St Francis Catholic School - Hughenden eNewsletter

From the Principal’s Desk

The countdown is on – the St. Francis Fete is almost here, and we’re ready to go! We’re looking forward to seeing everyone come along and support this fantastic community event. Whether you pop down for a bite to eat, try your luck on a stall, or lend a hand at the BBQ, your support makes a big difference. There’s something for the whole family, and we can’t wait to see you there!

This evening we’re also catering for the Touch Grand Final, with all funds raised from both the Fete and Touch catering going directly to our FACE (Family and Community Engagement) group. These funds help support valuable initiatives and events that strengthen our school community.

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to join 30 other APREs (Assistants to the Principal for Religious Education) for two days of formation and professional development with Fr Damien. It was a truly enriching experience that allowed for reflection, growth, and connection with leaders from across the Diocese.

Next week, I will be attending the Curriculum Leaders Network meetings on Monday and Tuesday. These sessions are focused on teaching and learning, with particular attention given to data, assessment, and the implementation of the new national education guidelines.

Lastly, you may have seen a recent email with a link to the School Satisfaction Survey. If you haven’t already done so, I encourage you to take a few minutes to complete it. Your feedback is vital in helping us continue to grow and improve as a school.

Looking forward to seeing you all at the Fete!

Sharn Greenaway,

Principal

Media Consent Updates
At the time of enrolment, parents are asked to consent to the use of their child’s name and image in various forms of media to promote the school/College and Catholic Education. If you DO NOT wish to consent to your child's photograph/video appearing as stated in the below, and you wish to withdraw this authorisation and consent, you must notify the school by phone or email, 47411382 or sfsh@tsv.catholic.edu.au

If we do not hear from you to make any changes, your original consent provided will remain in effect.

PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEO/MEDIA CONSENT
Photos, video footage and work samples of students are used regularly by the school/College for the purpose of acknowledging the efforts of the student/College, or for promotion, marketing or advertising the College or Catholic Education.

I consent to the student being photographed or filmed for school/College, Catholic Education or Townsville Catholic Diocese related communication or for education purposes.
I understand this may include media (e.g. television, radio, publications), school/College publications (e.g. newsletters, year books), online media (e.g. websites) and social media (e.g. Facebook, Instagram).

I understand it is my responsibility to notify the school/College if I do not wish to consent to the student’s photograph/video appearing in any or all of the above, or if I wish to withdraw this authorisation and consent. Please note the student’s name and voice may be included with the photograph/video.

I understand the copyright of such images will be retained by the school/College, Townsville Catholic Education, the Diocese of Townsville or their contractors, and there will be no remuneration or compensation for the images.

School TV - A Special Report: Social Media & Comparison Culture

Young people today are growing up in a world where exposure to other people's lives is constant. Through social media and other platforms, they are regularly presented with curated highlights - from flawless holiday photos and academic milestones to the latest fashion trends and fitness achievements. This continuous stream of idealised content fuels what is known as comparison culture, where self-worth is often measured by how someone stacks up against others.

For children and adolescents, who are still figuring out who they are, this culture can be particularly damaging. Constantly comparing their appearance, achievements, or social standing to friends, influencers, and even strangers can lead to unrealistic expectations and a skewed sense of self-worth. This relentless need to measure up can contribute to feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and anxiety - undermining both confidence and emotional wellbeing.

It's vital that parents and caregivers understand how deeply comparison culture can influence a child's self-perception and sense of value. Left unchecked, it can foster perfectionism and a dependence on external validation, where a 'like' or comment becomes the measure of their worth.

The good news is, families have a powerful role to play in helping young people navigate these challenges. This Special Report will help you empower your child to build the resilience and confidence needed to navigate today's comparison-driven world and embrace their own unique path.

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-social-media-comparison-culture-au

Student Of The Week

Week 4

P/1: Hanna

2/3: Danica

4/5/6: Morgan

Prep/1 Happenings

100 Days Smarter in Prep/1! 🎉

This week, our Prep/1 students reached an exciting milestone: 100 days of school! To celebrate, we spent the week reflecting on all the learning, friendships, and fun we’ve had so far this year.

In the lead-up to the big day, our classroom was buzzing with excitement as the children took on the role of little chefs! Donning aprons and rolling up their sleeves, they carefully followed the steps to bake a batch of homemade jam drops. From mixing the dough to spooning out the perfect portions and pressing in the jam, everyone played a part and they did a fantastic job! All the teachers were lucky enough to do a taste test, and we can safely say they were delicious.

The following morning, the students proudly enjoyed their special treats during morning tea, a sweet way to honour 100 incredible days of learning, growing, and having fun together. We are so proud of everything they’ve achieved so far and can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings!

Miss Brown,

P/1 Teacher

In English this week, our class has been working on persuasive writing using the OREO structure – Opinion, Reason, Example, and Opinion restated. Miss Allison modelled how to write strong arguments for and against different topics, helping students to clearly express their own opinions in their writing. We loved sharing our ideas and convincing others with our reasons!

In HASS, we have been exploring technology in history and how it has changed over time. Our discussions included some fascinating old-school gadgets like VHS tapes, cassette tapes, and vinyl records. A highlight was when Miss Allison brought in her record player to demonstrate how music was played in the 1940s and beyond. Students were amazed at how different it is compared to the digital technology we use today!

Miss Allison,

Year 2/3 Teacher

Year 4/5/6 Happenings

This week, our 4/5/6 class listened to the story from Luke 24:1–44. As I read the scripture aloud, I paused at key moments and invited the students to “paint the picture” in their minds, imagining what they might see, hear, and feel if they were there.

After reflecting, students expressed their interpretations using watercolours. From the empty tomb to the moment Jesus broke bread with the disciples, each artwork captured a unique and thoughtful response to the story. It was a meaningful way to connect scripture with creativity.

Miss Rowe,

Year 4/5/6 Teacher