Week 7, March 7th, 2022: Newsletter #6

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 7 Prayer

From the Principal

Greetings everyone,

There is a large amount of information in this newsletter regarding our two parent groups- the SAC and the P&F and their upcoming AGMs later this month. Please take the opportunity to read this information and examine opportunities for how you can increase your involvement and engagement with our school community. 

Enjoy your week, Ben. 

School Advisory Council AGM

The School Advisory Council (SAC) is the leading advisory group for the Principal, as an active forum for parent and community participation, providing support and advice in strategic planning, school improvement, educational outcomes and stewardship of resources. Our SAC will hold its AGM on Tuesday 29th March and we will be looking to fill a vacancy created by Darren Shiell who concludes his tenure. Please read through the information below and feel free to speak with Ben van de Camp or an existing SAC member (highlighted below) if you are interested in joining this parent body. 

Existing SAC Parent Representative Members: Mary-Ellen Hose, Leah Kermeen, Ben Marsden, Jen Milne and Darren Shiell. 

Role of the Advisory Council: The School Advisory Council is intended to:

• provide a voice for members of the school community.
• actively support, in collaboration with the local parish, the Vision and Catholic Identity of the School.
• provide input into and support for strategic planning and directions.
• actively support and promote child safety practices including the National Safeguarding Principles for Child Safe Organisations.
• provide input and contribute advice in the processes of school improvement and school review.
• support the Principal in meeting his/her responsibilities and accountabilities for educational outcomes, effective stewardship of resources, and annual reporting.
• actively support the Principal in the encouragement of family engagement.
• support the ongoing sustainability of the SAC and its members in its succession and learning.

Members are guided to:

• ensure they understand and can articulate the school’s vision and mission.
• make decisions that always have the welfare of students as their primary basis.
• be truly representative of what is best for the whole school community.
• be mindful that the implementation of school policies and overall management of the school is the function of the principal and staff of the school.
• be familiar with and understand the school obligations to ensure a Child Safe school.
• give the necessary time, thought and study to the work of the advisory council.
• respect matters of confidentiality and privacy.
• work with fellow advisory council members in a spirit of harmony, co-operation and honesty.
• make decisions on issues based on all available facts and consistent with the school’s stated vision and mission.
• abide by and uphold the final majority recommendations of the advisory council.
• only act on behalf of the advisory council when specifically authorised to do so by the advisory council.
• refer to the appropriate person any issues or concerns that are not the concern of the advisory council.
• take part in the School Advisory Council member induction programme.

Covid 19 Reminders

Parents on Site

A reminder that all parents entering the school must only do so at the office, where then you will be directed to where it is necessary for you to go. You must wear a mask.

Rapid Antigen Testing

My thanks to all families who have been undertaking this regime at home, we appreciate the work you are doing. Today, all children will be sent home with a box of tests, and as previously advised, we are encouraging testing in the mornings before school, preferably Monday and Wednesday. It is important to remember testing is encouraged, not compulsory. Please notify the school if your child receives a positive test only.

Continuity of Learning

Our school community has been fortunate that we have not had significant staff numbers impacted by COVID such that we have continued to provide quality learning and teaching and student care. I remind families that this could change quickly and the school may be required to ask some classes or year levels to stay home if we do not have adequate staff numbers onsite. We hope that this is not the case, but if it does become a necessity, we will work hard to minimise any disruption.

Rapid Antigen Testing- Twice weekly testing to continue until the end of Term 1.

Mask Mandate- this is still in place for all essential visitors to the school, staff and children Gr 3-6. 

Important School Reminders

1. From this week lunch orders are available to order Wednesdays and Fridays. Families can send their orders into school or take directly to the Dennington Store by 11.00am on a TUESDAY for delivery WEDNESDAY and by 11.00am on THURSDAY for delivery FRIDAY. 

2. Assembly slides back to Friday at 2.40pm this week in the Stadium and we are inviting parents/guardians only to attend. Double vaccination requirements will be enforced, social distancing is required and masks must be worn. For assemblies only, parents/guardians are to go directly to the Stadium, not via the front office. 

