Principal's Message

Good afternoon community.

What a topsy-turvy world we live in, 3 months ago we had no rain and no Covid 19 in Australia, now we have both.

These are indeed trying times, which brings me to a very relevant quote from Pope John Paul 2

I plead with you - never, ever give up on hope, never doubt, never tire, and never become discouraged. Be not afraid.

In this 'new world' we are living in, these words are hard to enact, but Pope John Paul's inspirational stance brings hope.

Firstly I would like to thank parents for their understanding and support, the school has received at this very difficult time. I would also like to give all our parents and carers praise for the way they have taken on the role of 'teacher' in their remote learning environment.

Survey

In regards to a survey that was sent out yesterday we experienced technical difficulties. A new link will be sent later today, this survey will be given a new heading so there is no confusion.

The idea of the survey is to gather information regarding remote learning, including some of the challenges and successes that you have experienced so far. It will also enable the school to target support for hardware/internet access to some specific families who need assistance in these areas.

End of Term

As mentioned in my email sent out this earlier this week, school will be closed for Pupil Free Days all of next week. This is to enable teachers to plan the best experiences for your child in terms of a remote learning program next term.

Remote Learning

A document will be sent out next week which outlines SJV’s approach to remote learning for parents and students. This will give parents an outline of how this program will be conducted and the expectations for the program. An expectations document for teachers will also be developed. This will ensure all roles and expectations are made a little clearer.

I would like to ask parents for some assistance with some current complications around our online learning platforms. We have had some of our students, quite innocently, tie up discussion threads with unrelated chatter, spam or unrelated posts. Can you please remind your children that anything posted onto the schools educational platforms is (a) monitored and (b) for educational purposes only. This will help free their classroom teacher from unwarranted distractions.

Term 2

In preparation for Term 2, families will need some materials from school as well as returning some items that they have borrowed, at a designated time. This time will enable our Year K-2 parents to pick up some printed materials for their children and all other parents to pick up other items like readers, Spelling and Handwriting text books. There may be the possibility to borrow books from our library. Attendance at the school for this purpose will follow strict Social Distancing Regulations and will be restricted to only one family member entering the school premises for these Educational purposes.

At this stage one family member will come in on Tuesday of Week One in the following groups (If you have children in various grades you may choose a time that suits)

Year 5/6 Parents - 9:30-10:30

Year 3/4 Parents - 10:30-11:30

Year K-2 Parents - 11:30-12:30

Extra Help

If you are doing it tough at the moment and need some extra supplies next term for your children (textas, glue, pencils, erasers, exercise books etc) pleaase let our front office now and we will put some things aside for you.

I am keeping all our students, families and staff in my prayers so that we can all make it though this to the other side, safe and sound.

God bless.

with Nina De Rosa

With remote learning seeming unavoidable for Term 2, I have organised an online program to assist chidlren with staying in touch with learning Italian. The website is: www.linguascope.com

I will be using this program as a spring board for a majority of next term's lessons, the chidlren are most welcome to have a play at anytime. Most of the actvities are game like and repetitive in focus. Details will be sent home together with all the subscription access logins.

I wish everyone a safe and restful school holidays and more importantly a prayerful Easter Season.

Mrs D’s ‘Thought of the Week….’

“If we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday’s, we rob them of tomorrow.” John Dewey

With Sharee Thomas

This Sunday, as we prepare to enter the sacred time of Holy Week, we look again at the significance of Christ in our lives. Though he was really in the form of God, Jesus came in the form of a slave. We have a saviour who was crushed for our iniquities, nailed to a cross as a convicted felon, and there endured the sense of abandonment. We have a saviour who was finally lifted up and exalted precisely because he emptied himself of his divine privileges. Unlike conquerors who triumph by putting down their opponents, Jesus was raised up because he himself was first willing to be put down. We have a saviour who first offered himself for us and then continues to offer himself to us as an example to follow. As he was willing to empty himself for our sake, so we must to be willing to empty ourselves for the sake of others.

(Reflection by Dianne Bergant)

Mass and Prayer during COVID-19

The Director of Catholic Schools, Ross Fox recently shared the following resources with all staff in the Diocese. I believe some of these may be valuable to you and may assist in keeping people connected in these challenging times.

Mass Online provides us with the opportunity to pray the Mass on a daily basis.
Living Word provides a reflection on the readings of the day.
Daily Voice provides a daily snapshot of what is happening locally, in the Archdiocese and across the world.

The Archdiocese has also shared Online Mass and Prayer Resources.

You may also find comfort in the Archbishop’s prayer.

Even though we may not be able to celebrate the Holy season of Easter- some dates for your diary are:

Sunday 5^th April	Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord Palms will be available from both churches.
Thursday 8^th April	Holy Thursday
Friday 9^th April	Good Friday
Sunday 11^th April	Easter Sunday

Have a great week and stay safe and healthy!

ELC NEWS

Happy birthday Michael F and Sophie B

I understand that there is confusion with the different correspondence from the ELC and Primary school. The licencing for Catholic Early Learning Centres are different from that of the Catholic Primary schools. At this stage, if Early Learning Centres have not been instructed to close, St Jude’s Early Learning Centre will remain open as usual. For families whose children are remaining at home, we welcome updates of things you would like to share with us. Have you constructed or drawn something you are proud of? Have you enjoyed or learnt something new from a book you have read? Has something caught your attention at home or on a walk? The ELC team and children would like to share and celebrate your learning so please email photos through to us.

With the Turtles, Stingray and Lobster classes sharing a combine program, children are strengthening relationships with the ELC team and getting to know a wider range of children. Teachers have used this opportunity to focus their intentional teaching on social skills. Thank you Ms Bondoc for sharing your ukulele skills with the children and the rest of the team.

Please ensure you look after yourselves during this stressful time!

ELC Holiday Program – Due to the low number of bookings, the ELC April Holiday Program will open Tuesday 14, Wednesday 15 during the first week and Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 during the second week. If you would like to make a booking for any of these four days, please contact ELC office ASAP.

Unwell children- Thank you for doing your part in helping to keep others in our community healthy by ensuring that your child does not attend preschool if they are unwell.

gabrielle stitt - St Jude's Early Learning Centre
Phone: 0410763457
Email: gabrielle.stitt@cg.catholic.edu.au

Thank you

We acknowledge the teachers, classroom support assistants and regular relief teachers who have been supporting the students through remote learning at this very difficult time.

Community Champion Nomination Form

Please use this form or email office.sjv@cg.catholic.edu.au to nominate a Community Champion, someone you want to acknowledge from our community who help make our school a great place.

Nominated Community Champion/s *

Let us know why you have nominated this/these Community Champion/s *

Your Name *

Your Email *

This weeks focus for our SJV students is

Giving your best effort and being prepared

For further information on our SWPB program visit our

Positive Behaviour webpage.