June 11th, 2024: Newsletter #17
- Acknowledgement of Country
- 150th Anniversary Celebrations
- Week 9 Prayer
- From the Principal
- Helping Students Manage Device Use!
- Sacrament of Eucharist
- Fire Carrier Walk-a Thon! Can you assist?
- Hands on Learning
- Spotlight on Specialists
- Goodstart Early Learning Visit
- Around our School- Week 8
- Singing Lessons at St. John's
- Student Awards
- Happy Birthday
- Parents & Friend's Social Group
- School Sponsorship
- Star of the Sea Bulletin
- Community Notices
- Upcoming Events
Acknowledgement of Country
St. John’s school community respect and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and emerging. 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, working together towards a reconciled Australia.
150th Anniversary Celebrations
Week 9 Prayer
From the Principal
Welcome everyone to the new week, I hope you all enjoyed the long weekend!
3 Way Conversations: Our thanks to all families who have prioritised their time to attend the 3 Way Conversations over the past 2 weeks, these chats are vital in the partnership between school and home and provide highly positive experiences for the children. If you were unable to attend then please contact your child's teacher to arrange a time to meet.
Daily Prayer: Every day, each class sets aside time for prayer. As you can see in the video below, 1EK have been doing an excellent job learning their current prayer, we love their enthusiasm!
We look forward to the week ahead, Ben.
Helping Students Manage Device Use!
In today's digital age, devices have become popular for both for education and entertainment. However, their pervasive presence can sometimes lead to unhealthy habits and even addiction, particularly among students. As parents and carers, it's crucial to strike a balance, ensuring that technology enhances rather than hinders your child's development. Here are some practical strategies to help manage and reduce device overuse:
1. **Set Clear Boundaries**
Establishing clear guidelines around device usage is essential. Define specific times for study, leisure, and digital-free periods. Ensure that these rules are consistent and communicated clearly to your child. For example, you might designate certain hours in the evening as tech-free family time or ensure that laptops are not used during meals.
2. **Encourage Physical Activities**
Encourage your child to engage in physical activities and hobbies that don't involve screens. Sports, arts and crafts, reading physical books, and outdoor adventures can provide healthy alternatives to screen time and promote overall well-being.
3. **Model Healthy Habits**
Children often emulate the behaviour of adults around them. By demonstrating a balanced approach to technology use yourself, you can set a positive example. Show them that while technology is a useful tool, it’s also important to enjoy offline activities and face-to-face interactions.
4. **Monitor Content and Usage**
Keep an eye on the content your child is accessing and the time they spend online. This doesn’t mean invading their privacy, but rather maintaining an open dialogue about what they do online. Understanding their online activities can help you identify potential problems early.
5. **Promote Social Interaction**
Facilitate opportunities for your child to socialize offline. Encourage them to meet friends in person, join clubs, or participate in group activities. Building strong, real-world relationships can reduce the reliance on digital interactions.
6. **Seek Professional Help if Needed**
If you notice signs of severe addiction, such as significant changes in mood, withdrawal from social activities, or a decline in academic performance, it may be time to seek professional help. Counselors or therapists specializing in technology addiction can provide valuable support and strategies tailored to your child’s needs.
Balancing device use in a digitally driven world is challenging but achievable. By setting clear boundaries, encouraging diverse activities, and maintaining open communication, you can help your child develop a healthy relationship with technology. Remember, the goal is not to eliminate device use entirely but to ensure it supports their growth and learning without becoming a hindrance.
Together, we can guide our children towards a balanced and fulfilling life, both online and offline.
Sacrament of Eucharist
The Star of the Sea Parish is inviting all children in Grade 4 or above who wish to receive the Sacrament of Eucharist to register their interest by clicking the link below.
Dates for children at St. John's:
Tuesday July 16th- Formation meeting for parents/guardians
Friday July 19th- Formation day for children
Sunday August 4th- Mass of commitment
Sunday August 11th- Sacrament of Eucharist
Fire Carrier Walk-a Thon! Can you assist?
As part of our FIRE carrier covenant, we are holding a walk-a thon after our Feast Day Mass on the last Monday of the term (24th June). You are invited to donate a gold coin and all proceeds go to the Opening the Doors Foundation. This activity is also part of NAIDOC week which falls in the school holidays. On this day, the children will wear their sports uniform. They will be walking back from St. Pius X Church after our school Mass to celebrate our Feast Day.
