Term 1, Week 10 Newsletter
From the Principal
Thank you
If you are reading this newsletter I thank you. Our feedback is that parents appreciate short, sharp messages with meaning, often reading on their phone and on the run. Last Friday’s Cross Country was a celebration of life at St Finbarr’s. We had an impressive representation of parents and happy children striving to go their hardest or just satisfied to get to the finish line in one piece. Staff joined in the fun and ensured the day was a huge success. A big thank you to our new Sports Coordinator Joe Keene who made sure everything ran smoothly and also ensuring effective communication was a top priority. We look forward to the Athletics Carnival which will be our next big sporting event at school.
WhatsApp Groups
Thank you to our class coordinators who communicate with families and encourage parental involvement in school life. The WhatsApp Groups, while not as essential as the official school Compass communications, can be helpful for reminders and building positive connections and are an opt-in for parents choosing to access the App. Recent feedback we received related to collecting money for teacher gifts. Please don’t feel any pressure to contribute in this area. In these days of rising costs and the downturn in the economy there is enough pressure on our purse strings. Teachers certainly aren’t looking for gifts and from my own experience there was always appreciation with a supportive message or a homemade card. Back in the day it was an apple! Green please.
Feedback
I’m not sure what is different this year,however, from my experience, there does seem to be more trust and less negativity in the school community. We are always open to feedback, reasonable requests and suggestions. I enjoy a good chat on the school playground and my office door is always open. Feedback from the recent Attendance Letters sent to families was that the wording could have been a little more gentle. We have definitely taken this on board and I have spoken with the Catholic Schools Office regarding this communication and requirement. School Parking is also on the agenda as our school numbers grow and parents compete with high school students for the spaces in Arakwal Court. We are currently looking at possible solutions and invite suggestions from the community.
ANZAC DAY
We would love to have a large representation of students at the ANZAC DAY march in town on Friday 25th April. (last Friday of the holidays) Children meet at the main beach carpark at 10.15am wearing the full school uniform. They will then receive a flag before lining up to march. Thank you to school leaders Eva Brook and Darcy Stone who will be reading at the service.
Running Club
Running Club recommences in Term Two one day a week on either Wednesday or Friday depending on the weekly timetable and will be advertised in the Week Ahead bulletin. Come and join us for a fun and healthy way to start the day.
Phones and Smart Watches
A reminder that phones and Smart watches with internet connection are not permitted for students at school. If they are required by families for communication after school hours please check them in at the front office for safe keeping.
Mothers Day
Save the date: Friday 9th May. Mothers Day Breakfast and Liturgy.
EDUCATION NEWS
The Importance of Outdoor Play and Risk-Taking for Primary School Children
Nature Play
In today’s digital age, children are spending more time indoors, often engaged with screens and structured activities. However, outdoor play—especially when it involves an element of risk—is crucial for their overall development. At St Finbarr’s we encourage our students to explore, climb, balance, and take calculated risks in their play and this can have numerous benefits.
1. Physical Development
Outdoor play allows children to develop their gross motor skills, coordination, and strength. Activities like climbing trees, running, and balancing on logs improve agility, endurance, and overall fitness. Taking small risks, such as jumping off play structures, helps them learn about their own physical limits and capabilities.
2. Emotional Resilience and Confidence
Facing challenges and overcoming them builds confidence and resilience. When children take risks—such as trying a new climbing frame or riding a bike without stabilizers—they experience a sense of achievement, boosting their self-esteem. Learning to manage fear and uncertainty in play prepares them for real-world challenges.
3. Social and Problem-Solving Skills
Unstructured outdoor play encourages teamwork, negotiation, and conflict resolution. When children engage in group play, they learn to assess risks together, make decisions, and solve problems creatively. This fosters independence and critical thinking skills that are essential in later life.
4. Understanding of Risk and Safety
Allowing children to take small, manageable risks helps them develop an understanding of safety. They learn how to assess dangers and make informed decisions, which is more beneficial than overprotecting them from all risks. Children who are exposed to reasonable risks in play become better at handling real-life situations safely.
5. Mental Well-being
Spending time outdoors, particularly in natural environments, has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and improve mood. Physical activity releases endorphins, helping children feel happier and more focused when they return to the classroom.
Encouraging Safe Risk-Taking
Schools and parents should create environments where children can take age-appropriate risks. This might include adventure playgrounds, nature trails, or obstacle courses that encourage exploration. Supervising from a distance, rather than intervening too quickly, allows children to build confidence in their abilities.
