Week 5, August 8th, 2022: Newsletter #24
- Acknowledgement of Country
- Week 5 Prayer
- From the Principal
- Sacrament of First Eucharist
- Covid 19 Term 3 Updates
- Important School Reminders
- Catholic Schools Parents Association
- Happy Birthday
- Student Awards
- Learning Walks
- Parents and Friends Social Group News
- Cake Raffle
- School Sponsorship
- Star of the Sea Bulletin
- Community Noticeboard
- Upcoming Events
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 5 Prayer
From the Principal
Greetings everyone,
Condolences: Our school extends our love and prayers to Mr Webster and his family following the death of Mr Webster's brother Mick. Mick has been unwell for some time now but the passing of a loved one is never easy. May he rest in peace.
Before & After School Care: Last Call for Expressions of Interest!!!! We are currently in the process of investigating the viability of engaging an outside provider to provide the school with onsite before and/or after school care. Please note that this will be a numbers based decision so if there is not enough interest then it will not happen and we will maintain existing arrangements with the Warrnambool City Council. If this is something that interests you, then please complete the survey by clicking on the link below;
https://www.surveymonkey.com/
Enjoy your week, Ben.
Sacrament of First Eucharist
The dates for Eucharist are as follows:
August 8th Family Week 3
August 14th Prayer scrolls distributed at Mass
August 15th Family Week 4
August 21st Sacrament of Eucharist as part of Mass
If you have any questions please email Damien Webster- dwebster@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au
Covid 19 Term 3 Updates
Rapid Antigen Testing: RAT's will be provided to students and staff for the remainder of the school year. On a semi regular basis, students will be provided with RAT's but if at any stage you require additional kits, please contact the office.
Rapid antigen test screening requirements: Students who have tested positive for COVID-19, and have completed their 7-day isolation period, do not need to undertake rapid antigen test (RAT) screening for 4 weeks after their release from isolation. Please note that this time frame has recently reduced from 12 weeks to 4 weeks.
Vaccination Mandate: The new COVID regulations have lifted the mandate for all employees and volunteers to be vaccinated. This means there will be no requirement for adults entering the school to declare their vaccination status.
Transport: Parents/carers who are positive cases are able to leave isolation if other arrangements cannot be made to transport someone they live with to and/or from school.
The person leaving self-isolation must travel directly to and from the location, making no stops, unless there is an emergency or as required by law.
They must remain in the vehicle at all times, unless it is reasonably necessary to leave the vehicle to deliver the person to and from school. They must wear a face covering at all times while transporting and delivering the child.
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 facemasks 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.
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.
Important School Reminders
1. Breakfast Club runs from 8:15am-8:40am in the Gathering Space every Tuesday morning.
2. Wednesday Treats- please ensure orders are returned by 3.25pm every Monday. Orders can be paid with correct money or by direct deposit (bank details are on the forms). No late orders will be accepted.
3. Lunch orders from the Dennington Store are available Tuesday and Fridays only. Orders can be dropped at school or directy to the Dennington Store the day before.
4. A reminder that the loops are to be used for quick drop off and pick up. If your child requires help with their seatbelt etc please use the car parks to keep the loop moving at a steady pace.
5. Student Absences: Can all parents and guardians please remember that if a child is absent then we require you to contact the school via schoolzine, PAM, or phone to notify us as to why they are absent. This is a government requirement.
6. Students playing football etc at lunch times are required to bring a change of clothes- these can be worn over the top of uniforms.
7. On a semi regular basis, students will be provided with RAT's. A box will be sent home with each student today. If at any stage you require additional kits, please contact the office.
8. This Friday 12th August and Monday 15th August are school closure days due to the circuit breaker weekend for students and staff- implemented by our governing body DOBCEL.
9. There will be no assembly this week.
Catholic Schools Parents Association
This important group is looking for feedback from parents regarding all matters relating to catholic education and they would love to know your thoughts.
Click here for CSPA Parent Survey
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday and best wishes to the following students who celebrate their birthday this week! Ruby R, Indianna S and Amy C. We hope you have an amazing day!
Student Awards
Learning Walks
Parents and Friends Social Group News
Meeting Summary 3rd August
The Family Movie Night will go ahead with BYO dinner and drinks. Kids are able to come dressed in their Oodies or comfy bed time clothing and bring bean bags etc for a laid back relaxed night. A poster will be distributed next week, once the movie has been finalised.
We are excited to hear that the Dennington Carols will be going ahead on Friday 2nd December this year. We are awaiting some more information on details of the event.
We are in the process of outsourcing the Uniform store to Lowes. Once this has been finalised there will be a notification sent out for families to purchase any remaining stock from the school.
Plans have begun for the Dennington Dash to be held late November. We thank Vanessa Vickery for all her work on this and we will be on the lookout for volunteers closer to the date.
Volunteer numbers have been down across the school after removing the Participation Levy. We will look at more ways of involving parents before putting in a review to the SAC of our thoughts on whether or not to bring the levy back in for future years.
Thank you to those involved in the smooth running of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day. The children loved learning about Aboriginal Culture. In the coming months work will begin on displaying their rock art work. We will look forward to making this an annual event for the children.
Malynda De Bono - President
Parents & Friends Social Group Meeting
Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday 31st August at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space. To RSVP please comment on the meeting post on the parent Community Facebook page or email: parents@sjdennington.cathoic.edu.au
Dennington Day Out Meeting
The next meeting will be held THIS Wednesday 10th August at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space.
Wednesday Treats
Orders must be placed no later than 3.25pm Monday. All order forms are to be filled out by parents with the correct money either included or paid into the bank account with details on the forms. EFT payments must be made prior to 3.00pm each monday in order for funds to clear. No late orders or payments will be accepted.
Wednesday 10th August Dim Sims
Tuesday 9th August 9.00am: Emily M, Nicole R, Edie H and Taliah G
Wednesday 10th August 11.30am: Olivia G, Elyse S and Abby E
Family Movie Night
Save the date- 19th August at 6.30pm in the Stadium. More details to come!
Cake Raffle
There will be assembly this week therefore families who were rostered on are not required to bring in a cake. The cake raffle will resume again next week.
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.
School Sponsorship
A big thank you to Fry Painting, Brownies Shed, South West Pipe Relining and gforce employment & recruitment 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
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 Noticeboard
Upcoming Events
Wednesday 10th August: DDO meeting at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space
Friday 12th August: DOBCEL Holiday - School Closure Day
Monday 15th August: DOBCEL Holiday - School Closure Day
Friday 19th August: Family Movie Night- 6.30pm in the Stadium.
Wednesday 31st August: P & Social Group meeting at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space
Thursday 8th September: Staff Professional Development - School Closure Day