April 22nd, 2025: Newsletter #11

Acknowledgement of Country

St. John’s school community respect and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders as the traditional custodians of the land on which we learn, pray and grow. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on this land and commit to building a brighter future together, working together towards a reconciled Australia. 

Week 1 Prayer: The Season of Easter

The Season of Easter: The Easter season is a 50 day period in the Christian calendar that celebrates Jesus's resurrection. It begins on Easter Sunday and culminates on Pentecost Sunday. During this time, Christians focus on the joy of Jesus's victory over death and the new life offered through the Holy Spirit. 

• Duration: The Easter season spans 50 days, from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday.
• Focus: It's a time of rejoicing in the resurrection of Jesus and the new life offered through the Holy Spirit.
• Liturgical Colors: The liturgical color of the Easter season is white, symbolizing joy, purity, and innocence.
• Paschal Candle: The Paschal Candle, a symbol of Christ's presence, is lit during the Easter Vigil and remains in the sanctuary throughout the Easter season.
• Pentecost: The Easter season culminates with Pentecost, the 50th day, which commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. In essence, the Easter season is a time of intense joy and celebration as Christians reflect on the central tenet of their faith: Jesus's resurrection and the promise of eternal life. 

From the Principal

Hello everyone, welcome to the commencment of Term 2 at St. John's, 

Staffing News: I am pleased to announce that Margie Smith is pregnant with her 3rd child and is due in Term 3, we will commence advertising for this position in the next few weeks. 

School Closure Days: Our first School Closure day for the year will take place this Thursday April 24th, which will focus on the presentation of the DOBCEL Strategy 2035, titled "Pursuing Fullness of Life for All." This comprehensive plan aims to enhance the performance of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Ballarat over the next decade. The strategy will be presented to all staff members of DOBCEL schools by Executive Director, Tom Sexton. All schools in the Southern Zone will gather at St Joseph's Primary School, Warrnambool, on April 24th to ensure everyone in the Zone has a clear understanding of this strategy and its vision. This day will be a School Closure Day for all schools in the Southern Zone. The full Executive Summary of the DOBCEL 2035 Strategy is available on the DOBCEL website or hard copies can be obtained from the school office.

Public Holidays in Term 2: Please also note the following Public Holidays where students are not required to attend school.

• Friday April 25th- ANZAC Day Holiday
• Thursday May 1st- May Races Holiday
• Monday June 9th- King's Birthday Holiday

Term 2 Assembly Roster:

• Monday April 28th- Gr 4
• Monday May 5th- Gr 2
• Monday May 12th- Gr 3
• Monday May 19th- Gr 5/6
• Monday May 26th- Gr 1
• Monday June 2nd- Foundation
• Monday June 16th- Leadership
• Monday June 23rd- Leadership

Enjoy the week ahead, Ben. 

As we return to school, we join together in heartfelt remembrance and deep gratitude for the life and legacy of Pope Francis. His unwavering commitment to compassion, justice, and the transformative power of education has inspired countless lives across the globe. With humility and love, he called upon each of us to walk gently with one another and with God.

Pope Francis reminded us that education is not only about knowledge, but about forming hearts capable of understanding, peace, and empathy. His messages to young people were always filled with hope and encouragement, urging them to be builders of bridges, not walls.

His life was a living testimony of service and simplicity, a true shepherd who carried the concerns of the poor and the marginalised in his heart. As a Catholic community, we are blessed to have been guided by his wisdom and his deep love for humanity.

May Pope Francis forever rest in God’s loving care.

Lord Jesus, you have called Pope Francis to yourself.

Thank you for the gift of his papacy. When he was with us, he tirelessly showed the Church your constant mercy toward the outcast, the sinners and the broken. Grant him now your mercy and let him rest eternally with you in your Kingdom.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Alleluia Day

Today we came together to celebrate the glorious feast of Easter. This morning’s Liturgy was filled with joy, hope, and the light of the Risen Christ. Though we have journeyed through sadness reflecting on Jesus’ suffering and death, we now rejoice with grateful hearts.

