Filter Content
- Principal's Message
- Religious Education
- PB4L
- Merit Awards
- Sport
- Pivot Wellbeing For Learning Check-Ins — Term 2
- NAPLAN Individual Student Reports
- Assemblies and Awards
- Kindergarten — Celebration of Learning
- Year 4 Excursion
- Student Wellbeing Afternoons
- St John’s School Choir
- Grandparent's Day
- SVDP Winter Appeal
- Semester 1 Reports
- Reading Workshop for Kinder Parents and Carers
- NSW Reformed Mathematics Syllabus Implementation — Professional Learning
- Upcoming Teacher Professional Learning Development
- CEDoW Student Mental Health Services Review Feedback Forum
- CEDoW Spotlight Conference
- Technology Tip
- Code of Conduct for Students on School Buses
- Growth Mindset from Catholic Care Counsellor Vi Le
- Dr Justin Coulson Parent Page — Ideas for Parenting
- Resilience with Dr Coulson, Parental Guidance Workshop
- P&F Family Food & Rides Night — Market Stall Holders
- Parent Calendar
- Staff Development Days (Pupil Free)
- PEAK — Holiday Program
- Canteen Winter Warmers
- PlaySpace
- St John the Evangelist Dapto Parish News
- Community Announcements
Gospel Reflection
In Parishes throughout the Diocese of Wollongong we celebrated the 11th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B. In last Sunday's Gospel, Jesus shared his mission to proclaim the kingdom of heaven with his disciples. The disciples are sent to continue doing the work that Jesus had begun. As Jesus sent his disciples to continue his work and mission, so too the Church is sent by Jesus. The Church is his continuing presence on earth. Every member of the Church is sent by Jesus to contribute to this mission.
Dear Parents and Carers,
On Thursday, 6th June, a number of our Year 6 students joined the St John's Parish to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. It was a privilege to join Fr. Francis, Year 6 students and parents and carers, staff and the St John’s Parish community to celebrate and give witness as our Year 6 students received the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Fr. Francis spoke with our Year 6 students about the importance of the Holy Spirit who helps us think with clarity, make decisions with sound judgement and view others with fresh eyes, seeing others always as brothers and sisters in Jesus, to be respected and loved.
I would like to thank Fr. Francis, the St John's Parish Sacramental Team, Ms Kylie Stephens, Mr Lino Madaschi, Ms Angela Boyd-Skinner, Mrs Jacinda Blomley, Mrs Jen Di Leo and our parents and carers for preparing and supporting our students to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. I would like to thank the School Choir, Ms Angela Boyd- Skinner, Mrs Catherine Sutton and Ms Olivia Boyd-Skinner for sharing their music talents with the community at the celebration.
With the strengthening of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit our students will have an opportunity to accept new responsibilities for witnessing Jesus to the world.
Last Sunday, 16th June, marked the beginning of Refugee Week. Australia joins with the world in celebrating Refugee Week, this year culminating in World Refugee Day on Saturday, 22nd June. Refugee Week is Australia’s peak annual activity to raise awareness about the issues affecting refugees and to celebrate the positive contributions made by refugees to Australian society. During this week, we are all asked to reflect on and, if possible, contribute to creating a ‘better understanding between different communities and to encourage successful integration enabling refugees to live in safety and to continue making a valuable contribution to Australia’. This year, as we celebrate ‘Finding Freedom — Family’, we continue to celebrate the positive contributions made by refugees to Australian society. Teachers have been exploring the stories of refugees and acknowledging and celebrating the diversity of our wonderful country. May we as a Catholic community continue to be accepting of all people whatever their cultural or social background, whatever their faith tradition, because that is what makes St John’s a community that cares.
Semester One Student Reports
Teachers have been finalising Semester One reports and these will be available on Compass from Friday, 28th June. The Semester One Student Reports are an opportunity to celebrate the many achievements and growth students have made in the first Semester of the 2024 school year. I would like to express my gratitude to the teachers and Stage Leaders who have spent much of their time finalising the student reports. I encourage parents and carers to contact our teaching staff for a learning conversation following the distribution of the Semester One student reports.
