Term 1, Week 10 Newsletter 2022

Principal Message

What a term! Covid and floods were the common themes and despite this, our students have continued to work, play and enjoy life. The joy on each child’s face is evident and I am always so impressed by the engagement of the students with their learning. Congratulations to all the school staff for their planning and implementation of lessons designed to stimulate and challenge each student. What a fantastic day and a rare moment of sunshine last Friday for our annual school Cross Country Carnival. It certainly was  special having parents back on site and being able to cheer on the children as they ran the course around the school grounds. Students were enthusiastic and well prepared after training in the weeks leading up to the day. Of special note was the way children supported other students encouraging a focus on participation rather than winning at all costs. Special mention to Mrs Lisa Clark for superbly coordinating the event and the amazing parents who assisted with the barbeque. We’re looking forward to our Mother’s Day celebration in Week two next term and currently calling for volunteers to assist with the coordination of the event.

Wishing everyone a happy and Holy Easter break.

Principal Appraisal 
Thank you to those who recently completed the survey regarding my Principal appraisal. This is a process carried out by the Catholic Education Office in the fifth year of a Principal’s contract. I appreciate the feedback and support provided and the whole process proved to be a valuable experience. As a school and certainly as a school leader I am always looking for ways to build my capacity and reflect on my practice. I feel very privileged to be leading such a wonderful school with our professional, knowledgeable and caring staff. I look forward to continuing my tenure as Principal at St Finbarr’s for another five years. 

Kindergarten Enrolments 
In the past few weeks I have had the pleasure of meeting with many families who have applied for Kindergarten placements in 2023. If you have a child and are looking to enrol them for Kindergarten please contact Buffy in the office as enrolments will close on May 6th.

Attendance 
Regular attendance at school for every student is essential. Student non-attendance at school places the student’s learning, social and emotional growth at risk. 

Schools in partnerships with families are responsible for promoting the regular attendance of students and for ensuring that non-attendance is addressed effectively. While families are legally responsible for the regular attendance of their children, the school, as part of our duty of care, is required to record and monitor part and whole day absences. The school has legal obligations to follow up with the family and legal departments when non-attendance becomes and continues to be a concern.

We understand that this term has brought with it many challenges (natural disasters and an increase in COVID infections) however regular attendance at school is still a legal requirement. We have a significant number of students whose attendance this term is well below the acceptable level. 

We ask that if your child is absent or going to be absent that you please notify the school either by email, phone call or responding to the text message that is sent by COMPASS (please click on the link in the text - do not click reply to text message). An explanation does not approve the absence; it simply alerts the school of the nature of the absence. 

If your child has any unexplained absences from this term you will be sent an email this week to follow up. 

Before School Arrivals 
The school day for students begins at 8:30am (at the earliest). Prior to 8:30 teachers are arriving themselves, in meetings or preparing for the school day. The office is technically open from 8am however this is in preparation for the day also. The school has a duty of care for students once they arrive and supervision for students begins at 8:30am. Over the term students have been arriving earlier and earlier and on a number of occasions students have been dropped off prior to 8am. We understand mornings can be difficult with family schedules however please ensure you have arrangements in place for your child/ren moving forward. 

School Photos
School photos are on the 5th of May (save the date). Don’t forget to return your school photo envelopes to the office. Sibling envelopes are also available at the office for collection.

Class Parents 
Thank you to those parents who have offered to be Class Parent representatives this year. We are still looking for extra helpers for the following classes. It is a small commitment and can be very rewarding connecting families.

Kind Regards,

Tim Bleakley 
Principal

Mother's Day Breakfast

The Mother’s Day breakfast at St Finbarr’s is a highlight of the school year. Lock in Tuesday 3rd May from 7.30 am and join us for this special celebration. We are looking for willing helpers to assist with the planning and coordination of the day. Please let Buffy or Alison in the office know if you can assist in any way. 

Anzac Day

It’s wonderful to be able to march again this year after missing out on the two previous years. Please join us outside the Beach Hotel at 10.15am  to begin the march at 10.30 am on Monday 25th April. Children are to wear their full school uniform.

Learning & Teaching

NAPLAN

Students in Years 3 and 5 (along with students in Years 7 and 9) will be participating in NAPLAN in May. This week Students will participate in a practice test. These practice tests are designed to support the students to navigate the online testing portal and to allow the schools to test the technology that is required. This practice test is in no way marked or assessed and results are not kept or recorded.

