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 may be challenges for all our families throughout the year,  please know that you can call on the school and 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.

Introduce Staff and Welcome Picnic– 7th February 5:00pm-7:00pm 

We're excited to gather in person once again for our Opening School Picnic!

It promises to be a fun-filled evening, with the children enjoying the jumping castle and playground equipment.  Parents will be responsible for supervising their own children, but we encourage mums and dads to take this opportunity to connect with one another and meet more members of the community. 

A fully supervised jumping castle,  a free pkt of chips and a Zooper Dooper will be offered to children. 

THIS EVENT IS WEATHER DEPENDENT.  WE MAY NEED TO CANCEL OUR JUMPING CASTLE IF THERE IS RAIN.  PLEASE KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR COMPASS MESSAGES IN CASE WEATHER EFFECTS THIS EVENT. 

School Goals and Curriculum Updates

Below I have placed out two main goals for 2025.

• Strengthen our Catholic Identity and embed across all areas of the Curriculum
• Improve student engagement and growth using High Impact Teaching Strategies

A large part of our Catholic Identity is to make sure we are caring and nurturing all members of our community.  A new program that aligns with this is The Resilience Program.  This will be a whole school approach that is run every Monday morning K-6.  More information to parents will be sent out this term. 

This year we will also focus on staff coaching in High Impact Teaching Practices.  Mrs Kain and Mrs Malpas are heading this program working with all staff and an external coach to make this program a success.

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 2025. 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.  

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.  

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.  This is a great way for you to network and have some fun (eg. a mum or dad's night out) and meet new people.  Please contact your classroom teacher through Compass if you can help out in this area. 

Parent/Teacher 'Meet and Greets' Feb 17th – 21st  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 regarding their class 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

A Compass notification was sent out this week 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.

A reminder that if your 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 your order maynot be able to be refunded.

Student Pick Up and Drop Off

Don't forget that SJV has an entry and exit system only.  You enter from the driveway closest to Hindmarsh Drive and exit from the driveway closest to Stromlo High.  Please do not park on the red curb or try and stop and pick your child up outside the school fence, as this is a thoroughfare for traffic.  

Please pick up and drop off only in the designated drop off/pick-up zone which is directly outside the school hall, no parking here please.  Otherwise park your car (not against the red kerb) and walk and pick your child up from the school gate.

School Fees

These will be issued by the central office early this term.

If your family is experiencing financial difficulty please contact the front office and make an appointment to see me so we can investigate Fee Remission.  

Easy Communication/ What's On

A simple way to know what's coming up and happening in our school is by using either the School Calendar, Newsletter or Newsletter Calendar - 'Dates to remember' for the month.  These are supplements to COMPASS but are quite useful and easy to find. 

Well done SJV Students!

A couple of our students are clearly striving to play for the Matilda's or the Soceroo's in the near future.  Well done to Elsie and Carter who participated in the Futsal National Club's Championships representing the ACT. This was a big achievement and a super fun tournament for them both.

 Carter was also selected to represent Australia in futsal which is a huge, super exciting achievement!! Go Carter!! 

Peter Rodda

Principal