Week 3, July 25th, 2022: Newsletter #22
- Acknowledgement of Country
- Week 3 Prayer
- From the Principal
- Sacrament of First Eucharist
- Sports News
- Covid 19 Term 3 Updates
- Important School Reminders
- Happy Birthday
- 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 3 Prayer
From the Principal
Greetings everyone,
School Uniform Provider: After much consideration we have made the decision to outsource our uniform provision to Lowes. We have made this decision due to a number of factors, these being;
~ availaibilty of stock: this has been an extremely big issue this year
~ the hours required to effectively operate the uniform shop: the job is enormous!
~ inconsistency of stock supply and the styles provided
~ ease of access for parents/guardians to be able to purchase products both in store and online.
We appreciate that this will bring an increased cost however Lowes conduct 20% off days 4 times per year and we will notify families of these dates to enable you to purchase uniform at a reduced price.
We anticipate that the changeover will occur in 4th term but in the meantime, still direct uniform enquiries to the school.
Before & After School Care: We are currently in the process of investigating the viability of enagaging an outside provider to provide the school with onsite before and/or after school care. Please note that this will be a numbers based decision so if there is not enough interest then it will not happen and we will maintain exisitng arrangements with the Warrnambool City Council. If this is something that interests you, then please complete the survey by clicking on the link below;
https://www.surveymonkey.com/
Grandparents’ Day: At various times in the past we have conducted Grandparents Day at this time of the year to coincide with the Feast of St. Joachim and St Anne who are the grandparents of Jesus. Due to the continuing high numbers of Covid cases and other illnesses in our school, we have decided to celebrate Grandparents’ Day in 4th term. A Date for this day will be advised.
Enjoy your week, Ben.
Sacrament of First Eucharist
The dates for Eucharist are as follows:
Today-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
Sports News
Badminton Incursion: Last Thursday the year 3 - 6 students participated in some Badminton as part of their Sport lesson. Thank you to Latisha from Warrnambool Badminton association for coming to teach them for the day. If any students are interested in learning more about Badminton contact Latisha on 0448600527. Come and try sessions run on a Friday night from 6pm and the first session is FREE!
Basketball: Hooptime for grades 3-4 boys and girls is on Thursday 18th August and for 5-6 boys and girls on Friday 3rd September. Try outs will commence very soon during school times.
Covid 19 Term 3 Updates
Rapid Antigen Testing: 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 is in full swing again! It runs from 8:15am-8:40am in the Gathering Space every Tuesday morning.
2. Wednesday Treats- please ensure orders are returned by 3.25pm every Monday. Orders can be paid with correct money or by direct deposit (bank details are on the forms). 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.
6. Students playing football etc at lunch times are required to bring a change of clothes- these can be worn over the top of uniforms.
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday and best wishes to the following students who celebrate their birthday this week- Taylor G, Michael D and Ella R. We hope you have an amazing day!
Student Awards
Parents and Friends Social Group News
Parents & Friends Social Group Meeting
Our next meeting scheduled for this Wednesday 27th July has been postponed. The new date is Wednesday August 3rd at 7.30pm in the Gathering Space. Come along to help us plan the upcoming family movie night. To RSVP please comment on the meeting post on the parent Community Facebook page or email: parents@sjdennington.cathoic.edu.au
Dennington Day Out Meeting
The next DDO meeting will be held Wednesday 10th August at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space.
Wednesday Treats
Orders must be placed no later than 3.25pm each Monday. All order forms are to be filled out by parents with the correct money either included or paid into the bank account (details on the forms).
Wednesday 27th July- Hot Dogs
Tuesday 26th July 9.00am: Emily M, Nicole R, Janine F, Tanya M
Wednesday 27th July 11.30am: Regina L, Elyse S, Melanie K
Family Movie Night
Save the date- August 19th at 6.30pm in the Stadium. More details to come!
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day
On Wednesday 3rd August we will be celebrating National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day. The P & F is excited to be including this day in the school calendar. We are on the hunt for parent and family member volunteers who can assist with activities on the day. Please head to the parent community facebook group and let us know if you can help out.
Cake Raffle
The following families are rostered on this Friday.
Harvey, Hyland, Jenkins and Sheen.
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 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/
Community Noticeboard
Upcoming Events
Wednesday 3rd August: Parents and Friends Social Group meeting at 7.30pm - Gathering space
Wednesday 3rd August: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day
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- 6.30pm in the Stadium.
Thursday 8th September: Staff Professional Development - School Closure Day