Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope that the holidays provided all families with a break from the routine of school.

As we commence Term 3, we are reminded that it is definitely not business as usual. We remain in Phase 3 of our return to school plan and as such practices to ensure students, staff and parents are safe, continue to be implemented. Media reports are a constant reminder, that there is no place for complacency as we navigate the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A parent/carer letter was shared via Compass with all families on Thursday 16 July as a reminder of the significant COVID safe practices that have been and will continue to be, implemented at St John’s. Theses include but not limited to, the following;

• All gates will remain locked during school hours
• Parent/carers will not have access to the school grounds during morning drop-off and restricted access only during afternoon pick-up
• No lining up at the beginning or conclusion of recess or lunch
• Students will continue eating lunch at desks in classrooms
• Drinking bubblers remain closed, students should bring water bottles to school
• Canteen facilities will remain the same as Term 2 (lunch orders only and closed on Wednesdays)
• Playground equipment will be open for use by students and cleaned daily
• No whole school or large group gatherings (Assemblies)
• Increased daily cleaning will continue with cleaners onsite daily
• Hygiene procedures and practices to remain with sanitising stations and handwashing to be reinforced daily
• Students who present as sick will be sent home and must have medical clearance and be fully recovered before returning to school.

Remember, you can stay up to date with the latest information by accessing the  Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong website.

As always, thank you for your continued support for our wonderful school.

Yours sincerely

Andrew Heffernan
Principal

GRANDPARENTS’ DAY – THE FEAST OF SAINTS JOACHIM AND SAINT ANNE

On Sunday it was the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne – the parents of Mary and the grandparents of Jesus. Saints Joachim and Anne helped Mary to know and love God and to be faithful to him. They also helped Mary and Joseph raise Jesus. On this special day, we also take time to reflect on all grandparents. We give thanks to God for the gift of grandparents and the important role they play within families and society today.

Grandparents Day at St John’s has come to be a much loved day where grandparents are invited into our school to spend time with their grandchildren. This is such a beautiful time both for our grandparents and all of the children but unfortunately this year, health restrictions prevent us from doing so. Instead, a Compass alert was sent out on Monday with class/grade messages for grandparents. Please click here if you missed the alert: Grandparents' Day Messages 

WORLD DAY AGAINST TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS – Thursday 30th July 2020

It is estimated that there are more than 40 million people in our world today who are victims of human trafficking.

Pope Francis says that human trafficking is without doubt, a crime against humanity for its violation of human dignity and freedom. Forced labour and human trafficking happens in every country including Australia. It is a billion dollar industry. Yet behind all the statistics is a human person and their story.

What can we do to help stop trafficking?

• Become an ethical consumer of coffee, chocolate, fashion and electronic goods etc;
• Ensure your home/work kitchen uses only slavery-free products;
• Understand the issue more fully by going to ACRATH’s (Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans) website and reading more information: https://acrath.org.au/

A Freedom Blessing For Our Common Life:

God of today and tomorrow, may there be blessings of true justice for us and for all people who have been trafficked. God of each one’s story, may there be blessings of tender love for us and for all who have been trafficked into abuse and sufferings. God we are so small, give us your Light and help us humbly remember that you love and cherish each person and that we are all your children. Amen.

THE TRANSFIGURATION

Jesus takes his most trusted disciples up a high mountain to allow them to share in what he knows is about to occur. It is a very clear teaching moment in which Jesus hopes the disciples are going to finally grasp the truth about him. As the disciples stand by, Jesus is transformed before them – suddenly bathed in light and his clothes become dazzlingly white. The disciples also see Moses and Elijah standing and talking with Jesus. Moses was the great Law-giver of Jewish tradition and Elijah the great prophet. Together, they represent the Law and the Prophets – the combined wisdom that make up the tradition of Jewish teaching and Jewish scripture. It is the Law and the Prophets that Jesus’ life and ministry brings to fulfilment. It is fitting that Moses and Elijah appear beside Jesus, as the three figures combined represent the fullness of Jewish tradition – the Law of Moses; the challenge and promise of the Prophets; and the compassion of Jesus that completes the other two. Liturgyhelp.com

