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- NAPLAN 2023 – Parent Information
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- Corpus Christi – Parent Information Evening
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Next Tuesday, we celebrate Harmony Day, a time in which we acknowledge and celebrate Australian multiculturalism. Australia is one of the most successful multicultural countries in the world, from the oldest continuous culture of our first Australians to the cultures of our newest arrivals from around the world. Our cultural diversity is one of our greatest strengths and is at the heart of who we are. All people who migrate to Australia bring with them some of their own cultural and religious traditions, as well as taking on many new traditions. Collectively, these traditions have enriched our nation. In celebrating, we strengthen our resolve to foster a nation founded on inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values.
Loving God,
you created humanity in your image and likeness. We pray that we may open our eyes to see your face in our brothers and sisters of different cultures, races and religions. May we focus on what binds us as a people rather than what separates us. We pray that we may follow your example and embrace the unique qualities that each of us possess, so that we may bring about harmony on this earth.
Amen
(Developed from Carita Australia)
It is with great sadness that we will soon say goodbye to Rebecca Vigorito, SJD Senior School Support Officer. Rebecca started at St John’s in 2019 and during this time she has streamlined many processes and procedures within our front office. She is always professional and highly efficient in her role and will be greatly missed. Her greatest quality, has been her ability to connect with the children. She always stops her work to spend time with the children; finding jobs, giving stickers and sharing stories. Rebecca has accepted a role with TAFE NSW as ‘Area Support Manager – South Region’. The recruitment process for a permanent Senior School Support Officer has already begun.
On Thursday and Friday last week, the Year 6 students had the privilege of an overnight excursion to Canberra. It was a wonderful educational experience for the students to learn more about our Nation’s history, while enjoying time away with their peers. Once again, the children were outstanding ambassadors for our school. A special thank you must go to the staff (Mr Madaschi, Mrs Blomley, Ms Stephens, Mrs Lackersteen, Mrs Mackie, Mr De Battista and Mrs Scales) for the additional time and care they provided the students of Year 6. A more detailed excursion report can be found below.
Next week we begin our Learning Conversations for students in Years 1 to 6. Both parents and teachers play an essential role in educating a child. When teachers and parents work together, students are more likely to succeed and have a positive school experience. Children in Years 3 to 6 are strongly encouraged to attend the Learning Conversations and be active participants in sharing their learning goals and achievements. Parents who have recently booked a personalised planning meeting will not be required to book a learning conversation. If you haven’t already made a booking with your child’s teacher, I encourage you to do so before Sunday, 26 March, via the ‘Conference’ tab in Compass. If you are unavailable at the times provided, please contact your child’s teacher.
On Thursday, 2 March, the staff of St John’s attended the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) Education Mass. During the mass, Most Rev Brian Mascord (Bishop of Wollongong) and Mr Peter Hill (Director of Schools) launch the new strategic direction for CEDoW. The new strategic direction can be viewed by clicking on the following link — Lighting the Way 2023+.
Kind regards,
Mr Matt Downes
Acting Principal
“Let us show this love in our acts, bearing with one another, forgiving and forgetting”
Mary MacKillop
PROJECT COMPASSION — For All Future Generations
We continue to raise money for Project Compassion through donations placed in the classroom Project Compassion boxes, selling our Easter Raffle tickets and our donations of Easter Eggs for the raffle. Thank you for your generous support.
Thu (Vietnam)
When Thu was 12 years old, he lost his leg after stepping on an unexploded land mine from the Vietnam War. Living with a disability in rural Vietnam presented many challenges for Thu, who worked mainly as a rice farmer. After his wife, Linh, suffered a stroke, he had to take on the additional role of carer for his wife. “She is my wife and we have been living together and depending on each other, I am the one to be there with her and for her,” Thu said.
Thu joined the Empowerment of People with Disabilities program, supported by Caritas Australia through our local partners, the Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD). Through the program, Thu learnt livelihood, financial and independent living skills and joined a Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA) where he could interact with other people with disabilities and earn income by making incense sticks.
