Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to the second term for 2021. I hope the Easter holiday break was a meaningful time for you and your family. Although we celebrated Easter Sunday a few weeks ago, the Church is still in the season of Easter up until Pentecost Sunday (23 May). This is an acknowledgement of the time that Christ spent with his followers after the Resurrection. The seven weeks during the season of Easter helps us to hold on to the joy of the season.

Christ is risen. Hallelujah! May the miracle of Easter bring you renewed hope, faith, love and joy.

The students have settled back quickly into their class routines and a great term of learning lies ahead. Please note the following information:

• The official change over from summer to winter school uniform is Monday 17 May. If the days quickly become cooler your child may transition to the winter school uniform sooner. 
• With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions we are hopeful that whole school assemblies can commence this term with parent attendance. We will notify you when this is possible.
• The morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up procedures will remain the same. 
• On Friday 11 June (Week 8) Semester Progress Reports will be shared to parents via Compass for all students in Year 1 to Year 6. Learning Conversations (previously known as Parent Teacher Interviews) will be held in the final two weeks of term for all classes Kindergarten to Year 6. More details will be communicated to families later in the term.

This term we welcome two speech pathology students from Sydney University who will be working with the staff and small groups of identified students each week. The university students are under the supervision of Jenny Hill from Necessity Kids. Jenny has kindly offered to run a number of short parent information sessions focusing on specific speech and language need. The first parent session will be held on Tuesday 4 May at 8:45am in the Joseph Room (Mini Hall). The information session will cover:

• What is a lisp?
• Will my child grow out of it?
• What are some of the underlying causes of a lisp?
• How can parents help to get their child to produce a clear S sound at home?
• What resources are available on-line?

All interested parents are invited to attend. There will be an opportunity following this workshop to speak to a speech pathologist if you have any further concerns. 

Today we hosted our ANZAC Liturgy. It was a meaningful experience for the special guests, students, staff and families who attended. Thank you the Mrs Jacinda Blomley for organising and leading the liturgy.

Please keep in your prayers and thoughts: 

• the Langlands family (Caydence and Dakoda), following the recent passing of their uncle. I extend our sincere and heart-felt condolences to the family during this most difficult time
• the sixty-seven students who will be making the Sacrament of Penance for the first time this week. We wish them every blessing as they experience God’s love and mercy. 

Kind regards,
Matthew Downes
Acting Principal

On Wednesday May 28 the St John’s community participated in an ANZAC Day liturgy of remembrance and gratitude. Our school remembered those Australian men and women who died or suffered in the great tragedy of war, those who served and those currently serving.

As a flying memorial HARS flew over our school during our ANZAC Day liturgy. The HARS flyover assisted the students in understanding that on ANZAC Day we do not celebrate war, but rather we celebrate PEACE and FREEDOM.

HARS is a non-profit organisation very dependant on local patronage. They are proud of being a family-friendly museum and provide escorted tours, have a childproof playground, cafe and of course the greatest display of airworthy historic aircraft in Australia.

Thanks again to all who attended our liturgy, our Year 6 school leaders and in particular our veterans and serving personnel and the volunteers at HARS who flew over from above.

Special thank you to:

Fr Francis, Members of the Dapto RSL Sub Branch (Mr Taylor and Mr McDougall), Brigadier Philip McNamara (OAM), Mr Brian McGrath, Mr Brendan Gornall, Mr Rose, Mr Van Moolenbroek, Mr Robert McCann, The Cadets and Mr De Battista.

EASTER SEASON

We are in the Easter Season. The celebration of the Easter Vigil (on Easter Saturday) begins the season of Easter. The Vigil is the beginning of a new season of grace and a time of joy and thanksgiving. Easter is not one day or one solemnity—it is a fifty day celebration, finishing on Pentecost Sunday. The Easter Season is a time when we, as a Church, focus on the promises of Jesus to save us from evil and to be with us in our lives. It’s really a chance to rejoice in our salvation!  It is a time to remember that Jesus died and then rose from the dead so that we could have eternal life in heaven. Rejoice, Jesus has risen from the dead! Let us celebrate in the new life and the new hope that Jesus gave us!!

LENTEN ALMSGIVING – PROJECT COMPASSION

Thank you to all who were able to support Project Compassion during Lent. We raised $3800 - $3000 through our Easter raffle and $800 through our class Project Compassion Mission Boxes. Thank you to all families for your generosity.

Sacramental Program – Penance (Reconciliation)

This week 67 children from our Parish will be making their First Reconciliation. Let us pray for these children who are taking this important step in their faith journey.

A reminder for all Reconciliation candidates that workbooks were due on Monday. Please give to your class teacher as soon as possible if you have not handed them in.

A Prayer for our Reconciliation Candidates

Loving God,

Help us to teach our children that you love us totally and unconditionally.

Help us to encourage our children to grow in love and to learn how to say sorry, knowing that you always forgive. Give us the courage to pray with our children and to share our faith with them as we journey together.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen 

Sacramental Program – Confirmation

This week enrolment forms have been out to all Year 6 children (and put out on Compass) for those that wish to enrol in the Preparation Program for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Enrolment forms need to be completed and returned at the Parent Information Night on Thursday 6^th May at 6pm in the Church. Please do not send the enrolment forms to school.

