Week 8, March 15th, 2022: Newsletter #7

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 8 Prayer

From the Principal

Greetings everyone,

I hope this finds you all well after having enjoyed a very nice long weekend with those you love. The weather was certainly very kind to us all!

Our P&F Social group have their AGM tomorrow night at 7.30pm in the Gathering Space. This group is vital in the life of our school; the many roles that they fill help bring life and vibrancy to our community and without them, many of the fun things that you as parents and our kids enjoy, won't happen.

I urge you to attend, not to get a job but to simply be there as a sign of support for this highly valued group.

Enjoy your week, Ben. 

School Advisory Council AGM

The School Advisory Council (SAC) is the leading advisory group for the Principal, as an active forum for parent and community participation, providing support and advice in strategic planning, school improvement, educational outcomes and stewardship of resources. Our SAC will hold its AGM on Tuesday 29th March and we will be looking to fill a vacancy created by Darren Shiell who concludes his tenure. Please read through the information below and feel free to speak with Ben van de Camp or an existing SAC member (highlighted below) if you are interested in joining this parent body. 

Existing SAC Parent Representative Members: Mary-Ellen Hose, Leah Kermeen, Ben Marsden, Jen Milne and Darren Shiell. 

Role of the Advisory Council: The School Advisory Council is intended to:

• provide a voice for members of the school community.
• actively support, in collaboration with the local parish, the Vision and Catholic Identity of the School.
• provide input into and support for strategic planning and directions.
• actively support and promote child safety practices including the National Safeguarding Principles for Child Safe Organisations.
• provide input and contribute advice in the processes of school improvement and school review.
• support the Principal in meeting his/her responsibilities and accountabilities for educational outcomes, effective stewardship of resources, and annual reporting.
• actively support the Principal in the encouragement of family engagement.
• support the ongoing sustainability of the SAC and its members in its succession and learning.

Members are guided to:

• ensure they understand and can articulate the school’s vision and mission.
• make decisions that always have the welfare of students as their primary basis.
• be truly representative of what is best for the whole school community.
• be mindful that the implementation of school policies and overall management of the school is the function of the principal and staff of the school.
• be familiar with and understand the school obligations to ensure a Child Safe school.
• give the necessary time, thought and study to the work of the advisory council.
• respect matters of confidentiality and privacy.
• work with fellow advisory council members in a spirit of harmony, co-operation and honesty.
• make decisions on issues based on all available facts and consistent with the school’s stated vision and mission.
• abide by and uphold the final majority recommendations of the advisory council.
• only act on behalf of the advisory council when specifically authorised to do so by the advisory council.
• refer to the appropriate person any issues or concerns that are not the concern of the advisory council.
• take part in the School Advisory Council member induction programme.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------- SAC Nomination Form- please return to the office no later than Tuesday March 22nd. 

Nam of Nominee: ____________________ Signtaure: ____________________

Name of Nominator: __________________ Signature: ____________________

Covid 19 Reminders

Parents on Site

A reminder that all parents entering the school must only do so at the office, you will be directed to where it is necessary for you to go. You must show evidence of double vaccination and wear a mask.

Rapid Antigen Testing

My thanks to all families who have been undertaking this regime at home, we appreciate the work you are doing. As previously advised, we are encouraging testing in the mornings before school, preferably Monday and Wednesday. It is important to remember testing is encouraged, not compulsory. Please notify the school if your child receives a positive test only.

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.

Rapid Antigen Testing- Twice weekly testing to continue until the end of Term 1.

Mask Mandate- this is still in place for all visitors to the school, staff and children Gr 3-6. 

Literacy Session for Parents F-2

Parents/guardians of students in Foundation-Grade 2 are invited to attend a Literacy session with Jan Madden in the Gathering Space next Wednesday 23rd March at 2.00pm. We strongly encourge you to attend to find out more about how we teach reading and writing at school and how you can support this at home. 

Covid protocols will apply- please show evidence of double vaccination, wear a mask and maintain social distancing.

Book Club

Book Club orders must be placed online, we do not accept cash payments. To pay by credit card visit scholastic.com.au/LOOP or download the LOOP App. Your order will be electronically linked to our school's order.

If you require any assistance ordering please contact Megan Jol- mjol@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au

Important School Reminders

1. Lunch orders are available to order Wednesdays and Fridays. Families can send their orders into school or take directly to the Dennington Store by 11.00am on a TUESDAY for delivery WEDNESDAY and by 11.00am on THURSDAY for delivery FRIDAY. 

