Link Up Term 1 Week 4 2025

Welcome to our first newsletter of 2025. We have enjoyed a fantastic start to the year. 2025 is the year of Excellence and Equity at St Francis de Sales College, and our talented and hard-working staff are determinedly working toward creating this culture in their classrooms.

It is always a delight to welcome our students back to another school year. They have started exceptionally well; they are proud to be members of our College, and many staff have commented on how they have quickly settled into the routine and rhythm of school. A very warm welcome to all our new staff, students and families. I trust that you have quickly understood the special community that is St Francis de Sales College, and that you have felt welcomed.

There have already been so many key events, gatherings and activities in just a few weeks of commencing the school year. I had the pleasure of attending the Year 12 Retreat at Victor Harbor in the first week of term. What a great start to the year by a truly exceptional group of young people. Our Beginning of Year Mass was a highlight where we were able to welcome our new staff. The parent Welcome Evening was an opportunity to begin to make those home and school connections that are pivotal to the success of any school. Our R-6 Hearts and SRC Assembly was a huge event with many families in attendance to witness their child receive their Heart Badge, a tradition and tangible reminder of our patron Saint Francis de Sales and his words to us that ‘heart speaks to heart’. The Years 3-6 Swimming Carnival and Years 7-12 Sports Day are wonderful community events that demonstrate the spirit of inclusion and fun that characterises our student body.

We also welcomed back our Year 12 High Achievers from the Class of 2024. Our College Captains from 2024 deserve special recognition. Dux of the College, Gabe Cregan also received a prestigious Governor’s award; whilst Kathryn Peacock was awarded a Principal’s Scholarship from the University of Adelaide. Fantastic achievements from these two leaders. It was great to be able to welcome back and recognise all of the young people from the Class of 2024, and hearing their stories of what they are doing this year was really inspiring. All old scholars and their families will always be welcome at St Francis de Sales, where we truly believe that they ‘belong for life’.

I am writing this article in the breakout space of the re-developed Dell building. It has been delightful to witness the students responsibly embrace these excellent learning spaces. The Dell provides first class performing arts, dance, music and drama spaces along with general leaning areas and breakout spaces for our senior students. My grateful thanks to all staff involved in the planning and delivery of this project; in particular to our Business Manager Paul McCabe and Deputy Principal - Learning Paul Wadsworth for their support and meticulous attention to detail in ensuring the success of this ambitious project.

Once again, thank you to everyone for such a positive and successful start to what I am sure will be a brilliant year at our College.

Andrew Baker
Principal

Welcome to all members of our community to the 2025 school year. In particular, I’d like to extend a warm welcome to new students and families who have joined our community for the first time. It has been wonderful meeting so many of you across the first four weeks.

Parent Welcome Evening

This same spirit of welcome was certainly on display at the Parent Welcome Evening, which was held on Tuesday 4 February. It was wonderful to be able to welcome family members on site and into classrooms to meet teachers, connect with other parents, and establish partnerships in learning and wellbeing. This partnership is critically important and begins with ensuring that lines of communication between the classroom and home are established and sustained.

Attendance at School

Of critical importance at the beginning of any school year is to establish a pattern of regular attendance and punctuality to classes. Research suggests that this is the most significant determinant of learning outcomes.

By definition, habitual absenteeism is missing five or more school days per term, and chronic absenteeism is missing 10 days or more per term. Once our staff see a pattern of habitual absenteeism emerge, parents and caregivers will be contacted to determine what further support can be put in place to support regular school attendance.

As we move towards the middle of Term 1, I’m asking all parents and caregivers to prioritise school attendance and to be proactive in their communication with the College should you be noticing any resistance or school avoidance in your child.

To support families, a text message will be sent each day should your child be marked as an unexplained absence from school.

Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum

The Department for Education Child protection in schools, early childhood education and care services policy states that ‘all children and young people in the department’s preschools and schools will access the approved child protection curriculum’.

The Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum (KS:CPC) teaches children and young people to recognise abuse, tell a trusted adult, understand what is appropriate and inappropriate touching and ways of keeping themselves safe. 

Themes

The curriculum is based on two main themes which are presented through topics and activities.

