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Dear SJV Community
Welcome to the end of Wk 3
Merciful God, you called us forth from the dust of the earth; you claimed us for Christ in the waters of baptism. Look upon us as we enter these Forty Days bearing the mark of ashes, and bless the journey through the desert of Lent to the font of rebirth.
Year 5/6 Camp
Next week I will be attending our annual school camp with all of 5/6.
This is a time for children to build resilience and make new friendships, knowing that they should be able to rely on anyone from their 5/6 team. Whilst I am away if you need to contact me, please direct your correspondence to Mrs Nina De Rosa our Assistant Principal.
Uniform Shop
Beginning next week our Uniform Shop Opening time will be every Tuesday between 8:50 am and 9:10am. If you need something from the shop I ask you to try and make it at this time as it takes the stress away from our Front Office. I thank Mrs Rebbechi for continuing to support us by managing this important service.
Important Dates
After discussion with our School Community Council, a decision has been made to stop producing the fridge magnet parent calendar. Instead of this calendar, important parent dates will be placed in the first week of each term in my newsletter piece. This will probably not contain every possible date and I still ask parents to to look at the School Calendar on a weekly basis. Please note, for events like Prayer Assemblies, Masses and Holy Celebrations, these will only be found in the on-line Calendar.
Important Dates are -
NAPLAN Yrs 3 and 5 - 11th March to 18th March
School Disco - TBA (later in March, possibly the 22nd)
Access to the School Calendar - How to navigate
Access the school website either through your computer or phone following this linkhttps://www.sjv.act.edu.au/
Mobile Phone – Scroll down until you see the second last coloured tile which I have pasted below. Follow this link to our school calendar.
Computer – Scroll down until you see the second last coloured tile which I have pasted below. Follow this link to our school calendar.
NAPLAN
NAPLAN begins on the 11th March. All children are expected to participate unless a parent wishes to withdraw them for a specific reason. Please see the NAPLAN Ad in this edition as well as the attached letter to parents. Letter_to_parents_from_principal_re_NAPLAN_online.pdf
Spelling Mastery
Mrs DeRosa has written a very informative article of our new Spelling Program: Spelling Mastery, I would advise parents to read this.
This new program is being implemented this term as we believe it is superior to our last program, being more complimentary for the Direct Instruction methodology used at SJV. It is worth noting that children are not necessarily with their classroom teacher as middle and upper primary (Years 3-6) students move to 6 different levelled groups (decided by a whole school placement test) to be taught specifically what they need to learn. As Mrs DeRosa mentions, a prime objective is that students experience mastery, so words may start off simpler before they become harder.
All students move beautifully into their groups at 12 noon every day of the week (except Wednesdays) to immediately start work, our quiet corridor rule makes sure that they begin this session very settled.
Class Contacts
Currently Year 2 and Kinder have filled their parent positions, we are still waiting for more parents to put their hand up for the other five classes. Please put your name forward so we can fill these positions.
God Bless
Peter Rodda
Principal
SPELLING MASTERY
This year SJV have expanded the implementation of direct instruction, by introducing Spelling Mastery in the Primary classes 3-6.
Spelling Mastery is a six-level Direct Instruction series that teaches students dependable spelling skills by blending three approaches: the phonemic approach, the whole word approach and the morphemic approach. Each approach has advantages and possible disadvantages. Spelling Mastery is designed to maximize the advantages of each approach and minimize the disadvantages.
Spelling Mastery approaches spelling through strategies, patterns and rules. The straightforward lessons in Spelling Mastery combine phonemic, morphemic, and whole-word instruction to make spelling easier to learn, leading the way to more effective reading and writing.
The whole word approach focuses on memorization. Spelling Mastery does not use memorization for words that contain predictable phonemic elements, but reserves memorization for words that have irregular letter-sound relationships (i.e feud, break, gone). Prompts are used to make the initial learning easier and systematic practice is provided to facilitate retention.
