Dear Families and Caregivers,
The term is certainly moving along as we conclude Week 4. With only five weeks to go in the term there is a lot to be done!
On Tuesday, our Extended Leadership Team of Mrs Kavanagh, Mr Clarke, Mrs Bowden, Mrs Freeman, Mrs Ward and Mr Clarke were offsite preparing for the 2026 school year ahead. This includes coordinating dates, strategic foci and teaching and learning goals to help organise the school year ahead. Mrs Brunton will begin adding all school and term dates, including pupil free days to the online live calendar so parents have plenty of notice of the 2026 school year.
SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL 2026
At the conclusion of 2025, we have two members of our School Advisory Council (SAC) stepping down, Mr Craig Grantham (Treasurer) and Mrs Stephenie Kunder (P&F Rep). To date, there have been two nominations received therefore, unless additional nominations are received there will not be a need for an election at the Annual Community Meeting in November and the two nominations will be elected unopposed. However, should you wish to nominate for a position on the SAC in 2026, please email me jason.baker@cewa.edu.au. We will thank and farewell both Craig and Stephanie at the ACM.
P&F COMMITTEE 2026
The P&F Committee is also seeking a new member to join their executive in 2026 as Mrs Erin Hawes steps down as Secretary. Again, we have had one nomination to join the P&F Executive Committee. Should there be no further nominations, the person will be elected unopposed at the upcoming Annual Community Meeting. However, should you wish to nominate yourself to the position of executive member, please email me at jason.baker@cewa.edu.au We will farewell and thank Erin for her contribution at the ACM.
ANNUAL COMMUNITY MEETING - TUESDAY 25th NOV 3pm
Each year, we hold our annual community meeting of the School Advisory Council and P&F Executive in the school hall to conclude the year. Parents are encouraged to attend and recap the school year, both financially and academically. Reports are prepared and delivered by both bodies and we also announce the class teachers for 2026 along with associated school fees. The meeting will take place at 3pm in the hall.
BOOKLISTS 2026
Two years ago, we introduced a Book Fee levy for our parents in order to reduce the burden on parents over the summer period. There was a very favourable response by parents to not only the reduction in cost, but also the benefits to their family and children. This will again be applied in 2026 where parents DO NOT need to source stationary, rather parents pay a book fee levy and the materials are delivered in bulk to the school and sorted for your child to access. The associated school fees and levies will be communicated at the Annual Community Meeting on Tuesday 25th November at 3pm.
CLASS LISTS & TEACHER REQUESTS 2026
In preparation for the 2026 school year, discussions and meetings are taking place with teachers, students, support staff and leadership. Many hours are spent taking a very measured and balanced approach when preparing class lists and placing children in classes. Classes are always evenly distributed according to academic, social and emotional needs.
Processes are in place across the school so that each child nominates five 'smart partners' and we guarantee at least one smart partner is placed with your child. The discussion with children is not about choosing only 'friends', but other children in the year group that they believe they work well with or may be a good role model. This may not necessarily be the children they play with at recess or lunch. Every child's personality, learning and social needs are taken into account and we balance the classes accordingly. With over 480 children in the school in 2026 and only two classes in each year level to choose from, it is impossible to accommodate all parent requests. I appreciate parents know their child and want the best possible outcome for them, but please trust that we are striving for the same outcome for the needs of every individual child in the school. I ask that parents please do not contact teachers to make class or teacher requests. If teachers have had that discussion with parents, that information is passed directly onto leadership and will be taken into consideration. Even if requests have been accommodated in the past, there is no guarantee requests can be accommodated the following year.
Each year, given the opportunity and conditions, the children flourish, adapt and grow to their classroom environment and manage their friendships both within and outside the classroom. With every year, children grow in maturity and become more effective in regulating their emotions and navigating different social situations. We encourage parents to place the focus firmly on the classroom space being for learning and trust that their child (and others') positively grow each year.
INSTRUMENTAL SCHOLARSHIPS 2026 - YEAR 3-6
Thanks to Polygon Music, we will once again be offering two families the opportunity to have 12 months of music tuition provided free of charge for their child to learn either drums, guitar, electric guitar or keyboard. Our instrumental program runs once per week in small groups and is open for any child in Year 3-6 in 2026. The scholarships are funded by both Polygon Music and SFOA and aim to support families in financial distress whose child would like to learn an instrument. Should you be interested, please complete the attached application form and send to Mr Cunniffe at mark.cunniffe@cewa.edu.au Applications close on the 20th November.
YEAR 6 CAMP
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our Year 6 children and families for the way they managed the recent camp at Ern Halliday Recreation Camp. Our children were exceptional and a credit to their families. A massive thanks to Mr Gorman, Mrs Bond, Mr Rebeiro, Nurse Kym and Mr Clarke who gave up significant time with their loved ones, human and furry, to support the experience of your children. I often remind myself of the quality of staff we have at our school and how blessed our children are to be cared for and supported throughout their schooling experience.
MR BAKER LONG SERVICE LEAVE
Unless you have been living under a rock, you would be aware that tomorrow is my last official school day for the year. I will be on long service for the last five weeks of term as I embark on some bucket list items in the USA with my family. I will return in Week 10 to prepare for 2026 but won't get the chance to see all the kids and families before the end of the school year.
I would again like to say a sincere thank you to all the families in our community for your ongoing support this year. In my sixth year as Principal at St Francis, our school has gone from strength to strength with now over 500 children enrolled for 2026 (including our 3yo kids!). This is at an all time high with enrolment at capacity in most year levels. It is a testament to the wonderful school community we are all a part of and the work of a dedicated and committed group of staff who go above and beyond to support your children.
As each year passes I grow even more appreciative and grateful for the opportunity to lead staff, families and children in their educational journey at SFOA. On a personal level, thank you to Mrs Brunton, Mrs Bastian, Mr Clarke, Mrs Kavanagh and Mrs Bowden for their continued support and willingness to be innovative in driving our school improvement. Mr Clarke will be stepping into the role of Principal from Monday 10th November and Mrs Bowden will move into the position of Assistant Principal. With the collective leadership of all staff, it will be a fantastic end to the school year.
Wishing all families and staff a wonderful and holy Christmas holiday period and I look forward to seeing you all in 2026.
Best wishes
Jason Baker
Principal
