Term 3, Week 8, 8th September 2022 -
Principal Message
We have had an amazing couple of weeks here at St John's. Last week the students were lucky enough to have an extra Netball session and we also celebrated Father's Day with a great breakfast gathering. Thank you to everyone who could get there and make it special.
This week we have just been flying, the start of Spring has brought with it some fresh air and students have really taken their learning up a notch. A perfect example of this is the Stage 3 and their Natural Disaster presentations which every class visited on Tuesday. Some amazing Science and Technology learning and skills were on display there. I also spoke to Stage 1 during the week about a writing challenge that I have for them, so I can't wait to see how they progress with their writing in the next couple of weeks. the final copy is due to me in the last week of term.
All classes have been focussing on writing as part of our School Improvement Plan for this semester, so to celebrate some of the fantastic work that students have done and continue to do, we have a special Celebration of Writing event in the last week of term, which you won't want to miss! This will also allow parents to jump into open classrooms and talk to your child about other work that they have been doing and are proud of.
This Friday we welcome the Kindy 2023 cohort for our Junior Johnnies Program. this program will run for 6 weeks as a was to orientate these students with St John's! If you see any new families around on a Friday morning, please make them feel very welcome.
Please see below some timely reminders regarding student attendence and Messages, visitors and family circumstances.
Key Dates for Term 3
Please find below key dates for Term 3 at this stage. Any additional dates will be communicated as they arise during the term.
- Friday 9th September - Junior Johnnies program begins.
- Wednesday 21st September - Celebration of Writing!!
- Friday 23rd September - Last Day of Term 3.
Ongoing items to be conscious of during term 3:
- 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.
Student Attendence
Late Arrivals
Students who arrive late must report to the School Office and log their absence on the Compass computer before proceeding to class. A parent must accompany late students to the School Office.
Early Departure
Students may not leave the School premises during school hours without signing out through the School Office on the Compass computer. In most cases, Parents/guardians collect their children from the School Office.
Absence from School & Extended Leave
Parents/Guardians will be notified of absences if the Office has not received notice of the absence. Parents/guardians must notify the Office before lessons begin. For extended leave, Parents must fill out a ‘Notification of Extended Leave’ Form and have it approved by the school Principal. Any unexplained absences will be followed by a letter to parents.
Feeling Unwell
If students feel unwell at school, they must inform their teacher. The student will then go to the Front Office. If students feel unwell during recess or lunch, they must inform the teacher on duty, before going to the Front Office for assistance.
Unable to Participate in Sport
A written note of explanation from a parent/guardian or a medical certificate should be given to the Office.
Messages, Visitors and Family Circumstances
Messages for Students
If you have a message for your son/daughter, please let the office know as early as possible. Any messages relating to change in afternoon routine for students need to be communicated to the office prior to 2:30pm. this is to ensure that the classroom teacher and staff members on afternoon duty are aware and can ensure that your child is safe.
Change of Address/Family Circumstances
Parents are asked to promptly notify the school of any change of address, phone number, email address or place of employment. When parents arrange for students to stay with relatives or friends while they themselves are away from home for a period of time, the office must be informed in writing. We need particulars relating to the name, address and phone number of relatives/friends and the duration of the student's stay.
Similarly, any change in family status, such as a separation, must be notified to the school. This is not only for administrative purposes but also so the school can work for the pastoral welfare of the child(ren).
School Visitors
It is a legal requirement that visitors to our school premises must sign in at the front office.
While this may sound daunting and unfriendly, particularly as we wish to encourage parents to come to the school and feel welcome, you must report to the office first in order for us to comply with child protection legislation. Parents/carers do not need to sign in when dropping off or picking up their children.
Kind Regards,
Dave Bermingham
SAVE THE DATE - DAY ON THE GREEN
Saturday 22nd October 2022 2pm-7pm
This event will take place on the school oval where there will be food, entertainment, auctions and raffles etc. It is a social event for adults only.
We are seeking donations of items to Auction or Raffle. If you are able to donate any items or have contacts, please let me know.
Principal Awards - Week 7
Principal Awards - week 8
Assistant Principal
Collaborative Learning Catches Fire in Stage 3
On Tuesday this week the Stage Three children staged a natural disasters ‘expo’ in the hall: the expo included - what they are, why they happen and the impact they have. All the other children were fascinated to learn about the the various disasters from the older children.
The expo was the culmination of a week’s worth of intense collaborative learning during which teams of Stage Three children worked feverishly to plan, research, write up and finally build a mode of their disasterl to help demonstrate their learning.
I’d like to congratulate the Stage Three children not only on the high quality of their presentations but also on the way they worked together to solve the challenges presented by the task. The ability to collaborate which involves so much communication and importantly the ability to make compromises at times is a key 21st century skill. All work places stipulate collaborative skills as essential for prospective workers in our modern world.
Children Give the Nod to a New Hat
Our fabulous SRC team have been busy this week seeking student voice on school hat styles. We can’t currently source the regular school hat so children have the opportunity to have their say about what kind of hat will be stocked in the Uniform Shop after the next order. Cody and Shanti are modeling the two styles below. One is a reversible ‘bucket’ style hat whilst the other is your more traditional broadbrim hat. So far the children seem to be leaning towards the bucket hat but the voting is as yet incomplete. Decision to be announced in the next newsletter.
