Week 1, July 12th, 2022: Newsletter #20
- Acknowledgement of Country
- Week 1 Prayer
- From the Principal
- Uniform
- ReLATE Student Survey
- Sacrament of First Eucharist
- Covid 19 Term 3 Updates
- Important School Reminders
- Happy Birthday
- Student Awards
- Parents and Friends Social Group News
- Cake Raffle
- School Sponsorship
- Our Diocesan Community
- Star of the Sea Bulletin
- Community Noticeboard
- Upcoming Events
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 1 Prayer
From the Principal
Greetings everyone,
Welcome to term 3, I hope this finds you all looking forward to the term ahead after having a few weeks running to a schedule that is not quite as busy as normal. It appears that the Covid/Influenza world we left at the conclusion of term 2 is still surrounding us and impacting on staff availability and student absences; we continue to navigate our way through these challenges to the best of our ability.
In saying that, we are excited by the possibilities that lay ahead and the joy a new term brings.
Welcome to Our New Community Members: This week we welcome several new students and their families to our community, we hope they enjoy the welcome and warmth of our great school.
Lysander Lyles- FKB
Harry Walden- FJM
Reegan Walden- Gr 6 in 5/6JM
Mason Cox- Gr 1 in 1/2HD
Taylor Gurry- Gr 1 in 1/2RH
Caleb Gurry- Gr 4 in 3/4AM
Heidi Brunton- Gr 2 in 1/2HD
Dexter Brunton- Gr 4 in 3/4AM
Sasha Hartwich- Gr 5 in 5/6KP
Retirement of Father Laurie O’Toole: On behalf of our school community we wish Fr Laurie O’Toole well for his retirement and thank him for his contribution to our community over such a long career. With Fr Laurie’s retirement the OLHC community has joined the Star of the Sea, South West Coast Parish. Father George Hogarty joins Fr John Corrigan and Fr John Fitzgerald temporarily in leading our parish community.
2022 School Closure Dates: Please note the following date in Term 3 is a student free day: Thursday September 8th- Prayer & Liturgy.
DOBCEL Circuit Breaker Weekend: I remind all families that the Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited have declared that Friday August 12th and Monday August 15th are school closure days: no staff or students are required to be on site on these days.
Enjoy your week, Ben.
Uniform
We have a couple of size 6 tunics at the office available for sale if anyone is interested. For all other uniform enquiries please email uniform@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au
ReLATE Student Survey
Our school is currently implementing the ReFraming Learning and Teaching Environments model. This model is being evaluated by Monash University in partnership with its provider - the MacKillop Institute. As part of this process, Monash university is inviting you to complete a survey with your Year 4-6 child(ren). It is completely anonymous and voluntary.
There are 21 questions about safety, school environment and the teaching relationships that your child(ren) experiences. Our school will receive a report based on the findings that will be distributed.
Please use the link below with your child if they fall into the Year 4-6 age range.
Sacrament of First Eucharist
This term the opportunity will be open to students who are ready to receive their First Eucharist. For the St. Pius X and St. John's community this is usually (but not limited to) Year 4 students who have been Baptised & Confirmed. A family formation evening will be held on the evening of July 20th for all children and parents who will be taking part.
The dates for Eucharist are as follows:
July 20th Formation Meeting 7.00pm
July 25th Family Group Week 1
July 31st Children presented at Mass
August 1st Family Week 2
August 7th Children’s pictures displayed in the Church
August 8th Family Week 3
August 14th Prayer scrolls distributed at Mass
August 15th Family Week 4
August 21st Sacrament of Eucharist as part of mass.
All families who intend to participate in this preparation are required to register their child using the enrolment form which can be accessed using this link.
Covid 19 Term 3 Updates
Rapid Antigen Testing: We have been advised that RAT's will be provided to students and staff for the remainder of the school year. On a semi regular basis, students will be provided with RAT's but if at any stage you require additional kits, please contact the office.
Rapid antigen test screening requirements: Students who have tested positive for COVID-19, and have completed their 7-day isolation period, do not need to undertake rapid antigen test (RAT) screening for 12 weeks after their release from isolation.
