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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 this year will contain challenges for all our families, whether they be pandemic or family specific, 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.
Covid 19 Practices
As described in last week’s back to school email the school is following Covid Safe Practices in line with ACT Health and CE guidelines.
To keep our community informed you will receive a daily communique which began on Tuesday discussing the number of either staff or students who have tested positive from the day before. This communique is to keep you informed about the potential exposure to your child.
A reminder that parents are not permitted beyond the Front Office of our school and should not be in classes or corridors, this is a Covid Safe requirement. There has been a small amount of leeway for this guideline this week, due to some anxious students who are newly starting school this week. However this guideline will be enforced stringently from Wk 2 onward. This is to keep your child and the whole community safe.
People have asked about administration of RATs. The ACT is different to NSW/VIC as we are not mandated to test twice per week. Parents are asked to administer tests if students are showing signs of Covid 19. They can also be used to test on Day six if they are in isolation because they are a close contact with another family member.
If a staff member or a student has had Covid they don’t need to RAT test for 28 Days. It is highly likely it will return a false positive even after symptoms have ceased. They still must have no symptoms and have completed isolation requirements before returning to school.
Week 2 RAT's will be sent home with the eldest in the family on Friday. Please remove this from your child’s bag as soon as they arrive home.
Compass – 28th February Sole Office Communication Platform
Currently we are sending out many of our communications using a dual platform, Compass and general email. This will continue for 4 weeks until Compass becomes the only system for official communication.
Virtual School Launch – Tuesday 6:00pm – Microsoft Teams Student Accounts
Normally we would have a school Launch at our Welcome BBQ, unfortunately this is not possible for 2022 and as such we will have a small Information Session which will contain the following –
- Introducing Staff and SCC Chair
- School Goals
- Annual Plan Information
- Q & A for teachers throughout the presentation
A Microsoft Teams invitation will be sent out to all families on Monday and you can access the meeting through your child’s account.
Sport Day Changes
Due to timetabling changes we have rescheduled Sport Days for all students to now be on Monday and Friday. This will begin next week.
Virtual Parent/Teacher Meetings Feb 14th- – 18th Feb Microsoft Teams Student Accounts
Each teacher will make themselves available for 3-4 days over the week. The booking times which will be available on Compass will be opened up for inputting requests by the end of tomorrow and an information leaflet sent home on Monday. These meetings will occur using Microsoft Teams.
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
Our Canteen has already had it's first day of delicious lunches. We will be beginning Recess counter sales again starting next week but these can only be accessed by cohorts on specific days at specific times (Wed – 11:30am: 3/4,11:45am: 5/6 and Friday 11:30am – K-2).
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 gone home today 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 be double vaccinated and hold a current WWVP card.
Medication at School and Medical Plans
If your child requires medication for 2022 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 – Resilience Program
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
The bell times have changed slightly throughout the day. Our start time however, is still 9am and our finish time is still 3:10pm. The 8:55am bell that rings in the morning 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.
God bless you and your families
Peter Rodda
Principal
with Nina De Rosa
Welcome to the 2022 school year. I take this opportunity to welcome all the families who have joined our community this term. A warm welcome is extended to the youngest arrivals – the Kindergarten students – who have settled so quickly into their classes! In addition we welcome Imogen Boyle and Eloise Hammond. We wish all our new students every success and much happiness at St John Vianney’s.
I welcome Miss Ruth Blackwell and Mrs Anna Kain to the staff. Ruth will be teaching 3/4P and Anna 5/6M respectively. I also welcome Mrs Mel Harding who is our new Canteen Manger. I sincerely hope these ladies will enjoy being part of the St John Vianney school staff and I wish them every blessing as they begin their new roles.
In the week prior to the children’s return, the staff worked very hard to complete a number of professional development sessions. We also spent time nurturing our souls on Retreat. I thank Mrs Laura Matchett for preparing and leading the Retreat experience which, although it being held using Microsoft Teams, was very professionally and spiritually enriching. Other days were spent engaging with the Catalyst (CE Professional Learning on improving student outcomes through direct instruction), Polices and Procedures and familiarising ourselves with the updates in delivering iMaths and Soundwaves. In addition, one day was dedicated to an administration meeting and to classroom preparation.