The VSLA helped Thu to obtain a loan so that he could set up a barber shop and earn extra income to support his family. The project also helped Thu to build an accessible toilet for Linh, who has become more independent thanks to the support of a physiotherapist.
Laxmi (Nepal)
16-year-old Laxmi lives in one of the most remote communities in Nepal which experiences high levels of poverty. Laxmi’s chance at a better life was through education, supported by her parents. Sadly, when she was 10 years old, her father passed away and Laxmi stopped going to school.
Before her father’s passing, Laxmi joined a child’s club at her school that was run with the support of Caritas Nepal, through the Nepal Livelihoods and Resilience Program. Child’s clubs support students in developing their speaking, writing and leadership skills through extracurricular activities. Thanks to the support of her child’s club, Laxmi was encouraged to resume her education.
“If I don't get to study, then I'll experience hardship. I'll have to struggle like mother. If I don't get to study, then I'll have no knowledge,” Laxmi said. Laxmi is now excelling in her studies and working towards her dream of becoming a civil engineer. She has become a mentor to other girls in her village, encouraging them to stand up for their rights and creating lasting change For All Future Generations.
Feast of St Joseph - 20/03
On the 19th of March, we celebrate the Feast of Saint Joseph. Joseph is the patron saint of many things but is more commonly recognised as the patron and protector of the Catholic Church. Joseph lived in Nazareth, where Isaiah prophesised 600 years before it even existed, that the Messiah would come from the town of Nazareth. “A shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit”. Branch, Netzer in Hebrew, the same root word of Nazareth.
We actually don’t know a whole lot about Joseph from reading the Bible. We do know that he was a carpenter, he is a descendant of King David, he was compassionate and respectful. Pope Pius XII established Saint Joseph’s feast day saying “The Spirit flows to you and to all men from the heart of the God-man, Saviour of the world, but certainly, no worker was ever more completely and profoundly penetrated by it than the foster father of Jesus, who lived with Him in closest intimacy and community of family life and work.”
The Annunciation of The Lord 25/03
The Annunciation of the Lord refers to the time when the angel Gabriel visited the Blessed Virgin Mary to tell her that she would be the mother of the saviour. It occurs exactly nine months before December 25, the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Mary was the first to hear and believe that God would do what he promised the world. She also discovered that she would play a special role in God’s plan for salvation. Jesus would be formed in her womb, and she would care for him.
Mary agreed to God’s plan because she wanted her will to be God’s will. And she was willing to accept the joy and pain that came along with it to bring Christ to a world that waited for him. On this day, we do not only celebrate the announcement to Mary that she had been chosen to be the mother of Jesus but also her willing acceptance of the news.
Dates for your diary
Feast of St Patrick - 17th March
Feast of St Joseph - 19th March
Year 5,6 and Kindergarten Mass with Andrew Chinn - Saturday 18th March 5pm
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord Whole School Mass - Fri 24 March 9:30am
Year 6 & Kindergarten Mass - 31st March
Change in date: Holy Week Liturgy - Tuesday 4th April (Easter Raffle Drawn)
Renee Maguire
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 – Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe.
PB4L Raffle Ticket Winners
Week 7
| Gunyah | Kindy | Year 1 | Year 2 |
| Jake | Estelle Shay |
Eli Quinn |
Zayne Madison |
| Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 |
| Cruz Mila-Rae |
Rydah Harper |
Lachlan Cruz |
Congratulations to Wil B who has been selected to represent the diocese at the NSW Mackillop Rugby League selections to be on Friday 5th May in Canberra.
Primary Swimming Carnival
On Friday 3 March 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.
