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- Principal's Message
- A message from the Assistant Principal and Mrs D's "Thought of the Week"
- RE News with Laura Matchett
- School Wide Positive Behaviours
- Merit Awards
- For the Calendar
- Classroom News
- Tuckshop
- School Nursery/Garden
- CAMP Australia
- Community Corner
- Notes to Parents
- Photo Gallery
- Preschool News
Welcome to the end of Wk 3
We have had a very settled start to our year albeit in the shadow of the pandemic over our city. However, it has been inspiring how all members of our community are constantly willing to help each other.
Covid 19 - 2022
The beginning of the year has been challenging for all schools in the ACT with cases in every school. As we did last year SJV continues to follow all guidelines, unfortunately like all schools in the ACT, this has not stopped positive cases occurring in our school.
I realise that parents would like to know if specific cases appear in specific classes but this is not an option for schools due to privacy for our whole community. This stance is also a direction from the Catholic Education Office, one that we have been asked to follow stringently.
Families as of tomorrow will have received their allocation of RAT kits for the first 4 weeks of Term 1. The ACT government announced yesterday that they will be extending the RAT kits for students and staff for a further 4 weeks. These kits will be sent out weekly as we have done in the past.
I can inform our community that families are using RAT kits to test their children if they have symptoms OR if they have a concern. Some families doubting the voracity of the tests or how some children take the test have taken students for a subsequent PCR test to be sure.
Virtual School Launch
Our apologies for the technical glitch that plagued our virtual launch last week. MS Teams sometimes does not listen to anyone, even teachers!
I have therefore placed a short summery below of what occurred at the meeting.
The evening began with Laura Matchett sharing prayer with all attendees.
I then introduced Troy McDonald who discussed the community of SJV and the hope that we would also return to a new normal soon. Troy discussed the hope that we could participate in the social side of school of school life such as Trivia Nights, Disco's, Working Bee's and our Annual School Fete. He also outlined some of the wonderful work the council does on behalf of the community in contributing funds for projects such as our artificial lawn, shade structures, sensory garden and car park upgrades.
I then introduced our staff who I have listed below -
|
Leadership and Support Staff |
Name |
Classroom and Specialist Teachers |
Name |
|
Principal |
Peter Rodda |
Kindergarten |
Sarah Emerson |
|
Assistant Principal/Learning Support |
Nina De Rosa |
Year 1 |
Tanya Dunley & Janice Spackman |
|
Religious Education Coordinator |
Laura Matchett |
Year 2 |
Karen Stilling |
|
Office Manager |
Jeanette (Jet) Simpson |
Year 3/4 |
Leah Malpas & Ben Lowe |
|
Learning Support |
Maria Nangle |
Year 3/4 |
Ruth Blackwell |
|
Learning Support |
Trina Jelfs-Smith |
Year 5/6 |
Laura Matchett |
|
Learning Support |
Young Min Jin |
Year 5/6 |
Anna Kain |
|
Learning Support |
Keeley O’Neil |
Library |
Samantha Heath |
|
Learning Support |
Jenny Isbel |
ICT |
Ben Lowe |
|
Learning Support |
Jeanine O’Toole |
Italian |
Kathy Monagle |
|
Counsellor |
Kate Worthington |
The Performing Arts |
Mary Dietz Mullamphy |
|
Canteen |
Melanie Harding |
CYSMA worker |
Olivia Brown |
|
Grounds Support |
John Doyle |
|
|
After meeting staff we discussed our Three Year Strategic Improvement Goals and how these aligned with our current Annual School Plan
Our improvement goals are:
- Develop High Expectations,
- Improve Student Engagement and
- Strengthen Well being
Some of the programs that will support our main goals are:
- IntialLit, MiniLit and MaqLit - New literacy programs sponsored by CE
- Science of Learning/Direct Instruction - Modes of teaching students based on research
- Peer Coaching through Instructional Leadership - Developing teachers potential.
New Purchases – Desk for 5/6 and ICT
Our senior students have been labouring with 20+ year old desks that are hard to adjust and quite weathered. The school has ordered new desks for the senior areas and they will hopefully arrive ready for Term 2.
School Communication - Compass
Soon all communications will occur through the Compass portal. If you have not already signed up, could you please do so to ensure that you do not miss any important school information.
Canteen
The canteen is still looking for volunteers, even if you can offer one Friday a semester this would be extremely appreciated. Just send an email in when you can help and we will do the rest.
Bulb Fundraiser
We have organised a 'fun fundraiser' for our families which enables you to have a great looking garden and raise some funds for the school. Later in the newsletter you can read about our 'light bulb' idea and how to get involved.
God bless you and your families
Peter Rodda
Principal
with Nina De Rosa
InitiaLit - K-2 Literacy Program
What is it?
