Principal's Message

Dear SJV Families,

Welcome to the end of Wk 1

We have had a wonderful start to our school term with happy faces and eager minds ready for a year’s learning.  I am sure that there will be challenges for all our families,  please know that you can call on the school and our community for assistance.

I would also like to welcome all of our wonderful new staff and families into the SJV family.  

O God,
I find myself at the beginning of another day.
I do not know what it will bring.
Please help me to be ready for whatever it may be.

If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely.
If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly.
If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently.
If I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly.

I pray just for today, for these twenty-four hours,
for the ability to cooperate with others according to the way Jesus taught us to live.
"Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
May these words that he taught us become more than words.

Send your Spirit to inspire me in time of doubt and indecision so that, together, we can walk along your path.

- J. Veltri, S.J.

School Launch and Welcome BBQ – 3rd February 5:00pm-7:00pm 

It will be great to celebrate in person again with our opening BBQ. We will have a small Information Session from 5:15pm-5:30pm which will contain the following –

• Introducing Staff and the SCC
• School Goals and Annual Plan Information
• Food and fun for our families

Our evening continues at 5:30 where the children can play on a jumping castle and use our playground equipment.  Supervision will be maintained by parents of their own children, but we hope mums and dads use this as an opportunity to say hello to each other and spend some time to get to know more community members.  The BBQ will begin serving sausages for everyone at 5:30pm and a pkt of chips and a Zooper Dooper will be offered to children as well.  

School Community Council Members Needed

Being on the Community Council is a great way to volunteer with the school outside of school hours. There are two meetings a term, in Weeks 3 and 8, held on Monday nights at 6.00pm for about 1 – 1 ½ hours.

The Chair and Secretary positions will be determined at the first meeting of 2023. Joining the Council does not mean you have to volunteer for one of these specific roles.

If you are interested in volunteering for, or want more information about any of these positions, please contact Peter Rodda the Principal or the Front Office.  

Compass – SJV Communication Platform - Contacting Teachers

Currently we are sending almost all communications using Compass.  If you are unsure how to use this communication app, please contact the Front Office for help.  We are currently in the process to source a comprehensive information session about how to use this program for all parents. 

If you need to contact the school regarding your child the first contact would almost always be the classroom teacher.  Parents in the past have emailed the front office regarding an issue, this sometimes does not reach the teacher until the end of the day, when the teacher needs to receive it in the morning.  If it is an urgent message you can call the front office directly.  

Uniform Shop Manager Needed - Opening Times

The wonderful Mrs Simpson our Front Office Manager stepped in last year to temporarily run the Uniform Shop, we do however need a permanent manager.  This volunteer role requires a person to be at the shop once per week (twice if able) to open in the morning and in the afternoon.  The times and days could be based around your availability.

Currently the shop will be open at 9:20am-10am and 3:20pm-4pm

Parent Contacts

At the beginning of the year we ask for one to two parents from each class who would like to be a point of contact for new enrolling families or someone who might like to coordinate helpers for an event.  Please see the attached slip to offer assistance. Class Contact

Parent/Teacher 'Meet and Greets' Feb 13^th – 17^th Feb/ Parent Information Notes

Each teacher will make themselves available for 3-4 days over the week.  The booking times which will be available on Compass which will be opened up for inputting requests by next week.  These meetings will occur here at school.  Teachers will also be sending a general information note home to their parents next week via Compass. 

Fortnightly Parent Compass Communications from Teachers

Please make sure that you have access to the Compass Portal as your child’s teacher will keep you up to date with what is happening or going to happen in your child’s class through a fortnightly communique.    

Canteen - Volunteers needed

Our Canteen has already had it's first day of delicious lunches.  

A reminder that if you child is sick on the day and they have a lunch order, please contact the school and cancel your order by 9:30am.  Unfortunately after this time items will already be in the process of being made or heated and your order cannot be refunded.

A letter has already gone home soon asking for volunteers for the Canteen.  Please look to see if you can assist, especially on a Friday. Anyone who works in the Canteen must  hold a current WWVP card. 

Medication at School and Medical Plans

If your child requires medication for 2023 you will need to fill out the school's Medication Administration and Indemnity Forms. These need to be completed every year for any students who need medication or the possibility of medication being administered. 

Next week Mrs Simpson will send home our form for any child who currently receives medication or to any family who is requesting medicine to be administered for the first time. 

If your child is on a medical plan (eg. Asthma Plan) please make sure that the school has an up to date copy of this plan.

School Counselling 

Kate Worthington, our school counsellor is looking to initiate some group sessions based around resilience, making and keeping friends and working with others.  She may get in contact with parents to discuss whether your child may benefit from this program.

If your child needs counselling over an issue that is causing them stress, anxiety or worry, please contact the school and we can organise this to occur.

Bell Times and Late Arrival

Drop off time is 8:30am in the morning and pick-up is by 3:30pm in the afternoon.

Our school academic start time however, is 9am and our finish time is 3:10pm.  Out first morning bell that rings is to give children time to go to the bathroom and line up and give teachers extra time to get outside to pick up their class.

Our school gate needs to be closed at 9am by the morning duty teacher.  If you are running late you will need to take your child through the Front Office. 

These protocols are for the safety of our students. 

PLEASE DO NOT DROP YOUR CHILDREN BEFORE 8:30AM UNLESS THEY ARE IN BEFORE SCHOOL CARE

God bless you and your families

Peter Rodda

Principal