House winners
1st – Ward
2nd – McCabe
3rd – Mackillop
4th – Joseph
Age Champions
| Gold Medallion | Silver Medallion | Bronze Medallion | |
| Junior | Bronte B Brody P |
Larissa B Blake C EthanW |
Taylor P Isaac J |
| 11 Years | Caitlyn W Ash G |
Destiny A Casey N |
Ruby S C Gianni O |
| Senior | Tia M Dean P |
Ella P Thomas D B |
Tara L Patrick B |
South Coast Region Carnival
Congratulations to the students below who attended the South Coast Region Carnival on 7 March and all swam their best. St John’s came 9th overall out of 18 schools. A great team effort.
Congratulations to Tia McCrimmon and Caitlyn Whiteside, both girls finished in the top four of their events and qualified to attend the Diocesen Swimming Selection Trials on 13 March.
Tia also came 3rd in Senior Girls Age Champion, a fantastic achievement.
|
Destiny A Bronte B Larissa B Imogen C Sienna K Tia M Ella P Taylor P Emily V Caitlyn W |
Patrick B Kendrix C Connor C Thomas D B Grady F Ash G Isaac J Taj M-D Casey N Brody P Dean P Ben S |
Michelle Atkins
Sports Coordinator
This Friday, we will have our whole school cross country carnival at Integral Energy Park. Please refer to COMPASS for all information, including starting time and order of the races. We look forward to seeing parents, grandparents and carers joining us.
St John’s Catholic Primary School
Presents
DISNEY’S
ALADDIN JR.
It is with great excitement that we announce that St John’s Primary School will be presenting another school production in 2023! This year we will be bringing to life Disney's ALADDIN 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. This is an exciting time for our students, after having to cancel our production of the Lion King in 2021 due to COVID.
Disney’s Aladdin JR. is based on the 1992 Academy Award®-winning film and the 2014 hit Broadway show about the “diamond in the rough” street rat who learns that his true worth lies deep within. The story you know and love has been given the royal treatment! Aladdin and his three friends, Babkak, Omar, and Kassim, are down on their luck until Aladdin discovers a magic lamp and the Genie who has the power to grant three wishes. Wanting to earn the respect of the princess, Jasmine, Aladdin embarks on an adventure that will test his will and his moral character. With expanded characters, new songs, and more thrills, this new adaptation of the beloved story will open up “a whole new world” for our young performers!
Over the coming weeks we will provide students from Years 4-6 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.
We look forward to seeing many parents and carers at our Information Session on Thursday 16th March at 5pm in the Library.
Angela Boyd-Skinner & Catherine Sutton
Our Year 6 students went to Canberra last Thursday and Friday for an educational tour of our national capital. Students were given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia's history, culture, heritage and democracy.
The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government is contributing $30 per student under the Parliament and Civics Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion. The rebate has already been included when determining the cost of the excursion.
Last Thursday, at 6:00am, Year Six headed off on their annual trip to Canberra, where they learnt all about parliament and the evolution of democracy in our great country.
Our visit included going to the New and Old Parliament House, The War Memorial, an ANZAC parade walk, Questacon and so much more. We arrived back at school around 7:30 - 8:00pm on Friday night. There were many learning experiences that were equally fun as all the other activities. Year Six had an amazing and unforgettable time in our nation’s capital, the beautiful city of Canberra.
We were extremely tired after two very full days of adventuring and learning about the government in Australia.
Sam Mc. and Evelyn W. from 6 Red
A school 'Open Day' has been planned for Saturday 1st April from 1:00 pm - 3:30pm, involving a guided tour of the learning spaces and school facilities.
The 'Open Day' is aimed at prospective enrolments, particularly Kindergarten 2024. It will provide an opportunity for families to learn more about our school, and to experience the difference, a Catholic education offers in the quality of partnerships between families and school, and the strong sense of inclusivity and community.
St John’s Catholic Parish Primary School
Open Day
Saturday 1st April
1:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Harmony Week celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. It’s about inclusiveness, respect, and a sense of belonging for everyone. This year we celebrate the 22nd anniversary of Harmony Week.
