St Francis of Assisi College - Term 3 Week 8 - 2024

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St Francis of Assisi College Community Wellbeing Week: Ask R U OK? 

Any Day because life happens every day.

This week we celebrate R U OK? Day on Thursday 12 September. The message this year is that a lot can happen in a year, a month, a week. Whether it’s your friend, family member, colleague, partner, or teammate, the people you care about go through life’s ups and downs every day.

By having regular, meaningful conversations, we build trust and normalise talking about what’s really going on, so when the people in your world find themselves struggling, they know you’re someone they can talk to.

The chances are someone we know might be struggling, and our genuine support can make a difference whatever they are facing, big or small. R U OK? Day encourages us not to wait until someone is visibly distressed or in crisis. Rather we are urged to make a moment meaningful and ask them how they’re really going on a regular basis.

 So whilst R U OK? Day on Thursday September 12 is our National Day of Action, we are encouraged to Ask R U OK? Any Day of the year because a conversation could change a life.

I take this opportunity to also reiterate that St Francis of Assisi College has a strong commitment to wellbeing, using trauma informed, scientific methodology of Positive Psychology, which is designed to guide and strengthen relationships. All staff are trained in the Resilient IMPACT program of intentional practice which is carried out with our partner, Life Buoyancy Institute and focuses adults being mindful teachers, who intentionally respond to individual and student growth needs.

Throughout Week 8, staff and students participated in a range of wellbeing activities to engage more deeply in the notion of ‘being well’.  Led by Mrs Trudgian, and Mr Cotter, the terrific week long program had the intent of ensuring we understand the importance of looking after ourselves, and how to support our peers who may not be at their best.

Season of Creation

We are currently in the Season of Creation which will end on October 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology. 

This week you might like to ponder these questions as a family:

1. Can we be more mindful in the way we reduce, reuse, and recycle?

2. How can we live more simply and incorporate time in nature into our day?

‘…Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,

to be filled with awe and contemplation,

to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature…’

(Excerpt from the 2023 Laudato Si’ Prayer)

Key dates for the commencement of 2025:

A full list of 2025 key dates will follow soon, but to assist with planning I inform our College community of dates to commence the 2025 academic year:

Tuesday January 21                                         Leadership Team and POR Team commence.

Wednesday January 22                                  All Teaching Staff commence. Staff Planning Day.

Thursday January 23                                        Staff Planning Day.

Monday 27 January                                         Australia Day Public Holiday.

Tuesday 28 January                                         All students commence.

Mr Nathan Hayes, Principal

Showcase of Learning Event

On Monday 23 September, from 5-7pm, the College will be holding our annual Showcase of Learning evening. This night will showcase students learning and their achievements across all year levels, with year 8 $20 boss business products available to purchase. There will also be a BBQ, with salads and drinks provided.  Please join us and celebrate in our students’ successes.

Term 3 Learner Conversations

Student/Parent/Teacher conversations will occur Tuesday 17 September and Wednesday 18 September from 4pm-6pm at the College. This term these conversations will occur with your child’s subject teacher. Your child is an important part of this conversation as they reflect on their strengths and needs as they become a capable learner. 

Student progress update reports were released through SEQTA on Thursday 5 September. To access these reports, click on assessments and the relevant subject. Please view these reports, as a subject teacher may have identified an interview would be beneficial to discuss your child's learning and to support their progress.

If your child has a teacher for multiple subjects, could you please make one booking time slot with that teacher. This will ensure there is enough booking times available for all parents.

Bookings are made online through School Interviews

To log on, please use the link:  

https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code/yhet8

If you are unable to book an appointment but would still like to meet with a teacher, please contact the school on 8595 4500.  Please contact the College if you have any questions.

Mrs Natalie Meuret, Leader of Learning

Community Wellbeing Week

We thank our student leaders for their organisation of the events across this week in the lead up to and on R U Ok? Day to promote wellbeing and build community within our College.

