St. Francis of Assisi Primary School 312 Childs Road, Mill Park. 3082

Telephone: 9407 3100

email: principal@sfmillpark.catholic.edu.au

3rd June, 2019 Newsletter No. 17

Dear Parents

PREP 2020 ENROLMENTS CLOSED Applications for Prep 2020 have closed. We anticipate forwarding our offer of places at the end of this week,

Friday, 7th June. Demand for places has been strong again. If you are an existing parent with a child beginning

Prep in 2020 you must get your enrolment in immediately as enrolments have closed.

YEAR LEVEL LEADERS To support our students, staff and parents at St Francis each year level has been assigned a Level Leader.

Year Prep: Mrs. Nicole Federico

Year One: Mrs. Mary Costanzo

Year Two: Mrs. Grace Lucic

Year Three: Mrs. Deb Butler

Year Four: Mrs. Delfina Pieri

Year Five: Mrs. Brooke Brennan

Year Six: Mr. John Dwyer

Your child’s teacher is always your first point of contact. Should any other concerns arise, I ask that you contact

the Level Leader specific to your child’s year level.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PROGRAM Instrumental Music enrolments for Term 3 can be collected from the School Office or can be downloaded from our

website. Only new students need apply as existing students already enrolled will automatically be re-enrolled for

next term.

Children already on a waiting list will be processed and placed in the program for Term 3. Please inform Mrs Pina

Fusillo at the school office if you wish to cancel your existing child’s Instrumental Music lessons.

Please Note: The Instrumental Music Program is not available for our Prep Students.

QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY Please note that school will not be operating next week, on Monday 10th June as it is a public holiday.

PLEASE LABEL YOUR CHILDREN’S CLOTHES We have a lot of uniform (jumpers, track tops etc.,) sent to the office for lost property which are not named. This

makes it impossible for us to return to the children. Please ensure that all items are clearly named.

SICK CHILDREN COMING TO SCHOOL I have noticed some students attending school who are ill. Could I please ask that if your child is not

well to keep them at home. It is not fair to expect a child who is unwell to participate in learning

activities and I am also conscious of them spreading their illness throughout the class.

EUCHARIST STOLES These are due to arrive today, Monday 3rd June. For any queries speak to John Dwyer.

PREP QUESTIONNAIRES

Parents are asked to return the questionnaires that were sent home to Prep families last week. Please return

these by Tuesday 11th June.

PREP NURSERY RHYME DAY This will take place, Tuesday 18th June. Prep students are asked to dress up as a character from their favourite

nursery rhyme. Please don’t go to any unnecessary expense or inconvenience. All that is required is that your

child’s costume reflects some aspects of the character that he or she has chosen. A note will go home this week.

PLAIN CLOTHES DAY / SAUSAGE SIZZLE DAY - FRIDAY 21ST JUNE Friday, 21st June will be our next Plain Clothes / Hot Food Day. The Parent’s Association will be cooking a sausage

sizzle for the children. If you are free on the day could you please come in and help for a couple of hours. It is only

fair that we share the load as all the children in the school benefit from a yummy lunch.

ANNUAL COMMUNITY REPORT Our 2018 report to the community was uploaded to our website last week. You may download it from the website

or have it emailed to you. Should you wish to receive a copy please email me at:

principal@sfmillpark.catholic.edu.au.

CHILD SAFE SCHOOLS As you are aware, the Victorian Government recently introduced new Child Safe Standards, which set out the

minimum requirements for schools in relation to child safety. One of these requirements relates to volunteers in

schools. Everyone who comes into our school and has contact with children is required to have a valid Working

with Children Check (WWCC). In addition to this it is now required that all volunteers are aware of and comply with

the Child Safety Policy and Code of Conduct of our school.

Two years ago, St Francis of Assisi Primary School undertook a collaborative approach in developing a Child Safety

Policy and Code of Conduct, recognising that the responsibility of child safety sits with the whole school

community. These documents can be accessed on our school website as a link (Child Safe Schools).

We do not want this process to be onerous or difficult for you, but for the safety of all the students in the school we

require all our prep parents to fill in and return the ‘Parent Code of Conduct’ by the end of next week (Parent Code

of Conduct will be sent home to all Prep parents this week).