Best regards, Greg
School Information
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU"
Our birthday people
Phoenix, Estelle & Sienna
BOOK FAIR 2022
A huge thank you to the families and friends who made our book fair so successful. Sales were $2193 which provides us with $548 in rewards to spend on resources.
FAMILY CONNECT - The Lunch Box: snack sized tips with Lisa
Supporting Children and Young People through Change (adapted from an article written by Fiona Baker for Kidspot)
One thing we can be guaranteed of in life is that not everything remains the same and life is full of change. People move houses, kids change schools, friends shift away or stop being friends, parents can separate and almost every year they’ll probably have to face a new teacher. Below are ways you can help children navigate change.
- Be prepared to answer their many questions – and create an environment in which they feel safe about asking you anything about the changes they’re facing. Asking questions helps them process change and the answers they receive from the people they trust most – that is mum, dad or main carer – will help them transition.
- Give them warning – like adults, no child will cope well with change being sprung on them. If you can, start talking through the changes early so they can get their head around it as well as ask all the questions that arise.
- Stick to routines as much as possible – try not to change everything at once. If you have routines in place like bedtime rituals, the books you read even the TV shows you all watch, try to keep those in place where possible.
- Let them grieve - when any of us move, change schools, or make any kind of change in life, we leave something behind. Let your children and young people talk about what they miss and don’t try to point out all of the wonderful things about new house, school, bedroom or whatever - let them appropriately mourn what they have lost.
- Be prepared to weather the change – many kids don’t adapt immediately and there may be tears and tantrums, followed by major parental guilt. Expect that it can take time for children to adjust.
Hot Tip: these things are super helpful for grown-ups too!
If after a while you are finding that your children or young people are still struggling to cope with the change that has taken place, they may need some extra support. Our Family Connect worker Lisa Wood can help. Lisa is at St John’s each Monday. You can contact Lisa on 0429 441 518 or email her lisa.wood@socialfutures.org.au
Every day is the day to ask R U OK?
Today is R U OK?Day - our National Day of Action when we remind Australians that every day is a day to ask, ‘are you OK?’ and start a meaningful conversation to support the people in their world through life’s ups and downs.
Be sincere with your question, look for the signs, reach out when you notice someone isn't themselves and really listen to their answer.
Showing you care can make someone feel supported and connected and taking the time for a meaningful conversation might be just what someone needs to help them through a tough time.
BRAVE HEARTS DAY
Bravehearts Day on Friday 9th September is dedicated to raising funds and awareness for the prevention of child sexual abuse. The day was previously named Bravehearts White Balloon Day.
This annual awareness and giving day is held during National Child Protection Week each year. The day started as White Balloon Day back in 1997. However, as times and environmental concerns have evolved, the need to change the name of the day was apparent in order to best represent the survivors of child sexual abuse now.
The essence of the day remains the same as Bravehearts White Balloon Day. Bravehearts Day continues the legacy of White Balloon Day, which is credited for breaking the silence around child sexual abuse and creating a cultural shift in how Australians understand and respond to child sexual abuse and survivors of this crime.
LIONS RECYCLE FOR SIGHT
Lions club of Brunswick Mullumbimby is asking the school communites in our shire to help them give the gift of sight. They are collecting used prescription glasses, magnifier glasses and sunglasses (withoutcase) during October. Each pair of glasses will be refurbished and a person in a developing country will be able to see thanks to that donation. The gfit of sight is the most precious need of children and adults throughtout the world. Become part of the greatest present an Australian can give - NEW SIGHT.
Please drop glasses into the school office during September and October for collection.
Please ask students and staff to collect glasses from family, grandparents, friends, neigbours for our lions eye glasses recyling project. Ask children to not take granny's glasses whilst she is having a nanna nap
Piano Lessons
Piano lessons are available at St John’s, during school hours and after school.
Enquiries please call Daniel Holland 0401 071 667
COMMUNITY NEWS
Free family fun at the Parliament of New South Wales
Friday 7 October 10am to 3pm Visit us at Australia’s oldest Parliament as it opens its doors for Family Fun Day, an open day packed with fun educational activities for families with children aged from 4 to 12 years. This year’s highlights include:
cartoon workshop with the award-winning illustrator and cartoonist Eric Lobbecke
Vote for me! a voting exercise with the NSW Electoral Commission
an opportunity for you to have a say in our mock committee hearings
There will be many other activities on offer including craft, tours of our historic chambers, roving musicians and more…! (You may even get to meet some very important people!)
Entry is free and the event will be held at NSW Parliament, 6 Macquarie Street Sydney. Please use this link to search for directions and public transport options to Parliament House. Auslan interpreters will be onsite on the day.
Bookings Essential
https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/visit/events/Pages/Family-Fun-Day-2022.aspx
P: (02) 9230 2047
E: Communityengagement@parliament.nsw.gov.au
