Newsletter - Wednesday 7 June

Principals Report

Dear Parents/Carers, 

It is very important for unwell students to stay at home until they are better. If your child has any symptoms of a cold or flu, then they should stay home until the symptoms have ceased.  A general rule of thumb about whether you should send your child to school or not.

• If your child has a hard cough, constant runny nose, sore throat, or swollen glands THEY SHOULD NOT BE AT SCHOOL
• If you have given them Panadol or Nurofen in the morning to get them “through the day” THEN THEY SHOULD NOT COME TO SCHOOL
• If your child has vomiting and/or diarrhoea that day, THEY SHOULD NOT COME TO SCHOOL for 48 hours AFTER SYMPTOMS HAVE RESOLVED

Please do not send your child to school if they are still unwell or recovering from an illness. Students who are unwell will be sent to the Sick Bay and if necessary, parents will be called to collect them.  

If your child  has tested positive for COVID-19 it is recommended they: 

• stay home and isolate for 5 days,
• should not attend school after 5 days if still symptomatic,

St John the Baptist Feast Day: We will celebrate St John the Baptist Feast Day on Thursday 22 June with a Whole School Mass at 9:15am. A sausage sizzle lunch will be provided for students. Please note: The canteen will be closed on this day. 

School Disco: The Friends of St Johns are running our annual School Disco on Thursday 22 June, tickets are available via CDFpay - please see flyer below for full details. 

End of Term: A reminder that Term finishes on Thursday 22 June at 3:10pm. Friday 23 June is a student free day for the purpose of staff Professional Development. 

Staffing from the start of  Term 3: I would like to welcome Miss Jessamy Gridley into the Gr3/4D classroom 3 days a week and as our PE teacher for 2 days a week. Jess currently teaches at St Laurence’s Leongatha and is excited to make the move to St John’s. Jess’s families have ties with the Koo Wee Rup community and with St John’s itself.  I would also like to thank Mrs Bianca Deane, Ms Raelee Browning and Mrs Leonie Hester for their support this term whilst we looked for the best person to fill this position.

Last Thursday as part of our ‘Reconciliation Week’ focus, the choir from St Francis Xavier College joined with us at our Reflection Liturgy.  The Cantabile (choir) had taken the time to learn a couple of the songs that our children love to sing and led us with a couple of new songs. Huge thank you to Carlos and the Cantabile for their genuine enthusiasm and sharing of their time and talents.

Camps: With the introduction of the new enterprise agreement for school staff last year,  provisions now need to be made to allow ‘Time in Lieu’ for staff performing duties outside their allotted hours.  This greatly impacts how we staff and calculate the costing of school camps and out of school hour events. In an effort to keep camp costs down, and to still provide the rich experience of an overnight stay, the School Board would like me to put forward our proposed plan as an example.

2024 - No Camp (Musical Year) - Long Day excursions for Grades 3, 4, 5 & 6 in place of camps  - Examples of these may be, Adventure Day at Cowes, City excursion/Musical & dinner. Whole school excursions to Healesville Sanctuary, Science works or the like.

2025 - Camp Year - 5 Days of Camp - Mon - Wed  Gr 3 & 4 (2 night), Wed - Fri Gr 5 & 6 (2 night) - These may be in the same week at the same venue or may be split depending on availability. Camp options/suggestions  - Urban/City Camp, Sovereign Hill/Narambool Farm, Adventure Camp similar to previous Gr 5/6 Camps.  

2026 - Repeat of 2024

2027 - Repeat of 2025 and so on ....

We believe this plan gives balance, both providing the experience we want for our children and allowing for staff requirements.

On Tuesday, Jo and her team from Bunnings Pakenham East came and installed our new veggie garden beds. The children, especially the Gr 3&4s, were very excited to see the team at work. We even had a couple of students inspect the works in progress, give a few suggestions and ensure the work was up to standard. Bunnings kindly donated all the timber and their time for this project. Their generosity and support are greatly appreciated and we look forward to working with them on future projects.

I will be taking leave for the last week of this term. Mrs Jacki Taylor will be Acting Principal in my absence. I therefore wish you all a safe and restful mid-year holiday break.

Regards 

Chris Dortmans, Principal

Bunnings Garden Installation

Religious Education News

Last week our Social Justice Leaders launched the St Vincent de Paul ‘Tinnies For Vinnies’ Winter Appeal. This is an annual campaign organised by the St Vincent de Paul Society, who work tirelessly to help those in need in our community. This appeal takes place during the winter season when vulnerable individuals and families often face additional challenges due to harsh weather conditions. The Tinnies For Vinnies Winter Appeal aims to alleviate the hardships faced by these individuals and ensure they have access to basic necessities, such as food, shelter, warm clothing, and heating facilities.

As part of the St John’s approach to the Catholic Social Teachings of Dignity of the Human Person & Preferential Option for the Poor, we are asking families to consider giving to the appeal this year by donating non-perishable food items, non-food items, and winter woollies. A list of example items is shared further in this newsletter. Each classroom has been provided with a donation basket and donations can be made up until the end of August.

We thank you for your support during this campaign as we aim to bring hope, warmth, and a sense of belonging during a time when it is needed most in our community.

Alycia Matthews, Religious Education Leader

Pray Together

School Disco - Thursday 22 June

Upcoming Events

School Photos

School photos have been sent home with students today. If you have any queries in relation to your order please contact SchoolPix directly  on 1300 766 055. 

Miscellaneous Group photos are now available to order, see information below. Miscellaneous Groups include: 

• Whole School Photo
• School & House Captains
• SRC Representatives
• Social Justice Leaders
• W.A.L.K. Ambassadors

Mothers Day Raffle - Thank You's

OSHC (Out of School Hours Care)

After School Hours Care operates out of the St Johns hall before and after school.

Please contact OSHC directly for all enquiries:

• 1300 946 337
• EnrolmentsOSHC@windermere.org.au

Alternatively you can visit them in the hall before or after school to enquire. 

Koo Wee Rup Catholic Parishes in Partnership