St Francis de Sales Catholic Primary School

11th December 2015
PRINCIPAL
As I write my last newsletter, my mind wanders to the wonderful memories of my time at St Francis de
Sales. It has been an honor to serve and lead you as Principal. The school community; student, teacher
and parents, you have helped me grow as a person and leader.
It has been an absolute pleasure journeying with you and your families over the past four years.
I wish you all a future where God continues to support and guide you daily. Where family and friends
are your centre. Where you are blessed with good health and an abundance of happiness.
Remembering as St Francis de Sales said “Never be in a hurry: do everything quietly and in a calm spirit.
Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your world seems upset”.
May the coming break be peaceful and reflective as we celebrate the welcoming of baby Jesus into the
world.
God bless always,
Mrs. K Lamarre l PRINCIPAL
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please find the staffing to date for 2016.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mrs. Irene Buncombe on her appointment as REC at St
Brendan’s Catholic Primary School, Central Bankstown. Mrs. Irene Buncombe has generously and faithfully
served the St Francis de Sales Community for 11 Years and has lead the school in Religious Education. I’m
sure you will thank Mrs. Irene Buncombe for her service to the school and wish her well as she journeys to
her new school.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
PRINCIPAL: Mrs. Michelle McKinnon
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL: Mrs. Laurie Geraghty
ACTING RELIGIOUS EDUCATION COORDINATOR: Mrs. Michelle Belton
CLASS TEACHERS
KINDERGARTEN – Mrs. Laurie Geraghty and Mrs. Michelle Belton
YEAR 1 – Mrs. Erin Preen
YEAR 2 – Mrs. Bernie Hardwick and Mrs. Alicia Moore
YEAR 3 – Mrs. Karlene Boland
YEAR 4 – Mrs. Lisa Tanti and Mrs. Donna Conyers
YEAR 5 – Mr. Gregory Thomas
YEAR 6 – Mrs. Lisa Hartcher
SPECIALIST TEACHERS
SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHER - Mrs. Alicia Moore
READING RECOVERY TEACHER – Mrs. Michelle Belton
TEACHER LIBRARIAN– Mrs. Maureen Aquilina
GIFTED EDUCATION TEACHER and MATHEMATICS COORDINATOR– Mrs. Martin
ART TEACHER – Mrs. Kate Phuang
SPORT TEACHER – Ms. Natalie Harris
TECHNICIAN - Mr. Stefan Wisniewski
OFFICE STAFF
OFFICE STAFF – Mrs. Barbara Price, Mrs. Kelly White and Mrs. Chris Boorman
SUPPORT STAFF
SUPPORT STAFF – Mrs. Sandra Costa and Mrs. Josephine Sadani
St Francis de Sales Catholic Primary School - Friendship and Service
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
We are about to enter the third week of Advent. This week the Church lights
the candle of JOY and it is with a joyful attitude we approach the end of the
school year and celebrate another year of successes. As usual it has been a very
busy year. The staff has continued to develop their professional skills in a
number of areas throughout the year and I thank them for their hard work and
dedication to their roles as Catholic Educators. Their many skills and talents
combine to make St. Francis de Sales the vibrant place that it is and will no
doubt continue to be.
The students have so much to celebrate in their achievements this year and not only in academic areas.
We have definitely continued to enhance ‘The Arts’, both performing and visual throughout the year. On
Monday morning at 9am we will present the students with their final awards for the year and Mrs Kate Ng
will present awards to celebrate the great artistic talent we have here. On Tuesday morning at 9am the
Band will entertain us with an end of year performance and at 12pm in St. Aloysius Church our beautiful
choir will lead us in song.
As usual I ask you ensure that you and your children continue to read
during the holidays and I am including some links to help you along the
way. Mrs Gayle Stratton (ex-staff member and St. Aloysius Parish member)
in her role as Literacy Cluster Coach has developed a holiday reading
challenge and site to go with it. There is a holiday reading calendar that
you might like to use as well as reading lists for book ideas.
http://tinyurl.com/HolidayReadingChallenge2015
The Children’s Book Council also has excellent ideas for quality literature for children and of course they
make wonderful Christmas presents.
http://cbca.org.au/awards.htm
As 2015 comes to a close I take this opportunity to thank the St. Francis de Sales parent community for all
they do to enhance the school as a professional learning community. To the parents who so generously
give of their time to help in classrooms, on excursions, in the canteen and in a vast amount of ways, I
extend my sincere gratitude and look forward to continuing the association with you all next year.
