Principal's Message
Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Carers
I hope everyone is safe and has had a good week. I ask that you continue to pray for the numbers of Covid patients in Victoria and around the world, that they continue to decrease and recover. I know that we keep all these people in our hearts.
“I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.” St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta
ACT Election-Saturday 17 October
The ACT Election is scheduled for 17th October, so I am sure you are seeing candidates from all parties at shopping centres (or even receiving phone calls from them). I encourage you to approach candidates at the shopping centres and mention or discuss the value of ACT Catholic Schools and quiz them on their party’s support for ACT Catholic Schools.
In the ACT, there are 29 systemic Catholic Schools who educate 15 000 students. In Canberra, Catholic schools are very similar to public schools; with our schools having almost exactly the same average ICSEA score (1077-1076). Our schools are inclusive, support families from all backgrounds, and operate on a modest budget.
Did you know that when you compare the total funding that Catholic schools in each state/territory receive, the ACT are the second lowest funded Catholic schools in the country? This is particularly impacted by the ACT Government’s low funding of Catholic schools.
Have a chat to the candidates and mention that you are a parent in an ACT Catholic School and funding of Catholic Schools is an important issue for you.
Science Week – Satellite Selfies, Incursions and Budding Scientists
Science Week is upon us with several things on the go at SJV. Science Week highlights an important KLA that we engage with all the time at SJV.
Tomorrow, weather permitting, we will be placing giant letters – SJV – on our bottom carpark for a satellite flyover to record our image.
I was in both 5/6 classes on Monday listening to the children present their findings from experiments that they had created, implemented and drawn conclusions from. This is a far cry from when the teacher would just tell the student what experiment to do.
Next week, we have Questacon Science Circus coming into our school for a Senior and Junior Incursion. A Science Circus experience is designed to stimulate and challenge students to explore science and technology for themselves that uses demonstrations and volunteer involvement to explore topics such as flight, sound, collisions, structures or bubbles.
Year 6 Graduation
Our coordinator for this event will be Mrs Wilder who is very excited to discuss her ideas with her team. Please let the Front Office know if you are a Year 5 parent who is interested in helping. We can then pass your details on to our coordinator.
Working Bee – TBA - Early Term 4
Our Working Bee was scheduled for this term but due to Covid 19 I feel that postponing it until Term 4 would be prudent. I will keep everyone posted.
Online Safety (Apps) - Free Parent Webinar
This is a timely reminder to parents regarding the many apps that are currently very popular amongst our students. Tik Tok, Facebook and Roblox are apps that your children may be using now, just to name a few. Many of these apps are fun and can be educational; however, as with everything online, there can be traps and pitfalls. As such, I have pasted a link below where parents can gain more information regarding online safety by participating in a free webinar (8th September 12:30pm or 9th September 7:30pm). This may help you to gain a handle on this ever-changing environment. https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars
Not Returning
At least one parent has notified me that they will not be returning to SJV due to their family relocating. I would be grateful if you could notify our Front Office if your child is not returning to SJV next year. This information will assist us with our staffing and resourcing. The parents of current Year 6 children do not need to respond.
Stay safe and God bless.
Peter Rodda
Principal