September 15th 2025: Newsletter #30
- Acknowledgement of Country
- Prayer Week 9
- From the Principal
- Hats
- Year 1 EXPO- Tomorrow!
- Footy/Netball Day
- Classroom Visits
- STEM
- Wellbeing
- Happy Birthday
- Student Awards- Term 3 Week 9
- Around our School- Term 3 Week 8
- Parents and Friend's Social Group
- Cake Raffle
- CDF Community Fund
- Whooping Cough Fact Sheet
- School Sponsorship
- Star of the Sea Bulletin
- Community Notices
- Upcoming Events
Acknowledgement of Country
St. John’s school community respect and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders as the traditional custodians of the land on which we learn, pray and grow. 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.
Prayer Week 9
From the Principal
Hello everyone, and welcome to a new week at St. John's!
This term we have been fortunate to have participated in many wonderful events that highlight our school and the strong community in which it operates and lives. Gr 3/4 Camp, Book Week, Gr 2 Sleepover, the Foundation and Grade 1 extended stays, the concert, the P&F Raffle, Bunnings BBQ and the learning showcases put on by our various students and their classes all serve to build connections and engagement between all facets of our school.
As we enter into term 4 we look forward to our swimming and surf awareness programs taking place, welcoming our 2026 Foundations in for their transition program and the 2026 orientation day, the development of our oval on the north side of the school, Grandparents Day, our Mass of Thanksgiving, the season of Advent and of course the graduation of our Gr 6 students.
My thanks to the families of our school for their support and contributions- these are truly appreciated. Enjoy the break, rest up and emrbace all the joyous experiences that await.
Late Arrival/ Early Pick Up: We appreciate that from time to time children will arrive late or have to leave early. If you are in this position, please note that an adult must come to the office to sign the children in and/ or out. This is particularly important for drop off, it is not enough to simply drop them off and drive away.
Lunch Orders: This week, lunch orders will take place as normal on Tuesday but there will be no lunch orders this Friday.
Footy Colours Day: Our annual celebration will take place on Wednesday September 17th and we invite children to wear the colours of their favourite sporting team.
2025 Term 3 Assembly Roster: Monday Sep 15th- Grade 2
Enjoy the break, Ben.
Hats
As part of our SunSmart policy, all students are required to wear hats during Term 1 and Term 4. With Term 4 approaching, we kindly ask that you start locating your child’s hat now.
We have a small collection of hats available here at school which are available for the discount price of $10.
Hats are also available for purchase from our uniform provider, Lowes at Gateway Plaza. Please ensure your child’s hat is clearly labelled with their name.
From Monday 6th October, students without a hat will be required to play in the undercover area, as we do not provide spare hats due to concerns around the spread of headlice.
Year 1 EXPO- Tomorrow!
Footy/Netball Day
This Wednesday 17th September is our annual St. John's Footy/Netball Day. All students are able to wear their favourite sporting teams colours to school on this day.
Grade 6 students will participate in a football and netball match, whilst the F - 5 students cheer along.
The netball game will be in the Stadium starting at 12.00pm and the footy match will be held at the Dennington Rec Reseve at 2.15pm.
Families are most welcome to attend.
Classroom Visits
STEM
Throughout Term 3, the Year 3-6s have been learning about how to propel an object using only wind power. They have worked through the design process - designing, building and testing their creation before making any final changes to their design. They have been developing their knowledge of simple circuits by building a battery operated propeller in an attempt to push their land yacht by using air force! While many were unsuccessful in making their land yacht move, students have built amazing problem solving skills, asking brilliant questions, and working through all their difficulties by finding fun solutions! They should all be very proud of their efforts!
Wellbeing
Managing Screen Time
Many parents have reported excessive screen time as the number one health concern affecting kids, especially now in the hyperconnected world we live in. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that there should be no screen time at all for children under two, less than an hour a day for children aged from two to five, and less than two hours for five to 17 year olds. However, these guidelines have been disputed by experts and often ignored by families. Parents must play an important role in modelling a positive approach to using screens, and assisting children to navigate the content they access.
R U OK Day?
R U OK? Day is a national day of action held annually in Australia on the second Thursday of September. Its purpose is to encourage people to connect with those around them, friends, family, and colleagues and start meaningful conversations about mental health and wellbeing.
The message behind the day is clear: “Every day is a good day to ask, ‘R U OK?’" Because a simple question can make a real difference to someone going through a tough time.
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday to the following students who celebrate their birthday this week: Heidi B and Gracie S. We hope you have a fantastic day!
Student Awards- Term 3 Week 9
Miss Buwalda - Harrison W for his growing confidence when sounding out and blending tricky words. Incredible reading Harrison!
Miss Dwyer - Max M for his creativity and care put into constructing an imaginary air-dry clay animal in Inquiry. Well done, Max!
Mrs Archbold - Elias W for the focus he has demonstrated during literacy this week.
Miss Kissick - Tannah K for his participation in our wellbeing sessions this week. Great work Tannah!
Miss Lucas - Jude M for making great improvements in being a responsible learner within the classroom! Keep making great choices Jude!
Mr Hynes - Chad G for being so dedicated to complete work to such a high standard that he is always proud of. Brilliant!
Miss Ryan - Daisy S for always offering to help and support her classmates.
Mr Harrington - Hayley H for being such a great leader and role model in the Grade 3 area.
Miss Kelly - Nikita B for coming into school with a positive attitude and determination. Great work Nikita!
Miss Moloney - Darcy M for being courageous when sharing your arguments in our class debates on ‘would you rather’ by using high modality words.
Mrs Mugavin - Jove F for taking on feedback in Maths Extension and working really hard to explain his thinking to his peers.
Miss P - Harley J for your fantastic efforts in solving division problems this week.
Mr McInerney - Milla B for your amazing work with the mindful movement project.
Around our School- Term 3 Week 8
Parents and Friend's Social Group
Meeting
Our next Parents and Friends meeting will be Wednesday 15th October at 7.00pm in the Gathering Space.
Bunnings BBQ
Thankyou to everyone that volunteered your time and those that donated for the bunnings bbq / cake stall on Saturday. A huge thank you to Ali & Amber for all your time behind the scenes organising and then running the day. We appreciate all your hard work. Our school raised $2,686.45.
Father's Day Stall
A huge thank you to Regina & Jo for all your time organising and running the Father's Day Stall and thanks to all the volunteers that helped out last Wednesday.
Dennington's Day Out
We are looking for volunteers to help put our sponsor/ family packs together on the first Monday of term 4. More information about this to come, please keep an eye on our parents/ guardians Facebook page.
We will also have more opportunities in the lead up to DDO to complete participation points.
The following meetings have been set for:
- Tuesday 7th October 7.00pm
- Tuesday 21st October 7.00pm
- Tuesday 28th October 7.00pm
- Thursday 6th November 7.00pm
Wednesday Treats
Our FINAL Wednesday Treats for 2025 is POTATO CAKES !! Orders will close Tuesday 16th September at 8.30am.
Potato Cakes $2.00 each Gluten Free Potato Cakes $2.00 each. Drinks $2.00 each
Roster:
Tuesday 16th September - Taliah, Laura & Kiri
Wednesday 17th September - Lacey, Elyse & Rebecca
Thank you to each and everyone of you that have volunteered your time on Tuesdays or Wednesdays during term 2 & 3. Without you Wednesday treats would not have happened and we know how much all the students love this time of year. Thanks, Emily.
Cake Raffle
Each Assembly we draw a cake raffle for students. The money raised goes to Our noimiated charity, Backpacks Beds.
School families have been assigned a week to bring in a cake. There is no obligation or pressure for you to do so, it is only if you wish to. If you have been assigned a week that is unsuitable and you would like to bring a cake in another week, please contact the office and an alternate date will be arranged.
If you choose to, please drop your store purchased cake into the office with your family name written on top.
All students will have the opportunity to buy a raffle ticket for 20c 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 for Monday October 6th:
Ross, Rounds, Ruff (Ella, Ruby, Lenny), Ruff (Daisy), Ryan (Leo)
CDF Community Fund
Whooping Cough Fact Sheet
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.
A big thank you to O'Brien Electrical & Plumbing, Fry Painting, Carry on travel, King Cole Fruit Supply, Total Landscapes and Design and Hiensch Haulage that sponsor our school!
Please contact parents@sjdennington.catholic.edu.au for more information.
Star of the Sea Bulletin
Sunday Mass is held at 9.00am 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
Upcoming Events
Tuesday 16th September: Year 1 Expo at 10.00am - 11.00am
Wednesday 17th September: Footy/Netball Day
Thursday 18th September: Year 2 Classroom Visit 2.45pm - 3.20pm
Friday 19th September: Foundation Classroom Visit at 8.30am - 9.00am
Friday 19th September: Term 3 concludes at 2.20pm
Monday 6th October: Term 4 Commences
Tuesday 7th October: DDO Meeting at 7.00pm in the Stadium.
Wednesday 15th Ocotber: P & F Social Group Meeting at 7.00pm