Week 2 July 17th, 2023: Newsletter #21

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 2 Prayer

From the Principal

Happy Monday everyone. Tomorrow all families will receive letters from teachers regarding the following items;

Ask me Abouts: These provide information regarding topics to be covered throughout term 3. They are a great way to promote conversations regarding the learning that your child/children will be doing throughout this term.

Concert Letters: Our school dance concert is scheduled for Wednesday September 6th and a detailed letter will be sent to each family outlining the song, dance and costumes for each class. Please note that each class will have its own specific requirements. 

Student Headphones: Headphones are a key resource for students to utilise when working on devices. We are requesting families to provide headphones for their child/children and the letter outlining this request is also being sent home Tuesday.  

State Cross Country Carnival: Huge congrats to Charlotte and Brooklyn who competed extremely well in a tough competition last Thursday, it's a magnificent achievement!

Enjoy your week, Ben.

Maths Parent Information Session for F-2

Tomorrow, Tuesday July 18th at 2.30pm we are holding a Maths Information Session in the Foundation classrooms for parents of students in F-2. Please enter the school office to sign in prior to the session.

The purpose of this session is to show parents how we teach Maths at school, how Maths has changed at school and ideas to use at home to support your child.

We think you will find this session very imformative and we strongly encourage you to attend.

Before School Reading Program

As part of our Literacy program we have today commenced a program which aims to enhance the number of times our junior school children read to an adult. Each morning from 8.40am, our trainees, class teachers and LSO's are aiming to hear as many children read as possible in the Foundation, One and Two classes as they come into school. We ask that the children do not go out for a play until they have been heard.

For children with longer texts, it may be that they are reading 2/3 pages only of their book and the rest is read at home.

Our aim is to have the children read as often as possible in conjunction with their reader being read at home as well. The more regularly children are reading helps to strengthen their confidence, fluency and comprehension.  

We ask that your child read at home at least 4 times a week. Choose a time that works best for your family's schedule. 

Thank you for your support.

Jan Madden

NAPLAN Assessments

This week we are expecting to receive our 2023 NAPLAN Assessment reports for our Gr 3 and Gr 5 children with reports due to be sent home to families later this week. 

A new reporting format has been unveiled and the link below highlights important changes, we encourage families to view this information.  https://youtu.be/AcYsiLtE7a8

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 7.00pm.  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

Breakfast Club

Georgie Place from Fonterra visited our school last week and donated $1000 to Breakfast club to supply the dairy products for one year! We are so appreciative of this very kind gesture.

We are still on the lookout for a business that may be able to supply us with bread, english muffins and fruit bread this year if anyone has any connections.  

A number of families have also 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.

Cyber Safety Presentation

We are hosting a ThinkUKnow cyber safety and security presentation for all parents and carers of the Grade 3-6 classes. ThinkUKnow is an initiative coordinated by the Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police and is specifically targeted at what our young people are seeing, saying and doing online. We really encourage you to attend as this should be an incredibly valuable information session about how we can help our children be safe online.

This parent/carer session will be hosted on Tuesday August 1st at 6.30pm, which will follow two student sessions happening during the day at school - one session that will be aimed at the Grade 3/4 students, then a second session aimed at Grade 5/6 students. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Amy Atwell - aatwell@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au

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 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.

Around our school- Week 1

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Student Awards - Week 1

Learning Walks

Student News

Last Tuesday Bronte had an amazing opportunity to train with Karate World Champion, Junior Lefevre. Bronte trains two nights a week and has a very strong passion for Karate and she loved every second of learning from Junior!

What an fantastic experience Bronte, your smile says it all- thank you for sharing! 

Yesterday Miss Miller ran the half marathon and Lottie ran 5.2kms. They were both apart of the ‘Sylvie Sunshine Team’ in the Run Melbourne event! Helping to raise funds for We’ve Got You Inc. which supports families in the South West who have sadly lost a little one.

We are all so very proud of you both. 

Alice was in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and played the role of Cherry Sunday (an over the top bubbly reporter who thinks she's better than everyone). She had rehearsals twice a week for about four months and performed in four shows. Alice's favourite part of this whole production was meeting other people who share her interest in theatre and drama. 

Congratulations Alice, amazing effort!!!

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

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Kai C, Oliver W, Jarwyn D, Lucy W, Mason C, Kaiya G and Raani M who celebrate their special day this week. We hope you have a truly terrific day! 

St. Johns Dance Concert

TheirCare

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 

Wednesday Treats

This weeks treats is Pizza.

Tuesday volunteers 9.00am: Emily, Taliah, Jo, Laura and Rosemaria.

Wednesday volunteers 12.00pm: Julia, Adela and Jacquie.

Next weeks treat forms will be sent home tomorrow and are due back by 3.00pm each Monday. No late orders can be accepted. 

                 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:

Hyatt, Howley, Howlett, Hose and Hinkley-Raitt.

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

Tuesday 18th July: Maths Parent Information Session F-2 at 2.30pm

Tuesday 18th July: Parents and Friends Social Club Meeting at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space

Wednesday 18th July: Sacrament of Eucharist Formation Evening at 7.00pm at St.Pius X Church

Tuesday 25th July: Learning Walk at 9.00am

Tuesday 1st August: Cyber Safety Presentation at 6.30pm in the Shared Space

Sunday 20th August: Sacrament of First Eucharist

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