On Monday, students participated in a variety of activities to promote mindfulness and stillness including yoga, meditation, music, a nature walk, colouring and vision setting. A big shout out to Ruby M (Year 8) for leading students through the Yoga sessions.

Our House teams competed across a range of team and individual games and tasks on Tuesday. Ventus was successful in winning the Volleyball and Table Tennis tournaments and the House Art competition. Basketball and Uno were won by Terra House, with Louisa DZ taking out the Uno Crown!  And Aqua were the worthy winners of the Lacrosse tournament. All games were played in the right spirit with many examples of camaraderie and support across all Houses.

On Wednesday, there was a focus on healthy lifestyles. Thank you to Kelly Tschirpig for coming in and presenting to several students on nutrition, sleep and how to manage stress in our daily lives. Other groups were able to bake some breakfast muffins and make smoothies – thank you to Mrs Warner for her support in ensuring we had all the ingredients! Mr Sampson led a group on a bike ride around Bookmark Creek while over 50 students had the opportunity to sit in on a forum with Mr Prokopec and Mrs Turnbull who shared their experiences in professional sport and how their mindsets determined their levels of success – some of their key quotes feature in this week’s quote of the week. In another session, Miss Gibbons put over 60 students through their paces in a Strength & Conditioning workout.

On Thursday our students learned the importance of checking in with one another, discovering different ways to ask, "Are you okay?" and how to respond with empathy and support. They even completed a secret mission to find R U OK? Ventus leaders around the College!  In the afternoon, we welcomed families and friends to join us for games, a bake sale, a BBQ, and some amazing live music by our talented students. 

Thank you to everyone who came together to create a community of care and connection. Let’s keep the conversation going!  And thank you to all staff for their support across the week!

Riverland Field Days

Members of our Student Leadership Council and staff will be present at the Riverland Field Days this Friday and Saturday. Come say hi to us in the Main Pavilion at Site 62!

When Your Kid Screams for Screens: Building a Family Screen Time Solution

The College has an educational partnership with Open Parachute to support the pastoral development of our students and the broader community! Their next parent webinar is now open for registrations. Please see details below.

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

Our Year 8 students have been engaged in their bush poetry unit, where they explored the unique style and history of bush ballads. They’ve been learning about the rhythm, rhyme, and storytelling techniques that define this traditional Australian form.

The students moved on to create their own bush poems! As part of this creative process, the class visited Bookmark Creek to draw inspiration from the natural surroundings. Students created unique poems, capturing the essence of the Australian bush in their own words.

Mrs Isabella Trudgian, English Teacher

Students in Stage 1 Child Studies have been focussing on pre-natal nutrition and in particular how certain nutrients are crucial for development in utero.

The goal was to prepare a nutritious, quick and easy meal for a pregnant woman. Students were tasked with a research component along with an action plan to help guide their choices for appropriate food, from this information a suitable meal was chosen.

Students chose to prepare a breakfast, lunch, or dinner option and they each produced a suitable dish that included nutrient-dense ingredients suited for pregnancy.

Everyone worked really well under pressure and students' hard work and commitment were evident throughout their learning.

Some recipes selected were: Apple & Cranberry Granola, Vegan Burrito Bowl, Grilled-Chicken Salad, Smoothie Bowl, Sweet Potato & Black Bean Tacos and a breakfast burrito.

Mrs Amber Burgess, Child Studies Teacher

On Saturday 7^th September Senior and Junior Squads competed in their first Regatta for the 2024/25 Rowing Season at West Lakes. We entered 10 crews in 7 events – Singles, Doubles and Coxed Quads, in Novice and 3^rd Grade Divisions.

The first Regatta of the season provides an opportunity for rowers to compete in a quieter environment as most clubs and schools are yet to commence their programs. Students  refamiliarised themselves with steering within a buoyed course and set a benchmark for competitive season racing.

We secured four wins, competing against Riverside and Goolwa. In three events we were the only crew entered but were still provided racing opportunities as Rowing SA merge events – this is called a row-over and is not registered as a win. We competed in the same regatta last year, with this year’s results highlighting 45+ sec improvements, even with a strong head wind this time around!  A sign of great progress. Students were commended by Rowing SA volunteers for their manners and attitude while representing our College – well done team.

