Filter Content
- Principal's Message
- Religious Education
- PB4L
- SPLICED Enrichment Program
- Gunyah Sensory Walls
- NAPLAN Platform Readiness Test
- Book Week — Curious Creatures, Wild Minds
- Building Update
- Student Pick Up
- Student Messages
- Second Hand Uniform Shop
- School Bubblers
- School Travel 2021 — Opal Card
- Enrolments 2021
- School Zones
- Book Club
- Bus Route Detour - Wongawilli Road
- Happy Birthday
- Main Pedestrian Gate — Intercom
- Canteen — Help Needed
- Canteen Roster
- School Communication
- Insight - Parenting in challenging times
- Parent TV – The danger of speaking to children with commands
- Technology Tip
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome to Term 4. I hope that you are all feeling excited about the term ahead!
The finishing touches are well underway as our building project finally comes to an end. The new furniture has been moved into the classrooms and contractors continue to clean the site in readiness for the school to move into the refurbished building. It has been a long two years, but the outcome is nothing less than amazing. We will have a new school, boasting modern contemporary learning spaces that are flexible in how they can be used and fully air-conditioned. It has been a remarkable achievement and we should all be feeling very proud of our school.
As with all projects of this scale, there will some ongoing work involving landscaping, new signage, play equipment and a number of other school improvements that will continue in the remaining weeks of Term 4 and into Term 1 2021.
Thank you for your continued support, flexibility and understanding during this time. I remain hopeful that with the easing of COVID restrictions in the future, I will be able to open the school to the parent/carer community.
WORLD TEACHERS DAY
Friday 30 October is 'World Teachers Day' and I would like to acknowledge and sincerely thank our teachers and support staff for their commitment and dedication in supporting our children. Every day teachers make a difference as they inspire and engage the children in their care to learn and succeed. On World Teachers’ Day, we recognise and give thanks to our teachers for the invaluable contribution they make in educating our children.
CLASS PLACEMENT 2021
A final reminder, the process for student class placement next year will commence soon. If there are any special considerations or concerns that parents/carers feel the school should take into consideration, please put them in writing and send them to school no later than Friday 30 October. Letters should be addressed ‘Attention: Andrew Heffernan’ and marked ‘Confidential’.
Please note, this is not the opportunity to request friendship groupings or specific teachers for your child. While all requests will be noted and discussed, final decisions on placements will be made following careful consultation with teachers. Requests received after Friday 30 October will be not be considered.
Yours sincerely
Andrew Heffernan
Principal
ANNIVERSARY OF THE CANONISATION OF SAINT MARY OF THE CROSS MACKILLOP – SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER 2020
On Saturday we celebrated the 10 year anniversary of the canonisation of Mary MacKillop – Australia’s first saint.
Long before Mary MacKillop was canonised in Rome on 17 October 2010, she was a saint. She knew that being a faithful follower of Christ meant living a holy life — a life filled with love. She wrote to her mother Flora in 1870: “Dearest Mamma, do you try now in real earnest to be a saint? You may smile at my question, but our dear good God wants you to be one.”
Throughout her life she encouraged her Sisters to make life better for people — with faith, education, hope and love — especially in the “poorest and most neglected parts of God’s vineyard.” (MMK 1900)
At Mary’s beatification Pope John Paul II encouraged us all to “think of Mother Mary MacKillop and learn from her to be a gift of love and compassion for one another, for all Australians and for the world.”
Mary MacKillop,
join us in our gratitude on this 10th anniversary of your canonisation.
Be with us in this time of crisis in our world as we gather fresh courage around us
for working in God’s healing mission.
Keep us participating as a people of the Gospel engaging with our neighbours for the good of all
and serving with Christ in our common home.
Holy Spirit, strengthen us.
Amen
SACRAMENTS – CONFIRMATION
The program has begun for those children enrolled to make the Sacrament of Confirmation this year.
For those looking for a gift for Confirmation, there are some beautiful things in the foyer of our church. Contact the parish office if you would like to have a look or if you are registered to attend Mass, you could have a look then.