Our cultural diversity
Australia is a vibrant and multicultural country — from the oldest continuous culture of our first Australians to the cultures of our newest arrivals from around the world.
Our cultural diversity is one of our greatest strengths and is at the heart of who we are. It makes Australia a great place to live.
An integrated multicultural Australia is an integral part of our national identity. All people who migrate to Australia bring with them some of their own cultural and religious traditions, as well as taking on many new traditions. Collectively, these traditions have enriched our nation.
Facts and figures
There are some fascinating statistics about Australia’s diversity:
- 49 per cent of Australians were born overseas or have at least one parent who was born overseas,
- we identify with over 300 ancestries,
- since 1945, more than 7.5 million people have migrated to Australia,
- 85 per cent of Australians agree multiculturalism has been good for Australia,
- apart from English, the most common languages spoken in Australia are Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Italian, Greek, Tagalog/Filipino, Hindi, Spanish and Punjabi,
- more than 70 Indigenous languages are spoken in Australia.
FREE WEBINAR | On 29 March at 7:00pm, Council of Catholic School Parents are running a free 60 minute webinar for parents, carers, and staff of students at Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong schools, on the topic of anxiety and resilience.
Dr Coulson is the co-host and parenting expert on Channel 9’s Parental Guidance and holds a PhD in positive psychology.
You can attend the webinar using your mobile phone, laptop, or tablet, and do not need to download any programs.
Registration is essential, and can be done here: http://bitly.ws/Bwey
Dear families,
The best gift any parent can give a child is the love of books and the joy and benefits of independent reading for fun. Children who read at home, or are read to, have a head start on reading success in school.
Our school is participating in Scholastic Book Club this year. Up to twice a term, during the school year, I will send home the Book Club catalogue with a different selection of books offered for all ages.
You’ll find award-winning books and bestsellers, as well as old and new favourites. the books span a wide range of children’s reading levels and interests and are inexpensive (some books cost as little as $3).
It is easy to order. The Book Club LOOP platform for parents allows you to pay by credit card. Your child’s order is submitted directly to the school and the books will be delivered to class. You can place your child’s order at scholastic.com.au/loop or by using the LOOP app, which can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.
Owning your own books is something special! I hope that you will encourage your child to order books this year. Each order helps earn free books for our school; however, there is never any obligation to order. I know of no better way to encourage reading than to allow children to choose the books they want to read.
Sincerely,
Maree Kissell
Library Manager
NAPLAN is a national literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. It is the only national assessment all Australian students have the opportunity to undertake.
As students progress through their school years, it’s important to check how well they are learning the essential skills of reading, writing and numeracy.
NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through the school curriculum and allows parents/carers to see how their child is progressing against national standards and over time.
NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process. It doesn’t replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance, but it can provide teachers with additional information about students’ educational progress.
The NAPLAN testing window for 2023 is from Wednesday 15 March - Monday 27 March.
If your child requires adjustments for sitting the NAPLAN assessments, further information will be sent to you this week.
You can find further online information about NAPLAN for parents and carers here, or you can read the attached PDF.
Totally Tumbling and Tricks are holding a school holiday's program called Totally Day Out. Our program will be the perfect fit for working parents with care available from 8-6pm from the 17th to the 21st. Here is a link with more information.
https://www.totallytumblingandtricks.com.au/totallydayout
You can contact us on 0452 411 512 or at hello@totallytumblingandtricks.com
We are inviting schools across the Illawarra (our service area) to once again set aside this date as a Mufti Day for students and staff to wear a beanie, scarf and/or shawl in exchange for a gold coin donation. The more colourful and fun the better!
Attached is our flyer for the event. If you are interested in participating, register your interest with us by emailing info@wefh.org.au. We will contact you leading up to the event to help support your fundraising efforts with promotional materials for the school and social media sites.
Should you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact (02) 4228 0955.
