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Dear SJV Community
Welcome to the end of Wk 3.
This Sunday sees the beginning of Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Spirit of life
Fill our emptiness with your fullness
Spirit of power
Stir our hearts afresh
Spirit of love
Touch us, and through us, our neighbour
Spirit of Creativity
Enable and empower the gifts you have given
Spirit of Eternity
Draw us ever deeper into your Kingdom
Athletics Carnival
Thank you to the parents, carers and grandparents that were able to help at last week's carnival. A massive thank-you to the St Mary MacKillop students who were there in force and were an enormous help. Their initiative and well mannered way with our students were commented on by all. Unfortunately this was rained out after we had completed two of our rotations. Thankfully today's weather has been kind to us and the children have completed the remainder of the scheduled events. Please keep a watchful eye on your Compass notifications for when we will present the children's ribbons.
Biggest Morning Tea - Wednesday 22nd May
Our canteen is once again supporting BMT this year. As such there will be a cupcake and hot milo deal for sale at our canteen. The cupcakes have been donated by one of our wonderful grandmothers to help raise funds for a very worthy cause. If your child has recently earned a treat, then next week would be the perfect time to give them one.
SAVE THE DATE - Trivia Night Term 3 Friday 2nd August - SAVE THE DATE
One of our biggest events in the year is our Trivia Night. More information will follow later this term, but can you please save the above date. Year 5/6 parents will be coordinating this event, which has always been great fun where parents can enjoy a night out and meet new mums and dads from their child's class. Time to brush up on your trivia knowledge!!
School Sausage Sizzle - Week 6 Friday 7th June
A winter sausage sizzle will be occurring on Wednesday in three weeks time. The canteen will publish the menu soon. I am sure the children will enjoy a Bunnings style snag and treat.
Mother's Day
Last Friday was a wonderful way of celebrating all things 'Mum'. It was was great to see all of our mum figures and grandmothers visiting classes to spend time with the children and celebrating their work. This of course followed by a wonderful afternoon tea in the hall with wonderful cupcakes supplied by 'My Sweet Lady' and a Mother's Day stall manned by our hard working dads. Thank you to all those dads (and some sneaky supportive mums) who prepared our hall and organised this wonderful community event.
Important Dates for Term 2 -
My apologies, this was meant to go out in Week 1 but due to an oversight it was missed for that Newsletter. I have highlighted the one most important event that parents are responsible for. The remaining events are often class or child specific in regards to attendance or they are just for the children but something that parents may want to know about.
Enrolment period 1 May- 31 May
Cross Country Carnival - 3 May
ANZAC Prayer Celebration (led by Year 4) - 3 May
SJV OPEN Days SAT 4 May and Every Wednesday in May
Book Fair - Week 4 and 5
First Eucharist Reflection Evening (TBC) - 21 May
National Simultaneous Storytime - 22 May
Incursion: The Jungle Book Performance in Italian - 23 May
Reconciliation Week Prayer Celebration (led by Year 2) - 24 May
Parent and Teacher Conferences - Week 5
First Eucharist Reflection Evening (TBC) - 28 May
Sacramental Gathering Mass (TBC) - 2 June
South Weston Regional Cross Country Carnival - 4 June
Canteen Sausage Sizzle - 7 June
Parish Mass (led by 5/6J) - 12 June
Sacrament - First Eucharist - 16 June
School Community Council Meeting - 17 June
School Photos - 19 June
Parent Night (TBC : eg - Trivia Night) - Friday 2nd August Year 5/6 Parents
Think U Know Sessions - 25 June
Parish Mass (led by Year 2) - 26 June
Semester One Awards Ceremony - 28 June
Reports Available for Parents - 28 June
Confirmation Reflection Evening (TBC) - 2 July
School Holidays Begin - 5 July
Term 3 Resumes - 23 July
Access to the School Calendar - How to navigate
Access the school website either through your computer or phone following this link https://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.
God Bless
Peter Rodda
Principal
A message from the Assistant Principal and Mrs D's "Thought of the Week"
Attendance
![attendance.JPG](https://prod005-au.sz-cdn.net/sjvpswaramanga/media/4392/240515071111836/284x386/attendance.jpg)
We realise some absences are unavoidable due to health issues or other circumstances. However, we also know that when students miss too much school, no matter the reason, it can cause them to fall behind academically. The more absences your child has, the harder it is for them to catch up on missed work and stay connected to their school community. Absences add up quickly. If your child is absent just one day every two weeks over a school year, this will add up to 20 days of lost learning. This is almost half a school term.
Along with many other schools across Australia, we have noticed a large increase in absenteeism since COVID-19. We understand that this is partly due to parents being vigilant about keeping sick children at home, and we appreciate this; however, some absences can be avoided.
The following table indicates the levels of attendance.
As a school we respond to all emerging absenteeism (less than 90% attendance) with support to improve attendance. This may involve an initial letter or phone call, subsequent letters, and creating a Student Attendance Plan.
We want your child to succeed at school and know that you do as well. Please let us know if you require support in ensuring your child attends school on time each day. Feel free to contact your child's classroom teacher to discuss this or any other concerns.
