Dear Parents and Carers,

It has been a truly special week with our Year 6 students receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation on Tuesday at Holy Family Church. This special event in the life of Catholics is a powerful reminder of the grace and strength that comes from the Holy Spirit, as experienced by the Apostles at Pentecost.

Through the Sacrament of Confirmation, our students have affirmed their faith and embraced the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These gifts empower them to embody virtues such as charity, generosity, joy, and peace, fostering a deeper connection to their faith and community.

A big thank you to everyone in our School and Parish community who worked so hard behind the scenes to ensure this special occasion was a success. Your support and dedication are deeply appreciated.

I have been away this week, representing Catholic Education on a committee, visiting schools all over the ACT. I thank the school leadership team, particularly Annie McArthur, who led the school in my absence. I am looking forward to seeing you all next week.  

Enrolments

Although the official enrolment period has now closed, we are still accepting enrolments and are happy to offer tours for prospective parents upon request. Please contact the office to book a tour on 6292 4500. There are a limited number of spaces available in some grade levels, including kindergarten 2026. Offers of places for 2026 should go out in the next two weeks. A reminder that I have only met with new families this term and will meet with all current and returning families who have enrolled for 2026 next term. Courtney will be in contact shortly to book an interview.

We understand that affordability can be a concern for many families in these times of financial uncertainty and rising living costs. Catholic schools like ours offer sibling discounts for families with multiple children, including those attending systemic high schools such as MacKillop. Additionally, we have fee-help support and a process for applying for concessions on school fees and uniforms, if needed.

If you know of anyone considering a Catholic education but is worried about the fees, please encourage them to contact the office. We can arrange a confidential appointment to discuss their needs and how we might be able to offer support.

A reminder that any parents experiencing financial hardship are welcome to contact the office at 6292 4500 to discuss the pastoral support options we have available.

Semester 1 Reporting Period

The staff are currently working hard on compiling the school reports for Semester 1. Please note the following timelines for the coming weeks:

Week 9 - Reports will be published on Compass on Friday, 27th June @ 4 pm

Week 10 - Parent interviews Monday, Tuesday and/or Wednesday. Information about this will be sent home via Compass shortly. Please look out for the News Item on how to book a conference.

Blessings and best wishes

Sean Rutledge

Principal

Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation

This week we have had over 100 student from St Francis of Assisi, St Clare of Assisi and Holy Family as well as students from our Parish School of Religion and Marist receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. The sacrament of Confirmation continues, strengthens, confirms and celebrates the gifts of the Holy Spirit received in Baptism. The Gospels are a rich source for the continuation of the works of Jesus’ early ministry through the Holy Spirit.

At the conclusion of Jesus’ earthly ministry, he promised his followers that he would send them the gift of the Holy Spirit who would help them to live as he had taught them and to pass on his message to all the nations. (See John 20:22 and Acts 2).

In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the bishop/priest lays his hands on the baptised person and prays that the Holy Spirit will fill the person with spiritual gifts. Then, using holy oil, the bishop/priest  makes a cross on the person’s forehead. It is usual for the person being confirmed to take on an extra name, that of a particular saint. The saint will be a source of inspiration by the way he/she lived life while on earth, and an intercessor in prayer to God.

We congratulate all of our children who received this special sacrament and continue to keep them, their sponsors and families in our prayers. 

Vinnies Winter Appeal

THANK YOU to those families who have bought in the class delegated pantry staples to help support our local Calwell St Vincent de Paul chapter. We have 2 more weeks to collect these pantry goods before we take them to the Parish to be placed into hampers. If you have not yet sent something in and are able we would be very grateful. The list of what each grade has been asked to bring in can be found below.

Some families were asking if we were in need of winter, warm-woolies (blankets, coats, beanies, jumpers etc) and the answer is YES PLEASE! These can be donated in Weeks 8 & 9. Please ensure they are clean and in good condition. The collection spot for warm clothing and blankets is in the classrooms and the year 6 Ministry leaders will collect from there. 

