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Dear Parents and Carers
Catholic Schools Week (CSW) will be celebrated next week (28 February - 6 March 2022). This annual event acknowledges the outstanding contribution that Catholic schools continue to make to the education of young Australians.
In celebrating, we aim to strengthen the relationships between all who are involved in our schools by giving thanks for the outstanding learning that takes place in our classrooms each and every day. Catholic schools are places of hope, inspired by the person of Jesus.
While the present climate has dictated a change in how we would normally be celebrating CSW, a special Liturgy has been planned for Friday 4 March at 9:30 am. At Liturgy, the Annual Catholic Schools Week Awards will be presented to one student in each class. An invitation to the family's of each award recipient will be sent home early next week.
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 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.
P&F Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of the Parents and Friends Association was held last night in the Library. Thank you to the parents/carers who attended the meeting. At the meeting, all positions were declared vacant and a new executive committee was elected.
Congratulations to the P&F Executive Committee for 2022:
President: Peter Northey
Vice President: Therese Ly
Secretary: Helen Knowles
Treasurer: Jodie Maloney
Diocesan Delegate: Renee Whiteside
Fundraising: Julia Najjar
In congratulating the 2022 P&F executive I would like to acknowledge and thank the outgoing executive members for their commitment to the association and support for our school.
Rapid Antigen Testing (Update)
In line with recent announcements from the NSW Government, the rapid antigen test (RAT) program will end on Friday 25 February 2022. This means that the twice-weekly testing using RAT kits is no longer in place. Thank you for your patience and cooperation over the last four weeks. While it has been a—sometimes unwelcome—addition to the already busy morning routine, proactive testing was a critical tool to keep our school community safe, especially while case numbers remained high in the broader community.
For the remainder of Term 1, families are asked to use RATs at your discretion when you consider it necessary (e.g. if a child develops symptoms or a family member is unwell). In the coming weeks, each student will be provided with a further eight RATs to be used for this purpose. We are currently awaiting the delivery of the additional RATs from the NSW Government and we will advise you of collection details as soon as we receive the delivery.
Yours sincerely
Andrew Heffernan
Principal
May St Joseph shower many special graces upon each and every one of you.
Mary MacKillop 24.02.1900
The Season Of Lent
Ash Wednesday is on the 3rd of March, this is the beginning of the Church Season, Lent. The use of ashes on Ash Wednesday is an expression of our faith and a sign that we are asking God for forgiveness. Lent is the Church season lasting forty days leading up to the resurrection of Christ. The primary liturgical colour for Lent is purple, but red is used on Palm Sunday and Good Friday. During Lent Christians focus on prayer, fasting and almsgiving as a sign of repentance and are required to approach prayer, fasting and almsgiving with sincerity. Fasting and almsgiving can take different forms. During Lent we forgive those who have hurt us, and we ask Jesus to forgive us for the sins we have committed. The symbols of Lent remind us that Jesus has saved us and won forgiveness for our sins. You may like to create a prayer space in your house that will remain throughout the season of Lent, incorporating the liturgical colour, purple, and symbols of change. Years 3-6 will attend the parish mass at 9:30 am and the students in Years K-2 students only will attend a liturgy for Ash Wednesday.
LENT 2022 WITH THE CATHOLIC GUY BRUCE DOWNES - Be inspired, Be refreshed, Be renewed!
For 40 days you will receive a short, practical and inspiring video in your inbox every morning to help you make this Lenten journey more powerful and prayerful. This program is FREE and you can sign up here: https://BruceDownes.org/Lent22 Call 1300 734 880 for more info.
Caritas Project Compassion
Last year, the Laudato Si' Action Platform, with its seven goals was launched, encouraging the global church to respond to the cry of the earth and to the cry of the poor. One of the concrete ways that schools can do this is through their support of Caritas Australia's annual Lenten appeal, Project Compassion. The launch of Project Compassion is on the 1st of March and this year’s theme is ‘For All Future Generations’ and reminds us that the good that we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come. The Mini Vinnies team will be meeting to organise fundraising activities throughout the school, to put our compassion into action and help raise funds this Lent for people living in poverty. More information will be sent out in the next week.
Mini Vinnies
Congratulations to the Year 5 and 6 students who were inducted into the Mini Vinnie’s team at our Leadership Induction Liturgy. Mini Vinnies empowers primary school students to become advocates within their school and local community by putting their values into action. They meet regularly to learn about social justice issues, develop leadership skills and engage with the wider St Vincent de Paul Society.
