In Parishes throughout the Diocese of Wollongong we celebrate Pentecost Sunday Year B. The Easter season culminates with this wonderful celebration of Pentecost Sunday- 50 days after Easter. Today’s Gospel reminds us about the integral connection between the gifts of peace and forgiveness and the action of the Holy Spirit and that the Church is called to be a reconciling presence in the world. The reconciling presence of Christ is celebrated in the Church’s sacramental life and is also to be a way of life for Christians. In situations of conflict, we are to be agents of peace and harmony among people.

Dear Parents and Carers,

This Sunday as a nation we celebrate National Sorry Day which acknowledges and raises awareness of the history and continued effect of the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from their families, communities and culture. National Sorry Day marks the start of Reconciliation Week. Reconciliation is a journey for all Australians – as individuals, families, communities, organisations and importantly as a nation. At the heart of this journey are relationships between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

As a nation we celebrate National Reconciliation Week and it is the seventh anniversary of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Uluru Statement from the Heart is an invitation given to all Australians from five First Nations peoples, to walk together in order to build a better future as one nation, to heal and to reconcile, to establish a First Nations voice in parliament and the Makarrata Commission for Treaty Making and Truth Telling. Reconciliation with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters is a key justice priority of the St John’s school community as we take part in the national movement towards reconciliation.

I had the wonderful opportunity to join a number of our students and staff and Aunty Jo and Uncle Mark at a Reconciliation School Flag walk organised by Careways.  The Reconciliation School Flag Walk involved all schools across the local area and the local Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities and includes a Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremony and Dance. St John’s will celebrate National Sorry Day and Reconciliation week with Aunty Jo and Uncle Mark and students and staff will welcome Aunty Jo and Uncle Mark into their classrooms to talk about National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week. Aunty Jo and Uncle Mark will share stories and knowledge of these important commemorations and share stories of the Dharawal people. Aunty Jo will share stories of the stolen generation and students will have the opportunity to gain a greater sensitivity and desire to learn more about their history as Australians.

Semester One Reporting

As you may be aware, the NSW Educational Standards Authority (NESA) have undertaken a comprehensive review of the NSW Curriculum, leading to curriculum reform and subsequent implementation of a reformed curriculum which commenced in 2023. In response to the curriculum changes, Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong has made significant modifications to student semester reports for Primary schools to better reflect your child's academic progress at key points throughout the year and provide parents and carers with a clear picture of their child’s strengths and areas for improvement in specific subject areas.

The following changes will be evident in your child’s semester report from Semester 1 2024: 

• A ‘new look’ report format released via Compass reflecting the outcomes of the new K-10 English and Mathematics syllabuses providing a descriptor for each of the focus areas found in the respective syllabuses
• All Kindergarten students will now receive a written report in Semester 1 and Semester 2 with a three-point grade scale used to report student achievement using the following performance descriptors:
• Thorough
• Sound 
• Basic
• Students in Year 1 - Year 6 will continue to receive semester reports twice a year with a five-point grade scale used to report student achievement using the following performance descriptors: 
• Extensive
• Thorough
• Sound
• Basic
• Elementary 

Report formats are also available for students who are working towards outcomes by which a graded report will not accurately represent their learning progress. As an alternative to a graded report, a comment is provided for each Key Learning Area in line with the student’s goals identified in their Personalised Plan. These reports are only used following consultation between school and parents/carers. 

Please see below a video created by the Catholic Education Office Diocese of Wollongong outlining information about the new reporting format.

We look forward to this positive shift in our reporting system and appreciate your continued support in your child's educational journey.

St John's Annual Improvement Plan Focus in Term Two

All Catholic schools in the Diocese of Wollongong are working with a revised School Improvement Framework that is linked to the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong’s Lighting the Way 23+ Strategic Plan. This year the staff of St John’s are focusing on 1 improvement goal as part of our strategic intent for 2024. The annual improvement goal is — All students are appropriately challenged and demonstrate growth in Mathematics.

One of our strategies to achieve this goal involves developing a Collaborative Inquiry based on recently conducted Place Value Assessments. K-6 teachers are using the revised NSW Mathematics Syllabus and pedagogies promoting Thinking Classrooms to design learning experiences to improve students’ knowledge and application of place value.