If you have any further questions regarding the policy documents or this requirement please contact me.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all who contribute to the vibrant community we have here at St

Francis of Assisi Primary School. We are very fortunate to have many parents and grandparents who give their

time, energy and expertise to volunteer in various capacities such as supporting literacy and numeracy

programs, assisting with special events and excursions or as members of the Parents’ Association or Parish

Education Board. Your help is greatly valued and vital to our school community. Our volunteers are integral to

the school experience for our students and you provide an important link in your child’s education.

WOOLWORTHS EARN AND LEARN

St. Francis of Assisi is again participating in the Earn and Learn program. Sticker sheets have been sent home.

Stickers and completed sheets can be left in the box in the school office. If you require more sticker sheets please

ask at the office.

ASSEMBLIES Assemblies have been scheduled for Monday afternoons at 2.30 pm in the big hall. See below for the Term 2

Assembly schedule. Please Note: Prep students will have their assemblies on a Thursday afternoon.

Monday 3rd June Year 1 & 2 Assembly (Year 1B & Year 1J presenting)

Monday 17th June Year 3 & 4 Assembly (Year 4A & Year 4M presenting)

Thursday 20th June Prep Assembly (Prep D, Prep T & Prep W presenting)

Monday 24th June Year 5 & 6 Assembly (Year 5H & Year 5P presenting)

PARENT HELPERS MEETING Do you enjoy helping children with their reading, writing and mathematics? Do you enjoy working with children in

their classroom? If so, you are welcome to come along to a Parent Helper Meeting and become a part of a team of

Parent Helpers in Prep to Year 6.

The Meeting will be held on Friday 7th June from 9 am to 10 am in the Community Room.

You will need to attend this session before working in classrooms. Parent Helpers who have attended this session

previously need not attend, although you are most welcome, and can begin to work in classrooms. Please see the

class teacher to make suitable arrangements. Please fill out the form elsewhere in the flyer and send it back to

the school office if you would like to attend. (Please note, parents are required to have a current Working With

Children Check to be a parent helper in the classrooms).

END OF TERM ARRANGEMENTS & BEGINNING OF TERM 3 School will finish at 1 pm on Friday, 28th June for the term break. School will resume on Monday, 15th July at

8.45 am.

CSEF (CAMPS, SPORTS & EXCURSION FUND) If you hold a valid means tested health care card or are a foster parent, you may be eligible for Camps, Sports &

Excursion Fund (CSEF). The annual CSEF amount for primary school students is $125. The CSEF is paid directly to

your child's school to be used towards camps, sports and excursion expenses for the benefit of eligible students.

The card must be valid as at 29th January 2019. Parents can obtain a form from the school office or download a

form from www.education.vic.gov.au/csef. The school can accept applications up to 21st June, 2019 however

parents are encouraged to lodge their form early. We are unable to accept late applications. The school also

requires a copy of your current health care card.

SACRAMENT DATES FOR 2019

First Holy Eucharist

Saturday 15th June at 11.30 am—Year 3D

Sunday 16th June at 1 pm—Year 3M and 3 pm—Year 3N

Saturday 22nd June at 11.30 am—Year 3P

Sunday 23rd June at 1 pm— Year 3R and 3 pm—Year 3A Confirmation

Friday 6th September at 7 pm - Year 6C & Year 6J

Sunday 8th September at 1 pm - Year 6H & Year 6M and at 3 pm Year 6B & Year 6W

CATHOLIC SECONDARY COLLEGE ENROLMENT (STUDENTS STARTING YEAR 7 IN 2021) If your child is currently in Year 5 (2019) now is the time to enrol for a place at a CATHOLIC secondary college for

the 2021 academic year. Below are some important dates to be aware of:

Key Enrolment Dates for our current YEAR 5 students (2019) for Catholic Secondary Enrolment

Term 1 - January 2019: Applications open for Year 5 students commencing Year 7 in 2021

Term 3 - 23rd August 2019: APPLICATIONS CLOSE

Term 3 - 6th September 2019: Principals exchange a full list of applications with neighbouring colleges,

including parish of residence

Term 3 - 20th September 2019: Principals exchange a full list of applications with neighbouring colleges,

identifying proposed offers and non offers

Term 4 - 19th October 2019: Offers posted to prospective Year 7, 2021 applicants

Term 4 - 1st November 2019: Final date for families to accept offer made by the school.

Should you wish to enrol your child in a government secondary school, this will be facilitated through the transition

coordinator in 2020 when your child is in Year 6. For transition enquiries please email (Brooke Brennan, Transition

Coordinator) bbrennan@sfmillpark.catholic.edu.au and she will assist you.

