Dear SJV Families,

Halloween, especially in the US, has typically been associated with children door knocking for lollies or playing practical jokes on unsuspecting neighbours. But we shouldn’t forget the more authentic link to all the saints. 

The term ‘Halloween’ is shortened from All-hallow-even - the evening before ‘All Hallows' Day’ or ‘All Saints' Day’. Halloween is celebrated on October 31 which was initially a day of pagan sacrifice to mark the eve of the Celtic winter. Fires were lit and costumes were worn to ward off evil spirits who were allowed to visit earth that evening. In the 8^th century, the Church designated 1 November as the Feast of All Saints thus Christianising the pagan festival.

May we all give thanks for the lives of saints and all others who have, through their lives, made the world a better place.

School Pride

Congratulations to our school’s Sustainability Team, led by Janice Spackman, Leah Malpas, and Anna Kain, supported by parents Dan Spackman, Peta Corby, Peter and Beth Seivers, John and Georgina Doyle, and approximately 40 of our dedicated student volunteers. Following a nomination submitted by Mrs De Rosa, they were presented with a Community Activity Award at the annual ACT Children’s Week Award on Wednesday this week.  They have established garden beds, watering system and composting.  

This area in the school provides space for children to work with their hands and promote -positive talk and friendships. It is also a means to connect with the wider community by selling any extra vegetables and plants at the fete and garden stalls.

The group manage to supply lemon trees and Lavender plants for Father's day gifts this year. We are also hoping to establish an Indigenous garden with story poles over the next 2 years.

Well done Green Team!

Working Bee

Many hands make light work, and we are looking forward to having many hands here this Saturday to help from 10.00am-12.30pm.

Jobs to be done in readiness for our Fete: Weeding, Hedging, Pruning, Trimming, Sweeping (blowing), Garden Waste to tip, Chopping up and removal of fallen gum tree.

Tools Required: Blower Vacs, Hedgers, Pruners / Secateurs, Rakes, Shovels, Weeders, Trailer

Please lend a hand, even if only for half an hour on the day. We would be especially grateful to anyone who can take a load of green-waste to the tip.

Welcome

We welcome Phoenix Honeyman, Archer and Hugo Lucas and Siobhan Loader and their families to our school this term. We hope they soon feel very much a part of the SJV community.

Staffing

A huge congratulations to Mrs Sarah Emerson who is expecting, along with Lachlan, their first child next year. We wish them all the very best, and will also miss Mrs Emerson’s smiling face while she is on maternity leave for the duration of 2023.

This week we farewell one of our wonderful Classroom Support Assistants, Miss Young Min Jin, who is moving schools to incorporate her Japanese language skills. We thank her for all of the work she has done supporting SJV students and staff, and wish her the very best for her new role.

Congratulations

We congratulate and acknowledge Leah Malpas who on Tuesday evening was presented with her "Highly Accomplished Teacher Accreditation". Following a thorough process of external validation, Leah has been acknowledged as a Nationally accredited Highly Accomplished Teacher. We are very proud, but not surprised, as we know how good she is.

It’s Our Fete – Saturday 5 November

We hope to see you, your friends, your family and your neighbours at our Fete next Saturday.

It’s not too late to put up your hand to help out. Even if you can give just an hour, please let us know at office.sjv@cg.catholic.edu.au.  

Last Day of Term Four / Staff Development Day

Please note that Catholic Education is allocating one (1) staff development day for all ACT systemic Catholic schools on the last day of Term 4 being Friday16 December. Please note, therefore, that the last day of school for SJV students this year is Thursday 15 December.

Fees

Thank you to all who are up to date with school fee payments. For those who have let them slide, we would appreciate payment for previous terms by the end of this week please.

Grandparents Day

We are looking forward to seeing many of our Grandparents, or significant others, this coming Friday.

It was once said…

I believe humans get a lot done, not because we're smart, but because we have thumbs so we can make coffee.

Blessings to you and your family.

Matt Egan-Richards

Principal