TERM 4

• Fri, 27th Oct - Year 1 Excursion
• Wed, 1st Nov- School Board Meeting
• Wed 1st Nov - All Saint's Day
• Thurs 2nd Nov - All Soul's Day
• Fri 3rd Nov - Year 6 Parish Mass
• Wed, 8th Nov - Instrumental Concert
• Fri, 10th Nov -Year 4 Parish Mass
• Mon, 13th Nov 5.15pm Children's University Graduation
• Fri, 17th Nov - Year 3 Parish Mass
• Wed, 29th Nov - P & F Meeting 
• Wed, 29th Nov - School Board Meeting
• Fri, 1st Dec, Year 2 Parish Mass
• Wed, 5th Dec Volunteer Morning Tea 
• Fri, 8th Dec Year 2 End of Year Excursion
• Fri, 8th Dec, Year 1 Parish Mass
• Tues, 12th Dec -Thanksgiving Mass
• Tues, 12th Dec - Year 6 Graduation
• Thurs, 14th Dec - Last Day of School 3:05pm dismissal
• Thurs, 14th Dec- Leadership Assembly
• Thurs, 14th Dec- Year 6 Graduation Party
• Fri, 15th Dec - Pupil Free Day

Dear Parents and Community Members

The children have made a good start to Term 4, sharing many stories of what they did during the term break and re-connecting with their peers at school.

My hope for our Year 6 children is that they have a wonderful last term with us before they move to secondary education.

I took the opportunity to speak to this extraordinary group of children on the first day of Term 4 to wish them well and that my prayers were with them at this time.

They are such caring leaders in our school looking after our younger children with such tenderness. I take this opportunity to thank the Year 6 parents who are currently planning for their Year 6 party at the end of this year. It is very much appreciated.

This week, I took the opportunity to speak to the Years 4 and 5 children about leadership. I spoke to them about the example of servant leadership model that Jesus demonstrated and how important it was to be a caring, compassionate, and courageous leader who builds others up.

At out last assembly, in Term 3 I shared the news that one of our Year 1 children Aria Mammone was diagnosed with Leukemia. The news came as a shock to her family and the school. Doctors are optimistic that the treatment will go well, however, treatment for Leukemia is long and can take around 2 years. I have used a description with the children used by the doctor that the treatment is about getting rid of the weeds so the flowers can grow so you might wish to continue using this with your child if they ask questions.

I will be sending a letter soon about how we can support Aria as a community with infections as she will have a compromised immune system. I thank you in anticipation for your support of Aria and that you keep the Mammone family in your prayers for strength and courage.

Class Allocation

Thank you to the parents who have emailed me on fcongedi@whitefriars.catholic.edu.au in regards to consideration for next year.

Please refer to the letter and I am happy to extend these requests until Friday the 3rd of November.

World Teacher’s Day

On Friday 27th of October we celebrate National World Teachers’ Day. One of the gifts of this school community is that you, as parents, value and appreciate our teachers and our support staff, and you instill this in your children.

Consequently, our children are respectful of our staff making it a truly wonderful school. As we celebrated our STEM Expo yesterday focusing on Asian Perspectives, I am sure you would agree on how hard our teachers work and the commitment and dedication of our staff is exceptional.

Kind Regards

Frank Congedi

Welcome back for Term 4, I hope you all have managed to have a wonderful break with your children and have come back refreshed and ready for another busy term to finish off the 2023 school year.

Community Prayer in Term 4

Community Prayer will continue to be held on Monday mornings in the Mary Mackillop Hall. The roster for Term 4 is as follows:

Week 3 – 30th October – led by Year 4 Unit

Week 4 – 6th November – led by Year 6 Unit

Week 5 – 13th November – led by Reception Unit

Week 6 – 20th November – led by Year 2 Unit

Week 7 – 27th November – led by the Leadership team

Week 8 – 4th December – led by Year 1 Unit

Week 9 – 11th December – led by Year 5 Unit

All parents and caregivers are invited to join and be present for Community Prayer

End of Year Thanksgiving Mass / Year 6 Graduation

Plans are underway for our two major end of term celebrations – the End of Year Thanksgiving Mass and the Year 6 Graduation ceremony. Both events will be held on Tuesday the 12th of December (Week 9) in the Mary MacKillop Hall.

The End of Year Thanksgiving Mass will likely be held during the day (time of Mass to be advised) with all students attending, and parents will be invited to attend.

