Term 4, Week 2 Newsletter
Principal's Message
Dear Father,
We pray for all our Mini Fins who have joined us at St Finbarr’s.
We pray that you would fill their hearts with excitement and calm their worries with your love.
Please go before them, help them make friends, enjoy the activities and build relationships with their teachers and carers.
May we, with your guidance, help them to grow in confidence and independence.
Father, may they feel joy in their hearts as they enter this new exciting time in their lives.
In Jesus name.
Amen.
Welcome Back
I have been busily involved in staff interviews recently though found a moment to reflect. During one interview I was asked by one of the applicants, “What is the most special thing about St Finbarr’s?” My response was simple and offered without hesitation. The students. They bring us joy every day with their love, enthusiasm, questions, observations and particularly their honesty.
Yesterday morning reinforced my response as we welcomed the first cohort of Minifins children. What an absolute delight. There were quite a few children who have siblings already at St Finbarr’s, however, even all the other children settled in so happily. We look forward excitedly to 2023 and especially the new families joining our wonderful community. Staffing for 2023 will be announced towards the middle of the term.
Disco Fun! Friday 28th October
Not long until our Halloween Disco and the excitement is building. This is the perfect opportunity for parents to be involved in the community spirit. We are looking for helpers to help set up the hall and surrounds from 1pm on Friday 28th. A Compass entry will be sent out today with more information including payment details.
Parents are most welcome to stay for the disco or relax with a picnic on the grass away from the noise! We also are seeking parents to assist with student management, canteen and cooking on the barbeque. Your Class Parent will be in contact, please liaise with them or nominate your availability to help to Buffy or Alison at the front desk.
School Attendance
A reminder that the Education Act (NSW 1990) requires every student enrolled at school to attend on each day that instruction is provided, unless prevented by sickness or other good reason. After a very busy Term 3 ‘Unexplained Absence’ letters will be sent out this week therefore we ask that you please respond to the school office. Also a reminder to please respond to the SMS on the day of being notified regarding your child’s absence. Finally, If you are moving at the end of Term 4, could you kindly advise Buffy in the office. Your early notification is greatly appreciated and will assist us with our 2023 enrolments and updating class waiting lists.
2023 Dates
- Friday 27th January, Monday 30th January: Staff Development Days
- Students first day (Yrs 1-6): Tuesday 31st January
- Kindergarten start: Friday 3rd February
Byron Bay Sevens School Challenge
Congratulations to our Stage Three team who recently competed in the Byron Bay Sevens School Challenge. The team played with great enthusiasm and team spirit in their first games of 7's, they all learnt some new skills and an appreciation for the speed of 7's rugby. Top Scorer was Oli, coaches award went to Teddy and Lachlan.
Mr Hanslow
Here are some images of our exciting school band's performing at the recent School Showcase. It is so great seeing so many students showing an interest in music, we look forward to many concerts.
Halloween Disco
We had a class parent meeting this morning and we are very excited for our upcoming Halloween Disco. Parents are invited to bring a picnic to share on the lawn outside the hall during the disco. Please keep an eye on COMPASS as all information on this exciting event including the purchase of tickets will be available there. Class parents will be in contact with you as this is a parent coordinated event and they would love some more volunteers to make it a successful night.
POSITION VACANT
St Finbarr’s Canteen Manager 2023
TITLE: Canteen Manager
HOURS: 20 hours per week (Monday/ Wednesday/ Fridays)
WAGES: As per award
Due to a potential increase in hours for this role we are seeking expressions of interest for a dynamic, energetic person for planning, organising, and monitoring the day to day operations of the school canteen.
For further information regarding the application process please contact the School Principal on 66856 342.
Applications close 3pm Wednesday 2nd November 2022.
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Term 4 School Fees
Term 4 school fees have been issued, they can be viewed and payed through your Compass App.
Due date for term 4 fee completion is 11 November 2022, this invoice will appear on your end of month fee statement.
Please ensure any outstanding term 3 fees are finalises as soon as possible. If you are experiencing financial difficulties please contact Alison Mason in the front office.
Yours In Partnership,
Tim Bleakley
Principal
Mission
Month of the Rosary
October marks the Month of the Rosary. The Rosary is a form of prayer using beads. It is a cycle of repeated formal prayers, such as the Lord's Prayer and the Hail Mary, done while thinking about important events in the lives of Jesus and Mary. The best way to celebrate the month is, of course, to pray the Rosary.
The Rosary is a prayer to remind us that Jesus loved us so much that he died on the cross for us. Mary brings us closer to Jesus—we know this from the consistent witness of the saints through the history of the Church. Since we want our children to grow close to Jesus, it makes sense to introduce them early on to Mary, the mother of Jesus, who will help them through all the difficult moments of their lives!
Stage 2 Mass
Stage 2 will be celebrating Mass on Friday the 28th of October, St Finbarr’s Catholic Church at 9:30am. All families are warmly invited to celebrate what is sure to be a wonderful celebration.
Pastoral Care
Anxiety
Some level of anxiety is a normal part of life and growing up. Everyone experiences anxiety sometimes, especially when faced with new, stressful or dangerous situations, in fact, different anxieties often develop at different stages of development. These anxieties normally pass on their own but if it persists it’s important not to ignore it and get help. Please see the link below for more information.
Yours in Partnership,
Mrs Sonya Piccoli- Assistant Principal Mission & Additional Needs
Learning & Teaching
Welcome back to Term 4!!
Last Monday our staff were engaged in a full day of professional learning. The focus was on Mathematics - building clarity, coherence and capacity. Teachers were engaged in hands on learning experiences focussed on the number 1 and decimals, percentages and fractions. As a team we then explored Learning Intentions and Success Criteria and looked at our programs for Maths for this term to ensure they reflected best practice and our new learning.
It was a fun filled day of learning and it's been wonderful to see many of the students now enjoying these same activities in the classrooms too.
Staff Development Day
Yours in Partnership,
Lauren Magnus
Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching