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- Principal's Message
- Religious Education
- Parish Weekend Celebration of the Eucharist
- Merit Awards
- Payment of School Fees by Instalment
- Happy Birthday
- CDF Sports Awards
- School Travel 2022 – Opal Card
- CatholicCare Online Parenting Programs
- Stay safe online
- ZOOM Ground Rules
- New Beach & Coastal Safety Resource Hub
- Community Announcements
There is certainly an air of excitement as the return of face-to-face learning looms closer. As previously communicated to the school community, under the new timeline announced by the NSW Premier, students across the state will now return to face-to-face learning according to the following schedule:
- 18 October 2021: Kindergarten and Year 1
- 25 October 2021: All remaining year groups (Year 2 – Year 6)
I’m confident that it will be a smooth transition for our students as they return to school following remote learning. Teachers are busy preparing for their return and as such, will have a planning day in the week prior to their scheduled return and as such, will NOT be online or scheduling remote learning on their planning day. The timetable below outlines the planned teacher planning days.
| Wednesday 13 October | Kindergarten and Year 1 |
| Tuesday 19 October | Year 2 and Year 4 |
| Wednesday 20 October | Year 3 and Year 5 |
| Thursday 21 October | Year 6 |
As we work to the NSW Government’s timetable for students returning to school, I’m seeking your ongoing support by asking that students continue remote learning and do not attend school before their scheduled return date. Supervision will remain available for those students who have no option to learn from home during Week 3, Term 4. Parents and carers are again asked to complete the google form for attendance (Years 2 – 6 only), so as to ensure that we have adequate staff supervision on-site each day next week. Please note, students who return before their scheduled week will continue remote learning under supervision only and will not participate in face-to-face learning.
Following the extended period of remote learning, the focus as students return to school will be on social and emotional learning and their overall wellbeing. During a regular school year, students are provided with multiple opportunities to learn, develop and practise social and emotional skills. Therefore, we are planning varied levels of support for all students in re-engaging, learning or practising those essential skills for wellbeing, behaviour, learning and maintaining successful relationships at school, over the first few weeks.
In recognition that you, the parent and carers are the first and primary educators of your children, the school is privileged to work in partnership with you, sharing the responsibility for your child/ren’s learning, wellbeing and faith development. Therefore, the following resources have been included as supportive considerations for you and your family during this time of transition. It won’t be without its challenges, but working together in respectful and trusting ways, will greatly improve our chances of success for all in our school community.
Returning to face-to-face learning will involve all of us reacquainting ourselves with the daily operational procedures that are designed to ensure the safety of students, staff and parents and carers. I simply ask for your patience, understanding and support as we work within the guidelines provided to all NSW schools.
Under the current guidelines schools must ensure:
- Strict hygiene practices and physical distancing at all times
- Year-based student cohorts MUST be maintained at break times
- No assemblies or other whole school gatherings
- No food for the purpose of sharing, this includes birthday cakes
- No school performances, productions, concerts or school award presentations
- No excursions or camps
- No community events (fetes, grandparents’ days etc.)
- No P&F activities, including meetings (unless held online).
Parents and carers are reminded that they must:
- physically distance at all times and avoid gathering outside school gates
- remain outside school grounds (some exceptions may exist for vulnerable students or students with a disability)
- adhere to mask-wearing requirements in accordance with the Public Health Order
- follow the directions of staff at all times
- sign in using the Service NSW QR code if required to enter the school
Students who are unwell
Students must not attend school if unwell, even with mild symptoms of COVID-19. Any person with any COVID-19 symptoms will be sent home and not return to school unless:
- they have a negative COVID-19 test result and are symptom free; or
- they have isolated for 10 school days when no medical certificate is available.
In circumstances where children have other medical reasons for recurrent symptoms, a letter from their GP is sufficient to negate the requirement for a negative test.
Anyone who is unwell with COVID-19 symptoms is strongly encouraged to get tested and self-isolate until a negative result is received.Drop off and pick up
While there are no substantial changes to the present school arrangements other than the children being grouped in their respective cohorts, parents and carers must stay in the car when dropping off and picking up their child/ren, if it is safe to do so. For many, this will be a significant change to your present routine particularly during morning drop-off.
Face Masks
As previously communicated, face masks will be worn by teachers and staff at all times, indoors and outdoors.
Face masks are strongly recommended to be worn by all students, at all times too, but are not mandated. Exemptions for both staff and students do apply and are outlined in the Level 3 / Level 3 Plus restrictions.
Birthday Celebrations
Presently, birthday cakes, cupcakes, ice blocks, lolly bags, and the like are not able to be sent to school. Until further notice, there is to be no food brought into school for the purpose of sharing. To avoid disappointment, please do not send in such items, as they will be returned.
