Principal's News

Dear Families,

I hope all families enjoyed the long weekend!  

Winter Uniform

Winter is now upon us with the days much cooler.  All children should now be wearing their winter uniform.  There are beanies and scarves available to stay warm and we ask that if your child likes to wear a beanie to school, or at school during break times, that they wear the school beanie.   Children should be wearing plain studs or sleepers in their ears for safety reasons and no nail polish.

Reconciliation Week Experience

On the 31st May during Reconciliation Week, Leila Thompson and Piper Clarke accompanied by Mrs Rachel Timperley, had the wonderful opportunity of attending the Wawa Biik (Hello Country) Taungurung experience a the Euroa Aboretum. The day began with a smoking ceremony conducted by Uncle Shane Monk and Aunty Jo Honeysett. They were then taken on a walking tour of the  Arboretum, on Taungurung country and tasted bush tucker, saltbush berry and a natural grasses. Did you know that there are lollipops in the bush? The silver wattle produces a sweet sap that children can roll onto a short stick and suck on for hours! But don’t go eating just any sap, or it may be poisonous. They also did an art activity with a wooden gumleaf and painted their families and the waterways that run through Euroa. They were lucky to be allowed to wrap themselves in Aunty Jo and Uncle Shane's possum skin cloaks. They are really warm!  With special thanks to the Strathbogie Shire Council for organising this National Reconciliation Week event, which was attended by representatives of all the primary schools in the Strathbogie Shire. They were very grateful for the experience!

Consent

Every week we hear more and more about violence and consent.  I came across this article during the week that explores the awareness and teaching of consent from a very early age. You may find it of assistance, as you navigate through this very important area with your children.

Celebration of Learning

Next Friday the 21st June we will be having our Celebration of Learning for the term with a focus on Maths.  The children look forward to welcoming your to their grades, where you may experience a Math's session or a Math's game.  Everyone is welcome to come along and see Maths in action at St John's.

Lisa Crowe - TheirCare

After many years as coordinator and supervisor at TheirCare, Lisa has resigned from her position effective from the end of this term.  The children have been very lucky to have Lisa over the years and she has worked tirelessly to ensure they are happy and well cared for both before and after school.  Lisa has also been a great liaison between school and TheirCare.  Thank you Lisa!

Melinda Watson Leave

Melinda Watson, our Visual Arts and PE teacher will be taking Long Service Leave from the end of this week for the remainder of the term.  Melinda will be travelling with family, we wish her a very safe and fabulous trip and look forward to seeing her at the start of term 3.   Paula Swan will be replacing Melinda while she is away.  The children know Paula as she is a regular at school when teachers have been absent.

Feast of the Sacred Heart and St Vincent De Paul

Last Friday the whole school celebrated Mass together for the Feast of the Sacred Heart. After the Mass we presented Ian South with everyone's donation of food for those in need in the community of Euroa.  A very gracious thank you to all families for your generosity and to the children for their shopping at Burtons and the great thought and care they took with their purchases.  Ian South said without the donations from the school community, St Vincent's would be unable to support community members.  Thank you to Burtons for allowing us to shop in numbers, the staff were very kind and patient with the children.

School Reports

The children's reports will be digitally sent to parents on Friday 21st June with Parent Teacher Meetings following on Monday 24th June and Tuesday 25th June.  I encourage all parents to read their child's report and make a time to discuss them with their child's classroom teacher during one of the two sessions.  Parent Teacher meetings will start at 2pm with the last meeting at 4:50pm each day.  Teachers will be able to accommodate parents with phone meetings if this is easier for you rather than face to face.

Pupil Free Days

A reminder that the children finish the term on Wednesday 26th June at 3:15.  School staff will be taking part in a Retreat with a focus on Spirituality and Catholic Identity.  There will be no school staff on site for the two days but TheirCare will be running a program on both days.

Until next fortnight

Therese