Week 10, December 5th, 2022: Newsletter #38

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 10 Prayer

From the Principal

Greetings everyone,

Following our employment processes I am pleased to confirm that we have finalised classroom and Specialist Teachers for 2023;

Classroom Teachers:

Foundation:  Miss Natalie Ryan & Miss Hayley Dwyer

Grade 1/2: Miss Ella Kissick, Mr Rick Hynes & Mr Tom Beks

Grade 3/4: Mr Nathan Porter & Mr Daniel Harrington

Grade 5/6: Miss Jordan Miller, Miss Kristie Prendergast & Mr Nathan McInerney

Specialist Teachers:

Music/Performing Arts: Mr Damien Webster

PE: Mrs Brodie Boyd

Japanese: Ms Emily Dennis

Visual Arts: Mrs Sarah Milroy

STEM: Mrs Megan Jol

Enjoy your week, Ben. 

Leadership Structure

A key piece of work that the staff have undertaken this year is to review the leadership structure of the school, this was a key action that was identified in our School Review undertaken in 2021. Over the past 2 terms, staff have worked hard to develop roles and role descriptions that will support our school to bring to light the 3 priorities outlined in our School Improvement Plan which are;

• To develop teacher capacity and effectiveness in the planning, teaching and assessment of Religious Education with a specific focus on Catholic Social Teachings as the basis of our social justice program.
• Develop whole school pedagogical practises that will enhance teacher capacity in order to build staff engagement and collaboration and ensure that students have a clear understanding of the purpose of their learning.
• Engage staff, students and families to provide opportunities to improve student learning and promote an inclusive and culturally aware community.

After conducting an application and interview process I am pleased to inform you of the following appointments;

Assistant Principal Gr F-2: Mrs Jan Madden

Assistant Principal Gr 3-6: Mrs Amy Atwell

Wellbeing Leader: Mrs Jasmine Koch

Liturgical & Sacramental Leader: Mr Tom Beks

PAM Accounts

As previously communicated, next year the PAM (Parent Access Module) will move to each parent having their own PAM account rather than one account per family. All existing PAM logins will be turned off on 16th January 2023 and new accounts will be created. To prepare for the upcoming change, we need to ensure we have a correct email address for each parent recorded.

Click here to complete the google form by Friday 9th December.

Art News

Congratulations to all the students who entered art work in the Warrnambool Show this year.  The artwork looked fantastic! The following students received awards:

Encouragement Awards: Macy M from Grade 2 and Alexis D from Grade 1.

Second Place Awards: Harper H from Foundation, Evie S from Grade 4 and Alexander R from Grade 1. 

First Place Award: Raph C from Grade 1.

Come along to assembly this week where the students will receive their ribbons for their efforts. 

Mosaic Art Work

A team of parents have been working hard to create a magical mosaic piece of art that will go on display on the exterior of the school building. Over the past 2 weeks, children have been creating little squares which will feature as part of a bigger design- we look forward to its unveiling. 

Foodshare

Its Christmas Giving Appeal time. Any donations for foodshare can be dropped off to the front office, our thanks in advance for your support of this organsiation which supports so many groups and people across the south west.

Ukrainian Winter Aide Appeal

A local Parish is requesting the donation of winter goods for the people of Ukraine to help them get through the winter. These goods can be blankets, woollen clothes, coats, jumpers, hats, scarves etc. Donations will be collected and transported to Our Lady's Church next Thursday 15th of December. Thank you for your support.

Covid 19: Term 4 Updated Guidelines

On October 13th, the Victorian Government has announced the end of the pandemic declaration and associated pandemic orders. Requirements for close contacts, like continually testing negative on a rapid antigen test (RAT), will become strong recommendations – joining the strong recommendation to wear a mask indoors, which will remain in place. 

For now, we note the following key changes:

It is strongly recommended that students: 

• Who test positive for COVID-19 should stay home and isolate for five days.
• Should not attend school after five days if still symptomatic.
• Who are symptomatic but have not tested positive should not attend school.

Where students become symptomatic at school, they should: 

• Be collected by their parents/carers.
• Undergo testing for COVID-19. 

It is strongly recommended that staff: 

• Who test positive for COVID-19 should stay home and isolate for five days.
• Should not attend school after five days if still symptomatic.
• Who are symptomatic but have not tested positive should not attend school.