A REMINDER WE WILL HAVE A PYJAMA DAY ON FRIDAY WEEK 9 - 27TH JUNE

The Most Holy Trinity Solemnity - John 16:12-15

A renowned spiritual writer has said that great dogmas of the Church are almost always paradoxical, and we live with paradox. He continues: ‘Mystery is not something we can’t know. Mystery is endless knowability on many levels’. A central mystery of our faith is of course the Trinity. Perhaps today’s chosen readings touch on some of those levels. The Spirit, in the tradition of the Gospel of John, is clearly the continuing living presence of Jesus. When Jesus meets the disciples after the resurrection, he breathes his life spirit into them and commissions them to continue his mission of forgiveness and peace. The living Spirit of Jesus within them will enable them to come to the fuller understanding of all that he has taught them. 

Writing to the community in Rome, Paul invites us to reflect on the liberating effect of the love of God which enfolds us when we allow the Holy Spirit to enter our lives. Today let us pray for that Wisdom, that delights to be with us, so that we may gradually deepen our understanding of the Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - and be caught up in wonder, praise and thanksgiving.  

From God’s Word, Daily Reflections, 2025

Have a great week!

Sharee Thomas

Absence Notifications – Natural Disaster Option

We kindly remind all parents and carers not to select the "Natural Disaster" category when recording student absences in COMPASS. This option is reserved only for school-directed closures or significant weather events as officially communicated by the school or relevant authorities.

If your child is absent due to illness, medical appointments, family reasons, or other personal matters, please select the most appropriate option available.

Thank you for helping us maintain accurate records and comply with reporting guidelines.

Reminder - Sign in at the Compass Kiosk must be completed by a parent/carer, not by students. This is a legal requirement and student's will not be permitted to sign themselves in, so please ensure you park your car and accompany your child into the office to sign them in. 

New Direct Debit Payment Option Coming Soon!

We are pleased to announce that St Francis of Assisi Primary has recently introduced the BPoint Enterprise Solution to manage direct debit arrangements for the payment of school fees.

What is BPoint and What Do You Need to Do?

 BPoint is a secure Commonwealth Bank payment processing platform designed to facilitate online payments, while ensuring the highest security standards. This system safeguards your financial information using industry-leading security measures.

Our new direct debit platform will allow you to pay school fees using either a bank account or a credit card (excluding AMEX). Please note that payments made via credit card will incur a 0.5% surcharge.

Establishing Direct Debits.

Next week, families will receive an email outlining estimated weekly, fortnightly, and monthly repayment options to ensure all fees are paid by the end of the year. These amounts will also include any outstanding balances.

What next?

 You will receive an email that will provide a start date for direct debits and options for selecting your preferred payment frequency. Once a payment frequency is selected, you will be directed to enter your bank/credit card details. Once the information is entered, you will receive an email from no-reply@bpoint.com.au . The email will contain two links,

1. The first link requires confirmation of the direct debit arrangement. Please note that the link will expire within 7 days.
2. The second link provides a copy of the eDDRSA for your records.

While using the direct debit payment option is not compulsory, many families find it helpful in staying up to date with their financial obligations. 

To make changes to the payment amount, or if you have any questions or require further assistance, please contact our Finance Manager.

Each year Catholic Education run a competition based around the theme for NAIDOC Week. This year’s theme is, "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy," which celebrates not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of our young leaders, the vision of our communities, and the legacy of our ancestors. The students who enter their artwork are asked to supply a written explanation of their artwork and how it links to the theme.

Congratulations to Oliver Cotton in Year 3 for winning the NAIDOC Mass Booklet art competition. After consideration, the Aboriginal Education team at Catholic Education, with endorsement and support from the broader teaching and learning team, have selected Oliver Cotton's artwork as the WINNER of the NAIDOC art competition in 2025!!! Oliver will receive a printed canvas of his artwork and the school will also receive one for display.

We also congratulate Ethan Steele whose artwork was also so impressive that CE wanted to find alternative avenues to celebrate his work and share the incredible story he created. Ethan has given permission for his artwork and explanation to be used in any system Acknowledgments of Country that are developed, and to use the artwork on any system protocol or principal documents that are developed at Catholic Education.