Week 4 October 23rd 2023: Newsletter #33
- Acknowledgement of Country
- Week 4 Prayer
- From the Principal
- 2024 Classroom Teachers
- Walk to School Day- This Friday
- World Teachers Day
- Foundation - Gr 4 Swimming Program
- Puzzles
- Veggie Garden
- Hands on Learning
- Around our School- Week 3
- Student Awards- Week 3
- Happy Birthday
- Parents and Friends Social Group News
- School Sponsorship
- Star of the Sea Bulletin
- Community Notices
- Important School reminders
- 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 4 Prayer
From the Principal
School Camps: Good luck to all of the children and staff who are heading off on camp over the next few weeks, our Grade 3/4 children will stay at Warra Gnan Coastal Camp here in Warrnambool this week whilst our Grade 5/6 children will visit Roses Gap in just under a month.
For many students, school camp is the highlight of the year. It’s a chance to learn away from the walls of the classroom and engage in activities outside of the mainstream curriculum. Being away from home can also be a challenging time for students (and parents). But attending camp is an important milestone and the benefits are overwhelmingly positive. Benefits include but are not limited to:
- Builds independence
- Builds Resilience and Confidence
- Builds Relationships
- Builds Social Skills
- Builds Physical Fitness
- Builds Connection Between Teachers and their Students
- Most importantly, camps are just plain good fun.
A special thanks to the staff (Teachers, LSOs and Trainees); without whom our camp program would not be possible.
Learning Conversations: During the 2nd Semester we do not schedule formal conversations between staff, parents and students. As always though, we do encourage you to contact your child's teacher when required and a time to meet can be arranged.
Enjoy your week, Ben
2024 Classroom Teachers
I am pleased to announce that in 2024 our classroom teachers will be as follows;
- Foundation: Hayley Dwyer & Natalie Ryan
- Gr 1: Ella Kissick & Grace Lucas
- Gr 2: Tom Beks & Rick Hynes
- Gr 3/4: Jordan Miller, Daniel Harrington & Alicia Moloney
- Gr 5/6: Megan Kelly, Nathan McInerney & Kristie Prendergast
Walk to School Day- This Friday
This Friday is Walk to School Day. Leave the car at home and walk, ride, scoot or skate! We are encouraging students to keep this up for the entire month of November.
Commencing this Friday (and every Friday) in November, we will have staff at the Dennington Store in Drummond street at 8.10am for a 8.20am departure to walk to school with the students.
The weather is looking favourable at the end of the week so lets kick off Walk to School with a big group this Friday!
World Teachers Day
World Teachers’ Day will be held this Friday 27th October 2023. We invite our school community to recognise and celebrate our remarkable teachers for their contribution to educating, inspiring our kids and acknowledge the support they provide each day.
We look forward to celebrating World Teachers’ Day together and celebrating our dedicated teachers.
Foundation - Gr 4 Swimming Program
Our Foundation-Gr 4 Swimming Program will commence on Monday October 30th and will operate for 2 weeks. Our Grade 5/6 students will participate in a surf awareness later in Term 4.
All lessons will be taught by staff at Jayson Lamb's Splash Factory and the lessons will take place at the Warrnambool College indoor pool.
Puzzles
We are looking for donations of complete jigsaw puzzles (200 pieces and up) that you may have at home and no longer use. Our students are enjoying using puzzles as regulation tools following our well-being day and we would love some new ones. Puzzles can be left at the front office, thank you.
Veggie Garden
Our new veggie gardens are coming along nicely. The students are taking a real sense of pride in the garden, tending to the seedlings and eagerly watching them for growth. Now that we are experiencing a few sunny days, we are on the lookout for volunteers to water of an evening when the day has been warm. If you live locally and are in a position to assist please contact the office who will put you in touch with our parents who are coordinating the watering. If you are also in a position to donate to the veggie garden ie. Bunnings vouchers that would be amazing!
Hands on Learning
Around our School- Week 3
Student Awards- Week 3
Happy Birthday
A big Happy Birthday to Jyda D, Kiara W, Lara S, Olivia M and Piper S who celebrate their special day this week! We hope you have a truly wonderful day.
Parents and Friends Social Group News
Meeting
Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday 21st November at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space. Everybody welcome!
Bunnings BBQ
We are on the hunt for a Parent/s to organise this year's Bunnings BBQ which will be on 2nd December. With most supplies already sourced this is an easy way to tick off your Participation Levy points.
If you are interested please email parents@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au
Dennington's Day Out!
The countdown is on! Only 20 days until our biggest fundraising event on the calendar!!
Look out for the form coming home during the week with infomation regarding pre purchasing wrist bands etc
There will be plenty of opportunities to volunteer your time and tick off your participation points in the lead up to the event, so keep your eyes on our facebook page and the newsletter.
Our next meeting will be held this Wednesday 25th October at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space.
To help spread the word, please like and share our posts which are on the facebook page ‘Dennington’s Day Out’.
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:
Clarke, Clark (Raph), Clark (Finnley) and Chisnall.
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
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.
TheirCare: To make a booking with TheirCare, our outside school hours care provider please click on the following link and select St. John's Dennington as the booking location https://theircare.com.au/
Upcoming Events
Tuesday 24th/Wednesday 25th October: Grade 3/4 Camp
Wednesday 25th October: DDO Meeting at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space
Friday 27th October: Walk to School Day
Monday 30th October: F-4 Swimming program commences
Wednesday 1st November: DDO Meeting at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space
Wednesday 8th November: DDO Meeting at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space
Sunday 12th November: DDO
Monday 13th/Tuesday 14th/Wednesday 15th November: Gr 5/6 Camp
Thursday 30th November: Foundation Extended Stay program
Friday 1st December: Carols by the Merri
Saturday 2nd December: Bunnings BBQ
Monday 4th/Tuesday 5th/Wednesday 6th/Friday 8th December: Gr 5/6 Surf Awareness program
Thursday 7th December: Gr 1/2 Extended Stay program
Tuesday 12th December: Orientation Day
Wednesday 13th December: Mass of Thanksgiving at 10.00am
Thursday 14th December: Gr 6 Graduation Ceremony
Friday 15th December: Term 4 concludes at 3.20pm
Tuesday 30th January 2024: F-6 Classes Commence