June 17th, 2024: Newsletter #18

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 10 Prayer

From the Principal

Welcome everyone to the new week, 

Staff Leave: This week Mr Webster commences leave for the final 2 weeks of this term and the first 2 weeks of term 3. I will also be taking leave from Thursday this week until the end of the term, in my absence Jan Madden and Amy Atwell will be in charge. 

Welcome: This week we welcome Sophie (Gr 1GL), Emilia (Gr 3 in 3/4JM) and Eloise Powell (Gr 5 in 5/6KP) after they have moved across from All Saints PS in Portland. 

Feast Day Mass/Fire Carrier Walk-a Thon: There will be no assembly/cake raffle/awards on Monday 24th June. If you are able to assist on the day please complete the form featured below, you must hold a valid Working with Children Check.

We look forward to the week ahead, Ben.

Fire Carrier Walk-a Thon!

A reminder that next Monday 24th June is the celebration for our Feast Day and recognising NAIDOC week. We will be attending Mass at St.Pius X Church at 10.00am and then walking back to school afterwards. Please note there will be no assembly/cake raffle/awards. Children are to wear their sports uniform on this day.  Children are invited to bring a gold coin to donate to Opening the doors charity.

A permission for your child/children to participate in the Walk-a-Thon has been sent out this afternoon via PAM. Please ensure you complete this request by Thursday.

If you do not wish for your child to participate, you be required to pick them up from St. Pius X Church at 11.00am and then bring them back to school at 12.30pm as all staff are participating in the Walk-a-Thon and there will not be anyone at school until this time.

Once the children are back, there will be a sausage sizzle. If your child does not like sausages, please provide an alternative in their lunch box. Gluten free bread will be provided. Children will still require one piece of fruit and another small snack in their lunch box. Please ensure the children have a drink bottle with their name on it to take on the walk.

If parents/carers wish to walk with the children, please fill out the google form below by 9.00am Wednesday 19th June as we need to book buses. Anyone walking or cooking the BBQ will need to ensure they have their working with children's check.

 What is NAIDOC week? -  Click here

Opening the doors foundation - Click here

Lunch Orders

Due to renovation works the Dennington Store will not be providing lunch orders for at least the rest of this term and potentially into term 3. We will keep the community notified of when we expect lunch orders to be available again.

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. 

The preparation time for First Eucharist will begin in the opening week of Term 3. To begin the preparation, parents/carers will be invited to attend an information meeting on Tuesday July 16th at 6.00pm.  

The preparation of this Sacrament will have a new format this year.  Candidates from all of the Network Catholic schools will participate in a Formation Day to be held at St. Pius X - in the Hall and the function room.  This is to occur on Friday July 19th.  Further information and permission forms will follow and more information will be explained at the parent meeting.

The Sacrament of First Eucharist will be celebrated on Sunday August 11th, at the 10.00am Mass at St Pius X Church.

Dates for children at St. John's:

Tuesday July 16th @ 6pm- Formation meeting for parents/guardians

Friday July 19th- Formation day for children

Sunday August 4th- Mass of commitment

Sunday August 11th- Sacrament of Eucharist

Sick Bay Passes

If your child visits the sick bay, you will receive an email notification through PAM with information such as the time of the visit, the reason, body area of concern, the treatment they received and when your child returned to class. 

Common examples of these notification reasons may be small bumps (to areas of the body other than the head), small cuts/abrasions or small tummy aches etc.  

IMPORTANT TO NOTE - If your child receives a knock to the head, parents/carers will continue to receive a prompt phone call.  Also, as is current practice, if we deem your child needs to be collected from school with more immediate health concerns parents/carers. You will continue to receive an email notification through PAM in addition to these calls. 

You will not receive email notifications if your child takes a regular daily prescribed medication. 

If you have any questions please contact the office. 

Working With Children Check

We encourage parents and guardians to volunteer their time around the school and at events invited by the school, however you will need a current Working with Children Check (WWCC), this is a Victorian Government legislation. Working With Children Check's are free and you can apply by clicking the link below.

