St Francis Catholic School - Hughenden eNewsletter

From the Principal

As 2024 comes to a close, what a whirlwind year it has been! Our calendar has been filled with events, celebrations, liturgies, and sporting trials, keeping us busy from start to finish. Each occasion has been a wonderful reminder of the vibrant and supportive St. Francis community.

I want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all our families, students, and staff for their contributions to making this year so special. We are truly blessed to be part of such an incredible school community, where everyone’s efforts and kindness shine through in all that we do.

Looking ahead, we are still on the hunt for a volunteer to care for our chickens from January 12–18. If you are able to assist, we would be very grateful (and so would the girls!).

As we approach the festive season, I wish you all the joy, peace, and happiness of Christmas. May your celebrations be safe and full of love. Have a wonderful New Year, and we look forward to seeing you in 2025 for another exciting chapter at St. Francis!

Sharn Greenaway

Principal

School TV Topic of the Week- School Transitions

In this edition of SchoolTV - School Transitions

Whether it is starting school for the first time, moving up to a higher grade or embarking on a journey through secondary school, there is no doubt that any school transition is a very exciting time for children and parents. It means your children are growing up!

However, transitioning is an ongoing process. It can continue long after students have entered their new environment and may encounter difficulties at a number of different stages. These stressors may appear as anxiety and frustration and result in negative or disruptive behaviours. Such behaviours can become problematic making the transitioning process even more difficult for children and parents.

In this edition of SchoolTV, parents will learn practical strategies to assist your child during the transition process and reduce stress and anxiety levels.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the school counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to the School Transitions edition of SchoolTV
https://sfsh.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/school-transitions

Student Of The Week

P/1: Bella Fryer

2/3/4: Sophie McNamara

5/6: Adley Crozier

Adley - December 10th

Elias - December 22nd

Prep/1 Happenings

As the year comes to a close, we want to acknowledge the tremendous effort each student has put into their learning. From mastering new skills to building lasting friendships, our Prep/1 class has achieved so much, and we are so proud of them! From all of us in Prep/1, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We hope your holiday season is filled with love, laughter, and cherished moments with family and friends. Have a safe and restful break, and we look forward to seeing everyone again in the new year for more learning and adventures.

Miss Brown,

P/1 Teacher

Our classroom is filled with festive cheer! The students have been busy making beautiful Christmas crafts and practicing their songs for this Friday’s Carols at Assembly. It’s been wonderful to see their excitement and creativity. I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season. I’m so proud of all my amazing Year 2/3/4 students and everything they’ve achieved this year. Merry Christmas, and see you in 2025!

Miss Allison,

Year 2/3/4 Teacher

What an incredible year it’s been in Year 5/6! We’ve had so much fun learning, growing, and working together. From exploring new topics in Science, Maths, and English to tackling challenges and celebrating successes, it’s been a year to remember. As the term wraps up, we’ve embraced the festive season with joy! Students have loved making beautiful Christmas crafts, celebrating with a lively class party, and immersing themselves in culture on Italian Day. We are all looking forward to spreading holiday cheer at the school Carols event tomorrow.

Thank you for your ongoing support this year! I am so proud of every student and all they’ve achieved. It has been a privilege to teach such a wonderful group. I wish all the Year 6’s well as they set off on their new adventure.

Wishing you all a safe and joyful holiday season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Miss Rowe,

Year 5/6 Teacher

Specialist Lessons- Miss Eriksen

Our specialist lessons for the year have come to an end. We have had a very busy year of learning. In P.E. we learnt to play different sports and games developing our skills. To demonstrate our knowledge of P.E., the students created their own games. We had lots of fun playing the different games they came up with, so much so, they have even been playing them at lunch time.

Unfortunately, this is my last week of specialist lessons at St Francis. I want to thank you all for four wonderful years. I have truly enjoyed my time at St Francis and I know I will miss it next year. I hope you all have a safe and joyous Christmas break.

Miss Eriksen,

Specialist Teacher/Inclusive Practices Teacher

Library News

Library News: Thank You for a Wonderful Year! 📚

What an amazing year it has been in the library! We have enjoyed seeing the students' love for reading grow and their excitement as they explore new stories and adventures.

A big thank you to all our parents and families for your incredible support during the Book Fair. Your generosity has allowed us to add many fantastic new titles to our library collection, which we know the students will enjoy for years to come.

As the holidays approach, we encourage everyone to keep reading and discovering new worlds through books. Remember, every time you read, you journey on a new adventure!

Enjoy your holidays, and we can’t wait to see what new stories we will share in the new year!

Happy reading!

Miss Margy

SFSH Chaplain

What a busy and wonderful week it has been!

Our Mercy Makers brought the joy of the season to aged care residents at the hospital, sharing their talents through Christmas carols and festive craft activities. It was a heart-warming morning filled with smiles, laughter, and connection, topped off with a delicious morning tea and plenty of lively conversations.

Today, we had the privilege of delivering the hampers for our Vinnie's Christmas Appeal. Thank you to everyone in our school community for your generous donations. With your kindness we will were able to create 10 beautiful hampers that will bring comfort and joy to families in need this Christmas.

As we close the year, we reflect on the blessings of 2024 and look forward to an exciting 2025.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Miss Howie