each term, and the saying “You have to be in it to win it” has been supported by our families. We look forward to hearing how our efforts measure up. I thank the families who have supported this at home as well, and the real winner is our environment as we work collectively to reduce, reuse and recycle our rubbish. 

Thank you to Natalie Mooney for her continued advocacy of Harmony Week celebrations within our school community. Our library also once again has colourful displays helping students be immersed in culturally diverse texts - thank you to our library staff for their continued efforts to inspire our students with their creativity. I can not wait for our families to see our library display and bunting acknowledging us “Journeying Together” when you come into the school next week for Parent Teacher Interviews. The blessing I feel to be part of this wonderful community, with all our diversity, is certainly worth acknowledging and celebrating.

Blessings as we move into our final two weeks of the term.

Debbie McGuinness.

Fr Biju Kuriakose Parish Priest

Dear Students, Staff, and Families,

As we step into this new academic year 2025 - 26, I warmly welcome everyone and pray for a year filled with new dreams, renewed enthusiasm, and abundant blessings. May this be a time of growth, learning, and deepening our faith as we strive to nurture Christian values among our children, guiding them to live with love, kindness, and integrity.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated staff, under the inspiring leadership of Principal Narelle, for their unwavering commitment to shaping the hearts and minds of our students. Your efforts are truly appreciated and valued.

Let us work together to create a nurturing environment where every child can flourish and reach their God-given potential. Wishing you all a joyful and successful year ahead!

God bless,

Fr. Biju Kuriakose CMI

Leader of learning and Teaching

PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS

Our Term 1 Parent Teacher Interviews are scheduled for next week. These face-to-face meetings offer a valuable opportunity for you to connect with your child's teacher and discuss any important matters you wish to address.

The primary purpose of these interviews is to foster open dialogue between home and school. It's a chance for you to meet with your child's teacher, gain insights into their school experience, and share any concerns or observations regarding their health, behaviour, and overall well being. This includes discussing how your child has adjusted to their new class and any recent developments at home that may impact their learning journey.

While academic performance is an essential aspect of your child's education, it's important to note that these interviews are not focused on assessment or grading. Detailed academic reports will be provided at the end of Semester 1. Instead, the emphasis during these meetings is on understanding your child's individual needs, strengths, and areas where additional support may be beneficial.

We encourage all parents and guardians to participate in these interviews because we firmly believe that effective communication between home and school is key to supporting your child's holistic development. While teachers are experts in delivering the curriculum, you possess invaluable insights into your child's interests, hobbies, challenges, and unique personality traits. By working together, we can create a supportive environment where your child can thrive academically, socially, physically, and emotionally.

Our online booking system is now closed. If you were unable to make an appointment or need to cancel, please make contact with the class teachers.

We look forward to seeing you at the Parent Teacher Interviews and continuing our collaborative efforts to provide the best possible education for your child.

NAPLAN

Congratulations to our students in Years 3 and 5 for completing their NAPLAN tests. All students displayed a high level of maturity, persistence and perseverance when doing so. I would like to thank Mrs Ross and the Year 3 and 5 teachers for your support in the lead up to NAPLAN, this made a positive impact on how confident the students were in navigating the online testing environment. 

A NAPLAN individual student report will be issued later in the year. Once released, St Francis Xavier’s will use the results to identify strengths and areas of improvement in Literacy and Numeracy. If you would like further information, visit https://nap.edu.au/.

We are incredibly proud of the students at SFX.

Meg Donnelly

Leader of Learning and Teaching

Mackillop Centre

Dear Families,

Wow! We can’t believe it is week 8 already. This term is flying by.

It has been a week of celebrations at SFX. Monday the 17th of March was St Patrick’s Day. You may have seen lots of staff wearing green. Our Gnomes paid a visit to our display to inform students about how many overdue books are out on loan still.

This week, we also celebrated Harmony Week. Our theme for Harmony Week in 2025 is ‘Journeying Together.’ This means that although we walk our own paths, we are all united at SFX. Thank you to Ms Mooney for all of the effort she has put into this event for our diverse school. Thank you also to Mrs Havill and Mrs Reilly, who have once again been busy making our beautiful displays. Students contributed to the tree display with a handprint or a community doll.

