Week 6 May 29th, 2023: Newsletter #16

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

Hello everyone.

This week in Australia we celebrate National Reconciliation Week with its theme being Be a Voice for Generations, which encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work and socialise.

The dates for NRW remain the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.

For the work of generations past, and the benefit of generations future, let’s choose to create a more just, equitable and reconciled country for all.

Research shows large community support for the next steps in Australia’s reconciliation journey, including the Voice to Parliament, treaty making and truth-telling. This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme, Be a Voice for Generations, urges all Australians to use their power, their words and their actions to create a better, more just Australia for all of us.

Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Education Review: Federal Minister for education Jason Clare is calling on all community members for their feedback regarding all aspects of education in Australia. If you wish to contribute to this process then please click this link below and read through the introductory information.

https://www.education.gov.au/review-inform-better-and-fairer-education-system/consultations/review-inform-better-and-fairer-education-system-consultation

Thursday Assembly: Due to the Winter Sports carnival this Friday for Years 5/6, we will hold our assembly this Thursday, 2.45pm start time. 

Enjoy your week, Ben.

National Simultaneous Storytime

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, family day cares, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. Now in its 23rd successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6.

By facilitating NSS we aim to:

• promote the value of reading and literacy,
• promote the value and fun of books,
• promote an Australian writer and publisher,
• promote storytime activities in libraries and communities around the country
  

Important School reminders

Russell Street Crossing: If parents and children are needing to cross Russell Street then it must be done at the supervised pedestrian crossing. This is the only safe place to do.

Parking: Please refrain from parking in the designated disability car spaces in the carparks if you do not have a sticker displayed on your vehicle. It is important these spaces are reserved for families that need them.

We also ask that if you have to hop out of the car to assist your child into the car that you park your car and collect them rather than hold up the loop. 

Entering the School Buildings: All visitors during the school day must enter via the front office. This includes children late to school.

Student Messages: Please ensure change of pick up arrangement messages etc are received by the office ideally by 3.00pm and no later than 3.10pm to allow office staff adequate time to pass them on to students.

Student News: If you have some exciting news you would like to share with our school community we would love to hear about it. Please email admin@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au

Parent/School Communication: When contacting school staff please refer to our Communications Guidelines for the appropriate processes, this can be found under the forms and documents tab on our schoolzine app and in the Parent Information tab in PAM.

Parent Participation Levy: Please ensure you record the activity and the amount of hours you volunteered your time for on the following form - Parent Participation Levy Activity Record

Covid-19 & Infectious Disease Management: It is recommended that rapid antigen tests (RATs) are used by students and staff if they:

• • have symptoms of COVID-19 infection, no matter how mild
  • are a household or close contact of someone who has COVID-19
  • are a social contact of someone who has COVID-19.
• The Department of Health recommends that all Victorians report their positive RAT result via the online form or by calling 1800 675 398.
• Principals are no longer required to inform their school community of a positive case associated with the school.
• Staff or students who are positive are strongly recommended to stay home and isolate for a minimum of five days.
• Symptomatic students or staff should not attend school, even if failing to test positive on a RAT or PCR.

Communication: There is no longer a requirement for schools to inform their communities of positive cases.  All health information is held in accordance with the school’s privacy policy.

Masks: Staff and students who wish to wear a mask will continue to be supported to do so. Masks are available from the administration office for anyone wishing to obtain one. Any staff or students who are  close contacts are recommended to wear a  mask indoors.

RAT Kits: RATs are available for all Victorians from council sites. Individuals can obtain two free packs (10 tests) for themselves and two free packs (10 tests) for each household member. People with disability and their carers can get up to four free packs (20 tests) in line with existing RAT distribution for people with disability. The RATs are available at the Civic Centre (25 Liebig Street) and the Archie Graham Community Centre (118 Timor Street). We also have RAT tests available from the front office.

Medically At Risk Students: Students who have chronic health conditions, especially affecting the respiratory system ie Asthma, must have up to date health support plans. Families who are unsure about the status of their child’s plan should make contact with teh school administration office.

General Illnesses: As we approach the winter months we encourage all families to be cautious when sending children to school who are still symptomatic with contagious diseases such as cold, flu etc.

2024 Foundation Enrolments

Enrolments for 2024 Foundation students close on Friday 16th June at 4.00pm.  

Online Enrolments: All enrolments are now to be completed online and submitted electronically, we no longer offer hard copy enrolment forms. For this process, go to our school website and select the Enrolment Tab. 

Under the Enrolment Tab you will notice Apply Now - select this and away you go. A tip with this one is do not use a phone or ipad to complete the form, any laptop or desktop computer will work best 

You will also need to make sure you have your child's birth, immunisation, baptism certificates and any specialist reports loaded onto your device, either by taking a photo or scanning and uploading as you will be required to upload this documentation. Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the office. 

Classroom Helpers

Thank you to our Parent Helpers who started last week! It's great to be able to have you in the school again.

If this is something that you are interested please contact Jan Madden  - jmadden@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au

Volunteering will go towards your Parent Participation Levy.

Greater Western Regional Cross Country

This morning Charlotte S and Brooklyn P competed at the Region Cross Country at the Reid Oval and smashed it. Charlotte finished 1st in the 11 year girls and Brooklyn placed 5th in the 12/13 year boys- both of these running superstars are now off to States!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Request for Equipment and Materials

We are also in need a a cupboard that has shelves and could be locked. If you have something like this at home that is no longer rerquired then please contact Sarah Huntly or Damien Webster. 

If you have some sand toys you no longer use, please drop them into the office. We would love to stock up our supplies!

CSPV Parent Connect News - May 2023

The May edition of CSPV Parent Connect News is now available.

This issue includes opportunities for parents to contribute their perspective on various areas in education as well as several webinars of interest in wellbeing and careers conversations with children.

Student voice also features with a webinar and resources on parent engagement in learning created by a student research team.

Parent Learning Walk - This Thursday

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Harley J, Priya S and Indy V who celebrate their birthday's this week! We hope you have a wonderful day! 

One of our staff members, who atteneded St. John's Primary School turns 21 today!! How adorable is she!!

When you see Miss Lane this week be sure to wish her a Happy Birthday!

Student Awards- Week 5

Parents and Friends Social Group News

Meeting

We held our meeting last Wednesday and had a great turn out. 

We heard from the Principal and were able to give parent feedback on a number of topics. This makes our meetings the perfect platform to come along and discuss anything you have been wanting to bring up. Chances are somebody else is thinking it but has not brought it up yet.

The success of our Mother’s Day stall was shared along with the idea of hosting our first ever Father’s Day stall. A budget for this will be set at our next meeting.

The coming weeks will see the return of our Student Disco and organisation is in full swing. Keep an eye out for your chance to volunteer and supervise the event to work off points.

We will also see notes going out to support our annual pie drive. An event which is always a great way of filling the freezer for winter and a big success for our school.

Our next meeting will be held Tuesday 13th June at 7.00pm and we will discuss fundraising ideas for next term and would love to see more new faces come along.

Malynda De Bono - President

Pie Drive

Keep your eye out in the coming weeks for our annual Pie Drive. It is important that any payments into the bank account is set at only 1 transaction per order form with the reference of the students name and pie drive. Please do not hand out bank details to multiple family members. Keeping it at 1 transaction per order form makes it a lot easier for our treasurer to balance. Thank you for your cooperation with this.

Student Disco  

Notes will be coming out this week. Please use the QR code to register your child for the disco. Don’t forget to send your money into school in an envelope with their name on it labelled Disco. Alternatively you can pay into the bank account. Please have your childs name and disco so that we can match all funds.

Wednesday Treats

This week's treat is Potato Cakes!

Tuesday helpers: 8.45am - 10.30am  Taliah, Nicole, Kirrily, Lauren & Emily

Wednesday helpers: 12.00pm - 1.30pm  Regina, Julie and Shelley

Next week's order forms will be sent home on Tuesday. Order forms are due back each Monday by 3.00pm. No late orders will be accepted after this time.

Dennington's Day Out!

This year’s ‘Dennington’s Day Out’ will be held on Sunday 12th November.  For further information, or to discuss the Corporate Sponsorship packages below, please contact ddo@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au 

The next meeting will be held on next Wednesday 31st May in the gathering space at 7pm. Come along to be part of Planning our HUGE annual event!

                   Cake Raffle

Each week on a Friday, families are rostered on to bring in a cake which will then be raffled and drawn out at Assembly. All funds raised throughout the year will be donated to the Good Friday Appeal the following year.

All students will have the opportunity 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. 

The following families are rostered on this week:

Matthews, Mason, Mashozhera and Martin.

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

A big thank you to Fry Painting, O'Brien Electrical Warrnambool, Brownies Shed, Tubbie & Rayz Indoor Batting house and Carry On Travel who sponsor our school!

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

Wednesday May 31st: DDO Meeting at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space

Thursday 1st June: Parent Learning Walk at 9.00am

Monday 12th June: Public Holiday

Tuesday 13th June: Parents and Friends Social Group Meeting at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space.

Friday 16th June: Student Disco

Tuesday 20th June: Student Reports released

Friday 23rd June: End of Term 2. School concludes at 2.30pm.