Term 2: Week 6

Dear Parents and Carers,

Congratulations to Archer, Jake, Garang, Hannah, Vihaan, Henos, Emelia and Alek who competed in the Divisional Cross Country last week. It is an enormous achievement just to get to this level and we are proud of all the effort and persistence you have demonstrated to get here. An extra congratulations to Alek who has progressed to the regional finals. We wish her well as she prepares to compete at the next level.

Lots of our communities have been out and about enjoying hands-on experiences as part of their learning for their knowledge rich units of work. Last week the Year 6’s visited Queenscliff and historical military sites. This week the Year 1's are off to Animal Land to participate in a farm experience. In the coming weeks our Year 4’s will visit the Werribee Zoo, an exciting time to go with the opening of the new elephant enclosure. Lastly, our Prep students will head to MOPA for a fun day of exploring hands-on creative arts and imaginative play activities.

Andrea and the Year 6 teachers are looking forward to working with the students next week for their Confirmation Immersion Day. Please keep all our Year 6 confirmation candidates in your prayers in the coming weeks as they prepare to accept their baptismal promises as adults, as part of their own personal faith journeys.

I am proud to share that our school will be part of ‘The Age Education Summit’ on June 11  this year. I have been invited to represent the school and the Catholic Education system to be a panellist and share our perspective and work on inclusive education that provides equity and enhances the learning of all.

Lastly, we congratulate our Year 3 teacher, Daniel Bean and his partner Caitlin on the birth of their baby boy, Patrick. We wish them well as they start their life as a family. We look forward to a visit and snuggle with Patrick in the near future.

Enjoy the fortnight ahead,

Michelle

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3 JUN 2025 - Confirmation Immersion Day for students

4 JUN 2025 - 5:30 pm Confirmation Family Workshop

9 JUN 2025 - King's Birthday - No Students

13 JUN 2025 - 2:40 pm School Assembly in the Billabong

18 JUN 2025 - 7 pm Sacrament of Confirmation Celebration

20 JUN 2025 - No Students: Learning Conversations

23 JUN 2025 - School Swimming Lessons Commence for Years 1,2,3,4,6

30 JUN 2025 - Year 5 Camp

3 JUL 2025 - Last day of School Swimming Lessons

4 JUL 2025 - 12 pm Term 2 Ends

21 JUL 2025 - No Students - School Closure Day

22 JUL 2025 - Term 3 Begins

You might have noticed the plants and bushes that have been removed at the top of the drop-off drive. Over the coming weeks, we will have landscapers on site to flatten the mound of dirt and open up the area, creating more space for families to gather in the afternoons.

Temporary fencing will need to be erected to keep the area safe. This will leave very limited space in the area where many families gather to meet their children. The fence will also partially obstruct the cars as they come through the drop-off line, but we have assurances that the drop-off line can still operate.

We need your help:

We encourage you to set a different meeting point with your child(ren) for the next three weeks.

You might like to meet at the oval gate, outside the school fence, or, if you have an older child, you could ask them to cross Fairview Parade at the Pedestrian Crossing and meet you on the other side. Please keep in mind that the footpath outside the school is quite narrow, if you are waiting outside the fence, aim to keep the gateway clear.

Year 3 Aqueducts

The Year 3 have been learning about Ancient Rome. They have looked at the geography of Ancient Rome, What life was like living in Ancient Rome, The life of major contributors like Julius Caesar, Cleopatra and Caesar Augustus. They also learnt how the city of Ancient Rome was built, including the use of aqueducts that carried water over long distances, from water sources far away. Last week students discovered how aqueducts were built, and annotated a picture of an aqueduct built by their teachers, to demonstrate their learning. 

Nominate a Teacher Who Inspires!

Nominations are now open for Australia’s Best Teachers – a campaign run by the Herald Sun to celebrate outstanding teachers in MACS schools. Students, parents, staff and community members are invited to nominate a teacher who inspires. Finalists will be considered for Australia’s Top 50 Best Teachers list, announced in June. Don’t miss this chance to recognise the teachers who help shape young minds!

