Term 2, Issue 2

As we reach the conclusion of Term 2 and the half-way point of the school year it is wonderful to look back on another busy yet rewarding term. Staff and students have all worked hard over the past ten weeks and as always there are many wonderful events and learning to be reflected upon such as camps, Mother’s Day celebrations, class excursions, sports carnivals, P7F Quiz Night and our first ever Nature Play Festival to name just a few.

We now have the chance to take a short break over the next two weeks before moving into Term and what promises to be another term of rich learning experiences, fun activities and opportunities to further build our school community. We will also welcome our Mid-Year Reception students commencing their schooling at SFX. You will have seen over the past few weeks, things slowly happening with the new classrooms on the oval. Work will continue full ahead over the holidays to have them ready early next term (please pray for good weather).

Twilight Nature Play Festival

Among the many highlights of Term 2 was the Twilight Nature Play Festival, an event that brought together over 250 students and their families to celebrate the wonders of the natural world. The festival featured immersive activities, creative workshops, and moments of shared joy that highlighted the value of outdoor play and community engagement. It was a wonderful evening that provided a range of experiences that some families may not have experienced before and helped to build and strengthen the connections within our school community.

Farewell

Sadly, we farewell our Enza Messina (Business Manager) this week as she embarks on a new role as the Business Manager at Gleeson College. We would like to acknowledge her dedication, hard work and contribution to the school over the past three years. We wish her every success as she commences her new role at Gleeson College and will miss her extensive knowledge and understanding of the SFX community.

Ashlee McCarthy (Year 1) is also departing SFX at the end of this term. She has won a position within the independent sector and will be undertaking a role as class teacher and year level leader. We also thank Ashlee for her hard work and efforts across the school as a teacher and in acting leadership positions and wish her well in her future role.

SAPSASA Football

Two weeks ago, I was fortunate to coach the SAPSASA Boys Football team. The boys showcased sportsmanship, effort, teamwork, respect and perseverance throughout the day and towards their opponents, officials and school staff. The boys won four out the five games they played, finishing in second place in Division One. I would like to thank and acknowledge them all for representing SFX in such a positive manner.

Key dates Term 3

The key dates below will help you plan ahead and stay across what will be another busy term at SFX. Please note that there is a Pupil Free Day on Monday, 21^st July and that Term 3 will commence on the Tuesday.

21st July: Pupil Free Day

22nd July: First day of term

6th August: 9:15am Whole School Mass

15th August: 9:15am Whole School Liturgy- Feast of the Assumption

19th & 20th August: Year 6 Musical

22nd August: 9:00am Book Week Parade

3rd September: Father's Day stall

4th September: 8:00am Father's Day celebration

5th September: Pupil Free Day

12th September: 9:00am Grandparents / Special Friend’s Day 

16th September: 6:00pm Music Cabaret

26th September: Last day of term

I hope that all families have a great two week holiday break, and we look forward to seeing you back for Term 3 on Tuesday, 22^nd July.

Sacramental Celebrations

Congratulations to 19 of our students who recently celebrated significant milestones in their faith journey. Sixteen students received the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion through the Tea Tree Gully Parish, while three students received their sacraments through the Modbury/Para Hills Parish.

These sacraments mark a deepening of each child's relationship with God and their connection to the Catholic Church. Confirmation strengthens the grace of Baptism through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, while First Holy Communion invites children to receive the Eucharist for the first time, nourishing their faith and welcoming them into fuller participation in the life of the Church.

We extend our warmest congratulations to all the students and their families on this special occasion. It was a joy to witness their commitment and spiritual growth. We also thank the parishes, staff, and families for their ongoing support and guidance throughout the preparation process.

Looking Ahead:
The 2025 Sacramental Program for students in Year 3 and above will begin in Term 3. Families interested in their child receiving the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion next year are encouraged to keep an eye out for communication from both Modbury/Para Hills and Tea Tree Gully Parishes. These communications will include information session dates, enrolment details, and important preparation events.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Tea Tree Gull Parish (8264 4694) or the Modbury/Para Hills Parish (8264 7590) for further information.

Whole School Mass – Celebrating the Holy Spirit

Last Wednesday, our school community gathered for a special Whole School Mass, joyfully led by the students who recently received the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion. The theme of our Mass was The Holy Spirit. A beautiful reminder of the gifts we receive through faith.

We extend our thanks to Father Kym who not only celebrated Mass but also took the time to explain its sacred elements in a meaningful way for our younger students.

A big thank you also to Sarah Wildy for leading the Choir and filling our celebration with beautiful music.

It was a wonderful way to come together in prayer and reflect on the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Twilight Nature Play Festival – Celebrating Compassionate Action

On World Environment Day (5 June), our school community gathered for a meaningful evening at the Twilight Nature Play Festival. The event beautifully reflected our theme: “Compassionate Action for a Caring and Sustainable World.”

