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- Principal's Message
- Religious Education
- Student Leader's Induction Mass
- Welcome Kindergarten
- PB4L
- Merit Awards
- Aboriginal Education Assistants (AEA)
- Sporting News
- School Uniform
- Sports Uniform Days
- Holiday Reading Challenge
- Allergy Awareness
- Canteen Menu
- Enrolling Now — Kindergarten 2023
- 2022 School Fees
- School Counsellors
- Happy Birthday
- School Pick-Up Zones
- School Safety Zones
- School Travel — Opal Card
- Technology Tip - How to Use Quick Note
- Catholic Care
- Compass App Update
- Community Announcements
Dear Parents and Carers
Welcome to the new school year.
It has been a very settled start, all things considered, with lots of smiles and the sharing of holiday experiences. I remain hopeful that the challenges of 2021 are now behind us and that we can embrace the new year with hope and confidence.
On behalf of the school community, I extend a warm welcome to the 11 new students and their families who have commenced at St John’s this year as well as the 92 Kindergarten students, whose first day at ‘Big School’ was yesterday. While our new families may feel a little overwhelmed with all that comes with new beginnings, know that we are here to support you. I’m confident that you will feel welcomed and that your experience will be positive and supportive. If at any time, you require clarification on any school-related matter, please don’t hesitate and contact the school office.
Thank you for your effort in ensuring that your children arrived wearing the correct school uniform, particularly the sports shoes.
The first days of school have focused on revisiting our non-negotiable expectations of being Respectful, Responsible and Safe as well as re-establishing procedures and practices to ensure a successful transition back to school for all students. That said, it is normal for some children to take a little time to adjust to their new teacher and the routine of coming to school each day.
COVID-smart Measures
As previously communicated, there is a layered approach to the COVID-smart measures that have been developed in partnership with NSW Health to help minimise transmission of COVID-19.
These key measures include:
- Rapid antigen test (RAT) kits to help monitor your child’s health and minimise transmission of COVID-19 across our school. Each student will receive an additional four kits tomorrow, Thursday 10 February.
- Wearing surgical masks indoors is required for all staff and strongly recommended for all students.
- Only fully vaccinated visitors essential to delivering and supporting learning or wellbeing can come to school the site. Kindergarten parents and carers will be permitted on site for the first days of school.
- Students will be kept in their year groups on school grounds, break times, playground and canteen to minimise the spread of COVID-19 across cohorts.
- Drop-off and pick-up arrangements remain unchanged.
- Continued use of good hygiene, enhanced cleaning, good airflow and ventilation in classrooms and physical distancing practices.
Car Lines (Drop off and Pick up)
Car lines in both Jerematta and Werowi Street offer a convenient and safe drop-off and pick-up for families. For the efficient operation of this arrangement, there is a need for all parents/carers to adhere to road rules and our school practices, which have been developed with safety at the forefront of our planning. It is important that families accessing the convenience of car lines do so in a responsible and safe manner.
Therefore, parents and carers are requested to;
- Display your family name upon approach.
- Follow the directions of staff at all times.
- Always move to the furthest most point in the designated drop-off and pick-up zone.
- Not queue, blocking traffic flow in surrounding streets and round-a-bouts.
Regular police patrols ensure the safety of all in and around school zones, if you are operating contrary to the signage, you risk a substantial fine.
Parents and Friends Association Annual General Meeting
The P&F Annual General Meeting will be held in the Library on Tuesday 22 February at 7 pm. The primary purpose of the P&F is to provide an opportunity for parents to be involved in the school through social events, fundraising and supporting various school initiatives throughout the year.
At the meeting, all positions will be declared vacant and an election will take place. If any parent wishes to nominate themselves or someone else for any of the positions, please complete the form (link below) by Friday 18 February. I look forward to seeing you all at the meeting.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Yours sincerely
Andrew Heffernan
Principal
“Believe in the whisperings of God to your own heart.”
