Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to Term 3.

I hope that the holiday period provided a pleasing break from the Monday to Friday routine of school. It is always pleasing to hear stories of great holiday experiences and quality time spent with families. The children have quickly settled back into school life and the term ahead promises to be an exciting time for our school community.

Thank you to the many families who provided feedback last term via the Tell Them From Me survey in preparation for the School Cyclic Inquiry (SCI). The data was very affirming and will be used to inform future direction within the school self-review presentation. On Thursday 3 August, the school leadership team will present the report to a panel of educational experts who will assist in identifying the school strategic priorities for the next four years.

Yesterday, Individual Student NAPLAN Reports were sent home to all families in Year 3 and Year 5. This year the individual student report looks different because proficiency standards (Exceeding, Strong, Developing, Needs Additional Support) replace the old 10 band scale. The report provides valuable insights into your child’s academic progress and highlights their strengths and areas for potential growth. Please remember that NAPLAN is just one snapshot of your child’s academic progress and should be viewed as part of a broader assessment of their capabilities.  All children need to be congratulated on their effort and achievements. Should you wish to have a more in-depth discussion about your child's results, kindly emaill their classroom teacher to schedule an appointment.

Please keep in your prayers the following staff and their families:

• Mrs Dana Norris (Admin Office), who was recently diagnosed with a benign brain tumour. She is currently preparing for surgery and will require a substantial amount of leave to recover post-surgery.
• Aunty Jo (Aboriginal Education Assistant) and her son. Aunty Jo is currently on leave caring for her son following his open-heart surgery.

Congratulations to Mrs Tiana Cardamone (K Blue) and her husband Michael who are expecting the birth of their first child after Christmas.

Wishing you all a fantastic and successful term ahead!

Mr Matt Downes
Acting Principal

Bear your little trials with patience and love.
Mary MacKillop  (1876)

Vinnie's Winter Appeal

Last Friday, the school hosted a Winter Woollies/Oodie Mufti Day, followed by a Winter Sleepout with 23 Mini Vinnies and Student Leaders attending. Thank you so much for your generosity; we raised $2831 and received many donations of essentials that will be given to local Vinnies chapters to help the homeless. At the sleepout, the students spent time making up the care packs and participated in activities that highlighted some of the difficulties that the homeless face. Peter S encouraged his Mum’s work to join us by raising money and goods for the appeal; they in turn, were able to convince other companies (as far away as Qld and SA) to participate as well. It was exciting to have Edmen Community Staffing Solutions, Virtual IT Group & Family Services Australia host Pj Mufti days to contribute funds and goods to the event.

St Anne and St Joachim Feast Day — 26 July

Joachim and Anne were the parents of Jesus’ mother, Mary. We don’t know many details about their lives because they are never mentioned in the New Testament. Everything we know about them comes down through tradition—the stories people told about them.

We believe that they were respected members of the Jewish community and that they wanted to become parents so much that Joachim went into the desert to fast and pray that God would hear their prayer. It is said that an angel told them that they would soon have a daughter who would become famous throughout the world.

Months later, Mary, our Blessed Mother, was born. Tradition tells us that when Mary was three years old, Anne and Joachim took her to the temple in Jerusalem to consecrate her for special service to the Lord. We call this celebration the “Presentation of the Virgin Mary.” It means that Mary was to play an important part in God’s loving plan for the world.

We honour Mary’s parents, Joachim and Anne, as saints. We celebrate their joint feast day on July 26. Their love for one another and for Mary is an example to us of how God calls us to live. They also remind us to honour our own grandparents and to thank them for the blessings they have passed down to us in love.

Anne is the patron of grandmothers, among many other things, and Joachim of grandfathers and grandparents.

(Reference: Saints Resources RCL Benziger. 2017)

Save the Date

Our Grandparents Mass/Open Classroom Date is Friday the 4th of August at 9:30 am. More information will be sent out next week.

