This week we said farewell to Mrs Rochelle Plain as she takes maternity leave for the remainder of the year.

I thank Rochelle for the wonderful work she has done along with our Year 1 team in guiding our children

through a period of time that has been difficult for all of us. We wish Rochelle all the best and look forward

to hearing some wonderful news in due course. As Rochelle’s leave was brought forward, we are yet to

finalise her replacement, but will do this early next week.

Next year we will be restructuring our school’s Leadership team to include a second Assistant Principal. Mr

Ritchie will continue in his role as one of our Assistant Principals. The second AP position will also have the

specific role of supporting our staff and students in all areas relating to learning and teaching. This specific

domain encompasses curriculum developments, contemporary teaching practices and deep knowledge of the

various learning needs of our children. This position is currently advertised and we hope to have an

appointment to this position for 2021 shortly.

This week the team from Northern Rivers Original Kitchens installed some new cabinetry into our school

library. We now have two new movable integrated shelf units and cabinetry to support two new touch screen

monitors that will allow our children to access the library catalogue to search for books of interest and locate

them on our shelves. Thank you to Mr John Ryan and his team for this fine craftsmanship.

SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

Week 4 Term 3 Friday, 14th August 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…..

We are fast approaching the Sep 24 Mathematics showdown between staff/parents and students. Man vs Child

(which is really open to any of our teachers and parents) encourages our children to develop faster recall of

basic maths facts. This crucial skill improves accuracy and confidence in our young mathematicians as it

enables them to dedicate more of their working memory towards deeper problem solving strategies. Every

single child from Year 4 to Year 6 has seen a noticeable improvement in their own personal recall of

multiplication facts this term. Whilst only the top 5 from each year level from 4 to 6 will compete on the day,

the greatest achievement is in the personal success of each child in the lead up. Whilst this is only a small

part of the many skills our children will need to become competent mathematicians, it is absolutely crucial.

Thank you to Ballina RSL and Book Warehouse for your very generous donations of vouchers that will be

used as prizes for the final competition. Any other donations from families or local businesses would be

warmly received.

Peace in Christ,

Dan Gubby

Principal

Assistant Principal News…

We are very blessed at St Francis Xavier Primary to have access to such a range of excellent music tutors who

come into the school each week to instruct our students. Our Instrumental Music Program has grown in leaps

and bounds over the last few years thanks to the talents offered to our students by these dedicated musicians.

We presently have Sally Lindenberg, Dean Doyle, Michael Creary and Peter Jaggle. This diverse team offer

instruction in keyboard, woodwind, drums, singing, brass and guitar each week. This week I would like to

welcome Michael Goodall to the team.

Michael currently tutors string lessons at Xavier College and would like to extend his service to our school.

He will be visiting our Year 3 and Year 4 students in the coming weeks for a performance and to show the

students the different string instruments that are available to learn through him. Michael’s bio can be found

below.

Michael is a cellist with extensive experience in solo and ensemble performance. He

has several years’ experience privately teaching students of all ages on the Violin,

Viola and Cello, using a combination of Suzuki and AMEB methods.

Michael has been playing with Yellow Bird Trio in Brisbane since 2013 and has

performed at a variety of functions including weddings, receptions, Brisbane City Council events, public

concerts in historical venues and private events such as the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). In

2019, he performed with the Amatori Orchestra in Bangalow, Trio ConCerto and the Lismore Symphony

Orchestra

Earlier in his career, he was part of The Queensland Youth Symphony Orchestra in 2002, Brisbane

Philharmonic Orchestra in 2012 and 2014, and has experience as the Lead Cellist in Bundaberg Youth

Orchestra, Bundaberg State High Orchestra and String Orchestra and Amadeus Quartet.

If you would like your child to learn an instrument, please collect a form from the office or for further

information you can come and have a talk with myself or one of the tutors.

Regards and God Bless,

Matthew Ritchie

Assistant Principal

Parish Mass Times

The Assumption of Our Lady – Monday, 15th August

Bishop Greg has extended the suspension of the obligation of the faithful to attend Mass to this holy day

of obligation. This article from the Catholic Weekly explains the historical background and church

teaching related to this feast.

Monday, 15th August the Church celebrates the Feast Day of the Assumption of Our Lady when according to

our faith, the Holy Mother, “Having completed her course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into

heavenly glory”.

The Assumption signals the end of Mary’s earthly life and marks her return to heaven to be reunited with

Jesus. While the bodies of both Jesus and Mary are now in heaven, there is a difference between the

Assumption and the Resurrection. Where Jesus arose from the tomb and ascended into heaven by his own

power, Mary’s body was taken up to heaven by the power of her Son.

