St Francis of Assisi News
Term 3 Issue 13 10 September 2026
Dear Families,
What a fantastic morning we shared on Friday, 4th September at our annual Father’s Day Breakfast! It was truly heartwarming to see so many dads, grandads, and father figures join us to celebrate the special role they play in our children’s lives. The turnout was incredible, and the sense of community was stronger than ever. A huge thank you to our dedicated staff and volunteers who helped make the morning run smoothly, and to our wonderful P&F Committee for organising the raffle.
I'd also like to extend my sincere appreciation to the local businesses who generously supported our P&F Raffle. Your contributions helped create a fun and festive atmosphere, with some great prizes up for grabs for the lucky winners! Thank you again to everyone who attended and contributed – we are truly blessed to have such a vibrant and supportive school family.
TODAY IS R U OK? DAY
Today, our school community came together to acknowledge R U OK? Day 2026, a national day of action dedicated to reminding everyone to check in with those around them and to wear yellow in acknowledgment of this.
TROPICAL DISCO IS TOMORROW
Get ready to put on your brightest tropical shirt, favourite Hawaiian outfit, or colourful island-themed accessories because our School Disco is happening tomorrow! We are looking forward to an evening filled with music, dancing, laughter, and plenty of tropical fun.
Students are encouraged to embrace the tropical theme and come dressed in their best island-inspired attire.
A big thank you to our P&F members who have helped organise this wonderful event and we are looking forward to a wonderful year ahead!
ST ANDREW'S PARISH INTERNATIONAL FOOD NIGHT - 12th SEP @ 7pm
Father Darek is inviting families to join the parish once again for a celebration of cultures and cuisines. Please bring a dish to share (and list the ingredients for those with allergies). Place your name on the dish you are bringing at the back of the St Andrew's Parish. Attendees are encouraged to wear their traditional dress! If you would like to perform, sing or dance please get in contact with the Parish Office on 9407 9815. The details of the evening are on the flyer below.
SFOA ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
The SFOA Athletics carnival is fast approaching, so please ensure you put these dates into your calendar:
- Wednesday 16th Sep - Year 3-6 Jumps and Throws (Approx 8:45- 1pm)
- Friday 18th Sep - PP-6 Athletics Carnival (8:40 - 2:40pm)
We will be holding our annual SFOA Athletics Carnival with jumps and throws next Wednesday and our whole day carnival on Friday. All children in PP-6 will be participating in a number of events for their faction. Please note, we cannot be exact for start times of races so we recommend arriving well before your child is scheduled to race to ensure you don't miss it.
Thank you to Mr Rebeiro for the work he has put in coordinating this year's carnival. Lunch orders are available for parents and children from our regular lunch order provider which can be accessed from the link below. Lunches will be delivered before 12pm:
https://school-lunch.lunchboxhub.com.au/
The Pitch Inn and a Coffee Van will also be available to parents.
REMINDERS:
- All children come to school in their faction shirts, they are permitted to wear faction coloured merchandise such as the items sold by the P&F. NO FACE OR BODY PAINTING (a small bit of coloured zinc on the face is acceptable).
- Sports shoes and sports shorts
- TOILETS - This year, parents will be accessing the portable toilets near the junior nature play. Children will use their normal toilets outside the hall.
- The focus is on participation and teamwork - therefore parents are asked NOT to approach teachers to take their child home early. We are promoting a sense of community teamwork and taking a child home after their individual race is not the right message to be sending.
- Parents are not allowed into the tent areas. Each tent is manned with staff members who know your child. Please allow your child some independence to support their faction. Yes there may be times when they are bored - that is ok.
- Lunch will be a short break and the KINDY CHILDREN & SIBLINGS WILL RUN DURING THIS TIME. Parents of Kindy children may wish to keep their child with them - please ensure you sign them out with the classroom teacher.
- The head judges decision is final. Please DO NOT approach the teacher at the finish line to protest your child's position in the race. It is about participation and doing your best.
- At the end of the carnival, if parents could please assist to take down tents and pack away (many hands make light work).
- If you are taking your child from the oval after the carnival, please see the classroom teacher to sign them out.
The weather looks promising and we are holding the event for the second time on our own school oval so it should be a great community day.
IMCC BURSARY APPLICATIONS - CLOSES 23rd SEPTEMBER
A reminder that applications for the 2027 IMCC Bursaries close at 4pm on the 23rd of September. Please see below for more information on how to apply.
QUALITY CATHOLIC EDUCATION AWARDS - QCE AWARDS
Each year, schools are encouraged to enter any initiatives they have implemented across the community that has had a positive effect on their school community. This year, Mr Haydon has entered our prayer garden. Please follow the link below to make this vote!
TERM 3 EVENTS AND DATES
Please see the attachment below for a range of religious, sporting and school events (including P&F) scheduled for the remainder of Term 3. Father's Day, the athletics carnival and P&F Merchandise stall, and Community Lunch are just some of the notable events to diaries. Please be aware that changes to these dates are ALWAYS communicated early and adjusted on the live calendar.
Best wishes,
Sarah Kavanagh
Short-Term Principal
KOLBE FEAST DAY
Last Tuesday was an exceptionally busy with the Kolbe Feast Day taking place in the afternoon. The school celebrated with a whole school liturgy, pizza lunch, games and an icy pole for all Kolbe faction students. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn about the life of Saint Kolbe and how we can learn from his example in our everyday lives.
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI MISSION FETE DAY
With Term Four coming in fast, we have started our preparations for our St Francis of Assisi Mission Fete day. Please keep an eye out for a note coming home outlining your child's class stall and donations that may be required. This year the day will begin with an 8:45am mass, followed by the Mission fete after Recess and ending with our annual Colour Run afternoon. We look forward to a wonderful day with all proceeds raised going to Wheel Chair For kids.
UPCOMING DATES:
Crazy Sock Fundraiser for Wheel Chair for Kids- Friday 25th September
St Francis of Assisi Mission Fete- Friday 16th October
800 YEARS OF ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI
Did You Know? Feast Day: The Catholic Church celebrates his feast day on October 4, a day when many churches also bless pets.
Sarah Kavanagh
Bringing RULER Home: Talking About Feelings Through Stories
This month in our classroom, we're continuing our work with RULER, our social-emotional learning program that helps students Recognise, Understand, Label, Express, and Regulate emotions. One of our favourite ways to practice these skills is through the books we read.
When we meet a character in a story, we pause to ask questions like:
- How do you think this character is feeling right now?
- What clues (their face, words, actions) tell us that?
- Why might they be feeling this way?
- What could they do to feel better, or to handle this feeling?
This kind of "feelings detective work" helps kids build emotional vocabulary and empathy in a low-pressure, engaging way, because it's easier to talk about a character's big feelings before diving into your own.
Try it at home: Next time you're reading a book or watching a show together, pause and ask your child how a character might be feeling and why. You might be surprised at the thoughtful answers you get.
Social Worker Tips
Dear Families,
My main role here at SFOA is to care for your child’s emotional and social wellbeing. I want to make sure every student feels safe, supported, and ready to learn. Because today is R U OK? Day, it is a beautiful reminder of why this work matters so much. It’s a day for all of us to pause, check in with each other, and ask that simple but powerful question: "Are you OK?"
Tips for Checking In at Home Today
Checking in with kids doesn’t have to be a formal sit-down conversation. Here are a few simple ways you can bring R U OK? Day into your home:
Ask open questions: Instead of "How was school?", try asking, "What made you smile today?" or "Was there anything today that felt a bit tricky?"
· Connect while doing: Children often open up more when they aren't looking directly at you. Try chatting in the car, while cooking dinner, or during a walk.
· Listen without fixing: If they share a big feeling or a worry, sometimes just saying, "That sounds really tough, thank you for telling me," is the exact comfort they need before you help them figure out a solution.
Let's look out for one another and keep checking in—today and every day!
With care and kindness
Miss Julie
ACTIVE TRAVELLERS ARE REWARDED
Later this term, we will be celebrating and rewarding our students who regularly choose active ways to travel to and from school. Walking, riding, scooting and skating are fantastic ways for children to stay healthy, build positive habits and contribute to a more sustainable community. We look forward to recognising the commitment and enthusiasm of our active travellers and encouraging even more students to get involved. Every active journey counts, and we are excited to celebrate the wonderful efforts of our students.
Dear Parents,
Families who still haven't commenced any school fee payment for the 2026 year will be contacted next week.
If you wish to discuss your school fees or are experiencing financial difficulty, please feel free to come and see me in the school office from 8:00am-2:45pm. Alternatively you can email me on finance@stfrancisbutler.wa.edu.au
If your Concession Card has expired, please send an updated copy to the school ASAP.
Kind regards,
Geneve Bastian
Happy Birthday to the following students who are celebrating their birthday over the next two weeks:
Beatriz Rubio Kobayashi, Connor McLean, Antonio Joaquin Calosing, Ava Bisgrove, Matilda Robertson, Duke Lynton, Eamon Guelfi, Sophie Russell, Cleo Horrocks, Lincoln Dock, Zoe Liron, Henry Smith, Harper Grant, Arie Boschman, Marcus Hostede, Harrison Hansord, James Markham, Zachary Nilson, Charlie Muir, Isaac Rapi-Beddall.
We wish you all a wonderful day!!
Mon-Thur: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Friday: 8:00am - 3:30pm
Email: admin@stfrancisbutler.wa.edu.au
Website: www.stfrancisbutler.wa.edu.au
Location: 1051 Connolly Drive, Butler WA, Australia
Phone: (08) 9562 9500
Facebook: facebook.com/stfrancisbutler
Instagram: https://instagram.com/stfrancisbutler
Please find below St Andrew's Parish Holy Week and Easter Celebrations 2026 schedule.
Email: standrewsclarkson@gmail.com
Website: http://www.standrewsclarkson.com/
Location: 53 Belleville Gardens, Clarkson WA, Australia
Phone: (08) 9407 7512
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standrewsclarkson/