Week 5 May 22nd, 2023: Newsletter #15

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

Hello everyone and welcome to week 5! This week our community focuses on a few important events.

Pentecost Sunday: This Sunday the Catholic church will celebrate the feast of PENTECOST! 

Happy birthday to the Catholic Church and Happy birthday to the community members who are the body of the Church! We're all familiar with our own birthdays, and we celebrate them because they mark the day of the year in which we entered into this life. 

Because we are all part of the body of the Church, Pentecost is the Church's birthday.  The word Pentecost is Greek and it means "50th day." Fifty days after Easter Sunday, we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and their followers, and the beginning of their Earthly ministry to make disciples of all nations. SO, like the apostles on that day, let’s be open to the workings of the Holy Spirit in us. 

Laudato Si Week: this commemorates the the 8th anniversary of Pope Francis' encyclical outlining our responsibility to care for our common home. This week at assembly we will be launching our Laudato Si Action group which is a student biody who will take action in our school to care for our common home and develop a plan to fight climate change and create a more sustainable school community.

Catholic Education Week: This week is Catholic Education Week. This is a great opportunity to celebrate Catholic Education and the important role that St. John's plays in providing catholic education for those who desire it.  Catholic Education Week allows us to reflect on what it means to be part of the network of schools in the Ballarat Diocese,  and to celebrate our school, our staff and the wider Catholic community. 

Enjoy your week, Ben.

Welcome Olivia

This week we welcome Olivia Conheady to our community. Olivia is a 4th Year student at Deakin University and will spend 3 weeks in Miss P's Gr 5/6 class.

Update Information

Asthma Plans and Ventolin

Keeping children safe is our number one priority at St. John's Primary School. A number of families have been contacted recently in regards to out of date medication and asthma plans. It would be appreciated if families could prioritise the updating of both plans and medication as soon as possible. Thank you for your support with this important matter. 

School Emergency Contacts

Please notify the school by phone or by using the Update Contact Details in our SZApp if you have any updates to home address, contact phone numbers and email addresses. Parents are encouraged to have two alternate emergency contacts for their child in the event that parents cannot be contacted in.

Student Medical Information

A reminder that we require all families to login to PAM and update their child's Medical Information if their child's medical details have changed. This information assists with our electronic permission forms. 

Please follow the instructions below to update a medical profile for each of your children by:

1. Click on link to PAM (found on our SZapp)
2. Click on student (if more than 1 child, this will need to be done individually)
3. Click on Medical Profile
4. Check all questions and select Edit Details for updates to be made.
5. Once you get to the end of the questions please confirm by clicking on the Green “Update Details” Box found at the bottom right of screen.

As a parent/guardian you are able to access your child/rens medical profile on PAM at any time to update as needed.  If you have any queries or require your PAM login details, please do not hesitate to get in contact with the office.  

Important School reminders

Russell Street Crossing: If parents and children are needing to cross Russell Street then it must be done at the supervised pedestrian crossing. This is the only safe place to do.

Parking: Please refrain from parking in the designated disability car spaces in the carparks if you do not have a sticker displayed on your vehicle. It is important these spaces are reserved for families that need them.

We also ask that if you have to hop out of the car to assist your child into the car that you park your car and collect them rather than hold up the loop. 

Entering the School Buildings: All visitors during the school day must enter via the front office. This includes children late to school.

Student Messages: Please ensure change of pick up arrangement messages etc are received by the office ideally by 3.00pm and no later than 3.10pm to allow office staff adequate time to pass them on to students.

Student News: If you have some exciting news you would like to share with our school community we would love to hear about it. Please email admin@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au

Parent/School Communication: When contacting school staff please refer to our Communications Guidelines for the appropriate processes, this can be found under the forms and documents tab on our schoolzine app and in the Parent Information tab in PAM.

Parent Participation Levy: Please ensure you record the activity and the amount of hours you volunteered your time for on the following form - Parent Participation Levy Activity Record

Covid-19 & Infectious Disease Management: It is recommended that rapid antigen tests (RATs) are used by students and staff if they:

• • have symptoms of COVID-19 infection, no matter how mild
  • are a household or close contact of someone who has COVID-19
  • are a social contact of someone who has COVID-19.
• The Department of Health recommends that all Victorians report their positive RAT result via the online form or by calling 1800 675 398.
• Principals are no longer required to inform their school community of a positive case associated with the school.
• Staff or students who are positive are strongly recommended to stay home and isolate for a minimum of five days.
• Symptomatic students or staff should not attend school, even if failing to test positive on a RAT or PCR.

Communication: There is no longer a requirement for schools to inform their communities of positive cases.  All health information is held in accordance with the school’s privacy policy.