The phonemic approach is used for letter-sound correspondences that are predicable. For example, the sound /ar/ is highly consistent. In about 95 percent of the words in which the sound /ar/ is said, the sound is spelled with the letters a-r. A careful analysis of phoneme-grapheme relationships was made by the authors and the generalizable relationships are systematically introduced and practised.
The morphemic approach is used for combing the roots, bases, prefixes and suffixes into words. The morphemic approach used is highly similar to that used in Spelling Though Morphographs. Students combine morphographs to write words and do exercises in which they indicate the morphographs in words. The use of morphographs to figure out the meaning of words gradually increases as students progress through the levels.
Spelling Mastery interweaves these three approaches according to students' skill development and provides lessons that efficiently and effectively teach the spelling skills students need to become proficient readers and writers. Grades 3 – 6 undertake this program for 30 minutes per day, 4 days per week. Explicit instruction, careful selection of spelling words, and repeated and cumulative practice help students master each concept and reinforce and retain key information. These lessons are run in addition to the core literacy hours.
Nina De Rosa
Assistant Principal
RE News with Laura Matchett
Prayer for Lenten Simplicity
Free me, Lord Jesus, from anything that obstructs my way to you.
Clear away the clutter of petty grudges.
Remove smudges of resentment and bitterness.
Cleanse me of thoughts filled with anger, envy, or self-pity.
Create space in my life for more kindness and less spitefulness,
greater generosity and few self-centred needs,
stronger compassion and weakened judgement of others.
Enlarge my heart with a spirit of gratitude this Lent,
so that I recognise the simple gifts that lay in abundance all around me.
In your sacred name, I pray,
Amen.
Source: https:sharecatholic.comblog/free-melordjesus-from-anything-that-obstructs-my-way-to-you
Project Compassion
Ash Wednesday marked the official launch of our Project Compassion fundraising campaign for Caritas Australia. Caritas Australia has worked hand in hand with the most marginalised and remote communities in Australia and overseas to confront the challenges of poverty for over 60 years. The theme for this year’s fundraiser is ‘For All Future Generations.’ Some inspiring stories (suitable for primary school aged children to watch) about people Caritas has assisted, can be found here: https:youtube/pquSO1uw4Zs?si=sP_aGmnRjL6AdoCM
Each classroom has a Project Compassion donation box which we encourage all students to contribute to throughout Lent. In classes, we have talked about how Lent is a time of fasting, prayer and alms giving, as well as sacrifice. Donating to Project Compassion, even just a small amount, is a great way for children to embrace the spirit of the Lenten season. The school will be holding other fundraising events for Project Compassion throughout Lent, please keep an eye out on the school’s Facebook page and the newsletter for more details in the coming weeks.
School Masses
As a school, we regularly attend the Wednesday morning 9:30 am Mass at St John Vianney’s Church. The choir sings at this Mass and sometimes our students have a role in other parts of the celebration. Parents and friends of our school are welcome to join us alongside parishioners at this Mass. Dates the school will be attending Mass this term are as follows:
Wednesday 20th March: Parish Mass at 9:30am (led by Year 4)
Monday 8th April: Annunciation Feast Day Mass TBC.
Reconciliation 2024
Thank you to the families who were able to attend last week’s reflection evening to help our students prepare to receive their Reconciliation shortly. Registrations for Reconciliation 2024 have now closed. Please be in touch with the Parish via email: SacramentalOLA@cg.org.au or by phone: 6288 1979 with any questions about the program.
Important dates for Reconciliation are:
Gathering Masses: 2/3 March (all Sacraments)
Reflection Hour: 5th March 5:30-6:30pm at St John Vianney’s Church
Wednesday, 6th March: First Reconciliation (St Jude’s Church, 6pm)
Thursday, 7th March: First Reconciliation (St John Vianney’s Church, 6pm)
Saturday, 9th March: First Reconciliation (St Jude’s Church, after 8am Mass at 9am)
Sacraments 2024
Students who are eligible to make one of the Sacraments (Reconciliation, First Eucharist or Confirmation) this year received a formal invitation from the Parish to be part of the Sacramental program for 2024. These invitations were sent home with students last year. We encourage you to read the information (on the back of the invitation) and visit the Parish's website for more information. The Parish website is: https:stjvwestoncreekblogspot.com/
If your child is new to our school community this year and you would like them to receive one of the Sacraments, please let me know via email: laura.matchett@cg.catholic.edu.au.