SAD NEWS Our thoughts and prayers are with the Abdouka Family on the passing of Nahla, mother of Jonathan (5F), Ishtar

and Ilona (past students of St. Francis) and wife of Kamiran. May she rest in peace.

God bless

Mark Basile

Principal

Special Congratulations go to:

Allegra P (4F), Danijela Z (2S), Laura A (3M), Gabriel D (2S), Nicholas B (3R) and

Zachary Y (3M)

who have attained a Gold Badge.

Congratulations also to the following children who have recently been awarded Blue

Badges:

William T (1S), Zoe D (4F), Scarlett-Rose S (3N), Joshua A (Prep D), James D (Prep P),

Kaitlyn V (6B), Dejion G (Prep D), Adam A (Prep N), Alannah N (Prep P), Chelsea C (Prep P),

Chandler M (Prep N), Hannah V (1H), Jade F (4F), Marko M (2G), Faith R (Prep C),

Alex M (1J), Alexander G (4A), Chloe S (3R), Olivia P (1J), Natalia B (Prep D),

Eliana L (Prep N), Emily N (Prep D), John S (Prep D), Vivian Y (Prep D), Joshua P (Prep D),

David J (Prep T), Noah M (Prep T), and Joshua L (1J).

PARENT HELPERS MEETING

PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE

I will be attending the Parent Helpers Meeting on Friday 7th June

Name: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Contact Number: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

My Child is in Grade: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Monday June 3 Prep W Excursion

Monday June 3 Year 3M & Year 3R Excursion

Monday June 3 Year 5F, Year 5N & Year 5P Boys Excursion

Monday June 3 Year 1 & 2 Assembly (1B & 1J presenting) 2.30 pm in the hall. All welcome.

Tuesday June 4 Prep P & Prep U Excursion

Wednesday June 5 Year 3D & Year 3N Excursion

Thursday June 6 Prep C & Prep N Excursion

Thursday June 6 Year 3A & 3P Excursion

Friday June 7 Year 6 Interschool Sport (9 am - 11 am)

Friday June 7 Parent Helper Meeting (9 am - 11 am) in the Community Room

Monday June 10 Queen’s Birthday (Public Holiday)

Tuesday June 11 Prep Questionnaires to be returned

Thursday June 13 Year 4 Excursion

Friday June 14 Year 6 Interschool Sport (9 am - 11 am)

Friday June 14 Year 4 - 6 Debate Team presentation (2.30 pm)

Saturday June 15 First Eucharist - 11.30 am (Year 3D)

Sunday June 16 First Eucharist - 1 pm (Year 3M) & 3 pm (Year 3N)

CALENDAR DATES

FOR

THE NEXT FORTNIGHT

Print this page and place it on your fridge

DATE YEAR LEVEL HOSTING CLASS

Monday June 3 Year 1 & Year 2 Year 1B & 1J

LEVEL ASSEMBLIES - IN THE BIG HALL

Year 3 Eucharist Workshop Day The Year 3 students have been preparing to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist. As part of this preparation,

they participated in a Eucharist Workshop Day, during Week 5. The students were involved in a bread making

session and reported that this reminded them of what Jesus did at the Last Supper with His disciples. The

students also participated in a Godly Play session with Mr. Dwyer where they listened to a scripture story and

responded through art work. The students are eager to bring the bread home to show their family.

EXCURSION TO KEW TRAFFIC SCHOOL On Monday, Prep T and Prep D were very eager to head to our Kew Traffic School Excursion. The excitement

began on the bus for those who experienced a bus ride for the first time. The students loved exploring their mini

'town' and riding their bikes to different places. It was great to see the students following the traffic rules and

ensuring everyone stayed safe. The Preps hope to go back and visit soon!

News from around the Grades

Year 3 – Smoking Ceremony It was time to celebrate on Wednesday 29th May, in Year 3. Ian Hunter, a descendant from the Indigenous

people in this area, visited the Year 3 students to explain the significance of a Smoking Ceremony. The students

learnt that a Smoking Ceremony is a celebration that brings people together and it also heals and blesses

people. Different leaves are used for different smoking ceremonies. Ian Hunter invited the Year 3 students and

teachers to take part in a traditional Smoking Ceremony in the Indigenous Garden. The students had the

opportunity to play the sticks, paint their faces with clay and also dance during the ceremony. It was a wonderful

experience and an engaging way to learn about this special Indigenous celebration.