I take this opportunity to thank everyone on staff for their hard work in the days leading up to the start of the term. The administration staff, teachers and support staff, worked tirelessly to ensure that everything was in readiness for the new school year. Their preparedness ensured the smooth and happy start that we all experienced this week. The gallery below highlights the smooth beginning of new year.
Reminders & Important Information
-
- Starting time is 9.00am sharp. Students arriving after this time will need to be signed in at the Front Office.
- Supervision commences at 8.30am and NO STUDENT should be at school before then. Students arriving before 8.30am are not supervised. Please note we do have before school care run by Camp Australia if this service could be of assistance to families.
- Unfortunately under current COVID -19 restrictions we CANNOT allow any adults into the school. Please go to the Front Office for further enquiries.
- Correct School Uniform is to be worn.
- If a student’s hair is longer than shoulder length, it should be tied back
- Parents are requested not to send any nut products to school such as Peanut Butter, Nutella, nut based or topped muesli bars, etc. Please understand bringing these items to school may be life threatening to other students.
- Please ensure that all school items are clearly labelled with your child’s name.
- Students who are collected by their parents during the day for appointments must be signed out/in at the Front Office before and after the appointment.
- Parents assisting at the school must have a WWVP card on their person and are also asked to sign in/out at the Front Office and will receive a visitor’s badge. (when COVID restrictions are lifted)
- Please ensure that the school always has up to date parent and
emergency contact details for your child. - Please ensure that any notes/envelopes sent to the fron
t office are clearly labelled.
I thank the Lord for bringing everyone back safe and sound after the holidays and for the happy start to the year and ask God’s continued blessings on all of us during 2022 as we all embark on a rainbow of possibilities.
Mrs D’s ‘Thought of the Week….’
“God puts rainbows in the clouds so that each of us - in the dreariest and most dreaded moments - can see a possibility of hope.” Maya Angelou
Nina De Rosa
Assistant Principal
RE News
Gospel Reflection: Luke 5:1-11
“Then, bringing their boats back to land, they left everything and followed him.”
This week’s Gospel recounts the story of Jesus asking Simon Peter to cast his nets back into the water after a long night’s fishing with no success. We can imagine that Simon Peter was probably exhausted, exasperated, and as an experienced fisherman, utterly disbelieving that recasting the nets would reap any kind of reward. In that moment, it would have been the last thing he would have wanted to do. Yet despite his doubts, his tiredness, he does as Jesus asks and the nets come back up full to the point of almost sinking the boat. After this encounter with Jesus, so overcome with wonder, Simon Peter and his companions decide to leave everything and follow Jesus.
This passage invites us to reflect on how God calls ordinary people everyday to discipleship and mission. Simon Peter and his companions were ordinary people, imperfect and flawed, yet Jesus tells them to not be afraid and to follow Him. We see Simon Peter’s initial reluctance and resistance to Jesus because what He was asking him to do seemed illogical and impractical. We then see Simon Peter throw himself at Jesus’ knees and declare himself to be unworthy. Jesus tells him to not be afraid and to follow him anyway. We too may be imperfect and flawed, God knows this. Yet like Simon Peter, He calls us to follow Him. Although most of us are not called to ‘leave everything’ we can still respond to God’s call to live out our mission of discipleship in our ordinary, everyday lives.
Sacraments 2022
Our Lady of Annunciation Parish will be piloting a new program for Sacramental preparation from this year. The program is one that has been successfully used in other Australian Archdioceses for many years and involves the candidates and their parents/carers participating in their preparation and formation for their upcoming sacraments directly through the Parish.
Each Sacrament will have its own dedicated information night to explain the program to parents and carers. The dates for each Sacrament’s information night as well as a candidate’s eligibility to receive each Sacrament are listed below:
|
Sacrament |
Eligibility |
Information Night |
|
Reconciliation |
Open to any child in Year 3 and above who has been baptised. |
Tuesday 1st March, 6pm St John Vianney’s Church |
|
First Eucharist |
Open to any child in Year 4 and above who has made their first Reconciliation. |
Tuesday 3rd May, 6pm St John Vianney’s Church |
|
Confirmation |
Open to any child in Year 6 and above who has received first Eucharist. |
Tuesday 26th July, 6pm St John Vianney’s Church |
Reconciliation 2022
Registration for Reconciliation for 2022 is now open. Parents and carers wishing to register their child for Reconciliation will need to do so through the Parish’s QKR account. More information can be found on the Parish’s website: https:/stjjvwestoncreek.blogspot.com/p/first-reconciliation-and-holy-communion.html
If you have any questions, please contact me: laura.matchett@cg.catholic.edu.au or contact the Parish office by phone: 6288 1979 or email: westoncreek@cg.org.au
Youth Minister
We warmly welcome our school’s new Youth Minister, Olivia Brown. She has written a small piece below to introduce herself to our community. Olivia has worked in a range of communities so comes to us with a variety of experience and knowledge in youth ministry. Our staff and students are excited to work with Olivia this year.
