A message from the Principal and Mrs D's "Thought of the Week"

with Nina De Rosa

As we approach the final week of Term One, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our families for making the start of the 2025 school year so positive. It has been a busy and rewarding term, filled with learning, growth, and memorable moments across all year levels.

Our students have settled in wonderfully, and I am grateful for the ongoing support and enthusiasm of our parent community. A special thank you to our dedicated staff, whose commitment and care have helped create a strong and confident start for every class.

Easter Season

During the first week of the holidays, we will enter the solemn and sacred journey of Holy Week. As a Catholic school we are dedicated to the Liturgical life of the Church and to understanding how we live the message of Jesus. This is most important at Easter.

How Do Catholics Celebrate Holy Week?

Four special ceremonies commemorate the events of Christ’s Passion from His entrance into Jerusalem, when palm branches were placed in His path, through His arrest on Holy Thursday and Crucifixion on Good Friday, to Holy Saturday, the day that Christ’s body lay in the tomb.

The summit of the Liturgical Year is the Easter Triduum—from the evening of Holy Thursday to the evening of Easter Sunday. Though chronologically three days, they are liturgically one day unfolding for us the unity of Christ’s Paschal Mystery.

The single celebration of the Triduum marks the end of the Lenten season, and leads to the Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord at the Easter Vigil.

The liturgical services that take place during the Triduum are:

Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion
Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord

As a school, next week we will mark this important time with liturgies that reflect the significance of Jesus’ final days. I warmly encourage families to continue their prayerful reflection and, where possible, take part in the Holy Week and Easter celebrations.

Sacrament of Reconciliation

This week, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to the children who have made or are preparing to make their Sacrament of Reconciliation. This is a significant step in their faith journey, and we commend them for their commitment to deepening their relationship with God.

As a school community, we offer our support and prayers, asking for God’s grace to guide and strengthen them during this special time. May they continue to grow in faith, love, and understanding as they embrace the blessings of this Sacrament.

Policies - Personal Communication Devices

Continuing Peter's wish to provide a CECG Policy focus each fortnight. This week we focus on: Personal Communication in Schools Policy

This policy sets out options for schools to limit use of mobile devices during school hours, and to manage their use where it supports teaching and learning. Mobile devices during school hours also present challenges such as distracting students during learning time, privacy and IT security risks, or contributing to anti-social behaviour.

Schools have a duty to support learning time and limit distractions. Schools can play a role in supporting students to balance these issues and develop skills and
habits to use technology positively, at school and in their future.

This policy applies to mobile devices including mobile phones, smartwatches, and
headphones.

SJV's Statement of Practice asks for devices to be:

Off and Away for the Day – all personal communication devices must be switched off and stored in the front office at all times on school grounds or during off-campus school events (e.g. excursions). Mobile devices are not permitted during class or outside class, such as using social media or listening to music in the playground or during class changes. An exemption can occur where necessary for example to monitor a health condition.

Schools mobile devices and school work devices must be used in line with Student Acceptable Use of Devices Policy and Agreement.
Mobile devices may be temporarily confiscated if students do not abide by the School-Based Practice regarding devices.
Schools are not responsible for mobile devices lost or damaged at school.

Introducing our new School Counsellor

I would like to introduce our new school Counsellor Courtenay Gaze, I have placed her Bio below and if you feel that your child would benefit from counselling due to a challenging issue they are facing, please use the link provided.

My name is Courtenay Gaze and I have just joined the Marymead Catholic Care Student and Family Counselling team, and will be working at St John Vianney’s on Wednesdays.

I am a Social Worker by training and I have previously worked at headspace Canberra, Eating Disorders Victoria and The Department of Social Services.

As the school counsellor, please feel free to touch base with any questions or concerns relating to the counselling service at your school. If you would like to refer your young person for support please use the following link:

https://catholiccare.force.com/housing/s/school-referral-form

I am looking forward to working with your students at St John Vianney’s to help them better understand themselves and reach their full potential.

Research Opportunity - Children's Mental Health

“Researchers from the Australian National University are inviting children aged 5 to 12 to take part in fun, interactive interviews exploring how they understand and talk about mental health. Insights from this study may help improve mental health education and support for young people. Participation could also help your child build confidence, learn about research, and contribute to meaningful work. If you’re interested, please read the attached Information Sheet and complete the online consent form. Thank you for considering this opportunity!”

Key Details:

What’s involved? A small number of your students (1-3 boys and 1-3 girls per age group: 5-7, 8-9, 10-11 years) can participate in an interactive, child-friendly interview.
How can the school help? You can either share the opportunity with all families (via email/newsletter) or seek a few student volunteers from classes.
When? Interviews are running in Canberra/surrounds this week (24–28 March) and again from 21 April–2 May.
How can parents sign up? Simply share the attached Family Information Pack and consent form link: https://anu.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_diLUZ48opIU1VdA.

2026 Kinder Enrolments

2026 Enrolment Period is the month of May SJV Open Days – every Wednesday in May and the First Saturday in May

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Enrolment time will be on us again in a few weeks. If you have a little one ready for school in 2026, or know of anyone interested in looking at our fantastic school for their children, the enrolment packs are ready.

Winter Uniform

It is time to get the winter uniforms out and dust them off. We will be wearing it when we return for Term 2 on Tuesday 29th April. We will have the usual few weeks of change over, but students are expected to wear correct winter uniform. In keeping with Cancer Council recommendations, school hats are still to be worn during April and May.

Repeat Notice - Class Contacts

A big shout out to the following parents who have put their hands up to be class contacts.

Kinder -Jess Rebbechi, Lauren Riley and Lisa Nyberg

Year 1 - Erin Robinson

Year 2 - Emily Lucas

Year 3 - Sonia Taflaga

Year 4 - Jess Dixon and Louise Johnson

5/6P - Beth Seivers

5/6J - Helen Maxted

Term Dates

Term One ends for students on Thursday 10th April, with Friday 11th April being a Staff Professional Learning Day.

Term Two commences on Tuesday 29th April for students, and Monday 28th April for staff. (Please note that, on Monday 28th April, our staff are gathering at an off-site venue. The front office and school will be closed.)

Mrs D’s ‘Thought of the Week….’

Wishing you all an enjoyable two week break and a Happy Easter filled with the love and grace of God.

Nina De Rosa

Assistant Principal