THE FEAST OF SAINT MARY OF THE CROSS MACKILLOP

Mary MacKillop is not only the first Australian to be recognised by the Church as a Saint, she is truly a very Australian saint. She characterises the spirit of the Australian mythology. She was a prodigious hard worker who put the needs of others before herself. She exhibited something of the larrikin spirit: constantly in dispute with authority but pressing on, regardless. She used the strengths of others but also didn’t tolerate those who were not genuine. Her commitment to the schooling of children from poor and rural communities established a model of Catholic education that continues to today. A Saint for and of Australia! Liturgyhelp.com

SACRAMENTS

Next week, many of our Year 3 children, along with children from other schools in the parish, 66 in total, will be making their First Reconciliation. This will occur over three days – Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation) is a treasured Sacrament. The peace of mind and soul which this sacrament imparts to us is one for which there is no substitute. It is a peace that flows from a certainty, rather than from an unsure hope, that our sins have been forgiven and that we are right with God. Please pray for the children in our parish as they make this important sacrament.

Hard copies as well as a Compass alert have been sent out regarding the dates for First Holy Communion and Confirmation. Due to COVID-19, please be aware that these dates may still need to change if Government regulations and/or the Bishop’s directives change. Please continue to watch for further communication regarding these sacraments.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL WINTER APPEAL

Due to COVID-19, we find ourselves in a world that is quite different from what we are used to. The St Vincent de Paul Society are continuing though, to meet the needs of people who are in need of support. This need for support is even greater than usual with so many people deeply challenged by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here at St John’s we would like to support the fantastic work that the St Vincent de Paul Society do.

We are asking our families to bring in items that are most needed at the present moment. These include:

• Beanies
• Scarves
• Toiletries -  toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, shampoo (no conditioner)

We are asking that all items are brought in by Friday of this week. Staff at St John’s who volunteer on the Vinnies Van will be able to get these items directly to the people who need them most.

This Friday we will also have a mufti day (please remember shoes must be enclosed) to raise money and awareness of the work of SVDP. For this privilege, we ask that the children bring in a coin, preferably gold. The money raised through the mufti day will be used to buy food gift cards. These will then be given to our local St Vincent de Paul Society for them to give to families in our local area that are in need. We know that some of our own families here at St John’s are also affected by COVID-19 and we do not wish to place any extra pressure on anyone. Please know that any donation you can give, no matter how small, will make a difference and will be gratefully accepted.

As Mary MacKillop said, “Never see a need without doing something about it”.

CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST

Masses have resumed at normal times in our Parish but are limited to 100 parishioners at one mass. It is essential to register for weekend masses as we need to ensure that the maximum capacity is not exceeded. To register for mass please call or email the parish office.  Alternatively you are able to register your interest to go to mass at the following link:  https://www.dow.org.au/registration

Once your interest to register for mass is received by the parish office, you will need to wait for confirmation that you can attend the mass.

A reminder also that each Sunday Mass can also be celebrated online with Bishop Brian and other clergy from Lumen Christi Catholic Parishes Wollongong:

https://www.dow.org.au/covid-19/sunday-mass-online-with-bishop-brian/

ADULT SPIRITUALITY

“Ripples: Inspired Voices, Treasured Stillness”

In response to the current Covid-19 situation, a significant initiative has been developed by the Catholic Education Office CLEM (Catholic Life, Education and Mission) team for staff and parents to support our ongoing personal spiritual formation. It is a new podcast series entitled ‘Ripples: Inspired Voices, Treasured Stillness’. Ripples seeks to offer a space where people can draw on the wisdom of a series of guest speakers and can experience some treasured stillness through meditation. On Tuesday of each week a new Episode and Meditation will be offered. Practices like these create a ripple effect. They have the potential to impact the way we respond to family, friends, colleagues, to others in our world, to creation and to our loving God.

https://ripples.dow.catholic.edu.au/p/introduction-1588201803/

PRAYER INTENTIONS

We pray for all families in our school community who are in need of our prayers, as well as our country and world.

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, pray for us.
St John the Evangelist, pray for us.