Farewell and Good Luck
Next Monday we farewell our Catholic Care School Counsellor Vi Le as she moves to St Joseph's Catholic High School. On behalf of the school community I would like to express our deep gratitude to Vi who has been part of the St John's school community for the past two years for her invaluable support and guidance in the school counselling role. I wish Vi all the very best and warmly welcome Michelle Donachy to the St John's School community who will replace Vi.
Tell Them From Me Parent and Carer Survey Information
The Tell Them From Me 'Partners in Learning' Parent Survey is based on a comprehensive questionnaire covering several aspects of parents' perceptions of their children's experiences at home and school. The survey also provides feedback about the extent to which parents feel the school supports learning and positive behaviour and promotes a safe and inclusive environment. There were 115 parents who completed the survey.
The Partners in Learning Parent survey includes seven separate measures, which were scored on a ten-point scale. The scores for the Likert-format questions (i.e., strongly agree to strongly disagree) have been converted to a 10-point scale, then averaged and reported by question and by topic. A score of 0 indicates strong disagreement; 10 indicates strong agreement; 5 is a neutral position (neither agree nor disagree). The image below illustrates the school mean in comparison to the region- Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) mean.
As you can see from the image there is much to celebrate from this data. Below is an outline of the school mean and Region–CEDoW mean for each measure.
| Measure and Snapshot of Measure | Overall School Mean | CEDow Mean |
| Parents Feel Welcome | 7.8 | 7.3 |
| Inclusive School | 7.0 | 6.5 |
| Safety at School | 8.1 | 7.6 |
| School Supports Positive Behaviour | 7.5 | 6.9 |
| School Supports Learning | 7.7 | 7.2 |
| Parents Support Learning at Home | 7.3 | 7.2 |
| Parents are Informed | 7.0 | 6.5 |
A strength identified by parents and carers was Catholic Life and Identity of the school as seen by the images below.
Click the image for a full preview. For the best experience viewing graphs on a mobile phone, please switch to landscape mode.
There is certainly much to celebrate at St John’s and this is testament of the great connection with our parents and carers.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
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.
Father Francis — Happy Birthday and Congratulations
We are soon to celebrate two very special occasions – the birthday of our parish priest, Father Francis (Friday June 21) and the 29th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood (Monday July 1). Father Francis is a source of inspiration for our community, tirelessly dedicating himself to nurturing our spiritual growth and fostering a sense of unity and compassion within our parish school. His faith, kindness and commitment to service have touched the lives of so many. As we honour Father Francis on his birthday and this remarkable milestone in his priesthood, let us extend our heartfelt gratitude and prayers for his continued health, joy and blessings in his ministry.
SVDP Winter Appeal — Mufti Day and Fundraiser: Friday 21st June
The St Vincent de Paul Society continues to meet the needs of people who are in need of support. One way they do this is through their Annual Winter Appeal. Here at St John’s we would like to support the work of St Vincent de Paul.
Friday 21st June - pyjama/oodie/onesie mufti day (please remember enclosed shoes must be worn). For this privilege we ask that all children make a financial donation - one or more gold coins. The money raised through the mufti day will be given to our local St Vincent de Paul Society so that they can support families in our local area that are in need.
We are asking our families to bring in items that are most needed at the present moment. Could all items please be brought in by Friday 21st June. As Mary MacKillop said, “Never see a need without doing something about it”.
Kinder, Year 1, 2 and 3 — please bring in:
- soup (packet soup, cup soup, pouch soup, noodle soup…)
Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 — please bring in:
- tinned food
Sacrament of Confirmation — Thursday 6th June
Congratulations to the 51 children who recently received the Sacrament of Confirmation last Thursday evening. This sacred milestone signifies their deepened commitment to their faith and their readiness to take on greater responsibilities within our Catholic community. We are proud of each one of them for their dedication during their preparation, and we pray that the gifts of the Holy Spirit guide and strengthen them as they continue their spiritual journey. Let us all join together in celebrating their achievement and supporting them with our prayers.
Prayer for Our Newly Confirmed:
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the gift of those who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Fill them with the Holy Spirit, empowering them with
wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.
May they grow ever closer to You, remaining steadfast in their faith,
and become shining examples of Your love and grace in our world.