InitiaLit is a literacy program for all children in Kinder, Year 1 and Year 2. It has been developed by MultiLit, a research-based initiative of Macquarie University.
What does it do?
IntiaLit teaches children how to read and spell
through daily lessons, using research-based teaching methods. It also uses a range of good quality storybooks to develop children’s vocabulary, oral language and writing. IntiaLit will be used daily during the time set aside for literacy.
How does it teach Reading and writing?
InitaLit teaches children that words are made up of sounds and sounds are represented by letters. Unlike learning to talk which children pick up naturally, children do need to be directly taught the relationship between sounds and letters. In Year 1, children will build upon the knowledge of the alphabetic code that they gained in their first year of schooling (Kindergraten). They will learn that a letter or letters can make different sounds, and that two or three letters together can make a sound. They will also learn key terminology such as ‘vowel’, ‘syllable’, ‘phoneme’, ‘grapheme’, and ‘digraph’. By the time children are in Year 2, they have learnt that words are made up of sounds represented by letters. They should be able to work out most words they encounter for reading and spelling without guessing. The focus now moves to reading comprehension and spelling. There are four main teaching components in InitiaLit–2 spread across the week.
• Comprehension and fluency
• Spelling
• Grammar
• Vocabulary (using children’s literature)
An InitiaLit lesson will take place at least four times a week. The first 25 minutes are spent on the mat where the children are introduced to new letters and sounds or a new concept in a very clear and explicit way. They will do a number of targeted activities to practise reading and spelling words with the new sound during this whole-class session. After the lesson on the mat, the teacher will work with different groups of children to help them read words, sentences and stories using all the sounds and letters they have been taught. While the teacher is working with a group, the rest of the class will be doing an activity to consolidate what they have been learning. This may be a spelling worksheet, a game to practise their tricky words (words with irregular spelling patterns that cannot be sounded out letter by letter), or more practice using an InitiaLit reader. As your child’s reading becomes more confident, they will be able to read a variety of texts.
In Year 2, children will learn to use different comprehension strategies to help them understand what they are reading and they will practise reading with expression.
They will learn the various ways to spell the sounds of English, as well as some spelling rules to help them make the correct choice. They will also be introduced to some simple and useful grammatical concepts to help with their writing. After the new concept has been taught, the teacher will work with different groups of children in turn, helping them to develop their reading fluency and comprehension using a variety of reading material. The rest of the class will be engaged in different activities to consolidate what they have learnt.
How will my child be assessed?
There will be regular opportunities to assess your child’s developing reading and spelling skills. Progress monitoring, Stop and Checks and Cumulative Reviews are built into the program. Children’s reading progress relates to their ability to lift words off the page both accurately and fluently. Reading comprehension is assessed more informally during time spent in reading groups.
How can you help with reading at home?
Read a storybook each day to your child and discuss the story, pointing out any new words to enrich their vocabulary. Spend time teaching your child nursery rhymes, songs and poems. Play language games. Talk about letters and sounds in the environment. Help your child learn to spell the target words which relate to the sounds they are learning. Practise reading and spelling tricky words. Even if your child can read well, it is still appropriate and pleasurable to read to your child. This is a way of exposing your child to books that they may find difficult to read themselves. Provide a mix of non-fiction and fiction books to enjoy together.
When readers are sent home, make sure that you spend time listening to your child read, providing support to help them apply their knowledge about sounds and letters to the text. Talk about what they are reading, checking for comprehension.
What if my child is struggling to learn to read?
Some children do struggle to learn how to read. Talk to your child’s teacher if you are worried about their reading or spelling. It is important to address any difficulties as early as possible so that extra support can be put in place to help them catch up. We are utilising other supporting MultiLit programs such as MiniLit Sage and MacqLit, for children who require extra support when learning Literacy skills.
Mrs D’s ‘Thought of the Week….’
“We don't need a list of rights and wrongs, tables of dos and don'ts:
we need books, time and silence.
Thou shalt not is soon forgotten, but Once upon a time lasts forever." - Philip Pullman
Happy Reading.....
