Dear Parents and Carers,

As the end of Term 3 draws to a close, plans are underway for the relocation of the kindergarten - Year 3 classes into the newly refurbished learning spaces. This week, you may have noticed that a new shade area (COLA) is being constructed, completing a significant portion of the refurbishment.

At this stage, the relocation will take place on Thursday 24 and Friday 25 September, ready for Term 4. Further details will be provided once confirmed following the next building meeting.

In the last newsletter, I commenced unpacking the five principles of the CEDoW Parent-School Partnership Framework, the first being, Authentic Catholicity — Co-creating a Catholic Community. This newsletter will focus on the second principle, Respectful Relationships — Building positive relationships of respect, trust and resilience.

In the knowledge and understanding of the importance of a positive school-parent relationship, the second principle outlines the following expectations;

• Treat every person with courtesy, respect and positive regard.
• Respect parents as the first and primary educators of their child who bring a specific knowledge and perspective to the partnership.
• Respect school leaders, teachers and school staff for their knowledge, professional skills and expertise in education.
• Assume each member of the partnership is committed to the learning and wellbeing of each student.
• Support relationships with regular and meaningful communication. Adopting a positive and hopefilled attitude and seeking to proactively resolve any issues.
• Approach any disagreement with an openness to respect the opinions of others, and a willingness to address concerns in an appropriate manner.
• Accept that not all responses to concerns can be resolved with mutual agreement.

When schools and parents work together in this way, we foster positive and respectful relationships, so that all in our community feel valued, supported and safe.

I would like to advise that I have taken leave this week and will return on Monday 14 September. During my absence, please direct any concerns to Mr Downes (Assistant Principal)

Thank you for your continued support.

Yours sincerely
Andrew Heffernan
Principal

HAPPY FATHERS’ DAY!

We wish all of our dads, granddads and those who are fatherly figures to us a very happy Fathers’ Day for last Sunday.

Most gracious God,

We ask for your blessing on our Fathers, Grandfathers and the men in our lives who are Father figures.

May your Holy Spirit constantly inspire them with justice and mercy, wisdom and strength, patience and

self-giving love. May they receive your grace abundantly, and may they come to experience you

through the care and love they give to us.  

Amen. 

SACRAMENTS – FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

A reminder that Communion booklets need to be handed in prior to the children making the sacrament. They can be handed in at school or at the Parish Office.

The Sacrament of First Holy Communion will be celebrated over four sessions:

Friday 11th September, Saturday 12th September, Friday 18th September and Saturday 19th September.

A reminder that if you are looking for a Communion gift, there are some beautiful keepsakes for sale in the Church foyer (please contact the Parish Office as to the best time to access the shop).

There is also the Cathedral Books and Gifts Shop that is open for short periods during the day. It is best to ring first before going in. The phone number is: 42222484.

Please pray for the children that are making this important step in their Catholic faith.

My Communion Prayer
Dear God,

I know that You give me many gifts.
The gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ in Holy Communion is the greatest of all. 

How can I ever thank You enough for this special gift?

At Mass we are called to be like Jesus, by loving and serving one another in the world.
As I become more like Him, please continue to help me.  Show me the places and ways that I can bring Your love, kindness, and peace to others.... in my family, in my neighbourhood, in my community, and with my friends.
I ask this in Jesus' name.  Amen.

R U OK DAY – THURSDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER

R U OK? Day is on tomorrow. It is a day of action focused on encouraging us to take time and connect with friends, family, and colleagues.  This year's theme reminds us that there is more to say after R U OK?  It's about LISTENING, ENCOURAGING ACTION, and then STAYING CONNECTED, because research indicates that genuine care and concern can make a real difference. 2020 has been and continues to be a challenging year for everyone and circumstances have made it even more important for us all to stay connected and, for those who are able, be willing to support those around us.

If you feel like something’s not quite the same with someone you know – there’s something going on in their life or you notice a change in what they’re saying or doing - trust that gut instinct and take the time to ask them “Are you OK?” If someone says they’re not OK, make time to listen, encourage action and check in. That conversation could change, or even save, their life.