Science Grant
Congratulations to Mrs Spackman for successfully applying to the Australian Science Teachers Association for a National Science Week grant and receiving $500 for St John Vianney to use towards exciting SCIENCE activities.
Italian News
![the_jungle_book.JPG](https://prod005-au.sz-cdn.net/sjvpswaramanga/media/4390/240515052944913/240x251/the_jungle_book.jpg)
Nina De Rosa
Assistant Principal
RE News
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:
Term 2 Week 7 - Wednesday 12th June: Parish Mass, 9:30am (led by 5/6P)
Term 2 Week 9 - Wednesday 26th June: Parish Mass, 9:30am (led by Year 2)
Please note - Merit Awards will be handed out at NEXT Friday's morning assembly.
KA |
Oskar Rushall |
1 B |
Maci Murtha |
2 J |
Delilah Bah |
3 P |
Violeta Tapia |
4CA |
Fergus Daly |
5/6 J |
Oliver Doyle |
5/6 P |
Janae Odonkor |
Italian |
Geoffrey So |
Library |
Maisy Wilson |
School Wide Positive Behaviours
The SJV Community Council met on Monday, 13 May for our first meeting of Term 2.
The Council noted three recent examples of what a great community we have at SJV.
Firstly, a huge thanks to those who have put their hand up for the fete committee, and in advance, to those that will be volunteering in the lead up and on the day. The fete is a great community event, showcasing the school and creating an opportunity to raise funds to invest back into our kids’ experience.
Secondly, the working bee for the new community Indigenous Garden was a great success with a lot already accomplished. The project is made possible by a grant from the ACT Block Grant Authority and will take a big community effort to come to fruition. One of the next steps is sourcing a coffee machine and the Council looks forward to rolling out low/no cost coffee events in the near future!
Finally, the Council was thrilled to receive considered and well thought through ideas from the SJV Student Representative Council (SRC). The list showed how much the students value and think about their community and experience at the school. The Council considered the ideas put forward and have approved the purchase of new sports equipment and buckets for the sand pit. Matt Thorpe will attend the next SRC meeting to hand over the new equipment and talk more about how the Council and SRC can work together going forward.
Building on the flow of ideas from the SRC, the Council is seeking proposals for new initiatives from the school community. A new, simple form is available from the front desk. Ideas could go to supporting academic excellence, community engagement or facilities and resources – all will be considered against available funds and existing expenditure plans. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out via sjvparent@gmail.com.
SJV Community Council Committee
![book_fair_2024.png](https://prod005-au.sz-cdn.net/sjvpswaramanga/media/4399/240516043044333/290x264/book_fair_2024.png)
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.
On Monday we welcomed our Year 5 buddies from St John Vianney’s. We spent a lovely morning playing, chatting and making connections.
Thank you to Mr Kaltner for visiting the Turtle class on Thursday to show us how Lego Robots work, how they use sensors and can be operated from an iPad.
Prac Teachers
Welcome to Aminat Odunuga who will be completing her four week prac in the Stingray and Lobster classes and to Roshan Simkhada who is completing prac with the Turtles. It's great to be able to support a new generation of Early Childhood teachers and educators.
Vinnies Winter Appeal
Once again, the St Jude’s community are collecting items for the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal. The ELC has been asked to provide new warm winter socks and beanies for children or adults. We will have a collection basket in the ELC foyer.
Enrolment period
Enrolments are now open for 2025 preschool and primary school. Go to the school websites for more details and the application link. Current ELC families need to submit an application for kindergarten. Applications must be submitted by the end of May in order to be considered in the first round.
St John Vianney Open Days
SJV welcomes all families to have a tour of the school every Wednesday in May between 10:30am and 5:00pm.
St Jude’s ELC now has a Facebook page which we encourage you to follow. We will post updates, reminders and images of all the fabulous things we get up to.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557194577229
Karen Leighton - St Jude's Early Learning Centre
Phone: 0262875520
Email: karen.leighton@cg.catholic.edu.au
What's coming up and when:
Every Monday | Sports Day |
Every Friday | Sports Day |
Friday 17th May |
Athletics Carnival Ribbon Ceremony as part of our morning assembly. Postponed another date to be advised.
|
Tuesday 28th May - Friday 31st May |
Book Fair - Library - visit before and after school to access the Book Fair.
|
Thursday 23rd May |
Incursion : The Jungle Book Performance in Italian
|
Friday 24th May |
2:40pm Reconciliation Week Prayer Celebration Led by Year 2
|
Monday 27th May |
Public Holiday Reconciliation Day
|
Tuesday 28th May - Thurs 31st May |
Parent and Teacher Conferences
- Bookings via Compass - To book a meeting with your child's teacher, please log on to Compass. We will advise when the Meetings have been placed on Compass.
|
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![lunchbag.jpg](https://prod005-au.sz-cdn.net/sjvpswaramanga/media/569/191128022138164/215x234/lunchbag.jpg)
Friday 17th May
Jen
Wednesday 22nd May
BIGGEST MORNING TEA!!
Jen, Karen and Luke
Friday 24th May
Sonia and Karen
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 2 & 3 The Winter 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