• Theme 1: We all have the right to be safe
• Theme 2: We can help ourselves to be safe by talking to people we trust.

Focus Areas

The two themes are explored through four Focus Areas, which are examined in growing complexity in accordance with the age of the learners.

1. The right to be safe
2. Relationships
3. Recognising and reporting abuse
4. Protective strategies.

The KS:CPC is taught across all year levels and subject areas, with a significant focus in pastoral care curriculum. Should you have any questions about the delivery of the KS:CPC, please contact your child’s Homeroom Teacher or Year Level Leader.

More information can be found on the KS:CPC website.

James Gill
Deputy Principal - Community and Wellbeing

Welcome to Our New Academic Year

We have had a fantastic beginning to the new academic year, with staff, students, and families collaborating to smoothly transition from holiday mode back into a productive teaching and learning environment.

I extend a warm welcome to all students and families as we embark on the 2025 academic year. A special welcome goes out to our new community members; I hope you've felt a strong sense of hospitality and belonging during your initial weeks at our College. I also wish that your learning journey at St Francis de Sales College will be both successful and fulfilling.

The start of a new year always brings excitement, renewal and anticipation. Over the past few weeks, I've enjoyed walking around the College, visiting classes, and conversing with students, parents, and colleagues, listening to their aspirations for the year ahead.

It's been wonderful to see students re-engaging with daily school life. Many have shared their enjoyment of the holidays but also their eagerness to return to school to see friends and continue learning. It's heartening to hear students speak so positively about their school, friends, and the collective learning experience, and to witness the welcoming and generous spirit of our College community. Undoubtedly, it has been a successful start to the term.

Teaching and Learning Evolution

At St Francis de Sales College, we are dedicated to offering a comprehensive educational experience that acknowledges the unique learning styles and pathways of each student. 2025 represents another step in our ongoing development of teaching and learning at our College, with new initiatives, new subjects and continued growth of existing programs and opportunities.

2025 – New Timetable

As you many of you would be aware, in 2024 we went through a process of timetable review and renewal. This process has culminated in the implementation of a simpler, more effective, efficient and equitable R-12 timetable structure for our College this year.

New Subject Opportunities

From 2025, our Year 7 students have access to a wider range of elective options. Students will rotate through a range of Arts and Technology subjects (including Dance, Music, Drama, Visual Art and Digital Technology, Food Technology, Materials and CAD) on a term-by-term basis, exposing them to new learning experiences and providing them with the ability to make informed choices about elective subjects they may continue studying into the future.

Subject options for our Senior students continue to expand. Following the introduction of Earth and Environmental Studies and Health and Wellbeing at Stage 1 last year, we have 15 and 12 students respectively who are continuing these subjects at Stage 2 level this year. We have also introduced Outdoor Education at Stage 1 this year and will look to offer this subject at Stage 2 in 2026. We will continue to look at our subject offerings and adapt accordingly to student interest, diverse pathways and increased enrolments.

Vocational Education and Training in 2025

Our Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses are another way in which we provide flexible pathways tailored to individual student needs and interests. For students interested in trade pathways, VET courses offer foundational skills needed for apprenticeships or traineeships. University-bound students can also benefit from VET qualifications, as these courses can help develop industry-relevant skills, provide meaningful employment while studying, and can also contribute positively to ATAR calculations. VET qualifications:

• provide students with the chance to acquire industry-specific skills and knowledge essential for future employment.
• combine practical learning with academic studies to help students make well-informed career choices.
• can earn students up to 150 SACE credits at Stage 1 and/or Stage 2.

Interesting St Francis de Sales College VET data for 2025:

• 54 of our Years 10-12 students are completing a VET course, this includes:
  • 44% of our Year 11s
  • 22% of our Year 12s
• St Francis students are enrolled in 22 different VET courses, including new courses such as Certificate III in Information Technology (Game Development Foundations), Certificate III in Screen and Media (3D Modelling and Animation), Certificate III in Legal Services, Certificate III in Rural Operations (Agriculture), Certificate III in Dance and Advanced Electrotechnology
• 3 of our students are completing school-based apprenticeships in Electrotechnology, Cabinet making and Engineering.

