Term 2, Week 10 Newsletter 2022

Principal's Message

Thank you
Each school term offers new opportunities and celebrations. This term has been no different with beautiful Masses, excursions, carnivals, Mothers Day breakfast, public speaking, classroom open day, Catholic Schools Week fun and more. Term Three is looking just as exciting with Mini Fins commencing and more excursions now that Covid restrictions have lifted. Thank you for your continued support and willingness to work together for our children.

Farewell Mr O
It would be difficult to find a more popular teacher at St Finbarr’s over the years than our very own, Mr Tom O’Dwyer. Better known as Mr O, Tom has taught at St Finbarr’s since 1990 and served in several leadership positions as well as a classroom teacher with a passion for sport, art and music. His warmth, humour and genuine care for staff and students will be greatly missed. Tom is retiring at the end of the term although will be back with us in a casual position at times throughout Term Three and Four. We will have the opportunity to officially say goodbye and acknowledge Tom’s years of commitment to St Finbarr’s and to Catholic education at the end of this year. 

Industrial Action This Thursday 30 June

As per our correspondence yesterday, due to protected Industrial action, St Finbarr’s will be only open for limited supervision this Thursday 30th June.

 IEU members will be participating in a full day of protected industrial action in the form of a work stoppage. As a result of this action St Finbarr’s school will experience staff shortages. Therefore, the school will remain open however only with limited supervision. This will include changes to the learning program on this day with some classes needed to combine.  We will keep you informed of any further potential disruptions to school.

Parking in high school
We have been contacted by our neighbours, Byron Bay High school to remind our families not to park in the school car park. This area is not public space and is reserved for staff and students from Byron Bay High School. Thank you for your understanding. 

Fathers Day
Save the date. Wednesday 31st August 7.30am Breakfast.

Farewell Staff
We say farewell to two staff who are moving on to new challenges. Thank you to school counsellor Cindy Clark who has taken a new position closer to home and to Eva Matheson. Eva has worked as a teacher assistant and classroom teacher and her calm and caring approach with the students has been greatly appreciated. Best wishes Cindy and Eva.

School Uniform
The wearing of ‘non uniform’ clothing can become very contagious with the boys in Stage Three. As we continue to search for ways to manage lost property throughout the school we will continue to remind students in regards to the correct uniform needed to be worn at all times. As per school policy, if, for any reason, a student needs to wear non uniform shoes, socks, or  jumpers, a written explanation from parents/ carers is required. This is in line with all local Catholic High Schools which our students will be attending. Thank you for your support with the correct wearing of school uniforms.

Attendance: Please remember to click on the link in the Absence SMS to submit the reason for your child's absence. DO NOT REPLY to the message as this goes off into space and does not go to the office! 

Travel:If you are taking your child/ren out of school for a holiday, or any other reason, that is greater than 10 school days you are required to complete a form which is available from the office. This form is required for compliance purposes. 

Lost Property: Our lost property has been growing daily with students uniforms. Please ensure you clearly label your children's clothing so they can be returned to the correct owner.

Term 3:  Tuesday 19th July is the first day for students. Monday is a Pupil free Day for Staff Development.

Parent Gatherings
Thanks to our Kinder and Year One parents who have organised social gatherings lately. A wonderful way to build relationships and school community.

Have a wonderful break, I look forward to welcoming you all back to term 3.

Kind Regards,

Tim Bleakley 
Principal

Kinder & Year 1 Parent Gatherings

Learning News

Learning at St Finbarr’s
At St Finbarr’s we focus on the needs of each child and aim to engage our students actively and cooperatively in the process of learning for life.

The classrooms this term have been vibrant places of collaboration, communication and learning. Some learning highlights from this term: 

Public Speaking

WOW! I think I speak for all members of the audience yesterday, the speeches this year blew us away. Firstly a huge congratulations to all students K-6 for preparing and delivering such entertaining speeches over the past few weeks in class. The teachers all said it was an extremely hard decision to just select 3 finalists. 

Thank you to Renata and Nat for being our judges this year. You had a tough job and we are so grateful for sharing your expertise with us.

Congrats to our finalists and overall grade/stage winners. The courage you all displayed  to get up in front of a hall full of people and deliver speeches with such impressive tone, poise, voice projection, eye contact and engaging content is to be commended. 

Semester One School Reports
Semester One School Reports will be sent home this week via the COMPASS app. If you would like to further discuss your child/rens learning and progress then please contact the classroom teacher to arrange a time to meet next term.

Wishing you all a relaxing holiday.

Kind Regards,

Lauren Magnus
AP Teaching & Learning 

Mission

On reflection, this term has been one that has offered so many opportunities for us to come together again and celebrate a number of significant events as a Catholic Community. 

Over the past term, a number of our students celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation. Both Stage 2 and Stage 3 celebrated beautiful Masses. We were finally able to gather for mass as a whole school to acknowledge Catholic Schools Week and we held a number of Liturgies to acknowledge and celebrate Mother’s Day and National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week. 

Last week, all students from Kindergarten through to Stage 3 attended the theatre Production ‘Young Mary’  based on the life of Mary MacKillop presented by Starrs Theatre Production. This show was an opportunity for our students to understand Mary MacKillop as a hard working young woman of faith who was determined to eliminate poverty and provide a fair education for all. The show was thought provoking, extremely engaging and entertaining with many of our students being called on to help out on stage.

Each of these events define us as a Catholic community where we acknowledge Christ being at the centre of all we do continually striving to provide opportunities for our entire Catholic Parish community to encounter the light of Christ.

Thank you to all that have contributed to and have been a part of these celebrations within our School and Parish Community.

Have a restful break and we look forward to all that Term 3 brings.

Mrs Sonya Piccoli

AP Mission & Additional Needs