Week 3 July 24th, 2023: Newsletter #22

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 3 Prayer

From the Principal

Happy Monday everyone.

It would seem that a great number of illnesses are circling in our school community at the moment, we continue to manage staff illness also. On a more positive note, it has been pleasing to see the children and staff go about their business with a great deal of purpose and commitment.

Our 2022 Annual Report to the School Community has been uploaded to our website and is also available to view through the link below. 

Enjoy your week, Ben 

Australian Government Census

The Australian Government Department of Education would like to advise all staff, parents and guardians that it will collect certain information about your school, its staff and student body as part of the 2023 Non-Government School Census collection. Click on the link below for more information. This collection will occur on Friday August 4th. 

Concussion in Children

Children often bump or bang their heads and it can be difficult to tell whether an injury is serious or not. Any knock to the head is considered a head injury. 

It is important for us to be made aware of a concussion that has occurred outside of the school setting (on weekends or during extracurricular activities) to ensure that on return to school the student is monitored for ongoing symptoms. 

Concussion – Important information

If your child has experienced concussion, it is important that you follow recommended medical advice. Returning to school can be a graduated approach with the aim of increasing tolerance to a full day, the same situation could occur with sport. It is always important to check with your doctor and seek medical treatment after a child sustains a concussion.

It is important to inform the school if your child has sustained a concussion outside of the school setting so we can monitor for ongoing symptoms and adapt activities if required.  This factsheet link below from the Royal Children’s Hospital is valuable to read and understand.

https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Head_injury_return_to_school_and_sport/

There is also a great evidence-based app from the Murdoch children’s research institute that walks you through what to do in the result of a concussion.

https://www.headcheck.com.au/

Before School Reading Program

As part of our Literacy program we have 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

Today we have sent home to our Gr 3 and Gr 5 families the 2023 NAPLAN Assessment reports for their child/children. 

Please keep these results in a safe place as a copy is required when enrolling at a Secondary School.

Student achievement in NAPLAN is reported using new proficiency standards for each assessment area at each year level. The standards are set at a challenging but reasonable expectation of what students know and can do at the time of testing. There are 4 proficiency levels: 

• Exceeding: the student’s result exceeds expectations at the time of testing. 
• Strong: the student’s result meets challenging but reasonable expectations at the time of testing. 
• Developing: the student’s result indicates that they are working towards expectations at the time of testing.
• Needs additional support: the student’s result indicates that they are not achieving the learning outcomes that are expected at the time of testing. They are likely to need additional support to progress satisfactorily.

The video below gives a detailed description of how to read your child's results.  For more information obout the skills and understandings students were required to demonstrate at the time of testing, parents can click on the link below.

 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.

The formation evening has taken place but if you wish to still enrol your child in this program please contact Tom Beks.

Resilience Rights & Respectful Relationships

To build on our other Social Emotional Learning (SEL) programs RELATE and Zones of Regulation we plan to implement the Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships (RRRR) program across Grades F-6 this term.

The RRRR curriculum is an evidence-based whole school approach to SEL, where it develops students' personal and social capabilities including self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and social management.

RRRR is a wide ranging initiative to help students deal with a range of challenges they may face and covers topics including:
• Emotional Literacy
• Personal Strengths
• Positive Coping
• Problem-Solving
• Stress Management
• Help-seeking
• Gender & Identity
• Positive Gender Relationships

RRRR promotes equality and helps students learn how to build healthy relationships. This initiative prepares students to face challenges by developing problem-solving skills and build empathy, resilience and confidence.

RRRR is a core component of the Victorian Curriculum and was introduced to all schools to increase students' Social Emotional Learning and change attitudes and prevent the prevalence of family violence in future generations.  

More information about the RRRR curriculum can be found at:

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/pages/respectfulrelationships.aspx

Maths Information Session

Last week we held a Maths Information Session for parents of students in F-2. The purpose of this session was 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. A lot of positive feedback was received from those who attended the session. Below is a handout that was given out on the day.

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

St. John's Dance Concert

Excitement is building for our upcoming dance concert. Families should have received a detailed letter via email outlining the song, dance and costumes for their childs class. Each class has its own specific requirements. If you have not received this letter please contact the classroom teacher.

Father's Day Breakfast- Friday 1st September

Please complete the google form to RSVP to our Father's Day Breakfast. We would love to see as many Dad's and special people as we can!

Grandparent's & Special Friends Day- Save the date!

NCCD

The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) takes place
every year. Please read the flyer below for further details.

Walk Safely to School

The Warrnambool City Council have produced the following attachments as a means of highlighting walking paths around Dennington and safe walking routes to St. John's. On Friday September 8th there will be a special Healthy Moves display showcased in our stadium- all community members are welcome and further details will be provided. 

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

Around our school- Week 2

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Student Awards - Week 2

Happy Birthday

Best wishes to Finn A, Sonny A, Taylor G and Michael D who celebrate their birthday this week. We hope you have a wonderful fun filled day!

Parents and Friends Social Group News

Meeting

Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday 22nd August in the Gathering Space at 7.00pm.

Dennington's Day Out!

Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday 16th August in the Gathering Space at 7.00pm.

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 Dim Sims.

Tuesday volunteers 9.00am: Emily, Taliah, Kate C, Kim A & Rebecca W.

Wednesday volunteers 12.00pm: Olivia G, Jess S & Melanie K.

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

Movie Fundraiser

Tickets are $20 per ticket with an optional $5 popcorn and drink combo.  Ticket includes lucky door prize entry AND a lolly bag.

Please click on the google form link below to register and then pay at the office (cash only).  The P & F will be at our school assembly this Friday if you would prefer to pay by EFT payment. 

Link to form

                 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:

Hazeldine, Hartwich, Harris and  Harden.

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 25th July: Learning Walk at 9.00am

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

Wednesday 16th August: DDO Meeting in the Gathering Space at 7.00pm

Sunday 20th August: Sacrament of First Eucharist

Tuesday 22nd August: Parents and Friends Social Group Meeting at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space.

Friday 25th August: Learning Walk at 9.00am

Monday 28th August: School Closure Day

Friday 1st September: Father's Day Breakfast at 7.00am - 8.30am

Wednesday 6th September: St. John's Dance Concert- Dancing through the decades at 6.30pm

Wednesday 11th October: Gradparents & Special Friends Day