7-12 Academic Assembly

It was with a great sense of pride that we celebrated the successes of our Graduating Class from 2024 and the 2024 Year Level Duces from Years 7-11 at our recent 7-12 Academic Assembly.

The highlight of the assembly was awarding our 2024 St Scholastica College Dux Award to Gabriel Cregan. Gabe studied Chemistry, Physics, Specialist Mathematics, Mathematical Methods, Integrated Learning - Religion and Activating Identities and Futures (AIF). Gabe’s focus and diligence in his studies were acknowledged with the achievement of an A+ in AIF, and an outstanding overall ATAR score of 94.40. This achievement is even more impressive given Gabe’s role as one of our 2024 College Captains and his considerable swimming commitments outside of school. We wish Gabe well, as he enters the world of university study, with an offer to study a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Enhanced at Flinders University.

We also congratulated the following students on their outstanding academic success from 2024.

2024 Year 12 High Achieving Students:

• Hannah Whitlock
• Kathryn Peacock
• Tarquin Oakey
• Matilda Martin
• Holly Mowat
• Harrison Coles
• Luella Koral

Students achieving a Year Level Dux:

• Year 7: Evelyn C
• Year 8: Ellie J
• Year 9: Tayla B
• Year 10: Elena G
• Year 11: Annabelle P

On behalf of the College community, I would like to commend the inspiring and heartfelt speeches delivered by the 2024 College Dux, Gabriel Cregan, and the 2014 Co-Dux, Harrison Gaston. Harrison reflected on three key lessons that he wished he had known when he was at school, including the need for perseverance, the importance of enjoying life as you are living it and a reminder that what you choose to do immediately after school, does not dictate your entire future – in fact, as Andrew Baker also mentioned in his Principal’s speech, life will continue to provide many different opportunities and pathways that we may choose to take. Gabriel spoke of successfully achieving his goals for 2024 by ensuring adaptability, thorough organisation and approaching all tasks with determination. Both, Gabriel and Harrison spoke fondly of their time at St Francis, recalling valuable life lessons, the significance of friendships, and the strong bonds they formed with their teachers. They reflected on how their experiences at St Francis and living out the Heart Values helped equip them for success both during and after their school years.

To the Class of 2024, the entire St Francis de Sales community applauds your dedication and hard work over the past 13 years. We trust that the next chapter of your life will be exciting and fulfilling, and we look forward to seeing the unique contributions you will make to the world.

NAPLAN Online 2025

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) takes place each year for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. This year the NAPLAN tests will be scheduled between Wednesday 12 March and Monday 24 March. Please note that this timeframe allows for catch-up days for students who may miss a test. All tests will be conducted online, with the exception of the Year 3 Writing test. Students will participate in four tests in total in the following domains:

• Writing
• Reading
• Conventions of Language
• Numeracy

In preparation for NAPLAN tests, students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 will sit a NAPLAN Practice Test on Tuesday 25 February.

The NAPLAN Practice Test is for practice only and will provide students with an opportunity to become familiar with the types of questions they will experience in NAPLAN Online 2025.  Students, teachers and parents can also use the public demonstration site at any time to become familiar with NAPLAN Online NAPLAN Public Demonstration Site.

If you have any questions about NAPLAN, please contact the appropriate Director of Learning – Alice Taylor (Year 3 and 5) or Kerin Tinnion (Year 7 and 9) or the Head of Equity and Inclusion, Jo Cains.

Science Faculty Recognition

Congratulations to our Science Faculty which was recently selected as a 2025 SA Science Teachers Association (SASTA) Science Active School. The Science Active School Program recognises and promotes schools that show a high level of engagement in science education within and beyond the classroom and encourage the professional learning of their Science Educators through their involvement with, and support of, SASTA. We are all aware of the unique capacity teachers have in promoting excitement about learning and impacting student outcomes and this award is testament to the dedication, innovation, and engagement of St Francis de Sales College teaching staff with Science Education. Congratulations to everyone involved.

Paul Wadsworth
Deputy Principal - Learning

We’ve had a very positive start to the school year, with the welcoming into our community of many new families and staff. At the various formal College gatherings to start the year, each new student and staff member has been presented with (or will soon be presented with), their Heart Badge, which is such a core part of who we are as a College; “Heart speaks to heart”, as our patron, St Francis de Sales has portrayed in his writings.