Mary MacKillop Feast Day — 8th August

This feast day has special significance to our school. In 1880 three Sisters of St Joseph assumed control of the West Dapto school. They were Sisters Aloysius Lenehan, Eulalia McDermott and Ann Christie. Parish Priest Fr Augustus Petre vacated his presbytery, which would be used by the Sisters as a convent and schoolroom. In his visit to Dapto in 1880, Archbishop Vaughan "reflected on the benefits to the district, by having such devoted and unselfish teachers placed among them". Mary Mackillop visited the Sisters at Dapto in 1883. Their school was known as St Joseph's until 1968.

Mary MacKillop was born in 1842 in Fitzroy, Melbourne. On 8 August 1909, she died, having suffered a disabling stroke in 1902. Inspired by a meeting with Fr. Julian Tenison-Woods, Mary MacKillop took her vows at the age of twenty-five, and the religious name, “Mary of the Cross”. In doing so, she founded the congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph. Soon after taking her religious vows, Mary MacKillop founded several schools. Within five years of taking her vows and founding the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, Mary had established over thirty schools in South Australia. By that time, more than one hundred women had joined the Sisters of Saint Joseph.

Mary MacKillop was very conscious of the plight of the poor and needy. She worked with families that lived in isolated areas of Australia. As a result, Mary MacKillop pioneered a new form of religious life in Australia and commenced a “system” of “Josephite” schools that would provide education, especially for the children of the poor. In 1873, Pope Pius IX gave Papal approval for the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph.

Even today, many Australians can say that they too have felt the impact of the enormous work started by St. Mary of the Cross (MacKillop), having been educated or cared for by the Sisters of Saint Joseph. She was noted for her trust in the providence of God and miracles of healing have been attributed to her. She was declared a Saint by Pope Benedict XVI on the 17th October 2010. In January 2013, St Mary of the Cross (MacKillop) was declared by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments to be the Second Patron Saint of Australia. This means that Australia now has two Patron Saints: Mary Help of Christians and St. Mary of the Cross (MacKillop).

We are truly blessed to have Sr. Narelle work with the staff, students and school community. Thank you for the gifts of compassion and generosity that you bring to all at St John’s.

Dear God,
Just as Mary trusted deeply in God’s presence even in the darkest times,
may we too deepen our relationship through reflection, prayer and contemplation.
Just as Mary’s whole life resonated with her vision for the poor,
may we too reveal God’s hospitable heart wherever we are.
Just as Mary stood against injustice and inequality in the care and education of poor people
and provided hope-giving alternatives,
may we too continue to minister joyfully among the poorest
and those at the edges of church and society.
Amen

2023 Reconciliation (First Penance) and First Holy Communion (Eucharist) Sacramental Dates

Dates for your diary

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 Joseph, Pray for us.
St John the Evangelist, pray for us.

Renee Maguire
Religious Education Coordinator

Dates for Term 3

Soccer Gala Day	28 July
South Coast Athletics	8 August
Wollongong Diocesan Athletics Selection Trials	15 August
Basketball Gala Day Juniors (Years 3 & 4)	14 September
Basketball Gala Day Seniors (Years 5 & 6)	15 September

St John’s Athletics Carnival

Last term St John’s held their athletics carnival at the Kerryn McCann Athletics Track, Beaton Park. It was a glorious day filled with fun and positive school spirit. Thank you to the seven parent helpers who assisted on the day. Our sporting carnivals need our parents’ generous support and it is much appreciated. 

Congratulations to our Age Division Champions and our winning house. 

Age Division Champions

	Gold Medallion	Silver Medallion	Bronze Medallion
5/6 Years	Willow B Bonham B	Bailey M Ayden McJ	Daphne B Isaac M
7 Years	Alessia A Nash D	Annabelle W Benjamin G	Alexia L Christian W
Junior	Emily Z Kayden H	Mila G Morrison B	Bronte B Brody P
11 Years	Lillyannah D Gianni O	Millicent W Aiden S	Ruby S C Ash G
Senior	Jorja S Lucas F	Isla S Dean P	Ella P Grady F

2022 House Point score

1st Place – McCabe 

2nd Place – Mackillop

3rd Place – Ward

4th Place – Joseph

Congratulations to these students who will represent St John’s at the South Coast Athletics at Beaton Park on 8 August.

