Principals Update

Key Events - Term 4

Term 4 - Week 7

• Friday 22nd November - Prep 2025 Transition session, 9.15am - 10.45am

Term 4 - Week 8

• Tuesday 26th November - Assembly @ 3pm & School Structure Information Session, 3.45pm - 4.15pm. Protective Behaviours Program
• Wednesday 27th November - Year 1/2 Incursion & Grade 5/6 “Bizarre Bazaar” Market Day 
• Thursday 28th November - Open Water / Surf Lifesaving - Year 5/6. Protective Behaviours Program
• Friday 29th November - SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY 

Term 4 - Week 9

• Monday 2nd December - Whole school Advent Liturgy in the MPR, 8.50am. PFA / School Advisory Council Celebration Dinner @ 6pm
• Tuesday 3rd December - Year 6 Big Day Out
• Wednesday 4th December - Prep 2025 Transition session, 9.15am - 10.45am

Dear SJV Families,

Well the day has come and gone. All the build-up and preparation and then before you know it the day has passed and the 2024 FETE is over.  Friday the 15th of November was a great night for St John Vianney’s with so many of our families coming together to create an event that means so much to our community. The weather Gods were smiling upon us again, the crowd was amazing and the atmosphere was electric!!!

A massive thank you to Nate Viviani and his amazing FETE committee for the planning and coordination that went into the night, the stall holders who gathered/made items for their stalls, the people involved in packing up and packing down and to the community for attending.

The net result is that we had a community event where parents, children, staff and the broader community enjoyed the efforts of St. John Vianney’s school and in the process we raised over $31,500 to support the development of programs and activities here at SJV. Congratulations to all involved as it’s an amazing effort that everyone should be proud of!!

The next newsletter will be shared with families on Thursday 5th of December

Year 5/ 6 Camp

This week, students from Year 5/6 attended camp at Portsea. This camp was very successful with all of the students being very well behaved and encouraging towards others. I would like to thank Kerry slater, Laura Heiberg, Daniella Cortese, John James, Sophie Mackey and Kath Murley for giving up their time and planning these wonderful opportunities for the students in Year 5/6. I would also like to thank staff not attending camp who are covering extra yard duties etc while staff are away. What an amazing team we have here at SJV.  

Remembrance Day Service - Mentone RSL

Last Monday,  our Year 6 leaders represented the SJV community at the Remembrance Day Service at the Mentone RSL. It was a beautiful service and our Year 6 leaders enjoyed the experience, especially the morning tea afterwards!

Classes 2025 

Organisation of classes at St John Vianney's follows these steps. 

1.  Students name 5 fellow students that they believe they will work well with. 
2. Teachers then create classes for next year taking into consideration

• Separations recommended by previous teachers 
• Separations recommended by current teachers 
• Balance of boys and girls 
• Balance of academic abilities with particular focus on spread of children with specific learning needs 
• Balance of different personalities
• Students choices 

1. Once these classes are created they are checked by our Leadership Team against the data they have on the students to ensure academic balance. 
2. The class lists are then checked by the classroom teachers to ensure an equal balance across all areas.
3. The completed lists are then provided to Jill Hannan and I for a final check.

As you can see this is a long detailed process that takes a number of weeks. The process does not have a place for parents to request specific teachers, student pairings, student separations or for parents to request changes once classes are decided. I hope this gives background for the detailed process that we follow here at SJV.

Our commitment is to always put the students in the best learning environment possible. While friendships are relevant they are the final consideration when creating classes. Ultimately parents choose St John Vianney's because they believe in all we provide and that our commitment to our students will always be our focus.

Moving Up Session / Transition 2025

On Tuesday 10th of December we will be having our Transition to 2025 classes where children will meet their 2025 teacher and classmates. We will notify parents of their child’s classroom teacher on that day. As we will have a number of students from other schools visiting, EVERYONE is free to wear casual clothes on this day so no one stands out as being new.

