Dear Parents and Carers

"There is a close link between the hope of a people and harmony between the generations.  The joy of children makes their parents' hearts leap and opens up the future.  children are the joy of the family and of society" Pope Francis

At St John Vianney's, the focus is always our children and what we can do to make their educational journey a positive experience.  We can only do this with parents help.  Thank you to all our mums, dads, grandparents and helpers who work with the school to make sure our students are the best that they can be.

Canteen - CLOSED TOMORROW

I have just finished talking with our Canteen Manager who believes that the change of lunch times that started this week has had a huge impact on the canteen's ability to get all lunch orders out on time.  I have attached our current roster to this newsletter and as it stands, there are hardly any gaps, thanks to parents placing their hands up and offering to help.

The need now is to have people place themselves on certain days as "back-up" volunteers, who can help if called upon.  You may never be called.

If a parent cannot make a session, then the 'back-up' volunteer will be the first person they try to fill the gap.  We are hoping that this new system will make the canteen's role an easier one.

Year 5 Parents - Graduation Help Needed

Karen Wilder has volunteered to be the event coordinator for the Year 6 Graduation.  This will be a slightly different Graduation with Covid 19 Rules applying, such as seated dining with no indoor canapes and all meals being served directly to tables.  Karen has already organised many areas - catering, disco, invitations.  There is still however a great need for volunteers, especially on the night as more servers will be needed this year due to the Covid 19 restrictions.  I have listed areas below that will still need completing and Karen would like to assemble a team to have a Grad meeting next week.  Could you please contact her using the email address below.  An email to Year 5 parents will also be sent out on Monday for those who might miss this week's Newsletter.

•  Help on the night - Servers will be needed
• Logistics - Table pick up etc
• Courtyard clean up (Whipper snipper, garden beds etc.)
• Hall set-up
• Seating plan
• Lolly Bar design
• Photo Booth organisation

Karen's email is s.k.wilder@bigpond.com 

School Fees

A reminder that if your family circumstances have changed either due to Covid 19 or for some other unrelated reason then you should make an appointment to see me in regard to fee concession or fee relief.  As a small school, we treat all our families as individuals and know that circumstances change.  Please do not wait until you are under enormous stress, make an appointment to see me if needed.

Next Level Writing Competition Winners

Congratulations to Kaelan (Yr.5) and Alyssa (Yr.6) who won an Archdiocesan competition. Kaelan and Alyssa were the winners from our school and their writing is going to be published in an anthology with the winners from the other schools.  The school will get a copy of the anthology for our library and Alyssa and Kaelan will get a copy each.  Well done SJV!

Classroom Contacts for 2021 needed.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank the parents who placed their hand up this year to be Classroom Contacts.  Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, there was not much happening in the way of events in 2020.

A Class Contact role can include:

• Welcoming new families to our school after being notified of their arrival by the front office.
• Organising help for a family in need.
• Organising a student event like hot chocolate and afternoon play or soccer after school for their grade level.

These type of fun activities need not be large or often.  One event a semester is enough to enhance our wonderful community and keep parents in contact with each other, something very much need for everyone after this year.  If you can help in this area for 2021, it would be very much appreciated.

Covid Guidelines

Whilst it seems that Australia is managing the pandemic now what is occurring in Europe and America with their second waves reminds us that we need to be vigilant in handwashing, sanitising, social distancing and following guidelines.  As such, I would like to thank our community for social distancing after school to help keep our community safe.

School Mega Raffle - Now available on Qkr!

Sometimes parents and teachers prefer to buy raffle books for themselves.  To make this easier, we have now placed a raffle book purchase on Qkr!. After paying on the App, you can then send in your raffle book that has been marked with - 'Paid on Qkr'!. We are hoping that this 'tap and go' feature will make things easier for our parents.

Stay safe and God bless.

Peter Rodda

Principal