From the Principal. . .

Dear Families,

A Happy New Year to each one of you and welcome back to St John Vianney's as we begin 2020!

The staff and myself as Principal aim to work in partnership with families to provide an environment both at home and at school which nurtures, affirms, challenges and engages our children to do their best and reach their potential.

As a Catholic school we focus on building life giving relationships. May the St John Vianney’s community be a place of welcome, acceptance, care, faith, support and celebration!

I acknowledge that this summer has been a very difficult time for many people as fire and drought have ravaged many states within our country, particularly Victoria and New South Wales. In the past couple of months, we have witnessed and grappled with the effects of the ongoing bushfires. Added to this now is the global concern of the Coronavirus and the uncertainty and anxiety that this may bring.

In relation to the Bushfires I hope that you were not directly impacted (please let me know if you were). The bushfires have been devastating; lives have been lost, towns and homes destroyed and smoke continues to shroud large parts of our nation. Despite this calamity I’m sure that you, like me, are also in awe of the way people have come together both nationally and globally and responded. The resilience of the communities effected has been remarkable. The firefighters and emergency response teams have been amazingly courageous and heroic. The amazing spirit of generosity and empathy shown by so many both locally, across our country and globally is indeed heartening.

Whilst many of you have already have contributed in some way to the Bushfire appeal, as a school we will have a free dress day and ask that students bring a gold coin. This way we also say we stand with those stricken by this devastation. We will donate via St Vincent de Paul. As a community we need to continue to pray for our country and those who have been affected. I have included on the next page a prayer that many Parishes are using. Feel free to print it off.

The outbreak of novel Coronavirus has also raised a degree of anxiety and is a global concern. The safety and care of your children and community members is paramount. I am following the advice given by the Australian and Victorian Governments and has been shared with the Catholic Education Commission Victoria. On Monday an updated letter was sent out to all Parents on our data base via email and hard copy. Last Thursday a Novel coronavirus ‘fact sheet’ was sent out.

At school we are encouraging students to implement good respiratory and personal hygiene practices. You will have seen the hygiene posters around the school buildings including classrooms and teachers have spoken to their classes about the posters. I will continue to update you should there be further advice.

Welcome to Students & Staff

To all our new families, we extend a very warm welcome as you begin your association with St John Vianney’s school. We sincerely hope that the years ahead are full of learning and positive experiences for your children! We hope that we work well together in partnership to develop and bring the best out in your child. A special welcome also to the new staff joining our SJV team; Emma May (Year 1/2 and 1/2 Level Leader), Rhiannon Coco (Maths Leader and Maths Intervention Teacher) Julie Walton (Literacy Intervention Teacher) and Sam Pirotta Learning Support Officer. Welcome back to Bec Chan (Prep) who is returning after Parental Leave.

Our New students….

Our Prep students and other students who are new to our school are overall, settling in very well. The transition of all students to their new classes has begun successfully. I thank you for the support you have given to your child and the school!

Wellbeing Focus in classrooms

The beginning of the school year is often an exciting time for students and for some it can be mixed with degrees of anxiety. Questions such as the following can ruminate in a child’s mind:

Will I make a new friend? Will I maintain friendships with last years friends? How will I go with my new teacher? Will the work be too hard?

Being excited to be back amongst the SJV Community and anxious as to how it might all play out are normal emotions. Continue to listen to your children and reassure them that they are in a safe and caring environment. Your children do need to be resilient and recognise that there will be ups and downs across the year. If appropriate, let them work out the issues that they may encounter. If they need support please ensure they seek assistance from a teacher/ staff member.

To support the students to settle into the new school year, the first two weeks within the classroom emphasise student wellbeing. There are many getting to know one another activities, talking positively about routines and structure which evidence suggests helps students in their learning.

Condolences

Our thoughts and prayers are very much with Dawn Heldt. Dawn’s mum died in India on January 15th, after a long illness. Dawn had been with her Mum and family in the preceding difficult weeks. May her Mum Anita rest in peace.

Opening School Mass & Captains Badge Presentation - The Premier Dan Andrews to present badges

This will occur this Friday at 9am in the Church. It is a very special occasion as we gather to ask blessings on our year.

At the Mass:

We will welcome our Preps, new students from other grades and new staff.

The Staff will be commissioned in the important task as educators and collectively will receive a blessing

The Captains will receive their badge from our Local State Member, Dan Andrews (Premier of Victoria)

After Mass our Year 6 parents are invited to a morning Tea in the staffroom.

Prayer: Bush fire & Drought

Prayer for those affected..