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

Praying with Music

Matt Maher’s Hold us Together reminds us that even though we may be far apart from each other, God’s love

holds us together. https://youtu.be/hqDvJz3ykRc

Xavier Catholic College Youth Ministry Visit

On Tuesday morning the 11th of August Year 4 students

welcomed Mr Eyles, Youth Ministry and Year 10 Xavier

Ministry students to our classroom. The morning centred on the

importance of Jesus in our lives. Our Year 4 students were

involved in a range of fun activities including singing, dance,

cooperative games, drama and prayer. We thank Mr Eyles,

Youth Ministry and Year 10 Xavier students for their visit.

Keep safe and well

God Bless

Kerrily Jelfs

Leader of School Evangelisation

Kristie Coster

Leader of Catechesis

Canteen Roster – Term 3 – Week 5

Monday, 17th August to Friday, 21st August

Monday, 17th August HELP NEEDED

Tuesday, 18th August HELP NEEDED

Wednesday, 19th August Tamara Ward, HELP NEEDED

Thursday, 20th August Christiana Whitty, HELP NEEDED

Friday, 21st August Sandra Gale, Sue Keough

CANTEEN NEWS

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.

14th August to 20th August

Zahlia Chilcott

Guneet Virk

Lakeirra Jarrett-Torrens

Juliette Gubby

Adelaide Boronski

Max Davy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Qkr! App for

Canteen Lunch Orders

Please click on the link to view the

Qkr! “How to Guide”

Qkr! App Link

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.

Facebook Page

The school Facebook page has now been published. We will be using this platform as a celebration of events

that have happened within our school community. This will not be the main communication page for parents,

so please ensure you continue to read our weekly school newsletters and class communication pages for other

important information and updates. Go ahead and like us @ St Francis Xavier Primary School, Ballina. Or

click on the link below.

SFX Facebook Page

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Absences Please remember to answer the SMS that will be sent out the day of the

absence. This SMS must be answered on the day it is sent. The SMS

is for absences only. Remember, all student absences need to be

accounted for. Accounting for student absences is a legal requirement

for all schools. Your assistance in providing the relevant information

to us regarding your child’s absences daily is appreciated.

Signing Students In and Out of School

If students are arriving late to school, they must be

signed in at the school office.

If students are leaving school early they must be

collected and signed out at the school office.

Students Feeling Unwell

We cannot stress enough the importance of the advice that if your child is sick or

exhibits any symptoms of being unwell, they must not come to school.

You must keep them at home and away from others. While most are following

this advice we do, from time to time, have someone who does not.

PARENT NOTICES

If a student falls ill while at school or exhibits symptoms of being unwell, the current procedures apply and a

parent or guardian will be contacted to attend to collect the student. If the parent or guardian is not available

to collect the student, contact will be made with the student’s emergency contact who will be asked to collect

the child.

Your cooperation and support are appreciated as it is important for the safety of all members of our School

Community. Student should not return to school until they are well and symptom free.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Enrolments for 2021

Could you please encourage anyone you are aware of who is looking to

enrol their child in any year level in 2021 to do so now – we are starting to

make decisions about 2021 and we would hate anyone to miss out on a

place.

Due to the current situation regarding COVID-19, the Inter-School Public Speaking Competition will not be

taking place this year. However, we can still carry out a grade based Public Speaking learning task within

our classrooms to allow for the participation and growth for our students in this

important skill.

The task is completely optional for students and preparation is done at home.

Students wishing to take part need to return the nomination form sent home today

to their class teacher as soon as possible. Then they should prepare a poem or

speech according to their Grade level listed in the table below. They will deliver

the speech or poem in front of their classmates on a date that their class teacher

specifies to students and their parents. We appreciate your support and

encouragement for your child to participate in public speaking. If there are any questions, or you require

another note, please feel free to email me.

Kindergarten Poetry recitation Recite a poem from memory for about 1 minute.

Year 1 and Year 2 Poetry recitation

or speech

Recite a poem from memory for about 1 minute or speak on a

topic of their choice for about 1 minute.

Year 3 and Year 4 Poetry recitation

or speech

Recite a poem from memory for about 2 minutes or speak on a

topic of their choice for about 2 minutes.

Year 5 and Year 6 Poetry recitation

or speech

Recite a poem from memory for about 3 minutes or speak on a

topic of their choice for about 3 minutes.

Hayley Loadsman

hayley.loadsman@lism.catholic.edu.au

PUBLIC SPEAKING NEWS

This year’s theme for book week is ‘Curious

Creatures, Wild Minds’.