School Documentation

School Policies

Use of the Dennington Reserve has been added to Connect in PAM. Last week families were emailed and asked to log into PAM to read and accept this notification along with our school's Acceptable Use and Cyber Safety Agreement, Child Safety Code of Conduct and Parent Code of Conduct. Please take the time to read these documents carefully and once done so select Yes to agree to the terms and conditions. We would appreciate your prompt response to this request.

Medical Profiles- PLEASE COMPLETE ASAP

All students require a current Medical Profile so staff can access up to date details of your child if required. You must log in to revalidate your child's Medical profile, even if there has been no change.   Students will not be able to attend excursions or camps without this being completed.

If you have any questions or require any assistance with logging in etc. please email Julie Bartlett- jbartlett@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au

Project Compassion 2022

As we’ve learnt across our community, the Season of Lent has begun. A key focus during this time is the act of giving. A program that we support at St. John’s is the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Spanning across the six weeks of Lent each year, Project Compassion brings thousands of Australian schools, parishes and supporters together to raise funds for people living in some of the most vulnerable communities across the world to have access to clean water, fresh food and education.

We encourage you to put your compassion into action this Lent through your prayer, fasting and almsgiving by supporting Project Compassion.  St John's Primary School is proud to support Project Compassion. Coming home today is a donation box for each family to collect donations and put their spare change in, no matter how little or big, every bit helps. 

Each week we will share the story of a person who has been assisted by Project Compassion which helps us to see, first hand, the role of Caritas in supporting people worldwide. 

Sports News with Mrs Smith!

Waarrnambool Portand Hamilton Division Swimming Carnival

Our congrats to Indi Moloney, Indi Stonehouse and Tyler Shiell who competed at this swimming carnival last Friday- the children were happy with their performance and we are thrilled with their efforts. Our thanks to the parents for their transport assistance.

School Athletics Carnival

Last Friday 4th March we held our School Sports at Brauerander Park. A big thank you to the parents and teachers who helped throughout the day, as well as the Brauer and Emmanuel College students who all assisted in making the day a success.

Congratulations to our individual champions on their achievements:

5/6 girls: Indy Messina & 5/6 boys: Archie Darmody

7 y/o girls: Isabelle Crothers & 7 y/o boys: Harry Matthews

8 y/o girls: Charlotte McFadyden & 8 y/o boys: Harley Johnson

9 y/o girls: Indy Vickery & 9 y/o boys: Jaxon Boyle

10 y/o girls: Greta Greene & 10 y/o boys: Jacob Dance

11 y/o girls: Alice Daffy & 11 y/o boys: Kade Faulkner

12/13 y/o girls: Sophie Ryan & 12/13 y/o boys: Fletcher Gillmartin

Finally, well done to all students who participated and gave it their best on the day. You should all be very proud of yourselves.

Congratulations to Hogan Gold for being the overall winner of the day. 

2022 Age Champions

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Emergency Management

Each term, all schools must run an Emergency Evacuation Exercise to help meet safety requirements. We are running a drill tomorrow, which the students are aware of. There will be times we will run an exercise without staff and student knowledge beforehand to test how everything runs if there were to be an Emergency. 

Recently a few staff members visited the junior classrooms (F-2) to chat about Emergency Management in a relaxed setting with an emphasis on working together to keep everyone safe. Staff dressed in hard hats and hi vis vests to show students what some staff would look like during an exercise. The talk was well received and as expected, staff were met with some interesting questions like "Where would we go if the grass out the front was on fire?" We encourage you to talk to your children about this topic and discuss what they did. 

Please note that families will be notified each time we intend to conduct a drill. 

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to the following students who celebrate their birthday this week:

Ryder Hnkley-Raitt, Mailee Irvine, Blair Forth, Levi Brown, Greta Greene and Franklin Ryan.

