Dear Parents and Carers,

On Friday 8 February, our school community celebrated our first whole school liturgy, together asking for God’s blessing, as we begin the new school year.  During Liturgy, our 2019 student leaders were commissioned and presented with their leadership badges.  A special morning tea for the student leaders and their families was held in the mini hall following the liturgy.  As always, the children were very prayerful and reverent and the singing was exceptional. For Kindergarten, it was their first experience in our church as a whole school and with the support of their Yr. 6 Buddies, they too were exceptional.

Sincere thanks to Mrs Crowe for her organisation of the liturgical celebration as well as Mr Downes and Mr Madaschi. Thank you to the many parents, grandparents and family friends who were in attendance. I was a beautiful celebration to commence the new school year.

Congratulations to our 2019 student leaders.

SCHOOL CAPTAINS

Sophie Chapman

Matthew Ursino

VICE CAPTAINS

Lacie McKeller

Sage Pierro

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL

Nikita Stojanovski, Josh Michell, Lexie Hamilton, Julian Savio, Milli Stanizo, Conner Fox,

Makenzie Powell, Simon Fitzwilliam, Summah Berriman, and Chase Rodrigues.

SPORT CAPTAINS

Ward (Blue) House – Samual Wills, Emily Amadio

MacKillop (Green) House – Izak McMurtrie, Heidi Colless

McCabe (Red) House – Jack George, Lucy Smith

Joseph (Yellow) House - Adam Blackbourn, Matilda Powell

Andrew Heffernan
Principal

Courage, courage, trust in God who helps you in all things.
(St Mary of the Cross MacKillop 1874)

BEGINNING OF THE YEAR LITURGY

On Friday 8th February, to celebrate the beginning of our school year, students in K-6 attended a welcome liturgy. Our student leaders were inducted, promising to be the best role models that they could be and received their badges. Every class also received a Mary MacKillop calendar and candle to take back to their prayer spaces. These are reminders to always follow in the footsteps of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. All students should be commended on the reverence shown at our liturgy (including our Kinder students who attended on just their second full day of school!).

PARISH SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM

Last fortnight an outline of the Parish Sacramental Program for 2019 was sent home (as a hard copy to students in Years 3 and 6 and digitally attached to week 2’s newsletter). Years 3 and 6 - please remember to send in as soon as possible the slip indicating whether you are intending to make one or more of the Sacraments this year.

Enrolments for the Sacrament of Penance began last weekend -  February 16th. Enrolments will also be taken over the next two weekends. A parent information evening for all parents/carers will be held on Tuesday 5th March at 6 pm in the Church. It is compulsory to attend this meeting if you wish to enrol your child in the Sacrament of Reconciliation this year.

COMING EVENTS

• PARISH MASS – YEAR 5 ATTENDING: FEBRUARY 22, 9:30 am – FEAST OF ST PETER’S CHAIR
• RECONCILIATION – 6B ATTENDING: FEBRUARY 22, 11 am 
• KINDER AND YEAR 6 WEEKEND MASS (WITH ANDREW CHINN): FEBRUARY 24, 6 pm

Once a term, we invite particular year groups to attend the Sunday 6 pm Mass. Andrew Chinn, a well-known singer and musician, attends this Mass, leading our singing with the children. We encourage all families to attend this Mass, particularly our Kinder and Year 6 families this term. Our school staff and parish catechists will also be commissioned at this Mass. 

• PARISH MASS – YEAR 4 ATTENDING – MARCH 1, 9:30 am
• RECONCILIATION – 6G ATTENDING – MARCH 1, 11 am
• ASH WEDNESDAY – MARCH 6 – Students in Years 3-6 will attend the Parish Mass at 9:30 am. Students in K-2 will attend a liturgy at 11 am in the Church.

PARISH CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST

A reminder of weekend Parish Mass times for St John the Evangelist, Dapto. Fr Francis loves to see our families there.

• Saturday Vigil 5.00pm
• Sunday 9.30am                      
• Sunday 7.30am
• Sunday 6.00pm

PRAYER INTENTIONS

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

Kylie Crowe – Religious Education Coordinator

Catholic Schools Week is about strengthening relationships between all those who are involved in our schools, students, staff, families, priests, parishioners and members of the wider community, by showing casing our wonderful school and the learning that takes place in our classrooms every day.

In celebrating with Catholic Schools across NSW and the ACT, I would like to extend a warm invitation to all families to help us celebrate on Friday 8 March.

• 9.30am K – 6 Whole School Mass (Catholic Schools Week Award)
• 10.30am BYO Picnic Morning Tea (School grounds)
• 11.00am– 12.00pm Open Classrooms

The St John’s Catholic Schools Week Award will be presented during Mass. One student in each class will be acknowledged and presented with a certificate by Fr Francis. The award recipients will be those students who consistently demonstrate our Catholic values and the school motto, Love One Another.

I look forward to celebrating Catholic Schools Week with you.

The school uniform expectations can be found in the updated parent handbook, which can be downloaded from the school website. Teachers are consistently reminding students about uniform expectations and for the most, the correct uniform is worn daily. Adhering to the uniform expectations by wearing the correct school uniform is not negotiable. It is expected that all students enrolled at St John’s wear the correct uniform each and every day. On rare occasions, when a student cannot wear the correct uniform, a written explanation should be provided to their classroom teacher.