Following the Liturgy, the whole school celebrated by having a shared fruit snack together before venturing off to view the whole school Easter displays.

ANZAC Day Parade

Our school will join with the Dennington Community in commemorating those who served in all wars.

Our students are welcome to gather at the Dennington Kinder 8.45am in their school uniform, we will then join in the parade before our captains lay a wreath at the memorial on behalf of our school community.

We have also been asked to lead the singing of the national anthem so all children in attendance will gather during the service to do this. 

Please also note that all community members are invited to join in the Dennington Community Association breakfast which will run from 7.30am at the Payne Reserve BBQ area. 

Our captains will also represent the school at the Warrnambool Parade. 

Students are able to purchase ANZAC Day items (badges, pens etc) from the office this week with prices ranging from $1.00 to $5.00.

Project Compassion boxes

Caritas is one of the Catholic Church's charities and throughout the Season of Lent, it operates Project Compassion which is its main fundraiser for the year.

We invite families to return their project compassion boxes that were distributed last month. If you did not receive one and would like to make a donation please feel free to drop a few coins in at the office.

2026 Foundation Enrolments- Now Open!

Enrolments: Applications for our Foundation students for 2026 are now OPEN with the closing date being 4:00pm on Wednesday 11th June, 2025. 

All of our enrolments are completed online, via the Enrolment/Apply now page on our schools website.

You will need to make sure you have your child's documentation loaded onto your device, either by taking a photo or scanning and uploading.  

• Birth certificate
• Immunisation Statement
• Baptism certificates (if relevant)
• Any specialist reports

Enrolment Tours/Information Sessions: Our session dates have also been set and can be booked via the Event Registration page on our school website.

• 10.00am, Wednesday May 14th
• 10.00am, Wednesday May 21st
• 7.30pm, Wednesday May 21st

CDFpay- Download now!

A reminder that we are going cashless. That means all orders for Wednesday Treats, lunch orders various events and fundraising activities will need to be placed via CDFpay.

CDF pay is an app that you download to your phone.

• In the app store search for CDFpay
• Create a new account
• When searching for our school, start with our postcode of 3280 and our school will come up in the shortened list to select from
• You will need to add each of your children and select their 2025 classroom. Please make sure this is correct, as this is where the lunch order will be delivered to. 

If you need any assistance please contact the office but it is important to note that due to privacy restrictions associated to this app, we can not add students or amend your account for you in any way.

School Uniform- Updates!

After a period of consultation with parents, staff and Lowes, our uniform supplier, please note the following updates to our school uniform.

1. We will be introducing a raincoat- this is an optional piece of clothing and the community will be advised when it is available.

2. We will be maintaining 2 styles of jumper, the polar fleece and a windcheater.

3. We will be transitioning from grey pants/ shorts to navy blue- these are available for purchase from Lowes now. Lowes have been requested to no longer sell grey pants/ shorts. We are still working on an option for our girls pants/ shorts and hope to have this finalised shortly. All students will wear navy blue socks.

With any change, there is always a transition period so it is ok for children to be wearing grey and navy blue pants/ shorts. 

And lastly, the move from summer to winter uniform can take place over the next few weeks, there is no requirement on all students to be wearing winter uniform now. 

School Cross Country

All students will participate in our school Cross Country next Wednesday at the Dennington Oval. Students will compete in their age groups, the same age groups as Athletics. Students are to come to school in their sports uniform on this day.

Families are welcome to come along but please note the below times are approximate and will depend on weather.

Mother's Day Breakfast

We invite Mothers or a special person to our annual Mother's Day Breakfast- which will be held on Friday 9th May from 8.00am to 8.45am in the Stadium.

Please complete the google form linked below by Friday 2nd May to let us know if you can make it.

Gardening Club

We are very grateful for the support Bunnings Warrnambool have given to us for the Gardening Club. Their kind donation of straw, plants and tools was very generous. Watch this space for progress updates in the garden!