There is also the Cathedral Books and Gifts shop in Wollongong which has a great range of gifts. At present, there are no official opening hours, but you can contact Wendy Giles on 0457 023 556 to make an appointment.
As a school, let us pray for them as they make this significant step in the Catholic faith journey.
Lord, You send out Your Spirit to touch the hearts of all people,
so that they may believe in You and in Jesus whom You sent.
Look kindly on all candidates for Confirmation as they listen to Your voice.
Open their hearts to Your Spirit and bring to fulfilment the good work that You have begun in them.
As they prepare for Confirmation, let it be a reminder for all of us to be an instrument of Your love.
Teach us to appreciate what is holy in others, and to be patient with what we do not understand.
Deepen our faith in the Gospel and help us to pass it on by our example.
We pray that You will continue to guide us and sustain us.
Through Christ our Lord
Amen
DIOCESAN CHRISTMAS ART STORY COMPETITION
Last week was the official (virtual) opening of the Christmas Story Art Competition and Exhibition. The winners were announced and three of our Stage 3 students were awarded “Highly Commended”. Congratulations to Dhyllen Scales (Year 5), Ruby Corrie (Year 6) and Charlie Tuckey (Year 6). You can view the opening of the exhibition at:
The artworks are truly amazing.
An interactive tour of the exhibition is available at https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/students/christmas-story-art-competition/resources/interactive-virtual-tour. You can click on the different artworks and hear their descriptions.
CATHOLIC MISSION – WORLD MISSION MONTH
October is World Mission Month. This year, students across Australia are encouraged to not only learn about Cambodia and the work of the Church there, but to do something extraordinary for Mission through fundraising, advocacy and prayers.
The Arrupe Centre, Cambodia
Acting upon the needs of people, especially children, with disability caused by landmine accidents, polio and other illnesses, Bishop Kike created the Arrupe Centre in 2001 to provide a safe, supportive place for them to rehabilitate and access education. Catholic Mission supports this project enabling it to help many people. Our fundraising efforts during Mission Month here at St John’s will help Catholic Mission continue to do this vital work.
Date for your diary: On Friday 13th November, we will be having a Crazy Sock Mufti Day as well as Socktober Soccer Shootout. More information will be coming home this week as to what this involves
CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST
Masses have resumed at normal times in our Parish but are still 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 livestreamed 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 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.
Congratulations to the following students who were seen by staff following our school rules in the playground:
Week 2
| Kinder | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 |
|
Liam N |
Byron H |
Levi M |
Temperance |
Livy D Jeeva J |
Isabella I |
Sienna C |
Over the past three terms, a range of students from Years 4-6 have engaged in the Diocesan SPLICED Enrichment Program. This year the focus was on ‘Contemplating Connections’ and involved the students looking deeply into connections in its many forms.
The students created some outstanding pieces of work across a vast range of topics. From Video Games to Evolution, Language to The Science Space, the students researched, developed and presented some outstanding work.
Last week, we were thrilled to find out that four students from St John’s were chosen to have their work published at a Diocesan level.
A huge congratulations to the following four girls:
Evie G - Finding The Music Within
A poetic song about the impact of music on the brain for those suffering from Dementia.
Mia T - From Apes to Human
A research project that looks at the Evolutionary theory and it’s remarkable connection to our faith.
Gemma C - The Life of a Plastic Bottle
A short story which creatively discusses the environmental issues that stem from single-use plastics.
Anna A - The Sounds of Europe
A poem that touches on the many connections between European languages and our English language today.
A special mention to all the children involved in this opportunity!
Angela Boyd-Skinner
Middle Leader
During the holidays, the Gunyah garden began getting a mini makeover to allow for the space to become a sensory garden. This space provides an outlet for students to have a calming sensory break throughout the day through the use of a variety of activities to alert the five senses.
Our first inclusion in the garden was a series of three boards that included a water track, ball track and bamboo sound board. All of the students in Gunyah have already enjoyed exploring the new pieces and are excited to see what else will be added in the near future.