Bronte B	Larni M	Mason B	Daniel P
Imogen C	Ivy N	Morrison B	Henry P
Lillyannah D	Celeste N	Jaxson D	Brody P
Rachel D	Taylor P	Lucas F	Dean P
Sienna G	Evie S	Nicholas F	Aiden S
Chloe G	Jorja S	Daniel G	Echezonachukwa U
Mila G	Isla S	Kayden H
Mia H	Ruby S C	Jack M
Georgia K	Millicent W	Jordan M
Tara L	Emily Z	Gianni O

Congratulations

Ash had the opportunity to participate in the Downunder Winter Classic baseball competition during his school holidays. Following his outstanding performance in the tournament, he was among the select group of 13 individuals chosen out of 56 players to proudly represent Australia in the renowned Cal Ripken World Series held in Indiana, USA. This remarkable achievement stands as a testament to Ash's skill and dedication. Undoubtedly, his involvement in this prestigious international event will provide him with an incredible experience and serve as a significant milestone in his baseball journey.

NSWCPS Golf Tournament

THE CLOSING DATE FOR GOLF HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO 31/7

NSWCPS Girls 7s Rugby

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.

The Elders have played and continue to play a crucial role in our communities and families across generations. They are the custodians of cultural knowledge, advocates, leaders, and caregivers. Their guidance has shaped various aspects of our lives, including land management, cultural understanding, and human rights. The struggles they endured have driven us forward and influenced our fight for equality. As we honor those we have lost, we must ensure their wisdom and input remain central to future decision-making for our people.

We will be celebrating Book Week at St John’s on Friday 18 August. Please join us under the COLA at 8.45 am for our Book Parade, where students are invited to embrace the theme ‘Read Grow Inspire’ and come dressed as their favourite book character.

During the day the students will also participate in an author visit by Serena Geddes. Serena is an international book illustrator and will share her visual storytelling and drawing skills with the students. Please see the attached flyer for information on how to preorder her books. 

Due to these events there will be no afternoon assembly on this day.

During week 6, students K-2 will also visit Dapto Library as part of our Book Week celebrations.

Issue 5

Ordering will close on Friday, 28th July.

The cooler weather brings with it increasing numbers of children presenting at school with symptoms of cold and flu. When children are in close proximity with others, the spread of common colds can be passed on through touching hands or objects (e.g. tissues and toys) or by breathing in droplets from sneezes or coughs.

A flu shot once a year is your best protection - it’s safe and does not give you the flu.

The flu is more serious than a cold and spreads easily.

Free flu shots are available for pregnant women, children 6 mths to 5 yrs, Aboriginal people from 6 mths of age, people with serious health conditions, people over 65. Please note: some providers may charge an administration or consultation fee. Ask your doctor, pharmacist or Aboriginal Medical Service if this applies to you.

Speak to your GP and get a flu shot.

Food allergies continue to grow in prevalence, a condition that affects many of our students and for most, it is lifelong. 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 food allergies.

Therefore, peanuts, peanut paste, peanut butter (including “dippers”), nuts, “Nutella” spread or nutty muesli bars should NOT be bought to school. 

We understand that it can be challenging to avoid nuts as many products commercially available use nuts as ingredients, but in doing so, you are helping others to stay safe and healthy. 

Daily, school jumpers, jackets, hats, lunch boxes and other items are left on the playground and in the classrooms. Teachers continue to make every effort to ensure such items are returned however, with items not being clearly labelled, it is a very difficult task.

Presently, we have a number of families missing clothing items that have been labelled with their child’s name. Parents are asked to check all uniform items to ensure that the wrong item of clothing hasn’t accidentally been taken home. Please ensure that your child’s uniform and all personal items are clearly labelled with their name.

How to Adjust text size on iPad

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

Flexischools are making some changes to make the Flexischools ordering process simpler and faster for you!

Look out in your inbox for emails from Flexischools in the coming weeks, which explain the new-look menu flow. But if you want a sneak peak now, click the link below.

These changes are just the beginning, with some more features on the horizon to make sure Flexischools is fast and easy to use, and helps make your life simpler!