Dear Parents,

This week and next, 49 children from St Francis Xavier, Holy Family and the public

schools within our parish are celebrating their First Holy Communion. It is wonderful

that Fr Peter and Fr Anselm have been able to administer these celebrations.

Congratulations to all children who made this sacrament during the week and best

wishes to those who will be doing so next week.

Due to current restrictions we were unable to host our annual Fathers’ Day breakfast and Liturgy this

year. This celebration would have taken place on Monday this week. I hope all our dads and grandfathers

enjoyed a lovely day last Sunday to celebrate the special role they play in their families.

The Catholic Schools Office Lismore developed a framework to present a “shared depth of understanding

about the purpose and nature of our collective work regarding the mission and vision of the system and the

schools to focus our efforts on supporting the fullness of life for each of our students.” The Fullness of Life

Framework consists of a number of domains. On Tuesday afternoon this week, our staff worked through a

professional development session on the Learning and Teaching Domain of this document. We unpacked the

document to develop a deeper shared understanding of its purpose and most important elements.

Yesterday we welcomed John and Jules, Youth Ministry Officers from Xavier Catholic College who filmed a

number of students from across the grades in preparation for the XCC Year 12 students' graduation

celebrations. Our children did a wonderful job presenting in front of the camera. I know their efforts will be

well appreciated by our really, really big buddies at XCC.

I wish you all a safe and happy week.

Peace in Christ,

Dan Gubby

Principal

SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

Week 8 Term 3 Friday, 11th September 2020

ST FRANCIS XAVIER PRIMARY SCHOOL

38-50 Swift Street, Ballina NSW 2478

PO Box 1647, Ballina NSW 2478

Phone: 66 86 33 70

Email: balp@lism.catholic.edu.au

Website: www.balplism.catholic.edu.au

Message from the Principal…..

Assistant Principal News…

This week at St Francis Xavier Primary our Year 3 students celebrated their First Holy Communion. This is

a very special occasion for our students and families and I congratulate all of those who took part.

R U OK? Day

Thursday was national R U OK? Day. R U OK? Day is a national day of action where we remind the

community that it is ok to ask someone every day if they are ok. The message for R U OK? Day 2020 is:

'THERE'S MORE TO SAY AFTER R U OK?'

2020 has been a challenging year for everyone and circumstances have

made it even more important for us all to stay connected and, for those who

are able, be willing to support those around us. In the lead-up to R U OK?

Day we’ll help Australians know what to say when someone says they’re

not OK and guide them through how they can continue a conversation that could change a life.

You don’t have to be an expert to keep the conversation going when someone says they’re not OK. By

knowing what to say you can help someone feel supported and access appropriate help long before they’re in

crisis, which can make a really positive difference to their life.

Uniforms

As of the 1st of September, the school uniform changes from Winter to Summer. The main change is with the

wearing of tracksuit pants and stockings. These should no longer be worn until next Winter.

We do understand that there can be a sudden cold snap and we are not going to punish students for wearing

pants or stocking on these days. We have been finding though that students are wearing warm clothes in the

morning and when the day heats up they do not have anything to change into to keep cool. Please see below

for Summer Uniform requirements.

Lost Property

The school has a massive amount of lost property at present. Mrs Howie has

kindly gone through everything this morning to try and find the owners but

we do have a large number of lunch boxes, hats and jackets without names on

them. If your child has lost something, please remind them to check in the

lost property tubs and we ask that you clearly label everything.

Parent and Visitors on School Grounds

Just a quick reminder that parents are not allowed on the school grounds unless they are attending a meeting

or volunteering in the canteen. In these cases, you will need to go to the office sign in and fill out an External

Visitors Declaration Form first.

Staff Professional Development Days

Please be aware that Thursday, 24th September, Friday, 25th September and Monday, 12th October are all Staff

Professional Development Days. If you require supervision for your child/children over some or all of these

days our onsite Active Kids Before and After School Care will be open and taking bookings.

Regards and God Bless,

Matthew Ritchie

Boys:

• Navy shorts with school emblem

• Navy, green and white polo shirt with school emblem

• Navy ankle socks (visible above shoes)

• Navy school hat with school emblem

Girls:

• Navy culotte with school emblem or navy shorts with school

emblem

• Navy, green and white polo shirt with school emblem

• Navy ankle socks (visible above shoes)

• Navy school hat with school emblem

• Navy, green or white (to match school polo) hair ribbons or

scrunchies only

Hairstyles

Please ensure that all student haircuts are in accordance with our school’s uniform policy. Students are not to

have ‘extreme’ haircuts.

The following haircut styles are inappropriate for students at St Francis Xavier School:

• Mullet

• Mohawk

• Rat’s Tail

• Lines/Tracks

• Undercut

Hair is not to cover the eyes. Collar- length and longer is to be tied back. No colouring including bleach is to

be used. Any hair accessories must be colour-coordinated with our school uniform.

Jewellery and Accessories

• Small sleeper or stud earrings (silver or gold) one per ear maximum.

• Medic Alert bands or therapeutic (therapist prescribed) bands only.

