Dear SJV Families,

With Remembrance Day coming this Friday I recall a passage from a book I once read. “The Spirit of the Digger, Then and Now” by Patrick Lindsay explores what it is that sets Australian soldiers apart.

General Peter Cosgrove is an admired Australian who himself reflects the traits we admire in the Digger – courage, leadership, initiative, and compassion. In the above mentioned book, he is quoted as saying:

“I think we carry our national characteristics with us, we don’t subordinate any important element of the Australian character in the making and the life of a Digger. For example, we still very much have a sense of social justice which applies not just internally to the army but in our dealings with other people. So I would be amazed if Australian soldiers seeing people of other nations suffering hardship, which they do if they go to an area of operations, they will see people who are down and out, if this doesn’t strike a tremendous chord in the Digger’s heart”

On Friday we will pray in thanksgiving for the service and sacrifice of all who have worn an Australian uniform with pride and dedication. We will of course, also, pray for peace; for we know of the strife in many areas of our world today.

Lest we forget

Fete

Thank you all for an amazing family and community Fete!

It was a terrific effort by the organisers, the Community Council, staff and volunteers to prepare for the Fete. They worked effectively to ensure everything was organised, booked, delivered, set up, coordinated etc. I would like to thank in particular, Lucy Ohlmus, Matt Thorpe, The Doszpot Family, Janice Spackman, Nina De Rosa, The 2022 Fete Committee and Jet Simpson. Many hours went into planning and ensuring all was ready for last Saturday.

Thank you to those parents, friends and community members who volunteered to help on stalls. Without your help we would not have been able to have as many stalls as we did. On a beautiful Spring day, the Fete was well-attended and most stalls traded well.

Thank you also to our amazing SJV staff who were involved in everything! Staff were seen assisting with many tasks in and out of school time, setting up, working on various stalls, assisting students and visitors and packing up... among many things.

Whilst the final amount on the day is still to be finalised, it is anticipated the profit will be similar to previous years. However, more important is the fact that we held a great family event for our families and local community. Thank you to the whole community for supporting the SJV Fete again!

Well done!

Fete Sponsors

The following sponsors helped make our Fete a success. Please consider supporting them in return. Thank you to: Luton Weston Creek, Cross Fit Woden, Wild Studio, Shiny Nails, Fit Bodz, Capital Chemist, Bakers Delight, Deanne Calisthenics, That Gelato Place, Hide Away Cafe, Woolworths, XD Hair Rivett, J & R Bakery, Deserved Luxury, The Doszpot Family, Raiders Weston and Brindabella Waste.

Raffle

Our annual Raffle was launched at the Fete on the weekend. It will be drawn on 13^th December, which would make it a great Christmas present for whoever wins. (It might be you.)

Every family is encouraged to sell a book of tickets, which will be sent home this week.

IEU Industrial Action

Please note that I have received information concerning planned protected industrial action by the Independent Education Union (‘IEU’). I have been informed that some Independent Education Union (IEU) members from St John Vianney’s will be participating in one hour of protected industrial action in the form of a work stoppage.

The IEU has advised that the work stoppage will occur on Tuesday 15 November 2022 between 8.30am – 9.30am. As a result of this action, our school may experience staff shortages during this time. It may be necessary to ask that your children attend school at a later time next Tuesday.

By tomorrow (Friday 11 November), I will advise you about the specific arrangements for our school. These arrangements may include changes to the learning program or consideration of whether only supervision can be provided between the hours of 8.30 – 9.30.

Welcome – Kindergarten Orientation

Next Wednesday (16^th November) we welcome our 2023 Kindergarten students and their families to our school. We hope they soon feel very much a part of the SJV community.

Staffing

Following our news that Mrs Emerson will be on leave next year, I take pleasure in announcing the following new staff to SJV for 2023:

Mrs Nicole Perryman (teacher), Mrs Liz Diskin (teacher) and Mr Jess Gibson (classroom support assistant).

Kindness Day and Colour Run

We are excitedly looking forward to a special (uniform free) day on Friday 18^th November. Please keep your eyes out for further details.

Last Day of Term Four / Staff Development Day

Please remember that Catholic Education is allocating one (1) staff development day for all ACT systemic Catholic schools on the last day of Term 4 being Friday 16 December. Please note, therefore, that the last day of school for SJV students this year is Thursday 15 December.

Children’s Safety…

We have heard recently on the ACT Policing FB page (https://www.facebook.com/ACTPolicing) about an incident with a 13 year old girl in Rivett.

If your child walks or rides without adult accompaniment, please emphasise with them the importance of:

• Travelling in pairs of groups
• Staying visible to houses and busy roads
• Walking on footpaths (not roads)
• Never accepting a ride from unknown people
• Ensuring parents know which route they are taking.

It was once said…

“We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace.” – William Gladstow.

Blessings to you and your family.

Matt Egan-Richards

Principal (Acting)