News Archive

A wonderful day for our Grade 7–9 Band students at the Calgary Performing Arts Festival hosted at Mount Royal University! 🎶 Our students delivered an energetic and musical performance, representing our school community with excellence and pride. While official results will be shared next week, adjudicator Dr. Jason Caslor offered multiple compliments and high praise for the band’s musicality and performance. The day was topped off with some well-deserved team building and a delicious lunch together at Boston Pizza. Congratulations to our dedicated band students for all of their hard work, commitment, and the way they continue to grow together as musicians! 🎺🥁🎷

This student will never forget the years spent playing volleyball alongside her friends—building memories, teamwork, and friendships that lasted all through junior high. Her advice to younger students? Fill out your notes, stay focused, and always try your best. One of her favourite experiences was the ski trip, where a whole day of skiing and spending time with friends made for unforgettable memories. She’s proud of earning academic awards throughout junior high, a reflection of her consistent hard work and dedication. Along the way, she’s learned an important lesson: you don’t always need the very best grades—what matters most is the effort you put in. In ten years, she hopes to have a successful career, amazing friendships, and a bright future ahead. Can you guess who this hardworking and team-oriented graduate is? 🎓#stfaguessthegrad

This student will never forget the unforgettable Red Deer band trip adventures with friends—complete with a gas station stop for the only logical purchases possible: milk and eggs. Between inside jokes, gift shopping, and memories that somehow make perfect sense to their friend group, it’s safe to say the laughs were nonstop. His advice to younger students? Get your money up, not your funny up. Drama was his favourite class because it gave him the chance to spend time with friends and enjoy every moment. He’s proud of “Being quarterback for flag football ‘I call him 9’. Otherwise known as 5 yard mcGee.” Through it all, he’s realized he’s an “academic weapon” and brings his own confidence and humour wherever he goes. In ten years, he sees himself multiplying his money—not his times tables. Can you guess who this unforgettable classmate is? 💸🎬🔥

You didn't think we were done did you? We were just getting started! This student will never forget the hilarious and unforgettable moments shared with classmates—especially watching Ethan show up one day in a bright highlighter hoodie and the next in full cowboy boots and Wranglers. His advice to younger students? Don’t let assignments pile up—doing them on time is way easier than catching up later. One of his favourite parts of the day was hearing that 3:30 bell and heading out after a full day of school and memories. He’s especially proud of conquering the moguls on a black diamond run during the ski trip—and making it down in one piece! Along the way, he’s learned who his true friends are and the importance of surrounding himself with good people. In ten years, he hopes to be living outdoors as a professional hunting guide, training horses, and building a successful life doing what he loves. Can you guess who this adventurous and authentic graduate is? 🐎 #STFAGuesstheGrad

Sunshine, smiles, and some very special guests ☀️💐 Our Kindergarten Mother’s Day Picnic was the perfect way to celebrate the incredible moms, grandmas, and loved ones who fill our students’ lives with so much love and care. Beautiful weather, happy hearts, and sweet moments together made for a truly memorable afternoon. Thank you to all who joined us to celebrate! 💛

A huge thank you to all the staff who rolled up their sleeves (literally!) and to our incredible students and families for your support. Your generosity is helping make an unforgettable experience possible for our students travelling to Peru this Easter! What a fun way to come together for something meaningful! #WeAreSTFA #STFAPeru2026

In this Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi, our community is slowing down and leaning in. Together, staff and students will journey toward a deeper, more intimate understanding of St. Francis—not just as a patron saint, but as a person whose life, faith, and choices continue to guide us today. This year invites us to go deeper than we ever have before, allowing his spirit of humility, peace, and love for all creation to shape how we learn, lead, and live together. #WeAreSTFA

💗 On Wednesdays, we wear pink. 💗 Pink Shirt Day is happening February 25th and we’re excited to collaborate with our local partner @beanandbear.co to make it extra special! Order a custom Pink Shirt Day tee featuring our school logo, and show your support for kindness, belonging, and community. Even better—a portion of every shirt sold comes back to support our school. 🗓 Order deadline: February 10 👕 Wear it: February 25 Let’s come together, wear pink, and advocate for a place where everyone belongs 🩷 🔗 Link to purchase in our bio!

