Principals Update

Key Events

Term 1, Week 2

• Monday 5th of February - Music lessons begin this day for enrolled students
• Tuesday 6th of February - Assembly 3pm (Presentation of Year 6 Tops). 
• Wednesday 7th of February- Prep Testing day (No Prep students attend school)
• Thursday 8th of February - Opening Year whole School Mass, 9.15am. Presentation of staff and student leaders during Mass.  
• Friday 9th of February - Year 5/6 Interschool sports - St John Vianneys’ v Kingswood-@ SJV HOME GAME

Term 1, Week 3 

• Monday 12th of February - Music lessons continue
• Tuesday 13th of February - NO Assembly 
• Wednesday 14th of February- Prep Testing day (No Prep students attend school)
• Thursday 15th of February - Parent Information Evening - More information to follow .  Swimming Training (Interschool swimming squad) - 7.30am-8am
• Friday 16th of February - Swimming Training (Interschool swimming squad) - 7.30am-8am. Year 6 Halogen Leadership Day

Dear SJV Families,

Welcome to 2024!  We hope you enjoyed a restful break with your family and friends and are looking forward to an exciting year ahead.

We warmly welcome all 37 Prep students and their families into the school community. Thank you for choosing St John Vianney’s and placing your trust in the school. We look forward to working in partnership with you. Our Preps have managed their first couple of days at school with an amazing calmness and keenness to take in everything! The feedback from all staff has been so positive - they have adjusted to school life so quickly and confidently.

We also warmly welcome a number of new children and their families into classes from Grade One through to Grade Six. We look forward to getting to know you this year. With these new students and strong Prep numbers, we now have 155 students in total attending our wonderful school.

It was amazing to see so many parents, grandparents and special friends walking their children into school on Tuesday. The students entered the classrooms with great enthusiasm and have settled into school life well. If the first few days are an indication of the year to come, then we are in for a fantastic year of learning and opportunities.

Thank you to all parents for having your children so beautifully presented in their school uniforms. Please continue to encourage your child to take pride in their appearance and remind them the importance of wearing the correct uniform including their hats (No Hat-No Play policy is in place) at school and to walk in carrying their own school bags. I have been most impressed with the students' manners when entering and leaving the school each day, saying good morning or good afternoon. We have hit the ground running and are ready to ensure that this term is an engaging one full of learning. 

Each year we have a whole school theme. Last year we had Let Gratitude be Your attitude with a major focus on gratitude. This year our whole school theme is, Keep Shining. The World Needs Your Light. This theme ties in with our Vianney's Values with a specific focus on Kindness. More will be shared on our 2024 theme throughout the year.

Staff Updates

This year we welcome Mrs Catherine Osadnik (Prep teacher), Mrs Catherine Weekes (P-Arts teacher - Mon & Tues) onto the teaching staff and Mr Gary Kruger and Miss Sophie Mackey as LSO's (Learning Support Officers). We are incredibly lucky  and delighted to have a you all as part of our SJV  community.

Parent Information Evening

On Thursday 15th of February, the classroom teachers will be hosting a Parent information evening between 6.30pm - 7pm which all parents are invited to attend. More information will be shared next week outlining details of the evening.

Class Letters

Last Monday you would have received a “Class Letter” which detailed the expectations for your child’s class in 2024 and more specifically in Term 1. It also includes relevant information about specialist teaching subjects, what day they occur, what particular uniform would be needed and any relevant diary dates. Please make sure that you take the time and read it carefully and if you have any questions, please contact your child's classroom teacher/s.

2025 Prep Enrolments 

Our Requests for School Tours have begun already! Enrolments for Prep 2025 are now open and we encourage all families to submit their applications as soon as possible.  If you have a child or you know someone wanting to tour schools for their child, please encourage them to book a school tour by contacting Nicole in our front office.  If you are not able to make these tours please note that you are also welcome to call to make a time that does work for you. 

