Dear Parents and Community Members 

Welcome

Welcome back! I hope everyone had a restful and enjoyable break, recharging for what promises to be a fantastic Term 4. This term is always filled with excitement, not only because we’re wrapping up another successful year but because of the anticipation of our Christmas Concert! The Christmas Concert is one of the highlights of our school calendar. It’s a chance for our students to shine, showcasing their talents and spreading joy throughout our community.  Remember to save the date!

I am honoured to inform you that the Executive Director of Catholic Education has extended my contract, and I will be continuing as Acting Principal for Term 4 while Frank remains on leave. It is a privilege to support and lead our wonderful school during this time, and I am deeply committed to ensuring a positive and successful term for all. 

Frank is embarking on an exciting and meaningful journey—a Mary MacKillop pilgrimage he has been wanting to undertake for many years. We wish him all the best as he takes this important time for reflection and personal growth, and we look forward to his return. 

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our school community. I am excited for the term ahead and the opportunities it brings. 

As we dive into the new term, we will continue to focus on learning, growth, and the many activities that make our school a wonderful place to be. 

Let’s embrace the energy and excitement that Term 4 brings! 

2025 Requests  

As we begin preparing for the 2025 school year, I would like to address any requests that may relate to your child's learning experience. Please note that requests for specific teachers cannot be accommodated. All our teachers work collaboratively to ensure the same high-quality curriculum is delivered across the board, and each of them are dedicated to supporting every child's learning and development.  

If your request aligns with our ability to support your child's learning, you will not be contacted further. However, if we are unable to meet your request, you will be contacted.  

Should you wish to make a request, please send it via email to cfrasca@whitefriars.catholic.edu.au no later than Monday, 28th October, Week 3 Term 4.  

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we continue to work together to provide the best learning environment for your child.  

Looking forward to a productive and joyful term together. 

Yours faithfully, 

Catia Frasca 

Welcome to Term 4. Only 9 weeks of the 2024 school year remaining!

During this term we look forward to celebrating and sharing All Saints/All Souls Day Liturgy, The Blessing of the Cribs Liturgy and the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal.  Please make sure to check the Parent Calendar for dates.

On the last day of Term 3 we gathered as a community on the school oval to acknowledge the Season of Creation with a prayer service. We thanked God for all the blessings of creation; not just our common home, Mother Earth and all the gifts it gives us, but especially for the creation of each of us – God’s people. It was also a way of celebrating the completion of our MITIOG lessons where we learnt that God created human beings, making them to be like himself. In God’s image means we are made to be good, kind, caring, respectful and loving.  The main theme of the prayer service was, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!” (Ps 150:6).  A big thank you to Mrs. Harrold for playing the violin and Mrs. Moffat, together with the Year 5 choir for singing our final song and lastly our SRC Reps for leading us in prayer.  Please view the images.  We hope you notice the sun was shining, buddies sat together and the spirit of service at work.

Congratulations to Emana S, Poppy R, Agnita A, Dylan H, Sophia T and Fabian C for being nominated and receiving a St Mary of the Cross Spirit of Service Award

Our Term Four St Mary of the Cross Spirit Awards will focus on the following virtues: 

Week 1 – 4: Whole School Focus on the Virtue of Spirit of a Listening Heart  

• This virtue not only highlights Mary MacKillop’s character, but we are also reminded during Advent that both Mary the Mother of God and Joseph listened attentively to the angels’ messages about the coming of Jesus. 

Week 4 – 8: Whole School Focus on the Virtue of Spirit of Strength and Courage  

• These virtues that Mary MacKillop consistently showed throughout her life were also qualities Mary and Joseph displayed as they travelled to Bethlehem and looked for a place for baby Jesus to be born.  

The St Mary of the Cross Awards will be acknowledged at Community Prayer in Week 4 and Week 8. 

• Week 1 - TERM 4
• Monday - 14th October - Help Needed
• Tuesday - 15th October - Anne Vu
• Wednesday - 16th October - No Help Needed
• Thursday - 17th October - Tina Bodjo/Helen Burns-Clarke
• Friday - 18th October - Help Needed

• Week 2 - TERM 4
• Monday - 21st October - Help Needed
• Tuesday - 22nd October - Anne Vu
• Wednesday - 23rd October - No Help Needed
• Thursday - 24th October - Tina Bodjo/Helen Burns-Clarke
• Friday - 25th October - Help Needed

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.

What is healing? Inner healing, Healing of the family tree, The healing power of forgiveness, The healing power of listening, The healing power of the Sacraments, General prayer for Inner healing. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Reconciliation, Sunday Mass.

When:

Saturday, 19th October 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM & Sunday, 20th October 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM  

Where:

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church, 420 Seaview Road, Henley Beach  

Speaker:

Fr. Manu Kumbidiyamackal MSFS 

Cost:

Cash donation.

What to Bring:

Please bring your own lunch - tea and coffee will be provided.

Contact: 

For enquiries and bookings, call Pauline at 0403 002 240 by 16th October.  

We hope to see you there!  

We are seeking a passionate parent or caregiver to join our Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) Committee. Your input will help shape and enhance our out of school hours care program.

The commitment involves attending just one meeting per term, lasting approximately 1 hour.

If you are interested in contributing to our school community in this meaningful way, or would like to know more about what is involved, please email info@whitefriars.catholic.edu.au to register your interest.

We look forward to your participation.

Dear Families,

We are currently conducting Term 3, 2026 student enrolment interviews.

Term 1, 2027 interviews will be scheduled in Term 1, 2025.

All interviews are usually scheduled 2 years before commencement date.

PLEASE ENSURE ALL SIBLINGS ARE ENROLLED FOR ALL FUTURE YEARS.

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.