• Analogue or digital watches only (no smart watches, fitbits or other blue tooth, wifi or mobile network

devices to be worn)

• No nail polish or make up

• No tattoos, fake or real

Summer Uniform Policy

Parish Mass Times

First Holy Communion

This year’s preparation for First Holy Communion has been on hold for many

months now due to COVID-19 restrictions. Over the coming weeks the

candidates will have the opportunity in small groups to receive the Sacrament of

First Holy Communion. Please keep these children in your prayers as they

prepare to receive this sacred sacrament.

Quinn Campbell Saoirse Lockwood Indiana Hughes Ava Morley

Charlotte Doyle Maggie Doyle Alexandra Dogan Dimity Jackson

Cody Flatley Callan Ross Oliver Rehwinkel Flynn McLennan

Louis Rosenbaum Vinnie Paciello Sienna Judge Matilda McDermott

Alana McCarthy Marlee Balcombe Ellen Freeman

Keep safe and well

God Bless

Kerrily Jelfs

Leader of School Evangelisation

Kristie Coster

Leader of Catechesis

SFX Ballina Parish (max 45 people)

Lennox Head Parish (max 20 people)

5.00 pm Saturday Vigil Mass 5.00 pm Saturday Vigil Mass

9.00 am Sunday 7:30am Sunday

11.00 am Sunday

All weekday Masses will be at 12.00 noon in SFX Church with a capacity of 45

people at each Mass, including our weekend Masses. Registration is essential.

If you wish to attend a Mass, please contact the Parish Office on 66811 048

by 3pm on Fridays to register your name and contact details.

Religious Education News

Canteen Roster – Term 3 – Week 9

Monday, 14th September to Friday, 18th September

CANTEEN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Tammy is looking for volunteers for the canteen, if you are able to spare a couple

of hours, between 9am and 11:30, once a month please contact the school office

on 66863370 or see Tammy in the Canteen and just let her know what day suits

you.

11th September to 17th September

Monday, 14th September HELP NEEDED

Tuesday, 15th September HELP NEEDED

Wednesday, 16th September Tamara Ward, HELP NEEDED

Thursday, 17th September Christiana Whitty, HELP NEEDED

Friday, 18th September Sandra Gale & Sue Keough

Luke Maguire

Jaxon Farrell

Vinnie Girardi Paciello

Sianah Steele

Kyren Svennson

Happy Birthday

Qkr! App for

Canteen Lunch Orders

Please click on the link to view the

Qkr! “How to Guide”

Qkr! App Link

Canteen News

PLEASE NOTE Students are only able to order from the

Normal Menu - Monday to Friday.

There will be NO Friday Specials or

Sushi Days.

Orders to be made via the QKR App or orders to

be placed on a paper bag.

ALL orders to be placed by 8:55am.

Kinder

Braxton Whitton Ruby Hernage Albie Mather Zeiss Writer

Year 1

Jaxon Farrell Amy Sharpe Cannon Hamilton Einin Shannon

Year 2

Carlos Gonzalez Indiana Buchan Conrad Short Amity Hodges

Year 3

Coco Fuhrmann Hayden Kealy Jack Keough Lachlan Colegate

Year 4

Mia Castellari-Devlin Jayden King Sophie Wigley Maddison Mikaere

Year 5

Summa Christensen Xanthe Vaughan Bodie McPherson Marley Donald

Year 6

Beau Watson Finn Doyle Gus Ronchi Teleah Puglisi

Japanese Awards

Conrad Short Isaac Tunks

MJR Awards

Luke Dogan Patrick Richardson Charlotte Doyle Jake Watson Flynn McLennan

Please note changes are highlighted in blue

TERM 3

Week 9 Tuesday, 15th September School Gymnastics

Wednesday, 16th September School Gymnastics

Thursday,17th September School Gymnastics

Week 10 Monday, 21st September School Gymnastics

Tuesday, 22nd September School Gymnastics

Wednesday, 23rd September School Gymnastics

Man vs Child (Math Challenge) 2.30pm

STUDENTS LAST DAY TERM 3

Thursday, 24th September PUPIL FREE DAY – Staff Development Day

Dates to Remember

Student Awards Term 3, Week 8

Friday, 25th September PUPIL FREE DAY – Staff Development Day

TERM 4

Week 1 Monday, 12th October PUPIL FREE DAY – Staff Development Day

Tuesday, 13th October STUDENTS FIRST DAY OF TERM 4

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Pupil Free Days

(Staff Development Days)

Thursday, 24th September 2020

Friday, 25th September 2020

Monday, 12th October 2020

_________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ballina Nippers Sign on Day & Proficiency Swims

When: - Sunday, 13th September 2020

Time: - 2pm to 4pm.

Sign-on either at the club or online through the Members Portal. Once

registered, head to Shaw's Bay for the Proficiency Swim.

Nippers starts back on Sunday, 4th October 2020

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Community News

Last Day for Students

Term 3

Wednesday, 23rd September 2020

First Day for Students

Term 4

Tuesday, 13th October 2020

Parent Assembly News