Sports Uniform Days
Each week students will wear their sports uniform on their allocated PE day as well as Friday. All other days they will wear their summer uniform. See below the Term 4 PE timetable;
| Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday |
| Kindergarten | Year 5 | Year 4 |
| Year 3 | Year 6 | Year 1 |
| Year 2 Green | Year 2 Blue | Year 2 Red |
Canteen
The canteen will be operational from Monday 25 November for both lunch orders and purchases at morning tea and lunch. Made Fresh operates our school canteen and lunch orders are placed online using the FlexiSchools App.
As always, thank you for your continued support.
Stay safe and go gently.
Yours sincerely
Andrew Heffernan
(Principal)
SUNDAY 17 OCTOBER – ANNIVERSARY OF THE CANONISATION OF MARY MACKILLOP (2010)
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.”
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.”
In times of vulnerability and insecurity, we’re challenged to live with a courageous heart like Mary MacKillop. Mary responded to the challenges of this call from the deep heart space of her ‘yes’ to God. This was a ‘yes’ that asked such profound courage and trust throughout her whole life. From the simple beginnings in the stable school at Penola, South Australia, through those dark days following her excommunication, to her final years of illness confined to a wheelchair, Mary’s life reads like a litany of courage.
“When storms rage, when persecutions or dangers threaten, I quietly creep into the deep abyss of God’s heart, and securely sheltered there, my soul is at peace. ”MMK 1907
Spirit of hope,
Breathe in us and through our world so that in these uncertain times we will have enough courage
to participate wholeheartedly in making your kingdom come.
Amen
OCTOBER – MONTH OF THE ROSARY
The month of October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary. Since the prayers of the Rosary come from such excellent sources — from Our Lord Himself, from inspired Scripture, and from the Church — it is not surprising that the Rosary is so dear to our Blessed Mother and so powerful with heaven. We are urged by our Blessed Mother to turn again to the Rosary for help in our own lives. Many are the favours granted to individuals through its devout recitation. Perhaps as a family you might like to pray part of the Rosary each evening.
OCTOBER - MISSION MONTH
World Mission Month is celebrated every year in every country wherever there are Christians committed to building a better world for all of God's people, a world where everyone has all they need to live a dignified and fulfilling life. It is the time when we reflect on the urgency to proclaim the Gospel in our times.
Jesus’ mission of creating a world where all can live a fully dignified life is still far from completion. Therefore, the whole month of October has been dedicated to reflecting on the central mission of the Church to help all Christians in their commitment to Christ’s mission of love, mercy, forgiveness, peace and justice for the world.
Click here to watch a short video on Mission:
SEASON OF CREATION
The Season of Creation continues. It is our annual Christian celebration of prayer and action for our common home. Together, people around the world unite to pray, protect and advocate for God’s creation.
Click here if you would like to find out more:
New directives have now come out, following the easing of restrictions regarding the celebration of Mass. As of Saturday 30th October, attendance at Mass can resume. COVID guidelines regarding signing in and physical distancing will be in place.
Fr Francis is looking forward to seeing our families returning to Mass.
Parish Mass times for St John the Evangelist, Dapto are as follows:
- Saturday Vigil 5.00pm
- Sunday 7.30am
- Sunday 9.30am
- Sunday 6.00pm
Congratulations to all the students that received Merit Awards for Week 1.
EXISTING FAMILIES IN OUR SCHOOL WITH INSTALMENTS
If you are currently paying by instalments there is no need to complete another Request to Pay by Instalment as your request carries over from year to year unless you wish to amend the frequency of your payments eg Weekly to Fortnightly, etc.
EXISTING FAMILIES IN OUR SCHOOL WITHOUT INSTALMENTS
If you would like to pay school fees by instalments in 2022 and have previously not taken up this option for payment, please complete a Request to Pay by Instalment Form which is available below or from the school’s administration office. On completion of the request either email it to instalments@dow.catholic.edu.au or submit at the school office. Following receipt of the request, instalments will be generated on your school fee account during the process of invoicing 2022 school fees. Your school fee statement will provide a list of scheduled payments and their due date depending on the frequency you have chosen eg Fortnightly, Monthly, etc.
IMPORTANT: Please note that if you currently have a child or children at another school in the Diocese and you are paying by instalments at this location, you will not need to complete another Request to Pay by Instalment. The instalment request carries over from school to school with the same frequency of payment eg Weekly, fortnightly, etc.