Mary MacKillop 1868
THE FEAST OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES – February 11
Our Lady of Lourdes is a Roman Catholic title of the Blessed Virgin Mary venerated in honor of the Marian apparitions that reportedly occurred in 1858 in the vicinity of Lourdes in France. The first of these is the apparition of 11 February 1858, when 14-year old Bernadette Soubirous told her mother that a “lady” spoke to her in the cave of Massabielle (a kilometre and a half (1 mi) from the town) while she was gathering firewood with her sister and a friend. Similar apparitions were reported on seventeen occasions that year, until the climax revelation of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception took place. On January 18th 1862, Pope Pius IX authorized Bishop Bertrand-Sévère Laurence to permit the veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lourdes. On July 3rd 1876, the same Pontiff officially granted a Canonical Coronation to the image that used to be in the courtyard of what is now part of the Rosary Basilica.
CHURCH COVID RESTRICTIONS
Current restrictions for our church: You are required to sign in using the QR code at the door (or manually) Face masks are mandatory indoors. We ask that you please do not attend if you are not feeling well or have any flu like symptoms.
Mass is available to watch online via the following link: DIOCESE OF WOLLONGONG MASS ONLINE For all of the online Mass options- please visit the DoW website https://dow.sh/dailymass
SACRAMENTAL DATES
Please find the link for the St John’s Parish Sacramental Dates for 2022 - Sacraments of Penance (Reconciliation), Confirmation and Eucharist (First Communion). The enrolment weekends for Reconciliation are this weekend and next weekend. After the 5pm Mass on Saturday night or at any of the Sunday Masses, on any of the weekends indicated, parents will collect an Enrolment Sheet and record their child’s name on the sheets at the back of the church.
*COVID MODIFICATION – DUE TO RESTRICTIONS ON NUMBERS ATTENDING MASS, ENROLMENT FORMS WILL BE ALSO GIVEN OUT THROUGH ST JOHN’S SCHOOL.
VINNIES HELP
The Dapto Conference is still operating for crisis help (food, furniture, clothing). A phone service is available: Mon – Fri, 9.30am - 11.30am. Ph: 0412 912 641
SUNDAY 13th FEBRUARY - SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR C)
“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.” Luke 6:23
PRAYER INTENTIONS
We pray for the peoples of all the world, that the Lord may graciously preserve harmony among them,
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, pray for us.
St John the Evangelist, pray for us.
Renee Maguire
Religious Education Coordinator
On Thursday 10 February at 11:30 am the 2022 student leaders and Mini Vinnies Team will be officially inducted at a special outdoor Mass. Fr Francis proposed a whole school Mass in the COLA to offer blessings for the new school year and the commissioning of the student leaders.
Parents and carers who are fully vaccinated are welcome to attend the Mass. Upon arrival, all visitors will be required to sign in using the Service NSW QR Code and sit within the designated area. There will be no opportunity to engage and mingle with the students and at the conclusion of Mass, all visitors will be invited to promptly leave the school grounds.
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 – Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe.
PB4L Raffle Ticket Winners
Week 2
| 1 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
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Sophie B |
Lomena N |
Anna S |
Hamish R |
Aunty Jo and Uncle Mark will continue as our Aboriginal Education Assistants (AEA) this year at St John’s. They will be working each Monday and Tuesday offering a range of cultural experiences such as dancing, art and didgeridoo playing (boys), along with a range of cultural immersion opportunities.
Dates for Swimming, Cross Country and Athletics Carnivals
- 18 February SJD Primary School Swimming Carnival
- 1 March South Coast Region Swimming
- 7 March Diocesan Swimming Selection Trials
- 1 April SJD Cross Country Carnival
- 7 April SJD Cross Country Carnival - BACKUP Date
- 3 May Diocesan Cross Country Carnival
- 24 May Diocesan Cross Country - BACKUP Date
- 29 June SJD Athletics Carnival
- 9 August South Coast Regional Athletics
- 16 August Diocesan Athletics Selection Trials
Primary Swimming Carnival
St John’s Primary Swimming Carnival will be held on Friday, 18 February. Attendance is compulsory for all Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 students. Novelty events will be run on the day and each primary grade attends one session. Primary non-swimmers are included in these activities.
Entry is also open to Year 2 students who will be turning 8 this year to compete in 50 meter events. Year 2 students must be very competent 50 meter swimmers. Students compete in their age group for freestyle and for all other strokes compete in junior (8, 9 & 10 years), 11 years and senior (12 & 13 years) categories. Unfortunately due to Covid restrictions we will not be able to have parent spectators.