Bless them as they embark on this new chapter of their spiritual journey,
and guide them always in Your light.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen
Refugee Week — 16–22 June 2024
This week as we observe Refugee Week, we embrace this year's theme, "Finding Freedom," which resonates deeply with our school motto of “Love One Another”. Refugee Week provides an important opportunity for us to reflect on the journeys of refugees around the world who seek safety, freedom and a better future. Let us come together remembering the challenges faced by refugees and the importance of welcoming and supporting them. Through our prayers, actions, and advocacy, we can contribute to creating a world where everyone finds the freedom and dignity they deserve.
Heavenly Father,
We pray for all refugees seeking safety and freedom.
Grant them strength, courage and hope as they navigate their journeys.
Open our hearts to welcome and support them, reflecting Your love and compassion.
May we work together to create a world where everyone can live in peace and dignity.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
2024 — The Year of Prayer: in preparation for the 2025 Jubilee Year ‘Pilgrims of Hope’
We are reminded that this is the Year of Prayer, a special time dedicated to deepening our spiritual connection, seeking divine guidance, and renewing our faith in preparation for the upcoming jubilee celebration. This sacred year calls us to unite in prayer, asking for God's grace to lead our hearts and minds. As we embark on this journey of hope, renewal, and unity, let us come together as a community, embracing the opportunity to grow closer to God and one another through our shared faith and devotion.
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:
Grandparents Day — 26th July (Friday Week 1)
- 12:30pm — Liturgy of the Word (Church)
- 1:00pm — BYO Picnic Lunch — (tea, coffee and a muffin in the hall for grandparents)
- 1:40pm — Open Classrooms (no assembly)
| Friday 21 June | Parish Mass 9:30am — Year 3 attending (unfortunately due to Professional Learning occurring in the school on ths day, there will be no morning tea after Mass) |
| Friday 21 June | Reconciliation — Half of Year 5 |
| Friday 28 June | Parish Mass 9:30am — Kinder attending |
| Friday 28 June | Reconciliation — Half of Year 5 |
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
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.
PB4L Raffle Ticket Winners
Week 6
| Gunyah | Alani |
| Kindergarten | Hudson, Kyan |
| Year 1 | Erik, Aliyah |
| Year 2 | Marianne, Paige |
| Year 3 | Chelsea, Ari |
| Year 4 | Filipe, Evie |
| Year 5 | Lolita, Reece |
| Year 6 | Lucas, Riya |
Week 7
| Gunyah | Elias |
| Kindergarten | Savannah, Tully |
| Year 1 | Carmen, Bailey |
| Year 2 | Eva, Lois |
| Year 3 | Hadley, Aleisha |
| Year 4 | Jake, Anthony |
| Year 5 | Thomas, Ruby |
| Year 6 | Bella, Mila |
Dates for Term 2:
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.
Catholic Legends Rugby League Gala Day
On Friday, June 14th, over 80 Stage 2 and 3 students from St John’s showcased their talents at the Catholic Legends Rugby League Gala Day at Reed Park. Our 10 teams played exceptionally well throughout the day, demonstrating outstanding sportsmanship, resilience and school spirit.
Teachers and parents were immensely proud of all the students' efforts, especially the younger teams who rose to the challenge and played up to 6 games due to last-minute changes in numbers. A special thank you goes to all the parent volunteers who made it possible for us to bring so many teams—your support was invaluable!
Congratulations to all our young athletes for their hard work and dedication!
We have completed the first Pivot Wellbeing For Learning Cycle. This involved the students from Years 3-6 completing weekly electronic check-ins, asking questions regarding general wellbeing, resilience, belonging, safety and a question asking how they are going in the areas of family, friendships, health, hobbies, schoolwork and sleep.
The data provided from the survey has shown an increase in the general wellbeing of our students. One area of concern as highlighted by the data is that 30% of our students in Years 3-6 indicated each week that they are not having effective sleep each night.