Reminders about uniform expectations are a frequent inclusion in the newsletter and in the final newsletter for 2018 parents/carers were asked to review the expectations carefully before making purchases for the new school year. Thank you to the parents/carers who consistently strive to ensure that their children are presented in the correct uniform each day. I acknowledge that it can be a challenge and sometimes it is the children themselves who make the choice to wear the incorrect uniform. Uniforms are expensive and to this end, we have second-hand uniforms available for purchase. Families who are experiencing financial hardship can seek support from the school in meeting such costs by arranging a confidential meeting with Mr Heffernan.

Last week students were reminded of our school uniform expectations and in particular, the expectation that they wear the correct sport shoes, which are predominately white. Fluorescent, back, blue or any other popular coloured sport shoes is not school uniform and should not be worn.  

The uniform policy states the following;

• Wear the correct school/sports uniform at all times
• School/sports uniforms are to be worn in a neat manner
• School shoes are to be black leather (for safety at school). No brand names are to be visible
• All sports footwear must be predominately white jogger style with white laces or Velcro
• All sports socks must be plain sky blue, ankle length socks. No brand names
• No coloured hair decorations, all headbands, ribbons, scrunchies to be in navy/royal blue
• No jewellery except for studs or sleepers (one per ear lobe), watch, signet ring or religious medals
• No nail polish or make-up

Hair Cuts

• The emphasis is on “neat and tidy”
• Long hair is to be tied back
• Extreme haircuts and coloured hair are not permitted

Despite the school uniform expectations being very explicit in requirements, it remains a constant challenge for teachers, with a small percentage of students consistently wearing the incorrect uniform. For the remainder of Term 1 teachers will provide a rule reminder to those who are wearing the incorrect uniform, without a written explanation and from the commencement of Term 2 students with be given an ‘out of uniform notice’ to be signed by a parent/carer and returned to school. The ‘out of uniform notice’ will again be preceded by a rule reminder in the hope that no further action will need to be taken. Thank you for your continued support.

During the first weeks of term, Kindergarten participated in the BEST start assessment. The assessment provides teachers with information about each child’s literacy and numeracy skills so as to assist in personalising planned learning.

In order to provide parents with a brief snapshot of their child’s achievements, parent feedback meetings have been planned commencing Tuesday 5 March.

During this time each child’s class teacher will discuss the Best Start assessment, providing feedback on both areas of achievement and areas that will be a learning focus. The meetings will be 10 minutes in duration and we, therefore ask that you are on time. Information regarding the feedback meetings will be sent home on Monday 25 February and will include online booking details

Mrs Melissa McEntee, Mrs Kristy Ockenden, Mrs Kate Wilkins, Miss Peta Idstein and Miss Annie Farrugia

(Kindergarten teachers)

It has been an exciting time for kindergarten as they settle into life at school. We are all very proud of how they have quickly adapted to the routines of 'big school', confidently moving around the school and enjoying new friendships.

Applications for enrolment for Kindergarten 2020 are now available from the school office. Alternatively, they can be downloaded from our school website www.sjddow.catholic.edu.au.  Children are eligible for enrolment if they turn 5 before 30 June 2020.

As part of our work in 2018 around our School Vision and Mission, we have also reviewed and updated our school-wide student awards. Therefore, Blue Awards and ACE Awards will no longer be used to acknowledge and recognise student achievement.

The new award structure will have a specific value and as with our previous system, these accrue to receive a Principal’s Award, followed by new school medallions. Students will now be awarded the following awards:

• Merit Awards – weekly (Friday Award Assembly)
• Core Value Awards – week 9 each term (value of 2 Merit Awards),
• Principal’s Awards – 6 Merit Awards.
• Bronze Medallion – 4 Principal’s Awards
• Silver Medallion – 5 Principal’s Awards
• Gold Medallion – 6 Principal’s Awards

Students with Blue and ACE Awards that have not been used to receive a Principal’s Award may still be used. Blue and ACE Awards equal the value of a Merit Award. Previously awarded Principal’s Awards also accrue to attain medallions.

To assist in understanding how Merit and Core Value awards combine to achieve a Principal’s Award the following examples have been provided.

Examples:

• 6 Merit Awards = Principal’s Award
• 4 Merit Awards and 1 Core Value Award = Principal’s Award
• 2 Core Value Awards and 2 Merit Awards = Principal’s Award

New awards for each category have been purchased and the first Merit Awards will be presented at the Award Assembly on Friday 22 February.

Mr De Battista
(Middle Leader – MacKillop Campus)

What a fantastic day we had last Thursday with glorious weather for our primary swimming carnival. A sincere thank you to those parents who made the carnival possible with their offer of time and assistance in timekeeping, starting and being lifeguards.

Overall House places

1st Ward

2nd Joseph

3rd McCabe

4th Mackillop

Age Champions

Congratulations to the following students who will be representing St John’s at the South Coast Swimming Carnival on Thursday 7 March at Corrimal Swimming Pool. We wish them all the best.

