Dear Parents and Community Members

Significant Volunteers

Last Monday, to mark the beginning of National Volunteer Week, as a school community we acknowledged 7 significant volunteers: Samara Bell, Lina Sotiropoulos, Andreia Santos, Jade Lehmann, Anthony Coggins, Amanda Fletcher and Amanda Pilkington.

I have attached part of my speech I shared on this special occasion:

One of the most remarkable aspects of our volunteers is their diversity of skills and experiences. Each brings a unique perspective and expertise that enriches the educational journey of our students. Our significant volunteers have supported with important guidance on the School Board, supporting on the Finance Committee, supporting the Canteen committee, raising money through Parents and Friends, coaching sport, team manager for after school sports teams, excursions, and sporting carnival supervision their ongoing impact over many years is immeasurable.

Beyond the tangible contributions they make, our volunteers serve as powerful role models of faith, kindness, and generosity. Through their acts of service, they instil in all our students the importance of giving back to others and living out the values of compassion and empathy. They teach lessons that extend far beyond the confines of textbooks, shaping the character and moral compass of the next generation.

Moreover, the presence of volunteers fosters a sense of community and belonging within our school. They forge connections between generations, bridging the gap between past and present, and creating bonds that endure long after graduation. Their dedication strengthens the fabric of our school family, creating a supportive environment where every individual is valued and cherished.

As we reflect on the profound impact of our volunteers, let us express our deepest gratitude for their unwavering commitment and selfless service. They are the unsung heroes who embody the true spirit of our Catholic faith, inspiring us all to live lives of purpose and service.

Frank Congedi

Debating

Last Thursday our school commenced ‘Debating ‘as part of our Enrichment Program. Supported by Tim Krieg and Nicholas Guidolin the following students (Lucy G, Tom W, Tanay, Dylan H, Florina L, Linh N, Zara D F and Zen B took part in their first debate at Grange Primary school.

Reading Buddies

With the support of our Leader of Learning Phuong Chi Twigden, we have re-commenced Reading Buddies in Year 5 and 6 who support younger children for 15 minutes each Tuesday and Wednesday morning. We were very pleased that we have nearly 50 students volunteering for this role where both the older Reading Buddies is learning valuable skills to pass on to their younger children.

High School Uniform standards

Thank you for your ongoing support of children wearing the correct winter uniform. Please remember that children are required to wear their long blue sleeve shirt and tie. If your child is not wearing the current uniform on any given day, please inform the teacher in person or via email. Thank you for your support in this matter.

Social Media

At State Government level, our Premier Peter Malinauskas has commenced discussion about putting forward legislation to further move the legal age to 14 years old for social media platform. Whilst there is another initiative called ‘Let Them Be Kids’ where there are ongoing efforts to move this age to 16 years old to provide a further 36 months support for our Australian children minimising possible exposure to cyberbullying and inappropriate content.

While all the above unfolds, I want to once again remind all parents that, at present, the following social media platforms are for children 13 years old and over. This means that no primary age child should have a personal account with Snap Chat, Discord, Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok or Utube Channels. Parents need to resist any pressure that your child places on you to begin using these social media platforms as they are not psychologically mature yet.

Messenger Kids is available for children below the age of 13, however, it is essential that it is linked in a way that parents can monitor their child’s conversations as children have been, at times, unkind and hurtful in their messages or videos.

My aim to is encourage all parents to make our school community free of social media and work together as a school community to provide the safest possible emotional environment whilst at school which is both the physical school environment and the online world environment.

Kind Regards

Frank Congedi 

Dear Families,

Please be advised interviews will be scheduled mid 2024 for children enrolled to commence T3 2026 & T1 2027.

PLEASE ENSURE ALL SIBLINGS ARE ENROLLED FOR ALL FUTURE YEARS.

Thank you 

Last Sunday did you get to celebrate the birthday of the Church, Pentecost? If you know about it please continue to share this good news. Pentecost marks the end of the Easter season and it was from this event, where the Holy Spirit filled the hearts of believers, that the disciples went forth to spread the good news and establish the Church.

St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal

We can work together, like the disciples, and use the fruits of the Holy Spirit – goodness, gentleness, patience, peace, love, joy, kindness, faithfulness, and self-control to support the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal. Our help and small gesture can make someone, we will never meet, smile. So, next time we go shopping we can do the work of the holy spirit by adding an extra item or two to our trolley.