Before leaving the church the children will have a fruit break and water.
Parents/grandparents and carers are invited to walk with us, please complete the google form below so we can add you to our list to travel to St. Pius X on the bus so you don't need to leave your car there.
If you would prefer to come back to school to help cook a BBQ we would really appreciate that as well. We are seeking volunteers from 11.45am, please also complete the google form. The children should get back to school around 12.15pm and then they will have the BBQ and anything else from their lunch box.
What is NAIDOC week? - Click here
Opening the doors foundation - Click here
Hands on Learning
Spotlight on Specialists
Digi Tech
The Hungry Caterpillar app has been a huge hit with the Foundation 1 & 2 classes over the last two weeks. The AR app has allowed us to place a digital caterpillar world into the real world. The children have fed and played with their caterpillar and turned him into a beautiful butterfly. They have then taken screenshots, added drawings with the markup tools and added the photos to Keynote. Children then use voice recording to tell their story.
Jayne Brown.
Goodstart Early Learning Visit
On Wednesday 5th June, the Student Leaders and Johnnies all walked down to Goodstart Early Learning, Dennington, to volunteer our time with the 4 year old Kindergarten children. We participated in a range of activities such as reading books to them, completed puzzles, did some drawings and kicked the football, just to name a few. We had a great hour with the children and hope to visit them again soon.
By Charlotte, Archie, Pippa, Jagger, Dexter, Jasper and Dusty.
Around our School- Week 8
Singing Lessons at St. John's
Student Awards
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday to Rhys C and Levi L who celebrate their birthday this week. We hope you have a wonderful day celebrating with family and friends.
Parents & Friend's Social Group
Our next general meeting will be held Wednesday 19th June at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space. We welcome all current and new members.
Dennington's Day Out
Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 26th June at 7:15pm.
We are currently looking for expressions of interest for our Grade 3-6 students that might be interested in holding a mini entrepreneur stall at this year's Dennington’s Day Out. If this is something your child would like to participate in please send a EOI to ddo@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au or contact Sarah Howley or Hayley Black
There is still time to sponsor, If you or know someone that might be interested please email ddo@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au to enquire about the packages or check out the DDO facebook page.
Disco
Our school disco is being held THIS FRIDAY NIGHT!!
Please make sure you RSVP by the end of TODAY-11th June. Payment can be made via EFT or cash to the office with your child’s name.
Wednesday Treats
Roster for this week:
Wednesday 12th June 12pm - Melanie K, Tess M and Jayne L.
Next week will be our last order for Term 2- Dim Sims, with forms going home today. All cash orders need to be in by 9.00am Monday. No late orders will be accepted. If you are paying via EFT please make sure that’s processed by 3.00pm on Monday with your child's name and class as reference. If you are paying via EFT please make sure you make payment before sending the form back in. We have had a few people forget and it's always awkward to have to chase up the payments so we appreciate your payment on time.
Later this week we will be sending home our volunteer form for Term 3. If you or a grandparent would like to help on a Tuesday or Wednesday next Term could you please complete the form and return it to the office by Friday 21st June so we can finalise the roster before the end of Term 2. All time volunteered goes towards your participation levy points.
Should you have any questions please feel free to contact Taliah Gleeson or Emily McGennan.
Cake Raffle
Each week on a Monday, 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 Monday with a limit of five tickets per student. The Johnnies will make a P.A announcement at first lunch, calling all students who wish to purchase a ticket, to the Library.
The following families are rostered on next week, Monday 17th June.
Howley, Hyatt, Hyland, Hynes and Irvine.
Please drop your (store purchased) cake into the front office with your child's name written on top.
School Sponsorship
A big thank you to O'Brien's Electrical, Joinery by Jarrod, Fry Painting and Carry on Travel who sponsor 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
Friday 14th June: School Disco
Wednesday 19th June: Parents and Friends Social Group Meeting at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space
Monday 24th June: Mass at 10.00am and Fire Carrier Walk-A Thon
Wednesday 26th June: Dennington’s Day Out meeting 7:15 pm in the Gathering Space
Friday 28th June: End of Term 2, school concludes at 2.20pm
Monday 15th July: Term 3 Commences