2. Assembly will be held each Friday at 2.40pm in the Stadium and we are inviting parents/guardians only to attend. Double vaccination requirements will be enforced, social distancing is required and masks must be worn. For assemblies only, parents/guardians are to go directly to the Stadium, not via the front office. 

3.  Every Thursday Breakfast Club runs from 8:15am-8:40am in the Gathering Space.  If anyone has connections to businesses that may support us by donating milk or grocery items such as cereals etc. we would love to hear from you. You can email Jasmine- jkoch@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au or make contact with her at school on Wednesdays or Thursdays.

4.  Please log into PAM and complete your child's Medical Profile and accept the school policies that have been uploaded to Connect. There have been numerous requests sent to parents for this to be completed and we can't stress enough how important it is that is done. If you are having trouble or need assistance please contact Julie Bartlett. 

Project Compassion 2022

A program that we support at St. John’s is the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Spanning across the six weeks of Lent each year, Project Compassion brings thousands of Australian schools, parishes and supporters together to raise funds for people living in some of the most vulnerable communities across the world to have access to clean water, fresh food and education.

We encourage you to put your compassion into action this Lent through your prayer, fasting and almsgiving by supporting Project Compassion.  St John's Primary School is proud to support Project Compassion. Coming home today is a donation box for each family to collect donations and put their spare change in, no matter how little or big, every bit helps. 

Each week we will share the story of a person who has been assisted by Project Compassion which helps us to see, first hand, the role of Caritas in supporting people worldwide. 

Sports News with Mrs Smith!

Greater Western Region Swimming Carnival

Huge congrats to Indi Stonehouse who this week will represent our school at the Regional Swimming Carnival to be held this Friday in Horsham. Indi qualified for this event after placing in the first 6 swimmers in breastsroke and freestyle.

Go Indi!

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Finnley Clark who celebrates his birthday this week. Best wishes, enjoy your special day!

Student Awards

Parents and Friends News

P&F Social Group AGM - This Wednesday

The Parents & Friends Social group will hold their AGM on Wednesday 16th March.  

All parents are welcome to come along to any P & F meeting throughout the year. Meetings are a great opportunity to catch up with other parents, hear about what is happening at school, plan social events and organise fundraising.

If you would like to attend but can’t be there in person please email parents@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au and we can send you a link to join us via Google Meet. 

The Parents & Friends Social group:

• Promote the values outlined in the Vision and Mission of our school. 
• Provide a sense of warmth and hospitality to our school and wider community.
• Organise social functions whereby the community can come together.
• Help raise funds, which provide the school with learning materials, additional staffing and general equipment.
• Work together as a team with the School Advisory Council and staff.
• To act as a representative body of parents on matters affecting the education of their children. 
• To encourage and foster the involvement of staff, students and parents in the activities of the school and this group.

At the AGM we'll be hoping to fill the following roles;

President- (currently held by Sarah Huntly & Narelle Marsden)

Vice President

Secretary- (Currently held by Jen Milne)

Treasurer- (currently held by Lana Irvine/Malynda de Bono)

Nominations for these positions will be taken at the AGM. Should you have any queries regarding these positions then please feel free to speak with the incumbent person or if you would like a role description then please speak with Ben van de Camp.

Dennington Day Out Coordinator

Our current coordinator Sommer Faulkner has decided to hang up the fairy floss so we are on the hunt for a person/persons to take the lead of this fantastic event. The DDO was created 10 years ago to bring together the numerous community groups of Dennington in a way that celebrates all things Dennington. 

The coordinator role is important in overseeing the many aspects of the day and the people taking charge of each aspect eg. food or rides or the raffle as examples. If this seems something that you, or a group of people could be interested in then please contact Sommer who can give you the warts and all account of  what the role entails. 

Cake Raffle

The following families are rostered on this Friday.

Bray, Brooks, Brown (Ryan) and Brown (Harvey).

All students will be able to buy a raffle ticket for 20c each Friday. Grade 5/6 students 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.

National Ride2 School Day

NCCD

Star of the Sea Bulletin

Emmanuel College Opening Evening

Upcoming Events

Wednesday 16th March: 7:30pm Parents and Friends Social Group AGM in the Gathering Space

Wednesday 23rd March: Junior Parents Literacy Session (F-2), 2.00pm in the Gathering Space

Friday 25th March: National Ride2 School Day

Tuesday 29th March: 5.30pm SAC AGM in the Gathering Space

Wednesday 30th March: 7.30pm DDO meeting in the Gathering Space

Friday 8th April: Easter Raffle

Friday 8th April: End of Term 1- School concludes at 2.30pm

Tuesday 26th April: Term 2 Commences

Sunday 1st May: Bunnings BBQ