Year 6H & Year 6M Excursion to Parliament

Year 6H & Year 6M went on an excursion to the city of Melbourne visiting Parliament House and the Old Treasury

Building due to our inquiry topic, ‘Who leads Australia and how can I lead?’ The guide from the Old Treasury

Building explained that the building was used to store gold back when the Gold Rush was happening. The

building opened in 1862, six years after Parliament House opened.

When we arrived at Parliament House, the students from Year 6M got the privilege to sit in the ‘Green Room’

where a meeting took place with Daniel Andrews and other members of parliament. Year 6H & Year 6M both

went on a tour in Parliament House and we were surprisingly told that the rooms were made out of an enormous

amount of gold. A lot of questions were answered and great discussions were happening. Both classes took back

a lot of new knowledge from the excursion and enjoyed it.

Amy G

(Year 6M)

News from around the Grades

FROM THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT …..

Dear Parents, Music and Performing Arts students,

Congratulations to Year 3 Year 3’s did a great job singing their hearts out at Mass with St Monica’s on Friday. They did a wonderful job with

all the reponses, making us proud. They are all set to be totally involved on their First Communion Day.

Singers we need you!

First Communion is fast approaching! We really need all the beautiful voices we can get to help make this a

special day. Please come along to rehearsals on Tuesdays (Seniors) and Thursdays (Juniors) at lunch time to

learn the new repertoire for this year.

First Communion Masses take place over two weekends:

Saturday June 15 11:30 am: Year 3D Sunday June 16 1 pm: Year 3M 3 pm: Year 3N

Saturday June 22 11:30 am: Year 3P Sunday June 23 1 pm: Year 3R 3pm: Year 3A

We ask that singers attend at least one!

CHOIR REHEARSALS: SENIOR CHOIR Tuesday lunchtime (1:10 pm) (Years 3, 4, 5 & 6)

JUNIOR CHOIR Thursday lunchtime (11:10 am) (Years 1 & 2)

ROCK BAND: Bring on the guitars! Some of you are sleeping in on Tuesdays. Come along and try out on the

electric guitars! !

INTERMEDIATE BAND & STRINGS: This Ensemble is humming along and we can see an improvement with regular

and consistent rehearsal. Well done everyone!

VOCAL HARMONY: PERFORMANCE COMING UP!

EVENT: THE 6TH ANNUAL FREEDOM CHOIR FESTIVAL 2019

VENUE: ST KEVIN’S PRIMARY SCHOOL, LOWER TEMPLESTOWE.

DATE: Friday 21st June, 2019.

TIME: 9 am departure from St Francis 3 pm return.

We are always happy to welcome new voices (Year 4, 5 & 6) Come and try out!

Singing is a great way to start the day and we are sounding so good and ready to perform!

Information notices will go home this week.

Years 5 & 6 Passion Project rehearsals (Fridays 8 am) Congratulations to all the Grade 5 & 6 students who made it last week. I am impressed with your enthusiasm and

drive!

Expos are approaching very fast and we need all the rehearsal we can get, so keep up the good work!

Year 5 Expo: Week 9, Wednesday June 19 at 5:30 pm

Year 6 Expo: Week 10, Wednesday June 26 at 5:30 pm

Do not miss this opportunity!

Just $30 for (2x) copies of a 10”x 13”portrait print with (2x) frames.

10/15 min photo shoot then 10 min viewing session to select your prints.

To be held at: St Francis of Assisi Primary School (Year 3 Building)

on: Saturday 27th July, 2019

Book & pay Online at: www.visionportraits.com.au/family

Password: fundraise2019

Hurry, bookings close Thursday, 25th July 2019

One (1) booking session per family

100% of booking fee is fundraised for your school

Book Now to secure your session!

For any enquiries: Contact Co-ordinator – Angela Pougioukas Mob: 0411 646 398

PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION NEWS

SECOND HAND UNIFORMS Have your children out grown their Summer or Winter uniforms? Are they still in good condition? Please hand

your clean uniforms into the school office for the Parents’ Association second hand uniform shop.

Memberships are only $70

Books are now available at the School Office

Discover many of the best dining, travel, arts, attractions and shopping experiences in your area with

exclusive offers only available to Entertainment Members.

