What a term it has been! From the laughter echoing through classrooms to the excitement of our Interhouse sports and the buzz of the Grade 7 Market Day, Term 2 was jam‑packed with energy and joy. None of it would have been possible without the dedication of our staff and the support of our parents—thank you for being such an important part of our school family.

Of course, the weather had its own plans for us! Twice this term, storms swept through with strong winds, heavy rain, and flooding, forcing us to close the school and reshuffle carefully laid plans. Yet, true to the saying “’n Boer maak ’n plan”, our staff and pupils took it all in stride—waterlogged fields, electrical hiccups, and all. Their resilience and creativity made us proud to be part of this little “farm school.”

Reports have gone home this week, and we encourage you to celebrate your child’s achievements and all the hard work that they have put in this term.  Remember that our teachers are available to chat about areas for growth or any concerns you have as we prepare for the final term.

Now it’s time for a well‑deserved holiday! May these weeks bring rest, renewal, and plenty of family time. We look forward to seeing everyone again in September, ready to tackle the last stretch of 2026 together.

A special highlight was welcoming Kouga’s Executive Mayor, Mr Huttingh Bornman, to our birthday assembly. His inspiring and entertaining talk gave our children a glimpse into what it takes to run a municipality and reminded us of the strength of our community connections.

The Grade 7s held their annual market this term. Alot of planning, preparation and team work was needed to host a fantastic day! Smells of freshly popped popcorn drifted out the barn. Upon entering the barn the childrens eyes could feast on a variety of baked goods, sweeties, and homemade items. There was an amazing spread and the grade 7s managed stock like seasoned entrepreneurs. Well done Grade 7s! Hopefully the entrepreneurial bug bit!

This terms Natural science syllabus has given the grade 5s a chance for some practical, hands on activities. We learned how to make a concrete planter pot with 2 plastic buckets, some Vaseline and a bag of cement mix. We found some clay in the parking lot and mixed it with water to make miniature clay bricks. We made jelly, frame structures with toothpicks and jelly tots and even got a chance on the potter’s wheel. The class was ecstatic to receive their pottery crafts back, fresh out of the kiln.

What a wonderfully creative term it has been in the Art Department!

Our Grade 4 students kicked off the term by imagining quirky little monsters trapped inside mason jars. They then brought their imaginative creations to life by sculpting them from clay and adding vibrant acrylic paint.

The Grade 5s explored the fascinating world of texture and colour by selecting an animal of their choice and drawing it from four different perspectives. They also enjoyed getting their hands dirty while creating imaginative monster-shaped pot plant holders from clay.

The Grade 6s embraced a challenging project at the start of the term, constructing impressive 3D animals from card before strengthening them with papier-mâché and bringing them to life with paint. Later in the term, they showcased their creativity once again by designing detailed and imaginative shoebox scenes.

Our Grade 7 students learned about several famous artists before taking inspiration from Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night. They reimagined the iconic masterpiece by replacing the original village with their own unique interpretation of St Francis College, producing some truly striking artworks.

A huge congratulations to all of our students for the enthusiasm, creativity, and dedication they have shown throughout the term. We are incredibly proud of the outstanding artwork they have produced!

Boys hockey vs Woodridge

U9 and U11 boys played hockey vs Woodridge on Friday the 24th of July. The games were played 7 a side on the Woodridge mini astro, a great chance for the team to experience different turf. The boys played well and enjoyed the last hockey fixture for the year. The U9s won their game while the U11s lost. Everyone went home smiling, all teeth still in place. 

Girls netball vs Woodridge 

The girls U9, U11 and U13 teams then played netball against Woodridge the following morning, 25 July. They came up against steep competition and lost all 3 games, but have shown huge improvement since the last fixture. Well done to the girls for their brave performance. 

Boys soccer vs VCS 

The previously canceled soccer derby vs VCS was finally played on Thursday 30 July, at VCS. The boys had been looking forward to this and trained hard since returning from half term break. U9 and U11 played first, with the U9s winning 2-1 while U11 lost 5-0. The U13 game followed, with end to end action and plenty of chances for both teams. SFC won the match 3-1, giving the boys a well deserved victory before the end of term. 