2025 Class Formation

We are so excited to see how word of mouth, the work of our teachers and the deep sense of community at SJV have all assisted in building the reputation of our school over the last 3 years.   Our numbers have increased from the mid 130's in 2021 to 169 students in 2025. This growth is very exciting and very positive for SJV. Next Year we will have an extra classroom which will be placed over in part of the Library space. This will become a Year 1 classroom. 

We also looked at numbers in other Year levels as well. We found that the number of students especially in the Year 3/4 area were too high. So, after numerous discussions with members of the School Advisory Council, Consultative Committee, Staff and the Leadership team,  plus we have also had some more enrolments (more school tours to come), we have decided to have one Year 4/5 classroom next year and one Year 5/6 class. The Year 4/5 class would be instead of one of the Year 5/6 classes that we have currently have in our model. This structure keeps all class sizes below 24 and allows us to fill positions if more enrolments come. It also benefits the teachers/LSO workload as the numbers are more manageable. This structure does mean that all Year 6 students (10 in total) will be altogether. 

School Structure - Revised

• Foundation (Prep) -  2 classes of 15. Total 30
• Year 1 & 2 - 1 class of 18 students and one class of 17 students for 1 / 2 composite and a straight Year 1 with a total of 17 students. Total 52
• Year 3 & 4 -  2 classes of  23. Total of 46
• Year 4 & 5 - one class of 20 
• 5 & 6 - one class of 21. Total 21
• Total number of students, 2025 - 169 students 

If any parents are interested in coming to an information / questions session regarding the school structure for 2025, we will be having it in the MPR next Tuesday 26th November, 3.30pm - 4.00pm.

School Crossing coming to SJV

After numerous discussions with the Council and many of our parents raising concerns, a crossing will be implemented (Please see image below) so that our students can safely cross the road.  This crossing would result in the loss of a few car park spaces (3-4) which is a small price to pay to ensure the safety of our students and families. This is about to be put out to tender and our hope is for it to be ready for 2025.

The project will also include an additional light to ensure the crossing is adequately lit as well as additional signage in accordance with Australian standards. This is fantastic news for the SJV community. I have also asked that speed humps be also installed throughout Brisbane Terrace to stop the number of drivers speeding. I will keep you all posted but a special thanks to the many parents who have voiced their concerns to the Council and  assisted with getting a Crossing installed.

School Closure / End of School Year 

Please note that the next School Closure Day for Term 4 is:

• Friday 29th of  November (Planning and Preparation for 2025). 
• The end of the School year will finish for students at 12:00pm on Tuesday, 17th December. 

Prep 2025 

We are excitedly preparing to welcome our 2025 Prep families and students for their Orientation program. This program continues to be a highlight of the year, as these children take their first big steps into school life. While some students already have a sibling at SJV, we cannot underestimate how this can still be quite an overwhelming experience as the children transition away from a very small Kinder/Early Learning Centre setting into a significantly larger one. 

Our Prep 2025 Orientation Sessions are as follows:

• Friday 22nd November 9:15am-10:45am
• Wednesday 4th December 9.15-10.45am

Classes for 2025

As we begin the process of planning ahead for 2025 classes, I ask any families who know that they will not be returning to St. John Vianney's in 2025 please inform me as soon as possible. principal@sjvparkdale.catholic.edu.au

Christmas Carols

We look forward to hosting our SJV Christmas Carols on Thursday 12th December 6.00pm. Please come wearing a touch of Christmas and be ready to singalong with some traditional carols as well as some fun new ones too!

SJV Facebook Page

Reminders

• Dogs - Please note that for the safety and wellbeing of all members of our community, no dogs are permitted inside the school grounds and they must not be left unattended tied up at the gates. Adult supervision and holding of the leash is so important around vulnerable places such as schools.  We love dogs but we do have to take care of all members of our community.
• Bikes and Scooters - Please walk bikes and scooters when moving through the school grounds.
• 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.

Regards

Mick Schinck

Principal