COVID-19 reporting requirements: The Department of Health recommends that a person who tests positive for COVID-19 should inform those with whom they have recently been in contact, including their workplace, school and household. Schools no longer have to alert their school community of positive cases. 

Face masks: Staff and students who wish to wear a face mask should be supported to do so, and schools should continue to make face masks available for staff, students and visitors. The Department of Health recommends that masks should be worn by a person who is a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 when leaving home. Additionally, the department recommends that masks should be worn by a person who has COVID-19 for 10 days after a positive test when they need to leave home. 

Close Contacts: A close contact (a person who has spent more than four hours with someone who has COVID 19 inside a house, accommodation or care facility) is no longer required to quarantine, as long as they follow the additional safety measures:

• Notify the school if returning within the 5 day period.
• Undertake RAT testing on school days within the 5 day period (unless the 4 week exemption applies)
• Wear a mask indoors if an adult or a student (aged 8 years or above).
• Not visit hospitals or care facilities.
• Avoid contact with people at higher risk of infection.

If symptomatic take a RAT or PCR test.

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. 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. 

2.  Sign in and out: Parents collecting their children throughout the day for appointments must come into the office and sign them in and out via the ipad. This also applies to students arriving late and leaving early from school. Please ensure you allow enough time to come in and complete this process. It is a requirement that parents complete this task, not office staff. However if you require assistance, we are more than happy to help!

3.  As part of our SunSmart practices we require that all children and staff wear hats whilst outside this term. Please ensure that your child has a school bucket hat and that it is also clearly named. NO HAT = NO PLAY. Children without hats will have to stay in an undercover area during 1st and 2nd lunch. Please note we do not keep spare hats at school.

4.  Our school uniform provider is now Lowes at Gateway Plaza. A number of items are now available to purchase from the store including hats and polar fleece jumpers. We have been informed the entire range will be available by January.

5.  There are still a number of athletics and basketball tops yet to be returned. If your child (Years 3-6) was involved in school athletics or basketball could you please help them check around home for any tops and return them to school asap. These tops are brand new and we would like to keep all the sets together for as long as possible.

Student Awards

Happy Birthday

Best wishes to Charlee H and Scarlett R who celebrate their birthday this week. Happy Birthday, we hope you have a fabulous day!

Parents and Friends Social Group News

Parents and Friends Social Group

Our final catch up for the year is locked in for this Wednesday 7th December 6.00pm at Rafferty's Tavern. I would love to encourage all parents who have helped out throughout the year to come along and celebrate with the committee. Please RSVP or put your apology in the below form.

End of year catch up dinner form

Dennington Dash

The Dash will be returning in March 2023! We would love to see some extra parents help with the planning of the event. Jobs range from securing sponsors to collecting raffle prizes and everything in between. If you are interested in organising the event please email parents@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au

Carols by the Merri

Thank you to all of the parents who either volunteered their time to sell cakes at the carols or to those families who baked in the lead up. It was a great night out for the whole community and the slices were delicious. A huge thank you to the organisers Sarah Huntly, Alyce Atkins and Janelle Mentha. 

Christmas Raffle

Students will have brought home a book of raffle tickets. More tickets are available from the office if you need.

Tickets cost only $1!

Tickets and Prizes will be due back Monday December 12th.  Winners will be drawn at our Final Assembly 11.00am Friday 16th December.

Family BBQ

Our annual Family BBQ night is being held on Tuesday 13th December.

If you are able to assist with the preparation for this event eg organising food for the BBQ please email parents@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au

Please return the form below or click here to place your order, by Tuesday 6th December.

Dennington Day Out

The DDO committee would love to hear your feedback. Please click the link below to give your feedback on this year's event.

Feedback form

Cake Raffle

The following families are rostered on this Friday:

Stuart, Symons, Storer, Ball and Ahearn.

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 Notices

Click here to view information about the Warrnambool City Councul Vacation Care Program 

Upcoming Events

Tuesday December 6th: SAC Meeting

Wednesday December 7th: P & F Dinner- Raffertys Tavern at 6.00pm

Tuesday December 13th: Orientation Day. Family BBQ at 6.00pm

Wednesday December 14th: Mass of Thanksgiving at 10.00am

Wednesday December 14th: Gr 6 Graduation at 6.30pm

Friday December 16th: Students Last day- Assembly at 11.00am

Monday January 30th 2023: Students First day