• Mon, 14 Mar - Adelaide Cup Public Holiday (Wk 7)
  
• *Wed, 16 Mar - P&F Meeting 7pm (Wk 7)
• Wed, 23 Mar - SACPSSA Swimming Carnival (Wk 8)
  
• *Wed, 23 Mar - Board Meeting 7pm (Wk 8)
• Sun, 10-16 Apr - Holy Week (Wk 11)
• Thurs, 14 Apr - Last Day of Term 1, student dismissal 3:05pm (Wk 11)

Term 2

• Mon, 2 May - First Day of Term 2 (Wk 1)
• Fri, 10 Jun - Pupil Free Day (Wk 6)
• Mon, 13 Jun - Queen's Birthday Public Holiday (Wk 7)
• Fri, 8 Jul - Last Day of Term 2 (Wk 10)

Term 3

• Tues, 26 Jul - First Day of Term 3 (Wk 1)
• Fri, 9 Sep - Pupil Free Day (Wk 7)
• Fri, 30 Sep - Last Day of Term 3 (Wk 10)

Term 4

• Mon, 17 Oct - First Day of Term 4 (Wk 1)
• Thurs, 15 Dec - Last Day of Term 4 (Wk 9)

Positive Cases

This week we have seen an increase in COVID-19 positive cases, which has resulted in more children being away due to testing positive themselves or being close contacts.  Please see the letter distributed to families this week outlining how your child’s class teacher can support your child’s learning at home if they are well enough to complete learning activities.

Change to definition of re-infection period for COVID-19

Last week, I notified you about the length of time that a person cannot be considered a close contact once they have recovered from COVID-19.  This length of time has now been extended.

In line with new national standards, SA Health have announced a change to the defined re-infection period for COVID-19.  Up until now a person who had recovered from COVID-19 was not required to test or quarantine, regardless of symptoms, in the 30 days after their isolation period ended.  This has now been extended to eight weeks.  This means that any person who comes into contact with COVID-19 after 4th March 2022, and who has recovered from COVID-19 previously, will not be regarded as a close contact and is not required to test during the eight weeks immediately following their isolation period ending.  They should, however, stay home if they are symptomatic, for the duration of symptoms.

For further information see the SA Health website - CLICK HERE

Or call the SA Health COVID-19 Information Line on 1800 253 787 between 8am and 8pm daily.

Out of School Hours Advisory Committee

Whitefriars Catholic School has an Out-of-School Hours run by YMCA at our school.  It is a service currently available for up to 90 children.  Each term we have a meeting for an hour 6pm to 7pm (4 x 1-hour meetings per year) to discuss the program and ensure the smooth running of this service.  Over the last few years, we have been fortunate to be supported by 2 parents in our school Samara Bell (Andre and Lewis Lo Basso’s mum) and Kerry McKeough (Angus’ McKeough’s mum).  Samara Bell has been part of the OSHC Advisory Committee for over 4 years and as she is now moving to the role of Chairperson of the School Board, we are seeking the support of another parent who could be part of these meetings.  If your child attends OSHC, please consider joining Kerry McKeough and I on the Committee.

Please email me on fcongedi@whitefriars.catholic.edu.au or call me if you wish to nominate yourself or if you have any questions.

School Uniform – Blue Shirts

Over the next two years, you will begin to see that the girls shirts will change from white to blue.  Lowes has ordered extra blue shirts and has begun the process for both new families and existing families who require a shirt for their girls.

Student Leadership

At our first Assembly for 2022 we presented our school leaders to the community.  We congratulate the following students:

2022 School House Captains

• Joseph (Blue): Tiah Kortessis (5/6RP) & Pavly Youssef (5/6RP)
• MacKillop (Gold): Eve Balic (5/6A) & Mitchell Tyndall (5/6A)
• Patrick (Green): Lilly Zakelj (5/6A) & Floyd Farmer (5/6RP)
• Tenison (Red): Edie Hoff (5/6LF) & Jake Rugolo (5/6LF)