Access Entertainment 2-for-1 and up to 50% off offers through a Digital Membership for your smartphone or

the traditional Entertainment Book Membership.

New offers are added all the time and are emailed directly to you or sent to your smartphone.

On average you will save $600 per year using your Membership. You would save approximately $90.00 if you

used your Membership only 4 times.

* had a dinner for 2

* spent a night at the movies

* had a take away meal and

* visited a family attraction

You will be surprised how quickly the value adds up and the offers available.

Order your Membership at: https://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/18347e3

Sandra Katsaros

On behalf of the St Francis of Assisi Parents’ Association

PRINCIPAL’S AWARDS

Prep C Chanel S for her friendly disposition and kind nature towards others. Prep D Rachelle I for her great behaviour in the assembly! Prep N Phoenix S for completing work neatly and trying his best! Prep P Adam T for using a range of decoding strategies whilst reading. Prep T Stella S for coming to school with a bright smile. Keep it up! Prep U Nicolas D for a great attitude towards writing and always trying his best. Well done, Nicolas! Prep W Sofia J for trying her best to listen and follow instructions. Well done Sofia! Year 1A Ivy U for always putting her best effort into all tasks. Well done Ivy! Year 1B Eve H for the fantastic job that she did with the CSI thinking chart about mass. Year 1H Chiagoziem A for his fantastic persuasive writing. You're a star! Year 1J Alana D for working super hard to catch up with learning assessments. Well done Alana! Year 1K Bianca I for writing a detailed information report. Keep up the great work! Year 1S Chikaima O for her thoughtful contributions during the Darebin Creek Incursion. Well done! Year 2F Liam R for working hard to achieve his personal goal. Well done! Year 2G Jayden S for always working quietly and finishing his tasks. Well done! Year 2I Samara H for participating in all class discussions and doing her best. Well done! Year 2P Tahlia C for her wonderful contributions in reading groups. Well done! Year 2S Luca S for using interesting environmental words in his writing . Well done, Luca! Year 2W Ashley X for working hard to complete her work within a given time frame. Year 3A Zac B for showing great improvement with reading and discussing key facts. Well done! Year 3D Chloe G for being a hardworking and cooperative classmate who always shows kindness and respect to others. Keep it up Chloe! Year 3M Emily T for developing resilience within the classroom and on the playground. Well done! Year 3N Mason R for making great learning choices and working very hard in class. Well done! Year 3P Deshawn D for demonstrating enthusiasm and interest in his learning. Year 3R Christopher I for being an active participant during class discussions. Year 4A Christian L for working hard to learn all his times tables. Great job! Year 4D Xander R for the dedication and creativity that he has shown in his learning. Well done! Year 4F James R for always lending a helping hand to his peers. Year 4M Karam M for always being excited about learning and teaching others new things. Year 4N Dean M for working hard and enthusiastically towards STEM challenges. Year 4S Romeo F for always following directions promptly. Well done and keep it up! Year 5C Aiden V for always being a helpful and friendly member of the class. Keep it up! Year 5F Tessia N for always being polite and respectful in class. Year 5H Zachary P for showing persistence when using different multiplication strategies. Well done! Year 5N Luca B for displaying the qualities of an insightful learner. Year 5P Bianca A for her amazing effort in Maths. You are a star, Bianca! Year 5T Alyssa O for always doing her best work and presenting it thoughtfully and beautifully. Well done Alyssa! Year 6B Vanessa F for being very caring of everyone and for being our 'mother hen'. Year 6C Kristian E for trying to achieve his personal goals. Year 6H Katelyn G for her genuine enthusiasm and participation during our Australian Government Unit. Year 6J Lucia K for justifying and explaining her responses to different texts. Year 6M David M for being a role model to his peers with his exemplary study habits. Year 6W Milun F for always being a helpful and hardworking student.

Pupil of the Week

Prep Evie N (PU) Year 1 Zane E (1B) Year 2 Harry M (2W) Year 3 Isabella P (3P) Year 4 Charlotte H (4N) Year 5 Andrew C (5H) Year 6 Stacey A (6C)

Keys To Life Award

Prep Laila-Imani K (PU) for Organisation Year 1 Celeste C (1B) for Persistence Year 2 Natalia Y (2W) for Resilience Year 3 Mila M (3P) for Getting Along Year 4 Renae J (4S) for Confidence Year 5 Alexander B (5H) for Resilience Year 6 Allegra A (6C) for Organisation

AWARDS