I also warmly welcome Stephanie Hocking into the Catholic Identity Team, as the Religious Education Learning Area Leader. Stephanie will continue to teach in the Junior school, but will also work with me this year and beyond, to continue to enliven the Religious Education curriculum across the College. I look forward to this journey.

Year 12 Retreat

During the first week of the school year, our Year 12 cohort experienced and participated in their Year 12 Retreat, which was a three day and two night event at Adare Campsite at Victor Harbor. The Retreat enabled the Year 12s to deepen their bonds with each other and begin the school year with an opportunity to reflect on who they are, their relationships with others, and their faith journey. A significant component of the Retreat was for the students to reflect on the year ahead, the Heart Value of Justice, and the theme of the Retreat You are the Light of the World. A wonderful start to the year for our Year 12s and the staff who attended.

Year 4 Mass at Our Lady of Mercy Church

Each year level from Years 3-12, will this year continue to have a Mass experience at our local Catholic Church, Our Lady of Mercy Church. These Masses provide a wonderful opportunity for students and staff to work together to plan the Mass, set a theme and make it their own.

This week, the Year 4s celebrated their Mass for Semester 1, which was themed Justice to align with our 2025 Heart Value focus. I sincerely congratulate the Year 4 stduents and their teachers Margherita Pardoe, Ross Habib, Anna Le Gallou and Lara Kelly on the the way the Mass was prepared for and celebrated.

It was evident that a huge amount of work was done in the lead up, to explore the meaning of justice and how it was portrayed in the lives of the students. The Mass was animated by beautiful artworks created by the students to decorate the church walls and altar, and some students wrote thought provoking reflections about the Gospel reading. As part of these reflections, the Year 4s created a poem about Justice, click here to view.

The students immersed themselves into this experience and are terrific role models for our College community, in terms of Mass preparation and engagement.

Lent and Project Compassion

In Week 6 we will celebrate Shrove Tuesday, which traditionally is marked by the eating of pancakes before the 40 day Lenten Season begins. On the day, the College community will be offering pancakes for a gold coin donation, before the school day begins as students enter the gates. The money collected for this will be our first fundraising effort for the Caritas Project Compassion Appeal, which is our Term 1 charity focus. The main fundraising event for this Appeal will be the Walkathon held on College Day, on the last day of this term. More information to come soon about College Day.

On Ash Wednesday, in Week 6, we will begin our Lenten Season with a liturgy led by Fr Philip Marshall. Lent is the six week period leading up to Easter and it is a very important part of our Catholic Tradition. It is a time to reflect deeply on the areas of our life that we need to work on, to help us to build better relationships with ourselves, others, and God. It is a time of intentional prayer, fasting, and assisting others in need.

I wish you well as we soon enter our Lenten Season, and I encourage us all to reflect on how we can ‘make things right’ within any relationships that are damaged or cracked, during this Lenten Season. Focusing on what we can do for others in a very intentional manner, is a key part of preparing for Easter.

In Peace

Oreste Farrugia
APRIM

Parent Community Group (PCG) in 2025

The PCG is dedicated to fostering strong connections between the College, Parish, and home, and we are always looking for ways to empower parents and caregivers to take an active role in your child’s education. That’s where you come in – we need your support to make these events a success.

Here’s a sneak peek at the exciting lineup of events that we will be involved in for 2025:

• College Day
• College Tours
• Mother's and Father's Day Stall
• Hungry No More Program
• Mount Barker Show
• Fathering Project Events
• School Disco
• College Movie Night

These events are not only fun and engaging, but they also play a crucial role in building a strong College community and supporting our students. Whether you have a little or a lot of time to give, your contribution makes a big difference. We understand the challenge of balancing work and family life, and we welcome any level of involvement.

We really need your support to make these events happen -  if you can volunteer please contact us by email PCG@stfrancis.catholic.edu.au.

Lia Hooper
Chair of the Parent Community Group

The Fathering Project

The Fathering Project invites our College dads and father figures to come together for some unforgettable fun. It’s all about activities that’ll make you smile, laugh and maybe even scream – all at once.

We wrapped up 2024 with an amazing gathering of dads, father figures and their R-6 children for pizza and paper plane races. As time passes, we often forget how something as simple as making paper planes can bring so much joy.

Right after the R-6 Sports Day, around 50 dads and their kids jumped right into creating and designing their own planes, all while enjoying pizza. The competition was fierce, and the smiles (mostly from the dads) lit up the Community Sports Centre. The dads weren’t about to let their kids win easily, though – at least, they tried not to.

The creativity was through the roof, with each design more unique than the last, making it tough for the judges to pick the best-decorated plane.

But don’t worry – there’s plenty more fun to come with The Fathering Project events throughout the year. Dads and father figures, join us in planning the next one. We meet twice a year just for dads, and another two times for some epic fun where our kids leave us in the dust.

Keep an eye on your inbox for the next update.

Roy Filer
Coordinator of The Fathering Project

Over the past few weeks, it has been wonderful meeting so many students, parents and caregivers, and I genuinely appreciate the opportunity to build these connections – I have felt very welcomed by you all. It is a privilege to work in partnership with families to support your children, particularly when navigating disability, wellbeing and inclusion needs. Collaborating to ensure every young person feels valued, understood, and empowered in their learning journey is at the heart of what we do. I look forward to continuing this work together throughout the year.

For those students with a Personalised Plan for Learning (PPL), these are currently under review by our teaching staff. The PPL outlines your young person’s assessed needs, educational aspirations, support systems and goals for engaging with learning. These plans are essential tools that help our staff provide the necessary adjustments to support student learning and wellbeing. Your child’s PPLs are reviewed regularly through discussions with students, family feedback, meetings with key College staff and input from allied health professionals and professional reports. Later this term, we will be seeking input from families about your child's PPL for 2025; at this time, you will be able to access your child’s PPL via SEQTA Engage under the Reports tab, ensuring you have ongoing access as needed.

If you have questions or want to discuss your child’s PPL, please get in touch with their Homeroom Teacher or Jo Cains, Head of Equity and Inclusion.

Jo Cains
Head of Equity and Inclusion

Sprout Cooking School

On Friday 14 February, our Stage 2 Food and Hospitality class had the opportunity to participate in a masterclass in food handling and hygiene at Sprout Cooking school in Adelaide. Led by chef Rohan, who imparted his wisdom from 35 years experience in the hospitality industry, the class learned about the principles of food safety and hygiene in a commercial kitchen setting.

The students then put these principles into practice in a real life Masterchef kitchen (yes, the Sprout kitchen is designed to replicate Masterchef!) to cook a two course meal of Thai Red Chicken and Pineapple Curry and a refreshing Raspberry Cheesecake Mousse topped with Strawberries and Passionfruit.

This was a valuable opportunity for the students to develop their knowledge of food handling and hygiene and put it to the test in a practical, hands-on environment.

Karen Boswell
Aboriginal Education Focus Teacher/Art, Food Technology and Textiles Teacher

Katie Oliver
VET and Careers Coordinator

National Apprenticeships Week       

In recognition of National Apprenticeship Week (10-16 February), we asked our Year 12 student and school based apprentice, Ryan, what he likes most about the apprenticeship and how he found his pathway. Ryan is completing a Certificate III in Cabinet Making whilst working for local company Inavogue.

This is what Ryan had to say:

"I found out about this opportunity by working with my VET Coordinator, Miss Oliver, and found a local company, Inavogue, that was seeking a new apprentice. With the help of Miss Oliver, I submitted my application and was asked to come in for an interview. The interview went well, and the owner, Rowan, was keen to get me started as their first ever school-based apprentice.

I am currently finishing my second week at Inavogue. So far, I am enjoying it because of the work and all the new machinery that I get to use, the other workers who are always willing to lend a hand and are fun to get along with, but also because I'm able to do something that I have a passion for to help me complete my schooling. I have found that this apprenticeship has a great work environment in which I'm thriving and believe that I'm fitting in well. This opportunity has been great so far and I'm so grateful that I took it".

Ryan's passion for this pathway began with Design Technology and working on small projects at home. Together we explored this interest further and the opportunities available for careers in this industry, which led to the apprenticeship.

School based apprenticeships provide opportunities for our Year 10, 11 and 12 students to start an apprenticeship or traineeship whilst still attending school. The benefit of this is they can complete SACE whilst gaining experience in their trade or vocation of choice.

We wish Ryan all the best.

Katie Oliver
VET and Careers Coordinator

R-6 Heart Badge and SRC Assembly

The R-6 Heart Badge and SRC Assembly took place last Thursday 13 February. It was an absolute pleasure to gather as an R-6 community to celebrate this significant event and long-held tradition at our College. The assembly served a dual purpose: to extend a warm welcome to all new students and to recognise the individuals who will lead us through the Student Representative Council (SRC) in 2025.

The Heart Badge is presented to every new member of our community and symbolises our College's Heart values: Faith, Perseverance, Compassion, Integrity, Respect, Wisdom and Justice. These values connect us to our patron, St Francis de Sales and guide us in all we do here at the College. We hope that these badges serve as a constant reminder to each individual of their valued place within our College community.

The members of the R-6 SRC were also recognised during the assembly, receiving their badges in acknowledgment of the leadership they will bring to our College throughout Semester 1. Lara Kelly, who will be one of the staff members overseeing the SRC students in 2025, presented the students with their badges.

It was lovely to see both our new students and our newly inducted SRC students displaying excitement and pride as they received their badges. We extend our gratitude to all family members who could join us for this significant occasion.

Alice Taylor
R-6 Director of Learning

Welcome to 2025, the year we strive for excellence and equity in our learning.

It was wonderful to see the excitement of our first day back at school with over 80 new students across Years 7-12. Whilst there were some looks of trepidation there was also delight at catching up with friends not seen during the holidays, with lots of stories to be told. Our Year 12s began their learning journey before heading to Retreat where they forged new friendships and made plans for their final year of schooling. They received their 2025 Senior jacket and badge and have been wearing them with pride ever since.

Excitingly we have over 50 Year 11 and 12s on VET pathways or apprenticeships this year exploring different pathways in order to achieve their final SACE.

Our Year 10s are looking forward to their Coorong camp in Week 6, and the Year 7s and 8s are settling into learning, enjoying the opportunity to try different electives including cooking, dance, drama and the different technologies.

Next week we will be undertaking the practice Naplan test for our Year 7 and 9 students. All Year 7 and 9s have been asked to download the Naplan Lockdown browser in readiness for this test and are asked to bring in wired headphones for Tuesday 25 February.

This year we are also excited to offer a Homework Club on Monday nights after school for our Years 7-12 learners. This is held in the library and students can catch up on homework, receiving extra support and help if needed.

Kerin Tinnion
7-12 Director of Learning

We are very proud of how the Year 11 and 12 students have started the year and we are looking forward to participating in Sports Day and our Year 11 and 12 Formal, which will be held for one year only with the combined year levels coming together at the Festival Theatre on Friday 28 February. Our focus continues to be on agency, metacognition and self-regulation as we develop each individual’s learning in excellence and equity and our shared meetings have provided an opportunity for the students to gather together and build their community.

Our Year 12s began the year with a reflective Retreat at Adare, Victor Harbour, amongst the beautiful old Cudmore House and in glorious weather. We enjoyed walks, reflections, affirmations bodyboarding, swimming and candle decoration, culminating in the presentation of their Year 12 jackets and senior badges. The students conduct and engagement was outstanding, and they demonstrated the Gospel reading from Matthew 5:16 ‘…let your light shine before others…’ which was the theme of the Retreat. We are grateful to Fr Phillip for sharing his story and for being part of our journey this year, his inspiring and insightful sharing has helped set the tone for the year. This term the Year 12s will be completing their CPR and elements of First Aid in March. We have an eventful Pastoral Care Program for the year and we are all looking forward to continuing the culture of excellence and equity with our students this year.

Ros Mattner
11-12 Year Level Leader

Years 3-6 Swimming Carnival

On Friday 14 February our Years 3-6 students made their way to the Mount Barker Mountain Pool for the much anticipated annual Swimming Carnival. Although the morning began with overcast skies, the afternoon brought sunshine, adding to the excitement of the day.

The event kicked off with a range of fun novelty activities, including tunnel ball, hose/cork collecting and the noodle relay. Laughter and cheering filled the air as students enthusiastically participated and enjoyed the friendly competition.

Following the novelty events, the formal races commenced, with students showcasing their skills in Freestyle, Backstroke and Breaststroke. Several swimmers delivered outstanding performances and will have the opportunity to represent St Francis de Sales College at the Barker District Swimming Carnival in Week 5 - more details will be shared soon.

In a closely contested competition, Savoy took home the House Sports Cup, while Geneva was awarded the House Spirit Cup for their unwavering enthusiasm, sportsmanship and pride throughout the day.

A huge thank you to all staff and the many parents who attended and contributed to making the event such a fantastic success!

Open Boys Cricket

On Thursday 13 February our Open Boys Cricket team defeated Eastern Fleurieu High School by 49 runs in Round 1 of the School Sport SA Open Boys Cricket Competition.

Top scorers for our boys included Tyler (65 off 46), Griffin (61 off 44) and Harry (35 off 51). Notable bowlers included Cooper (2/14 from 5 overs), Lucas (2/23 from 5 overs) and Griffin (1/24 from 7 overs).

The team now progress through to the next round and will play Cornerstone College.

All the best for the next round.

Knockout and Interschool Sporting Opportunities

Throughout the rest of the year we have a number of opportunities for students in Years 7-12 to trial for school representative teams. As these teams are nominated the coaches will place notices in SEQTA Notices with the relevant information for students. Parents/caregivers can also keep an eye on SEQTA Notices through SEQTA Engage. If there are ever any questions about these activities, please email Nadia Honner at nhonner@stfrancis.catholic.edu.au.

Nadia Honner 
Learning Area Leader - Health and Physical Education and Specialist Sport Coordinator

With the completion of our new Performing Arts precinct, the ‘Hill is certainly alive with the Sound of Music’ as our Music Department has launched straight into 2025 with a collective ‘BANG!’

The amount of musical energy already coming out of the classes in the first few weeks, together with our bands, choirs, jazz combo, vocal groups and even a ukulele band, who are all ‘getting their groove on’ with lunchtime and before school rehearsals. 2025 promises to be another massive year in Music where once again our focus is giving every one of our students at St Francis de Sales College the opportunity to enjoy the richness and rewards that music brings.

Live performance opportunities for our instrumental and voice students with the staging of our regular The Music Lunchbox lunchtime concerts will continue this year, together with giving our many talented musicians and singers the opportunity to perform at our Assemblies and Masses and of course our many music concerts throughout the year.

We welcome Shayne Tarling to our Music family in 2025 as our Years 7-12 Classroom Music Teacher. Shayne brings a wealth of experience with him both as an educator and performer, something that is already having such a positive impact during music lessons.

We have certainly hit the ground running with our special event musicians and singers who are already working hard in preparation for the annual Catholic Schools Music Festival later this year where our Festival Choir will perform, under the direction of our Reception – Year 6 Classroom Music Teacher, Nicole Moxham, and we are looking forward to the internationally acclaimed music festival, Generations in Jazz (GiJ) in Mt Gambier on the weekend of 2-4 May, where our jazz combo, DeGroove are certainly looking forward to the experience that GiJ brings.

Our Instrumental Music Program has once again brought increased numbers to our department and with that we have been very fortunate to be able to again secure our very talented instrumental teachers and to also bring on some new tutors in order to service the numbers. We currently have limited vacancies in piano and junior voice but can offer many other fantastic opportunities, including: guitar, voice (senior), violin, cello, double bass, drums, percussion, flute, clarinet, saxophone and bass guitar… if there is something that we have missed, we can more than likely cover that too.

If you are interested in registering for instrumental lessons, please visit our website St Francis de Sales College | Music where you will find further details.

We greatly look forward to sharing our 2025 music journey with many of you throughout the year and in the words of singer Marcia Hines, ‘Music is my life, my life is Music’, we are excited to see what the new year brings.

Shayne Tarling, Nicole Moxham and Aleks Bojanic
Music Team