The next time you are volunteering at school, please allow enough time to sign in on the Ipad and upload a copy of your WWCC card. 

Mobile Phones

Our school understands that some families require their child to have a mobile phone for communication and safety needs before and after school. If your child is bringing a mobile phone to school it must be checked in with Julie or Sarah at the office as soon as they arrive at school and it can be collected as they exit school in the afternoon. Families in this situation, can you please remind your child of this important school procedure. 

School Fees & Payment Plans

St. John's is a low fee-paying school. Our global operating budget comprises funding from the Federal and State Governments, School fee collection, and fundraising.

School fees are a vital part of providing many aspects of your child's tuition at St. John's. The 3 main options for paying your school fees are: Direct Debit, Credit Card (at the school office) and Direct Credit Payments.

Please take some time to consider which of these options is best for your family. If you would like to set up a direct debit payment plan please contact Sarah Burchell at the school office or email Sarah at sburchell@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au

Your support with this, early in the school year, would be greatly appreciated.

School TV

Body Image: A child can form an opinion of their own body at a very young age. Research suggests that children as young as three years old can have body image issues, and many things influence them. Parents can play a critical role in helping children develop a positive body image.  Read more below:

Hands on Learning

Spotlight on Specialists

Japanese

Over the past few weeks, all classes have been exploring food in Japan. We have learned the names for a variety of foods in Japanese, discovered some cultural traditions and practiced ordering and serving food whilst speaking only in Japanese. Our pop-up sushi-bar was a big hit and students enjoyed role-playing both customer and server.

Learning to use chopsticks was challenging for many, but all students persisted and had a lot of fun. We practiced picking up pieces of popcorn and then it was time to move on to the real deal – SUSHI! A number of students stepped outside of their comfort zone and tried sushi for the first time and some even came back for seconds (or thirds).

Narelle Marsden.

NCCD Information Sheet

Please see below information regarding the Nationally Consistent Collecton of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD).

Student and Staff News!

How amazing does our very own Miss Mugavin look! Pictured here with her St. John's students, also looking fabulous, at their dress rehearsal for Warrnambool Calisthenics. Wishing you all the best for the upcoming competition!

Around our School- Week 9

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Student Awards

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Emmy P, Ryder R, Ryder B, Davina C, Isabelle C and Mykaeli P who celebrate their birthday this week. We hope you have a wonderful day celebrating with family and friends.

Singing Lessons at St. John's

Save the Date!

Parents & Friend's Social Group

Our final general meeting for the term will be held this 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

Thank you to everyone who attended the Disco on Friday night. We hope all the kids had a fantastic time. A huge thank you to Dom and her band of volunteers who helped on the night- without your help we wouldn't be able to hold events like this that bring so much joy to our children.

Wednesday Treats

Roster for this week:

• Tuesday 18th June 9.00am - Taliah, Rebecca B, Jo C, Rebecca W & Melissa C 
• Wednesday 19th June 11:45am - Julia T, Nicole D & Shelley F

Thank you to everyone who has supported Wednesday treats this term and a big shout out to all our wonderful volunteers each week for your outstanding help. 

If you or a grandparent would like to be a part of our volunteers for term 3 please fill out the form with your available dates and return to the office by Friday 21st June so the next roster is completed before the end of term 2. All time volunteered time goes towards your participation points. Please note you will need a current Working With Children Check to assist.

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.

There will be no cake raffle on Monday 24th June due to the Feast Day Mass.

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

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. No assembly/cake raffle/awards.

Wednesday 26th June: Dennington’s Day Out meeting 7:15pm in the Gathering Space

Friday 28th June: End of Term 2, school concludes at 2.20pm

Monday 15th July: Term 3 Commences

Monday 22nd July: Grandparents and Special Friends Day

Wednesday 21st August: Book Week, parade at 9.00am

Wednesday 28th August: St. Johns Art Show from 6.00pm