This strategy requires teachers to deepen their understanding of the revised NSW Mathematics Syllabus, the teaching of place value and specific pedagogies that engage students and promote ‘thinking’. To achieve this, teachers must be provided with professional learning to keep them up to date with current research and practice.  Throughout Term 1 and Term 2 all teachers participated in professional learning and collaborative planning sessions. I would like to acknowledge the in-school professional learning that teachers have been engaged with this year and will continue to do so. Teachers developing a deep knowledge and understanding of the revised NSW Syllabi is crucial. At the present time, teachers in K-6 are focussing on the new NSW Mathematics syllabus and this requires teachers to be out of the classroom more than usual. Teachers will take this crucial learning and deliver quality and engaging lessons to achieve student learning growth. Teachers always prepare lessons for their classes when participating in professional learning to ensure continuity of learning for their students.

Bearers of Christ’s Love — Decree

Bishop Brian has decreed that Bearers of Christ’s Love-Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Wollongong is to be the clear path, within the Diocese of Wollongong, to ensure our Catholic schools will be high quality centres of learning, where faith is experienced and lived out as an integral part of our students’ education and has directed that the document be implemented within Catholic schools in the Diocese of Wollongong. Catholic schools are centred on the person of Jesus Christ and are enlivened by the Gospel he proclaimed. They are grounded and find their life within the Catholic community of believers, and through their highlighting of the relevance of Catholic faith to life and culture, share in the evangelising mission of the Church. They are communities of care, committed to developing the whole person. Catholic schools are a vital expression of the mission of the Church in the Diocese of Wollongong. Further professional learning for Principals and Clergy is continuing.

Mother's Day at St John's

It was wonderful to spend time with our mothers, step mothers, grandmothers, carers, aunts, god mothers and all those who play such a pivotal role of female influence in the lives of our students on Friday 10 May at our Mother's Day Liturgy of the Word, Open Classrooms and High Tea. Our students were very proud to showcase their learning and their learning spaces and connect as a community. Thank you to those  mothers, step mothers, grandmothers, carers, aunts, god mothers and friends who were able to join staff and students for a wonderful morning of celebrations. Thank you to Mrs Jodie Maloney, the Parents and Friends Executive and the many volunteers for their support facilitating the Mother’s Day stall. It was fabulous to be able to connect with our Parents and Friends Association.

It is very fitting that we celebrate Mother’s Day in the month of May which is the month in the Catholic Church that we devote to Mary the mother of Jesus. Mary is a role model of love, strength, courage and faith. As a mother, Mary teaches the art of meeting and walking together and at St John’s we recognise that our mothers, step mothers, grandmothers, carers, aunts, god mothers and friends are an integral part of our St John’s community.

Yours in Faith and Learning,

Mrs Michelle Rodwell 
Principal

 

Acknowledgement to Country

St John’s Dapto acknowledges and pays respect to the Dharawal people, past and present, the traditional custodians of the land on which our school is built.

Over the next two weeks, we celebrate many important feast days of our Catholic faith…

The Feast of Mary Help of Christians — Patroness of Australia
Friday 24th May

The Feast of Mary Help of Christians is a special day for Catholics in Australia, as Mary under this title is the country's patroness. This feast honours the Virgin Mary's role as a powerful intercessor and protector of the faithful. It is a time for prayer and gratitude, remembering how Mary helps guide and support us in our daily lives. In Australia, this day often includes special Masses, processions, and school activities that highlight Mary's loving care and protection. By celebrating this feast, we are reminded of the importance of turning to Mary for help and trusting in her motherly love and guidance.

Sisters of St Joseph Foundation Day
Friday 24th May

The Sisters of St Joseph Foundation Day is a significant occasion for the Sisters of St Joseph, a religious congregation founded by Saint Mary MacKillop and Father Julian Tenison Woods in Australia in 1866. This day marks the anniversary of the foundation of their religious order. It's a time for members of the congregation, as well as the broader community, to reflect on the values, mission, and legacy of the Sisters of St Joseph. This includes their dedication to education, care for the poor and marginalised, and commitment to social justice. It's a day to honour their contributions and renew their commitment to serving others with love and compassion.

