Term 4, Week 6, 16 November 2023
Principal Message
Dear St John's Community,
We have crossed over the halfway hurdle of the term, with only 20 days to go until the summer holidays.
Teachers are currently finalising assessments and writing reports. Please view Mrs O'Dwyer's article below where she highlights changes to reports for Semester Two. Like every semester at St John's, report cards will be released to parents on Compass. The date for this to occur this semester is Tuesday 12th December.
Our Kindy and Stage 1 Students have started their swimming lessons and we had perfect weather during the week which all students (and staff) appreciated. Next week, we might not be so lucky. If there is any risk to student safety due to weather, we will postpone swimming lessons. Stage 2 and 3 will begin their intensive swimming lesson block on Monday 4th December.
REMEMBRANCE DAY
On Friday 10th November, our community joined together for a special Remembrance Day ceremony to honour the brave men and women who have made sacrifices for peace and freedom. It was a simple yet poignant event that left a lasting impression on our young hearts.
The ceremony began with a moment of silence as we gathered in our assembly space. We listened to the haunting notes of the bugle playing "The Last Post." It was a time for us to think about the heroes who have served our country.
In our own way, our students and teachers paid tribute to these heroes by placing colourful paper poppies. Each poppy symbolises our respect and thanks for those who have served and protected us.
The ceremony was a mix of solemnity and hope, reminding us that we can all contribute to a peaceful and united world. It's our responsibility to be kind and caring, just like our heroes.
As we wrapped up the ceremony, we made a promise to remember and honour our heroes by being good citizens and working towards a world where conflicts are solved through talking and understanding.
As John wrote (15:12-13): “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends”. We honour those who gave their lives for not just loved ones & friends - but for strangers, for their country, for a better future.
Change in Assembly Time
We will be changing our assembly time to 1:oopm on a Monday, instead of 2:20pm. This is just until the end of the year to enable our school choir to rehearse on Monday afternoons. Our School choir will be performing at the Mullumbimby Carols by Candlelight on 10th December 2023.
Upcoming Dates
Please find a list of date savers below.
- Thursday 7th December - Carols on the Green @ St John's
- Tuesday 12th December - Report Cards Released to parents on Compass
- Wednesday 13th December - Year 6 Graduation Mass @ 9:30am
- Friday 15th December - Last Day of Term 4
Student Attendance
This time of year is a timely reminder of student attendance requirements. This information comes directly from the 2023 Parent Handbook (p.10-11). We have a legal obligation to mandatory report any parents/guardians who break the Education and Public Instruction Act 1987 & the Education Act 1990.
Parents are legally responsible for the regular attendance of their children at school (Section 22 Education Act 1990). St John’s Commences at 8.50am and finishes at 2.50pm.
Parents and Carers are responsible for:
- Ensuring that their child attends school regularly.
- Promptly explaining the absences of their child from school.
- Taking measures to resolve attendance issues involving their child.
Student attendance will be recorded no later than 9:00am each day by using the electronic roll. If a child is recorded as being absent the school administration staff will send out an automated SMS message to the parent/guardian informing them that the student is absent and request an explanation. You may respond via SMS, complete an absentee note via Compass App, call the school office or email the school. This is then recorded on the electronic roll.
Appointments for students during the school day are discouraged. Any student leaving during school hours must be collected by a parent/guardian from the office to be signed out by the Office Administration.
It is required under the Education and Public Instruction Act 1987 that notice be given to the school/teacher explaining a child’s absence from school be supplied by the parent/guardian within 7 days of the occurrence of that sickness, danger or infirmity, or of that misadventure or unforeseen event.
If a note is not forthcoming an unexplained absence will be recorded. At the end of each term, parents are sent home a note outlining all unexplained absences, again requesting an explanation.
Late Arrival
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.
Unable to Participate in Sport
A written note of explanation from a parent/guardian or a medical certificate should be given to the Office.
Collection During School Hours
If a child is to be picked up early or is absent during part of the school day, a green Partial Absence Recorded card must be obtained from the office on departure (and, if returning that day, on return). The partial absence is recorded by the office and the green card should be given to your child’s teacher to notify them that the office has recorded the partial absence. It is preferable to notify the office prior to collecting your child early. We ask that you proceed to the office to collect your child, where your child MUST be signed in or out accordingly. The office will ring for your child to come to the front reception.
Kind Regards,
Dave Bermingham
Assitant Principal
Understanding the New Semester 2 Student Report
Information for Parents
Teachers are currently conducting assessments to gather data which will support the process of formulating your child’s school report. Semester 2 reports will go out towards the end of term. They will look different to previous years.
Why are there changes to the K-6 Semester Two Student Report?
The NSW Government is reforming the curriculum to streamline and strengthen what is taught in every classroom in NSW, so every student is prepared and ready for their future. The curriculum reform has been informed by consultation with teachers, parents and education experts, and is underpinned by extensive research. Curriculum reform involves changing teaching, learning, assessment and reporting to parents.
The release of the new syllabuses provides the opportunity to revise aspects of the Student Report to align with current research.
“Parents want to know what was taught and how well their child has learnt it,
as well as where improvement is needed……. (NESA, 2023)”
What are the changes to the Student Report Comments for Semester Two?
Student Report Comments reflect the Learning Areas on the Student Report. There will be multiple comments recorded as bulleted jot points:
- English Comment
- Mathematics Comment
- Key Learning Area Comment and
The English and Mathematics Comments will reflect:
- Areas of achievement and growth
- Learning Goals
within each Key Learning Area.
The Key Learning Areas Comments will reflect:
- Areas of achievement and growth
- Learning Goals
across Creative Arts, Science and Technology, History, Geography and Personal Development, Health
and Physical Education
Sample Student Report (your child's student report may look slightly different)
What are the changes to Religious Education for Semester Two?
Religious Education will no longer be reported on by Units of Work. It will now be reported on as Knowledge and Understanding across the Units of Work. This is in alignment with the reporting processes for other Key Learning Areas.
Will there be further changes to the Student Report?
Yes. In 2024, Year 3-6 will have a new English and a new Mathematics syllabus. In 2025, K-6 teachers will teach, assess and report on new syllabuses for the other Key Learning Areas. The release of the new syllabuses provides the opportunity to revise aspects of the Student Report to align with current research. The research, as well as feedback from schools, will guide future changes. Your child’s school will communicate any further changes to parents prior to the 2024 Semester 1 Student Report.
What if I have questions about the changes?
Parents are encouraged to contact your child’s school to discuss any questions you have about the K-6 Semester Two Student Report.
SCHOOL INFORMATION
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU"
Our Birthday people:-
Annika, Malik, Rocket & Evan
Year 6 Graduation Fundraising
The Year 6 students are still fund raising over the coming weeks, each Thursday at recess. Prices vary from 50cents to $1.00 Students will be told about each weeks activities at the beginning of the week.
We will be having a "Cycle Circuit" at school on Tuesday 21st November. Students are invited to bring either their bike or scooter to school with a helmet.
Students participating will have an early recess at 1:20pm and then with a gold coin entry, be able to do laps of the supervised circuit from 1:30-2:00pm.
All bicycles and scooters will be locked and stored in the Hall before and after the event.
CORRECT INFORMATION
Please make sure that the school has your correct contact info. If you have moved house! updated your phone! or changed email addresses! Please advise the school office via Compass, email; sjpmull@lism.catholic.edu.au or phone the office.
Absentees If you know that your child will be away from school for any reason, please let the office know.
Compass is having some issues with adding reasons for absence, please phone or email the school with this info.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS PARENT ASSEMBLY
COMMUNITY NOTICES