Crews have now regrouped to set the focus for our next block of training, with clear technical goals and targets. We will travel to another regatta in Week 9, before we compete against other schools in Term 4.

Mrs Stephanie Turnbull, Rowing Program Coordinator, Rowing Coach & Learning Support

A Father's Day celebration was held on Tuesday morning Week 7 for all of the dads, step-dads, grandparents, uncles and special friends from our College community. Guests were served freshly brewed barista-made coffee by our Year 10 Food and Hospitality students and enjoyed delicious muffins while they enjoyed the morning sun!

Don't forget we have a Facebook page for parents/caregivers to exchange College uniforms. 

You'll need to be a member of the group to access and can then directly communicate with others wanting to exchange uniforms. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/sfoacrsecondhanduniform

The College also keeps a small supply of emergency uniforms that are needed from time to time. If you would like to donate pre-loved uniforms please drop them into the College office. Thank you.

Tri State Graphis are looking for a junior staff member to work after school hours.

3.30pm to 5.30pm, 3 nights a week plus two – three Saturday mornings per month, plus extra hours.

Looking for someone who is available during school holidays.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

- Regular cleaning & dusting of the showroom and office area.

- Assisting sales staff with shop displays

- Pricing stock

- Refilling clothing racks

- Answering phones occasionally.

Required Skills and Experience:

- Ability to work independently and within a team

- Reliable and committed

- Willingness to learn

- General knowledge of computers

- Polite phone manner

- Good Communication skills

- Position to start Mid-August.

If this sounds like the position for you, please present your resumé and cover letter to our business manager in person or email a copy to: accounts@tristategraphics.com.au

Manager

Tri State Graphics

216 Renmark Avenue

Renmark S.A.

85865815

Renmark Paringa Council in partnership with Mental Health First Aid Partners have secured grant funding from the State Emergency Relief Fund to bring Resilience First Aid Training to the Riverland at the end of October 2024. More information as to what Resilience First Aid Training is, when the courses are taking place etc, details can be found on Council’s Engage RPC Platform https://engagement.renmarkparinga.sa.gov.au/resilience-first-aid

The 2-day courses available are wonderful professional development opportunity and best of all they are FREE. Following the River Murray Floods 2022/2023, the aim for this program is to equip front facing professionals in our community with tools that enable and build resilience.

South Australia Police are hosting a Business Security Conference in Berri in order to engage with Riverland business owners about security, cybercrime, and reporting. SAPOL senior management from the Murray Mallee will also be in attendance for questions.

The details of the conference are as follows:-

WHERE:              Berri Hotel, Riverview Drive, Berri

WHEN:                 Wednesday, 2 October 2024

TIME:                    6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

COST:                   $13.50 (plus booking fee)

Includes finger food, with tea and coffee.

To book visit eventbrite.com.au and search “SA Police”

What is Saver Plus?

Saver Plus is a program for people on lower incomes. It’s about enhancing financial skills, to develop (and keep) good savings habits.  Since 2003, Saver Plus has supported more than 60,000 people to start saving.

Saver Plus has helped overcome the barriers around education expenses. And sets families up for a brighter future.

To be eligible You must have all of the following:

• A Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card     
• an eligible Centrelink payment*
• Be studying yourself OR have a child in school (can be starting school next year)
• Have regular income from work (either yourself or your partner)* including Carers Payment / Child Support / Cash in hand
• Be 18+ years old
• Agree to join in free online financial education workshops called MoneyMinded
• Not completed Saver Plus previously

* Many types of income and Centrelink payments are eligible, see the Saver Plus terms and conditions for more information.

What are the eligible savings goals?

Eligible savings goals are education related products or services eg:​

• laptops and tablets
• books and supplies
• uniforms and shoes
• sports fees and gear 
• lessons and activites
• camps and excursions

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. Or alternatively complete the form below.