Faith in Action
This was more than a celebration—it was Catholic Social Teaching in action. Families participated in nature-based activities that embodied the principles of care for creation, community and participation, and solidarity. These experiences encouraged a sense of wonder, gratitude, and responsibility towards the environment.

Community Engagement
A massive thank you to our dedicated Sustainability Committee and our wonderful partners at Nature Play SA, whose efforts made the evening so impactful. The festival highlighted the power of teamwork, community spirit, and our shared mission to nurture a more sustainable future. The strong sense of connection and care throughout the event echoed our Gospel call to love and serve both our neighbours and the natural world.

Thank You for Your Feedback
We would also like to sincerely thank all families who completed the post-event survey. Your feedback is invaluable and helps us better understand the types of events the school community would like to see at SFX.

We are pleased to share that 67% of respondents rated the festival as “Excellent” and 31% rated it as “Good.” When asked, “What did your family gain from attending the Twilight Festival?”, the most common response was “developing a sense of community”. A beautiful reflection of our shared values and school spirit.

We look forward to continuing to create meaningful events that connect faith, learning, and community.

Vinnies Winter Appeal

Today, we had the fun and comfort of coming to school in our pyjamas and trackies. A simple pleasure many of us take for granted. For some in our community, staying warm and sheltered during the colder months is a real challenge.

That’s why our school proudly supports the Vinnies Winter Appeal. We believe in the power of compassion and the importance of giving to those doing it tough.

A big thank you to our amazing community for your overwhelming generosity. Thank you also to Michael Bone from Vinnies Modbury who supports us each year to make this happen. We are truly grateful.

Thankyou to all caregivers who have made payments or set up payment plans for 2025 School Fees.

If you are paying at the lower income rate please ensure you have applied for School Card at this link here.

For those families not on a payment plan, Term 2 instalments are now overdue, and a $20 late fee will be applied to each term’s outstanding arrears unless other arrangements have been made.

If you have any queries relating to your account, please contact our Finance Department on 8251 9559 or email: accounts@sfx.catholic.edu.au

Library News

Premier’s Reading Challenge

Congratulations to the students in Year 4 who are the first entire year level to complete the Premier’s Reading Challenge.  I will be working closely with class teachers, Jay O’Leary and Lauren Johnson to organise your reward in Term 3.

I’m really pleased with the how well the SFX students have progressed with the Premier’s Reading Challenge. So far 70% of students have completed the Challenge, which includes 10 entire classrooms, and 1 entire year level.  We are still a way off from our goal of 100% student completion; however, we are well on our way.

If your child(ren) has not yet completed the Premier’s Reading Challenge this year, I ask that you encourage them to complete the Student Reading Record as soon as possible and perhaps take some time during the school holidays to enjoy a few books together.

All completed Student Reading Records are due to be returned to the Library by Thursday, 4th September (Term 3, Week 7).

A list of books that are included in the Premier’s Reading Challenge can be accesed via the official website https://premiersreadingchallenge.sa.edu.au/  If your child needs another copy of the Student Reading Record this can also be found on the website, or please contact the library.

Book Week

Book Week 2025, organized by the Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA), will be held from August 16th to August 23rd. The theme for the year is "Book an Adventure!". This theme encourages children to explore the world of reading as a journey of discovery. 

The Book Week costume parade will be held on Friday 22^nd August.

School Sport SA – District Level (SAPSASA)

13^th June – Boys Football (AFL) Carnival was held at Tea Tree Gully District Football Club.  SFX finished 2^nd overall, coached by Mr Mittiga.

27^th June – Girls Football (AFL) Carnival was held at Tea Tree Gully District Football Club.  SFX finished 3^rd overall, coached by Mr O’Leary.

SACPSSA (Catholic) Netball Carnival

30^th June – A huge event with 235 students attending from St Francis Xavier’s with a total of 26 teams.  A wonderful school event with our parent community volunteering to be coaches and Kildare College providing umpires for the day.

School Sport SA - State Level

The following students have recently represented Tea Tree Gully District at a School Sport SA State Championship event:

School Sport SA State Golf Championship

• Patrick Fielding

School Sport Boys AFL Football

Congratulations for the School Sports Tea Tree Gully Boys Football Team who won the State Championships.

Can Dance for a Cure

We would like to acknowledge any of the SFX students that participated in the Can Dance for a Cure Concert recently. Can Dance is an annual dance concert for South Australian dancers, to raise money for cancer research. A number of SFX students participated in this event. It is a wonderful example of students demonstrating our school values of compassion and service beyond the school gates.

Today we turned up the energy at our SFX Disco! R-2 hit the dance floor at 12:00pm, followed by 3-6 bringing the vibes at 1:40pm. Both sessions were packed with music, movement, and non-stop fun. Thanks to everyone who joined in and made it a celebration to remember.

