Week 6, May 30th, 2022: Newsletter #16

Acknowledgement of Country

St. John’s school community respect and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and future. 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.

Week 6 Prayer

From the Principal

Greetings everyone,

Rapid Antigen Test Regime Update: The state government have provided our school with advice regarding changes to the provision of Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) in our school for the remainder of Term 2.

RATs will continue to be distributed to you as they have been throughout this school year for the remainder of this term however, from Monday 23 May 2022, we do not recommend that your child complete a RAT twice a week as previously advised. RATs however will continue to be required by students who are household contacts to attend school (5 negative tests over a 7-day period) or who have symptoms.

Student Absences: Can all parents and guardians please remember that if a child is absent then we require you to contact the school and notify us as to whay they are absent. This is a government requirement. 

Parent Learning Walks: We are excited to be offering these great expereinces again, please see the flyer below for some further information. 

Enjoy your week, Ben. 

Reconciliation Week

Reconciliation Week will be celebrated from 27th May - 3rd June. The theme of this year’s Reconciliation Week is Be Brave. Make Change.

It is timely that  our new Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has vowed to act on the Uluru Statement of the Heart which will give First Nations People an indigenous voice to Parliament. But what does it all mean?

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have consistently called for self-determination, rather than symbolism, to make a real difference to their lives. A Voice to Parliament will give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people agency to help inform decisions that impact their lives.

Current policy-making does not have a systematic process for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to provide advice, meaning that policy is often made for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people rather than with them.

A Voice to Parliament, enshrined in the Constitution, would enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to give advice to the Federal Parliament about laws and policies that impact them through a simplified policy making process and structural change.

This means that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are included in the law-making process, rather than having bureaucrats and politicians deciding what is best for them.

A Voice to Parliament, enshrined in the Australian Constitution, will deliver real and practical advice to Parliament and the Government on how laws and policies can best improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

When Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who know and understand the best way to deliver real and practical change in their communities have a say through a Voice, we will finally be able to close the gap that still exists between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians. This is why it is so important.

Reconciliation is not about just saying sorry. At its heart, reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians.

2023 Enrolments- New session available!

We have commenced advertising our 2023 Foundation Information Sessions which will take place on May 17th and May 24th. We have added an additional session on Monday May 30th @ 7pm.

We are inviting families of our current students who have a Foundation child starting in 2023 to commence the enrolment process now, we anticipate a demand for places this year so we encourage you to complete this process as soon as possible. Enrolment forms can be collected from the office. 

Existing school families are welcome to attend the Information Sessions. 

Covid 19 Term 2 Updates

Rapid antigen test screening requirements: Students who have tested positive for COVID-19, and have completed their 7-day isolation period, now do not need to undertake rapid antigen test (RAT) screening for 12 weeks after their release from isolation. 

Household contacts: Students who are household contacts of a COVID-19 case are not required to quarantine. They may return to school as long as they undertake rapid antigen tests (RAT) 5 times during their 7-day period. They are required to notify the school that they are a household contact. Students aged 8 years and above who are household contacts are required to wear face masks when indoors at school unless they have a valid exemption. If a student household contact returns a positive RAT result, they must isolate for 7 days.

RAT screening program reminder: RATs will continue to be supplied for the entirety of Term 2 to support the early detection of COVID-19 in our school.

Continuity of Learning: Our school community has been fortunate that we have not had significant staff numbers impacted by COVID such that we have continued to provide quality learning and teaching and student care. I remind families that this could change quickly and the school may be required to ask some classes or year levels to stay home if we do not have adequate staff numbers onsite. We hope that this is not the case, but if it does become a necessity, we will work hard to minimise any disruption.

Arts News

CONGRATULATIONS! Some of the classes were given the opportunity to enter the Holiday Actors Cats colouring in competition. Our lucky winner was Isla! She received a free ticket to the Cats show at the Lighthouse Theatre. Well done Isla! 
ART SMOCKS: This term the students have been focusing on colour. We have had lots of fun with paint mixing primary colours! Please send along an art smock so that your child keeps their uniform clean in art. Recently I spotted art smocks at Aldi for $2.50, however if you have an old shirt at home that is just as good! 