Trinity Sunday
Sunday 26th May

The Feast of the Holy Trinity, also known as Trinity Sunday, is a special celebration in the Christian calendar that honours the belief in the Holy Trinity: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. This feast, which takes place the Sunday after Pentecost, is a time for Christians to reflect on the mystery and unity of the three persons of God in one divine nature. It is a joyful occasion that helps us to understand and appreciate the depth of God's love and presence in our lives.

Feast of the Visitation of he Blessed Virgin Mary
Friday 31st May

The Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a special celebration that commemorates the visit of Mary, the mother of Jesus, to her cousin Elizabeth. When Mary greeted Elizabeth, Elizabeth's baby, who would become John the Baptist, leaped with joy in her womb. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, recognised Mary as the mother of the Lord. This feast highlights Mary's faith and her role in God's plan, as well as the joyous connection between Mary and Elizabeth. It's a special time for us to remember the importance of kindness, family, and sharing in each other's happiness.

Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ
Sunday 2nd June

The Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, also known as Corpus Christi, is a special celebration in the Catholic Church that honours the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, the sacrament of Holy Communion. It's a time for us to remember and give thanks for the gift of Jesus' body and blood, which He gave to us at the Last Supper. This feast helps us to reflect on the importance of the Eucharist in our faith and to celebrate Jesus' love and sacrifice for us.

Sacrament of Confirmation — 2024

A reminder that all Confirmation candidates need to attend both practises for the Sacrament.

These will be held on Wednesday 22nd May and Wednesday 29th May.

The practises will be held in the Church, from 4pm to 5pm. Parents/carers are not required to stay.

On Thursday 30th May, Confirmation candidates will be involved in a preparation day for the Sacrament. This will occur in the hall from 8:30 until lunch time. Students will then return to their normal classes after lunch. Normal school uniform to be worn. Saints projects are to be handed in on this day.

We pray for all children in our parish who are preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation. As they learn more about this important sacrament, we pray…

Holy Spirit, 

Strengthen our children with your gifts of 

Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and Fear of the Lord. 

Grant that they may grow into the fullness of the stature of Christ. 

Fill them with the joy of your presence. 

Increase in them the fruit of your Spirit. 

Help them to experience and trust your dwelling within
so that they can count on your guidance today and every day.

Show them the way to help one another become better disciples of Jesus Christ,
sharing your love with our world and with each person they meet.

Come, Holy Spirit! Come!

Prayer from St. Theresa of Avila Church, Grovetown, GA

Altar Serving

A reminder for any student in Years 4-6 that would like to be trained as an altar server by Father Francis that there will be a training session on Wednesday June 12th, from 4-5 pm. It's important to note that a parent must attend the training session with their child.This is a wonderful chance for our children to become more involved in the church community and learn about serving during Mass. The trained altar servers would only be serving at selected Friday school Masses. If your child wishes to participate, and you are able to bring them to the training session, please fill out this Google form at your earliest convenience.

2024 — The Year of Prayer
in preparation for the 2025 Jubilee Year ‘Pilgrims of Hope’.

We remember that it is The Year of Prayer. This special year invites us to deepen our spiritual connection, seek guidance, and renew our faith as we prepare for the upcoming jubilee celebration. Let us join together in prayer, asking for God's grace to guide our hearts and minds during this sacred time, as we journey towards hope, renewal, and unity.

The Jubilee Prayer

Father in heaven,

May the faith you have given us in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,
and the flame of charity enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,
reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your Kingdom.

May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.

May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth, when, with the powers of Evil vanquished, your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,
a yearning for the treasures of heaven.

May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth.

To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever. 

Amen

Dates for your Diary

Prayer Intentions

We pray for all families in our school community who are in need of our prayers.
We pray for the needs of our country and our world.
  
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, pray for us.
St John the Evangelist, pray for us.

