October 14th 2024: Newsletter #31
- Acknowledgement of Country
- Week 2 Prayer
- From the Principal
- Breakfast Club
- Uniform
- Lunch Orders- commence next week!
- Regional Athletics
- Wheelchair Basketball
- Wellbeing- Sleep
- First Aid
- Theircare
- Happy Birthday
- Student Awards
- Around our School - Week 1
- 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 2 Prayer
In October, Catholic Mission and the wider Catholic community celebrate World Mission Month, an opportunity to recognise missionaries around the world who are reaching out to those at the margins.
Cardinal Giorgio Marengo IMC, Apostolic Prefect of Ulaanbaatar, reminds us of ‘the importance of depth—being solid in prayer, always aware that not bearing fruit may mean we have to intensify our prayer ... not by words, but by visible signs of compassion, care or forgiveness.’
During World Mission Month, Catholic Mission invites the Catholic faithful to celebrate together and to learn about the work of mission worldwide. Drawing on his personal experience as a missionary, he emphases the importance of missionary work within the broader global community, especially in countries like Mongolia, with one of the smallest Catholic communities.
‘We have also started a joint venture in serving the people of God there, and not only the people of God—the members of the Church—but the larger community in Mongolia that we serve,’ says Cardinal Marengo.
From the Principal
Welcome everyone to Week 2. In October we celebrate Mission Month and this year the focus is on compassion. On Wednesday 23rd of October we will celebrate Mission Month at school. In homerooms the children will be having a class liturgy focusing on being a compassionate person at school, home and the wider community. The children can come dressed in casual clothes for that day and are welcome to bring a gold coin donation. We will also be selling Zooper Doopers that day for 50 cents. All proceeds will be going to a local charity which we will communicate with you next week.
Welcome to Lottie Cameron who will be joining us from Brauer College this week for Work Experience.
Term 4 Assemblies: The schedule for our assemblies is as follows;
- Monday Oct 14th- 2TB
- Monday Oct 21st- FNR
- Monday Oct 28th- 1EK
- Monday Nov 4th- 3/4JM
- Monday Nov 11th- 2RH
- Monday Nov 18th- FHD
- Monday Nov 25th- 1GL
- Monday Dec 2nd- 3/4AM
- Monday Dec 9th- 3/4DH
- Wednesday Dec 18th- Gr 5/6
Last Monday the staff had a retreat day where our focus was on the F.I.R.E Carrier program and how we can incorporate elements of this into our curriculum in a genuine and meaningful way. On Tuesday the teaching staff worked in teams to plan for 2025 and our trainee and LSO staff worked with Jasmine and Jess Conheady focusing on individual learning needs.
On Tuesday, each family will receive an email with each level's "Ask Me About". This outlines the focus in all the curriculum areas for the term as well as any additional activites occurring throughout the term. It is a busy term so make sure you look carefully at the "Dates to remember " section.
DDO Packs- Today each family will receive a DDO pack that will come home with the eldest child.
Class Placement:
Class Placement refers to the placement by staff of each child into an appropriate classroom for 2025 based on learning levels and needs, social development, and classroom size.
The guidelines staff use for student placement at St. John’s include: academic levels, individual social/emotional/behavioural needs and peer relationships. Other practical factors to impact on the placement will include teacher recommendations, class size, groupings available, and a range of abilities in each class group.
Families are able to contribute to this process by informing the school of any specific requests or thoughts regarding class placement for you child/children. These requests are to be emailed to principal@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au no later than Monday October 14th. Any considerations provided after this date will not be taken into consideration.
In all these processes, professional, respectful co-operation and student welfare will be upmost in all our minds; we thank you in anticipation of your considered support.
We look forward to the week ahead, Jan & Amy.
Breakfast Club
Breakfast club resumes tomorrow morning at 8.15am in the Library.
Again, a big thank you to Fonterra and Foodshare for their generosity in providing us with breakfast items and fruit.
Uniform
Students are now welcome to wear their summer uniform, but for the next week children can also continue to wear their winter uniform if they wish.
Hats must now be worn by all students during break times, students without one will play in the undercover area. We do not provide spare hats for students.
SUMMER UNIFORM:
Girls: Blue and white fine check gingham dress or light blue polo shirt with logo and blue shorts, white socks, black shoes, navy windcheater or polar fleece jumper with school logo, school hat.
Boys: Grey shorts, light blue polo shirt with logo, grey socks, black shoes, navy windcheater or polar fleece jumper with school logo, school hat.
Please make sure hats and all items of clothing are clearly labelled.
Lunch Orders- commence next week!
Term 4 Lunch Orders: We have now arranged with Morris Road Takeaway to become the supplier of our lunch orders, this service will commence next week. Lunch orders will be available on Tuesdays and Fridays. Families can send their orders into the office the day prior or directly to Morriss Road Takeaway, 116 Morriss Road Warrnambool.
Regional Athletics
Last Friday the Regional Athletics were held in Ballarat. It is an exceptional effort to make it to this level and we congratulate all of our students for their enthusiasm, dedication, sportsmanship and excellent representation of our school. Well done Charlotte S, Greta G, Charlotte M, Maddi H, Emmillion O, Harley J, Harry M, Harvey O, we are very proud of you all.