St. John's Helpdesk

Wellbeing

The State of Youth Mental Health

Tomorrow is World Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Day.

"Mental ill-health represents a major threat to the health, survival and the future potential of young people around the world. The neglect of youth mental health is a form of self-harm that society has inflicted on itself."

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to the following students who celebrated their birthday during the school holidays, we hope you had an amazing day! Austin M, Zivah K, Zoe M, Lyla R, Lara M, Darcy M, Luca B and Jobe G.

Best wishes to the following students who turn another year older this week, we hope you enjoy your special day! Niamh D, Portia D, Hazel M, Raph C, Archie M and Maddison M.

Parents and Friend's Social Group

Our next Parents and Friends meeting will be this Wednesday 23rd April at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space. All welcome.

Dennington Day Out

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 13th May at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space. Our committee is still looking for new volunteers to join. 

Dennington Day Out Sponsorship Proposal for 2025 is now available if you or someone you know is interested in sponsoring this years event please contact ddo@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au

Wednesday Treats

Wednesday Treats will now begin in Week 3.

We are still chasing a few helpers, if you are able to assist on a Tuesday or Wednesday please reach out to Taliah Gleeson or Emily McGennan.  All time that you volunteer will go towards your participation levy points.

All orders will need to be placed online via the CDFpay app. There will be no hardcopy order forms sent home, you will be notified via the newsletter and our parent/guardian community facebook page of what will be available each week.

Volunteers will also need to complete an online food handler course, it will take you less than ten minutes and certificates are to be emailed to Julie in the office - jbartlett@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au

Mother's Day Stall

Our Mother's Day Stall will be held on Wednesday 7th May. A flyer will be sent home tomorrow outlining all of the details. Parents/guardians will need to make payment for each child via CDFpay. Children are able to spend a maximum of $10 each. 

We require parents to assist on the day from 9.00am, if you are able to do so please contact Regina Laird on 0419 115 108.

Cake Raffle

Each week at Assembly we draw a cake raffle for students. The money raised goes to various charities like Royal Childrens Hospital in Melbourne.

School families have been assigned a week to bring in a cake. There is no obligation or pressure for you to do so, it is only if you wish to. If you have been assigned a week that is unsuitable and you would like to bring a cake in another week, please contact the office and an alternate date will be arranged.

If you choose to, please drop your store purchased cake into the office with your family name written on top. 

All students will have the opportunity to buy a raffle ticket for 20c with a limit of five tickets per student. The Johnnies will make a P.A announcement at first lunch, calling all students who wish to purchase a ticket, to the Library.

The following families are rostered on for Monday 28th April:

Cuzens, Daffy, Dalton, Darmody, Davey and Dawson.

Emmanuel College

School Sponsorship

Would you like to advertise your business in our school newsletter? Businesses can advertise for only $100 a year and will have a business card sized listing in every school newsletter.

A big thank you to O'Brien Electrical & Plumbing, Fry Painting, Carry on travel, King Cole Fruit Supply, Total Landscapes and Design and Hiensch Haulage that sponsor our school!

Please contact parents@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au for more information.

Star of the Sea Bulletin

Sunday Mass is held at 9.00am at St. Pius X Church. School families are always welcome. 

The Parish office can be contacted on 5562 2231 and this weekends bulletin is featured below. Other information and contact details can be found on the Star of the Sea South West Coast website: https://www.ballarat.catholic.org.au/parish/southwestcoast/ 

Community Notices

Upcoming Events

Wednesday 23rd April: Parents and Friends meeting at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space.

Thursday 24th April: Closure Day - Southern Zone Collaboration Day (DOBCEL determined date)

Friday 25th April: ANZAC Day Public Holiday

Monday 28th April: Confirmation Parent Meeting (7.00pm St Joseph's Church)

Wednesday 30th April: St. John's School Cross Country- 1.00pm start

Thursday 1st May: May Races Public Holiday

Wednesday 7th May: Mother's Day Stall

Tuesday 13th May: DDO Meeting at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space