St. Francis Xavier

On Wednesday the 16th of September we held our very first SFX Auslan Spelling Bee, with an incredible 77 students taking part! Students put their fingerspelling skills to the test, demonstrating both accuracy and fluency as they fingerspelled a range of words.

A huge thank you to our wonderful judges, Chantelle, Tamara, one of our SFX parents, and Gary, a member of our Ballarat Deaf community, for giving their time and supporting our students.

It was fantastic to see so many students excited to showcase their Auslan skills and have a go. Congratulations to all 77 participants on being part of our very first SFX Auslan Spelling Bee! 

Class Winners

Congratulations to the students who celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation at Damascus College at the end of Term 3.

Confirmation marks an important milestone in their faith journey as they are strengthened by the gifts of the Holy Spirit and encouraged to live as active witnesses of Christ. We thank the families, sponsors, parish community and staff who supported our candidates throughout their preparation, and we pray that God's Spirit continues to guide them as they grow in faith, hope and love.

This Week's Gospel – The Parable of the Tenants (Matthew 21:33–43)

In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus tells the Parable of the Tenants. Through this story, he reminds us that everything we have is a gift from God, and we are called to use those gifts wisely and faithfully.

God entrusts each of us with unique talents, opportunities and responsibilities. Whether at home, at school or in our community, we are invited to use these gifts to serve others and help God's Kingdom grow.

This Gospel encourages us to ask not only "What have I been given?" but also, "What am I doing with what I've been given?"

A message for families:

This week we celebrate the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, whose love for God, people and all of creation continues to inspire Christians around the world. His feast day also marks the conclusion of the Season of Creation, inviting us to reflect on how we can continue to care for our common home throughout the year.

We also celebrate Our Lady of the Rosary on 7 October, remembering Mary's faithful "yes" to God and the example she gives us of trust, prayer and discipleship.

As we begin Mission Month, we are reminded that every Christian is called to share God's love through acts of service, compassion and hope.

A family reflection:

What gifts has God given our family?

How can we use those gifts to make a positive difference in the lives of others?

Our challenge for the week:

Choose one way this week to use your gifts in the service of others.

• Help someone without expecting anything in return.

• Care for God's creation through a simple action.

• Pray for those serving others throughout the world during Mission Month.

When we share the gifts God has entrusted to us, we help build a world filled with hope, peace and love.

Michael Marshall, Religious Education Leader

Welcome back to Term 4! It was so lovely to see all the smiling faces and excited chatter this morning at the school gates!

World Mental Health Day is marked each year on 10 October. It is a reminder to pause and think about the importance of mental health and wellbeing in all of our lives.

Mental health is something that affects all of us – children, young people and adults. There are times when life feels good and manageable, and there are also times when things can feel a little harder. Creating a community where we can talk openly about how we are feeling, look out for one another and know when to ask for help is so important.

As parents and caregivers, we have such an important role to play in supporting our children’s wellbeing. Sometimes it is the small, everyday things that make the biggest difference – making time to talk, listening when our children want to share, helping them find a healthy balance between school, technology and rest, or simply reminding them that it is okay to not be okay.

We also know that children learn so much from watching the adults around them. When we model healthy ways of managing stress, talking about our own feelings and seeking support when we need it, we are helping our children understand that looking after our mental health is a normal and important part of life.

World Mental Health Day gives us an opportunity to start conversations, reduce the stigma around mental health and remind our children that asking for help is a strength.

Our latest SchoolTV Special Report provides some helpful information and practical ideas for families to explore together.

Read the World Mental Health Day Special Report here

Christine Meneely (School Counsellor and Wellbeing/MHiPS Leader)

Contact me on: cmeneely@sfxballarat.catholic.edu.au