St Francis Catholic School - Hughenden eNewsletter

From the Principal

What a busy and exciting term we have had here at St Francis! It has been a wonderful term full of learning and adventure, and as we approach the Easter holidays, we take time to celebrate the Easter Season in our church.

The Easter Season is the most important time in the Catholic Church, beginning with the joy of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday and continuing for 50 days until Pentecost. It is a time of renewal, hope, and reflection on the great love and sacrifice of Jesus. For our students, it is an opportunity to embrace the message of new beginnings, kindness, and faith in their daily lives.

Unfortunately, due to the weather, we had to cancel our Year 5/6 camp this week. While this was disappointing for all involved, we are excited to plan another camp later in the year, which will now include our Year 4 students as well. We look forward to creating new memories together when the time comes.

This week, we also say farewell to Miss Howie, as Friday marks her last day with us. We extend our gratitude for her dedication and effort in both her school officer and chaplain roles. Miss Howie has been a valued member of our community, and we wish her every success in her next chapter beyond St Francis.

A huge thank you to our wonderful Tuckshop volunteers this term. Your hard work and delicious lunches have been greatly appreciated, and we are already looking forward to the specials in Term 2!

Wishing all our students, staff, and families a safe and happy Easter. May this time be filled with love, peace, and joy.

Sharn Greenaway,

Principal

School TV Topic of the Week- Wellbeing Barometer Survey

A Special Report: Wellbeing Barometer Survey - 2025

The Wellbeing Barometer survey is an invaluable tool for schools, providing critical insights into the mental health and wellbeing of young people. This annual survey identifies areas of concern, highlights resilience and adaptability in students, and emphasises the importance of preventative strategies to promote positive outcomes.

Participation in this survey is strongly encouraged, as it offers a comprehensive view of students' experiences, challenges, and achievements. By capturing a detailed understanding of young people's experiences, the survey supports a tailored approach to enhancing their mental, emotional, and social wellbeing. It helps to identify strengths and areas for improvement, as well as pinpoint opportunities for early intervention.

The survey is part of an ongoing longitudinal study, and we encourage you to take a few moments to complete the survey for each of your children. Responses remain anonymous and should be based on your observations over the last 12 months. By working together, we can reduce the long-term impact of mental illness and make a meaningful difference to the lives of our young people for a brighter future.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report:
https://sfsh.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-wellbeing-barometer-2025-au

Student Of The Week

Week 9

P/1: Kayln

2/3: Cooper

4/5/6: Morgan

Week 10

P/1: Jahkeim

2/3: Bella F

4/5/6: Arley

Prep/1 Happenings

Easter Craft!

🐰 Easter Craft in Prep/1! 🎨✂️

This week in Prep/1, we’ve been getting creative with some exciting Easter craft! The highlight was painting our very own Easter bunnies — each one unique and full of personality! The students loved using a variety of colours and techniques to bring their bunnies to life, showing off their creativity and fine motor skills.

These fun activities support learning across several areas of the Australian Curriculum, particularly within the Visual Arts strand, where students explore ideas, experiment with materials, and use their imagination to express themselves. Craft projects like this also help build important fine motor skills and encourage students to make independent choices in their work.

It’s been a colourful and joyful week in the Prep/1 classroom as we hop into Easter with creativity and fun! 🐣🌸🎨

Miss Brown,

P/1 Teacher

⚔️ Spelling Battles Have Begun!🏆

This week, our 2/3 class has been training for an exciting new challenge—Spelling Battles! Instead of a traditional spelling test, we will now work together each week to take down a mighty monster using our spelling skills.

Each battle will test the words we've learned through Sounds-Write, and every correct spelling will deal damage to the monster. But watch out! Incorrect spellings will allow the monster to fight back, lowering our team's HP (health points). With the monster starting at double our HP, we'll need to work as a team to defeat it before it defeats us!

We had our first practice battle this week, and the students showed great enthusiasm and teamwork. Next term, Spelling Battles will be a regular challenge every week—let’s see if we can conquer every monster we face!

Will we rise to the challenge? Stay tuned to find out!

Miss Allison,

Year 2/3 Teacher

We’ve made it to the end of Term 1, and what a busy and exciting term it’s been in Year 4/5/6!

Although we were all really looking forward to camp, unfortunately it had to be cancelled due to the weather. While we were disappointed, we didn’t let it dampen our spirits! Instead, we’ve been enjoying our time in the classroom with some hands-on and meaningful learning.

In Science, we’ve been creating detailed habitat dioramas to show how different animals and plants adapt to survive in their environments. The effort and imagination from everyone has been fantastic – we’ve seen deserts, oceans, forests, and more brought to life in miniature!

In Religion, we’ve been learning about the Stations of the Cross and reflecting on the events of Holy Week. Students have engaged thoughtfully in our discussions and activities, showing empathy and curiosity as they learned about each part of Jesus’ journey.

I hope everyone has a safe and restful holiday – and I am excited to see what Term 2 will bring!

Miss Rowe,

Year 4/5/6 Teacher

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner! Congratulations to our Project Compassion Colouring Competition winners!

Kalyn - Prep

Hamish - Year 1

Angus - Year 2

Sophie - Year 3

A huge thank you to all participants—your creativity and effort were truly inspiring! We also appreciate everyone who supported this event. Your involvement helps us make a difference!

Library News- Miss Margy

As we wrapped up the term, we ended on a beautiful note with buddy reading—a special time where children came together to share stories, laughter, and a love for books. It was truly heartwarming to see the joy and enthusiasm they brought to their reading sessions.

Now, as we step into the Easter holidays, a time of renewal and reflection, let us also keep in our hearts those facing hardship. Our thoughts go out to the flood victims in the Western Queensland whose lives have been deeply affected. May kindness, compassion, and community spirit uplift them in these challenging times.

Wishing everyone a restful and peaceful break.

Keep reading miss Margy

CSPQ-Diocese of Townsville
Parent Engagement Mini ConferenceAll Catholic School Parents, Carers, Principals & School Staff welcome.
A free event to support our children’s learning and wellbeing.

When: Saturday 10 May
Time: 9.00am to 3.30pm
Venue: Ryan Catholic College - Mary MacKillop Performing Arts Centre
Morindo Drive, Kirwan

Morning Tea & Lunch provided
Join us for the whole day or come along to as many sessions as you can.
Information for parents/carers of all ages - Prep to Yr 12

https://www.eventcreate.com/e/cspq-miniconf2025-tsv