Our Mission is ‘to work in an environment of mutual respect for cultures and backgrounds and celebrating the Gospel principles in order to achieve quality education for all.’

‘You are the Light of the world, let Jesus shine through you to others.’

Matthew 5:14-16

Mission through Courage, Kindness and Reconciliation

During 2024 our educational focus will be to improve Literacy and Numeracy skills — staff, students and families working together so all our students achieve at least 12 months growth. Other goals for the year are:

Build a community that continues to learn - Implement system Literacy and Numeracy initiatives which will increase student assessment data.

Enhance and maintain the wellbeing of all - Continued increase of attendance rates and implementation of school-wide Well Being Policy.

Build a community that is connected - Increased promotion of the school Vision and Mission statements throughout the community and to continue to increase family attendance at school events.

Leadership Team for  St Francis Xavier School in 2025

During 2024 our school has been led by Mrs Rachael Morris and Mrs Jacinta Elwin as co-principals, with Mrs Amy Golding as our Religious Education Co-ordinator. We have worked extremely well together as a cohensive and supportive leadership team throughout the year. I would like to thank Mrs Morris and Mrs Golding for their dedication and for all the extra work they have put in this year for our whole school community.

As this leadership arrangement has worked will for the school, Catholic Education, Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn (CECG) have accepted my request to continue this arrangement for 2025, with the same arrangements - where I will be able to work part-time in the Principal role and share this important responsibility, with Mrs Morris as Co-Principals together.

I am pleased to congratulate Mrs Rachael Morris in her continued appointment of the Co-Principal of St Francis Xavier School in 2025, and to Mrs Amy Golding in her continued appointment as Acting REC in 2025. 

Thank you for your support to our leadership team of St Francis Xavier School and thank you for your continued support moving forward.

A PRAYER FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER

God of Compassion,

We remember with gratitude and love all the people we have known and who you have called home to yourself. In this month of the holy souls we give thanks for the great cloud of witnesses who have shaped us, inspired us, loved us and forgiven us.

We pray especially for our deceased family members, knowing that they also pray for us. We hold out to you the millions who are dying because of war, famine, disease and climate change. We pray for refugees who die in search of safety. May our sorrow encourage us to work for a more just world where every life is treated with equal dignity. Living and dead, we are all your family. May your perpetual light shine on us all.

Amen.

Dear Families,

Information regarding our school’s bushfire emergency arrangements for the upcoming bushfire season.

Our school is located in a bushfire-prone area as identified by the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS). To ensure the health, safety, and welfare of our students and staff, Catholic Education has determined that on days when the RFS declares a Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating for our region, our school will close temporarily the following day.

In cases where there is an Extreme Fire Danger Rating or a High Fire Danger Rating, Catholic Education may also consider closing the school the next day. This decision will be based on consultation with the RFS and in alignment with local NSW Education schools.

There may be times when our school will need to close temporarily due to changing, high-risk conditions or based on advice from emergency services and the State Emergency Operations Centre. The Fire Danger Rating itself does not indicate an imminent bushfire but rather signifies weather conditions that could lead to a high risk of bushfire, and our goal is to proactively safeguard our school community.

Should there be any change to the school’s operational status for the following day, we will notify families after 4 pm. Please ensure your contact information with the school is up-to-date so we can reach you promptly.

In the event of a catastrophic or extreme fire warning closure, there will be no staff on-site. To stay informed on bushfire or grassfire activity, we recommend using the Hazards Near Me app, where you can set a watch zone for our school area, and monitoring local media. You can also find updates on fire activity and alert levels on the NSW Rural Fire Service website.

Further updates regarding school operations will be available through:

· Our school website or Facebook page

· The Catholic Education Archdiocese of Canberra & Goulburn website at www.cg.catholic.edu.au 

We encourage all families to follow the advice of the NSW Rural Fire Service and to develop a bushfire plan with your household. Creating a plan can take as little as five minutes. Discussing it with your family in advance will help ensure everyone knows what to do in the event of a fire. You can create or review your plan at www.myfireplan.com.au 

If you would like further information on this matter, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Brochures will go home this week for the last issue of Book Club for the year. Can all orders be sent into school by Friday 29th November, next Friday. Thanks for your support throughout the year.