We look forward to a great day of participation, fun and sportsmanship.
A permission and entry form is published on Compass for all primary students.
Representative Sport
Congratulations to Sebastian Mrkovic who represented St John’s at the Diocesan tennis trials on Tuesday 8th February.
Good luck to Mitchell Whalan who will be representing St John’s at the Diocesan cricket trials on Thursday 17th February.
Mrs Michelle Atkins
Sports Coordinator
Thank you for your continued support of the school uniform policy. As a general reminder, it is expected that all students are in the correct school uniform daily. The policy explicitly outlines the school uniform required for both boys and girls enrolled at St John's. On the rare occasion, that your child cannot wear the correct uniform, a written explanation should be provided to their teacher.
The policy also includes expectations on the wearing of jewellery, nail polish, make-up and haircuts. All long hair MUST be tired back, regardless of gender. The emphasis is on neat and tidy hairstyles and extreme haircuts, as well as coloured hair, is not permitted.
School uniforms are expensive and the school is always ready to provide financial assistance to families in this regard, ensuring no family is disadvantaged. Please contact the school office on 4261 4611 for further assistance.
Sports uniform days will be:
- Tuesday - 2 Green, Year 3, Year 4
- Wednesday - Kindergarten, 2 Blue, Year 6
- Thursday - Year 1, 2 Red, Year 5
- Friday - all classes (Kindergarten to Year 6)
Congratulations to the following students.
Food allergies are a growing public concern and a condition that affects many of our students. As an allergy aware school, we are focused on reducing the risk of exposure to students, as exposure in some cases may result in life-threatening anaphylactic reactions.
Students with a food allergy may react to tactile (touch) exposure or inhalation exposure. Not every ingestion exposure will result in anaphylaxis, but the potential always exists. Whilst peanut allergy is the most likely cause, eight foods (peanut, tree nut, milk, egg, soy, wheat, fish and shellfish) account for the vast majority of total food allergies.
Therefore, no peanuts, peanut paste, peanut butter (including “dippers”), nuts, “Nutella” spread or nutty muesli bars are permitted within the school.
Made Fresh, operate our canteen, a canteen menu has been included below and other benefits include the following:
- Operational five days a week from 8:00 am (Breakfast)
- Online ordering (Flexischools)
- Extensive menu options and quality food items
- Ongoing compliance with NSW Healthy Schools canteen guidelines
If students are ordering ice blocks as part of their lunch order, this will not be given to the child in the lunch order, the child will be required to go to the canteen after they finish eating their lunch for collection.
Flexischools
Call for assistance
1300 361 769
The school fees for 2022 have been approved by Bishop Brian Mascord and all fees were billed at the end of January 2022:
Tuition Fees
The Primary tuition fee for 2022 is:
$1,746 per family (per annum)
The SEDSO Levy for 2022 is:
$1,130 per family (per annum)
The School Resource Fee is:
The Resource Fee for 2022 will be $170 for Kindergarten and $160 for Years 1 to 6 per student.
The following are additional costs (per student) for 2022:
- Sport Levy - $20
- Life Education - $7
- Gunyah Excursion - $69
- Kindergarten Excursion - $38
- Year 1 Excursion - $34
- Year 2 Excursion - $47
- Year 3 Excursion - $30
- Year 4 Excursion - $38
- Year 5 Camp - $306
- Year 6 Canberra - $239
- Year 6 TShirt Fee - $49.50
- Year 6 Leadership Program - $6.50
- Year 6 Excursion - $54
If you have already completed a form and have instalments listed on your fee statement then you do not need to complete another form.
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 celebrated their birthday in January and celebrating in February — we wish you a very happy birthday and hope you had/have a great day.
