St Francis of Assisi College - Term 3 Week 4

From the Principal

The Assumption

The 15^th of August is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and is a Holy Day of Obligation in the Catholic Church. The Feast of the Assumption commemorates Mary’s entrance into Heaven, body, and soul. Mary is a special symbol for Catholics, reinforcing our confidence that death is not an end. In her assumption Mary is a wonderful sign of hope for us, because after her Son, she is the first to be assumed body and soul into heaven. Just as Mary’s Immaculate Conception is a symbol of what God is doing for all people, her Assumption is also a symbol of what will happen to all people in the ‘ages to come’ when everyone who has died will be given a new and different kind of life.

The feast of the Assumption is for all Catholics. Its meaning has been caught in a later feast instituted by Pope Francis for a more inclusive Church, Mary Mother of the Church. It focuses on Mary’s links to us as well as to God, and points to the links that unite all Christians and all Churches. The Feast of the Assumption enlivens our hope that we shall be with Christ as Mary now is.

Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace.

The Lord is with you.

Blessed art you among women,

and blessed is the fruit of your womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death.

Amen

Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop

“Never see a need without doing something about it.”

The 8^th of August was the feast day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia’s first saint. We send special love and greetings to all the Josephite sisters, who carry on Mary’s work in Australia, New Zealand, and our world today.

St Mary MacKillop, intercede for the needs of our local communities, remember all who are suffering from drought, sickness, poverty, abuse, homelessness, or any kind of need and, as always, bless the children.

Dear Mary, pray for us all and lead us to God.

Amen.

St Francis of Assisi Wellbeing Model:

The Science of Building Wellbeing-Responsive School Communities

St Francis of Assisi College has partnered with the Life Buoyancy Institute to develop our wellbeing model, with an aim to build a sustainable wellbeing and trauma-responsive school culture.

Wellbeing responsive schools represent “connected thriving schools” whose members are equipped and empowered to work side-by-side together to:

Understand the science of wellbeing, trauma, resilience, and growth
Intentionally draw upon this science to build wellbeing outcomes personalised to individual and collective community members
Intentionally blend science together with their existing local wisdom, strengths, and initiatives.
Navigate the landscape of mental health and wellbeing and deliver school-based wellbeing solutions.

2024 Enrolments

I am very pleased to see that the College continues to experience significant demand in relation to enrolments. Current projections indicate our two year 7 classes will fill to 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 remain places for enrolment open in years 8, 9 and 10 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).

Nathan Hayes, Principal

Wellbeing Focus Article

Strategies for Parents to Address Student Absence from School

Regular school attendance is crucial for a child's academic and social development. However, student absenteeism remains a concern in many educational systems around the world. Parents play a pivotal role in ensuring their child's consistent presence in school. This article discusses the importance of addressing student absence and provides strategies parents can use to assist in getting their child to school regularly.

Importance of Regular School Attendance

Consistent school attendance is directly linked to academic success and overall well-being. Students who attend school regularly are more likely to achieve higher grades, develop strong social skills, and graduate on time. On the contrary, frequent absences can lead to gaps in learning, lower academic performance, and even long-term negative consequences.

Strategies for Parents

1. Open Communication: Maintain open lines of communication with your child about their school experiences. Create a positive environment where they feel comfortable discussing any challenges they might be facing at school.

2. Set a Routine: Establish a daily routine that includes a consistent wake-up time, mealtime, and bedtime. This routine helps young people develop healthy habits and ensures they are well-rested and prepared for the school day.

3. Create a Supportive Environment: Foster a supportive atmosphere at home by showing genuine interest in your child's education. Celebrate their achievements and offer assistance when they face challenges. When children feel valued and supported, they are more likely to engage in their educational journey.

4. Engage with School: Develop a strong relationship with the College and your child’s teachers. Attend parent-teacher conferences, stay informed about school events, and actively participate in school activities. This involvement demonstrates your commitment to their education.

5. Address Underlying Issues: Sometimes, student absenteeism can be linked to underlying problems such as bullying, learning difficulties, or mental health issues. If you suspect any of these factors, seek guidance from wellbeing staff including Mr. Luke Cotter, Mrs. Tasha Morath or Home Group teachers, and relevant professionals to address the root causes.

6. Use Positive Reinforcement: Encourage your child's attendance through positive reinforcement. Praise their efforts and celebrate their milestones, whether it's completing a full week of school or achieving improved grades.

Promoting regular school attendance is a collaborative effort between parents, the College, and students. Parents play a crucial role in setting the foundation for a child's educational journey. We are here to work side-by-side with parents to ensure your child receives a supportive environment that encourages consistent school attendance and sets the stage for a successful academic experience.

Ongoing Support

At St Francis of Assisi College, we have a well-rounded Wellbeing team with broader access to professional support. Please get in touch with Mr. Luke Cotter (Leader of Wellbeing) if you wish to seek support for your child.

Wellbeing Webinars

Wellio will be delivering a webinar each term to parents. The upcoming webinar this term is focussed on healthy relationships.

If you would like to attend via Zoom you can register here: https://www.wellioeducation.com/en_au/webinars

Wellio will record the event, so please register if you can't attend but want access to the recording.

“Taking on a challenge is a bit like riding a horse.
If you’re comfortable while doing it, you’re probably doing it wrong.”
– Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso)

Luke Cotter, Leader of Wellbeing

Wakakirri 2023

Here is a glimpse of backstage activities in the lead up to our first ever Wakakirri performance held in the Norwood Concert Hall yesterday evening. The dances and performers were FANtastic, as were the back stage crew.

Huge thank you to Ms Sue-Ellen Shepherdson for bringing it all together, thank you also to Kelly, Sue, Julie, Kathy and Annika Newman and Nathan Hayes for their support yesterday evening.

Performance video will be available shortly.