Kylie Crowe
Religious Education Coordinator

Grandparents Day celebrates the contributions grandparents make to their families and communities. It recognises the diversity of grandparent relationships across age groups, cultural backgrounds and geographical locations.

Thank you to all the students and staff in acknowledging and celebrating Grandparents Day. While the present environment has meant a re-think of this special day of celebration, we are confident that the videos will be well received and appreciated. Hopefully next year, the biggest day on our school calendar will once again take place, and we will also showcase our wonderful new school facilities, as we celebrate and give thanks for grandparents.

Further to the parent/carer letter on the use of Social Media platforms and forums, the following information has been provided to support your understanding of the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) Social Media Policy.

The Policy has a strong focus on setting expectations for all users of social media in the school community ensuring the respect and dignity of all people at all times.

The SVDP Winter Appeal continues, with the collection of scarves, beanies and toiletries as well as a mufti day on Friday 31st July. All students are encouraged to wear Mufti (Casual Clothing) with Sports Shoes on the day in exchange for gold coin(s) donation.

To ensure that we comply with the CEDoW COVID-19 directives and in order to minimise cross-contamination, the collection of gold coins on Friday will be as follows:

1. Money bags will be used to collect coins.
2. Staff holding/carrying money bags will wear gloves and sanitise after collection.
3. Students will deposit their coins and immediately sanitise their hands.
4. The money bags will immediately be taken to the office where one staff member, wearing gloves, will count it — and sanitise afterwards.

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day (Children’s Day) is our national day dedicated to celebrating our children. Children’s Day is celebrated across the country each year on 4 August.

The NCCD is an annual data collection that requires information on the extent of adjustments made for students with disability. The data collection supports a broader model of engagement and support for these students that draws on teachers' professional judgement and practices throughout the year to support students with disability to access and participate in education on the same basis as other students.

Please find below important information about the 2020 Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). All schools are required to complete this process annually to assist governments in planning for the needs of students with disability.

Please contact the school if you have further questions about the NCCD.

Parents and carers are reminded that the area surrounding St John’s is designated as a School Zone. Police and Council Rangers constantly patrol the area and they will have no hesitation in prosecuting drivers for driving offences.

All NSW school zones are sign-posted with regulatory signs that list the operating times of the school zones. 

For the safety of all, please ensure that you adhere to the signage and following the directions of our School Crossing Supervisor.

To the following students who are celebrating their birthday in August — we wish you a very happy birthday and hope you have a great day.

In response to the NSW Curriculum Review final report, over the next four years the NSW Government is delivering a new school curriculum to ensure every student is prepared and ready for their future.

Further information is available from the NSW Government Curriculum Review website.

Curious Creatures, Wild Minds

In light of the impact of COVID-19, the Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) has postponed Book Week 2020 to Term 4 at a date to be announced.

This is a reminder message regarding the 2020 International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) for Years 4-6 students. Please note that participation is not compulsory and the online payment date has been extended to Sunday 2 August.

Strengthening Relationships 

Would you like some support to achieve change in your life right now?

You may find what you're looking for in our new series of face-to-face group sessions. Group sessions are available to adults who would like to strengthen relationships, support children's development and build resilience within a supportive environment, alongside others who share similar life experiences.

All of our 2020 courses are listed on our website. Click below to view the 2020 group work schedule.

LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE

For more information or to make a booking please contact our Intake Service on 4254 9395 or email IntakeService@catholiccare.dow.org.au

Parenting programs at home

CatholicCare are delivering a series of parenting programs for parents/carers. Bookings are essential so register your interest early. 

Dr Justin Coulson - Author, Speaker & Parenting Educator

Getting aligned with your partner can be tough. But it can make family life easier. Here’s some ideas to parent on the same page.

The second Active Kids voucher is now available for families to access $100 towards registration and participation costs of sport and active recreation.

Through sport and active recreation, kids learn resilience, teamwork and leadership, but importantly, also make friends, build self-confidence and have fun, so by providing a second Active Kids voucher, we’re ensuring more NSW kids can be active all year-round.

The second voucher can be used to try a new sport or help pay for another season of your child’s favourite sport.

For further information or to download your vouchers visit the Active Kids web page or call 13 13 02.