To the following students who are celebrating their birthday in October — 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 |
| Lewis | Allegra | Grace | Charlotte | Felix | Angel | Amali |
| Lucas | Cooper | Imogen | Jake | Blake | Damon | Ben |
| Alessa | Leo | Isaac | Ziva | Luke | Lily | Briannah |
| Hadley | Liam | Kayden | Ruby | Isla | Lily | Cadence |
| Cassidy | Lily | Celina | Grace | Jack | Emilia | Grace |
| Jaydon | Luca | Darby | Thomas | Maya | William | |
| Ivy | Taj | Zak | Tru | |||
| Micah | Temperence | Noah | ||||
| Saverio | Jorja | Peyton | ||||
| Ana | Jorja | Sophia | ||||
| Lucas |
Please join us on Friday, 12 November 2021 for the 24th Annual CDF Sports Awards to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of our student athletes. This will be an engaging presentation with action videos and also feature guest appearances from past students who were in action at the Tokyo Olympics. Over 150 students and 9 school teams will receive awards and showcase the incredible talent we have in our Wollongong Diocesan schools.
Applications for student travel in 2022 opened on Tuesday 12 October 2021.
Students who need a School Opal card or travel pass for 2022 can apply now. A new application will need to be submitted if they are applying for a school travel pass for the first time, or if they are requesting an additional travel entitlement as a result of a new shared parental responsibility situation (e.g. joint custody).
Students who change address, school, campus location, or who have repeated a year or received an expiry notification from Transport for NSW for their school travel entitlement should renew or update their details before the end of term 4. This will ensure that schools can endorse applications and current entitlements are updated and remain valid. School Opal card holders will have the changes applied to their existing card.
If a student’s distance eligibility has changed based on their grade the system will automatically update their 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 that is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply.
Term Bus Pass holders will receive a notification to re-apply.
Students in the Opal network applying for an Opal card (including a Term Bus Pass) for the first time will receive their Student Opal card at their nominated postal address. Cards will be mailed out from January 2022.
Students living in rural and regional (R&R) areas should receive their travel pass at the start of the new school year from their nominated transport operator. It may come via the school or be sent directly to them at home. Note: some R&R operators do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.
Travel from Term 1 2022
We ask that parents plan ahead and make sure their child knows which service/s to use and has a valid ticket to travel; either a School Opal card or Child/Youth Opal card (within Greater Sydney) or a School Travel Pass (outside Greater Sydney), from the start of the school year.
Applications for the School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) open at the start of Term 4 2021 for travel in 2022, so parents/students can apply or update details early and be ready for the start of the new school year.
Most students using the Opal network will not need a new Opal card and can continue travelling on their existing card each year.
The start of the year is a difficult period for local bus operators, and students travelling without a valid ticket make service planning and operations increasingly difficult.
Bus operators are flexible and understanding, particularly at the start of the school year, and will ensure students can travel safely to and from school. But to best support our operators we encourage all students to have a valid ticket, as early as possible, from the start of the school year.
Please also remember that students using Opal cards must tap on and tap off in line with the Student code of conduct and Opal terms of use.
Tuning into Kids — https://form.jotform.com/212438637206859
Tuning into Teens (in partnership with The Northern Centre) — https://www.jotform.com/212510637554856
Keeping Kids in Mind and Circle of Security — Ph: 1800 324 924 or info@catholiccaredbb.org.au
ThinkUKnow
ThinkUKnow is a partnership between the Australian Federal Police, Commonwealth Bank, Datacom and Microsoft, and delivered in partnership with all State and Territory police and Neighbourhood Watch Australasia. The ThinkUKnow program gives parents, carers, teachers and students information on how to stay safe online.
The Carly Ryan Foundation — App Factsheets
Provides support in the areas of internet safety and crime, and cyberbullying, including delivering online safety and healthy relationship seminars to students and parents. Their factsheets provide information and parent advice on the following apps: Calculator; Tik Tok; Fortnite; Roblox; Discord; Snapchat; Instagram; Facebook; and YouTube.
Introducing the new
Beach & Coastal Safety Resource Hub!
Your place for everything beach and coastal safety related
What is the Hub?
- A place for all communities to interact, learn and engage with beach safety information
- A place to share multilingual information and resources with all communities
- A place to learn more about Surf Life Saving and how members of the community can get involved
- A place to explore and engage in virtual and face-to-face beach safety programs
- A place to share stories from our communities about their experiences with the beach and ocean
- A place to support and empower our surf lifesaving clubs to engage in community education
- A place to support our communities to empower themselves and those around them to stay safe on the coast
- A place to provide an easy and accessible space to access beach and coastal safety relevant resources and information for everyone
What’s on the hub for me?
Feel free to spend some time exploring and discovering on the Hub: