Thursday 8 th OCTOBER 2015 Volume 20 Issue 31 Dates to remember Term 4 email: admin.sfas@nt.catholic.edu.au web: www.sfasnt.catholic.edu.au St. Francis of Assisi Saint Francis of Assisi was born Giovanni Francesco di Bernardone into a wealthy cloth merchant s family in Assisi, Italy in 1182. When his father returned from a business trip to France he began calling him Francesco and the name remained. Francis trained as a knight in Assisi. While going off to war in 1204, Francis had a vision from God that directed him back to Assisi. Francis returned home, began preaching on the streets, and soon gathered a following around him. He founded the men's Franciscan Order which was endorsed by Pope Innocent III in 1210. In 1223, Francis arranged for the first Christmas manger scene, of life-size participants, to be created in the Catholic Church in Assisi. In 1224, he received the stigmata, making him the first recorded person to bear the wounds of Jesus Passion on his hands, feet and side. He died on October 3, 1226 in Italy of illness. On July 16, 1228, Francis was pronounced a saint by Pope Gregory IX. He is known as the patron saint of animals, the environment and one of the patrons of Italy. He who serves the poor, serves Christ Himself (St. Francis of Assisi) Assistant Principal-Religious Education Robert Burns
Dear Parents and Families, Welcome back to another exciting term here at St Francis. We begin this term with some staff changes due to resignations and long service leave. Welcome to Mrs Casey who will be taking music throughout the school. Mrs Casey has been teaching for a number of years. Most recently she has worked at Humpty Doo Primary. As you are aware, Mrs Talbot who has taken some long service leave, was teaching Indonesian. In her absence Mrs Morgan will be teaching Indonesian throughout the school. Mrs Morgan has taught at St Francis as our PE teacher and as a classroom teacher before taking some time away from teaching to support her husband and his business. It is wonderful to have her back more permanently. Mrs Talbot is also our Inclusion support coordinator and in her absence I have taken this role and therefore Mr Cullen will be taking my PE classes for the rest of the year. Mr Cullen has been a teacher in our Catholic sector for many years working at a number of our primary schools in Darwin. He also worked at St Francis when it was first opened, so it is wonderful to have him back at our school. Whenever I am out and about I am always very proud to be associated with St Francis of Assisi. There is a real sense of welcoming and generosity within our community. This generosity has been displayed throughout last term as we worked together to raise money towards the Nepal appeal. I was more than proud as I signed a cheque yesterday to the appeal for $1090.60. I think this was a tremendous effort. Sadly though one of our students shared with me this week that a friend of her family has fallen quite ill with a type of cancer called desmoplastic. This young Territorian is currently living in Perth with her mother while she undergoes treatment for 12 months. There has been a number of fundraising events organised for this rural family including a community fete at the Village Green Hall on Sunday the 18 th of October from 10:00 until 2:00. Here at St Francis, the children have decided to have a jelly bean guessing competition for 50c a guess and a Green/Blue free dress day on Friday the 16 th for a gold coin donation to support the family during this time. Tomorrow we will come together to celebrate our Feast day Mass at 9:00 in the undercover area. It would be lovely to have families and friends join us for this celebration. We will also bless our statue of Saint Francis that was created earlier this year. Thank you to Doug Taylor who has constructed the plinth that St Francis will stand on near the car park. Hope to see everyone at our St Francis of Assisi Feast Mass tomorrow. Grow in wisdom and love Mel Melanie Bolwell Principal
Principal Awards Score Chart Anthony (Blue) 180 Points Principal Award: Mackenzie Kellett Clare (Yellow) 220 Points Principal Award: Adam Orban, Ethan Orban, Chung Nguyen & Max Osborne Spirit Cup Award: Georgia Krul Francis (Red) 180 Points Principal Award: Jake Bainbridge & Charlotte Barbagallo-Packham Teresa (Green) 140 Points Principal Award: Harry Warden, Lucy Warden, Sam Warden & Meredith Hollebone x 2