COMING EVENT – MOTHERS’ DAY CELEBRATION 

On Sunday 9^th May we celebrate Mothers’ Day. Here at St John’s, we would like to acknowledge all of our special mums/grandmas and other special people in our lives at a liturgy on Friday 7^th May at 11:30am. Our celebration will take place under the COLA. Visitors will need to sign in on arrival. We hope you can join us.

CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST

In light of COVID restrictions easing, we can now have one grade attend our Friday Parish Mass at 9am. This week, Year 2 will be attending. All are very welcome to join us. Parishioners, families and friends will be seated separate from St John’s students.

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 livestreamed 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

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:

Dates for Term 2

Primary Netball Gala Day 15 June (Back-Up 22 June) 

St John’s Athletics Carnival 24 June

South Coast Athletics Carnival 3 August (Term 3)

Diocesan Cross Country Carnival

The following 24 students represented St John’s at the Diocesan Cross Country yesterday in Nowra. Congratulations to all students who competed with determination and sportsmanship and were great ambassadors for St John’s. Thank you to Mrs Mitchell for being the team manager. Our school came 15th overall out of the 31 primary schools that competed, a great team effort.

Raine P, Caitlyn W, Jasmine P, Gianni O, Preston T, Harry B, Ella P, Phoebe N, Jorja S, Grady F, Wil B, Felix C, Lilah B, Emilia L, Angel B, Ashton B, Damon S, Flynn C, Mikayla G, Halle B, Ava B, William D B, Cooper T, Ayden D.

Athletics

This term during weekly PE lessons with Mrs Mitchell, all grades will be participating in athletics events (long jump, shot put and discus) which will form part of our whole school athletics competition for 2021. 

The other events - sprint (80m & 100m), 200m, 800m and primary aged high jump will take place during the school athletics carnival at Beaton Park on Thursday 24th June. A Compass permission form will be put out mid-term and we look forward to you joining us on this day.

Representative Sport

Congratulations to Emily H 6G for qualifying for the AFL State trials.

Mrs Michelle Atkins
Sports Coordinator

It is with great excitement that we announce the cast of St John’s Primary School’s production of Disney's The Lion King Jr. We were delighted with the talent, excitement and preparation of the student’s auditions and cannot wait to bring this beautiful production to life. Congratulations to our fabulous cast for 2021! 

Dear Parents & Carers

With restrictions lifting this year the P&F are excited to announce that the Mother's Day Stall is going ahead on Friday 7th May. Gifts will be priced at $6 and under. If you could please send a plastic bag or similar with your child so they can pop their items in there that would be a great help. 

If there are any parents who are free to help on the day it's only a couple of hours of your time please text or call me on 0404846106 (Jodie) or 0405200819 (Therese).

Thanks 
Therese and Jodie

The official date for the children to change over to the winter uniform is Monday 17 May (Term 2 Week 5). The winter uniform may be worn prior to this date if the weather becomes cooler. Children must not wear a combination of both; rather it is either one or the other (summer or winter).

A reminder that it is an expectation that all children wear the correct uniform daily, it is not optional. Please refer to the Uniform Policy if you require clarification about the school uniform. You are encouraged not to leave the ordering of any new uniform items to the last minute!

Parents and Carers are advised that the school bubblers can be used by students. However, it is recommended that students continue to bring a water bottle from home.

We also have a refilling station that the students can access during the school day to refill their drink bottles.

Please ensure that drink bottles are clearly labelled with your child’s name.

A guide by parents for parents The Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT (CCSP) released a wonderful resource for parents and carers in late 2020.

The Supporting Diverse Learning in Catholic Schools - A Guide by Parents for Parents was developed to support and accompany families as they prepare their child for school, or for the transition from primary to secondary school. It offers practical ideas and advice from parents and carers who have 'been there and done that'. It includes areas such as 'Preparing the School for Your Child', communicating with the school, conversation starters for challenging topics, as well as practical ideas such as visuals board to help establish morning and evening routines once school has commenced.

Whilst it has a specific focus on supporting families of a child with diverse needs, many of the tips and strategies are useful for all parents and carers at the start of their school journey.

Year 6 will be visiting the Ribbonwood Centre (Heninger Hall — Western side of the Childcare Centre) on Monday 7 May at 9am, where they will have the opportunity to listen to award-winning author, Kirli Saunders.

Dapto Library have 50 tickets available to the general public, please see the brochure below for further details.

Book Club - Issue 3 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.

Free school delivery is back!  To take advantage of this, all orders must be submitted online by Friday 7 May 2021. All orders will be delivered to school and sent home with your child.

Lots of books to choose from including 38 titles at $5 and under and each order helps earn free books and teaching materials for our classrooms. 

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

Strengthening Relationships

Know someone who could use some support to achieve positive change in their life right now?

They may find what they are looking for in our group sessions. These face to face 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.

Click below to view our Term 2, 2021 courses.   

Premier Illawarra are seeking assistance to ensure that school bus services are running on time. Please ensure that children are at their bus stop prior to the departure time.

School Service Listing is available from the Premier Illawarra Website.

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