As part of their Business and Economics unit, Year 6 students transformed into young entrepreneurs for their Marketplace Stalls.

After gathering data on the interests of Year 5 and 6 students, they used this information to design and run engaging stalls. They prepared item costings, promotional materials, and practiced selling. On the day, Year 5 and 6 students were given a budget of $500 to spend across all the stalls, keeping track of their own spending.

It was a fantastic hands-on experience in financial literacy, marketing, and decision-making.

Our Reception classes have been on an exciting journey of discovery, learning all about the incredible life cycle of a butterfly. They carefully observed tiny caterpillars grow and change! They were amazed as they formed chrysalises and eventually emerged as beautiful butterflies. 

With lots of joy and a few happy waves goodbye, the students released their butterflies into the world, celebrating new beginnings and the wonders of nature. A truly magical and memorable learning experience.

Congratulations to the raffle winners from our Project Compassion Raffle in Term 1, who spent A Day As Principal, Deputy Principal, and APRIM on Thursday, June 5th.

From answering phone calls and tackling paperwork to helping prepare for our Twilight Nature Play Festival, these student leaders took their roles very seriously, and had a lot of fun along the way.

On Tuesday, June 24th, students bravely took the stage here in Xavier Hall for our Young Performers Concert. Over the last two terms, students have been learning and rehearsing to deliver stunning performances. Proud friends and family of SFX soaked in the talent and supported the students who enrich our school's community.

Music at SFX offers students unique opportunities to express themselves creatively and build confidence. Thank you to our Instrumental Staff who dedicate their support to our SFX musicians. 

On Friday, 20th June, parents, carers, family, and friends came together for our Quiz Night. It was a fantastic evening filled with fun, friendly competition, and plenty of laughter. The night was a great success, with teams putting their heads together across a variety of trivia rounds, enjoying good food, and connecting as a community.

A heartfelt thank you to Mikal Howard and the P&F Committee for their outstanding organisation and dedication in bringing the event to life. Your efforts created a wonderful atmosphere and a memorable night for all who attended.

NAIDOC Week Celebrations

This week students celebrated National NAIDOC Week. National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year to celebrate and recognise the history, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The NAIDOC Week theme for this year is "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy," which honours the achievements of the past and empowers young leaders. NAIDOC Week 2025 marks a powerful milestone: 50 years of honouring and elevating Indigenous voices, culture and resilience. The theme for 2025, “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy” celebrates the achievements of the past, as well as the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young leaders, the vision of their communities, and the legacy of their ancestors. NAIDOC Week will be celebrated nationally from 6 to 13 July 2025.

Some of the highlights of our NAIDOC Week celebrations included:

• Reception to Year 3 students learned and played Aboriginal games such as Emu from Yolngu Country, Weme from Walbiri Country, and Jumpinpin from Quandamooka Country. Before playing each game, students learned about the game’s background and some of the language associated with each game. The games were sourced from a resource called Yulunga: Traditional Indigenous Games. Yulunga, which means ‘playing’, was developed to provide all Australians with a greater understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, the way it was many thousands of years ago and still is today.
• The Year 4 students had a go at cooking traditional bush bread in our newly established firepit, then listened to stories from The Dreaming. The Dreaming refers to a time of creation, and it encompasses the many stories, songs, dances and artworks through which First Nations peoples live and thrive. The bush bread, which was covered in native Australian jams, was shared with students in Years 5 and 6 – delicious! A big thank you to our Groundsmen, Tony and Richard, for managing the campfire, and to Mr O’Leary for his support in organising this memorable experience.
• Some classes watched a curated screening of short films, proudly presented by Country Arts SA. The films share and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island cultures, stories and languages.

Ngaityalya (‘thank you’) to all of the students and staff for their enthusiasm and engagement as we celebrated NAIDOC Week at SFX.

Intercultural Week will be held in Week 2 of Term 3.

Please find the flyer here.

We’re excited to invite our parent and carer community to a special presentation by Martin Heppell, from The Resilience Project. This 90-minute session will explore practical, evidence-based strategies to build resilience and positive mental health, both in our children and ourselves. By aligning what’s being taught in the classroom with what’s practised at home, we can work together to support the wellbeing of our students and bring the best versions of ourselves to our families and community.

Date: Thursday, August 12th at 7:00pm
Venue: Norwood Function Room
Registrations: Here

Access the flyer here.

Our SFX community has been invited to experience Gleeson College’s 2025 musical production, Little Shop of Horrors! Join them for an unforgettable night of live theatre featuring the incredible talents of their students in music, dance, performance, and backstage production.

Dates: 23-25 July at 7:00pm
Venue: Golden Grove Recreation & Arts Centre
Tickets: Here