This year Whitefriars Catholic School would like to make meal boxes with a variety of items. For example, a breakfast box may have cereal, shelf-stable milk, canned fruit and honey. A dinner box may have canned fish or meat, rice, tomato sauce, pasta, noodles, soy sauce and canned vegetables. The ideas are limitless. Our collection boxes will be outside the old canteen window; under the mural with the words, ‘In All Things Kindness’. Each morning and afternoon they will be out for students and families to drop off their donations. Some Year 4 SRC Reps have made signs for the boxes naming the meal. We ask you think about which meal your donation will most likely belong to. If you prefer to make a money donation class teachers have fundraising moneyboxes in their classrooms. All funds raised will help support “The Working Homeless’ who are struggling with poverty because of the cost-of-living pressures yet they still hold a job. Our school works closely with Sister Catherine from the Croydon Parish who volunteers for St Vincent de Paul and she is keen to collect the items, with fellow volunteers, at our Week 8 Assembly. That gives us five weeks to do our part to add love to the Croydon Parish’s pantry.

Staff Faith Formation Opportunity

The annual Josephite Colloquium, North Sydney, has been attended by two of our staff for many years. The events have been fruitful gatherings providing participants with resources around themes like, ‘Living the Josephite Spirit Today’ and Mary and Julian – Models for a Contemporary World’. This week one of our Year 2 teachers, Miss Cagliuso and Year 3 teachers, Mrs Tedesco have departed for Sydney after being selected as our representatives for 2024.

We wish them well as they unite with other teachers from Josephite schools across Australia, in the spirit of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, to be inspired, learn about and celebrate all things Josephite.

A Spiritual Growth weekend will be held on Saturday 1st June 9:15am - 3:30pm and Sunday 2nd June 9:30am - 3:30pm At Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church 420 Seaview Road Henley Beach.

Speaker: Fr Manu Kumbidiyamackal msfs

The weekend will include Mass 9:15am Saturday Mass 9:30am Sunday Talks given by Fr Manu Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.

Silent Reflection, Reconciliation, Prayer Ministry, and Benediction.

Please bring your own lunch tea/coffee provided.

Enquiries and bookings phone Pauline 0403002240 by 30th May Cost by Donation All Welcome

Empowering Faith: Prayer in Action within the 2A Community

In our recent Religious Education sessions, we've delved into various forms of prayer, exploring their significance and practices.

Among these, we've explored the meditative art of creating mandalas using pebbles, accompanied by reflective background music.

This unique approach encourages contemplation and spiritual connection through artistic expression. Here are some captivating snapshots of our class, 2A, immersed in the process of prayerful mandala creation.

Welcome back to Parent Corner.

Family Goal Setting

There is no doubt that goals help us achieve. Evidence overwhelmingly supports this. But success with goal-setting, especially in family life, is more about a combination of knowing what you want and then building the system to underpin it.

In this week’s Insight’s Article ‘Family Goal Setting’, it focuses on three main things that will help sustain success in family goals and system building. In this article, Justin emphasises the importance of involving children in family goal systems. When children actively participate in family goal setting and experience autonomy, involvement with you, and moments of success and achievement, motivation is high, systems succeed, and your family is more likely to achieve. For more parenting information, visit the Happy Families website: https://happyfamilies.com.au./

Thank you.

Grace Loizos gloizos@whitefriars.catholic.edu.au

• Week 5   - TERM 2
• Monday - 27th May- Help needed
• Tuesday - 28th May -  Anne Vu
• Wednesday - 29th May - No help needed
• Thursday - 30th May - Tino Bodjo
• Friday -  31st May  - Hwlp needed

• Week 6  - TERM 2
• Monday 3rd June - Help needed
• Tuesday 4th June-  Anne Vu
• Wednesday 5th June - No help needed
• Thursday 6th June - Tino Bodjo/ Helen Burns-Clarke
• Friday -  7th June -  Help neededt

We have over 280 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.

If you child/children will not be attending school for an extended time (more than 5 days) please complete the above form and return to the Front Office  in advance.

Please note a form must be completed for each child.

Thank you 

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.