Eligibility for each Sacrament is as follows:
Reconciliation - open to students who have been baptised Catholic and who are in Year 3 or above.
First Eucharist - open to baptised Catholic students who have made their Reconciliation and are in Year 4 or above.
Confirmation - open to baptised Catholic students who have received their First Eucharist and who are in Year 6 or above.
It is possible to receive more than one Sacrament in the same year, however, the Sacraments usually need to made in order (i.e. Reconciliation, followed by First Eucharist, then Confirmation). These questions and other general enquiries about the Sacramental program are best directed to the Parish Office via email: SacramentalOLA@cg.org.au
There is a gathering Mass for candidates and their families for all Sacraments on the weekend of 2nd/3rd March. Further updates and information about the Sacramental program will be published in the school newsletter and Parish bulletin throughout the year.
Please note - Merit Awards will be handed out at NEXT Friday's morning assembly.
|
KA |
Logan Cairns |
|
1 B |
Joshua Russell |
|
2 J |
Eve Cobucci |
|
3 CA |
Elsie Spackman |
|
3 P |
Sanuthi Karunarathne |
|
5/6 J |
Archer Lucas |
|
5/6 P |
Pierre Agostino |
|
The Arts |
Mercy Isisheri |
|
Library |
Narain Shine Kumar |
NAPLAN testing will occur in our school between 13 and 25 March 2024 for students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9. Online NAPLAN tests provide more precise results and are engaging for students. The tests are tailored (or adaptive), which means that each test presents questions that may be more or less difficult depending on a student’s responses. This helps students remain engaged with the assessment. Tailored testing allows a wider range of student abilities to be assessed and measures student achievement more precisely. A student’s overall NAPLAN result is based on both the number and complexity of questions they answer correctly. Your child should not be concerned if they find questions challenging; they may be taking a more complex test pathway. All Year 3 students will continue to complete the writing assessment on paper. NAPLAN provides valuable information to schools and parents about literacy and numeracy achievement. It supports school improvement processes by enabling teachers to monitor student progress over time and to identify areas of strength and development. All eligible students are encouraged and supported to participate in NAPLAN testing. Visit www.nap.edu.au to see interactive versions of the test and for more information.
What's coming up and when:
| Every Monday | Sports Day |
| Every Friday | Sports Day |
| Monday 12th - Friday 16th February | Teacher and Parents Meet and Greets. Please book appointments via Compass |
| Monday 19th - Wednesday 21st Feb |
Year 5 and Year 6 Leadership Camp |
| Tuesday 27th February |
Think You Know Presentation Yr 3-6 Presented by AFP. |
| Friday 15th March |
School Swimming Carnival Mt Stromlo Leisure Centre |
Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge
All SJV students have been registered to participate in the 2024 Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge. At school, and at home, students are encouraged to read 30 books by the end of June (this includes books that are read to them/ shared).
Each student from Year 2 to Year 6 has a recording sheet in the library that they are encouraged to fill in to show the 30 books they have read. I will keep a note of the books we read in the library from Kinder to Year 2.
SUSTAINABILITY @ SJV
Sustainability
thanks to our wonderful community for supporting our garden market stall last week. We raised $28 that will be used to purchase our new winter veggie seedlings.
Bulb Fundraiser/SJV Nursery
Next week you will receive a catalogue for our annual bulb Fundraiser. Details about ordering and paying on QKR will be included with the catalogue. Start planning your Spring bulb garden now!!
We have an amazing selection of plants growing in our SJV Nursery. If you would like to purchase plants from school or come and check out what we have, please email me and let me know
We have lemons magnolias, salvias (currently in flower), hydrangeas, lavender, grevillea, gardenia, camellias and many more.!!