Sleep is important in allowing our bodies to rest, recharge and reset. Experts suggest that 5-11 year olds require around 9-11 hours of sleep each night. When students experience healthy sleeping patterns and good quality sleep, they are more likely to:
• Feel physically healthy
• Think clearly
• Concentrate for extended periods of time
• Learn new information
• Recall information previously learned
• Experience stable moods and emotions
• Respond proportionally to situations they find themselves in
Evidence shows that good sleep routines can help sleep come more easily and can improve how well someone sleeps. Good sleep routines include:
• Keeping bedtime around the same time every night
• Removing the use of iPads, mobile phones and other blue-light emitting devices in the hours before bedtime
• Removing devices from bedrooms during sleep time
If we don’t sleep well, research shows that we are more likely to experience heightened emotions and become increasingly sensitive to stressful situations. Sleep can impact our ability to regulate our behaviour. Poor sleep can impact how students perceive and judge the different situations that they find themselves in throughout the school day. If they find themselves in new or challenging situations, students who aren’t sleeping well may be less likely to assess these situations accurately. This can result in students struggling to react with appropriate behaviours. For students, poor quality sleep or reduced sleep can result in a higher risk of anxiety, depression and aggressive behaviour in their learning environments.
Students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 participated in the National Assessment Program — Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) during Term 1. A NAPLAN individual student report will be provided for your child early in Term 3. The same report format is used for every student in Australia.
NAPLAN results are reported against proficiency standards. There is a standard for each assessment area at each year level. Proficiency standards provide clear information on student achievement. Student achievement is shown against 4 levels of proficiency:
- Exceeding: the student’s result exceeds expectations at the time of testing.
- Strong: the student’s result meets challenging but reasonable expectations at the time of testing.
- Developing: the student’s result indicates that they are working towards expectations at the time of testing.
- Needs additional support: the student’s result indicates that they are not achieving the learning outcomes that are expected at the time of testing. They are likely to need additional support to progress satisfactorily.
If your child participated in 2024 and does not receive a report by Friday 2 August, contact the school office.
| Term 2, Week 9 | Core Value Awards will be presented at the regular Friday assembly. (No Merit Awards) |
| Term 2, Week 10 | Principal Awards and Medallions will be presented at the end of term Parish Mass on Friday, 5 July at 9:30am. There will be no afternoon assembly this week. (No Merit Awards) |
| Term 3, Week 1 | Grandparent's Day will be celebrated on Friday, 26 July, starting at 12:30pm with a Liturgy. There will be no afternoon assembly this week and Merit Awards will be distributed in class. |
Today, Year 4 took a historical tour of Sydney, visiting sites built by convicts and early settlers. Highlights included Hyde Park Barracks and the Argyle Stairs, the oldest surviving steps in Australia, cut into the cliff face to connect The Rocks with Miller's Point and Bunker's Hill.
Our Student Wellbeing Afternoons took place last week, and on all accounts, the students had an enjoyable time participating in a range of fun activities. The positive comments from both students and staff members highlight the importance of such events and activities that encourage and promote wellbeing at St John’s. Thank you to the staff for organising engaging activities for the students and to the Parents & Friends Association for covering the cost of the sausage sizzle as well as a packet of chips for each child. The next series of Student Wellbeing Afternoons will take place in Term 3.
On June 6 our St John’s School Choir sang at the Parish Confirmation celebration. It was a beautiful evening that was made even more special by the commitment and participation of our choir students. They provided the candidates and their families with such special music for the sacrament.
Next Tuesday 25 June the choir will be performing in the City of Wollongong Eisteddfod. This is an extremely exciting opportunity for all of our students. On the evening the choir will perform two contrasting pieces. They have been carefully working on their two pieces over the past two terms and spending the last few weeks refining their performance skills.
Both Mrs Sutton & Ms Boyd-Skinner are very much looking forward to taking the students to this event.
Students join the St. Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal – A Day of Fun and Giving!
Mark your calendars for Friday, 21st June, and get ready for an unforgettable day that combines comfort, fun, and generosity! It's the Oodie/Onesie/Pyjama Mufti Day, and it's all for an incredible cause.
Why Participate?
Dress Down, Lift Up: Don your cosiest Oodie, favourite onesie, or comfiest pyjamas and enjoy a fun, relaxed day at school. In return, we ask for a gold coin (or more) donation for this privilege. Every coin you give will help us support St. Vincent de Paul in their mission to assist local families in need.
Food for Families: Along with your donation, we're also collecting non-perishable food items. Your contributions will directly aid SVDP in providing essential support to our community's most vulnerable members, ensuring they have the food and resources they need this winter.