Confirmation

Thank you to all of the families who attended Mass at St James last Weekend, to pray for and support our Year Six Confirmation Candidates as they were presented to the Parish community. Please note, next weekend is the last opportunity for Confirmation Candidates at SFA to be presented at one of our Confirmation Presentation Masses. We ask that you continue to keep our children in your prayers, as they prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on Wednesday 18th June. 

Important dates:

Final opportunity to attend one of the compulsory Confirmation Presentation Masses at any weekend Mass in St James the Apostle Catholic Church. Mass times: Saturday 31st May: 6pm or Sunday 1st June: 8:30am; 10:30am & 5pm.

Confirmation Immersion Day for students: Tuesday 3ª June, 2025

Compulsory Confirmation Family Workshop: Wednesday 4th June, 2025 at 5:30pm

Learning starts at 8:50am

Every morning teachers mark the roll at 8:50. Please make sure that you arrive at a time that gives your child time to walk to the classroom and be ready to start learning at 8:50 am. The school gates open at 8:35 am, arriving a little earlier can help your child feel organised and ready to learn.

Year 4 Lume Excursion

This term in Visual Arts the Year 4’s have been learning about the iconic Post Impressionist Artist Vincent Van Gogh. They have been learning about his life story and his famous artworks. We were lucky enough to go on an excursion to the Lume Melbourne to see the Vincent exhibition. We were immersed in this multi-sensory experience and we were able to enjoy his artwork being brought to life all around us. We had the best day!  

🎨 Congratulations
to Our Colouring-In Competition Winners! 🏆

We’re thrilled to announce the winners of our recent Coloring-In Competition—and what a competition it was! With 127 incredible entries showcasing creativity, color, and imagination, it was no easy task to choose the top entrants.

A panel of student judges volunteered their time and talent to carefully review every entry. They considered creativity, use of color, attention to detail, and overall artistic impact. After much deliberation, they selected three standout winners who truly brought their picture to life.

Each winner received a pizza lunch and of course—bragging rights!

We’d also like to give a huge thank you to everyone who entered. Your work was inspiring, joyful, and beautifully diverse. It’s clear we have many talented artists in our community, and we can’t wait to see what you create next.

On Thursday  22nd May, some students from St Francis competed in the Cross Country Division race. It was a beautiful day for running and we are very proud of our students who did an amazing job. Special mention to Alek for finishing 6th and advancing to the next stage. Also a big thank you to Brian and all the families of the students who came out to support the children competing.

This week, you will have received via your eldest child, a personal letter from Fr Jude inviting you to participate in the St James the Apostle Offertory Giving Program. 

In this Offertory Program, we are invited to consider joining, or to renew our commitment. Making a pledge isn’t just about finances, it’s about putting our faith into action. It’s about planting seeds now so that future generations can reap a harvest of hope, love, and spiritual growth. Please remember that with each act of offering, God will respond with even greater generosity.

Here at SFA, we belong to St James Parish, wherein we are so very fortunate to be led by Fr Jude and Fr John who as you know are members of the MSSP, and they together with Fr Brendon, who is a Jesuit Priest, live humble lives in service to others, as they go about their day ministering so lovingly to us all. This is the power of your offering, it doesn’t just keep the lights on in the church, it enables the Holy Spirit to light up the world. It changes lives and it enables us to be the hands and feet of the Risen Lord in a world that desperately needs hope. Please note, completed pledge cards can be returned directly to Mass, or via the school office. May God bless you all, as you consider your own response to Him.

Annual Parish Party - Save the date!

In honour of St James Feast Day, you are warmly invited to save the date for our Annual Parish Party in the Paulist Centre next to St James the Apostle church on Saturday 26th July at 7pm. Tickets will be on sale in the near future.

PerformX, is a performing arts school based in Werribee, and we are offering three high-value full 12-month scholarships (valued at $2,000 each) for young people aged 5–18 who are passionate about the performing arts and reside in Wyndham.

There are two categories - one to support families facing financial or personal hardship and one to recognise outstanding talent. Each scholarship also includes a gift pack, complete with fitted jazz shoes from our supporting partner Bloch valued at $200.

We’re committed to a 1-in-10 model: for every 10 paying students, we aim to offer one scholarship.

Find out more here https://www.performxacademy.com.au/scholarships