Week 5, May 23rd, 2022: Newsletter #15

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

From the Principal

Greetings everyone,

National Sorry Day: Every May 26 in Australia, National Sorry Day reminds the people of the nation to remember the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Why? During the 20th century, Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families to be “assimilated” into white Australian culture. They are known as the “Stolen Generations.”

It took several Australian government administrations coming and going before an apology was officially offered to the Indigenous Australians, but it finally was made official, and actions are still being undertaken to this day to repair the damage caused by tearing native families apart. Our prayer at assembly this week will focus on this day. 

Rapid Antigen Test Regime Update: The state government have provided our school with advice regarding changes to the provision of Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) in our school for the remainder of Term 2.

RATs will continue to be distributed to you as they have been throughout this school year for the remainder of this term however, from Monday 23 May 2022, we do not recommend that your child complete a RAT twice a week as previously advised. RATs however will continue to be required by students who are household contacts to attend school (5 negative tests over a 7-day period) or who have symptoms.

The ongoing supply of RATs to families in our school will ensure that parents and carers will have them should they need them if their child is a household contact or has symptoms. Families must continue to notify the Department of Health and the school if their child returns a positive RAT result. Additionally, you should inform us if any of your children are household contacts.

Thank you again for your ongoing cooperation and support during this time.

Library Access for Families: We have a had a number of queries from parents regarding their capacity to borrow books from the library to assist with reading at home as a family. Therefore, we will open the library from 3:00pm-3:30pm each Tuesday to allow family borrowing. Simply come to the library, select your books and Miss Mellblom will assist with the borrowing aspect.  

Parent Teacher Interviews and 3 Way Conversations: Throughout this term, all homeroom teachers will have conversations with parents regarding their child’s learning. Rather than conduct these all on specific dates, parents should have received an email via PAM outlining available dates for you to meet with your child’s teacher. These conversations are important in building the relationship between home and school and assisting your child with their learning. If you have any questions regarding these interviews then I encourage you to speak with your child’s teacher.

Catholic Education Week: This week we take the chance to celebrate Catholic Education with a combined mass this Friday with St Pius X Primary School- this will be attended by children in Gr 3-6. 

Deakin Pre-Service Teachers: This week we farewell Miss Emma Hatton who has been working in the 3/4 team for the past 4 weeks and welcome Seamus Brady into the Foundation classes and Meg Hamilton into the 5/6 team. 

Landscaping Projects: Over the past week we have been completing upgrades to our courts and gardens and the STEM Gals project is kicking along nicely (see pictures below)- more information to come on this exciting initiative. 

Enjoy your week, Ben. 

Lanscaping Projects

2023 Enrolments- New session available!

We have commenced advertising our 2023 Foundation Information Sessions which will take place on May 17th and May 24th. We have added an additional session on Monday May 30th @ 7pm.

We are inviting families of our current students who have a Foundation child starting in 2023 to commence the enrolment process now, we anticipate a demand for places this year so we encourage you to complete this process as soon as possible. Enrolment forms can be collected from the office. 

Existing school families are welcome to attend the Information Sessions. 

Covid 19 Term 2 Updates

Rapid antigen test screening requirements: Students who have tested positive for COVID-19, and have completed their 7-day isolation period, now do not need to undertake rapid antigen test (RAT) screening for 12 weeks after their release from isolation. 

Household contacts: Students who are household contacts of a COVID-19 case are not required to quarantine. They may return to school as long as they undertake rapid antigen tests (RAT) 5 times during their 7-day period. They are required to notify the school that they are a household contact. Students aged 8 years and above who are household contacts are required to wear face masks when indoors at school unless they have a valid exemption. If a student household contact returns a positive RAT result, they must isolate for 7 days.

RAT screening program reminder: RATs will continue to be supplied for the entirety of Term 2 to support the early detection of COVID-19 in our school.

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.

Sports News

WPH Division Athletics Carnival: A summary of the placings for all children who competed in the WPH Division Athletics Carnival held in Warrnambool on May 6th.

Brooklyn P- 6th in 1500m, Charlotte S- 1st in 1500m, 1st in 800m, Chloe K- 7th in High Jump, Damon W- 4th in Triple Jump, Elsie F- 10th in 800, Fletcher G- 4th in High Jump, 3rd in Long Jump, Greta G- 3rd in 100m, Kade F- 6th in 800m, Kayla F- 4th in Shot Put, Lexi B- 7th in Triple Jump, Lily H- 3rd in Triple Jump, Michael D- 13th in 200m, Noah P- 9th in 100m, Sophie R- Equal 3rd in High Jump, 11 year boys relay- 7th, 8-10 year girls relay- 4th. 

