Week 3 October 16th 2023: Newsletter #32
- Acknowledgement of Country
- Week 3 Prayer
- From the Principal
- World Teachers Day
- 2024 School Structure
- Grandparent's and Special Friends Day
- Art
- Learning Walk- Tomorrow
- Around our School- Week 2
- Foundation - Gr 4 Swimming Program
- Job Vacancy- Parish Secretary
- Student Awards- Week 2
- Happy Birthday
- Parents and Friends Social Group News
- School Sponsorship
- Star of the Sea Bulletin
- Community Notices
- Important School reminders
- 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
Class Lists: A reminder to all families that any requests regarding 2024 classes need to be sent to Ben by Tuesday Oct 17th which is tomorrow.
School Hats: A reminder that all students are required to wear hats whilst outside in Term 4.
Love & Prayers: Sympathies to Rebecca Bagg on the passing of her mother and Aggi's grandmother Mary, may she rest in peace.
Enjoy your week, Ben
World Teachers Day
World Teachers’ Day will be on Friday 27th October 2023. We invite our school community to recognise and celebrate our remarkable teachers for their contribution to educating, inspiring our kids and acknowledge the support they provide each day.
We look forward to celebrating World Teachers’ Day together and celebrating our dedicated teachers.
2024 School Structure
As we enter Term 4 it is now that we start focussing our eyes on the new year and the logistical and structural planning associated with it.
As always, we are committed to providing an environment in which children feel happy, safe, included and challenged.
2024 Class Structure:
Due to increased enrolments, and in line with further predicted growth, we will be operating 12 classes in 2024. The structure of these classes will be as follows;
Junior School:
- Foundation: 2 classes
- Grade 1: 2 classes
- Grade 2: 2 classes
Middle School:
- Grade 3/4: 3 classes
Senior School:
- Grade 5/6: 3 groups
Currently we have 10 classrooms so in 2024 and beyond we will be using portable classrooms as we await funding from either the Commonwealth or State government to build classrooms.
The above groupings represent a shift in philosophy from multiage classes to straight age classes, we expect this transition will be fully implemented within the next 4-5 years. Staff have considered this move for a period of time now and whilst the structure has changed, the fundamental belief still exists that there is no classroom that exists where all students are at the same level and require the same things, delivered in the same way. So regardless of classroom structure, a child’s education will come down to the quality, effectiveness and commitment of the school and the teacher/team responsible for that child.
At St. John's every teacher focusses on creating a classroom that caters to all children as individuals and identifying opportunities to extend or support learning. Effective teachers engage all students and students who are motivated and interested will learn whether the class is structured by grade, age, ability, or multi-grade.
Class Placement:
Class Placement refers to the placement by staff of each child into an appropriate classroom for 2024 based on learning levels and needs, social development, and classroom size.
The guidelines staff use for student placement at St. John’s include: academic levels, individual social/emotional/behavioural needs and peer relationships. Other practical factors to impact on the placement will include teacher recommendations, class size, groupings available, and a range of abilities in each class group.
Families are able to contribute to this process by informing the school of any specific requsts or thoughts regarding class placement for you child/children. These requests are to be emailed to principal@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au no later than Tuesday Ocotber 17th.
In all these processes, professional, respectful co-operation and student welfare will be upmost in all our minds; I thank you in anticipation of your considered support.
Grandparent's and Special Friends Day
Thank you to all of the grandparents and specical friends that visited us last Wednesday. It was a truly wonderful morning and the smiles on the students faces said it all. These days really are so special to them and one that they look forward to each year.
Art
This term the Grade 3/4 students are exploring textiles in Art. They are busy creating embroidery artworks for Christmas. The students are learning to thread a needle and stitch on an embroidery hoop and they are LOVING it! Even though the task is challenging at times they are showing great perseverance it's wonderful to see their enthusiasm!
Learning Walk- Tomorrow
Around our School- Week 2
Foundation - Gr 4 Swimming Program
Advance warning that our Foundation-Gr 4 Swimming Program will commence on Monday October 30th and will operate for 2 weeks. Our Grade 5/6 students will participate in a surf awareness later in Term 4.
All lessons will be taught by staff at Jayson Lamb's Splash Factory and the lessons will take place at the Warrnambool College indoor pool.
Job Vacancy- Parish Secretary
Our Parish Secretary for the past 13 years, Leanne McElgunn, has advised of her intending retirement on Friday 24th November.
This position will need to be filled and the Parish seeks interest from either experienced and/or qualified individuals. Interested individuals may call into the Parish office at St. Joseph’s Warrnambool to collect a role description or call 5562 2231 for further information.
This is a role of about 32 hours per week (9.00am - 4.00pm) with award wages but this could be negotiable.