Kylie Stephens
Religious Education Coordinator

LAUDATO SI’ WEEK — 19th – 26th May is a global celebration where we remember Pope Francis urging us in his encyclical Laudato Si’ to hear the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor and to humbly place ourselves in communion with our common home. The Encyclical calls for a new global solidarity, where all individuals, communities and governments have an essential part to play. Out of love for our sisters and brothers worldwide, and for the love of God’s creation, we are called to respond.  

Creator God,
You fill the earth with life,
Lead us to live in harmony with
the earth you have created.
May we respect all life from the
smallest of plants to the tallest
of trees, the vastness of the
oceans to the majesty of
mountains and the tiniest insects
to the wildest beasts.
We ask this in your name.

At St John's we will be asking our whole community to focus on the following:

1. Whole school focus - Bring it back campaign (text / pen recycling)
2. Individual classes - FOGO  (crunch and sip/ lunch focus) 
3. Grade focus - Return and Earn for Fr Francis

Every little bit helps!

PB4L is an evidence-based framework that emphasises school-wide systems of support for all students and staff. These include proactive strategies for defining, teaching and supporting appropriate student behaviours. Positive behaviour supports are implemented for all students, across all school settings, by all staff, at all times. This continuum of support ensures students’ academic and social outcomes.

All student behaviour expectations are founded on our three school rules – Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe.

Week 3

Dates for Term 2:

14 June The Catholic Legends Gala Day (Years 3-6)
25 June South Coast Netball Gala Day (Years 3-6)
2 July Athletics Carnival (K-6)

Dates for Term 3: 

13 August South Coast Athletics Carnival
20 August Diocesan Athletics Selection Trials
23 August South Coast Soccer Gala Day (Years 3-6)
19 September Basketball Junior Boys & Girls (Years 3&4)
20 September Basketball Senior Girls & Boys (Years 5&6)

Term 2 Athletics

This term students will be participating in a range of athletics events. Students will practise and demonstrate proficiency in the fundamental movement skills of sprint, jump, leap & throw. Students will apply these skills in a range of challenging physical activity contexts in a range of Athletics events such as long jump, high jump, shot put and discus. 

These events will take place during PE lessons and Friday sport. Kindergarten and Year 1 will participate and develop their athletics fundamental movement skills. Years 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 students will have an opportunity to participate in the ‘competitive’ or ‘ non competitive’ events during these lessons. All field events for Juniors, 11 Years and Seniors will be completed at school. All 80m, 100m, 200m and 800m races will be held at our Athletics Carnival held at Beaton Park. A Compass permission event will be put out in the coming weeks and we look forward to you joining us on this day.

Our 5, 6, 7, 8 , 9, 10, 11 & 12 Years students will compete in age groups for their sprint races and the top 4 place getters in each age group will receive a 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th place ribbon.

For field events, long jump, high jump, shot put and discus, students will compete in Junior (8, 9 10 years), 11 Years and Senior (12, 13 years) categories and the top 4 place getters from each category will receive a 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th place ribbon.

Age Champion Medallions will be given for Junior (8, 9 10 years), 11 Years and Senior (12, 13 years) categories as they will be competing in both field and track events.

Semester 1 Reports will be available via Compass on Friday 28 June for students in Years K-6. 

The following changes will be evident in your child’s semester report from Semester 1 2024: 

• A ‘new look’ report format released via Compass reflecting the outcomes of the new K-10 English and Mathematics syllabuses providing a descriptor for each of the focus areas found in the respective syllabuses
• All Kindergarten students will now receive a written report in Semester 1 and Semester 2 with a three-point grade scale used to report student achievement using the following performance descriptors:
• Thorough
• Sound 
• Basic
• Students in Year 1 - Year 6 will continue to receive semester reports twice a year with a five-point grade scale used to report student achievement using the following performance descriptors: 
• Extensive
• Thorough
• Sound
• Basic
• Elementary 

IMPORTANT DATES

• Semester 1 Reports will be available on Compass for all students in Year 1 to Year 6 on Friday 28 June.

Extended Leave from School

Any parent/carer requesting leave for their child/ren for 10 or more consecutive days is required to complete an Application for Extended Leave Form. The form is available from the school website and from the school office. To ensure approval before Leave takes place, we required the completed form to be lodged at the school office a minimum of 2 weeks before the leave commences.