Mrs Michelle Atkins
Sports Coordinator

Did you know that St John's has a school counsellor?  Emily Lim works each Monday and Tuesday and Jenny Swann each Wednesday at our school.  Counselling can be beneficial for students and families experiencing a range of challenges including anxiety, parent separation, family conflict and social and emotional concerns including: 

• Relationship with family, peers or teacher
• Feelings, such as the death of a loved one or separation of parents
• Bullying
• Anxiety and depression
• Self-esteem and confidence
• Body image concerns
• Social skills

To refer or to discuss your child's needs please contact Mr Heffernan for a referral form.

Whilst we appreciate parents contacting the office via phone to advise of a student absence, a written note/e-mail must still be produced within 7 days of the occurrence of the absence.  Failure to do so will result in the student absence being recorded as “unexplained or unjustified” in accordance with NSW Attendance Register requirements.

Parents do not need to apply for an EXEMPTION FROM ATTENDANCE for absences of less than 10 school days.  A letter explaining the absence is required by the Principal and the child’s class teacher prior to leave being taken.

Planned absences for more than 10 school days require the completion of an EXEMPTION FROM ATTENDANCE form which is available from the school office or can be downloaded from the school webpage:  www.sjddow.catholic.edu.au.  Please note, requests for absences of more than 10 school days during school terms will only be approved for exceptional or extenuating circumstances (this does not include extended absences due to illness).  Absences granted by exemption will be included in the total student absences for the year. These protocols are in accordance with Department of Education and Catholic Education Office Policies.

Kindergarten:  Parents/Carers are requested to wait outside the Kinder classrooms near the ramp and library.  Students will wait with their teacher until collected by their parents.

Years 1 and 2: Parents/Carers wait outside the hall and basement gates.  Teachers will accompany students to this area to be collected by their parents.

Year 3B & 3R:   Parents/Carers wait in the MacKillop playground at the bottom of the stairs outside the Year 3 classrooms.  Teachers will accompany students down the stairs to waiting parents.

Year 3G: Parents wait outside the basement on the MacKillop Campus.

Car Lines (Werowi St): Children now assemble in the school hall and are supervised by teachers walking to the pick-up zone. Parents/carers are reminded to display their family name upon approach.

Year 4, 5 and 6: Parents/Carers may elect to wait outside the gates on the Evangelist Campus.  Teachers will accompany students to the gate and dismiss them from there.

Students travelling home by bus will assemble on the MacKillop Campus to be directed to buses by the School Leadership Team.

As a security measure, during school hours; all visitors to the school, sign in at the school office and must obtain and wear a Visitor Lanyard whilst on school property.  This includes parent helpers, canteen volunteers, visiting tradespeople, other school staff and visiting speakers. Prior to leaving school, visitors must return to the Office and sign out.

This school procedure ensures that all visitors are authorised to be on the school premises, are easily identified by school personnel and students and ensures the safety of all.

Every year Australia wide, hundreds of thousands of Australians get stuck in and clean up their local environment by collecting and removing rubbish.  St John’s will be taking part in ‘Clean up Australia Day’ on Friday, 1 March from 11.00am – 12.00pm.  All students from Kindergarten to Year 6 will be involved in this initiative and are asked to bring a pair of gloves on the day (preferably garden gloves). 

St John’s Catholic Primary School

Presents
DISNEY’S
THE LITTLE MERMAID JR.

It is with great excitement that we announce that St John’s Primary School will be presenting another school production in 2019! This year we will be bringing to life Disney's The Little Mermaid Jr. Like our 2017 production of Disney’s Peter Pan this show offers a large & diverse range of roles that will cater to all of our student's talents. 

Students from Years 4 – 6 will come together and journey "under the sea" with Ariel and her aquatic friends. In a magical underwater kingdom, the beautiful young mermaid, Ariel, longs to leave her ocean home – and her fins – behind and live in the world above. But first, she'll have to defy her father, King Triton, make a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, and convince the handsome Prince Eric that she's the girl whose enchanting voice he's been seeking.

Disney's The Little Mermaid JR., is adapted from Disney's Broadway production and the motion picture. Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen's most beloved stories, Disney's The Little Mermaid JR.is an enchanting look at the sacrifices we all make for love and acceptance.

As always, we are extremely passionate about providing our students with this wonderful opportunity and we look forward to sharing this experience within our school.

Angela Boyd-Skinner & Catherine Sutton 

Do you have a brother or a sister with a disability?

Disability impacts everyone in the family – most of the time this is an intensely positive and rewarding experience but sometimes it can also be really challenging! We understand caring for someone in your family can be hard at times; having a friend that knows what its like and understands disability can make all the difference.

SIBS is a social respite initiative designed to give the siblings of children with additional needs some time-out to relax, have fun, and just be kids. Fun days out, workshops, and an annual camp are just some of the things we do to build a network of support and friendship for young people aged 5-12 years (Saturday SIBS Club) and 12-16 years (Teen SIBS).

To find out more contact:
Kath Walsh on Mondays and Fridays
Phone: 4254 9332 or kathw@catholiccare.dow.org.au