There is also a part-time administrative position as well. The work load has increased for our administrative staff due to our larger Parish. The latter position would be a 0.4 or 0.5 position.
Regards, Fr John Fitzgerald
Student Awards- Week 2
Happy Birthday
Best wishes to Alex R, Nikita B, Paisley G, Sapphire K and Amber S who celebrate their special day this week! We hope you have a terrific day!
Parents and Friends Social Group News
Meeting
Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday 21st November at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space. Everybody welcome!
Crazy Camel
Crazy Camel online orders are due in this Wednesday 18th October. Artwork is on display in the Stadium from 3.00pm - 3.30pm today and tomorrow if you would like to view before ordering.
Referendum Voting Day
Thank you to all those who volunteered their time at the BBQ on Saturday. We managed to raise a few hundred dollars and have a great supply of soft drink ready for our Bunnings BBQ in December. For those that assisted, please remember to record your hours on the Google form- located in the Participation Levy tab on the Schoolzine app.
Dennington's Day Out!
The countdown is on! Only 27 days until our biggest fundraising event on the calendar!!
There will be plenty of opportunities to volunteer your time and tick off your participation points in the lead up to the event, so keep your eyes on our facebook page and the newsletter.
Our next meeting will be held next Wednesday 25th October at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space.
Please like and share our posts which are on the facebook page ‘Dennington’s Day Out’. Recently we lost our camels for Dennington's Day Out and required 1600 Facebook followers to help us! We have now reached our goal so our search party can begin this weekend! There are opportunites to win ride passes and show bags so be sure to follow our page!
Cake Raffle
Each week on a Friday, 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 Friday. The Johnnies will come around to the classrooms during the day to write out tickets and collect money.
The following families are rostered on this week:
Coverdale, Collins, Cole and Clifford-Belleville.
School Sponsorship
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.
A big thank you to Fry Painting, O'Brien Electrical Warrnambool, Brownies Shed, Tubbie & Rayz Indoor Batting house and Carry On Travel who sponsor our school!
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 Notices
The Woolworths blaster program returns to the Dennington Cricket Club for another season.Starting on Thursday October 19 at the dennington recreation reserve, sessions run from 4.30pm until 5.30pm
To register, click on the following link: https://www.playhq.com/
Dennington Cricket Club
The Dennington Cricket Club are looking for players for their Under 11 and Under 13 teams.
For more information please contact Ashley Dance- 0418 513 943 or Mick Howley on 0409 528 807
Important School reminders
Russell Street Crossing: If parents and children are needing to cross Russell Street then it must be done at the supervised pedestrian crossing. This is the only safe place to do.
Parking: Please refrain from parking in the designated disability car spaces in the carparks if you do not have a sticker displayed on your vehicle. It is important these spaces are reserved for families that need them.
We also ask that if you have to hop out of the car to assist your child into the car that you park your car and collect them rather than hold up the loop.
Entering the School Buildings: All visitors during the school day must enter via the front office. This includes children late to school.
Student Messages: Please ensure change of pick up arrangement messages etc are received by the office ideally by 3.00pm and no later than 3.10pm to allow office staff adequate time to pass them on to students.
Student News: If you have some exciting news you would like to share with our school community we would love to hear about it. Please email admin@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au
Parent/School Communication: When contacting school staff please refer to our Communications Guidelines for the appropriate processes, this can be found under the forms and documents tab on our schoolzine app and in the Parent Information tab in PAM.
TheirCare: To make a booking with TheirCare, our outside school hours care provider please click on the following link and select St. John's Dennington as the booking location https://theircare.com.au/
Upcoming Events
Wednesday 18th October: Crazy Camel Orders due back
Monday 23rd October: School Closure Day- No students to attend on this day
Tuesday 24th/Wednesday 25th October: Grade 3/4 Camp
Wednesday 25th October: DDO Meeting at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space
Friday 27th October: Walk to School Day
Monday 30th October: F-4 Swimming program commences
Wednesday 1st November: DDO Meeting at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space
Wednesday 8th November: DDO Meeting at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space
Sunday 12th November: DDO
Monday 13th/Tuesday 14th/Wednesday 15th November: Gr 5/6 Camp
Thursday 30th November: Foundation Extended Stay program
Friday 1st December: Carols by the Merri
Sunday 2nd December: Bunnings BBQ
Monday 4th/Tuesday 5th/Wednesday 6th/Friday 8th December: Gr 5/6 Surf Awareness program
Thursday 7th December: Gr 1/2 Extended Stay program
Tuesday 12th December: Orientation Day
Wednesday 13th December: Mass of Thanksgiving at 10.00am
Thursday 14th December: Gr 6 Graduation Ceremony
Friday 15th December: Term 4 concludes at 2.20pm
Tuesday 30th January 2024: School Commences