The Year 6 Graduation celebration will be held at night (time TBC) – with families of the graduating students invited to attend.

Further information regarding both of these important community events will be forthcoming over the next few weeks.

2024 Sacramental Program

Enrolments for the 2024 Sacramental Program will open later this term, and will close by the end of the 2023 school year. The program is open to any child who is baptised Catholic and is 8 years or older (generally in Year 3 or older from 2023). Children are able to participate in all three sacraments – Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Holy Communion. Further information will be made available in a later newsletter, and enrolment forms (when available) will be handed out to students in Year 2 – 5 who are on our record as being Catholic, and haven’t completed the sacraments as part of this year’s program.

Please do not hesitate to come and see with me, or contact me via email jpage@whitefriars.catholic.edu.au if you have any questions

Journey to Emmaus – Year 6 Leadership Program

This Friday our Year 6 students completed the second day of the Year 6 Leadership program called Journey to Emmaus.

This day involves the students actively participating in service leadership activities to support those communities less fortunate. This year the students have created sockballs using odd socks, plastic bags and string which will be used as part of a fundraising day for Catholic Mission later this term. Our Year 6 students will coordinate this day and more information will be forthcoming about the date and the activity next week.

Social Justice activities this term – St. Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal / Christmas Giving Tree

Later this term we will be completing our annual social justice activities to support the St. Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal.

Traditionally we ask for donation of food items to create Christmas Hampers for those in need, however in the past we have occasionally changed this fundraiser to purchasing food vouchers instead.

I am currently working with our local Chapter of St. Vincent de Paul to determine what will meet their needs this year.

We will also hold our usual Christmas Giving Tree social justice activity as well – a tree will be setup hopefully in the new library window, and families who are able to donate a present will be asked to place this gift under the tree.

These presents are then donated to charity to be given to children in need this Christmas.

Both activities will occur later this term – likely between weeks 6 and 8. Further information will be made available through future newsletters, Audiri and Seesaw. I thank you in advance for your support of these activities.

Josh Page

APRIM

5M STEM Project

In 5M, we have been busy at work, diving into the exciting world of STEM! These budding innovators have taken on the role of travel agents and embarked on a journey of creativity and exploration.

Combining their research, design, technology, and mathematics skills to craft captivating displays for the STEM showcase.

These projects are a testament to their dedication and ingenuity.

Our young travel agents harnessed their knowledge and creativity to develop enticing travel deals for their respective countries, showcasing their remarkable abilities in planning, organization, and problem-solving. Using a green screen, they even created captivating advertisements to promote their destinations.

Here are the groups for the STEM project showing off their displays! Enjoy

Each year we have over 100 registered volunteers who help our school in so many different ways, contributing to our school and supporting children and staff.  Registered volunteers contribute to the school community in just some of the following ways:

• School Board 
• Parents & Friends events
• After School Sports (Coaches and Team Managers)
• Canteen
• Learning Assistance Program (LAP)
• Reading with children
• Assisting at excursions

All volunteers are required to obtain appropriate clearances, including a Department of Human Services (DHS) Clearance and Catholic Clearance.

Once submitted, clearances may take up to 6 weeks to process.

When you receive your clearance or card please bring this into the office for us to update to the Volunteer Register.

If you would like to volunteer, please see staff in the front office for a Volunteer Information Pack and support in registering as a volunteer.

Please see below for current volunteers wanted in our school.

Thankyou to the following volunteers assisting in Term 4, Week 1 & 2.

If you would like to contribute to this wonderful school community and spend some of your day making delicious food, chatting and laughing in good company, having fun and of course drinking coffee, whether you are able to assist for both recess and lunch, or just an hour, it makes a huge difference and we would love to have you join us.

• Monday - Friday
• Times: all day (9-1:30pm), recess (10:50-11:30am), lunch (12:50-1:30pm) or just an hour wherever you can!
• Tasks include: Making popcorns, jellies, sandwiches, assembling burgers, serving at the counter, packing lunches and stacking the chip rack.

Tasks are given in very easy, manageable steps so everyone can comfortably learn as you go.  No experience necessary!

If you would like to volunteer some time in the Canteen or would like to ask questions about what is involved, please contact Iris at the Canteen before school.

Iris Mori

Canteen Manager

We acknowledge and pay our respect to the Kaurna people as the traditional owners of the land of Mikawomma on which Whitefriars Catholic School is located.  We come with open hearts and minds to listen and learn from Elders - past, present and emerging.