Mrs Havill has been very busy shopping for new books for our library. This new display on our door has attracted a lot of attention from students. We are always looking for ways to encourage  a love of reading and new books always create a lot of excitement.

Happy reading!

Mrs Reilly, Mrs Havill and Mrs Ross

Mary Amongst Us Awards - Week 8 & 9

My New Gallery

PE News

Congratulations to the following SFX students for being selected for the TCC teams! 🎉

10 - 12 Year Olds Boys Netball
Carter

10-12 - Boys Hockey
Leith 

10 - 12 Year Olds Girls Netball

Zuelika, Sabria, Spencer

10-12 Australain Footbal Peninsula Team

Myles

Well done on your achievement—we are proud of you! Keep up the great work! 💙💛

TCC Trials 

Trinity Coast Central School Sport (TCC)

Students born in 2015, 2014, and 2013 have the opportunity to participate in Trinity Coast Central Sport Trials, which provide a pathway to Regional Championships at the Peninsula sporting level in their chosen sport.

Process for Interested Students and Parents/Carers:

1. Refer to the attached list of trial dates.
   
2. Download the Peninsula Student Booklet (attached to the Parent Slip or below).
3. Parents/Carers must complete the booklet in full, print it, and return it to the school for signing. Ensure all sections are completed and relevant areas are circled, or it cannot be signed.
4. Once signed, the Peninsula Student Booklet will be returned to the student, who must bring it to the trial.

Important: No signed Peninsula Student Booklet = No Trial.

For any questions, please contact Secretary.manunda@catholic.edu.au.

P & F Committee

We are seeking a volunteers to help run our uniform shop on Thursdays from 2:30 to 3:00 PM. Without volunteer support, we will unfortunately only be able to open the shop once a week.

If you are able to assist, please email secretary.manunda@cns.catholic.edu.au or contact the front office at (07) 4037 9800. Your help would be greatly appreciated!

Stop Drop and Go Zones

To ensure the efficient and safe operation of our Stop, Drop, and Go zones, located on Atkinson Street (front of the school) and Sydney Street (rear of the school near the oval), we kindly request that no vehicles be parked in these zones at any time. If your child is not in your vehicle within 2 minutes please do a lap around the school block and return. 

These zones are designated for students who can enter and exit their cars independently. Drivers must remain in their vehicles.

If your child requires assistance, please park in a designated parking area and assist them as needed.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our school community safe and traffic flowing smoothly.

2025 Term Dates

Term 1 Upcoming Events

Please note this dates may change so please keep an eye out on the MYCE school Calander, Facebook and Broadcasts sent home to families. If you unsure please contact the office on 07 4037 9900. 

Prep Enrolments for 2026

Children who were born between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021 are eligible to attend Prep in 2026.

Enrolment applications for the 2026 Prep year are currently being accepted! Interviews for placement in the 2026 Prep classes are underway, with offers now being made to families.

A friendly reminder to existing families: please ensure that enrolment applications are completed, and interviews are scheduled for younger children transitioning to Prep. It's important to note that having a sibling at SFX does not automatically guarantee the enrolment process.

For those with family or friends seeking a high-quality education for their children, we kindly urge our school community to share your experiences with St Francis Xavier’s School and the positive impact of a Catholic education. Encourage them to reach out to the school at 4037 9900, explore our website, or visit us in person so that we can engage in a discussion about enrolling their child.

Tuckshop News

Mr Walsh runs our tuckshop to keep our little tummys happy. Tuckshop is open Wednesdays and Fridays each week. Menu is below

Place all your school orders online quickly and easily with Flexischools. Flexischools is a well-established organisation allowing you to place all your canteen orders online at any time.

Download the Flexischools app from the App Store or Google Play for details on how to set up your account. https://www.flexischools.com.au.

Volunteering

Parents, grandparents, and carers are always welcome to come and assist with the preparations in the tuckshop. Please contact the front office on 07 4037 9900 if you are able to assist.

Download the MYCE Parent App NOW!

Community News

🎤✨ "Poppers and Popstars" will be held at Hambledon House!

👧🧒 For kids aged 6-12 who live on the south side of Cairns 🏡—from Aloomba to Earlville.

👇 See details below! 📢🎶