SJV School Tour Dates

• Wednesday 6th March @ 9.15am
• Thursday 7th March @ 9.15am
• Tuesday 12th March @ 7pm
• Friday 15th March @ 1pm
• Monday 25th March @ 9.15am

Applications are due Monday 6th of May

NAPLAN 2024

All Year 3 and 5 students will complete the NAPLAN tests  between the 13th of March and the 25th of March. If any families in Year 3 or Year 5 have holidays booked during this time, could they please let the school office know, so we can factor this into our planning.  We use NAPLAN to provide us with feedback about how we can improve our teaching, whilst parents are provided with a snapshot of how their child is progressing. For us, it is one assessment that makes up a thorough Assessment Schedule and should not present any stress for students, as they are well versed at completing online assessments.

Work completed over School Holidays

Over the holiday period some of the following work has been conducted:

• Oval has been resurfaced
• Access into the playground equipment area has been created
• Fencing works have been completed behind the vegetable garden.
• Air-conditioners (4 in total) have been installed in the MPR
• AV screens installed into Year 1 / 2 classrooms
• IPad installed in the front office

This work could not have taken place without the wonderful support of the PFA and the Fete committee for their tireless efforts in raising funds to improve resources at SJV.

Parents & Friends Association AGM

This will take place on Tuesday 20th of February at 7pm with wine and cheese in the multi purpose room.  We are looking for people to join our Parents and Friends Association Committee for 2024, especially any new Prep parents. The commitment is to attend two meetings per term and a willingness to help out at one, some or all of the functions that we have during the year. It is not an onerous task and the benefits flow to every family and student in our school. There are no prior skills required. We are also seeking a new President of the PFA for 2024. If you are interested, please contact the office for a role description.

Punctuality

It is expected that all students are to be at school by no later than 8.45am and not any time up to 9am. From 8.45am to 9am is crucial for students to get themselves organised, start the day with prayer, take the roll and ready to commence their day promptly. Formal lessons begin at 9am. Any child who arrives at or after 9am is to be signed in at the office by a parent/guardian. I ask all parents to make sure that you adhere to these times.

School Fees and Direct Debit Forms

 At the end of last year we sent home Direct Debit forms for School fees. This is a great way to stay on top of your fees for 2024. Please fill this form in if you would like to take up this payment method and drop it into the office. If you have misplaced it, please call in to collect a new one. Accounts will be issued next week. New families, please feel free to call in and collect a direct debit form. 

Asthma and Anaphylaxis plans

 If your child requires Asthma medication, an Epipen or medication for allergies including Hay Fever, this must be supplied to the school. All medications are kept in the First Aid Room. Management plans for Asthma and anaphylactic reactions need to be signed by a doctor and supplied to the school.

Operoo

 We use Operoo to email and text families, to gain permission for excursions and to have an up to date medical record of your child. Please log on to make sure your child’s details are current. Permission forms for Internet usage will be sent via this platform.

Parking

Drivers are asked to obey parking restrictions in Brisbane Terrace. Double parking or stopping in traffic to let children ”jump in the car” is dangerous and puts everyone else at risk. 

Collection of students during the day 

If collecting children during the day, please visit the office to sign your child out via the new VPass system we are using with ipad. 

Sick Bay

Students attending Sick Bay are given a slip detailing their treatment in Sick Bay. If the child is considered well enough to return to class, he/she will be given the slip and asked to give it to their parent at the end of the day. If the incident warrants further assistance or advice parents will be contacted.

• Nuts/ Allergies: As we have several children at SJV with nut allergies we strongly recommend that you do not send foods containing nuts to school. 
• Ambulance Cover: Do you have ambulance cover? If a child is seriously sick or injured at school we will call an ambulance if deemed necessary. This is a costly expense to families if you are not covered.

School Newsletter and School Assemblies

This is the first school newsletter of 2024 and we will circulate our newsletter each fortnight through the online portal, iNewsletter. The Newsletter will be emailed to all families and will also be uploaded to our school website. 

Throughout the year, assembly will be held every other fortnight starting next Tuesday at 3.00pm in the MPR. We celebrate Vianney's Values Awards and Class news. This coming Tuesday, the Year 6 students will be presented with their Year 6 tops) Parents  are welcomed and encouraged to attend. 

This has been such a great week and we thank you all for your support.

May this also be a great year for you, your families and all in our SJV community. 

Don't forget to focus on Keep Shining. The World Needs Your Light!!

Regards

Mick Schinck

Principal