How You Can Make a Difference
Donate Generously: Bring a gold coin (or more!) and enjoy the comfort of your Oodie, onesie, or pyjamas while knowing that you're making a tangible difference in someone's life.
Bring Food Items: Raid your pantry or pick up a few extra items during your next grocery run. Every can, box, and packet helps fill a family's cupboard and their hearts with hope.
Kinder, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3: packet or cup soup
Year 4, Year 5, Year 6 - tinned food
Why This Matters
Community Impact: Your participation and donations directly support local families, providing them with essential food supplies and support during the colder months.
Spread Joy: The Winter Appeal isn't just about giving; it's about bringing warmth and happiness to those in need, making our community stronger and more connected.
St John's mufti day on Friday 21st June!
Let's make this Winter Appeal a day to remember. Slip into your comfiest attire, bring your donations, and let's show our community the power of compassion and generosity. Together, we can make a world of difference.
Get Cozy, Give Generously, and Spread Warmth!
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.
Semester 1 Reports will be available via Compass on Friday 28 June for students in Years K-6.
IMPORTANT DATES
- Semester 1 Reports will be available on Compass for all students in Year 1 to Year 6 on Friday 28 June.
Parents and carers of our Kinder students are warmly invited to an information session about learning to read. This will be held on Wednesday 26 June at 2pm in the Joseph Room. Please sign in at the office first.
This week, teachers from Years 3 to 6 engaged in professional learning, supporting the implementation of the Reformed NSW K-10 Mathematics Syllabus.
This professional learning opportunity was designed to support our teachers by building their knowledge of the continuum of learning in different focus areas of the Mathematics Syllabus. This knowledge enables teachers to embed effective assessment opportunities when planning daily teaching and learning experiences.
The teachers continued to build content knowledge, engage in professional dialogue and reflect on assessment practices to ensure that they are providing opportunities so that ‘All students are appropriately challenged and demonstrate growth in Mathematics’ (St John’s Annual Improvement Goal).
We have been fortunate to be guided through the implementation of the Reformed NSW K-10 Mathematics Syllabus by Dr Christine Mae, who has worked with Curriculum Leaders and Advisors at St John’s to develop engaging and impactful professional learning opportunities for teachers.
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
Week |
Date |
Staff Member/s |
Purpose |
| 8 | 21 June | Mrs Barker | SPOT |
| 10 | 5 July | Mr Soligo, Mrs Barker, Ms Idstein | Aust Early Development Census (Data Collection) |
Invitation to the CEDoW Student Mental Health Services Review Feedback Forum
The Catholic Education Office has been collaborating with Shawn van der Linden of Altum Consulting Pty Ltd to review the mental health supports available for CEDoW students.
Mental Health Services Review - Invitation to Feedback and Validation Forum
We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who has participated in this review through written surveys or semi-structured online interviews.
Next Steps - Feedback and Validation Forum
We are now entering the final stage of this process, which involves a critical feedback and validation forum.
We are inviting key stakeholders, including parents, school staff, CatholicCare counsellors, and CEO staff, to join us for a face-to-face group discussion to be held on Thursday 27 June 2024, at the Marian Centre Wollongong at 3:30pm.
Event Details
Date: Thursday 27 June 2024
Location: Marian Centre Wollongong
Available Sessions: 8:30am till 11:30am or 3:30pm till 6:30pm with a half-hour break
Refreshments: Morning Tea and Afternoon tea provided
The forum will focus on reflecting on the preliminary findings of the review and will provide an opportunity for participants to contribute to the emerging recommendations.
Session Booking
Participants are requested to book in via this Google form.
Student “Design a Logo” Competition – 2024
The Spotlight on Technology Committee are pleased to offer all CEDoW students the opportunity to participate in the 2024 Spotlight on Technology ‘Design a Logo’ competition.
Students are asked to design a logo which will address and reflect the theme of the conference "Spotlight on Artificial Intelligence in Education”. The aim of the conference is to inform participants how to ‘Enhance Learning with Generative AI’ so students can include AI in the design and delivery of their logo entries.