Specific congratulations to the children who have we believe have qualified to proceed on to the Regional Carnival to be hedl in Ballarat in October: Brooklyn, Charlotte, Fletcher, Greta, Lily and Sophie. 

DAMSWAK Cross Country Carnival

We took a large contingent of children to this carnival last Monday (group photo below) and the children competed well in very trying conditions; we are thrilled with their effort and enthuisasm. Specific congrats to children who placed in the top 8 which allows them to move onto the next level which takes place today at Deakin University; these children are Alice, Brooklyn, Charlotte, Elsie, Fletcher, Flynn, Franklin, Greta, Kitana, Kade, Lily V and Sam.  

Important School Reminders

1.  Every Thursday Breakfast Club runs from 8:15am-8:40am in the Gathering Space.  

2.    Wednesday Treats orders are due every Monday by 3.00pm- no late orders will be accepted.

3.    Parent Teacher Interviews and 3 Way Conversations: Parents should have received an email via PAM outlining available dates for you to meet with your child’s teacher. These conversations are important in building the relationship between home and school and assisting your child with their learning. If you have any questions regarding these interviews please speak with your child’s teacher.

4.    School Fee Statements- will be sent out via email this week.

5.     A reminder if you have a concession card that is current from the first day of Term 2, and you did not apply in Term 1 for the Camps, sports, excursion fund (CSEF) please complete the application form below. This will allow you to recieve a discount on your school fees. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the school office on 5562 5362.

School Photos

Catch up Day - Thursday 16th June

For students who were away on Wednesday, we have scheduled a catch up for individiual portraits only and family photos if relevant. Those students who were absent on photo day will be given their unique image code on this catch up day. Unfortunately there will be no other available catch up day. Students having photos on catch up day will need to wear their sports uniform. There is no need to return any forms or money to school.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Bradly, Charlotte, Otto, Bonny and Ethan who celebrate their birthdays this week. Many happy returns, enjoy your special day!

Student Awards

Parents and Friends News

Parents and Friend's Social Group

Next meeting will be held TONIGHT at 7.30 in the Gathering space. Come along and have your say of fundraising ideas and upcoming events.

If you would like to attend but can’t be there in person please email parents@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au and we can send you a link to join us via google meet. We welcome you to join and listen in on upcoming dates even if you think you may not have anything to contribute.

Dennington Day Out

The next meeting will be held NEXT WEDNESDAY 1st June at 7.30 in the Gathering Space. If you know of a business that would love to make donations toward the day please contact ddo@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au

We encourage all parents to LIKE our facebook page ‘Dennington Day Out’ and when you see a new post share it to your page so that the wider community can hear of our upcoming celebrations.

Wednesday Treats 

Order forms are due back by 3.00pm each Monday. Late orders will not be accepted.

Wednesday 25th May: Hot Chips

Tuesday 24th May 9am Volunteers: Lacey, Emily, Edie H, Kat M

Wednesday 25th May 12pm Volunteers: Nicole R, Kelly S, Karen M

Wednesday 1st June: Dim Sims

Tuesday 31sh May 9am Volunteers: Lacey, Emily, Jo C, Lauren M

Wednesday 1st June 11.30am Volunteers: Regina L, Kate C, Tanya M-G

School Disco

SAVE THE DATE: Friday 3rd June

If you have anything to offer for the night or would like to be involved in the planning process please get in contact with the committee by emailing parents@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au

https://forms.gle/gWegY4tW9rLkXE9r6

Cake Raffle

The following families are rostered on this Friday.

Foley, Fry, Mashozhera, Thompson

All students will be able 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. 

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, Brownies Shed and South West Pipe Relining 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.

Star of the Sea Bulletin

Community Noticeboard

Upcoming Events

Monday 23rd May: P & F Social Group Meeting- 7.30pm in the Gathering Space

Wednesday 1st June: Dennington Day Out Meeting- 7.30pm in the Gathering Space

Friday 3rd June: Student Disco

Wednesday 15th June: School Closure Day

Thursday 16th June: School Photos Catch up Day

Monday 20th June: Academic Reports released on PAM

Friday 24th June: Term 2 Concludes at 2.30pm

Monday 11th July: School Closure Day

Tuesday 12th July: Term 2 Commences at 8.50am