Vaccination Mandate: The new COVID regulations have lifted the mandate for all employees and volunteers to be vaccinated. This means there will be no requirement for adults entering the school to declare their vaccination status.
Transport: Parents/carers who are positive cases are able to leave isolation if other arrangements cannot be made to transport someone they live with to and/or from school.
The person leaving self-isolation must travel directly to and from the location, making no stops, unless there is an emergency or as required by law.
They must remain in the vehicle at all times, unless it is reasonably necessary to leave the vehicle to deliver the person to and from school. They must wear a face covering at all times while transporting and delivering the child.
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 facemasks 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.
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.
Important School Reminders
1. Breakfast Club runs from 8:15am-8:40am in the Gathering Space every Tuesday morning. It will commence in week 2, Tuesday July 19th.
2. Wednesday Treats will resume in week 2. Order forms will be sent home later in the week.
3. Lunch orders are available Tuesday and Fridays only. Orders can be dropped at the school or the Dennington Store the day before.
4. A reminder to all parents that the loops are to be used for quick drop off and pick up. If your child requires help with their seatbelt etc please use the car parks to keep the loop moving at a steady pace.
5. 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.
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday to the following students who turned another year older during the holidays! We hope you had a fantastic day celebrating with family and friends! Harmony B, Dane Mc, Harvey B, Max H, Freya T, Lysander L and Lila V.
A big Happy Birthday to Rebecca H, Charlotte Mc, Zane L, Sarah W, Kai C-B and Oliver W who celebrate their birthday this week. Many happy returns, enjoy your special day!
Student Awards
Parents and Friends Social Group News
Parents & Friends Social Group Meeting
Summary from meeting held on Wednesday 22nd June:
With strong enrolment numbers for 2023, there will be a need for future expansion of facilities. For any information regarding this please come along to future meetings or schedule a time with Ben: principal@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au
DDO is powering ahead with many sponsors and stallholders already on board.
Feedback from the Student Disco has seen it locked in as an annual event. Be sure to come along to meetings to help plan more exciting events for the kids.
Our Term 3 social event will be a Family Movie Night to be held on August 19th at 6.30pm in the Stadium.
Crazy Camel artwork will be completed in term 3 for orders to be placed early in term 4.
Carols by the Merri is looking to go ahead on the first Friday in December. We are seeking clarification into how our school will be involved.
The biggest take from our latest meeting is that Ben values all feedback from parents whether good or bad. The best way to give your feedback is to send an email to principal@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au or attend a meeting and bring up the topic to see other parents' feedback. You never know we may all have the same opinion but have never spoken up. We discussed things such as the school photos, school uniform and the disco.
Malynda De Bono - President
Next Meeting:
The next meeting will be held Wednesday 27th July 7.30pm in the Gathering Space. To RSVP comment on the meeting post on Facebook or email parents@sjdennington.cathoic.edu.au
Dennington Day Out Meeting
The next meeting will be held TOMORROW at 7.30pm in the Gathering Space. Come along to have an input into the DDO's 10th Birthday Celebrations in November. For sponsorship packages or to apply for a stall please email ddo@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au
Wednesday Treats
Thank you to all the Parents who have put their names down to volunteer for Term 3. Wednesday treats will commence next week.
Keep your eye out for the Parent roster and order forms coming home later in the week. Please ensure these forms are filled out by the parents with names, classroom and correct money. Orders must be returned by 3.25pm each Monday.
Family Movie Night
Save the date. August 19th at 6.30pm in the Stadium. More details to come.
Cake Raffle
The following families are rostered on this Friday.
Howlett, Toogood and Howley.
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, South West Pipe Relining and gforce employment & recruitment 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.
Our Diocesan Community
Please click here to view the latest edition of Our Diocesan Community
Star of the Sea Bulletin
Sunday Mass are held at 10.30am 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 Noticeboard
Upcoming Events
Wednesday 13th July: Dennington Day Out meeting at 7.30pm - Gathering Space
Wednesday 27th July: Parents and Friends Social Group meeting at 7.30pm - Gathering space
Friday 12th August: DOBCEL Holiday - School Closure Day
Monday 15th August: DOBCEL Holiday - School Closure Day
Friday 19th August: Family Movie Night
Thursday 8th September: Staff Professional Development - School Closure Day