I wish all those leaving our community all the best for the future, particularly Mrs Irene Buncombe who will
take on the role as REC at St. Brendan’s Bankstown in 2016. May a little bit of St. Francis de Sales be with
you always.
And finally, with a heavy heart but with much thanks and gratitude, I offer Mrs Karen Lamarre my sincerest
and best wishes in her new role as Principal of Our Lady of Fatima, Caringbah. We have indeed been very
fortunate to have had such a wonderful leader in Catholic Education in our community.
May the Spirit of Christmas be alive and active in your families and may the holiday period bring you all
rest, recuperation and most of all fun!
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to you all!
Mrs Laurie Geraghty l ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
REC
As we enter into the third week of Advent this Sunday.
Advent is a season of waiting. Many of the words we pray
and sing are full of desire, hope and expectations. One of our
Advent companions is Mary, and during these weeks we
remember her as she waited for the birth of her child. We
know what waiting is like, especially at this time of year.
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal
Thank you to everyone who donated to the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal. What an amazing
success. Every year our collections are getting bigger and this just goes to show the wonderful
generosity of school community. So many families will benefit from the gifts and food hampers.
Thanksgiving and Graduation Mass
Next Wednesday, 15th December, we are celebrating our Thanksgiving and Graduation Mass at St
Aloysius Church at 12.00pm. Everyone is welcome to attend this beautiful celebration as we farewell
our Year 6 students.
Christmas Eve Mass
You are invited to be part of our Children’s Choir, Christmas Eve 6pm Mass at St
Aloysius Church.
Please come along to the church at 5pm for a practise before Mass.
We look forward to hearing your beautiful voices!!
Please call Cathy Sammut at the Parish Office with any queries 85220300
I have been very blessed to be part of the St Francis de Sales School Community over the past eleven
years. I will always have fond memories of my time here and the wonderful staff that I have worked
with over that time. Thank you to the parents for all your support. To the students I will miss seeing
your beautiful smiles everyday. Next year, I will be REC at St Brendan’s Catholic Primary School and I
am looking forward to the challenges ahead.
I wish you all happy and Holy Christmas with your family. To the wonderful Year 6 students a very big
thank you for the way you have applied yourselves this year in all areas. It has been a pleasure to have
taught you in Year 3 and again in Year 6. I will truly miss every one of you and I wish you all the best.
love
Mrs. Irene Buncombe | REC
St Francis de Sales Catholic Primary School - Friendship and Service
FAMILY EDUCATOR
If you look for Me at Christmas,
You won’t need a special star
I’m no longer in Bethlehem
Im right here where you are
You may not be aware of Me
Amid the celebrations,
You’ll have to look beyond the stores,
And all the decorations.
But if you take a moment
from your list of things to do
And listen to your heart, you’ll find
I’m waiting there for you.
You’re the one I want to be with
You’re the reason why I came
And you’ll find me in the stillness
as I’m whispering your name.
Love Jesus. xx
It is my prayer that you enjoy a peace filled, loving Christmas with your family.
Lisa.
Don’t forget Christmas Eve Mass at 6pm. Come dressed as Angels and Shepherds. It will be a very special
Mass for families. A special request for anyone interested in joining the choir. All children especially
welcome!! Please come at 5pm for a quick rehearsal before Mass.
Its been another fantastic year with the best community in Sydney and I thank you all for your support of
my role but most importantly your attention to that priceless gift you model for your children
everyday..that of being faith filled, charitable and virtuous parents.
I look forward to our journey together next year.
A fond farewell to the current Year 6 group. They have been a great group of students and families. They
always give generously of their time and resources. The children are constantly offering help and support
and have been lots of fun to work with, I really appreciate their sense of humour but also a willingness to
get the job done. I wish them well in High School and the years ahead. I know they will do great things.
Our friends at Como Vinnies were so appreciative of the presence of our parents and grandparents who
gave generously of their time last Wednesday to enjoy lunch and carols. The program at Como happens
every Wednesday and Friday so if you are ever have a day free and would like to spend some time with
someone who may on the fringes of society then contact me and I can fill you in.
Next year is already shaping up to be a very blessed time for us all to be blessed with Mercy. I really look
to sharing lots of great events with you and your family.
It is with a very heavy heart that I bid farewell to some very special people who have touched my heart
over the past years. Thank you for your friendship and the honor to travel with you.
Dates for 2016
20th January 10am:
8th February 9.15:
12th February 9.15:
Picnic in the Park Playdate for Kindy 2016. Shelly Beach
First Emmuas Walk for the year
First Day for Toddler Tales
God Bless you all with love each day
Mrs. Lisa Overton l Family Educator
St Francis de Sales Catholic Primary School - Friendship and Service
These awards will be given out at 9am SHARP, Monday 14th December.