2022 Performing Arts Leaders:

• Aimee Fraser - Music (5/6A)
• Alyssa Nguyen - Music (5/6RP)
• Elke Weetra - Cheer/ Drama (5/6A)
• Ella Meyer - Music (5/6A)
• Eva Hutchinson - Dance (5/6LF)
• Fletcher Daniel - Music/ Drama (5/6A)
• Maddy Brookes - Music/ Drama/ Dance (5/6RP)
• Sienna Lillywhite - Dance (5/6LF)
• Xavier Rosa - Music (5/6H)

2022 Social Justice Leaders:

• Aston Phan (5/6RP)
• Daniel Osorios Dos Santos (5/6LF)
• Dion Coggins (5/6H)
• Grace Dawes (5/6A)
• Hannah Ji (5/6H)
• Hannah Saju (5/6A)
• Illyana Christopolous (5/6LF)
• Jacob Cameron (5/6H)
• Lina Berisa (5/6RP)
• Nate Nguyen (5/6LF)
• Scarlett Twigden (5/6H)

As I conclude I continue to pray for peace between Russia and Ukraine.  I pray for the people of Ukraine and our families who have a Ukrainian or Russian background, as well as all the people affected by the recent floods.  These are truly grave problems around the world.

Kind regards

Frank Congedi

Community Prayer

This week’s Community Prayer was prepared by the Year 1 unit, acknowledging the Season of Lent:

• 1E - Mrs Rebecca Everett
• 1GR - Miss Ellie Gillard (M, T, T, F) & Mrs Sonia Re-Tedesco (W)
• 1KR - Mrs Jane Kirchner (W, Th, F) & Mrs Sonia Re-Tedesco (M, Tu)
• 1M - Mrs Gail Monti

I invite you to click on the link below to view the PowerPoint presentation that has been shared for Community Prayer with classes this week.

Year 1 Community Prayer - CLICK HERE

World Day of Prayer

Last Friday (4th March) was World Day of Prayer.  11 of our Social Justice Leaders were invited to attend a prayer service hosted by the Croydon Park Parish in Mater Dei Church.  This prayer service was attended by approximately 30 people from churches of different denominations around the Croydon Park area, to pray for the countries of Wales, Northern Ireland and England using the theme “I know the plans I have for you”, which is God’s promise to the exiles as found in the book of Jeremiah.  Our students represented the Croydon Park Parish at this service, and we were asked to perform the gospel during the service.  The Gospel came from the book of Jeremiah (29: 1 - 14) – where Jeremiah wrote to the exiles in Babylon, to remain faithful and to follow what God’s instructions for God has a plan for the exiles, that will allow them to prosper.  Our students did a wonderful job of presenting this gospel using a couple of pieces of artwork, and through different movements, and performing on the day with only a handful of practices, they represented our school proudly.

First Week of Lent  

We begin our annual Lenten Project Compassion journey by learning about Anatercia, a 12-year-old girl living in a small village in southern Mozambique.

She began to take on more and more adult responsibilities as her mother has chronic health issues. She did most of the household chores and had to travel up to five hours every day to collect clean water.  Water scarcity also meant that harvests were poor and there was never enough to eat.

With your support, Caritas Australia’s local partner, Caritas Regional Chokwe, was able to help Anatercia’s family to irrigate their farm to improve their food security.  They also improved water access for households in the village, delivered sustainable farming training, and provided Anatercia with essential school supplies.

Anatercia’s health, education and quality of life have improved, along with the outlook of her whole community for all future generations.

“For All Future Generations"

Please support Project Compassion: lent.caritas.org.au

Have a wonderful week,

Josh Page

APRIM

As part of my Well-Being Leader role, I would like to provide some helpful parenting information to further support our parent community for promoting and protecting positive mental health in children and young people.

This week’s topic is Separation Anxiety.  Separation anxiety is the common and normal fear that children have of being away from their families.  Separation anxiety relates to children’s fear and distress at being away from their main caregivers.  Young children can lack the ability to understand why their caregiver has left and when they’ll return.  Older kids often fear that something bad will happen to a loved one while they’re separated.

