March 25th, 2024: Newsletter #8

Acknowledgement of Country

St. John’s school community respect and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and emerging. 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, working together towards a reconciled Australia. 

150th Anniversary Celebrations

Week 9 Prayer: Easter

What do we Celebrate at Easter

A key feature of this week is the Easter Triduum. The Easter Triduum refers to three days in Holy Week which together express the central mystery of our Christian Faith; the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It begins on Holy Thursday as we focus on Jesus’ farewell words and deeds at the Last Supper. It moves to Good Friday when we ponder the events of his suffering and death. It climaxes with the Easter Vigil when we celebrate the liberation of humankind through Christ’s resurrection. This 3 stage sequence of worship allows us to take in an enormous mystery in small, digestible chunks and to relate it to the various facets of our own lives- the sorrows, joys, success and failures. Of all the Church’s celebrations throughout the year, the Easter Triduum is the highpoint.

What is Holy Week?

Holy Week is the week before Easter Sunday, beginning seven days before with Palm Sunday. It ends with Holy Saturday. Easter is not part of Holy Week, but rather the beginning of the Easter season of the Liturgical year.

Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday. On this day, we celebrate the triumphant entry of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, into Jerusalem, riding a donkey. On that day, the people laid palms before Him, a gesture reserved for triumphant leaders, we celebrate this at Palm Sunday Mass by distributing palms to those in attendance. The palms are blessed at Mass and people craft them into crosses. Eventually, these palms are returned to the Church where they are burned. Traditionally, their ashes are saved and distributed at next year's Ash Wednesday services.

Later, when Jesus entered the Temple, he angrily drove out the money changers who had turned the Temple court into a place of business instead of devotion. Once the court was cleared, Jesus began teaching the masses. Meanwhile, His enemies drew plans to kill Him.

The next major event in Holy Week is Holy Thursday. On this day, Jesus celebrated the Passover feast with the disciples. We know this feast as the Last Supper. This is the night He was betrayed by Judas and arrested.

The Last Supper is celebrated at every Mass, and especially on Holy Thursday. After supper, Jesus went to the Mount of Olives and prayed. Jesus was arrested on the night of Holy Thursday.

The next day is Good Friday, and on this day, we commemorate the trial, punishment, and crucifixion of Our Lord. On that morning, Jesus was brought before Annas, a powerful Jewish cleric who condemned Jesus for blasphemy. From there, Jesus was presented to Pilate for trial. Although Pilate found no guilt in Jesus, he agreed to have him crucified to appease the crowd of people and prevent a riot.

Christ was stripped, flogged, and crowned with thorns. He was then forced to carry His Cross to the place of His execution. There, He was nailed to the Cross between two thieves who were likewise crucified. Late that afternoon, seeking to ensure Christ's death, a Roman guard stabbed him in his side with a spear. When Jesus died, an earthquake is said to have occurred as well as a great darkness which covered the land. Suddenly, many people knew Jesus was the Son of God.

Jesus was taken and laid quickly in a borrowed tomb, in accord with Jewish law, which required the dead be buried by sundown before the Sabbath.

On Holy Saturday, there is no Mass. Parishes may hold services, but there is no distribution of Communion. On Holy Saturday, we remember that Jesus was descended into hell where He preached the Gospel to those who died before and opened the way to heaven for all those who were worthy.

This concludes Holy Week. The following day is Easter Sunday, the day on which it was discovered the Tomb was empty, and our Lord was resurrected, triumphing over death once and for all time.

From the Principal

Welcome to the 9th and final week of term.

Farewell Brodie: This week Brodie Boyd concludes her time with us as she prepares for the arrival of her 3rd child. Brodie has done a great job teaching PE over the past 14 months and we thank her for work in this area over that time. We also look forward to welcoming back Margie Smith who will step back into the role of PE teacher which she has held previously. 

Finance Officer Position: As advised last week, Gayle McPherson has announced her resignation as she takes up a Payroll Position with DOBCEL. Gayle's position has been advertised and we hope to fill this early next term. 

Easter Liturgy: Our annual Easter Liturgy will take place next Thursday, March 28th starting at 12.30pm and will focus on the events of the Last Supper which took place on Holy Thursday. Community members are welcome to attend. 

