St Francis of Assisi College - Term 2 Week 4 - 2024

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Laudato Si’ Week 2024

In Australia, Laudato Si’ Week, is a celebration of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’ and is a call to action for Catholics around the world. With the Australian Bishops releasing their statement Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor in 2021, and the release of the documentary ‘The Letter’, there is a deliberate focus on the Laudato Si’ Platform Goals. All things on our planet are interconnected and with profound care for each other, our Creator, and all of creation, we are building a better future together.

Our commitment to Laudato Si’ stems from the conviction that, even in times of ecological and climatic crises, each of us has the power to make a difference and contribute to building a more sustainable future. Together, we can cultivate a world where harmony between humanity and nature is a tangible reality.

This week, and beyond, you might try to-

• Take a walk in nature

• Consider your energy use and the use of renewable energies

• Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

• Consider water conservation practices in your home

Staff Professional Development Day – 7 June

Families are reminded that Friday 7th of June is a Pupil Free Day, and College staff will be coming together for a professional learning day, with a specific focus on whole of school community wellbeing.

I trust students and parents will experience the benefits of the work that occurs on this day through our service to students and families.

National Volunteers Week

National Volunteer Week (NVW) is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteers. From Monday 20 May to Sunday 26 May, NVW celebrates the significant contribution of Australia’s almost six million volunteers. The week-long event recognises the vital support that the millions of volunteers provide to their communities and encourages people to consider volunteering. The theme for National Volunteer Week 2024 is ‘Something for Everyone’ and recognises the diverse passions and talents everyone brings to the act of volunteering.

At St Francis of Assisi College, we are so thankful to the parents, students and staff who volunteer their time to our school and parish community in a variety of ways, and this is an area we are committed to growing moving forward.

We thank the volunteer support for initiatives such as school excursions and camps, significant events such as Sports Day, Catholic Education Week, and assistance with general maintenance around the College.

Any parents who would like to offer their time as volunteers, please contact Mrs Claire Smith on 8595 4500, or claire.smith@assisi.catholic.edu.au.

Catholic Education Week #Love My Catholic School

We celebrate Catholic Education Week in South Australia from May 13-19, 2024. Catholic Education Week is about education – celebrating quality teaching and learning across Catholic Education SA. At St Francis of Assisi College, Catholic Education Week is an opportunity to celebrate the excellent teaching and learning that happens in our College community every day and also reflect on and highlight what makes our Catholic community so special.

2025 Enrolment of Students

I am very pleased to see that the College is experiencing significant demand in relation to enrolments. Current projections indicate our two year 7 classes will reach capacity and parents planning to enrol their child are encouraged to do as soon as possible. 

To assist with our medium and long-term planning I encourage parents to lodge an enrolment form with the school as soon as they have decided to enrol their child at the school.

There remains places for enrolment open in years 8, 9,10 and 11 for 2024.

Should you wish to discuss this further please contact our College Registrar, Claire Smith (phone 8595 4500, or email claire.smith@assisi.catholic.edu.au).

Mr Nathan Hayes, Principal

Catholic Education Week 

Catholic Education Week was a wonderful opportunity for all of the Catholic Schools in our Riverland community to gather together in celebration at our Assisi College. The day started with a Liturgy based on the theme of “Your Light” and incorporating being grounded connected and present. We are grateful that Sam Mitchell was able to join us with a traditional Aboriginal smoking ceremony, helping us to connect with land. Sam also spoke about the importance of fire/light in our lives.  

Following this Liturgy, students took part in many fun activities, some of which our Year 9 and 10 students conducted. We thank everyone involved in the preparation and running of this day. 

Laudato Si’ Week 

This week is Laudato Si’ Week. Laudato Si’ is our school motto meaning “praised be to you” and is a call from Pope Francis to Care for Self, Others and our Common Home. To celebrate, the whole school took part in a Liturgy where we were fortunate to have Josie Spriggs, from the St Vincent de Paul Society, come and speak about those in need in our community. We are grateful that she was able to share her experience over the years and the current situations of those in the Riverland needing our help. We will be supporting Vinnies throughout this term through the Winter Appeal.  

Throughout the Port Pirie Diocese, there is a lantern travelling to each Catholic school representing the positive light we can pass on to one another. The lantern featured in both our Combined Catholic Education Liturgy and our Whole School Laudato Si’ Liturgy. All Religion classes have taken part in an activity based around the journey of the lantern, which has helped to build our knowledge of the other Catholic Schools in the Port Pirie Diocese.  

Finally, this week we launched an interactive Light Display wall made of recycled bottle tops. Staff and students were all part of the planning process of this interactive display, which will be used for morning prayer on Wednesdays. The wall is based around caring for self, others and our common home through the theme of “Your Light.”  

Prayer: Laudato Si’ 

God of Life, 
You love the universe into being, 
Let us give praise.  
You embrace the world without distinction, 
Let us give thanks. 
You call humanity to make flesh Your tenderness, 
Let us live accordingly. 
You endow all creation with Your divine beauty and wisdom, 
Let us acknowledge. 
You forgive all trespasses. 
Let us learn Your ways. 
You grace us unconditionally, 
Let us receive humbly. 
You are our hope, 
Let us remember. 
Amen. 