Masks: Staff and students who wish to wear a mask will continue to be supported to do so. Masks are available from the administration office for anyone wishing to obtain one. Any staff or students who are  close contacts are recommended to wear a  mask indoors.

RAT Kits: RATs are available for all Victorians from council sites. Individuals can obtain two free packs (10 tests) for themselves and two free packs (10 tests) for each household member. People with disability and their carers can get up to four free packs (20 tests) in line with existing RAT distribution for people with disability. The RATs are available at the Civic Centre (25 Liebig Street) and the Archie Graham Community Centre (118 Timor Street). We also have RAT tests available from the front office.

Medically At Risk Students: Students who have chronic health conditions, especially affecting the respiratory system ie Asthma, must have up to date health support plans. Families who are unsure about the status of their child’s plan should make contact with teh school administration office.

General Illnesses: As we approach the winter months we encourage all families to be cautious when sending children to school who are still symptomatic with contagious diseases such as cold, flu etc.

St. John's Sports News

Congratulations to Jaxon B, Ray O, Milla B, Maddi H, Charlotte S, Lexi B, Kade F and Brooklyn P who competed in the Division Cross Country on Friday at the Reid oval under very cold and miserable conditons. We are very proud of you all!

10yr boys - Jaxon B 30th, Ray O 39th
10yr girls- Milla B 50th, Maddi H 28th
11yr girls- Charlotte S 1st
12/13 girls- Lexi Boyle, participation
12/13 boys-Kade F 25th, Brooklyn P 5th

Specific congrats to Charlotte and Brooklyn who have now qualified for the Regional event. 

2024 Foundation Open Day Tours

Registrations for 2024 Foundation students Open Day tours are now open. Please click on the link below and then Event details to select your preferred time and complete the registration form.

Link to Open Day Tours 

STEM Classes

CSPV Parent Connect News - May 2023

The May edition of CSPV Parent Connect News is now available.

This issue includes opportunities for parents to contribute their perspective on various areas in education as well as several webinars of interest in wellbeing and careers conversations with children.

Student voice also features with a webinar and resources on parent engagement in learning created by a student research team.

Parent Learning Walk

Hands on Learning Needs help!

We are also in need a a cupboard that has shelves and could be locked. If you have something like this at home that is no longer rerquired then please contact Sarah or Damien. 

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Evelyn S, Bradly S, Charlotte S, Otto G and Bonny G who celebrate their birthday's this week! We hope you have a terrific fun filled day!

Student Awards- Week 4

Parents and Friends Social Group News

Meeting

Our next meeting will be held Tonight at 7pm in the gathering space. We would love to see some new faces as we begin planning the Student Disco and Pie Drive.

Student Disco  

We are on the lookout for a DJ for our Student Disco. If you know of somebody who could help us out please send an email to parents@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au

If you would like to help out with planning this event please come along to tonight's meeting at 7pm in the gathering space.

Wednesday Treats

This week's treat is Dim Sims!

Tuesday helpers: 8.45am - 10.30am: Elyse S, Taliah G, Nicole R, Regina L & Melanie K.

Wednesday helpers - 12.00pm - 1.30pm: Nicole R, Rebecca Wood & Jacinta Blain

Next week's order forms will be sent home on Tuesday. Order forms are due back each Monday by 3.00pm. No late orders will be accepted after this time.

Dennington's Day Out!

This year’s ‘Dennington’s Day Out’ will be held on Sunday 12th November.  For further information, or to discuss the Corporate Sponsorship packages below, please contact ddo@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au 

The next meeting will be held on next Wednesday 31st May in the gathering space at 7pm. Come along to be part of Planning our HUGE annual event!

                   Cake Raffle

Each week on a Friday, 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 each Friday. The Johnnies will come around to the classrooms during the day to write out tickets and collect money. 

The following families are rostered on this week:

McKay, McInerney, McGennan and McFadyen.

Student News!

On Saturday Archie got the opportunity to go out at half time at Marvel Stadium and kick for a $500 Rebel gift card. Unfortunately the bucket was small and he didn't get the $500 but still enjoyed every minute of being out on the ground!

What an amazing opportunity!

School Sponsorship

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.

A big thank you to Fry Painting, O'Brien Electrical Warrnambool, Brownies Shed, Tubbie & Rayz Indoor Batting house and Carry On Travel who sponsor our school!

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

Upcoming Events

Monday 22nd May: Parents and Friends Social Group at 7.00pm

Tuesday May 23rd: SAC Meeting @ 7.30pm

Wednesday May 31st: DDO Meeting @ 7pm

Thursday 1st June: Parent Learning Walk at 9.00am

Monday 12th June: Public Holiday