St John's School has introduced the Pivot Wellbeing for Learning Check-Ins, an innovative tool designed to support student wellbeing and enhance the learning environment. These check-ins are brief, structured surveys conducted regularly to gauge the emotional state and general wellbeing of students. By providing real-time insights into students' feelings and experiences, the check-ins allow teachers to identify issues early and offer timely support.

The Pivot Check-Ins consist of simple, yet thoughtful questions that encourage students to reflect on their wellbeing and share their thoughts in a safe and confidential manner. This process fosters a culture of openness and trust within the school community, promoting better communication between students and staff.

The early data from the check-ins show that the students of St John’s:

• Feel like they belong to the school community, and
• Feel that the school is a safe place for them
  
  

The Pivot Check-Ins will continue to take place for the students in Years 3 to 6 for the duration of the 2024 school year.

Dear Parents and Carers

We kindly ask everyone to check to ensure they haven't mistakenly taken uniform items, hats, lunch bags/drink bottles belonging to someone else. To help us return lost items more efficiently, please make sure to clearly label all personal belongings with your child's name including pre-loved items. This small step can make a big difference in reuniting lost items with their owners. Thank you for your cooperation!

Please check the photos below to see if you recognise any clothing, umbrellas, hats, drinkbottles that may belong to your child. If so, please ask your child to collect it from the lost property baskets under the cola near the stairs. These items will be held until 6 June before they are donated to a charity bin.

On Thursday 16 May our Aboriginal students, School Captains and SRC, along with Uncle Mark, Aunty Jo, Mrs Sheaff, Mrs Rodwell, Mr Madaschi and Miss Idstein, participated in the Careways Community Reconciliation Walk at Lakeside Reserve. The theme for Reconciliation Week this year is ‘Now More Than Ever’. We joined other schools and members of the local community in acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land we gathered on and were invited to take part in a smoking ceremony.  Following this we made our way to the Koonawarra Community Centre where our students performed a dance accompanied by Uncle Mark on the didgeridoo before a sausage sizzle for lunch and walking back to school. Whilst at the Community Centre we were able to see Uncle Mark’s beautiful artwork which is now on permanent display. Thank you to all of our students for their respectful participation in what was a very special day.

Australians acknowledge Sorry Day annually on 26 May. We will acknowledge this day at our whole school assembly this Friday, 24 May.

Reconciliation week will be celebrated on Tuesday 28 May with a liturgy in the McCabe Hall at 1.45pm.

All members of our St John’s school community are warmly invited to attend these events.

Athletes’ Foot Shoelace Tying Workshop

Last Friday, 17 May, Kindergarten and Year 1 completed a shoelace-tying workshop with staff from Athlete's Foot Shellharbour. Each child was given a practice shoe to practise tying laces with which doubles as a pencil case! They brought these home on Friday to have a go with their families, including a voucher to use in store. 

Kindergarten State Emergency Service Visit

As part of Kindergartens’ integrated unit based on the nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty, the State Emergency Service visited to talk about the important work they do in our community. Students had many questions about how the SES staff respond to floods, fires, storms and more. They loved seeing the various equipment they use to keep people safe or to rescue them from dangerous situations. A favourite was the bright white and orange truck and the chainsaw used to remove trees and fallen debris during wild weather. An important message Kindergarten learnt was to never walk, ride or drive in flood waters as the current can be strong and you cannot always see what is coming. Thank you to the SES volunteers, Megan and Mark for coming to visit us. 

Today is National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS).

NSS is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. 

This year's book is Bowerbird Blues by Aura Parker.

Classes across the school celebrated this day by reading the story together and participating in an activity.

In 2024 Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 students are invited to participate in competitions organised by the Educational Assessment Centre at the University of NSW. These are external assessment opportunities that are facilitated by the school. Participation is completely optional.

The aim of these competitions is to provide students with stimulating challenges, as well as feedback on their performance. Through participation in such activities, students gain experience in sitting for competitions under examination conditions.

Parents who wish their child to participate can choose from Digital Technologies, Writing, English, Science and Mathematics tests. The test schedule is set by ICAS Australia and cannot be modified.

