Dear Families,

Jingle Bell Jam!!

Despite the heavy rain and the need to have our Carols celebration inside the Parish hall, nothing could dampen the spirits of our students and community members as we sang danced and enjoyed good company as a way of launching the Christmas Season! Drew Lane who led our students in song and dance bought infectious enthusiasm and energy and ensured a most memorable occasion.

Our thanks to the incredibly hardworking P&F team headed up by Karla and Nicola who organised our BBQ and drinks!

The community spirit and a sense of fun was was most evident.

Our thanks to the following parent team...

Sam, John , Lucy , Zeina , Cristy , Han , Natalie , Nina, George , Aram, Travis and Bruce

Wouldn't it be great to grow our Parents and Friends group in 2024!! A great way of supporting your children and school, all the time enjoying the company of other mums, dads and grandparents! All made most welcome!!

Enquiries: Karla 0403162 600

2024 Staffing

As we move toward the end of the 2023 year I wish to inform you of the following staff changes for 2024.

After more than 10 dedicated years at SJV, Janita Felici will be moving to take up a new challenge as a classroom teacher at Yarra Valley College. Janita is a most experienced teacher having worked at SJV teaching across the 1-2, 3-4 and 5-6 Levels. Her expertise, her gentle nature and her ability to look out for and care for students in her class demonstrate her dedication and commitment. We thank Janita for her service to our students and community and wish her well in her new adventures.

Georgie McLean concludes five years at SJV.

In her time at SJV, Georgie has taught Years 3-4 and 5-6. In 2024 Georgie plans to take a break from full time teaching in the one school. It is Georgie's intention to pursue other interests and to take up CRT work. To this end we hope to see Georgie from time to time at SJV! Georgie is a most passionate and creative teacher. Her ability to engage with students and bring the best out in them has been Georgie's legacy here at SJV! She will be truly missed and we wish her well.

Michael Fantonial has been a Learning Support Officer at SJV this year. In 2024 Michael will be moving to Mazenod College in an LSO role. Michael has taken on the learning support role brilliantly this year. His expertise, calm nature and ability to engage so well with all students and colleagues is going to be greatly missed. Michael is following his wish to return to working with adolescent students and we wish him every blessing.

Jane Lancaster who was on a year's leave from SJV in 2023 travelling and working overseas will finish her time at SJV. Jane has decided to stay overseas for a further period of time. Jane has loved her time at St John Vianney's having begun her career here in 2015! Jane had taught 3-4 and Foundation Level. Her creative spirit, her sense of fun, her strong organisational ability and her passion for sustainability will be missed by students and staff alike.

Beth Lacey our Performing Arts teacher for the past six years be taking LSL in Terms 2 and 3 in 2024 and will take up other classroom support duties in Term 1 & 4. We are fortunate that Beth will continue to be part of our team!

We will welcome the following new staff to our school. As classroom teachers; Jason Kumar, Allison Weerappah, Ida Marigliano and Lauren Kinnish.

Carlie Dowley will take on the role of Performing Arts Specialist.

We will also welcome back Violetta Poulter from Parental Leave. Violetta will resume the role of speech pathologist, two days a week.

Ella Tremonti, Lauren Cameron and Viv Zammit will join our staff as Learning Support Officers.

Please note that we will have an extra class in 2024. 3 Foundation grades, 5 x 1-2 grades, 5 x 3-4 grades and 5 x 5-6 grades.

Our new teachers will join our staff for planning days across the final weeks and will meet their classes on Step up Morning at 10am on Friday 8th December.

In our final newsletter of the year on Wednesday 13th December, I will document the SJV staffing for 2024; classes and roles.

I thank you for your ongoing support in partnering so well with us in support of your children.

Thank you Morning Tea

We would like to invite all our parent helpers, SAC Committee, Parent and Friends and anyone who assisted at events to come for a morning tea on December 8th at 9.00am.

Staff Leave

I will be on leave from next Wednesday 6th December returning Tuesday 12th December, to celebrate my eldest son's Wedding in Noosa!! Happy Days! I look forward to being back for another important celebration - the Grade 6 Graduation! 12th December.