End of Term Arrangements: Term 1 will conclude for all students at 2.20pm on Thursday 28th March. 

Commencement of Term 2: Classes for Term 2 will commence on Monday April 15 at 8.55am. Please also note the following dates where the students are not required to attend school.

• Tuesday April 25th- ANZAC Day Holiday
• Thursday May 2nd- May Races Holiday

ANZAC Day: Advance Warning that our school has again been invited to join with the Dennington Community in commemorating those who served in all wars.

Our students are welcome to gather at the Dennington Kinder in their school uniform, we will then join in the parade before our captains lay a wreath at the memorial on behalf of our school community.

We have also been asked to lead the singing of the national anthem so all children in attendance will gather after the parade to do this. A staff member will coordinate this on the day. 

Please also note that all community members are invited to join in the Dennington Community Association breakfast which will run frrom 7.30am at the Payne Reserve BBQ area. 

We look forward to the week ahead and the two weeks of rest and relaxation, Ben.

New CONNECT Request

At the end of this week you will recieve a link via email directing you to new CONNECT request to complete in PAM. The new request is for Local Excursions (St. Pius X Church and Dennington Rec Reserve) This is due to DOBCEL updating their camps and local excursion policies. We require this request to be completed by the start of Term 2. 

2025 Foundation Students

Foundation 2025 enrollments for siblings of current students are now welcome, please visit the following link to commence enrolling your Foundation 2025 child.

Enrolment Apply Now Link

If you require any assistance please contact the office.

Parent Participation Levy (PPL)

Please ensure your volunteer hours are recorded for Term One. Please click here for the link to the form. It is also available on the Schoolzine App OR you can record your hours manually in the folder located in the office foyer.

Winter Uniforms

As we enter Term 2, children are welcome to wear their winter uniform, but also for the first few weeks of term children are also welcome to wear their summer uniform, it's a family decision.

Children will be sent home with their school hats on Thursday of this week as they are not required to be worn in Term 2 or Term 3.  

Breakfast Club

As mentioned at assembly last week, there is no Breakfast Club running tomorrow due to the Wellbeing Day- it will return again on the first Tuesday of Term 2. 

Easter Liturgy

This Thursday there will be a Liturgy in the stadium commencing at 12.30pm. The focus for the Liturgy will be centred around The Last Supper which has been a focus across the school during Lent. Following the Liturgy the children will gather in their Sports colour groups to share some food (supplied by the school). Parents, family and friends are invited to join us for this Sacred Liturgy.

Wellbeing Updates

Wellbeing Day tomorrow, a reminder that kids are welcome to wear casual clothes. They are going to be active all day so I suggest no ball gowns!!

At St John's we are now able to offer parents and caregivers a free wellbeing tool called School TV.  

Because parenting doesn’t come with instructions, SchoolTV is a wellbeing resource that can support you in the challenges relating to modern-day parenting.

This award-winning resource helps build relationships, foster connections, enable understanding and break down barriers to navigate a pathway towards better mental health and wellbeing for young people. It can assist in starting conversations on topics that are sometimes awkward or difficult to tackle.

We encourage you to have a look at this great resource that has a wealth of information delivered in different formats such as short videos, articles, and links to podcasts.   As always please reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns about your child's wellbeing.

An example of some of the topics available are listed below.

School TV Link

Johnnies excursion to The Cally!

Last Wednesday the Johnnies went to visit The Cally Hotel as part of volunteering in our local community. 

Jo kindly showed us around the accommodation area at the top of the building, through to the restaurant, function areas and in the kitchen. We found the coolroom to be very interesting as well as the soft drink machine. 

We were lucky enough to make our own hot chocolates and then we boxed up 11 lasagnas to take back to school to give to families that need some assistance. 

We thank Jo and The Cally Hotel for their kind donation and for taking us on a very exciting and informative tour. 

By Imogen Bray, Dusty Bermingham, Jasper Fedley and Dexter Brunton. 