The Mini Vinnies team:
Year 5 - Samuel McQuade, Anna Lane, Peter Soulakelles, Grady Farrugia, Georgia Katzikis, Dean Pedersen, Isabel Lijoy, Jacob Mercadante, Layla Buchanen, Tara Lee, Taj Robertson, Tia McCrimmon, Sienna Gorman and Ella Primer
Year 6 - Jacob Villella, Phoebe Nyers, Mia Taveski, Harper Weekes, Lachlan Leicht, Samuel Brown, Indiana (Indi) Tanti, Maya Olsen
Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation) Parent/Carer Information Night
Thursday 24th February
Children must be in Year 3 or above (and have been baptised). Attendance at the Parent Night for all Sacraments is a compulsory requirement when enrolling your child for the sacrament. If you are unable to make this night, you will need to contact the parish office (well before the date) so that we can make other arrangements. This night is to inform parents about the practicalities of the sacrament and reinforce the importance of adequate preparations for the sacrament. On this night, parents bring back the Enrolment Sheet, pay $30 and present Baptismal Certificate (only if the candidate was baptised in another parish).
SUNDAY 27th FEBRUARY - EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR C)
“A person speaks from what is in his heart.” Luke 6:39-45
Grade Masses
We have begun going to mass on Fridays at 9:30am. Year 2 was the first grade to attend last week and received positive feedback from the parish with how reverent the students were and how well they participated in the mass. The following grades have mass this term:
- Year 3 - 25/02/22
- Year 4 - 11/03/22
- Year 5 - 18/03/22
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, we celebrated a beautiful Liturgy with Father Francis at which our student leaders were officially inducted. Congratulations to the following students:
School Captains: Lily Pham and Ashton Byrne
School Vice Captains: Lilah Bicknell and Mitchell Whalan
SRC: Jasmin Woolley, Mikayla Gornall, Hamish Rose, Zoey van Moolenbroek, Ruhara Dissanayake, Jackson Jongsma, Beau Ledwidge, Emilia Lopreiato, Thomas Bull, Maddison Jaworski
House Captains:
- McCabe – Levi Edwards / Jye Prem
- Ward – Levi Love / Evana Najendran
- Joseph – Ruby Wilton / Liam Wilton
- MacKillop – Lily Whittle / Angel Barbaro
Mini Vinnies:
Year 5 - Samuel McQuade, Anna Lane, Peter Soulakelles, Grady Farrugia, Georgia Katzikis, Dean Pedersen, Isabel Lijoy, Jacob Mercadante, Layla Buchanen, Tara Lee, Taj Robertson, Tia McCrimmon, Sienna Gorman and Ella Primer
Year 6 - Jacob Villella, Phoebe Nyers, Mia Taveski, Harper Weekes, Lachlan Leicht, Samuel Brown, Indiana (Indi) Tanti, Maya Olsen
Your feedback from the Annual School Report survey at the end of 2021 indicated that parents and carers would like more information throughout the year on their child’s learning progress. As a result, we have made changes to our reporting schedule moving forward. In the updated overview below, please note that Learning Conversations (Parent/Teacher meetings) will now take place at the end of Term 1. Further information will be provided in the coming weeks.
| Reporting Schedule | ||
| Years 1–6 | Kindergarten | |
| Term 1 |
|
|
| Term 2 |
|
|
| Term 4 |
|
|
Learning conversations will be student-led for Years 3 – 6, while K – 2 will be parent/carers only. In addition, assessment tasks will be sent home with a teacher comment and student reflection on the learning completed in class.
As always, teachers are available to meet and discuss your child's learning throughout the year. To make a mutually convenient time, please contact the school office during school hours.
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 3
| Gunyah | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 |
|
Hudson C |
Sienna K |
Grace Z |
Celia M |
Giorgia L |
Claudia S |
Benji G |
Please note that we have moved to Compass to automatically generate our Principal's Awards, so there is no need to send in merit awards to count towards a Principal's Award. The only Principal's Awards to be sent in would be the old red ones, which would be counted towards a medallion.
In particular, could Year 6 parents and carers please note this and send in any old red Principal's Awards to count towards a medallion. Four Principal's Awards are required for a bronze medallion.
Our school awards have a specific value, awards accrue to receive a Principal’s Award, followed by school medallions.
Any enquiries or questions, please contact our School office.
Primary Swimming Carnival
Last Friday we held our Primary Swimming Carnival for all students in Year 3 to Year 6. It was a beautiful day and a fabulous time was had by all participants. The pool attendants were very complimentary about the behaviour of the students. I would like to thank each parent volunteer for their generosity of time. A carnival like this can not happen without your support. Today we gathered to present our ribbons, winning house and announce age champions and swimmers progressing to the South Coast Region Carnival on the 1st March.
