Principal's Post
Dear Families,
Father Dispin's Birthday celebrations were a parish highlight last weekend. Our school Captains did a marvellous job in speaking about Dispin and the influence he has had on our students.
Feel free to view some of the photos via the link here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3zTCDtaLH4
Thanks to the families who attended the Working Bee last Friday evening. We accomplished a lot of work including: cleaning out drains and spouting, topping up the sandpit and long jump pits, spreading mulch across the front fence garden beds, weeding vegie patches and cleaning debris from the netball and downball courts.
Thanks Mrs Dell'Orso for cooking those delicious snags on the BBQ.
Twilight Sports Wednesday 1 November
The students have been practicing their events and chanting over the past few weeks and will continue doing so for the next week.
Please note that the administrators at the Bill Sewart Athletics Track require us to be finished by 6.50pm so that the track is available for others' training at 7.00pm.
Here is a plan for the afternoon
2.00pm - optional early dismissal (students can go home for a rest and a feed)
3.20pm - normal dismissal time
3.45pm - students arrive at the track
4.00pm - commence the Sports
6.45pm - conclude the Sports
During the evening parents, who set up their base on the grandstand steps are able to wander around and watch students compete. Please ensure that you allow a little space for the students to compete and do not cross the track during events. Also, please keep toddlers with you.
We will not have time for a break in the middle of the program so please ensure your children have had something to eat prior to the Sports. You may wish to purchase food from the BBQ at about 6.20pm to have ready for your children when they finish the night.
Thanks to the parents who have volunteered to assist on the night. There are still a few vacancies to be filled on the volunteer sheet.
Your Child's Social/Emotional/Learning Brain
I encourage ALL parents to attend our evening here in the Reynolds Community Centre on Thursday 16th November. Maria Roberto who presented to the staff at our Conference in March and will be presenting to the staff on the following morning has made herself available to present to parents.
Maria Ruberto is clinical psychologist with over 23 years experience. Her application of psychology is anchored by research in neuroscience and brain function – and framed by the science of optimism.
School Production Video
Orders closed last Monday 16th October and delivery is due to arrive this week. USB orders will be sent home with the children when they arrive.
Parish Fete Raffle Tickets
Thanks to the 40 families who have returned sold books of raffle tickets. We will be conducting the first Sellers Prize draw for all books returned sold next Monday morning at Assembly.
Tickets are two dollars each of which St James school receives $1.00 for every ticket our families sell. That means if every family sold 10 tickets, we would receive $2,400 towards our P & F fundraising efforts. We are not asking families to buy $20 worth of tickets but just sell them (friends, extended family, neighbours might all purchase a ticket).
Parish Fete Support Volunteering
Just a reminder that it is an expectation that all families contribute at least one hour volunteering to help out at the fete. This may be set up (bump in), during the fete, or pack up on the Sunday (bump out).
You can sign up via the attached roster link.
St John's Parish Community Fete 2023
Class lists for 2024
We will commence working on class lists later in the term so any families who have specific requests for student placement for 2024 classes must either email me or make an appointment to discuss the specific learning or wellbeing needs of their children by this Friday 27 October. This is not an opportunity to request to be in the same class as a friend nor an opportunity for teacher shopping.
Sun Smart Reminder
With the warmer weather and higher UV levels, SunSmart has reached out to share the important message below.
With UV levels in Victoria now reaching 3 or higher, it’s time for all Victorians to start using sun protection again.
We’re asking schools and communities to remind students and staff to wear their sun protective hats and clothing and apply sunscreen before heading outdoors. We want to make sure we are protecting every Victorian from harmful UV radiation.
Remember UV levels in Victoria are 3 or higher from mid-August all the way through to the end of April, not just terms 1 and 4.
P&F Help!
Please refer to the P & F Newsletter page for more information on how you can assist this marvellous group in the upcoming Food Day on Wednesday 25/10 and the 2024 P&F coordinator roles. Feel free to have a chat with me or call our school office if you would like any further information about teaming up with others to take on the coordinator role.
Enjoy a great week ahead!
Dave