Project Compassion- Please return boxes

As we've written about previously, Caritas is one of the Catholic Church's charities and throught the Season Of Lent, it operates Project Compassion which is its main fundraiser for the year.

We are now asking all families who are able to, to return your project compasion boxes to school where they will be collected and any funds raised will be provided to Caritas. Boxes can be returned to the classroom of the eldest child in the family and I ask that you write your family name on it as well. These boxes will form part of our easter liturgy next week. 

Around our School- Week 8

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National Ride2School Day

Last Friday was National Ride2School Day and what a terrific turn out we had!

We were given two $100 gift vouchers from the Counil to award to students who were seen to be making good choices and participating in an appropriate and enthusiastic manner. 

Congratulations to Cooper Gurry for helping kids cross the road safely and Turam Cust for being sensible and enjoying the morning. 

Student Awards

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Sommer D, Dusty B, Arlo B and Evie R who celebrate their birthday this week, we hope you have a terrific day!

Parents & Friends Social Group

Our AGM was held last Tuesday at 9.00am with all roles filled and we welcome aboard our new members:

President - Emily McGennan
Vice Presidents - Malynda De Bono & Amber Serra
Secretary - Ali Fechete
Treasurer - Issy Kelly
Assistant Treasurer - Kate Cuzens
Communications coordinator - Melissa Crothers
Catering and Wednesday Treats - Taliah Gleeson

I would like to personally thank Malynda De Bono, Amber Serra, Ali Fechete, Jen Milne & Mary-Ellen Toleman for their dedication over the last 2 years.

This group organises all fundraising and social events for the school community and is made up of a variety of parents. This variety helps us to provide feedback to the Principal regarding a range of topics from school uniforms to play equipment.

It is always great to see new faces and I would encourage all families to try and get along to a meeting throughout the year. The group meets monthly and it is a great opportunity to have a say on things happening in your child's school.

Our next general meeting will be held on Tuesday 23rd April at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space- all welcome.

Emily McGennan

Dennington's Day Out

This week's meeting will be held at the Cally this Wednesday 27th March at 6:30pm for dinner, followed by a planning meeting at 7.00pm. 

There are still plenty of opportunities to volunteer within the group. 

Easter Raffle

Raffle tickets have been sent out and are due back this Wednesday 27th March. Tickets are $2 each, if you require more tickets you can collect them from the front office.

We also kindly ask that each family donates an Easter related item for the prizes. These can be taken to the office. 

The raffle will be drawn Thursday March 28th (Last day of term 1) following the Easter Liturgy.

Are you available Thursday morning to help put together the easter raffle prizes and folding of raffle tickets. Please contact Ali Fechete if you are able to help.

Bunnings BBQ

The Bunnings BBQ this year will be on Sunday 28th April with notes coming home this week. 

Wednesday Treats

Wednesday Treats is back in term 2! Volunteer notes will be going home today with students. If you are able to help please mark what dates you are available and return ASAP.  A roster for term 2 will be handed out on the first day back. All hours will go towards your PPL. 

Wednesday treats runs in terms 2 & 3. Each week a order form is sent home with the option to order a juice, flavoured milk and that week's hot food which could be Pizza, Hot Dogs, Dim Sims, Potato Cakes, Hot Chips. 

Cake Raffle

Each week on a Monday, 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 Monday with a limit of five tickets per student. The Johnnies will make a P.A announcement at first lunch, calling all students who wish to purchase a ticket, to the Library.

The following families are rostered on Week 1, Term 2 - Monday 15th April:

Clarke, Clifford-Belleville, Cole, Collins and Coverdale.

Please drop your (store purchased) cake into the front office with your child's name written on top.

School Sponsorship

A big thank you to O'Brien's Electrical, Joinery by Jarrod, Fry Painting and Carry on Travel who sponsor 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.

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/ 

Emmanuel College

Community Notices

Upcoming Events

Tuesday 26th March: Student wellbeing day (dress in casual clothes).

Wednesday 27th March: DDO Dinner Meeting at the Cally Hotel.

Thursday 28th March: Easter Liturgy at 12.30pm.

Thursday 28th March: Last day of Term 1, finishing time 2.20pm.

Monday 15th April: Term 2 commences