Nina De Rosa
Assistant Principal
RE News
Gospel Reflection Luke 6:27-38
“Love your enemies and do good, and lend without any hope of return. You will have a great reward,”
The words of this Sunday’s Gospel are familiar to us and go to the heart of our discipleship: Love your enemies, turn the other cheek, give to those who ask, do unto others, lend without expecting repayment, judge not lest you be judged. Much easier said than done for many of us. This message however, is not just central to Christianity, but is the golden rule of many other faith traditions: do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Whenever I teach students this, they are always astounded that other faith traditions that appear to be so different from the one they are most familiar, all have this common unifying thread. It symbolises more than a shared belief, but a shared humanity and a shared understanding and challenge about what it means to be a person of faith. I find the Prayer of St Francis particularly inspirational when asking for God’s help with this part of my faith and discipleship. I have shared it with you below in the hope that you will also find it helpful and a source of guidance and support in your faith journey:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
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:/stjjvwestoncreekkblogspott.com/p/first-reconciliation-and-holy-communionhtmll
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
A reminder about the key dates for the eligibility and information nights for each Sacrament is 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 |
Please note - Merit Awards will be handed out at NEXT Friday's morning assembly.
|
KA |
Harry Miles |
|
1 B |
Xavier Ferrara |
|
2 J |
Aiden Riley |
|
3/4 CA |
Andrew Doszpot |
|
3/4 P |
Kate Battaglini |
|
5/6 J |
Elaine Ohlmus |
|
5/6 P |
Emma Battaglini |
|
Italian |
Myna Halatoa |
|
The Arts |
Jasper Pattison |
Library |
Ella Kim Torres |
What's coming up and when:
| Every Monday | Day change for Sports Day |
| Every Friday | Sports Day |
| Monday 14th Feb - Thurs 18th Feb | Virtual Parent/Teacher Meetings |
| Thursday 17th February |
Principal Meeting |
| Friday 18th February |
ACT Census Day |
| Wednesday 23rd February |
Final Kindergarten Rest Day |
The difficulties of teaching and wearing a mask -
Mrs Stilling was teaching her class of Year 2 students about "Italics" and the class was confused! "what was Italics?". She explained that "You use italics to emphasize the word in a story and the font changes and it looks to be on a slant"...
One of her students said oh "it's like a croissant"!!
Mrs Stilling looked at her in a perplexed way and the child went onto say "What flavour was the croissant?"
So Mrs Stilling lifted her mask and formed the sounds clearly ..... "I said font not croissant!"
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.
2022 Tuckshop Menu and Canteen Counter Sales Menu .
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
Bulb Fundraiser
We're excited our Bulb Fundraising catalogue arrived today. Here's a sneek peek at what you can order Tesselaar 2022 Bulb fundraising. The catalogue will be sent home tomorrow.
Bulb orders will be finalised on Monday 7th March (Start of week 6) with delivery expected by the end of Term One (ready for school holiday planting)!
If you know of someone that loves to garden and would like a catalogue, please let Jet know and a catalogue can be send home to you.
to order go to www.bulbfundraiser.com.au/STJOHNV
Plants
We have been growing a selection of plants in our very own St John Vianney’s Nursery. This nursery will be used to grow plants for our school fete and an Autumn sale at the end of Term One.
From week 4, we will have plants available to purchase from Qkr! We have a great selection of established, healthy, happy plants to choose from and will let you know when you can purchase. We will place a photo, description and plant guide on Qkr! for your reference before purchasing. We endeavour to have these plants available for pick up at the school gate or front office area when ordered.
Check this space weekly for more information!
SJV WINTER NETBALL TEAMS
Netball Season is upon us. Registration is coming up - if you would like to play then please contact the lovely Bec Battaglini to advise your child is interested to play in the winter comp. Winter Netball 2022
CALESTHENICS
ELC Family Information Night
Thank you to those families who joined our on-line Family Information Night on Tuesday. The meeting was recorded so if you were unable to attend, please contact the office and we can send you the link. The link will only be available for the next two weeks.
Parent Sharing Meetings – Thank you to those families who have made time to attend a Parent Sharing meeting with your child’s teacher. If you are yet to book a Parent Sharing meeting, please log in to make a booking. The booking portal closes 5pm Friday 18 February.
Covid Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) Kits
Families have now received their allocation of RAT kits for the first 4 weeks of Term 1. If your child returns a positive Covid test, you must notify ACT Health immediately and contact the ELC office so that contact tracing can begin. If there is a positive case within the centre, we will notify all families to inform you of the risks during any identified contact time.
The ACT government announced yesterday that they will be extending the RAT kits for students and staff for a further 4 weeks. These kits will be sent out weekly as we have done in the past.
Confirmation of Childcare Agreement
Childcare agreements for Stingrays and Turtles have been put in the note pockets. Please ensure you collect, sign and return these as soon as possible. This agreement is a requirement of the Childcare Subsidy System.
Community Council Meeting
The next Community Council meeting is Tuesday 22nd February at 6pm in the primary school courtyard.
Parent Representative
If you are interested in being a class representative can you please contact the ELC office. Class representatives organise occasional catch-ups with the class, share communications about up coming events and assist in fundraisers.
Karen Leighton - St Jude's Early Learning Centre
Phone: +61262875520
Email: karen.leighton@cg.catholic.edu.au