Mrs Sheridan Bonney, Assistant Principal, Religious Identity and Mission

Our new learning space: 10-12 Building

At the start of the term, we proudly opened our new year 10-12 building. Our Year 10 students have been particularly enthusiastic about this new environment. They have taken full advantage of the innovative desk arrangements and designated quiet areas for focused work. This flexible workspace has enabled them to maintain high levels of productivity, whether they are collaborating with peers or working independently. The new facilities have fostered a more mature and responsible approach to their studies, effectively preparing them for the challenges of Years 11 and 12.

Enjoy reading the comments below to see what our year 10 students think of our new learning space.

Ryan. P -  ‘I like all our breakout rooms because, it is a good spot to work away in a quiet room without getting distracted.’

Mitchell. W – ‘I like the new year 10 building space because it is quieter than the 7-9 building, it is easier to learn because it is quieter.’

Imogen. L -  ‘I like this new building because of the marble countertop and all the seating around the building and the taps.’

Billie. A - ‘I love the new seating arrangements in the classrooms, the quiet rooms and the new kitchen with more heating facilities.’

Yvette. K – ‘The new year 10-12 building feels like a more mature building to work in and feels more spacious.’

Ali. F – ‘I like the new building because we have a lot of space to spread out and do our work independently.

Henry.D – ‘I really like how big the quiets rooms are’

Rhianna. T – ‘I really like the space and study areas.’

Natalie Meuret, Leader of Learning

Young Women in STEM Excursion - Expression of Interest - LIMITED POSITIONS AVAILABLE

Are you interested in a career in STEM?

Would like an opportunity to meet current women studying STEM while undertaking a range of engaging hands-on activities? Would you like to spend a day at the University of Adelaide on July 4?

Mrs Meuret is organising an excursion for 15 year 9 girls to attend the Young Women in STEM program at the University of Adelaide on July 4. Only 15 students can attend, so if you are interested, please complete the expression of interest form below before May 17. Any questions, please see Mrs Meuret.

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=iY4Xrc3GQ0W4oRaGDwZsAdTxxUfP4AVChywh9DiwFFZUMkxCUTBDWkVXNVdEQjZRT1lKTElQOVo4Vy4u

Immersion Week

This week we welcomed Year 5 and 6 students from St Joseph’s Renmark, St Joseph’s Barmera and OLOR for a day each immersed in our College. Additionally, on Friday, we welcomed students from non-Catholic primary schools. We look forward to welcoming St Albert’s students soon!

The students engaged in a range of specialist subjects including PE with Mr Sampson and Miss Orchard, Food Technology with Mrs Burgess, Miss Camporeale and Mrs Warner, and Science with Mrs Meuret and Mrs Booysen.

Mates on a Mission

Mike and Ben from Real Life Resilience delivered their Mates on a Mission workshop to all our students on Thursday. Mike & Ben are affectionately known as Legless & Blind with Mike losing both of his legs due to a deadly disease at age 18 and Ben losing 98% of his eyesight overnight due to a rare genetic syndrome at age 16. Simply put they both know first-hand what it is like to be faced with tough times, challenge, and battle with their mental health. Through their powerful storytelling, real life strategies and humour they shared these experiences and tools to help our students connect, build resilience and prioritize individual and community wellbeing.

A reminder that if you have any concerns or questions or information to share regarding your child’s wellbeing or academics, please contact their home group teacher in the first instance via email or through the College phone number - (08) 8595 4500.

Mr Luke Cotter, Leader of Wellbeing

This term students in Year 9 are focusing on our Kitchen Garden and in particular taking a closer look at Bees!

Students have planted some seedlings ready for our winter vegetable crop. Alongside of this, we have been learning about Bees and their influence on the food that we eat. We had the amazing Kerry from Half Barrel Honey join us for an incursion to share her knowledge and wisdom with us. Students were able to see a hive in action, taste different honey profiles, and scoop some fresh honeycomb straight from the hive!

We would also like to express our gratitude and thanks to Bunnings, Stratco, and Plummer’s Nursery for the generous donations to get our amazing kitchen garden up and running.

Mrs Amber Burgess, Food Technology Teacher

Don't hestiate to contact the College office on 8595 4500 if you have any difficulty with the various mediums used by the College to commuicate with families. 

Saver Plus is a FREE 10-month matched savings and financial education program funded by ANZ and the Australian Government Department of Social Services and delivered by The Smith Family.

The program aims to help participants to learn how to better manage their money and develop long-term savings habits.

Saver Plus is available to anyone who is eligible across Australia.

Eligible participants learn money skills and receive up to $500 to help with their school expenses.

* 10 month program (commence at any time)

* Save $50 a month for 10 months and receive $500 towards educational costs

* Complete up to 10hrs of Virtual workshops called MoneyMinded (support provided)

* Must hold a Health Care Card/Pensioner Concession Card and meet the following eligibility.

* Income: Carers payment / child support are also considered with other eligibility.

More information at www.saverplus.org.au