November 4th 2024: Newsletter #34
- Acknowledgement of Country
- Week 5 Prayer
- From the Principals
- Finance Updates
- Poppy Appeal
- Japan Study Tour 2025
- Walk to school
- Grade 3/4 Camp
- Wellbeing
- Happy Birthday
- Student Awards
- Around our School- Week 4
- 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 5 Prayer
From the Principals
Welcome everyone to Week 5. Last week continued to be a busy week at school. The Grade 3/4 children had a fantastic time on camp at Sovereign Hill. The behaviour of the children is to be commended. It was such a fun experience with everyone doing their best to give everything a go! Thank you to all of the staff who gave up their time to make this possible and the extensive pre-planning required to make the 2 days so enjoyable and organised.
This week is the beginning of our swimming program for the Foundation - Year 4 students. Again another great experience for the children to build independence and resilience. A reminder that labelling everything is ideal for all.
On Tuesday our Foundation children for 2025 begin their transition program with the short 20 minute sessions. These sessions build up in time so that the children have a positive stay at school and helps to give them the skills for separating in the loop.
DDO is this Sunday November 10th. A huge thanks again to the parent committee that have been working hard all year. Please take a moment to check out the sponsorship wall that has been erected along Russell St and we would greatly appreciate if you are able to support these businesses who help make the day what it is. If you'd like more information, follow along Dennington's Day Out on social media. Our prayer this week speaks to the importance of Community as a place to belong, to be supported and to support others.
We look forward to the week ahead, Jan & Amy.
Finance Updates
School Fee statements- will be emailed to families this week. It is a requirement by DOBCEL that all school fees are paid by the end of the year. If you haven't set up a payment plan yet or informed the office of how you intend to pay, please do so asap.
Parent Participation Levy- It is each families responsibility to log their PPL hours. There is a tile on the schoolzine app where you are able to record the activity and the number of hours or alternatively there is a paper sign in sheet at the office. Hours will be collated at the end of this week and if you have reached the required number of hours (4 hours will trigger a $100 rebate and 8 hours a further $100 ) the credits will show on your fee statement next week. PPL guidelines are attached for your reference.
Poppy Appeal
The 2024 Poppy Appeal is here. For more than 100 years, the Poppy Appeal has raised funds to provide important services for veterans and their families in their time of need.
We have a variety of items for sale at the office ranging from $2 to $5 for any students wishing to make a purchase.
We remember those who volunteered, sacrificed, served, fought, and died, for our freedom. We thank you, and we salute you as we salute those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
We will never forget. We will remember you.
Japan Study Tour 2025
Walk to school
November is Walk to school month at St. John's!
We will have staff members waiting at the former Dennington Post Office in Drummond Street each Friday at 8.10am for a 8.20am departure, in November, to walk to school. We had a great turn out last week. Please consider joining in if you haven't already done so!
Grade 3/4 Camp
This term our camps program operates throughout all grades with extended stays, school sleepovers and off site stays taking place. Last week our Grade 3/4 students had an amazing experience at Sovereign Hill at their overnight camp!
For many students, school camp is the highlight of the year. It’s a chance to learn away from the walls of the classroom and engage in activities outside of the mainstream curriculum. Being away from home can also be a challenging time for students (and parents), however attending camp is an important milestone and the benefits are overwhelmingly positive.
Wellbeing
Young people might have a lot of fun playing online games, but parents and carers need to make sure they empower their child to make wise decisions and help them manage the risks. Numerous games can help your child become more coordinated, adept at problem-solving and multitasking, and help them develop social skills through online interaction with other players. However, it's also critical to comprehend what may go wrong and what might be harmful to your child.
World Kindness Day is coming up, this year it is being celebrated on Wednesday 13th November, in the lead up we invite you to look for ways to make kindness the norm in your daily life. World Kindness Day is a great day to begin building a new routine which means including intentional moments of kindness, laughter and delight. It also means taking a moment to enjoy and recognise when those things are happening.
Kindness starts with one. One smile. One compliment. One conversation. Always choose kindness!
Happy Birthday
Best wishes to Kathryn C, Noah S, Kyla P, Esther T, Lyra E and Beatrix F who celebrate their birthday this week! We hope you have a wonderful day celebrating!
Student Awards
Around our School- Week 4
Parents & Friend's Social Group
Our next meeting will be Tuesday 12th November at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space.
Dennington's Day Out
Dennington’s Day Out is THIS SUNDAY 10th November 10.00am-3.00pm. Join us this Thursday 7th November at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space for our final meeting.
We would love some helpers for the following days and times:
- Friday 8th Haunted House helpers to help set up from 2.00pm
- Saturday 9th Nov to set up time TBC
- Sunday 10th Nov to set up from 7am and from 3pm to pack up
All volunteer time will go towards your participation points. Please email ddo@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au or reply to the Facebbook post in the parent/guardian group if you are able to help.
If you're still yet to pre purchase your $25 unlimited rides wristband please click on the link https://www.trybooking.com/CWBLU or if you’re paying with cash please see Julie in the office. Pre-purchases are only available until Wednesday 6th November after this they can be purchased on the day for $30 and single rides $8
Raffle tickets are due back to the office by Wednesday 6th November.
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 11th November.
Stonehouse, Storer, Stuart (Sam), Stuart (Lottie).
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
Monday 4th November - Thursday 14th November: Swimming Program F-4
Thursday 7th November: DDO Meeting at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space.
Friday the 8th November - Walk to school from Dennington Shop 8.20am each Friday during November.
Sunday 10th November: Dennington's Day Out!!!
Tuesday 12th November: P & F Social Group Meeting at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space
Wednesday 4th - Friday 6th December: Grade 5/6 Camp
Friday 6th December: Carols by the Merri
Tuesday 10th December: Orientation Day
Tuesday 10th December: Family BBQ at school from 5.00pm
Thursday 12th December: Parents & Friends Social Group Meeting at 6.30pm at The Cally