Term 2, Week 7 Newsletter
Principal Message
School Survey
A big thank you to those families who completed the Tell Them From Me survey recently. We had set a goal of 50 responses and were so pleased to receive 70 replies. This helps inform our future goal setting and along with feedback from teachers and students helps us to continue to seek ways of improving all aspects of school life. In our next few newsletters we will communicate with you themes and data from the survey responses. Below are some responses from our Year 4-6 student survey which compares our data with other students from the state.
Get Creative with Spanish lessons at St Finbarr’s!
At our last Parents in Partnership meeting a suggestion was raised about offering students the opportunity to learn a second language at St Finbarr’s. Through follow up discussions and recommendations from parents I met with Francisca Gonzalez this week. Francisca is excited to be able to offer teaching Spanish through an exciting program utilizing the visual arts as well as her wide range of music skills. This will be offered at St Finbarr’s in Term Three as an extracurricular activity for those children who may be interested. Limited spaces are available and one hour weekly lessons will be $20. For more information Francisca can be contacted at
francisca.gonzalez.elgueta.f@gmail.com
or 0430 166 224
To register your interest please contact Buffy or Alison in the office. The program will commence in Term Three. There is the option of lessons either held during school time from 12.45 pm onwards or after school from 3.15 - 4.15pm. Particular days have not been allocated as yet. Please note that students having lessons during school time would miss out on their class work for that session.
News from the library
Finnie's Family Movie Night
We look forward to seeing families at our Athletics Carnival on Monday, have a great weekend.
Yours in Partnership,
Tim Bleakley
Principal
Catholic Faith & Identity
Confirmation
Last week a number of our students celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation. It was a very special evening marking a very special moment in the faith life of the candidates and their families.
We extend our deepest gratitude to Bishop Greg and Father David for leading this very special sacrament along with all of those who help to make these occasions so memorable. Our thanks also go to everyone who helped make the evening so memorable:
- Jess Brook and Eva for their beautiful vocals.
- Mrs. Mary McEvilly-Butler and Molly O for their musical talents.
- Kathryn Head and Pat Higgins for their annual creation of the stunning Confirmation certificates.
- The dedicated St Finbarr's staff for nurturing our students' faith and assisting with Children's Liturgy.
- The welcoming Holy Spirit parishioners who keep all candidates in their prayers.
- Jane at the parish office, who each year manages all the paperwork, from initial registration through to completion.
Thank you!!
Reconciliation Week
Our students demonstrated remarkable leadership last Tuesday at an assembly dedicated to National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week – two profoundly important moments in our nation's narrative.
Working closely with Ron Mason, our Aboriginal Education Worker, several students bravely led a meaningful liturgy. They highlighted Reconciliation Week as a crucial time for all Australians to reflect on and commit to building respectful and fair relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians. We invite our school community to read the beautiful prayer shared during this occasion, presented below.
Loving God,
We thank You for the beautiful land, sea and sky that You have created,
and for the Arakwal people of the Bundjalung Nation who have cared for it so well.
We remember today the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were taken from their families.
We are sorry for the hurt and sadness they felt.
Please help us to always be kind, to listen to each other,
and to walk together in peace and friendship.
Help us to build a future that is fair and loving for everyone.
We ask this through Jesus, Your Son.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St Andrews Nursing Home Visit
Last Thursday, our Year 3 students had a truly beautiful morning as the first group to visit St. Andrew's Nursing Home. It was wonderful to see our students and the residents enjoying each other's company!
The morning kicked off with a lively game of bingo. Our very own Billy H was a star, doing a brilliant job calling the numbers and even getting some laughs from the residents with his 'Bingo calls'. Following this, students shared a picture book and enjoyed a lovely morning tea together.
This visit was incredibly meaningful for both our students and the residents. It's a fantastic way for our school to build strong community connections, and we're already looking forward to many more visits, with Year 4 heading there in Week 9.
Yours in Partnership,
Mrs Sonya Piccoli
Assistant Principal Mission-Inclusion & Diversity
Learning & Teaching
Getting Beyond “Good”: Talking with Your Child About Their Day
As parents, we’ve all been there—asking “How was your day?” and receiving the all-too-familiar “Good” in response. If you’re looking to spark more meaningful conversations with your child about their learning, here are a few strategies that can help move past one-word answers:
Ask specific questions like “What was something that made you think today?” or “Did you do anything in class that surprised you?”
Focus on effort over outcome, such as “What was something challenging you worked through today?”
Use routines like dinner or the ride home as relaxed opportunities to talk, when children may feel more at ease.
Share your own day too—modeling reflection encourages them to do the same.
The goal isn’t just to hear about their day, but to build habits of curiosity, reflection, and open communication. These moments help strengthen the bridge between school and home and show your child that their learning matters to you.
Bump it Up Walls
At our school, you may hear your child mention “Bump It Up Walls” or see them engaging with displays around the classroom—these are powerful tools we use to promote independent, self-driven learning. A Bump It Up Wall visually shows students what success looks like by displaying examples of work at various levels, helping them understand how to improve their own work. It encourages students to take ownership of their learning by identifying where they are and what steps they can take to “bump up” their progress. This is part of a broader strategy where teachers use the classroom environment—the third teacher—to guide and support learning. Through intentional displays, prompts, and accessible resources, students are encouraged to think critically, self-assess, and make informed decisions about their learning. These approaches foster confidence, independence, and a growth mindset in every learner. Here are some examples from our classrooms
Supporting Safe and Balanced Online Activity at Home
As our primary-aged students grow up in an increasingly digital world, helping them develop healthy online habits is essential. At this age, children benefit from clear boundaries, open conversations, and guided practice in using technology responsibly. We encourage families to set age-appropriate time limits, keep devices in shared spaces, and regularly check in on the apps and games your child is using. Most importantly, talk with your child about their online experiences—what they enjoy, who they interact with, and how they respond to anything that makes them feel uncomfortable. By being present and proactive, we can help our students build safe, respectful, and balanced digital habits that support their wellbeing and learning.
A reminder that mobile phones and smart watched are not permitted at school. If your child requires a device they are to bring it to the office for the duration of the school day.
ICAS Assessments - Reminder
If you wish for your child to participate in ICAS this year, please go to the Parent Portal to sign up to your chosen subject areas using the link below. You will require the code: QVL747
Registration for all subject areas closes on Monday 28 July at 11:59pm.
Yours in Partnership,
Lauren Magnus
Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching
From the Leader of Pedagogy
High Potential Learner STEM Day at St Finbarr's
St Finbarr's is excited to host a High Potential Learner STEM Day on June 23rd, welcoming approximately 60 Year 5 students from ten local schools. Eight of St Finbarr's own Year 5 students will be representing the school.
The day will feature engaging STEM sessions led by Mary McEvilly Butler and Joe Keane, designed to foster progressive learning throughout the program. Students will have the chance to collaborate with peers who share their passion for STEM, explore both new and familiar DLCS technology, and unleash their creativity and innovation through hands-on activities.
It promises to be a fantastic day of collaboration and problem-solving!
Help Your Child Thrive - Reading at Home K-2
In week 5 we welcomed K-2 families to join an Information Session on practical strategies to support reading at home. For those who missed the session, please see the recorded session below.
Strategies you may use to support your child with reading at home can be found below.
Yours in Partnership,
Rachel Mitchell
Leader of Pedagogy
Sports News
Dear Parents and Families,
Get ready for our Athletics Carnival this Monday, 16 June! It will be a fun day on our school oval, and we'd love for you to join us to cheer on the students.
Please find attached the full program, including carnival timetable and other important information.
We look forward to seeing you there!