Dear Parents and Carers,

This week we celebrate Catholic Schools Week (CSW) and 200 Years of Catholic Education in Australia. The theme for 2021 is 'Faith in the Future' which speaks to the very essence of catholic schools as being places of hope, inspired by the person of Jesus and looking with confidence to the future.

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 giving thanks for our wonderful school and celebrating the quality learning that takes place in our classrooms every day. While the present climate has dictated a change in how CSW would normally be celebrated, there are a variety of things planned this week, including;

• Visit from the Director of Schools - Mr Peter Hill
• Celebration of learning, via social media
• Daily prayer and classroom activities
• The presentation of the Annual Catholic Schools Week Award

As we celebrate 200 Years of Catholic Education in Australia, Catholic Education in Dapto commenced in 1839. St John's is the oldest Catholic school in the Wollongong Area, while originally located in West Dapto, it was relocated to its present location in 1880 at which time, the Sisters of St Joseph assumed responsibility for governing the school.

In 1997, Marie Debusch became the first lay principal of the school, followed by Michael Connelly and Vicki Attenborough. 

At St John's we are very proud of our rich history, in particular, the significant contribution of the Sisters of St Joseph. We continue to walk in the footsteps of those who have gone before, providing a faith-filled, vibrant and contemporary education for all students.

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Catholic Schools Week Prayer

Dear Lord

Catholic Schools Week is a special time in the year when we celebrate the extraordinary achievements of our Catholic schools. It is a time to give thanks for the wonderful teaching and learning that takes place each day in every classroom. We acknowledge and thank all who work in the service of Catholic education to create the opportunities for students that allow them to grow and thrive.

We thank you for
the wisdom and understanding of teachers
the enthusiasm and energy of students
the leadership of school Principals and leadership staff
the guidance of our priests and religious leaders
the support and partnership of parents, carers and local communities.

We pray that each student's learning journey be inspired by a search
for your wisdom and truth.

We pray that we never take for granted the learning opportunities that we have all been given, and that we use the gifts of learning wisely and responsibly.

We ask that we use what we have learnt to create a better world for all people, particularly the most vulnerable and disadvantaged.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Amen.

Yours sincerely

Andrew Heffernan
Principal

Catholic Education is celebrating 200 years in Australia, marking the bicentenary of the first Catholic school established in Parramatta in October 1820.

The first Catholic school in Australia was founded in October 1820 by Irish Catholic priest Fr John Therry and run by convict and lay person George Marley. The school, which Catholic historians believe was in Hunter Street, Parramatta, taught 31 students. By 1833, there were 10 Catholic schools in the colony.

• 1839, Father Petre was authorised by the government to begin a Church school at West Dapto. Mr John Haynes was the teacher. Enrolment was 25 pupils.
• 1880, Sisters of St Joseph came to West Dapto to run the school. School known as St Joseph's School until 1968.
• 1900, Mary McKillop moved the Sisters to Jerematta Street.
• 1958, First Stage of Werowi Campus constructed
• 1965, St Anne's College opened, Years 7-10
• 1968, School becomes known as St John's School.

Visit from St George Illawarra Dragons

2022 kindergarten enrolments are now open

For more information, please contact us on 02 4261 4611, email info@sjddow.catholic.edu.au or download an enrolment form today at

Enrolling Now – Kindergarten 2022

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK 

Message from the Wollongong Director of Schools – Peter Hill

…Our theme this year is ‘Faith in the future’, which reminds us to maintain our hope that God’s kingdom draws ever closer, while challenging us to ensure our Catholic schools continue to be vibrant communities of faith, providing opportunities for encounter with Jesus in the midst of a world often dominated by a sense of isolation, tragedy and despair.

As we pause this week to reflect on the precious gift and important work of Catholic education, we remember the intergenerational contributions that preceded us and that we continue to build upon. Since the very first Catholic school was established in New South Wales in 1820, countless children and young people have benefitted from the dedication and commitment of faith-filled staff in our Catholic schools.

When the pioneers of Catholic education in Australia taught their first lesson in 1820, I doubt they fully comprehended the resounding impact their actions would have 200 years later…

Celebrating the legacy

Over 200 years, Catholic schools have grown to become the largest provider of schooling in Australia (outside government) with one in five school age students attending a Catholic school. This represents some 768,000 students in 1,751 schools across the country and employing 98,000 teachers and staff. Nearly 40 per cent of Catholic schools are located outside of metropolitan cities in regional, rural and remote communities.

LENT

This coming Sunday is the 3rd Sunday of Lent (Year B).

YEAR OF ST JOSEPH

To mark the 150th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church, Pope Francis has proclaimed a “Year of St Joseph”, running from December 8, 2020 to December 8, 2021.

Joseph is a wonderful model for Christians as we live in the world. The Word of God spoken in the Scriptures guides us, but many times we have to apply that Word in everyday situations where we must see the reality around us, decide what God desires us to do and then act courageously, justly and with compassion. Joseph shows us how to be persons of the Word of God, whether it is written in books or in the face of God’s creation, unfolding in history.

Sacramental Program

This evening at 6pm, a Parent/Carer Information Session for the those enrolling their child in the Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation) will be held in the Church. One parent/carer is asked only to attend. Please bring your completed enrolment form, Baptismal certificate (if not baptised at St John’s) and $30 to cover the costs of the program. Please arrive at 5:45 to enable the paperwork to be completed prior to the commencement of the meeting.