There are prizes for both primary and secondary entries and both students (AirPods) and their schools (iPads) can share in the spoils of victory! The major prize winning entry will be used as the logo for the branding of the Spotlight 2024 event, including website, shirts, event banner, backdrops, etc…
We encourage staff where practical to promote student participation in this competition as the students require staff (verbal) approval to submit an entry. Entries can be submitted using a Google Form where students will be asked to provide the following details:
Student Name
School (from popup list)
Year Group (from popup list)
Teacher’s Name (approver)
Background on the tools that were used to create the submitted Logo
A description of the design process which led to the final Logo entry
Upload of the logo file (ensure your logo is designed to fit within a square)
Spotlight on Technology website: spotlight24.dow.catholic.edu.au.
Submissions close on Friday 5 July 2024 at 3:00 pm.
The Code of Conduct for Students on School Buses sets out acceptable standards of behaviour for students travelling on school buses and regular route buses. Students are expected to follow rules for the safety and comfort of all passengers, including themselves. If the rules are not followed, it may lead to the withdrawal of travel passes for subsidised travel, banning students from travelling on buses, and even police prosecution and court action. Please find attached the Code of Conduct from Transport for NSW.
Vi Le our school counsellor has shared some great information on the importance of Growth Mindset for children. Please find below some information to help foster a growth mindset with your child.
Parenting Ideas by Dr Justin Coulson
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.
The article below is from Happy Families, and highlights excellent points when reading the Semester One student reports. The article is titled "Grades do not define our worth"
Dr Justin Coulson is the co-host and parenting expert on Channel Nine’s “Parental Guidance” and the founder of happyfamilies.com.au and is considered one of Australia’s most trusted parenting experts.
The parent session will focus on the topic of Resilience, in this session, parents will learn the psychological secrets that build their child’s sense of identity, strengths, and growth mindset in order to perform better, be happier, and build resilience.
Students in Years 4-6 will also be attending a session with Dr Coulson during school hours focusing on the topic of well-being, which will be an interactive and age appropriate discussion for these students. This is a free session.
The P&F are excited to have Dr Coulson come to St Johns Dapto and bring his experience and knowledge to the parent community and to students in year 4-6.
Tickets are limited.
The live session runs from 7:00pm-8:30pm and refreshments will be provided from 6:30pm on the night.
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.
| Term 3 | 22 July and 27 September |
| Term 4 | 14 October, 19 & 20 December |
Semester Two — places available
Semester Two Drama resumes on Tuesday July 23rd...and there are some places available.
Parish News
St John's Parish Pie Drive Extravaganza!
On Wednesday 12 June, the eldest child in each family brought home an order form. Additionally, a form is attached to the compass alert for your convenience if you wish to print it. Payments can be made in cash or via online transfer—just check the order form for all the details. Don't miss out—orders close on Sunday, 28th July. Mark your calendars for the big pickup day on Friday, 16th August, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Parish.
Please ensure your order form (and cash in an envelope or ziplock bag if not paying online) is returned to the school office by Friday, 26th July (the end of Week 1, Term 3).
For any questions, feel free to contact the school office or Jenny in the Parish Office at 4261 1315.
Let's make this Pie Drive a smashing success and celebrate together!
Order form is availalbe on COMPASS
Ministry Training Day — Saturday 27th July 1pm–3pm.
Please RSVP by Sunday 21st July to the Parish Office on 42 611315 or email dapto@dow.org.au. Afternoon Tea will be provided
Fr. Francis and the St John the Evangelist Parish Pastoral Council warmly invites all families to join in the celebration of the Eucharist. See below the times for Mass.
Saturday Vigil — 5pm
Sunday — 7:30am, 9:30am and 6pm.
Please see the Parish Bulletin below
Family Services Australia is currently recruiting for our upcoming school holiday groups which will be run over the July school holidays.
We will be running the following group programs:
- Tabletop games group suitable for young people aged 13-18 who have an interest in table top gaming, however no prior experience is required.
- Kids social group, suitable for young people aged 8-12 who would like to build social connections with other young people.
- Girls social group, suitable for girls/female identifying young people aged 12-15 who would like to build social connections.
There will be 2 sessions available for each group, so clients can choose if they would like to attend one or both of the group dates and NDIS funding can be utilised to pay for the groups.
If you have clients that would like to register interest or find out more information about this group they can do so via our website (https://www.fsahealthwellbeing.org.au/groups) or by contacting our service directly (1800 372 000 [option 2]).
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.