A special mention to Charlotte for placing 1st in both the 800m and 1500m. Emmillion for placing 3rd in the high jump, Greta 4th in the 1500m and Charlotte 4th in the 100m.
Wheelchair Basketball
Grade 3/4's Inquiry unit is 'Someone Else's Shoes' and they are learning about different intellectual and physical disabailities. Last Friday they were lucky enough to participate in Wheelchair Basketball at the Warrnambool Basketball Stadium ran by Louise Brown.
Wellbeing- Sleep
Distractions such as TV, computer games, internet, texting friends and social media are all having a negative impact on a child's sleep time. Sleep is vital to a child's wellbeing. When children sleep well, they are more settled, happier and ready for school the next day. Sleep also strengthens their immune systems, supports overall development and their ability to function properly on a daily basis. Children who do not get enough sleep show increased levels of aggressive behaviour, are less attentive and are much less active. Trying to catch up on sleep on weekends is not the answer and can still lead to severe sleep deprivation. Recent studies have shown than many children are missing out on vital REM sleep, which is particularly important for memory and learning.
First Aid
Concussion
Children often bump or bang their heads, and it can be difficult to tell whether an injury is serious or not. Any knock to the head is considered a head injury.
Whenever a student knocks their head at school, we will notify parents/guardians with both a phone call and a sick bay pass. When a student suffers a concussion at school it is deemed a Worksafe notifiable incident.
If your child has experienced concussion, it is important that you follow recommended medical advice. Returning to school can be a gradual approach with the aim of increasing tolerance to a full day, the same situation could occur with a sport. It is always important to check with your doctor and seek medical treatment after a child sustains a concussion.
It is important to notify us if your child has sustained a concussion outside of the school setting so we can monitor for ongoing symptoms and adapt activates if required.
There is also a great evidence-based app from the Murdoch children's research institute that walks you through what to do in the result of a cocussion.
Thunderstorm Asthma- be prepared this pollen season
Thunderstorm asthma is a serious and potentially life-threatening phenomenon that can occur during specific weather conditions. It is common throughout all parts of Victoria, particularly during spring when thunderstorms coincide with high levels of pollen in the air.
This combination can trigger severe asthma symptoms, even in people who have not previously experienced asthma or allergies.
Epidemic thunderstorm asthma events are uncommon and don't occur every year. In south-east Australia they can happen during grass pollen season from October through December.
What Causes Thunderstorm Asthma?
During a thunderstorm, pollen grains can be swept up into the clouds, where they break into smaller particles due to moisture. These tiny particles then get blown down by the winds and spread across a wide area. Because they are so small, they can be easily inhaled, reaching deep into the lungs and triggering asthma symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.
Preparing for Thunderstorm Asthma
Stay Informed: Keep track of pollen forecasts and thunderstorm warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology and the VicEmergency app.
Check the epidemic thunderstorm asthma risk forecast: Epidemic thunderstorm asthma risk forecasts in Victoria are available from 1 October to 31 December (the typical grass pollen season).
Download the Vic Emergency app from Google Play or the App Store and set up a 'watch zone' for your school location to make sure you are notified of the risk of an epidemic thunderstorm asthma event occurring. You can also visit the Vic Emergency thunderstorm asthma webpage for updates and information.
Theircare
Happy Birthday
Best wishes to Parker K, Easton S, Alex R, Nikita B and Paisley G who celebrate their birthday this week! We hope you have a fantastic day.
Student Awards
Around our School - Week 1
Parents & Friend's Social Group
Our next meeting will be held tomorrow night, Tuesday 15th October at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space, All welcome.
Dennington's Day Out
The next meeting will be Thursday 24th October at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space. We would love to see some new faces if you would like to be involved.
Dennington’s Day Out is fast approaching and there will be opportunity for participation points for those wanting to help out.
We will require helpers on Saturday 9th Nov to set up and also from 7.00am on Sunday 10th Nov to set up and from 3.00pm to pack up.
Family packs will be going home today and will consist of information regarding rides wristband purchasing and raffle tickets.
WANTED - Haunted House Decorations
We are having a haunted house at DDO this year! If you have any spooky ideas or you happen to have any items that we could please use for our Haunted House at DDO it would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Julie Bartlett at the office or our DDO committee.
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 next Wednesday 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 21st October:
Seymour, Shanahan, Sharma and Shepherd.
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
Tuesday 15th October: P & F Meeting at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space
Friday 18th October: Grade 5/6 DAMSWAK Cricket Carnival
Monday 21st October: Grade 3/4 Hooptime - Hamilton (more details to follow)
Wednesday 23rd October: Mission Month (students can wear casual clothes, gold coin donation and zooper doopers will be available to purchase for 50cents).
Thursday 24th October: DDO Meeting in the Gathering Space at 7.00pm
Monday 28th October: Grade 5/6 Hooptime - Hamilton (more details to follow)
Swimming commences F-4. Monday to Thursday beginning Monday the 4th to Thursday the November 14th
Sunday 10th November: Dennington's Day Out