Week 7, June 6th, 2022: Newsletter #17

Acknowledgement of Country

St. John’s school community respect and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and future. 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.

Week 7 Prayer

From the Principal

Greetings everyone,

Pentecost Sunday: Last Sunday the Catholic church celebrated the feast of PENTECOST! 

Happy birthday to the Catholic Church and Happy birthday to the community members who are the body of the Church! We're all familiar with our own birthdays, and we celebrate them because they mark the day of the year in which we entered into this life. But did you know you have a second birthday? 

Because we are all part of the body of the Church, Pentecost is the Church's birthday.  The word Pentecost is Greek and it means "50th day." Fifty days after Easter Sunday, we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and their followers, and the beginning of their Earthly ministry to make disciples of all nations. SO, like the apostles on that day, let’s be open to the workings of the Holy Spirit in us. 

Staffing News: Our congrats to Mrs Painter and her husband Michael on the news that she is expecting her first child in October- we are thrilled at this news and extremely excited for Kristie and Michael. A replacment for Kristie will be finalised in Term 3. 

School Closure Day: A reminder that Wednesday June 15th is a School Closure Day. This is a pupil free day. On this day staff will be at school undertaking professional development on problem solving facilitated by Peter Sullivan. 

School Website: As part of our transfer over to the Schoolzine platform, we have developed a new website which can be accessed at www.sjdennington.catholic.edu.au We would love you to check it out and provide us with some feedback. 

Our thanks to Julie Bartlett who has done a great deal of work on this project.

Rapid Antigen Test Regime Update: The state government have provided our school with advice regarding changes to the provision of Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) in our school for the remainder of Term 2.

RATs will continue to be distributed to you as they have been throughout this school year for the remainder of this term however, from Monday 23 May 2022, we do not recommend that your child complete a RAT twice a week as previously advised. RATs however will continue to be required by students who are household contacts to attend school (5 negative tests over a 7-day period) or who have symptoms.

Student Absences: Can all parents and guardians please remember that if a child is absent from school then we require you to contact the school and notify us as to why they are absent. This is a government requirement. 

Enjoy your week, Ben. 

Sacrament of Confirmation

Over the past few weeks, we have had a number of Confirmation Candidates begin their next sacramental step in the Catholic faith as they have been preparing for celebrating their Confirmation. Tonight at 7.00pm these candidates will celebrate the sacrament at our St. Pius X Parish Church. We wish all of the confirmation candidates in our Parish a prayerful blessing as they undertake this sacrament. God bless all families undertaking this important part in their faith journey.

2023 Enrolments

We are inviting families of students who have a Foundation child starting in 2023 to commence the enrolment process now, we anticipate a high demand for places this year so we encourage you to complete this process as soon as possible. Enrolment forms can be collected from the office. 

Covid 19 Term 2 Updates

Rapid antigen test screening requirements: Students who have tested positive for COVID-19, and have completed their 7-day isolation period, now do not need to undertake rapid antigen test (RAT) screening for 12 weeks after their release from isolation. 

Household contacts: Students who are household contacts of a COVID-19 case are not required to quarantine. They may return to school as long as they undertake rapid antigen tests (RAT) 5 times during their 7-day period. They are required to notify the school that they are a household contact. Students aged 8 years and above who are household contacts are required to wear face masks when indoors at school unless they have a valid exemption. If a student household contact returns a positive RAT result, they must isolate for 7 days.

RAT screening program reminder: RATs will continue to be supplied for the entirety of Term 2 to support the early detection of COVID-19 in our school.

Continuity of Learning: Our school community has been fortunate that we have not had significant staff numbers impacted by COVID such that we have continued to provide quality learning and teaching and student care. I remind families that this could change quickly and the school may be required to ask some classes or year levels to stay home if we do not have adequate staff numbers onsite. We hope that this is not the case, but if it does become a necessity, we will work hard to minimise any disruption.