Breakfast Club

Every Thursday Breakfast Club runs from 8:15am-8:40am in the Gathering Space. A group of dedicated Grade 5’s and 6’s cook and serve toast, english muffins, fruit toast, cereals, fresh fruit and milo to students.  All students are welcome, it’s a great way to start the day!

We are very lucky to have the support of some school families who donate the bread and fruit.  If anyone has connections to businesses that may support us by donating milk or grocery items we would love to hear from you. You can email Jasmine- jkoch@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au or make contact with her at school on Wednesdays or Thursdays.

Student Awards

Parents and Friends News

Wine Cheese n Chat Gathering

It was a great to be able to gather last Wednesday with a wide range of people from across the school, new parents, relatively new parents and some who have been in the school for over 10 years! We took the opportunity to discuss the School Advisory Council, the P&F and the many sub committees it has ahead of the upcoming AGM's for both the SAC and the P&F. 

P&F Social Group AGM

The Parents & Friends Social group will hold their AGM on Wednesday 16th March. 

• Promote the values outlined in the Vision and Mission of our school. 
• Provide a sense of warmth and hospitality to our school and wider community.
• Organise social functions whereby the community can come together.
• Help raise funds, which provide the school with learning materials, additional staffing and general equipment.
• Work together as a team with the School Advisory Council and staff.
• To act as a representative body of parents on matters affecting the education of their children. 
• To encourage and foster the involvement of staff, students and parents in the activities of the school and this group.

At the AGM we'll be hoping to fill the following roles;

President- (currently held by Sarah Huntly & Narelle Marsden)

Vice President

Secretary- (Currently held by Jen Milne)

Treasurer- (currently held by Lana Irvine/Malynda de Bono)

Nominations for these positions will be taken at the AGM. Should you have any queries regarding these positions then please feel free to speak with the incumbent person or if you would like a role description then please speak with Ben van de Camp.

Dennington Day Out Coordinator

Our current coordinator Sommer Faulkner has decided to hang up the fairy floss so we are on the hunt for a person/persons to take the lead of this fantastic event. The DDO was created 10 years ago to bring together the numerous community groups of Dennington in a way that celebrates all things Dennington. 

The coordinator role is important in overseeing the many aspects of the day and the people taking charge of each aspect eg. food or rides or the raffle as examples. If this seems something that you, or a group of people could be interested in then please contact Sommer who can give you the warts and all account of  what the role entails. 

Family Picnic- This Thursday!

Last year our inaugural family picnic was a huge success.  Families are invited to bring a picnic rug, tea and drinks up to school anytime between 5.00pm - 8.00pm to eat tea while their children play. There will be access to sports equipment and the stadium toilets will be open. We hope to see you there!

Thank you!

A big thank you to the parents and grandparents who came to school on Shrove Tuesday and cooked pancakes for all the students, they were delicious!

Cake Raffle

The following families are rostered on this Friday.

Bermingham, Black, Blain and Boyle.

All students will be able to buy a raffle ticket for 20c each Friday. Grade 5/6 students will come around to the classrooms during the day to write out tickets and collect money. 

All funds raised throughout the year will be donated to the Good Friday Appeal the following year. If assembly is cancelled on your rostered week you will not be required to bring in a cake/slice.

School Sponsorship

A big thank you to Fry Painting and Brownies Shed who support our school!

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.

National Ride2 School Day

Star of the Sea Bulletin

Emmanuel College Opening Evening

Upcoming Events

Thursday 10th March: 5.00pm - 8:00pm Family Picnic at school

Monday 14th March: Labour Day Public Holiday

Wednesday 16th March: 7:30pm Parents and Friends Social Group AGM in the Gathering Space

Friday 25th March: National Ride2 School Day

Tuesday 29th March: 5.30pm SAC AGM in the Gathering Space

Wednesday 30th March: 7.30pm DDO meeting in the Gathering Space

Friday 8th April: Easter Raffle

Friday 8th April: End of Term 1

Tuesday 26th April: Term 2 Commences

Sunday 1st May: Bunnings BBQ