Thank You
I just wanted to take this opportunity to say a HUGE thank you to everyone for making my first term at St Finbarr’s so wonderful and for making me feel so welcome. I have loved getting to know all the students, families and staff and really enjoy the smiles and hellos I receive when out and about. Enjoy your Easter break with family and friends, stay safe and I look forward to seeing you all in Term 2.

Lauren Magnus
Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching 

Mission

Confirmation

Due to the unfortunate weather last week, the parent Confirmation meeting was cancelled. This meeting has now been rescheduled for Thursday the 28th of April, which is the first Thursday of  Term 2. 

Any student in Year 3 or above who is a baptised Catholic is able to receive this Sacrament. Bishop Greg’s current Sacramental Policy for the Diocese of Lismore is for Confirmation in Year 3, First Reconciliation in Year 4 and First Holy Communion in Year 4. 

This meeting will provide you with information in respect to the Sacrament of Confirmation and give you an opportunity to register your child for the programme for 2022.

Sacraments are such an important part of your child’s faith journey, and therefore, it is necessary that at least one parent attends this meeting. This will enable you as parents and carers to understand and engage with the process your child will be actively participating in as part of their preparation of the Sacrament. 

Children are not required to attend this meeting, however, part of the preparation will include parents and students together attending the dates below.

Please note the dates below include Saturday Masses at St. Finbarr’s Byron Bay and the Sunday Masses at  St Kevin’s Bangalow. You are only required to attend one of these Masses each weekend.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the meeting please contact the Parish Office on (02) 66 856260 or email stfins@bigpond.com

Weekend Masses:

Sat/Sun 7th/8th May                   - Enrolment Ceremony + Symbol Presentation

Sat/Sun 14th/15th May               - Receive the Lord’s Prayer              

Sat/Sun 21st/22nd May              - Blessing + Practice 

Tuesday 24th of May  - Sacrament of Confirmation 6pm @ St Finbarr’s Church, Byron Bay

Reconciliation

We are now in our 5th week of Lent and soon will be celebrating Holy Week and Easter.

This is the time to continue to reflect on how we live our lives, the choices we make and how we can be better followers of Jesus. We especially think about how easy it is to judge others and how slow we are to admit that we are wrong and to forgive them. 

Reconciliation is a gift to us from Jesus Christ as it is through His love and mercy where we are offered forgiveness for the times we have sinned and turned away from God. It is a way for us to acknowledge the hurt we cause to God, others and ourselves. We are able to express our sorrow and resolve to do better in our future choices.

Reflecting on our choices and how God’s love can help us to be the best version of ourselves has been a focus for the students at St Finbarr’s who have been preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. These students will finally receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation over the next two nights. 

We hold each of these students and their families in our thoughts and prayers during this very special time in their faith journey.  

Please know that Fr. David is available for Reconciliation every Saturday evening from 5:30pm at St Finbarr’s Church Byron Bay.

Sonya Piccoli,

Assistant Principal- Mission & Additional Needs

Sports News

Winter Sports 
Congratulations to Nash, Molly and Nancy on their selection for the Polding Winter Sports Trials for Soccer, to be held next term. We wish them all the very best.

Cross Country 
We were very blessed to have the sun shining for our School Cross Country Carnival. It was wonderful to finally have all the children out together and so many parents and grandparents cheering them on. 
Congratulations to the 48 students who have qualified for the Zone Cross Country Carnival to be held next term. 
Well done to our Age Champions and Runner-ups and to the MacKillop house on their win on the day. A wonderful team effort.

Congratulations to the champion Futsal team after their exciting Grand Final victory!

Lisa Clark,

Sports Coordinator

Sports Pictures

Friday Canteen Information

This friday will be the last canteen for the term. Cyra is running low on many items due to transport restrictions on deliveries. Recess items are available as normal, but there will be a limited lunch menu.

Lunch items available: 
Sushi, Ham and Cheese toasted sandwiches, Sausage rolls & Cheese and spinach rolls (no Gluten free available)

Thank you 

Byron Bay Soccer Registration

Byron Bay FC Soccer Season 2022Games kicking off in term 2 and we still have some limited vacancies in the following age groups;8, 9, 10, 11 mixed and all girls teams. For all information and registration details please see our website www.byronbayfc.com.au/miniroos-5-to-11-years or email miniroos@byronbayfc.com.au
Regards,
Kerry NorthcottByron Bay Football Club
Byron Bay Memorial Recreation Grounds
: 0499 655 928
e: juniors@byronbayfc.com.au
w: byronbayfc.com.auf: ByronBayFC