Hi, My name is Olivia and I will be the new youth minister this year at St John Vianney's Primary School and the Parish. I have been involved in youth ministry for around 6 years now and have recently relocated to Canberra. I am looking forward to working within the school and parish with RE classes, the sacramental program, the youth ministry program, youth groups and anything else that comes up.
If you see me around please say Hi.
God Bless
Olivia.
What's coming up and when:
| Every Monday | Day change for Sports Day |
| Tuesday 8th February | 2022 Virtual School Launch - 6:00pm-6:20pm via Microsoft Teams - Link to be sent Monday Week 2 |
| Wednesday 9th February | Kindergarten Rest Day and InitiaLIT Online Staff Training |
| Thursday 10th February | InitiaLIT Online Staff Training |
| Every Friday | Sports Day |
| Monday 14th Feb - Thursday 18th Feb | Virtual Parent/Teacher Meetings |
| Wednesday 16th February |
Kindergarten Rest Day |
| Thursday 17th February |
Principal Meeting |
| Friday 18th February |
ACT Census Day |
| Wednesday 23rd February |
Final Kindergarten Rest Day |
SJV Tuckshop is open Wednesday & Friday. Orders can be made online via Qkr! A copy of the Menu and Qkr! instructions can be found on the Tuckshop Webpage.
A roster will be emailed out in the next couple of weeks for Tuckshop Volunteers.
Please remember to bring your WWVP- (Working with Vulnerable People) card with you.
You can apply for the card via Access Canberra: https://www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/s/article/working-with-vulnerable-people-wwvp-registration-tab-how-to-apply
A new Canteen Menu is available here and on our website.
Please contact the Front Office or Mel or simply fill in the Canteen Volunteer Note to let us know you are able to help and when.
Mel Harding
Canteen Manager
mel.harding@cg.catholic.edu.au
Just letting you know that we have our wonderful music teachers here again this year for the children who would like to learn music
For Piano Lessons please contact
Kerry Yard
kya16870@bigpond.net.au or mobile 0497 516 342
Jo Mitchell
jomitchell.gracenotesmusic@gmail.com or mobile 0427 942 127
For Guitar/Ukulele Lessons please contact
Mojo Guitar Teachers Daniel Sims - lessons@mojoguitarteachers.com or
mobile 0431 550 005
For anyone watching the Australia Open and being inspired by our Ash Barty - Weston Creek Tennis Club are offering 'Come & Try Day' 12th February. For more information contact Weston Creek Tennis Open Day
ELC NEWS
Happy Birthday to Amy N, Emilia B, Amelia D, and Audrey B who all had birthdays in January
A very warm welcome to all of our new and returning ELC families. The first week of preschool is an exciting time for children and families. All of the children have been exploring their new environment whilst getting to know one another and their teachers. Thank you for having your children so well prepared for Preschool and for a positive first week. We look forward to the year ahead.
Covid Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) Kits
RAT kits were sent home via your children’s school bags this week, you should have received kits for Weeks 1 and 2. Part time students test once a week, full time students test twice a week. If you receive a positive result you must notify ACT Health immediately and contact the ELC office so that contact tracing can begin. If there was a positive case within the centre, we will notify all families to inform you of the risks during any identified contact time.
Emails
Teachers sent out a class email to all families last week with information about your child’s class. If you have not received this email please notify the ELC so you can be added to the distribution list. You may also need to check your junk/spam folder as many email providers do not recognise the CE email, if this is the case you will need to mark the email as a trusted source.
ELC Resource Fee
The $85 Term 1 Resource Fee will be applied to your account next week. For families using direct debit, please ensure that you have sufficient funds available so as to avoid an extra fee from Debit Success. ELC fees are due next Thursday 10 February.
Karen Leighton - St Jude's ELC
Phone: 0262875520
Email: elc.stjudes@cg.catholic.edu.au