During Week 4, Monday 2 November to Friday 6 November, Year 5 will be participating in a NAPLAN Platform Readiness Test (PRT). PRT is an end-to-end test designed to provide an experience as close as possible to NAPLAN Online and to test the full functionality of the online assessment platform. The test also allows schools to become familiar with the online assessment platform and identify any issues that may need to be addressed prior to NAPLAN 2021. Following the tests the school will provide feedback to NESA on the functionality of the online assessment platform. In preparation, later this week the students in Year 5 will be provided with a link to download the ‘locked down browser’ onto their iPad so they can access the test in week 4.
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 runs from the 19th - 23rd of OCTOBER 2020 and so this year St John's will be celebrating Book Week this 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’’ on Friday 23rd October.
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.
“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
Best viewed through Youtube. Click on the Title (example Classroom) or click on the SJD Crest.
More videos
A reminder, as we continue to ensure a COVID safe school environment, the drinking bubblers are not available for use by students. We ask that you please ensure your child has sufficient water for the school day.
Applications for student travel in 2021 opened on Monday 12 October 2020.
Students who require a School Opal card or travel pass for 2021 can now apply online. A new application should be submitted if a student is applying for a school travel pass for the first time or requesting an additional pass as a result of a new shared parental responsibility situation (e.g. joint custody).
Students who have changed schools, changed address, repeated a year or received an expiry notification from Transport for NSW for their school travel entitlement should re-apply or update their details.
Where there is a change of distance eligibility based on a student’s grade, the system will automatically update a student’s entitlement if they meet the new criteria. If they do not meet the new eligibility criteria, they will receive an expiry notification via email.
Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition which is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply.
Term Bus Pass holders will receive a notification to re-apply.
Applications need to be submitted before 31 December 2020 to ensure that current student entitlements are updated and their current entitlement/card remains valid. If their application is submitted after 31 December 2020, the system will automatically cancel an entitlement/card and a new one will need to be issued.
Students in the Opal network applying for a SSTS or Term Bus Pass entitlement for the first time will receive their card at their nominated postal address. Cards will be mailed out from January 2021.
If you know that your child will not be returning to St John’s in 2021, would you please notify the school, in writing, as we require this information to assist with our planning for the new school year.
Book Club - Issue 7 has been handed out to students. All book club orders MUST be placed online at scholastic.com.au/LOOP or by using the LOOP app, which can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.
Due to current restrictions, all book club orders will be home delivered for a small delivery fee. Please have orders submitted by 30 October 2020.
With construction underway at Wongawilli, Wollongong City Council will implement traffic control measures on Wongawilli Road between Smiths Lane and Jersey Farm Road.
This will include the placement of a detour at the intersection with Smiths Lane during business hours.
- Mon - Friday 7.00am – 5.00pm
- Saturday 7.00am - 3.00pm
You may experience minor delays at Wongawilli Road and Smiths lane whilst students and the school bus are detoured around and past the works which will be under traffic control conditions and under the guidance of traffic controllers.
As the school bus needs to be detoured to align with the traffic control underway at Wongawilli Road between Smiths Lane and Jersey Farm Road during the next stage of works, temporary school bus zones and stops at the entrance/exits of Smiths Lane and Jersey Farm Road will operate on school days from 8.00-9.30AM and 2.30-4.00PM.
To the following students who are celebrating their birthday in November — we wish you a very happy birthday and hope you have a great day.
| Kinder | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 |
| Hudson | Isabella | Bella | Claudia | Brent | Joel | Enya |
| Alyssa | Jai | Aiden | Oscar | Daimen | Roman | Abbey |
| Macey | Katie | Henry | Evelyn | Jye | Riley | Aiden |
| Thea | Marni | Ash | Thomas | Zoey | Ayden | Luke |
| Christian | Matthias | Caitlyn | Mia | Anthony | Dhyllen | Ethan |
| Lachlan | Jackson | Olivia | Ella | Cooper | ||
| Eliza | Nina | Oliver | Declan | |||
| Matilda | Kobie |
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.
Please press the Intercom button to contact Reception to open the gate.
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 19 November
- Thursday 26 November
If you are able to volunteer your time, please email Dana Norris norrisd02@dow.catholic.edu.au