St Francis of Assisi College - Term 1 Week 4

From the Principal

Ash Wednesday

The Season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, 22 February. Ash Wednesday is a time for us to think about our lives and try to make changes for the better. Lent is a time for spiritual reflection and growth, during which Catholics are encouraged to focus on the themes of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Students participated in an Ash Wednesday liturgy led by Miss Camporeale’s Year 7 RE class. During the liturgy, students received ashes on their foreheads in the shape of a cross. We believe that participating in these liturgies is a meaningful way for them to begin the Lenten season.

Ash Wednesday Gospel Reading: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Jesus said to his disciples ‘Be careful not to parade your good deeds before people to attract their notice; by doing this you will lose all reward from your Father in heaven. So, when you give alms, do not have it trumpeted before you; this is what the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win people’s admiration. I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you give alms, your left hand must not know what your right is doing; your almsgiving must be secret, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.

And when you pray, do not imitate the hypocrites: they love to say their prayers standing up in the synagogues and at the street corners for people to see them. I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you pray, go to your private room and, when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in that secret place, and our God who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.

‘When you fast do not put on a gloomy look as the hypocrites do: they pull long faces to let people know they are fasting. I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that no one will know you are fasting except your Father who sees all that is done in secret; and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.’

On Ash Wednesday, the ashes used were made from branches once used in praise and celebration after Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. We are reminded also that another crowd later gathered and called for his death on a cross.

Ashes on our foreheads mark the beginning of our journey through Lent. Unlike Palm Sunday’s loud and more visible signs of celebration, Ash Wednesday leads us into a quieter time of reflection. It’s a time to think about Jesus’ life and suffering and the ways he continually showed compassion and forgiveness to those around him, even those who treated him badly. It’s also a time to think about our own lives and the ways we need to seek and share compassion and forgiveness with others too.

Fasting, almsgiving and prayer can help us do this. As Jesus says in the Ash Wednesday Gospel reading, they’re things to be done quietly, not for show or personal gain but out of a heart that wants to love God and care for others.

Growing our Gifts Together During Lent and Project Compassion

Compassion is contagious and creates a ripple effect of kindness and prosperity. During Lent I encourage students to focus on the gifts they can offer others and as such, to be the pebble that enables Caritas Australia to create the ripples that will improve the livelihoods of vulnerable communities in our global community, supporting them to flourish and create opportunities for future generations to live to their full potential and thrive. Supporting Project Compassion is a way we can proclaim the faith that is in our hearts and help our brothers and sisters in need by sharing the gifts we ourselves possess. During Lent, we are invited to take up the call to fast, pray and give alms - in solidarity as a global community. Put simply, our commitment to marginalised people is a direct response to the Christian call to ‘act justly, love mercifully, and walk humbly with our God’

School Board Family Night

Thank you to the parents, students and College staff who attended our School Board Family Night on Saturday February 18th. It was terrific to see families from across the Riverland socialising, and new connections being made between students and families.

There is a great deal of evidence supporting educational outcomes for students and the level of parent engagement to the school, and their child’s learning.

This year we will continue to build on opportunities for parents and families to engage with their child’s learning, and to the broader school community.

Annual General Meeting

The next School Board Meeting, will be the Annual General Meeting, held on Wednesday March 29^th, starting at 7pm in the Collaboration Centre (Year 7 – 9 teaching building). While our current School Board members are entering into their second year of the set two-year term, there are openings for positions if there are parents interested in nominating to be an elected member.

If you would like to nominate for a position as an elected member on the School Board, please contact Claire Smith (Board Secretary) at the College on 8595 4500. Nominations close on Friday March 17^th.

Nathan Hayes, Principal

Leader of Learning

NAPLAN

The National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) 2023 for Years 7 and 9 students will be held this term between 15 and 21 March 2023. NAPLAN tests assess student knowledge and skills in writing, reading, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.

The results of the test provide information for students, parents, teachers and principals which can be used to improve student achievement.

In preparation for NAPLAN, our school will participate in practice tests on the 28 February. This practice test will be a trial run and is a key preparation activity for NAPLAN in March. It is not an assessment of student ability, and the tests are not marked.

Excessive preparation for NAPLAN is not recommended. Students can use the public demonstration site to familiarise themselves with the types of questions and tools available in NAPLAN.

https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site

Participation by all students is expected; however, in certain circumstances students may be withdrawn from the testing program by their parent/carer. This is a matter for consideration by parents and carers in consultation with myself, the Leader of Learning. If, after consultation, you decide to withdraw your child, you must sign a withdrawal form.

Later in the year you will receive your child’s personal NAPLAN report. The report will describe your child’s particular skills in reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. The report will also show how your child performed in relation to national minimum standards. These describe the minimum acceptable standards for students across Australia.

If you have any questions about NAPLAN, please contact the college.

SEQTA Engage

SEQTA Engage is the learning management system used at the college. It is designed for parents and caregivers to have an overview of their child’s learning, assessments and academic progress.

It offers the opportunity to engage with the daily learning of the students, enabling greater collaboration and enhanced learning outcomes as parents and caregivers are provided a lens into what has been covered in the classroom each day.

Each student's parent/caregiver has their own SEQTA Engage account linked to their own unique email address. SEQTA Engage is available in web browsers, as well as an iOS and Android App.

With SEQTA Engage, you can:

1. Receive and send Direqt Messages

We use Direqt Messages to share important information with you, so please ensure you have this function enabled.

2. Setup the dashboard

You can view the dashboard and select different options to view. This includes your child’s homework, unresolved absences and timetable.

3. View your child’s timetable

You can see your child's timetable anytime and use Direqt Message or email to communicate with their teacher if/as needed.

4. Read Notices

You can view Notices anytime for information.

5. View your child’s assessment details.

You can see your child’s feedback and grades for assessment tasks for each subject.

Natalie Meuret, Leader of Learning