Sports News

DAMSWAK Winter Sports Carnival: Whilst we were extremely lucky with the weather (I know it was cold), I was super impressed by our children and how well they competed with enthusiasm, excitement and teamwork. They were also very fair and considerate of the opposition at all times. 

Our congratulations to the football and girls netball teams who have now progressed on to the Division stage which is this Friday in Warrnambool. 

Important School Reminders

1.  Every Thursday Breakfast Club runs from 8:15am-8:40am in the Gathering Space.  

2.    Wednesday Treats orders are due every Monday by 3.00pm- no late orders will be accepted. No Wednesday Treats available on Wedesday 15th June due to the school closure day.

3.      Student Absences: Can all parents and guardians please remember that if a child is absent then we require you to contact the school via schoolzine, PAM, or phone to notify us as to whay they are absent. This is a government requirement. 

4.    School Cosure Day: A reminder that Wednesday 15th June is a School Closure Day. Staff will be participting in Professional Development Training on this day.

5.     School Catch up Photos: Students absent on photo day will have the opportunity to have their individual photos taken on Thursday 16th June. These students are to come to school dressed in their sports uniforms. Unique codes for ordering will be given out on this day.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Levi L who celebrates his birthday this week. We hope you have a wonderful day!!

Parents and Friends Social Group News

Parents & Friends Social Group Meeting

Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday 22nd June 7.00pm at The Cally. Come along for a short meeting and catch up with other parents.

Dennington Day Out Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 13th July at 7.30pm in the Gathering Space. If you know of a business that would love to make donations toward the day please contact ddo@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au

We encourage all parents to LIKE our facebook page ‘Dennington Day Out’ and when you see a new post share it to your page so that the wider community can hear of our upcoming celebrations.

Wednesday Treats 

Order forms are due back by 3.00pm each Monday. Late orders will not be accepted.

Wednesday 8th June: Potato Cakes.

Tuesday 7th June 9.00am Volunteers: Lacey, Emily, Edie H and Kat M.

Wednesday 8th June 12.00pm Volunteers: Nicole R, Sommer F and Tess M.

Wednesday 15th June: No Wednesday Treats due to School Closure day.

School Disco

The School Disco was a huge success! It was great to see all the children who attended have a great time. Thank you to all the parents who volunteered their time on the night and in the lead up. More photos have been posted in the Parents Facebook Group.

Pie Drive

It's time to fill the freezer with delicious pies. Keep a lookout for Pie drive notes coming home today. Order forms and money are due back to school by 3.25pm Wednesday 15th June. 

Collection will be from the Dennington Bakehouse from 3.00pm Friday 24th June until 8.00pm Sunday 26th June.

Cake Raffle

The following families are rostered on this Friday.

Greene (Arlo), Ross, Forth and Coverdale.

All students will be able to buy a raffle ticket for 20c each Friday. The Johnnies will come around to the classrooms during the day to write out tickets and collect money. 

All funds raised throughout the year will be donated to the Good Friday Appeal the following year. If assembly is cancelled on your rostered week you will not be required to bring in a cake/slice.

School Sponsorship

A big thank you to Fry Painting, Brownies Shed and South West Pipe Relining who support our school!

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.

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

Star of the Sea Bulletin

Community Noticeboard

Upcoming Events

Tuesday 7th June: Parent Learning Walk at 9.00am (Bookings essential)

Monday 13th June: Queens Birthday Public Holiday

Wednesday 15th June: School Closure Day

Thursday 16th June: School Photos Catch up Day - Individual Photos only

Monday 20th June: Academic Reports released on PAM

Wednesday 22nd June: Parents and Friends Social Group 7.00pm- The Cally

Friday 24th June: Term 2 Concludes at 2.30pm

Monday 11th July: School Closure Day

Tuesday 12th July: Term 2 Commences at 8.50am

Wednesday 13th July: Dennington Day Out Meeting at 7.30pm - Gathering Space