Temporary tattoos. Permanent impact. 💛 Help fund our students’ Peru trip this Easter by sponsoring a teacher sleeve tattoo on an arm or leg! Participating staff include: • Mrs. Bilawchuck • Mr. Walton • Mrs. Avramovic • Mrs. Sziva • Mrs. Olynyk • Mrs. Gatto • Mrs. De Mederios • Mrs. Groger • Miss. Riccio • Miss Behm • Mr. Paul • Ms. Riccio • Ms. Showalter • Mrs. Benassi • Mrs. De Orbe

📝 Division 1 Spell-A-Thon is happening this Thursday! Our youngest learners are putting their spelling skills to the test and have been encouraged to gather sponsors as they work toward their goals. More information has been shared by homeroom teachers. Thank you for supporting our students and celebrating their hard work! 💙📚

Our February Newsletter is here! Inside, you’ll find important dates, upcoming events, highlights from our school community, and ways to stay connected throughout the month. We invite you to take a few moments to read and stay informed as we journey through February together. 🔗 Link in bio!

⚠️Just a reminder that there is no school tomorrow! This week, we are excited to kick off Literacy Week—please be sure to check agendas and teacher communications for grade-specific activities and details. A special thank you to our Grade 4 and Grade 7 families: please take a few moments to complete the AERR Survey and the CTR Faith Survey that were shared with you last week. Your voice is an important part of our ongoing growth and reflection! Thank you for your continued partnership and support 🫶🏻

Christmas Eve. ✨ Did You Know? Over 800 years ago, St. Francis of Assisi created the first Nativity to help people see, feel, and fall in love again with the humility of Christ’s birth—God choosing simplicity, closeness, and love. This manger scene, drawn by Aria in Grade 5, reminds us of the Nativity as St. Francis of Assisi first helped the world imagine it — real, human, and anything but silent. Contrary to popular belief, that night was likely noisy, crowded, and uncertain. A newborn crying. Animals shifting. Tired parents. Very little comfort. And yet, this is exactly how God chose to enter the world — not in perfection, but in the middle of mess, movement, and humanity. May this Christmas Eve remind us that even in the noise, the waiting, and the full hearts — God is with us. 🕊️

Today we gathered for our final Pace e Bene of 2025 🤍 Together, we reflected on our call to live with compassion, generosity, and love—especially through our focus on the preferential option for the poor. From our Adopt-a-Senior initiative to the joy and purpose behind our Kids’ Christmas Market, our students showed us what it looks like to see dignity, respond with kindness, and act with open hearts. We also shared a heartfelt goodbye to Ms. Cives, who will be beginning an exciting new chapter in New Zealand. She will be deeply missed! At the same time, we look forward with joy to welcoming Mrs. Austen back to our community in the new year following her maternity leave! As we close this year, we are grateful for a community that truly lives peace and goodness—not just in words, but in action. #WeAreSTFA

Holiday mode: ON! 🎉 Jumping into Christmas break with excitement… and hearts full of gratitude for Jesus, the reason we celebrate. Wishing all of our families a Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year! ✝️ 🎄

Our first-ever Kids’ Christmas Market, a joyful twist on a traditional church bazaar—where families donated items for children to shop for their loved ones, not themselves. Watching our students carefully choose the perfect gift for a mom, dad, or sibling was pure joy. Thoughtful hearts, generous spirits, and so much excitement filled the room! A huge thank you to Lexi in Grade 9 for leading the charge with gift wrapping—she’s been busy all week alongside a wonderful team of Grade 9 elves! 🎁✨ This will now be an annual tradition 🤍 If you’re thinking of donating items, please consider holding onto them and saving them for next year’s bazaar—we can’t wait to do this again!

Sprinkles, smiles, and thoughtful details — Grade 3 Behm focused on decorating and making each creation their own. #WeAreSTFA 🎄

Ms. Cives’ class building North Pole stations and elf cottages!

Beautiful hearts in action. These students delivered your Adopt-a-Senior gifts with compassion, seeing each person’s story and the dignity that remains beyond a disease that can be so crippling.

This past Monday, the St. Francis of Assisi community brought joy to Bow Valley Manor. Thanks to the generosity of ALL STFA families, the Adopt a Senior gifts shared sparked smiles and warmed hearts, but it was the presence of our students that meant the most. For many residents, this season can be lonely, and visits like these offer connection, comfort, and a sense of belonging. We are especially mindful of those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia, for whom this time of year can be particularly challenging. Moments of kindness, conversation, and shared joy matter deeply. We are grateful for the opportunity to spend time together and to remind one another that we are never alone. **Not all visits/pictures could be shared due to the request of the families at Bow Valley Manor.