Book week is the opportunity to spend one glorious

week celebrating books and Australian children's

authors and illustrators. It’s a time of colourful

displays, reading activities, competitions, dress-up

parades and the telling and sharing of stories to

highlight the importance of reading.

At St Francis Xavier we will be celebrating Book Week from Monday, 24th August to Friday, 27th

August.

Unfortunately, given the current restrictions, we are unable to invite our parent and

family community to any of the events this year but we will share the events with you via

Facebook and the school newsletter.

Please see below the scheduled events throughout the week: -

EVENT DATE

Dress-up & Parade Monday, 24th August

Writer’s Festival Wednesday, 26th August

Further information to be provided.

Scholastic Book Fair Monday, 24th – Friday, 27th

Students will visit the book fair with their teachers to browse the

books & make a wish list. Forms will be provided. Further

information will be included in next week’s newsletter regarding

payment for the purchase of these books.

Sharing Stories Monday, 24th – Friday, 27th

Daniel Gubby and Matthew Ritchie will be visiting classrooms

to read and share their favourite picture book or one of the CBCA

shortlisted books for 2020.

BOOK WEEK

Scholastic Book

Fair

Monday, 24th August - Friday, 27th August

This year the Scholastic Book Fair will be as follows:

● Students will visit the fair with class teachers and write out a Wish List

● Students will take the Wish List home

Instructions for paying online:

1. Click on the online payment portal https://parentpayments.scholastic.com.au/ (as per

wish List)

2. Enter State and School

3. Enter credit card details and amount

4. Record receipt number on the Wish List or print receipt

5. Bring Wish List back to the class teacher to collect books

Cash Orders: Wish List and money in a sealed envelope to be taken to the school office.

TERM 3

Week 5 Tuesday, 18th August School Gymnastics

Wednesday, 19th August School Gymnastics

Thursday, 20th August School Gymnastics

Week 6 Monday, 24th August Book Week

Scholastic Book Fair - Monday to Friday

Book Week Dress Up Day for Students

Tuesday, 25th August Book Week

School Gymnastics

Wednesday, 26th August Book Week

Writer’s Festival

School Gymnastics

Thursday, 27th August Book Week

DATES TO REMEMBER

School Gymnastics

Friday, 28th August Book Week

Week 7 Tuesday, 1st September School Gymnastics

Wednesday, 2nd September School Gymnastics

Thursday, 3rd September School Gymnastics

Friday, 4th September Brainstorm Production – Buddies – K-6

Week 8 Tuesday, 8th September School Gymnastics

Wednesday, 9th September School Gymnastics

Thursday,10th September School Gymnastics

Week 9 Tuesday, 15th September School Gymnastics

Wednesday, 16th September School Gymnastics

Thursday,17th September School Gymnastics

Week 10 Tuesday, 22nd September School Gymnastics

Wednesday, 23rd September School Gymnastics

Thursday, 24th September School Gymnastics

Friday, 25th September LAST DAY TERM 3

SPORTS NEWS

PARENT ASSEMBLY NEWS

Dear Parents,

During Term 3 on Tuesday 15 September, 2020, Mr Daniel Gubby will be involved in a principal appraisal

process as part of his contract of employment. The appraisal process seeks information from a variety of

people associated with the parish school and uses a number of tools to ensure effective consultation. The

process aims to highlight the positive aspects of the leadership offered and identify areas for further

development.

A timeline is currently being arranged to suit the needs of the parish school community. The appraisal will

be conducted by a School Service Consultant from the Catholic Schools Office.

The full principal appraisal process involves:

• a survey and self-appraisal statement completed by the principal

• an interview with the principal

• input as arranged with the parish priest

• surveys of parents, parish school staff and Catholic Schools Office personnel

• interviews with the Schools Leadership Team

• interviews with a random selection of staff who request an interview with the Chair

• interviews with a random selection of parents who request an interview with the Chair

The preferred method of survey completion is by the online survey form. A link to this form will be

forwarded to your email address. Please ensure your current email address is registered at the school as

this survey link will be sent to you two to three weeks prior to the appraisal. Parents may express their

interest to be interviewed via this electronic form. Not all those who express an interest to be interviewed

will be contacted. If not contacted, then parents may wish to email the Chair with their comments.

Anonymous comments and emails will not be considered.

In writing the appraisal report, the Chair makes use of the information gathered but does not identify

sources. The principal does not sight the original returns. Every family in the school is encouraged to

complete a survey.

Your support of the appraisal process is appreciated.

Yours sincerely,

John Wilson

Chair

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE NEWS