2024 Testing Schedule

The school will not be accepting any money for payments. If you wish for your child to participate, you will need to make an online payment. The closing date for online payments is Monday, 29 July 2024 and late entries cannot be accepted. 

Information was sent home via Compass to Year 3-6 parents/carers in Week 3. If you require further information, please contact the school office.

Kate Thomas | Middle Leader

Thank you to all who attended the P&F Meeting.

Dr Justin Coulson is a dad to 6 daughters. He is the parenting expert and co-host of Channel Nine’s Parental Guidance, and he and his wife host Australia’s #1 podcast for parents and family: The Happy Families Podcast. He has written 9 books about families and parenting. In the article below Dr Justin Coulson outlines the importance of 5 factors that contribute positively to wellbeing. 

Teacher Professional Learning: Collaborative Inquiry Days Weeks 3 and 4

On Wednesday 15 May, teachers from Kindergarten and Year 6 engaged in some Professional Learning linked to our Annual Improvement plan to ensure that ‘All students are appropriately challenged and demonstrate growth in Mathematics.’

Teachers engaged with research around the development of place value understanding and operating with numbers. They explored the six aspects of place value, how they develop and how they are represented in the NSW K-10 Mathematics Syllabus. Then staff collaborated to plan their targeted teaching interventions for the place value stages and discern how this can best be integrated into their individual classrooms.

This Professional Learning will be repeated on Monday 20, Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 May, so that all teachers can participate.

Market Stall Holders — Expressions of Interest

FRIDAY 8 NOVEMBER — 4PM – 8PM

Are you or someone you know running a small side business? St John's Dapto invites you to join us!

We kindly request that all market stall holders make a $80 donation to the P&F (Parents and Friends Association). The funds raised from the event will be used to provide valuable resources for the children of St John's Catholic Primary School.

To participate, all market stall holders must have their own public liability insurance.

If you, a family member, or a friend are interested in taking part, please complete the form below. We will gladly address any additional questions you may have about the event.

Please be aware that to diversify the stalls, we are limiting the number of similar stalls. Therefore, the first payments received will secure the market stall spot. A member of the P&F will contact market stallholders. We will go off the form below and prioritise in that order.

Expressions of Interest close 9th August, 4 pm.

Student's personalised envelopes for orders will be sent home this week and must be returned to school on or before this the day (4 June) and handed to the class teacher. All information relating to placing orders and making payment is on the envelope.  It is important that all envelopes are returned even if payment is made online.

School photographs will be taken in winter uniform.

For any families wishing to purchase a sibling photo, please ask your eldest child to collect a sibling envelope from the school office to bring home. These envelopes must also be returned to the class teacher at school on or before 4 June so they can be given to the photographer on the day.  Please ensure that if purchasing both an individual photo and sibling photo and paying cash, the money is enclosed in each envelope and not combined in one envelope, as the envelopes are kept separately. 

As photos are scheduled to be taken from 8:30 am - 2:30 pm, it is imperative that children arrive at school on time and not be signed out early. The schedule cannot be adjusted on the day to accommodate for children/families who arrive late or leave early.

Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the school office.

It has come to our attention that a number of families with siblings already enrolled may not have yet submitted an application for Kindergarten. If this is the case, please attend to this as a matter of priority, as we do have limited places available. 

On Friday, May 10th, we celebrated a special Mother's Day Liturgy, inviting mothers and grandmothers to join us. After the liturgy, they visited classrooms to spend time with their children and grandchildren, and the morning concluded with a delightful High Tea in the hall. The children also wrote heartfelt messages for their mothers, notibly some impressive culinary skills among them. We appreciate everyone who made this morning so enjoyable by attending.

A special thanks to Ms Stephens for organising the Liturgy of the Word, which was both prayerful and powerful, setting a meaningful tone for our morning.

We are also grateful to our wonderful office staff for organising the catering, and to our amazing school support officers who set up the hall, plated the food, and cleaned up afterwards. Your support and hard work are greatly appreciated. Thank you to the teaching staff for their generosity in allowing our school support officers to assist in the hall.

