Week 5 August 7th, 2023: Newsletter #24
- Acknowledgement of Country
- Week 5 Prayer
- From the Principal
- Managing Illness
- School Communication Channel Reminders
- Headphones- Reminder
- Hands on Learning
- Father's Day Breakfast- Friday 1st September
- St. John's Dance Concert
- Important School reminders
- Around our school- Week 4
- Student Awards- Week 4
- Happy Birthday
- Parents and Friends Social Group News
- School Sponsorship
- Star of the Sea Bulletin
- MacKillop Family Services
- Community Notices
- 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 5 Prayer
God of the Dreaming, you show yourself to us in dreamers, seers, and prophets.
We thank you for all those who, like Mary MacKillop, have helped us to see the possibilities for our country and its people.
As we struggle to realise our dreams for a just, compassionate world, may we witness to our world the true meaning of fair play and care for the oppressed.
Help us to uphold the importance of spiritual realities.
We pray that we will cherish particularly, the gifts of the indigenous peoples of our lands, and those new to our shores.
Teach us that, in the richness and strength of our diversity, lie our possibilities for becoming one.
Amen
From the Principal
Happy Monday everyone.
Welcome Olivia & Megan: Last week we welcomed Olivia Conheady back into 5/6KP and also Megan Kelly into 5/6NM. This is Olivia's 2nd placement with us and Megan's 1st. We hope they both enjoy their final placements in their teaching degrees.
School Fee Invoices: Our school fee statements will be coming home soon via email. At this time of year we are hopeful that all families will be in the position where they are comfortable with the amount they have paid already and all being well, should be able to meet the rest of the requirements in term 4.
As always, if you are experiencing financial hardship then we ask that you approach the office to see what assistance we can provide. We do stress the importance of communication regarding fee payment as it is extremely uncomfortable for Gayle and embarrassing for you when she has to contact families regarding fee payment.
$5,000 Raffle: After its commencement in 2022, the P&F Social group will again be conducting a Major Raffle with this years prize being a $5000 voucher to spend at Warrnambool iTalk Travel & Cruise.
Details will come home soon and the draw will take place at the School Concert on September 6th.
Insight SRC Surveys: Last week families were randomly selected to complete the Insight SRC surveys. These families received a letter with a unique password and username. This survey only takes about 10 minutes to complete.
This survey data is really taken very seriously by our staff, particularly the leadership team. Along with PAT, NAPLAN and the Enhancing Catholic School Identity survey the Insight data provides feedback to us in our progress in working towards our school improvement objectives i.e. Wellbeing, Teaching and Learning and Catholic School Culture.
So, if you did receive survey information please take the time to complete it as the more families that complete the surveys the more accurate our data will be. If you are unable or unwilling to do the survey please return the note so that we can pass it on to another family.
Thanks in advance.
Enjoy your week, Ben
Managing Illness
As many will be aware, there are several serious illnesses circling the community currently so it is pertinent that I again remind all families to give children who are symptomatic with any illness the opportunity to rest and recover at home.
I understand this has an impact on families but we do prioritise the health of all staff and children and ask that you do the same.
School Communication Channel Reminders
Newsletter: Our newsletter carries the bulk of our news and information about what is happening at St. John’s. It is the main way parents/guardians can be informed about coming events, student and teacher achievements. It is important for all families to read our newsletter each week.
Schoolzine App: The school app is the simplest way to receive short messages, reminders, or emergency information direct to your mobile phone. The Schoolzine App can be downloaded free from either Apple App Store or Google Play and then once installed, search for ‘St. John’s’ Primary School Dennington’.
St. John's Primary School Facebook page: Facebook allows us to share many of the wonderful stories to our school community about what’s happening at our school including individual and team achievements. Please encourage family and friends to follow our page.
St. John's Dennington Community Facebook page: This is a closed group for parents/guardians for information sharing between parents and reminders from the Principal and administration staff. It is important to note, that if you have a direct question for staff, this needs to be done via phonecall during office hours or email at either admin@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au or principal@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au and not put on this page for staff to answer, especially after hours.
Parent/School Communication: Parents are welcome to email staff with questions etc or to request a time to meet. Please note that staff will only respond in school hours. 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.
Seesaw: Classroom teachers use this interactive platform to comminicate and allow parents to stay connected with their child's learning. Any questions relating to Seesaw should be directed to classroom teachers.
Headphones- Reminder
If you haven't already done so can you please send a set of headphones in for your child to use in class by the end of this week. See below for some headphones options available.
Hands on Learning
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! RSVP's close on Friday 25th August, thank you.
St. John's Dance Concert
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 4
Student Awards- Week 4
Happy Birthday
A big Happy Birthday to Archie P, Ruby R, Harper C, Indianna S and Amy C who celebrate their birthday this week. Best wishes we hope you have a truly amazing 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
Father's Day Stall
Wednesday Treats
This weeks treats is Hot Dogs.
Tuesday volunteers 9.00am: Emily, Tahlia, Elyse, Jo and Theresa.
Wednesday volunteers 12.00pm: Melissa C, Adela and Jacinta.
Next weeks treat forms are sent home on Tuesday's and are due back by 3.00pm each Monday. No late orders can be accepted. If for some reason you do not receive a form, there are spare copies at the office that you can collect.
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:
Greene (Greta), Greene (Imogen), Godfrey and Gleeson.
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/
MacKillop Family Services
Could you make a difference to a young life?
Could this be what you are looking for?
Foster carers come from all walks of life. They can be working, not working or retired; married or single; in same-sex relationships; and can own or rent their home. The most essential criteria are that they care, can provide a safe and nurturing home, and have room in their home to support a vulnerable child or sibling group.
If you would like to know more call MacKillop Family Services on 1300 791 677, visit www.mackillop.org.au/fostercare or ring Alana in our Warrnambool office on 5500 2000.
Community Notices
Upcoming Events
Wednesday 16th August: DDO Meeting in the Gathering Space at 7.00pm
Sunday 20th August: Sacrament of First Eucharist
Tuesday 22nd August: Parents and Friend's Social Group Meeting at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space
Friday 25th August: Learning Walk at 9.00am
Wednesday 30th August: Father's Day Stall
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
Friday 8th September: Healthy Moves Display in the Stadium
Wednesday 11th October: Gradparents & Special Friends Day