STEM News

Sports News

DAMSWAK Winter Sports Carnival: We are excited to be hosting the DAMSWAK Schools this Friday as they compete in Football, Netball, Soccer and T-Ball. Our Gr 5/6 children will not have lunch orders on this day. 

Specialist Timetable Change: Due to the winter sports carnival, we are flipping the days the children have their specialist subjects on so this week, Gr F-2 will need to wear their sports uniform on Thursday and Gr 3-6 on Friday. 

Greater Western Region Cross Country Carnival: Today Charlotte and Brooklyn competed in this event with both children running really well- Charlotte finished 2nd and has now qualified for the State Championships, Brooklyn finished 15th, just missing out on a position at States.  

GW Region Cross Country

Important School Reminders

1.  Every Thursday Breakfast Club runs from 8:15am-8:40am in the Gathering Space.  

2.    Wednesday Treats orders are due every Monday by 3.00pm- no late orders will be accepted.

3.    Parent Teacher Interviews and 3 Way Conversations: Parents should have received an email via PAM outlining available dates for you to meet with your child’s teacher. These conversations are important in building the relationship between home and school and assisting your child with their learning. If you have any questions regarding these interviews please speak with your child’s teacher.

4.    School Fee Statements- will be sent out via email this week.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Bradly, Charlotte, Otto, Bonny and Ethan who celebrate their birthdays this week. Many happy returns, enjoy your special day!

Student Awards

Parents and Friends Social Group News

Parents & Friends Social Group Meeting

Next meeting will be held 22nd June 7pm and the Cally. Come along for a short meeting and catch up with other parents.

Dennington Day Out

The next meeting will be held this WEDNESDAY 1st June at 7.30 in the Gathering Space. If you know of a business that would love to make donations toward the day please contact ddo@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au

We encourage all parents to LIKE our facebook page ‘Dennington Day Out’ and when you see a new post share it to your page so that the wider community can hear of our upcoming celebrations.

Wednesday Treats 

Order forms are due back by 3.00pm each Monday. Late orders will not be accepted.

Wednesday 1st June: Dim Sims

Tuesday 31sh May 9am Volunteers: Lacey, Emily, Jo C, Lauren M

Wednesday 1st June 11.30am Volunteers: Regina L, Kate C, Tanya M-G

Wednesday 8th June: Potato Cakes

Tuesday 7th June 9am Volunteers: Lacey, Emily, Edie H, Kat M

Wednesday 8th June 12pm Volunteers: Nicole R, Sommer F, Tess M

School Disco

The 2022 Student Disco is THIS FRIDAY! 

We are very excited to have DJ E-Man there on the night to ensure the kids have loads of fun. We hope all students will come along to enjoy some fun with their friends!

To purchase tickets click the google link below and don’t forget to send your money into school.

https://forms.gle/gWegY4tW9rLkXE9r6

Cake Raffle

The following families are rostered on this Friday.

Gillmartin, Gleeson, Godfrey, Greta Greene

All students will be able to buy a raffle ticket for 20c each Friday. The Johnnies will come around to the classrooms during the day to write out tickets and collect money. 

All funds raised throughout the year will be donated to the Good Friday Appeal the following year. If assembly is cancelled on your rostered week you will not be required to bring in a cake/slice.

School Sponsorship

A big thank you to Fry Painting, Brownies Shed and South West Pipe Relining who support 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

Community Noticeboard

Upcoming Events

Wednesday 1st June: Dennington Day Out Meeting- 7.30pm in the Gathering Space

Friday 3rd June: Student Disco

Wednesday 15th June: School Closure Day

Thursday 16th June: School Photos Catch up Day

Monday 20th June: Academic Reports released on PAM

Wednesday 22nd June: Parents and Friends Social Group 7pm at the Cally

Friday 24th June: Term 2 Concludes at 2.30pm

Monday 11th July: School Closure Day

Tuesday 12th July: Term 2 Commences at 8.50am