By embracing outdoor play and risk-taking, we help children grow into resilient, capable, and confident individuals ready to face the challenges of the world. Instead of shielding them from every possible danger, we should equip them with the skills to navigate risks wisely.
Wishing you all a safe and relaxing holiday break.
Yours in Partnership,
Tim Bleakley - Principal
Catholic Faith & Identity
YEAR 4 MASS
On the morning of Friday the 28th, Year 4 students celebrated a beautiful mass. The theme was based on Jesus’ words, that we should love God with all our hearts, minds, and strength, and that we should love others as much as we love ourselves.
Sometimes we might hurt others or even ourselves by making mistakes. That’s when saying "sorry" and forgiving others becomes really important. When we forgive, we show love, and when we ask for forgiveness, we are also loving God because He wants us to be kind and forgiving.
It was so wonderful to see so many parents at the Mass as well as returning to school for a classroom visit and morning tea with the students. We thank our Year 4 teacher’s Mrs Curran, Mrs Powell and Ms Hurley for preparing the students so beautifully for the mass.
Project Compassion
This is the final week to contribute to Project Compassion. We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of so many of our families in supporting this fantastic charity. Your kindness not only makes a meaningful impact but also serves as a beautiful example of philanthropy for our next generation.
Thank you for your continued support!
Raising awareness about those in need is a key priority for our students and school community. Liberation Larder in Byron Bay is a wonderful initiative dedicated to providing free, nutritious meals to those facing hardship, while also helping to reduce food waste. It creates a welcoming environment for people to come together and receive support, regardless of their circumstances. The organisation thrives on the generosity of volunteers and donations, and is a shining example of local compassion.
Below, you'll find a photo of some of our Year 6 leaders with a donation of leftover bread from our Cross Country event on Friday.
Reconciliation
Last week, a number of our students received the Sacrament of Reconciliation. These students have been preparing for this sacrament over the past 3 weeks, learning about the importance of forgiveness, repentance, and the grace that comes with it. Throughout this time, they have participated in lessons and reflections to help them understand the meaning of reconciliation in their lives. We are so proud of their commitment and dedication to this significant step in their faith journey. Please keep them in your prayers as they continue to grow in their relationship with God.
Sacrament of Confirmation
The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated in Term 2. If your child is baptised Catholic, in Year 3 or above and you would like them to receive this important sacrament, we invite you to attend a parent meeting on Wednesday, May 14th, at 6:00 p.m. It is essential that at least one parent or caregiver attends this meeting to complete the registration process for your child.
If you are unable to attend, please contact the Holy Spirit Parish office @ stfins@bigpond.com or call on
02 6685 6260
Holy Spirit Parish Bulletin
Easter Mass Times
Mrs Sonya Piccoli
Assistant Principal Mission-Inclusion & Diversity
Inclusion & Diversity
Anti- Bullying
Speak Up, Stay Safe!
If you see bullying happening, it’s important to speak up. Telling a trusted adult, like a teacher or parent, can help stop the bullying and keep everyone safe. Remember, you’re not tattling—you’re helping make things better for everyone. Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected!
Mrs Sonya Piccoli
Assistant Principal Mission-Inclusion & Diversity
Learning & Teaching
Learning at St Finbarr's
Learning at St Finbarr's is diverse and broad across a range of key learning areas. Across the year teachers communicate what the learning will look like and how the students are going, through;
- Parent Information Evening: These occur at the beginning of the year and whilst they have a key focus on the administrative information required for the grade they also introduce the learning expectations, programs used and ways you can help your child at home.
- Term Overviews: These documents are shared by teachers on Compass, within the first 2 weeks of each term and outline the focus areas, big ideas, skills and learnings for each key learning area for the term.
- Term Updates: Are shared via the Newsfeed on Compass, twice a term giving parents an overview of the key areas being focussed on in class. These updates include reminders, upcoming dates and photos celebrating the learning.
- 3 Way Conferences: Introduced this year, placing students at the centre of their learning journey, these conferences focus on the child sharing two key pieces of work they are proud of and two of their learning goals. These meetings are a part of the assessment and reporting cycle at St Finbarr's.
- Semester Reports + Follow up Interviews: Twice per year formal school reports are available on Compass outlining your child's learning and achivement. Following these reports you are able to book a parent teacher interview to further discuss your child's learning.