House winners
1st – Mackillop
2nd – McCabe
3rd – Ward
4th – Joseph
Age Champions
|
Gold Medallion |
Silver Medallion |
Bronze Medallion |
|
|
Junior |
Ella Whittle Ash Garnero |
Ruby St Clair Gianni Oiteirinho |
Taylor Primmer Isaac Jorgenson |
|
11 Years |
Tia McCrimmon Beau Ledwidge |
Ella Primmer Grady Farrugia |
Lani Ly Dean Pedersen |
|
Senior |
Lily Whittle Jye Prem |
Maddison Jaworski Mitchell Whalen |
Angel Barbaro Ashton Byrne |
Congratulations to the following students who will be attending the South Coast Region Carnival on the 1st March. We wish them all the best.
|
Bronte Billet Larissa Byrne Maddison Jaworski Caydence Langlands Marni Ledwidge Lani Ly Tia McCrimmon Ella Primmer Taylor Primmer Ruby St Clair Millicent Wagstaff Ella Whittle Lily Whittle |
Blake Crawford Ash Garnero Isaac Jorgenson Beau Ledwidge Dimitri Loustos Hudson Love Gianni Oiteirintio Brody Pedersen Jye Prem Ben Street Mitchell Whalan
|
More photos are available on Facebook.
Mrs Michelle Atkins
Sports Coordinator
Year 2 celebrated 'Twos-day' on Tuesday the 22.2.22 (22.02.2022). We had lots of fun with teachers wearing tutus, children making/wearing crowns and lots of activities around the number 2 for example; we looked at the homophones 'to', 'two' & 'too', the meaning of palindromes, we practised our doubles and counting by 2's.
FRIDAY 4 March
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 on Friday 4 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 and around our school environment.
The following dates have been planned as Staff Professional Development Days for St John’s this year. Being Staff Development Days they are pupil free days, so children do not attend school.
| Term 2 | 26 April 2022 |
| Term 3 | 18 July 2022 |
| Term 4 | 10 October 2022 |
Whilst we appreciate parents contacting the office via phone to advise of a student absence, a note must still be produced within 7 days of the occurrence of the absence. This can be completed on the Compass Parent Portal by adding an attendance note on your home screen. Failure to do so will result in the student absence being recorded as “unexplained or unjustified” in accordance with NSW Attendance Register requirements.
Parents do not need to apply for an EXEMPTION FROM ATTENDANCE for absences of less than 10 school days. A letter explaining the absence is required by the Principal and the child’s class teacher prior to leave being taken.
Planned absences for more than 10 school days require the completion of an EXEMPTION FROM ATTENDANCE form which is available from the school office or can be downloaded from the school webpage: www.sjddow.catholic.edu.au. Please note, requests for absences of more than 10 school days during school terms will only be approved for exceptional or extenuating circumstances (this does not include extended absences due to illness). Absences granted by exemption will be included in the total student absences for the year. These protocols are in accordance with Department of Education and Catholic Education Office Policies.
If your child is required to leave school earlier than the afternoon dismissal times, there is no need to complete an attendance note on Compass, the office staff will action this for you. Please provide a note to the class teacher advising of the time your child is being collected, the reason for their early departure and the name of the person collecting your child. Your child will be sent to the office at this time to await collection. Please be mindful of our recess and lunch times and try to collect your child outside these times as this can cause delays in ensuring your child is ready at the requested time.
| Recess | Lunch |
| 10:30am – 11:00am | 1:00pm – 1:40pm |
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)
Dear Parents and Carers
Thank you to all parents and carers that have returned the Photo Permission forms, however, a number of students have not returned theirs, parents have been emailed multiple times, and paper copies have been sent home with students on Friday 11th February.
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.
To the following students who will celebrate their birthday in March — we wish you a very happy birthday and hope you have a great day.
March
| Kinder | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 |
| Nathaniel | Alexia | Amelia | Zoe | Emily | Jordan | Levi |
| Otylia | Ava | Hendrix | Poppy | Samantha | Cooper | Elise |
| Alessia | Clara | Joseph | Emma | Millicent | Alyssa | Heidi |
| Rowdy | Xavier | Marie | Tao | Lucy | Anna | Melia |
| Scarlett | May | Roark | Khloe | Lino | Joshua | |
| Matthew | Scarlett | Noah | Lucas | Jackson | ||
| Maddison | Raine | Isabel | Mia | |||
| Eva | Blake | Miki | ||||
| Olivia | ||||||
| Thomas | ||||||
| Jasmin |
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.