Interhouse cross country 

Monday the 3rd of August might have been the most perfect day of the year thus far. Finally some good weather for the cross country runners. As per tradition we start with the grade 1s, all of whom sprinted their 600m introductory race, and gradually increase the distance as we move up the grades. The more seasoned runners know to pace themselves but must still overcome stitches and sore ankles to complete the course. Having been inspired by their children, a group of willing parents decided to give it a go and determine who's carrying the best running genes, and it was indeed Gene who finished in first place. Each participating parent also earned 1 point for their child's house. Final scores put red Roman first, Yellowtail second and Musselcracker just behind in 3rd place. 

Well done to all the kids, and thank you to the parents and everyone involved for making it such a success. 

Interhouse soccer and netball 

Grade 7s are tasked with recruiting and managing their interhouse sports teams for the day of competition. The soccer ended with Musslecracker 1st, Red Roman second and Yellowtail in third. Netball results put Red Roman in first, Yellowtail second and Musselcracker in third place. Well done to the kids for putting on a great display of sportsmanship and competition. 

Interhouse rounders

After 2 days of interhouse competition the kids were given one last chance to earn points for their house this term.  Red Roman and Musselcracker tie the Rounders with Yellowtail just behind. 

The final SBD Invitational Closed Tournament took place on the 25 July in Makanda (Grahamstown). We are so proud of both Ricky Anderson and Maya Kotzé who were invited to participate, unfortunately only Ricky was able to attend. We still await the results.

The school league continues and will be wrapped up in September. We still have 3 matches to play.

Interhouse Chess Champs and Individual Chess Champs will take place at school in the 3rd Term.

We are so proud of our chess players!

A heartfelt thank you to all our St Francis College families, learners and staff who supported our Nelson Mandela Day collection in aid of Tharros Family Centre and St Francis Animal Rescue.

We were overwhelmed by the generosity of our school community.  Thanks to your kindness, we received a wonderful variety of donations, including clothing, soft toys, stationery, non-perishable foods and much needed blankets and towels for the animals.

The grade 7 pupils took 67 minutes of their day to sort all of the items into categories.  Together, we have shown that when a community comes together with caring hearts, we can make a lasting difference.

In the second half of the term, we learnt about different types of pollution and the urgent need to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle in order to make a difference. The children created a collage in groups and it was lovely to see the different ideas being discussed, designed and planned in a collaborative manner. Our next theme was on healthy eating and the children learnt about the different food groups, and the importance of different vitamins and minerals for our health. In Afrikaans, we have begun focusing more on written work, and one fun activity was on learning how to make “SPRINGMIELIES”, and to then write instructions on how to do this. The children had lots of fun giving their teachers the instructions in Afrikaans and then getting to watch their springmielies pop in the pot before eating them.

During the second half of the term, we continued exploring the fascinating world of farming while also learning about ways to keep warm during the winter months. One of the highlights was working together to chop vegetables and make a delicious pot of soup, which was the perfect treat on a cold winter's day. Our creativity flourished as we painted beautiful sunset pictures inspired by the breathtaking winter sunsets in St Francis Bay. We also enjoyed a very special baking activity with Kara Bouma who helped us make cheesy bread rolls. The children loved getting involved, and the warm, freshly baked rolls were eagerly enjoyed by everyone! In Mathematics, we explored different ways of measuring length through a variety of practical, hands-on activities. The children developed their collaboration skills, learning the importance of working together, sharing ideas, and supporting one another. It has been a wonderful term filled with curiosity, creativity, and meaningful learning experiences. 

Our Grade 0 class has been busy learning through play, exploration, and teamwork! This term we have been placing a strong focus on developing our social skills by working together in groups, sharing ideas, and solving problems as a team.

Outside, our playground has become an exciting learning space. In the sandpit, the children have been experimenting with different angles to discover how to make toy cars travel faster down the gutters. They have also been building dams and testing a variety of materials to find the best ways to stop the water from disappearing. These hands-on investigations have encouraged curiosity, critical thinking, and collaboration.

In the classroom, we have been strengthening our number formation and developing a deeper understanding of quantities through fun, practical activities. During our language lessons, stories, songs, and rhymes have helped us build phonemic awareness as we listen for sounds in words and discover the joy of rhyming.

We ended the term on a high note with our exciting Colour Run! It was a morning filled with laughter, bright colours, and plenty of smiles. The children had an absolute blast running, walking, and celebrating together. It was the perfect way to finish off a wonderful term of learning, friendship, and fun.

What an exciting and memorable term it has been in our ECD! From busy little learners to confident explorers, our classrooms have been filled with laughter, curiosity, and so many wonderful moments of growth.

