Dear Parents/Carers

Welcome to the end of Week 7.  As we are well into the season of Lent, I thought the prayer below would be a nice reflection.

Almighty and ever living God,
you invite us deeper into your world, your people, your Lent.
May this time be one of outward focus;
seeking you in those we often ignore.
Help us live a Lent focused on freedom, generosity, and encounter.
Give us hearts hungry to serve you
and those who need what we have to give.

Announcement – Year 1B and Year 3/4P

I would like to inform our community that Mrs Tanya Dunley has decided to resign from her position as Year 1B classroom teacher. 

Tanya has taught in primary schools for just over 20 years, the last three at SJV, but has decided to step back from being a classroom teacher as she pursues other career avenues. 

Tanya will complete the remainder of the term with her class and given this development, I have asked Mr Young to take on Year 1 from Term Two Week 7. Mr Young has agreed to return early from his LSL to take the class.  As parents are probably aware, Mr Young is a highly experienced Year 1 teacher.  This will guarantee that the continuing teacher on Year 1 is highly skilled with extensive knowledge of the current programs being implemented in this class. 

Miss Ruth Blackwell, pending CE approval, will remain as the Year 3/4 teacher for 2022 which gives continuity to this class. 

I would like to extend the school’s best wishes to Mrs Dunley for her future outside the classroom. 

White Token Lunch

I had a wonderful lunch with some very well deserving students (pictured below) who were vary happy to chat and laugh throughout all of lunch about topics varying from what they did on the long weekend to stories about parents dropping important household items!  Well done to these students who between them have enacted over 750 positive acts throughout our school.

Parent Contacts

It would be wonderful to have parents put their names forward to be a class contact for 2022.  The role of our parent contact is to be a first point of connection for families who are new to the school, families who are unsure of procedures or for families who would like to bring students or parents together to enjoy a social occasion (football/netball fun game after school, a dinner out with mums or dads, bike riding with students etc) with class or cohort members.  We had a wonderful group last year, but unfortunately due to Covid we did not get to do much, it would be great to have another great crew or some of last years volunteers. 

Plant Sale – Friday 25^th 2pm-4pm - Located near the Front Entrance of the School 

As you will read further through this bulletin you will see a section on our amazing plants.  Since these plants are at peak fitness, we have decided to farm them out to caring families at a small cost.  Please come along if you want to support our school and grab a bargain at the same time. 

Principal's Retreat

Last week I participated on our Principal’s Retreat which had a theme of "Justice and Mercy".  The Retreat was facilitated by Archbishop Christopher who gave us his insights into associated scripture and led us in mass and prayer.  This was a wonderful opportunity for spiritual renewal for all principals. 

Special Lunch Days – Parish Feast Day Friday 25^th March & Italian Carnivale Celebration Wednesday 30^th March

As we start to return to something a little bit more like normal life in our school, we cannot forget to celebrate.  As such we have two Special Lunch Order days planned.  These will go up on Qkr! tomorrow so please jump on and order, to make sure that your child does not miss out.

School Community Council – Positions Available

We have two non-executive positions on the School Community Council.  Our council is the parent governing body at the school which advises on matters such as parent expenditure, family assistance, school uniform, fundraising etc.  We meet as a team twice per term on Monday nights at 6pm.  PL If you would like to assist in any of these areas, your contribution would be gratefully accepted, please email me your expression of interest on peter.rodda@cg.catholic.edu.au

Communication Survey – Fortnightly Updates

As part of our school approach at SJV, teachers send out a fortnightly Communique to give parents an idea of what is happening in their class.  Next week I will be placing out a survey to ascertain how much this service is used by parents to see if it is worthwhile keeping.  I will take an absence of an answer as a family who is not interested in the teacher emails.  So please make sure that you take part in the survey one way or another. 

God bless you and your families

Peter Rodda

Principal