Week 6, November 7th, 2022: Newsletter #34

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 6 Prayer

From the Principal

Greetings everyone,

F-4 Swimming Program: We are looking forward to our swimming program commencing next week on Tuesday November 15th. Please ensure that the swimming forms are returned as soon as possible. There will be some initial grading performed by Splash Factory staff and there may be some changes over the course of the 2 week program.

Swimming lessons will take place on the following days;

Tuesday Nov 15th, Wednesday Nov 16th, Thursday Nov 17th, Friday Nov 18th.

Monday Nov 21st, Tuesday Nov 22nd, Wednesday Nov 23rd, Thursday Nov 24th.

Grandparents Day: On the afternoon of Friday November 25th we will welcome grandparents and special friends to our school to join with our students- an invitation will be sent home later this week. 

School Fees and Levies: With only 5 weeks of the 2022 school year remaining it would be greatly appreciated if school fees and levies could be finalised as soon as possible. For families who have committed to regular instalments, please continue with your payment plan as per your arrangements.

Ringing families as a reminder to pay fees is not only embarrassing and uncomfortable to you but also to the admin staff. Please contact the school office to organise a payment plan should you wish to set up a payment plan.  Thank you.

Enjoy your week, Ben. 

BUSHFIRE & GRASSFIRE INFORMATION

Our school is on the "Grassfire At Risk Register". With the implementation of a new national Fire Danger Rating (FDR) system, all schools on the "Bushfire and Grassfire At Risk Registers" will be closed on days classified as Catastrophic FDR.

What does this mean?  On a Catastrophic FDR, the school will be closed, along with school bus services.  No one will be allowed on site. Such ratings will be declared ahead of the nominated day. In the event of a Catastophic FDR an email and a schoolzine alert will go out to parents.

Please note: A Catastrophic FDR is different to a Day of Total Fire Ban.

Additional Information about the Australian Fire Danger Rating system is reproduced below for your information.

100 Lone Pines Program

This week on Thursday we received a Lone Pine Tree as part of the 100 Lone Pines Program. The objective of this project is to commemorate the ANZAC spirit and to celebrate the Centenary of the Republic of Turkey. Friends of Gallipoli Inc., a not-for-profit organisation which has the objective of enhancing ties between Australians and Turks, are coordinating the Project. This is an exciting opportunity for our school.  I invite families to come and have a look at our new addition to the front of the school- near the flag poles. 

Beachside Tennis Academy

On Thursday Willow from Beachside Tennis academy visited our years 3-6 students during their sport sessions to take them trhough some fun tennis lessons.

It was a great opportunity for students to learn a different sport and we thank Willow for her time.

If you're child is interested in signing up to tennis, feel free to contact Andrew Crawford down at The Warrnambool Lawn Tennis Club 33 - 45 Pertobe rd Warrnamboolemail: info@beachsidetennisacademy.com.au or ph: 0431 791 256

Parent Participation Levy

The Parent Participation Levy (PPL) has been in our school for over 5 years now and as a result of parent feedback in 2021, the School Advisory Council decided to put hold on it for 1 year and to see how the school functioned without it; this decision is to be reviewed in term 4 of 2022 which is obviously now. 

The Parent Participation Levy was originally brought in to reverse dwindling parent involvement in our school. The SAC decided to reinvigorate opportunities for parents to get involved and made a big effort to offer a wide variety of activities at different times of the week/year. The PPL was implemented as an incentive for parents to get involved, or a $200 levy would be applied.

Active parent involvement in the school builds connections between staff, parents, families and the wider Dennington community. Our school values the important contribution of our families, who collectively provide more than 800 volunteer hours to enhance the effective running of our school which in turn benefits each and every child at St John's. It is not designed to be a money raising exercise but rather to share the load of volunteer hours provided by families. When parents partner with schools in their child's education, it sends powerful messages to their children about the value of education and the importance of community.

So, we are now looking for parent feedback regarding the levy and any aspects of it. Please feel free to email principal@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au or parents@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au with your feedback. 

We are looking forward to your thoughts.

Covid 19: Term 4 Updated Guidelines

On October 13th, the Victorian Government has announced the end of the pandemic declaration and associated pandemic orders. Requirements for close contacts, like continually testing negative on a rapid antigen test (RAT), will become strong recommendations – joining the strong recommendation to wear a mask indoors, which will remain in place. 

For now, we note the following key changes:

It is strongly recommended that students: 

• Who test positive for COVID-19 should stay home and isolate for five days.
• Should not attend school after five days if still symptomatic.
• Who are symptomatic but have not tested positive should not attend school.

Where students become symptomatic at school, they should: 

• Be collected by their parents/carers.
• Undergo testing for COVID-19. 

It is strongly recommended that staff: 

• Who test positive for COVID-19 should stay home and isolate for five days.
• Should not attend school after five days if still symptomatic.
• Who are symptomatic but have not tested positive should not attend school.

COVID-19 reporting requirements: The Department of Health recommends that a person who tests positive for COVID-19 should inform those with whom they have recently been in contact, including their workplace, school and household. Schools no longer have to alert their school community of positive cases. 

Face masks: Staff and students who wish to wear a face mask should be supported to do so, and schools should continue to make face masks available for staff, students and visitors. The Department of Health recommends that masks should be worn by a person who is a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 when leaving home. Additionally, the department recommends that masks should be worn by a person who has COVID-19 for 10 days after a positive test when they need to leave home. 

Close Contacts: A close contact (a person who has spent more than four hours with someone who has COVID 19 inside a house, accommodation or care facility) is no longer required to quarantine, as long as they follow the additional safety measures:

• Notify the school if returning within the 5 day period.
• Undertake RAT testing on school days within the 5 day period (unless the 4 week exemption applies)
• Wear a mask indoors if an adult or a student (aged 8 years or above).
• Not visit hospitals or care facilities.
• Avoid contact with people at higher risk of infection.

If symptomatic take a RAT or PCR test.

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. 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. 

2. 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 why they are absent. This is a government requirement. 

3.   Sign in and out: Parents collecting their children throughout the day for appointments must come into the office and sign them in and out via the ipad. This also applies to students arriving late and leaving early from school. Please ensure you allow enough time to come in and complete this process. It is a requirement that parents complete this task, not office staff. However if you require assistance, we are more than happy to help!

4.   Rapid Antigen Testing: 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.

5.  As part of our SunSmart practices we require that all children and staff wear hats whilst outside this term. Please ensure that your child has a school bucket hat and that it is also clearly named. NO HAT = NO PLAY. Children without hats will have to stay in an undercover area during 1st and 2nd lunch. Please note we do not keep spare hats at school.

6.  Our school uniform provider is now Lowes at Gateway Plaza. A number of items are now available to purchase from the store including hats and polar fleece jumpers. We have been informed the entire range will be available by January.

7.  Help for Communities affected by floods. Can families wishing to donate to this appeal organised by Jan Madden, please send board games in to school by Wedensday. If you have any laying around the house that you no longer use please send them in, they can be second hand if there are no pieces missing. A huge thanks to the DeBono family for organising the transportation of the games.

8. Swimming for F - 4. Notes were sent home last Friday. It is very important that these notes are completed and returned this week to allow the instructors facilitating the progam to place children into appropriate groups.

Walk to School

Last Friday our school is participated in Walk Safely to School Day which is now our focus for the remainder of November.  There will be a walking group that leaves the Dennington Store in Drummond street at 8.20am each Friday in November if your child would like to join in.

Poppy Appeal

The 2022 Poppy Appeal is here. For more than 100 years, the Poppy Appeal has raised funds to provide important services for veterans and their families in their time of need.

We have a variety of items for sale at the office ranging from $1 to $5 for any students wishing to make a purchase. 

This Friday 11th November is Remembrance Day. We are holding a ceremony at 11.00am for staff and students. Our school leaders along with Ben van de Camp will attend both the wreath laying ceremony at the Warrnambool War Memorial and the Memorial ceremony at the Dennington War Memorial throughout the day.

We remember those who volunteered, sacrificed, served, fought, and died, for our freedom. We thank you, and we salute you as we salute those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

We will never forget. We will remember you.

Student Awards

Happy Birthday

Best wishes to Grace D, Kyla P, Beatrix F, Oscar E, Maleah C, Ryan B and Lily H who celebrate their birthday this week. Happy Birthday, we hope you have a terrific day!

Parents and Friends Social Group News

Parents and Friends Social Group

The next meeting will be held Monday 21st November at 7.30pm in the Gathering Space.

Dennington's Day Out

IT’S HERE!  Only 5 more sleeps until DDO!

This year is set to be bigger and better than ever before. Pre-purchased unlimited ride wristbands are still available. If paying by direct deposit remember to return your form into school so your name can be added to the list. If you have misplaced your form you can collect another one from the office.  Wristbands are also available on the day at the entrance.

Raffle tickets were sent home with each family. Please return tickets and money by this Wednesday. If you are after more raffle tickets they are available from the office.

With such a big event a lot of set up is involved. We need as many volunteers as possible to meet at the school on Sunday morning at 7.00am to help get the event ready for the 10.00am start. There is a facebook post to comment on if you are able to help so that we know roughly how many hands will be there. There is a wide range of jobs needing to be done from sticking up posters to positioning chairs, tables and bins. This is the perfect opportunity to get involved in the school and meet other families.

With over 25 stall holders registered for the day it is sure to be the perfect event to get your Christmas shopping done. We would like to remind you that a lot of these stalls will be cash only and so it may be worth attending an ATM before coming to the event. 

Major Raffle $5,000 draw!

Thank you to all the families who have returned their $5,000 draw tickets. If you are yet to do so please return them sold or unsold by Wednesday. We need to account for all tickets. The $5,000 raffle will be drawn THIS SUNDAY at DDO at 2.00pm. Any families wanting additional tickets can collect them from the office. Tickets will also be for sale at DDO.

Dennington Dash

The Dennington Dash is our twilight fun run/walk! Please return registration forms and money to the office.  If you need anymore forms please let me know! Bring along friends, grandparents, cousins, sporting groups & work mates! Whether you’re up for a competitive 3km run or a casual 3km walk, all are welcome!

We have a great range of age category place-getting prizes and heaps of spot prizes! The Dash is open to anyone who wants to participate and registration is also available on the night. A BBQ is also available post race! $2 sausages and $1 drinks!

We would love to see as many families there as we can! We are looking for volunteers to help on the night to help with registrations, cutting fruit, bbq, time keeping & course marshals. Please reach out to me if you can help!

Please mark Friday 25th November in your calendars! Registration open from 5:15pm and race from 6.00pm!

A massive thank you to our sponsors for all the donations for our prizes. 

Carols by the Merri

Planning is underway for this year’s Carol’s by the Merri. Our cake stall will be organised by Sarah Huntly, however since this is her last year as a parent at the school she would love to share her knowledge and    co-plan with some other parents. If you would like to to help her out please email shuntly@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au

This is a great event to get involved in since we will all be there watching our children on the night.

Crazy Hair Day

Thank you to everybody who took part in Crazy Hair Day last week. The students managed to raise $704.55 with the winning class 1/2HD, which happens to be Thomas's class, raising $146.05. A fantastic effort by all! 

Our school has started a GoFundMe page which aims to rasie funds for the Clarke family to assist with the costs of accomodation, travel and meals whilst they are in Melbourne with Thomas. If you wish to access this fundraiser, then please click this link; https://gofund.me/360d520a

The total from Crazy Hair Day as well as an additional amount from the P&F will be added to the Go Fund Me fundraiser for the Clarke family.

Cake Raffle

The following families are rostered on this Friday:

 Ryan (Sophie),  Ryan (Franklin), Sachse, Savage and Read.

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. 

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.

Star of the Sea Bulletin

Sunday Mass is held at 10.00am 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

Sunday November 13th: Dennington's Day Out with Major Raffle Drawn at 2.00pm

Monday November 21st: P & F Meeting in the Gathering Space at 7.30pm

Friday November 25th: Grandparents day

Friday November 25th: Dennington Dash

Monday November 28th: Thier Care Parent Information Session in the Gathering Space at 5.30pm

Friday December 2nd: Carols by the Merri

Tuesday December 6th: SAC Meeting

Wednesday December 7th: P & F Dinner (venue to be confirmed)

Tuesday December 13th: Orientation Day. Family BBQ at 6.00pm

Wednesday December 14th: Mass of Thanksgiving at 10.00am

Wednesday December 14th: Gr 6 Graduation at 6.30pm

Friday December 16th: Students Last day- Assembly at 11.00am