September 2nd, 2024: Newsletter #27
- Acknowledgement of Country
- Week 8 Prayer- Welcome to Spring!
- From the Principal
- LSO Appreciation Week
- 2025 Traineeships
- P&F Major Raffle
- Wellbeing
- Japanese こんにちは
- Father's Day Breakfast
- AFL 9's
- St. John's Got Talent
- Student Awards
- Student News
- Around our School- Week 7
- 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 and present. 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.
Week 8 Prayer- Welcome to Spring!
From the Principal
Welcome everyone to the new school week. Please note the following information;
Gratitude: Last week was massive and I would like to thanks staff, students and families for their support, participation and enjoyment of two wonderful events in the Arts Night and the Father's Day Breakfast, both very different in their purpose but both very engaging community events.
2025 Enrollments & Classes: Over the course of our next month we are deciding what our class structure will look for 2025. If you are aware that your child will not be at St. John’s in 2025 then can you please contact Ben van de Camp as soon as possible.
We look forward to the week ahead, Ben.
LSO Appreciation Week
This week, we are focusing on our incredible Learning Support Officers during LSO Appreciation Week.
We are lucky to have so many wonderful caring LSO's here at St. Johns and we sincerely thank them for the very important role they play supporting our students.
2025 Traineeships
We have advertised our 2025 Trainee positions- these are a great opportunity for someone looking for a Gap Year position who may be interested in education or child related work. A role description is included below. Further details can be found on our website under the employment tab. Applications close this Wednesday 4th September.
P&F Major Raffle
It's that time of year again where we ask families to support the P&F's Major Raffle. 5 tickets were sent home to each family last week. If you did not receive your tickets then please contact the school and if you require additional tickets, please contact the office.
Payment methods are either cash or via Bank Transfer into the P&F account- if completing bank transfer please make sure you put Raffle and family name in the relevant area.
This is an important fundraiser for our school and we thank families in advance for their support.
If in the instance you are unable to sell all or some of your tickets, please ensure they are returned to school by Friday September 13th.
Wellbeing
It is not always easy for children to always know how to manage friendships. Learning how to make new friends and keep them involves a number of skills every young person needs to understand and develop. For some these skills will come very naturally, allowing them to easily move between different friendship groups, sharing their experiences and opening up to new people. For others, this can be much harder to navigate.
School TV has lots of great short videos to watch if you are interested.
Japanese こんにちは
Konnichiwa, over the past three weeks, we have been fortunate to have the company of Rin Ishikawa in our Japanese classes. Rin is a university student studying education in Japan. She hopes to one day teach Japanese in Australia. Rin shared her love for art and drawing with the students as well as her passion for Japanese culture and its traditions. We have all enjoyed having her in the classroom and have learned a lot from her in a short time. We thank Rin for her assistance.
In keeping with our Japanese art theme, our focus for the next couple of weeks is Origami. Students have been learning about the origins of origami and its significance to the Japanese people. We have listened to the “Story of 1000 Paper Cranes” and understand that it is the Japanese belief that if you are to create 1000 cranes, a wish will be granted. It is also a symbol of good health, good luck and peace.
Students in Grades 3-6 have practised making cranes in class and have been challenged with making 1000 cranes by the end of term. We would like to invite anyone within the school community to contribute to making cranes for our collection. Any cranes made can be delivered to myself at school and will be made into an art instalment in the library.
Thank you for your help!
Marsden Sensei
Father's Day Breakfast
Thank you to all Dads and Father Figures who joined us last Friday morning at our annual Father's Day breakfast. These occasions are a great way for our students to come together and enjoy some quality time with the special people in their lives.
AFL 9's
Last week a group of Grade 5/6 students participated in AFL 9's against other students in the district. Out students had a great time and showed great sportsmanship throughout the day. Well done!
St. John's Got Talent
Students that make it through to the grand final will not require a new performance - they will be polishing their semi-final performance. The grand final will take place on Wednesday September 18th at 9.30am in the Stadium. Families are most welcome to attend. All the best to the performers!
Any questions, please feel free to email.
Amy Atwell - aatwell@sjdennington.catholic.
Student Awards
Due to the cancellation of Assembly today, student awards that were to be given out today will be given out at next weeks assembly.
Student News
The Dennington under 13 boys won their football game over the weekend to make it to the grand final next week. The team includes Jacob D, Archie S, Jensen L, Harvey B, Harley J and Ryder R. Good luck boys, we are all behind you!
Around our School- Week 7
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday to Tilda C, Maddi H, Aggi K and Riley F who celebrate their birthday this week! We hope you have a terrific day!
Parents & Friend's Social Group
Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday 15th October 2024 at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space.
Dennington's Day Out
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 18th September at 7:15pm in the Gathering Space.
Applications are now open for our mini entrepreneur stalls at this year's Dennington’s Day Out. If your child is interested and would like to have a stall please register with the below link.
Family Photo Fundraiser
Bookings are still open - there are a few spots left if you would like one. Thank you to everyone that has supported this fundraiser.
Unfortunately due to the weather Session 1 that was to be held on 31st August at the Koroit Train Station has been rescheduled to Sunday 15th September.
https://www.trybooking.com/CUPPH
Session 2 on 7th September 2024 at Warrnambool Botanical Gardens
https://www.trybooking.com/CUPPO
Wednesday Treats Roster
Tuesday 3rd Sept 9am - Emily, Jo, Kate C, Rebecca W and Melissa A.
Wednesday 4th Sept 11:45am - Julia T, Melanie K and Mel B.
Order forms for next week will head home on a Wednesday this term. Please make sure all EFT payments and order forms are handed in by 3pm Monday as we can not accept late orders.
Just a friendly reminder if you're paying via EFT please make sure you make payment on time. We are finding more and more families not paying this term which then makes it awkward for Taliah and myself to chase up the missing payments.
We thank you for your ongoing support.
Should you have any questions please feel free to contact Taliah Gleeson or Emily McGennan.
Father's Day Stall
A huge thank you to Regina & Jo for your time in organising our Father’s Day stall and all our volunteers helping the children shop last monday. We appreciate your time.
If your child did not have any money for the stall last Monday, they were given the opportunity to spend up to $4. It would be greatly appreciated if you could now fix this amount up at the office. Thank you.
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 for Monday 9th September:
Paton, Payne, Porter-rook and Purcell.
Please drop your store purchased cake into the 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 9.00am 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
Saturday 7th September: Family Photo Fundraiser in Warrnambool Botanic Gardens
Sunday 15th September: Family Photo Fundraiser at the Koroit Train station.
Wednesday 18th September: St John's Got Talent Final at 9.30am in the Stadium
Wednesday 18th September: St John's annual Football/Netball Day (Dress in your favourite teams colours)
Wednesday 18th September: DDO Meeting at 7.15pm in the Gathering Space
Friday 20th September: Final day of Term 3
Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th October: School Closure Days
Wednesday 9th October: Students commence
Monday 21st October: Grade 3/4 Hooptime - Hamilton (more details to follow)
Monday 28th October: Grade 5/6 Hooptime - Hamilton (more details to follow)