Week 2, July 18th, 2022: Newsletter #21
- Acknowledgement of Country
- Week 2 Prayer
- From the Principal
- ReLATE Student Survey
- Sacrament of First Eucharist
- Covid 19 Term 3 Updates
- Important School Reminders
- Learning Walks
- Happy Birthday
- Student News
- Student Awards
- Parents and Friends Social Group News
- Cake Raffle
- School Sponsorship
- Our Diocesan Community
- Star of the Sea Bulletin
- Community Noticeboard
- 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 2 Prayer
From the Principal
Greetings everyone,
The prayer on today’s newsletter challenges us to focus on the needs of children, especially those within our care. Revised Child Safe Standards have come into place across Victoria from July 1st. Whilst this prayer might spiritually centre us in the need for the protection of children, prayer and good intentions are only part of the work required by all schools, agencies, hospitals, clubs and organisations. Structures and procedures need to be present and visible for all families.
Our documentation has been updated and our staff have been made aware of these standards. Our next School Advisory Council Meeting will also have these standards as the main agenda item.
DOBCEL Circuit Breaker Weekend: I remind all families that the Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited have declared that Friday August 12th and Monday August 15th are school closure days: no staff or students are required to be on site on these days.
At the end of last term a letter was shared with families from Mr Tom Sexton, the Executive Director of our school's governance body; DOBCEL (Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Ltd). DOBCEL has directed that all its schools will be taking two days in the middle of Term 3 as a wellbeing measure against COVID / flu illness and fatigue.
Enjoy your week, Ben.
ReLATE Student Survey
Our school is currently implementing the ReFraming Learning and Teaching Environments model. This model is being evaluated by Monash University in partnership with its provider - the MacKillop Institute. As part of this process, Monash university is inviting you to complete a survey with your Year 4-6 child(ren). It is completely anonymous and voluntary.
There are 21 questions about safety, school environment and the teaching relationships that your child(ren) experiences. Our school will receive a report based on the findings that will be distributed.
Please use the link below with your child if they fall into the Year 4-6 age range.
Sacrament of First Eucharist
This term the opportunity will be open to students who are ready to receive their First Eucharist. For the St. Pius X and St. John's community this is usually (but not limited to) Year 4 students who have been Baptised & Confirmed. A family formation evening will be held this Wednesday, 20th July for children and parents who will be taking part. This will be an online meeting via Zoom at 7.00pm; lasting approximately one hour. A link will be emailed to those who have registered their participation in the Sacrament.
All families who intend to participate in this preparation are required to register their child using the enrolment form which can be accessed using this link.
The dates for Eucharist are as follows:
July 20th Formation Meeting 7.00pm
July 25th Family Group Week 1
July 31st Children presented at Mass
August 1st Family Week 2
August 7th Children’s pictures displayed in the Church
August 8th Family Week 3
August 14th Prayer scrolls distributed at Mass
August 15th Family Week 4
August 21st Sacrament of Eucharist as part of Mass
If you have any questions please email Damien Webster- dwebster@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au
Covid 19 Term 3 Updates
Rapid Antigen Testing: We have been advised that RAT's will be provided to students and staff for the remainder of the school year. On a semi regular basis, students will be provided with RAT's but if at any stage you require additional kits, please contact the office.
Rapid antigen test screening requirements: Students who have tested positive for COVID-19, and have completed their 7-day isolation period, do not need to undertake rapid antigen test (RAT) screening for 4 weeks after their release from isolation. Please note that this time frame has recently reduced from 12 weeks to 4 weeks.
Vaccination Mandate: The new COVID regulations have lifted the mandate for all employees and volunteers to be vaccinated. This means there will be no requirement for adults entering the school to declare their vaccination status.
Transport: Parents/carers who are positive cases are able to leave isolation if other arrangements cannot be made to transport someone they live with to and/or from school.
The person leaving self-isolation must travel directly to and from the location, making no stops, unless there is an emergency or as required by law.
They must remain in the vehicle at all times, unless it is reasonably necessary to leave the vehicle to deliver the person to and from school. They must wear a face covering at all times while transporting and delivering the child.
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 facemasks 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.
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.
Important School Reminders
1. Breakfast Club starts tomorrow! It will run from 8:15am-8:40am in the Gathering Space every Tuesday morning.
2. Wednesday Treats resumes this week. Please ensure orders are returned by 3.25pm every Monday. No late orders will be accepted.
3. Lunch orders from the Dennington Store are available Tuesday and Fridays only. Orders can be dropped at school or directy to the Dennington Store the day before.
4. A reminder that the loops are to be used for quick drop off and pick up. If your child requires help with their seatbelt etc please use the car parks to keep the loop moving at a steady pace.
5. Student Absences: Can all parents and guardians please remember that if a child is absent then we require you to contact the school via schoolzine, PAM, or phone to notify us as to why they are absent. This is a government requirement.
Learning Walks
Our Parent Learning Walks are back! Parents who have attended these walks in the past have found them to be very informative. Please email Ben- principal@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au if you are interested in attending.
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday to the following students who celebrate their birthday this week, we hope you have an amazing day! Jarwyn D, Mason C, Kaiya G, Raani M and Gen S.
Student News
Harmony recently celebrated her birthday and recieved many gifts, some being money. Harmony has decided to gift $20 of her birthday money to the Royal Childrens Hospital. As you know, the proceeds of our weekly cake raffle are donated to the RCH so we will include Harmonys donation with this money. This is a very kind and generous act and we are extremly proud of Harmony for taking this upon herself to donate to this very worthy cause.
Student Awards
Parents and Friends Social Group News
Parents & Friends Social Group Meeting
Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday 27th July at 7.30pm in the Gathering Space. To RSVP comment on the meeting post on Facebook or email parents@sjdennington.cathoic.edu.au
Dennington Day Out Meeting
Kate and Sarah, who are organising the DDO raffle are on the lookout for items to add to their prizes. If your business is able to donate then please head to the facebook group and let the girls know. Alternatively you can email ddo@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au
The next meeting will be held Wednesday 10th August at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space.
Wednesday Treats
Wednesday Treats are back! Orders must be placed no later than 3.25pm Monday. All order forms are to be filled out by parents with the correct money either included or paid into the bank account with details on the forms.
Wednesday 20th July - Pizza
Tuesday 19th July 9.00am: Emily M, Regina L, Elyse S and Edie H.
Wednesday 20th July 12.00pm: Emily M, Kelly S and Julia M.
Family Movie Night
Save the date. August 19th at 6.30pm in the Stadium. More details to come.
Cake Raffle
The following families are rostered on this Friday.
Billings, Hynes, Irvine and Greene (Imogen).
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, South West Pipe Relining and gforce employment & recruitment 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.
Our Diocesan Community
Please click here to view the latest edition of Our Diocesan Community
Star of the Sea Bulletin
Sunday Mass are held at 10.30am 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 Noticeboard
Upcoming Events
Wednesday 27th July: Parents and Friends Social Group meeting at 7.30pm - Gathering space
Friday 12th August: DOBCEL Holiday - School Closure Day
Monday 15th August: DOBCEL Holiday - School Closure Day
Wednesday 10th August: DDO meeting at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space
Friday 19th August: Family Movie Night
Thursday 8th September: Staff Professional Development - School Closure Day