January
| Kinder | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 |
| Adrian | Amelia | Evelyn | Avah | Bronte | Bowen | Beau |
| Amelia | Henry | Jamiah | Harper | Gianni | Destiny | Carmen |
| Aria | Liam | Jaxson | Logan | James | Michael | Claire |
| Emma | Lucas | Marli | Luke | Layla | Nicholas | Georgina |
| Eva | Nash | Mason | Levi | Sam | Lachlan | |
| Kayley | Nate | Mila | Maria | Levi | ||
| Oscar | Zain | Nixon | Shreya | Phoebe | ||
| Paige | Zoe | Noah | Victoria | Samuel | ||
| Ruby | Porsha | Sophie | ||||
| Sophia | Ruby | |||||
| Sophie |
February
| Kinder | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 |
| Ayrton | Aiden | Amyrah | Ellise | Caylan | Cooper | Ethan |
| Bohdi | Anabelle | Annabelle | Everly | Elliot | Kaylee | Indianna |
| Jackson | Cruz | Indi | Isabella | Ryan | Layla | Jacob |
| Lois | Emmanuella | Jake | Matthew | Sebastian | Luke | Natasha |
| Rosie | Jax | Larni | Rohan | Rhys | Ruby | |
| Lily | Liam | Ruby | Shayla | |||
| Lila | Zahra | |||||
| Maverick | Zoey | |||||
| Melody | ||||||
| Pyper | ||||||
| Skye |
To maintain efficiency of the school pick-up zones, we request that family nameplates be displayed in cars as they approach the afternoon pick-up zone. Teachers on car lines will more efficiently be able to identify the vehicle directing the children safely to the correct vehicle. The nameplate can be attached to the sun visor of your car or placed on the dash and held up so as to be seen by the teachers who will, in turn, announce the family name. This system is used in other schools and has improved both safety and traffic flow.
To request a family nameplate, parents and carers are invited to complete the online form, by accessing the following link https://goo.gl/forms/L1KuKhqKB9Kj49wq1
Parents and carers are reminded that the area surrounding St John’s is designated as a School Zone. Police and Council Rangers constantly patrol the area and they will have no hesitation in prosecuting drivers for driving offences.
All NSW school zones are sign-posted with regulatory signs that list the operating times of the school zones.
For the safety of all, please ensure that you adhere to the signage and following the directions of our School Crossing Supervisor.
Full list of School Zone offences are available from the RMS website.
School students will be required to have a valid School Opal Card or travel pass for the commencement of school in January 2022.
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.
It is imperative that parents/carers download the Compass App and keep it up to date. Your child's Semester 2 Report will again only be available via Compass.
Compass app is used for:
- Communication, news, excursions, alerts
- Academic reports
- Attendance pages where notes/approvals can be entered
- Full record history of the student’s attendance
- School calendar
- Learning conversation bookings
- School fee payment
Get the Compass mobile app
Access student information on the go with Compass mobile app for iPhone & Android phones.
Automatically Update apps
It is important that your mobile device has the most current version of the app. Make sure that the apps are set to automatically update.
iPhone
Go into Settings and scroll until you see iTunes and App Store. Tap on iTunes & App Store. Then scroll down the bottom until you see AUTOMATIC DOWNLOADS. To turn on automatic app updates, tap in the white oval next to App Updates.
Android
Open the Google Play Store app. Tap Menu Settings. Tap Auto-update apps. Select an option: Over any network to update apps using either Wi-Fi or mobile data. Over Wi-Fi only to update apps only when connected to Wi-Fi.
Get Notifications
An app notification is a message or alert sent by Compass to the user. Notifications sent this way do not require the Compass app to be open and messages are displayed on the screen of the mobile even when the device is locked.
iPhone
Go to Settings > Notifications, select the app, and make sure that Allow Notifications is on. If you have notifications turned on for an app but you're not receiving alerts, you might not have Banners selected. Go to Settings > Notifications, select the app, then select Banners.
Android
Open your phone's Settings app. Tap Apps & notifications Notifications. Under "Lock screen," tap Notifications on lock screen or On lock screen. Choose Show alerting and silent notifications. On some phones, choose Show all notification content.
Dapto Hockey Club
Est 1978
2022 SEASON
Dapto Hockey club is conducting a junior try hockey day in conjunction with its registration day.
DATE: Saturday 19th February 2022
VENUE: Illawarra Hockey Stadium, Waples Road, Unanderra
TIME: 10.00 am until Noon
CONTACT: info@daptohockeyclub.com or Wayne Billett (m) 0408 420329
AGES: Juniors 5 -18 years
The day is free and the club will provide all the necessary equipment required on the day.