Thank you to the teachers who joined us for morning tea and served hot beverages.

Lastly, thank you to the P&F for organizing the Mother's Day Raffle.

Families have faced challenges over the past few years, which is why we're excited to share with you Catholic Schools Guide competition where one lucky family will win $2,000 worth of school fees! Additionally, runner-up prizes include Roblox Robux vouchers.

Every student attending a Catholic school in Australia is invited to participate in this competition for a chance to win. Happy Treasure Hunting!

TWO AMAZING PRIZES TO BE WON AS WELL AS 25 RUNNER-UP PRIZES

Catholic Schools Guide are giving one lucky family the opportunity to win $2,000 worth of school fees!  
Runner-up prizes also include Roblox Robux vouchers.
Every student attending a Catholic school in Australia is invited to enter this competition to win.
Happy Treasure Hunting!

Catholic Care Family Fun Day 18th May 2024

It was great to see so many families from St John's Catholic Parish Primary school at the Catholic Care Family Fun day. The afternoon was a great sucecss and an opportunity for the school and Parish to come together with another catholic agency in the Diocese of Wollongong.

All families are welcome to join Fr. Francis and the St John the Evangelist Catholic Parish at Mass on the weekend. Mass times are below

Saturday Vigil — 5pm

Sunday — 7:30am, 9:30am and 6pm.

Please see the link below for the Parish Bulletin.

Throughout the year teachers have access to a variety of quality professional development opportunities. Casual teachers are employed to cover classes with the teacher ensuring the teaching program and routines are followed. 

“Those who dare to teach, never cease to learn”
John Cotton-Dana

Important

Car lines in both Jerematta and Werowi Street offer a convenient and safe drop-off and pick-up for families. For the efficient operation of this arrangement, there is a need for all parents/carers to adhere to road rules and our school practices, which have been developed with safety at the forefront of our planning. It is important that families accessing the convenience of car lines do so responsibly and in a safe manner.

Therefore, parents and carers are requested to;

• Drivers are to remain in their cars while children exit/enter from the curbside.
• Display your family nameplate upon approach for afternoon pickup.
• Follow the directions of staff at all times.
• Always move to the furthestmost point in the designated drop-off and pick-up zone.
• Not queue, blocking traffic flow in surrounding streets and roundabouts.
  

If you prefer to accompany your child to the school gate, please park in the designated car parking areas and not the drop-off zone.

Regular police patrols ensure the safety of all in and around school zones. If you operate contrary to the signage, you risk a substantial fine.

To request a family nameplate, parents and carers are invited to complete the online form, by accessing the following link https://goo.gl/forms/L1KuKhqKB9Kj49wq1

Parents should be cautious about the presence of in-app purchases in many mobile games and applications. These purchases can quickly add up, leading to unexpected charges on your account. It's important to set clear boundaries with your children regarding in-app spending and to utilise parental controls to restrict or monitor these transactions. Always review the app's purchase options before allowing your child to play, and consider disabling the payment feature on devices accessible to children to avoid any unintended expenses.

Get to know the apps your child uses. Common Sense Media offers excellent reviews on age-appropriate apps, games, and programs to help you make informed decisions for your child.

Swift Playgrounds

Swift Playgrounds is an app for older kids (and adults!) that was created by Apple to introduce people to the coding language that app developers across the globe use. In the app, you can learn the basics of coding language through puzzles, targeted lessons and dynamic visuals. The app is gorgeous to look at and fun to play, but it works best on iPads.

• Ages: 9+
• Cost: Free
• Get it for: iOS iPad

Khan Academy Kids: Learning

Khan Academy Kids makes larning fun with thousands of educational games, books and activities. Khan Academy Kids is a free educational app for children ages 2-8.

• Ages: 2-8
• Cost: Free
• Get it for: iOS

Sora

Best Reading App for Kids: Sora
Sora is an app for kids with an e-book library that contains thousands of children's books. This app is a perfect way to take reading wherever your device goes, and it's great for families with kids of various ages.

• Ages: 5-12+
• Cost: Free for CEDoW students (Contact your class teacher for instructions to login)
• Get it for: iOS
• If you are not using an iOS device, you can read or listen from your browser:
https://soraapp.com

Crazy Gears

Crazy Gears is a problem-solving game designed to encourage kids to think critically, solve problems, and explore concepts in physics and other STEM subjects. The game does not provide instructions, allowing children to experiment and discover solutions independently.

• Ages: 5+
• Cost: $4.99
• Get it for: iOS

Kahoot! Algebra

Kahoot! Algebra by DragonBox is an innovative educational app that teaches kids algebraic equation concepts through gameplay. The app features links to the developer's website and the app store but does not require a user account or online access.

• Ages: 5+
• Cost: Free (in-app Purchases)
• Get it for: iOS

Quick Math Jr.

Kids know that math can be boring, but this app transforms numbers into something more creative and interactive. Quick Math Jr. is an app for kids with 12 different math games that feature fundamental math skills and concepts. It has unique graphics and buildable characters to keep kids engaged, and all answers are handwritten or drawn on the screen so kids can also practice handwriting.

• Ages: 4-8
• Cost: Free (in-app purchases)
• Get it for: iOS

Starfall ABCs

This app gives kids a fun, animated introduction to learning letters, vowels, and words. It also includes the sign language alphabet.

• Ages: Preschool-5
• Cost: Free (with in-app purchases)
• Get it for: iOS or Android

Draw and Tell

Draw and Tell is a creative app that brings children's stories to life! Use the tool to draw, colour, decorate with stickers, create animations and record stories.

• Ages: 4+
• Cost: Free
• Get it for: iOS

Moose Math

Moose Math takes kids on a mathematical adventure! Through fun multi-level activities, kids will be engaged in counting, addition, subtraction and geometry.

• Ages: 4+
• Cost: Free
• Get it for: iOS

eSafety Parent Webinar — Thursday 23 May

Click here to register: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1215418181488532309

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Feedback Open for Council’s draft Wollongong Integrated Transport Strategy

We have developed the draft Wollongong Integrated Transport Strategy (draft strategy) to lead transport planning and investment across the Wollongong Local Government Area over the next 10 years.

The draft strategy outlines Council’s vision, guiding principles, and goals to improve the way we move around our city into the future and the actions we’ll take to achieve them. Until now, we’ve considered transport planning and delivery in a site-specific or transport-specific way. This new draft strategy takes a more overarching view of the city and lays out what steps we, Transport for NSW, and our community can take to ensure sustainable, accessible, and affordable transport options are available for our growing and diverse community. We are now seeking feedback on the draft strategy to inform the final version. Please note the last day for feedback is Monday 27 May 2024.

Find out more and provide feedback:

Online: our.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/draft-wollongong-integrated-transport-strategy

Community Drop-in Info Sessions: Any time between 3 - 6pm at the following locations:

• Dapto on Tuesday 14 May 2024 - Scribbly Gum Room, Dapto Ribbonwood Centre, 93/109 Princes Hwy, Dapto.
• Wollongong on Thursday 16 May 2024 - Wollongong Library Theatrette, Ground Floor, 41 Burelli St, Wollongong.
• Thirroul on Thursday 23 May 2024 - Escarpment Room, Thirroul Community Centre, 352/358 Lawrence Hargrave Dr, Thirroul.

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If you receive the Family Tax Benefit you may be eligible for the 2023-24 Family Energy Rebate of up to $180 to help pay your electricity bills.

Applications close 11pm on Sunday 16 June 2024.

You could also receive a one-off National Energy Bill Relief Household Payment as a lump sum of up to $500 in the 2023-24 financial year.

Find out more about these and other rebates and assistance at energy.nsw.gov.au/rebates

Check you eligibility and apply

Get your flu vaccine before winter arrives 

Influenza (flu) is serious. But a flu vaccine offers you and your family the best protection from becoming really sick. 

Getting a flu vaccine is quick and easy to arrange with your local pharmacy, GP or Aboriginal Medical Service using the healthdirect online search tool.

Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year, especially in the lead up to winter when the virus is more common.

The flu vaccine is free for anyone with a higher risk of severe illness from the virus.

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