If you are not able to attend the information session and wish to enrol your child, you will need to make contact with the Parish Office ASAP.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION IN THE CLASSROOM

In learning about the history of our school, Year 2 had Mrs McQuade and Miss Fox come and speak to them. Mrs McQuade attended St John’s as a student and Miss Fox has just celebrated being a staff member at St John’s for 40 years! The Year 2 students enjoyed hearing about the many changes that have happened at St John’s over the years and asked some interesting questions.

Year 2 have also had a special visit from Sr Narelle. It is timely this week in Catholic Schools Week to be grateful for the work Sr Narelle does for our school as well as the Josephite charism that she brings to St John’s.

CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST

Masses have resumed at normal times in our Parish. Parishioners still need to sign in on arrival, sanitise and maintain social distancing.

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” – Adult Spiritual Formation

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. 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

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the Parents and Friends Association was held on Tuesday 23 February. Thank you to the parents who attended the meeting. At the meeting, all positions were declared vacant and a new executive committee elected.

Congratulations to the P&F Executive Committee for 2021:

Events in the works

• Working Bee — come and get your hands dirty as we work on the gardens around the school
• Social/parent night — date & details TBC
• Family Food & Rides Night — October- date TBC

P&F Meeting dates

• Terms 2 — Tuesday 11th May
• Term 3 — 3rd Aug
• Term 4 — 26th Oct

Entertainment Book

The Entertainment Book is a great digital book for discounts and offers. The book can be purchased for various regions and cities to suit your needs. The book costs $69 and $14 from each sale goes back to St John's. The book can be purchased online at www.entertainment.com.au. When purchasing select the option for fundraiser and search for ‘St Johns Dapto Primary School’.

Wrap up for 2020

The P&F has had a very quiet year in 2020 with the pandemic putting a hold on fundraising and our ability to be about the school. It has been exciting to see the building works be completed through the course of the year. With this, we have been able to offer P&F support in contributing to the amazing new outdoor playground area to compliment the building works. This was a large P&F financial commitment that we have been anticipating over the last 2 years.

Unfortunately with COVID, we had to make the decision to cancel the Family Food & Rides night scheduled for late October this year. Planned discos and other events were also put on hold this year.

The P&F had the pleasure of hosting the Kindergarten Welcome BBQ in Term 1 and welcoming the new families to the school.

We were also given the opportunity to assist the school with funds for technology and books for the library. The P&F is excited to kick start the new school year and the opportunities to come.

Therese Ly
President

Once again the students of St John’s have been registered in the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC). The challenge aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely. This week your child will be provided with their own PRC account which can be used to add books to your child’s online reading log. If you would like more information on the approved PRC books and the challenge rules go to the 2021 Challenge Rules Page. You have until Friday 20 August to complete the online Student Reading Record. Each child is required to read a certain number of books to successfully complete the challenge. Kindergarten to Year 2 students can read books on their own, with someone or someone can read them to them. Year 3 to Year 6 students must read their books on their own. The PRC student site is available again this year! Students can search for books to read, add books to their reading logs, and track their progress throughout the challenge.

FRIDAY 5 MAY

Clean Up Australia Day was born in 1990. Almost 300,000 volunteers turned out on the first Clean Up Australia Day in 1990 and that involvement has steadily increased ever since. At St John’s we will be participating in Clean Up Australia Day for Schools Campaign this Friday 5 March. This day will involve our students learning about the impact of rubbish on their local environment while playing an active role in our community. 

We ask for all students to bring in a pair of gardening gloves and / or tongs to pick up rubbish within our school environment. 

St John’s Catholic Primary School
Presents

DISNEY’S 
THE LION KING JR.

It is with great excitement that we announce that St John’s Primary School will be presenting another school production in 2021! This year we will be bringing to life Disney's The Lion King Jr. Like our 2019 production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid this show offers a large & diverse range of roles that will cater to all of our student's talents. 

Students from Year 4-6 will transport themselves to the heartland of the African Savannah and join Simba, Rafiki and an unforgettable cast of characters as they journey from Pride Rock to the jungle… and back again, in this inspiring, coming-of-age tale.

Over the coming weeks we will provide the students with detailed information on auditions, casting and performance dates. 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  

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:

Diocesan South Coast Swimming Carnival

Unfortunately on Friday 19 February, we had to cancel our primary swimming carnival. Last Friday we held swimming selection trials and a squad of 20 swimmers then went on to represent St John’s at the South Coast Region Swimming Carnival on Tuesday 2 March.

Congratulations to the following swimmers who competed at the South Coast Region Swimming Carnival.

Applications for enrolment for Kindergarten 2022 are now available from the school office. Alternatively, they can be downloaded from our school website.

Click here for further information

Children are eligible for enrolment if they turn 5 before 30 June 2022.

Practice Test

Children in Years 3 & 5 throughout Australia will be doing the NAPLAN Practice Test from 23 March to 26 March. Parents who would like to know more about the NAPLAN assessment are encouraged to visit the website:

https://www.nap.edu.au/

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

Book Club - Issue 2 is now available to order from. 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. Books start from as little as $3 and each order helps earn free books and teaching materials for our classrooms. 

Due to current COVID restrictions, all book club orders will be home delivered for a small delivery fee.  Please have your orders submitted by 19 March 2021.

The eSafety Commissioner (eSafety) is Australia’s national independent regulator for online safety.

This is a wonderful free resource, please take the time to have a look.