Week 1 July 10th, 2023: Newsletter #20
- Acknowledgement of Country
- Week 1 Prayer
- From the Principal
- Playgrounds
- Breakfast Club
- Sacramental Program- Eucharist
- St. John's Feast Day
- Around our school in Term 2 Week 9
- Important School reminders
- Hands on Learning
- Covid 19 Management
- Student Awards - Week 9
- Happy Birthday
- Learning Walks
- St. Johns Dance Concert- Save the date!!
- Parents and Friends Social Group News
- School Sponsorship
- Star of the Sea Bulletin
- 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 1 Prayer
From the Principal
Hello everyone and welcome back, we look forward to all the fun and exciting adventures that lay ahead in term 3. I hope you have all had a relaxing and enjoyable break.
State Cross Country Carnival: We wish Charlotte and Brooklyn the very best as they compete against the best runners from across Victoria this Thursday in the Yarra Valley; to compete at this level is simply outstanding!
Star of the Sea Parish: The parish has unveiled a new logo which aims to present all facets of our geographical locations, an explanation is featured here to assist with the meaning behind the new logo.
In the Logo we have:
~ the Port Fairy Lighthouse
~ the Warrnambool Whales
~ the hills of Tower Hill
~ a star representing Mary and her role as a Guiding Star for Christians
~ the wild seas of our region
~ the protected Hooded Plovers of our region
~ the Crescent Moon representing Mary’s miraculous birth
NB: All these Symbols are represented in the form of a Cross and surrounded by God’s loving embrace.
Enjoy your week, Ben.
Playgrounds
Our playgrounds have had a transformation over the holidays from the team at MJ Walsh Landscapes who replaced the rubber surfacing with soft fall mulch. They have done a tremendous job and they get the tick of approval from the kids!
Breakfast Club
Breakfast club is held in the Library each Tuesday from 8.15am.
We are lucky enough to have support from one of our families who organise and deliver a donation of milk each week.
We are looking for a business that may be able to supply us with bread, english muffins and fruit bread this year if anyone has any connections. The amazing family who has donated since we began Breakfast Club is no longer in the bread business.
A number of families have asked if they can donate an item to support Breakfast Club. If you feel like this is something you would like to do (but please don't feel pressure to) Donations of one item from the following list is welcome and can be left at the office. Jam, Vegemite, honey, Cheerios, Nutri Grain, Milo and Hot Chocolate.
Sacramental Program- Eucharist
The Sacrament of First Eucharist will be celebrated in our community on Sunday August 20th, 2023. Typically, this sacrament is celebrated when a student is in year 4, but your child may be in another year level and would like to participate, for example if they missed it.
Please fill out the registration link and we will be having a formation meeting in St Pius X Church on Wednesday July 19th at 7pm. Please mark this date on your calendar.
Please contact Tom Beks if you have any questions.
The link can be accessed here; https://forms.gle/VHtvbMi6Ym6rNmVY7
St. John's Feast Day
At the end of Term 2 we celebrated St. John's Feast day. Staff and students attended Mass at St. Pius X Church which included a mock baptism to demonstrate to the students what happens during this ceremony. Mr Beks was 'baptised'', his parents were Mr van de Camp and Mrs Madden and God parents were Mrs Huntly and Mr Webster- the students were very engaged throughout! Following Mass students returned to school for a sausage sizzle and a rotation of activities in their house groups. It was a lovely celebration of the school community at the conclusion of a very busy term, the smiles on the students and staff faces said it all.
Around our school in Term 2 Week 9
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
Hands on Learning
Covid 19 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.
Close Contacts: Children who are household clsoe contacts can continue to attend school provided they are symtopm free and test negative daily. This should occur while household members are in isolation.
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.
Student Awards - Week 9
Happy Birthday
Special Birthday wishes to the following students who turned another year older during the holiday break- Harmony B, Dane Mc, Harvey B, Max H and Freya T. We hope you had an amazing day!
A big Happy Birthday to Lysander L and Charlotte Mc who celebrate their special day this week. Best wishes to you both, enjoy your day!
Learning Walks
St. Johns Dance Concert- Save the date!!
Parents and Friends Social Group News
Meeting
Our next meeting will be held NEXT Tuesday July 18th in the Gathering Space at 7.00pm. Please come along and share your ideas of a social event for Term 3.
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 THIS Wednesday 12th July at the Cally Hotel at 7.00pm.
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:
Johnson, Jenkins, Irvine, Hynes and Hyland.
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/
Upcoming Events
Wednesday 12th July: DDO Meeting at the Cally Hotel at 7.00pm
Tuesday 18th July: Parents and Friends Social Club Meeting at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space
Tuesday 25th July: Learning Walk at 9.00am
Friday 25th August: Learning Walk at 9.00am
Monday 28th August: School Closure Day
Wednesday 6th September: St. Johns Dance Concert- Dancing through the decades at 6.30pm