- Communication with Class Teacher: The class teacher will contact you to celebrate learning, discuss any observations and/or raise any concerns they have. Additionally, they are your first point of call if you have any concerns for your child or would like to share or discuss anything about your child / family that they may need to know to support your child's learning.
- Compass Notifications: The class teacher will communicate with you via an email from Compass if your child is recieveing an award at a Friday assembly. Please ensure you have
Please ensure you have Compass Notifications on. St Finbarr's staff do their absolute best to communicate all necessary information in a timely mannner with parents, however it is vital that these communications are read.
Yours in Partnership,
Lauren Magnus
Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching
Mathematics
Our K-6 classrooms have been buzzing with learning experiences that foster the development of number sense and mathematical thinking, helping students connect math to their everyday lives.
Kindergarten students manipulating materials to identify and create various quantities and representing these in different ways.
Year 1 students investigating the 'jump strategy' using a number line when adding and subtracting. Students are developing an understanding of length through hands-on measuring activities in the playground.
Students in Year 2 are using their bodies to count forwards and backwards along with measuring the weight of classroom objects using the scales.
Year 3 students are developing an understanding of time, investigating the numbers 15, 30, 45 and 60 and how they relate to a quarter past, half past and a quarter to.
Fractions! Fractions! Fractions! Our Year 4 students are diving into equivalent fractions and discovering how these concepts apply to our everyday lives.
Year 5 students are solving and creating multiplication squares to support them in recalling their times tables.
Year 6 students are exploring fractions, using a number line to bring them to life!
Yours in Partnership,
Rachel Mitchell
Leader of Pedagogy
Sport Update
School Cross Country Carnival:
Our annual Cross Country Carnival was held last Friday and was a fantastic day for all involved! The weather held off just long enough, and the cool overcast conditions made for perfect running weather. A big thank you goes out to our wonderful parent helpers who marked laps and helped run the canteen - your support made the day run smoothly, and the sausage sizzle was a hit!
It was amazing to see so many students out on the course giving it their best and showing true school spirit. Congratulations to everyone who participated!
Here are the winners from each event:
Kindergarten (500m):
Girls Winner: Frankie S
Boys Winner: Jagger M
6s + 7s (1km):
Girls Winner: Philippa J
Boys Winner: Remko H
8s + 9s (2km):
Girls Winner: Billie M
Boys Winner: Levi C
10s (2km):
Girls Winner: Izzy Y
Boys Winner: Wyatt W
11s (3km):
Girls Winner: Frankie S
Boys Winner: Hayden C
12s (3km):
Girls Winner: Libby P
Boys Winner: Roley C
The top six runners in each age group will now go on to represent our school at the Tweed Zone Cross Country on May 8th at the Murwillumbah Showgrounds. Best of luck to all our qualifiers!
Sports Trials Update:
The recent wet weather caused a few changes to our sports trial calendar, with several Zone and Diocesan trials needing to be rescheduled. We're very grateful to our parents for their flexibility and support during this time.
Diocesan Rugby League is set to go ahead this Thursday after multiple postponements. Good luck to Roley C (Yr 6) who will be representing our school!
A huge congratulations to Luca W (Yr 6) who has made it through to the Polding team for Soccer—an incredible achievement.
And a big shoutout to Frankie S (Yr 5) who will represent Polding in Tennis at the State Titles early in Term 2.
Well done to all students who put their hands up to trial, showed determination, and represented our school with great sportsmanship.
Polding Swimming Success:
Last Wednesday, five of our talented swimmers competed at the Polding Swimming Championships held at the Sydney Aquatic Centre—and what an amazing job they did!
Our Senior Boys 4x50m Freestyle Relay Team - Roley C, Hugo P, Rupert M, and Willy P - swam their hearts out and came 1st place!
Esther H also achieved a fantastic 3rd place in the 8 Years 50m Freestyle.
All of these swimmers have now qualified for the NSW State Championships, also in Sydney, this week. We wish them the very best of luck!
Polding Swimming
Library News
Parent Connect
School Photos
Our school photo day will be Friday 16th May.
Instructions to order online via https://store.
(For parents) steps to follow:
Enter your order code - make sure if you copy paste it to delete extra spaces if any.
Select your pack: Follow the prompts to choose your desired pack(s).
At the end of the pack selection process, you will have the option to:
additional items (magnets, mugs, key-rings) & sibling photos.
Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.