Separation Anxiety in Children (Be You website) - CLICK HERE

For more tips and support on separation anxiety, please try the links below:

Better Health Channel: CLICK HERE

Early Childhood Australia: CLICK HERE

Raising Children Network: CLICK HERE (suitable for ages 0-8yrs) or CLICK HERE (suitable for ages 8m-8yrs)

SACPSSA Cricket Carnival

This Tuesday saw the Catholic Schools Cricket Carnival held at the prestigious Karen Rolton Oval.  Whitefriars entered 3 teams into this day made up of a few experienced cricketers but included mostly students wanting to give cricket a try.  Facilitated by the Catholic Primary School Sports Association, these carnivals are designed to get as many students involved in team sports as possible, while maximising their enjoyment and participation.  Students played a total of 4 games throughout the day with very little break so there were some exhausted players by the end.  Teams won some games and lost some games but importantly the students had a lot of fun.  The support and encouragement our students gave to each other as well as the opposition was fantastic to see.  A big thanks to Frank Mammone who came out and offered his expertise to our teams, his support was very much appreciated.

Congratulations to all students involved!

After School Sport - AFL

Some great news for our aspiring AFL players – the season will be getting underway early next term!

The SANFL is keeping the same structure as last year which is open to both boys and girls from Years 2 – 6.  The games will be played at a central venue, Adelaide Uni Hockey fields at West Beach (opposite AFL Max and Adelaide Airport).

• Schedule: 12 rounds, to begin second weekend of Term 2
• Age groups: Year 2, Year 3/4 and Year 5/6
• Game times: close to 8:30am, 9:30am and 10:30am
• Cost: $90 (Sport Vouchers can be used)
• Upon registration, players will receive 2 SANFL match tickets, their choice of SANFL club hat and football.

We are currently ascertaining numbers to see if we will be able to register a team this year.  If your child is intending on playing AFL for Whitefriars, please head to the QKR app and register your interest.  This will allow us to see how many teams we can nominate.  Once this is done, I will get in touch with parents regarding registering your child to play.

After School Sport - Soccer

The Saturday Soccer Competition starts in Term 2 and is an opportunity for our Receptions to Year 4 students to become involved in an after school sport and enjoy the benefits of being involved in team sports.  An information note went home via Skoolbag this week but if you have any queries please don’t hesitate to ask.  If you are keen for your child to be involved head to the QKR app and nominate your child, the cost for the season will be $70.  As usual these teams can only run if we have volunteer team coaches and managers.  Soccer knowledge is not required, just enthusiasm and availability.

• Season: Term 2 & 3, first game Saturday 14 May
• Age groups: Reception, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4
• Game times: rotate from 9am through to 12pm
• Venue: St Clair (or West Lakes) - TBA
• Cost: $70
• Register: via the QKR app
• Reception (U6) and Year 1 (U7) have a 30min clinic run by NWJSA before their 30min game each round

The children in Reception have just begun learning about sounds and letters in their Literacy program, InitiaLit.  Last week they learnt their first sound, ‘mmmm’.  After learning this sound, the children sorted pictures that did and did not start with the sound m.  They also learnt how to write the letter in our Handwriting lesson. Later in the week, the children used hands on materials such as, playdough and gems to practise making the letter m.  They will continue to learn about more sounds and letters as the year goes on.

Children’s University (CU) aims to encourage high quality out of school activities for children aged between 5 and 14 years, engaging the wider community as learning partners in this process.  The most important principles of CU are that participation is voluntary and activities must take place outside the normal school day during lunch, after school, weekends and holidays. 

Led by the University of Adelaide, CU aims to nurture aspirations and develop a love of learning.  Children and young people enrolled in CU are issued with a Passport to Learning which records their individual learning journey.  After the first 30 hours of learning, children are rewarded for their participation at a graduation ceremony held at the University of Adelaide or a prestigious venue in regional areas.  Children can graduate multiple times depending on the hours they accrue. Information on the hours, and award levels, can be found in the Passport to Learning.

• Annual fee is $33 (or $16.50 for School Card Holders)
• Replacement passports $5.50

For further information, please: CLICK HERE

To view the Children's University website: CLICK HERE

Forms and payment can be made to the front office via the QKR app or at the front office and must be returned by Thursday, 31 March.

For any questions, please see Julie in the front office.