For more information, go to: https://www.ruok.org.au/join-r-u-ok-day

CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST

Masses have resumed at normal times in our Parish but are limited to 100 parishioners at each 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.

Don't forget that you can also participate in one or more of the many online Masses live-streamed throughout our diocese. Check out our diocesan website for all the links.   

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. New Episodes and Meditations are being added regularly. 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 the 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

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 that are: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe.

As previously communicated, the planned Term 3 pupil free day was postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions. Therefore, it has now been confirmed that Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 October will be pupil free days. All students (K-6) will return to school on Wednesday 14 October, Term 4.

National Walk Safely to School Day is on this Friday!

Primary school-aged children across Australia will put their feet first this Friday, 11 September. The event aims to raise awareness of the benefits that regular walking can provide for the long term well-being of our children.

Now in its 21st year, the campaign also encourages improved diets, positive environmental action, better use of public transport with reduced car-dependency and the vitally important road safety message: "Until they are 10, children must always hold the hand of an adult when crossing the road".

Each year, schools and public libraries from all over Australia spend a week celebrating books and Australian authors and illustrators. The theme for Book Week 2020 is ‘CURIOUS CREATURES WILD MINDS’. Book Week will run from the 19th - 23rd of OCTOBER 2020 and so this year St John's will be celebrating Book Week on FRIDAY 23rd October.

To celebrate this wonderful occasion we invite all students from Kinder to Year 6 to come dressed as their favourite book character or around the theme of 'CURIOUS CREATURES WILD MINDS’’.

Unfortunately due to COVID restrictions, we won't be able to have our usual whole school parade however we will be sharing some of the fantastic nominated books for 2020, completing fun activities centred around the books and have our BOOK WEEK competition and presentation of book prizes. 

This year there will also be a Curious Creatures Guessing competition - so stay tuned for more details! 

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Dr Seuss

Tracey Scapin, Maree Kissell and Peta Idstein
Organising teachers

As the weather becomes warmer our collection of lost property becomes larger. Please take time this week to re-label your child’s clothing. The official date for the children to change over to summer uniform is Monday 12 October (Term 4 Week 1). The summer uniform may be worn prior to this date if the weather becomes warmer. Children must not wear a combination of both; rather it is either one or the other (summer or winter).

Thank you for your support.

As we continue to ensure the safety of our students, staff and parents/carers during COVID, restricted access to the school grounds remains unchanged. The main pedestrian gate at the front of the school has a video camera and automatic opening function to reduce the wait time and further enhance security.

While we appreciate parents contacting the school office to advise of student absence, a written note via Compass is the prefered method and must be produced within 7 days of the occurrence of this absence.  Failure to do so will result in the student absence being recorded as unjustified in accordance with the NSW Attendance Register requirements. 

School fee statements were sent home last week. If you have not received your account, please contact the school office to request a copy. Accounts are due 30 days after the date of invoice, unless you have either a School Fee Agreement or Fee Concession/Deferment arrangement in place. Can all families please ensure they finalise their school fee accounts by the end of term 3. Payment can be made via BPAY or credit card. The Compass Parent Portal can be used to make credit card payments using the School Fees tab.

Construction of the new COLA Shelter.

Have you considered volunteering your time at the School Canteen? The Canteen is run by parents, carers, friends and volunteers, with all profits going back into the school.

The Canteen requires volunteer helpers for:

• Thursday 17 September
• Thursday 22 October
• Thursday 29 October

If you are able to volunteer your time, please email Dana Norris norrisd02@dow.catholic.edu.au

Maggie Dent - Author, Educator & Parenting Expert

Does your child know what anxiety feels like for them and what they can do about it when it arises? Here are some simple strategies to figuring out your child’s physical responses to feeling anxious, their triggers, and some great calmers.

Wollongong City Council

Our Annual Paint the GONG REaD reading day has launched this week and has gone VIRTUAL - Please see the link below to our Facebook page – we would love for you to share with your families and children in your services and encourage people joining our page for some fabulous resources, ideas and fabulous guest readers that will be released every few days over the coming weeks. They include Bi-Lingual stories.

https://www.facebook.com/PainttheGongREaD/