This term, our children journeyed under the sea, explored different modes of transport, discovered the importance of taking care of ourselves, embraced the magic of winter, practised using good manners, and went on exciting adventures learning all about wild animals. Every theme brought new opportunities to play, create, imagine, and learn together, and we are so proud of how much each child has grown.

One of the biggest highlights of the term was our very first Colour Run! What a spectacular day it was, filled with colourful smiles, excitement, laughter, and unforgettable memories. We also loved welcoming our special snake and reptile visitors. The children were fascinated as they learnt about these amazing creatures and even had the chance to see some up close—a truly unforgettable experience!

As we come to the end of another wonderful term, we would like to thank all our amazing parents and families for your continued support, encouragement, and partnership. Your involvement makes such a difference, and we are so grateful to be part of your child's learning journey.

We wish every family a safe, happy, and restful holiday filled with special moments together. Enjoy the well-deserved break, make beautiful memories, and take time to recharge.

We can't wait to welcome all our little learners back for another fun-filled adventure in Term 3, with even more exciting discoveries, friendships, and opportunities to learn and grow!

With love and appreciation,

The Butterflies 🦋, Bumble Bees 🐝, Ladybirds 🐞 and Caterpillars 🐛

* Children are encouraged to participate in an activity every day if possible.

* Athletics is compulsory for Gr 1 to 7 in order to prepare for our Athletics Day.  

* Athletics will change to swimming after the half term break.

Monday
1:15 to 2:00        Grade 1 and 2                   Cricket *                             
1:15 to 2:00        Grade 1 and 2                   Tennis                                  
2:00 to 3:00         Grade 3 to 7                      Cricket *                              
2:00 to 3:00        Grade 3 to 7                       Cross Country                   
2:15 to 3:00        Grade 3 to 7                       Tennis *                              

                    * Cricket and Tennis is for boys and girls

Tuesday
1:30 to 2:00        Grade 00 to 2                    Kings Rugby            Private
2:00 to 2:30        Grade 3 & 4                       Kings Rugby            Private
1:15 to 2:00        Grade 1 & 2                       Soccer                                 
1:15 to 2:00        Grade 1 & 2                       Netball                                
2:00 to 3:00        Grade 3 to 7                      Soccer                                 
2:00 to 3:00        Grade 3 to 7                      Netball                                 

4:00 to 5:00        Grade 1 to 7                      Golf                        Private @ St Francis Links

Wednesday
1:15 to 2:00        Grade 0                           Ball Skills                              
1:15 to 2:00        Grade 1 to 3                    Concert Practice               
2:00 to 3:00      Grade 4 to 7                      Eco Club                               
2:00 to 3:00      Grade 4 to 7                      Chess                                    
2:00 to 3:00       Grade 4 to 7                     Drumming                           

Thursday
1:15 to 2:00        Grade 1 and 2                    Athletics                               
2:00 to 3:00        Grade 3 to 7                       Athletics                             

* Athletics is compulsory for Gr 1 to 7 in order to prepare for our Athletics Day.  
* Athletics will change to swimming after the half term break.

Friday
After School       Groups                                 Paddling             Private – Nix Birkett

SPORTS ADMINISTRATOR:           Mr. van Tonder

On behalf of the PTA, Governing Body, staff and learners, we extend our sincere gratitude to each and every sponsor who contributed towards making these events such a remarkable success. Your commitment to our school and community is deeply appreciated, and we look forward to continuing these valued partnerships in the years ahead.

The PTA also had the pleasure of running the Tuck Shop at the Cross Country & ECD Colour Run, where learners, parents and supporters enjoyed a variety of refreshments while contributing to another successful fundraising initiative. Events such as these not only raise valuable funds for the school but also strengthen the wonderful sense of community that makes St Francis College so special.

As we head into Term 3, we are excited about another busy fundraising calendar. Highlights include our Silent Art Auction, showcasing the creativity of our learners, our much-anticipated Annual Christmas Fair, School Concert & Grand Raffle, as well as a number of Toastie Wednesdays, which have already become a favourite among our learners. We look forward to the continued support of our school community as we work together to provide additional opportunities and resources that benefit every child at St Francis College.

A heartfelt thank you goes to every sponsor, volunteer, parent, golfer, prize donor and supporter who contributed their time, generosity and enthusiasm throughout the term. Your continued support makes these initiatives possible and plays an important role in enriching the experience of our learners. Together, we are making a lasting difference.