St Francis Catholic School - Hughenden eNewsletter

From the Principal’s Desk

What a busy few weeks it’s been at our school. From festive fun to deep learning, our calendar has been packed with meaningful experiences for both staff and students.

We kicked things off with our much-loved Fete, bringing joy, connection, and community spirit to our grounds. Meanwhile, our dedicated staff have been busy attending professional development sessions, continuing their journey of lifelong learning.

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending our termly Curriculum Networking Days. Over two enriching days, we explored key teaching and learning topics, reviewed updated educational guidelines, and refined our school processes—all with the goal of enhancing staff development and delivering high-quality learning experiences for our students.

Miss Brown joined the First Nations Networking Day in Townsville, collaborating with educators from across the diocese. We were also honoured to welcome Zoe Brown (Miss Brown’s mother) for a morning of cultural immersion last week. Students engaged in traditional weaving with palm fronds, examined cultural artefacts, and participated in discussions about Zoe’s Torres Strait Islander heritage. It was a truly enriching experience for our students.

Excitement was in the air when the Cowboys development team visited this week. Students enjoyed a morning of physical activity and learned about the values that drive the Cowboys both on and off the field.

We’re now gearing up for our Open Evening next Thursday. We warmly invite all current and prospective families to join us for a showcase of student learning, classroom displays, and a chance to experience the heart of our school community. We can’t wait to share our beautiful school with you.

As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, our School Satisfaction Surveys were emailed to families on Monday, August 4. These surveys are a vital tool in helping us understand what we're doing well and where we can grow. We kindly ask all families to take a few moments to complete the survey before it closes tomorrow. Your feedback directly influences our planning, priorities, and the learning environment we create for our students.

Thank you for helping us shape a school that reflects the needs and hopes of our community.

Sharn Greenaway,

Principal

School TV - Sibling Relationships

Sibling relationships are often a child's first and longest-lasting social connection. These bonds can offer companionship, support and opportunities to develop important life skills such as empathy, negotiation and conflict resolution. However, like all close relationships, sibling dynamics can be complex. Differences in temperament, age, needs and parental attention can all contribute to tension or rivalry. It's not uncommon for children to compete for attention, especially during times of change or stress.

As a parent or caregiver, your role in shaping the tone of sibling relationships is vital. Creating a home environment that celebrates each child's unique strengths and avoids direct comparisons helps reduce rivalry and fosters mutual respect.

By listening without judgement, teaching emotional regulation, and supporting each child's individuality, you can create a family culture where siblings feel secure and valued. This edition of SchoolTV offers insights to support young people in developing positive, lasting sibling bonds that can remain strong well into adulthood.

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 Sibling Relationships edition of SchoolTV
https://sfsh.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/sibling-relationships-au

Student Of The Week

P/1: Declan

2/3: Bella

4/5/6: Miranda

🎉🎂 Happy Birthday Mason! 🎂🎉

Wishing you a day full of giggles, games, cake, and fun! You’re another year more awesome, and the world is lucky to have someone as amazing as you. Keep smiling, keep dreaming, and never stop being your wonderful self.

Have the best birthday ever! 🎈🧁🎁

Prep/1 Happenings

Garden Update 🌱

Our Prep/1 Garden is flourishing beautifully! The students have been busy watering, and keeping a close eye on the changes each week. Their hard work is paying off, the plants are looking strong, healthy, and growing taller every day.

The garden has become a wonderful outdoor classroom, giving the children the chance to learn about responsibility, patience, and the joy of seeing something thrive under their care. They love spotting new leaves, flowers, and even the beginnings of vegetables!

We are so proud of how dedicated the students have been, and we can’t wait to continue watching our garden grow. It’s a special space that the children feel connected to, and they are excited to share their progress with you throughout the term. 🌿

Miss Brown,

P/1 Teacher

Year 2/3 Happenings

One of the highlights this fortnight was our Sound Phones. The students had a blast constructing their own devices while learning about how sound travels. By speaking into one cup, they discovered how vibrations travel along the string to the other cup, allowing their friends to hear the message. It was a wonderful way to connect science with play!

In addition to exploring sound, we’ve also begun learning about informal measurements. During a recent lesson, students used paper clips to measure different objects around the classroom. They were challenged to think critically and find items they believed to be 3, 6, or even 9 paperclips in length. This activity not only reinforced measurement concepts but also promoted teamwork as they worked together to compare and record their findings.

Miss Allison,

Year 2/3 Teacher

Year 4/5/6 Happenings

This week, our Year 4, 5, and 6 students have been developing their skills in measuring and comparing angles. They explored different types of angles, including straight, right, obtuse, acute, and revolution angles.

Year 4 students focused on identifying whether angles were less than or greater than a right angle, while Year 5 and 6 students extended their learning by investigating complementary and supplementary angles and performing calculations involving missing angles.

As part of their learning, students identified angles in their own names and designed “Angle Cities” to count and classify the different angles they used. These activities allowed students to apply their understanding of geometry in fun and practical ways.

Miss Rowe,

Year 4/5/6 Teacher