Term 2, Week 4,19 May 2022
Principal Message
We are finally getting into a good rhythm here at St John's! The first 4 weeks of term 2 have flown by. Our Year 3 and year 5 students finished their NAPLAN testing this week, which enabled the teachers and students to get back into the core business of teaching and learning.
On Monday afternoon, Catherine McAleer who is an Education Officer (Primary) for Religious Education and Catechesis within the Mission Services team, ran a PD with staff on Catholic Social Teaching which was very valuable. Staff were able to discuss and discern some directions in which they might head with this, but as a whole we believe that a focus on building empathy with our students is an essential aspect of the Catholic Social Teaching space.
We visited the 4 key principles of Catholic Social Teaching - Human Dignity, Common Good, Solidarity and Subsidiarity and in the coming weeks, these words will be visually up in classrooms for us to refer to with the kids when required.
Next week there are a few key dates - we have the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians, patroness of Australia, we have National Sorry Day and the start of reconciliation week as well. Plenty happening here and plenty to celebrate.
Our amazing School Forum of Parents are holding a fundraiser on Election Day (21st May) at the School Hall which is a Voting Centre. They are seeking volunteers who may be able to assist.
The proceeds from the day are going towards supporting The Year 6 Graduation as well as other school wide initiatives, depending on how much is raised and what is voted for at the upcoming meetings.
Please fill out the form below if you are available to assist - it would be great to support our school and students!
https://forms.gle/jfRSJaGZWgVi771m8
Key Dates for Term 2
Please find below key dates for the remainder of Term 2 at this stage. Any additional dates will be communicated as they arise next term.
- Saturday 21st May: Democracy BBQ - Fundraiser for Parent Forum.
- Thursday 26th May: National Sorry Day - Start of Reconciliation Week.
- Monday 13th June: Queens Birthday Public Holiday.
- Friday 17th June: Vinnies Sleep out- Stage 2 and 3.
- Wednesday 29th June: St John's Silent Disco 5:30pm-7:30pm (Parent Forum Event).
- Friday 1st July: Last Day of Term 2.
Ongoing items to be conscious of during the term:
- School Assembly is taking place every Monday at 2:15pm. Parents Welcome
- The School newsletter will go out on Thursday in Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10.
- Family Connect Worker Lisa Wood is in every Monday.
- School Tuckshop will be open every Friday.
Music Program at St John's
I thank all of the parents for their response to the instrumental music program survey - I am happy to announce that we will be introducing additional Instrumental music lessons at St John's this term. This is in addition to the piano lessons that already exist, however these additional lessons will be coordinated by Northern Rivers Conservatorium.
To enrol your child in these instrumental lessons please click this link - https://enrol.nrcac.edu.au/music-in-schools/new/ There is a drop down menu where you choose the school, so please choose St John's Primary School.
Once enrolments in this program are finalised, we will organise a start date. In the meantime, please contact me if you have any questions.
St John's After School Care
Byron Shire Council operates the OSHC service at Mullumbimby Public School. Due to the impact of the floods, the service has been operating here since March 2022. This service incudes after school care and vacation care. The service does not include before school care.
Council would like your feedback on this service and how it can best meet your needs.
Traditionally there has been lower attendance rates at the Mullumbimby service and Council would like to understand why and if there is anything they can do to better serve our community. No decisions have been made about how the service will operate in the future as yet.
Byron Shire Council is seeking your feedback about the type of OSHC services your family needs. Please provide your feedback by completing the survey at the below link by 27 May. If you have already completed a paper copy of the survey, please complete again online as the questions have changed.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/
If you have any questions, please contact OSHC director Cait Warren at vacationcare@byron.nsw.gov.au or 02 6685 8118.
NAPLAN
Over the last two weeks, students in Year 3 and Year 5 participated in NAPLAN testing. On Tuesday last week, they undertook the writing test, Wednesday they undertook the Reading test and on Thursday they undertook the Conventions of Language test. The Numeracy test was conducted earlier this week. I have been extremely proud of how our students have participated in these tests and the relaxed nature in which they were approached. Well done kids!
NAPLAN testing has changed significantly in recent times as schools transition from paper-based to computer-based assessments. Online NAPLAN tests provide more precise results and are more engaging for students. One of the main benefits is tailored (or adaptive) testing, where the test presents questions which may be more or less difficult depending on a student’s responses. Tailored testing allows a wider range of student abilities to be assessed and measures student achievement more precisely.
School-age screen time: tips for balance
I was reading an article on the weekend, just in relation to my own kids and their screen time. After chatting to a few parents last week, I thought that it was a great one to share with the community.
It is available here: https://raisingchildren.net.au/school-age/play-media-technology/screen-time-healthy-screen-use/healthy-screen-time-6-11-years
The key points that it mentions are:
- Screen time can be part of a healthy lifestyle when it’s balanced with other activities that are good for school-age development.
- Physical play, creative play, reading, socialising and sleep are important for school-age development.
- Family rules can help you balance screen time and other activities for school-age children.
Well worth a read if you want to regain control again. My 4 year old and I have just co-constructed our 'family media plan' and it is as much beneficial for me as it is for them!
Kind Regards,
Dave Bermingham
RE NEWS
Sacrament of Confirmation
On Monday the 23rd of May, students in year 3 will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. This is such a special time in our students' faith life when they prepare to receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Please keep the following students and their families in your prayers.
Ella Browning, Joseph Armstrong, Billy Fetherston, Caleb Mangleson and Rose Beaton.
Vinnies Winter Appeal Sleep Out
On Friday the 17th of June, Stage 2 and 3 will be invited to participate in a Vinnies School Sleepout.
Why? To gain a deeper understanding of homelessness, raise awareness of the realities faced by people experiencing homelessness and raise funds to support Vinnies homeless services in the local community.
More than 17,000 Australian children under the age of 12 have no permanent home.
Help St John’s fight homelessness by donating: https://my.fundraise.vinniesnsw.org.au/vinnies-school-sleepouts/st-john-s-vinnies-sleep-out
Your donation can help in the following ways:
$15 pays for a day’s meals for a family struggling to put food on the table
$30 provides someone a bed for the night
$50 provides school supplies and excursion fees for a child experiencing disadvantage
$80 pays for a course in life skills such as cooking, preparing for job interviews or basic computer skills at TAFE.
To reach my fundraising goal, I need your help. Donations over $2 are tax deductible and can be processed online.
More information to come…
Around the Stages - Stage 2
Stage 2 students are studying "Light and Shadows" during Science lessons. They have gathered data relating to the movement of shadows throughout the day and have graphed the results. They are also experimenting with light sources, the path taken by rays of light and the transparency of objects.
Light and Shadows
Stage 2 enjoying AFL
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU"
Our birthday people
Alariah, Samara, Mirabai, Penny, Marley & Daisy
Piano Lessons
Piano lessons are available at St John’s, during school hours and after school.
For further enquiries please call Daniel Holland 0401 071 667
COMMUNITY NEWS