.
Award
Kindergarten:
Year One:
Year Two:
Year Three:
Year Four:
Year Five:
Year Six:
Adam, Rhys, Ryder, Charlotte.
Rowan, Dion, Alannah, Bria.
Kealah, Eliza, Liam.
Gracie, Zara, Rosie, Luke.
Sam, Andrew, Ailya.
Nathan, Esperence, Makayla, sarah.
Finn, Zoe.A, Charlotte, Kate, Isaac.
Silver Award
Kindergarten:
Year One:
Year Two:
Year Three:
Year Four:
Year Five:
Year Six:
Max, Jude and Jake.
Daniella.
Mark, Jasmine, Luke, Grace.
Esperence.
Book work Award
Kindergarten: Joahua, Sam.
Year One:
Matea, Jamie.
Year Two:
Lily, Charlotte.
Year Three: Gracie.
Year Four:
Year Five:
Jack, Sarah.
Year Six:
Gold Award
Year One:
Year Two:
Year Three:
Year Four:
Year Five:
Year Six:
Luke, Blake, Mark.
Esperence.
Platinum Award
Alexandra (Yr. 5)
St Francis de Sales Catholic Primary School - Friendship and Service
Sports and Health News
ST FRANCIS DE SALES SWIMMING CARNIVAL
Monday 14th December is our annual school swimming carnival, which this year will be held at
Sutherland Leisure Centre. Thank you to all who have offered to help on the day. This greatly assists with
the smooth running of the day. The job list and program were emailed on Wednesday and are also
attached to this newsletter. If any other parents are available to assist on the day please let the school
know or come and see me on the day.
Here are just a few reminders about the day:
•
All children will travel to the carnival by bus. You have nominated on the permission note
whether your child will return by bus or by car. The bus for primary students will depart at
8.50am.
•
All children wear a t-shirt in their sports team colour (this is the same team as they were in for
the athletics carnival in Term 2)
•
Children compete in races according to the age they turn NEXT YEAR.
•
All children must listen for their event to be called. A race will not be rerun because someone did
not hear their event being called. We do not have a list of names of students competing in each
race so the students need to listen carefully.
•
Students from Year 2 who wish to compete in a 50m race will need to go on the first bus with the
primary students. (Reminder: only students turning 8 next year can compete in 50m races).
•
Children are not to use the indoor pool at any time. We have access to the training pool from
12pm which is when the races for Kindergarten, Year 1 and any child from Years 2-6 who did not
swim 50m.
•
For 50m backstroke, breastroke and butterfly, 8, 9 and 10 year olds compete together as a junior
event.
•
Children are reminded that for their own safety and the safety of others, they must not run
alongside the pool and they must remain on the grassed area except when competing.
•
At this stage the weather forecast is for a hot day. Please ensure that your child has sunscreen
and hat.
•
Wet weather: if it is raining, a shortened version of the carnival (50m
races only) will go ahead for those children from 8 – 12 years wishing
to try out for selection for the Endeavour Swimming Carnival 2016.
All other children will attend school as usual.
Yours in Sport,
Bernadette Hardwick
St Francis de Sales Catholic Primary School - Friendship and Service
CEO REBRANDING
After a period of consultation and careful consideration, a
decision has been made by the Sydney Archdiocesan
Catholic Schools (SACS) Board to change the name of the
Catholic Education Office (CEO) Sydney to ‘Sydney
Catholic Schools’(SCS). The name change reflects the focus
of the organisations new strategic plan New Horizons:
Inspiring Spirits and Minds, which places schools at the
heart of its vision and mission.
The name change will take effect from 1 January 2016. It
is not expected that the change of name will have any
impact on the ongoing operations of the organisation or
our school.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR
THE COMING WEEKS
December 14
Swimming Carnival
December 15
Band Performance 9am
Year Six Graduation Mass
12pm
Year Six Graduation Dinner
6:30pm
December 16
Last day of school for
students.
OVERDUE FEES
All 2015 fees are overdue. Unless a payment
arrangement is in place, all outstanding fees should
now be paid.
CRONULLA RSL
Gratitude and Thanks to Cronulla RSL for their generous donation to the St Francis de Sales
Primary School.
St Francis de Sales Catholic Primary School - Friendship and Service
Year Six- 2015
St Francis de Sales Catholic Primary School - Friendship and Service