Thank you!
Happy Gardening
The Sustainability Team
Happy Birthday Harvey K
ELC Arrivals
Our front door will be closed at 8:50am each morning to allow the Seahorse program (Preschool Plus) to finish up. It will be opened again at 9am for our Preschool Only children to enter. Please note that staff prayer for the whole school occurs at the ELC on Monday mornings so if you see a large number of teachers gathered in your child’s classroom, please drop your bags in the other classroom and educators will help your child unpack it after prayer.
Parent Sharing Meetings
Thank you to those families who have come along to a family sharing meeting to share information about your child and talk about goals for semester one. If you have not yet had a meeting, please contact the teacher directly to arrange a suitable time. Please remember to complete your Parent Sharing Information sheet prior to your meeting.
Confirmation of Childcare Agreement
Please return your Confirmation of Childcare Agreement to the front office as soon as possible. These are a requirement for CCS.
ELC Fee Statements
ELC Fee statements are sent fortnightly on Tuesdays and direct debits occur on the following Thursday. Please check the ‘Due Now’ amount at the top of your statement and ensure there are sufficient funds available in your account in order to avoid extra charges from Debit Success. Our statements are backdated so that you have a record of the payments made, and CCS received in the last fortnight.
Karen Leighton - St Jude's Early Learning Centre
Phone: 0262875520
Email: elc.stjudes@cg.catholic.edu.au
SJV Winter Netball Teams
Calling all netball players! Team nominations will soon open for the 2024 Winter Netball season.
Who: Boys and Girls - Years 2 – 6
When: Games are held on Saturday Mornings - Terms 2 & 3 (finishing in early September)
Where: Arawang Netball Courts (Streeton Dr, Stirling)
Time: Early to Mid-Morning (TBC) - Years 2/3/4 usually play first, followed by older years
Training: Times are set by each individual coach, but are often held straight after school at SJV
Registration: TBC – to be paid online to Arawang Netball Association
No experience is necessary – so come give netball a try in 2024.
We LOVE our netball at SJV!
To register your child’s interest for Winter Netball, please email your child’s name and year level to becbat@iinet.net.au by Friday 23 February.
Once we have an indication of numbers/teams, a direct registration link for SJV teams will then be emailed out to interested players.
Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions.
Bec Battaglini
(Netball Coordinator/Parent Volunteer)
No experience is necessary – so come give netball a try in 2024. We LOVE our netball at SJV!
To register your child’s interest for Winter Netball, please email your child’s name and year level to becbat@iinet.net.au by Friday 23 February.
Once we have an indication of numbers/teams, a direct registration link for SJV teams will then be emailed out to interested players.
Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions.
Bec Battaglini
(Netball Coordinator/Parent Volunteer)
U6 Miniroos team
any kindy children interested i forming an under 6 mixed soccer team? the games are played Saturday mornings at 8:45am at the Waramanga playing fields.
No skills required - just munchkins that are keen for a kick and a run around.
If your little one is interested, please reach out to Marnie Huszar (Luke's mum) on 0405 499 123.
U8 Miniroos team
Registration is now open for miniroos. We have a team which plays with the Weston Molonglo Football Club in the mixed U8 competition and we are looking for a few extra players. If your child is interested in playing with the team this season, please let me know. I can be contacted on my mobile Sonia 0412 322 210. Please note there is a limit to how many players can be in a team, so the first people to respond will be included and if we have further interest, I'll help to coordinate the others to play in the same team.
Link to registration information https://websites.mygameday.app/club_info.cgi?c=0-8284-113918-0-0&sID=371188
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.
TUCKSHOP ROSTER
Friday 16th February
Karen and Sonia
Wednesday 21st February
Emily
Friday 23rd February
Jen
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
Term 1 & 4 The Summer Tuckshop Menu kicks in.
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
melanie.harding@cg.catholic.edu.au