Should you require, please reach out to Jenny in my absence. jwillmott@sjvmulgrave.catholic.edu.au

Foundation Transition Days

Our third Orientation session was held on Monday and it was great to see our students enjoying the various activities and mixing with peers and staff.

Next Monday 4th December (9:15am - 10:30am) will be our final session. The Foundation Students will meet their teachers for 2024!

School Concert Recording is on it's way...

After a few hitches, the recording of "SJV Speaks for the Trees" has arrived. As a thankyou for your patience we are providing each family with a link to your child's performance night FREE of charge.

This will be sent via email to you this week.

We hope you enjoy reliving this wonderful experience!

Commitment TO CHILD SAFETY

On December 11th we have invited the Proactive Policing Unit Youth Resource Officers to come and talk to our grade 1/2's about the importance of rules and how they keep us safe and to help them understand different forms of bullying and what to do. Early this term they spoke to our grade 5/6's around cyber safety.

Step Up Day

Students will meet their 2024 classmates in their classrooms on Friday December 8th. Students will bring home a form indicating what they need to bring to to school in 2024, apart of the book list. Books and stationery is provided by the school. It will also indicate the name of your child's 2024 teacher.

Last Day of school in 2023

Please note that the last day of school for 2023 will be FRIDAY 15th December. School will conclude at 2:30pm

Canteen

Please note that the last day for Canteen in 2023 will be Friday 8th December.

In 2024 the Canteen will not reopen until Wednesday 7th February.

St Vincent de Paul

Please don't forget to bring donations. See Student Wellbeing Page for ideas!

Important Dates for 2024

Term 1:

Monday 29th January:

STAFF return (no students)

Tuesday 30th January

Foundation Students 8:45am - 1pm

Wednesday 31st January

Foundation Students 8:45am - 1pm

Thursday 1st February

All students 8:45 - 3:15pm

Beginning of Year Testing Times:

Students in Years 1-6 will be required to attend school on Tuesday 30th January or Wednesday 31st January at an allocated time to complete literacy & numeracy testing.

Year 1/2 Testing: Parents will be able to book an appointment for their child to complete testing on either Tuesday 30th January or Wednesday 31st January. Online bookings will open on the 8th December 2023.

Year 3 and 5: All students are required to attend school from 8:45 - 11:00 on Tuesday 30th January. All children will be required to be picked up. No child will be allowed to walk home.

Year 4 and 6: All students are required to attend school from 8:45 - 11:00 on Wednesday 31st January. All children will be required to be picked up. No child will be allowed to walk home.

2024 Term Dates

Term 1:

Tuesday January 30th

- Foundation 8:45am - 1pm

(See Testing Dates and times for other students above)

Thursday February 1st - Years F-6 full time

8:45am start

Term 1 Concludes on Thursday 28th March

Term 2: Begins Wednesday April 15th

Concludes - Thursday June 27th

Term 3: Begins Monday July 15th

Concludes Friday 20th September

Term 4: Begins Monday October 7th

Concludes for students Tuesday 17th December

2024 Camp Date

Year 5&6 Camp Phillip Island Adventure Camp

Monday May 20th - Wednesday 22nd May

2024 Pupil Free Days

Friday March 8th

Friday April 26th

Friday June 28th

Friday October 18th

Monday November 4th

Friday December 6th

These days have been ratified by the School Advisory Council. Most of these days fall before or after a Public Holiday or at the end of term to minimize impact on parents. Friday 18th is the day before the SJV Fete.

Secondary School Students helpers at SJV

It is great to have our SJV students return to assist us in the last few days of the term. Please email us if your child wishes to assist us in cleaning. Please indicate the day(s) and times that they can come.

jwillmott@sjvmulgrave.catholic.edu.au

Birthdays

We wish the following students a fantastic day on their birthday!!! May you feel very special...

Happy Birthday! We hope that you enjoy(ed) your special day!