St John Vianney's Newsletter

 Principal Post

Dear Families

Welcome back to Term 4 with the exciting news that we shall all return to St John Vianney's next Monday 12th October!  Families and staff have done an absolutely amazing job with Remote Learning across many months, but it is truly brilliant to know that all our students will be back on deck learning face to face within the classrooms! 

So as we prepare for the Term what will be our school priorities for our students?

We will be prioritising: 

  • Student Wellbeing
  • Student Learning
  • Student Transitions

 Student Wellbeing

We know that all students have in various degrees been impacted through this Pandemic. As a staff we are mindful of the importance of assisting students to reconnect  to one another. We will be encouraging and sustaining student motivation for learning, re-engaging students and families where needed, and supporting the social and emotional learning of our students  alongside curriculum based learning.

 

Please also read the handy tips in the next page The Transition Back to School

 

Student Learning

In terms of learning we will be focusing very much on Literacy and Numeracy and making every attempt to assist children to progress in their learning.   This does take time and won't happen over night, but our staff are very ready and focused on helping your children to achieve their best in their learning. 

 

 

Transitions

In terms of Transitions we know that Term 4 is critical for our students as they prepare for the next Level in their school life. It is a particularly important time for our Year 6 students as they 

get ready for Secondary College and our Kinder kids who prepare to join the SJV community in 2021.   A focus for Term 4 will be to make every effort to ensure each of the end of year and beginning of year transitions  can be as successful as possible given the government restrictions. 

 

Stay tuned  for further information around what is possible for Prep 2021 Orientation and Graduation. Please be aware that we will always be trying to do our best for the students and community of St John Vianney's.

We will be basing our decisions on the advice given to us by the Government and CECV, in the interests of public safety.  It is critical that we all continue to do the right thing to ensure safety. 

 

At this stage we are unable to have Excursions, Incursions (unless online) or any whole school gatherings including assemblies,  choir, large parades, level Liturgies or Sacraments.    

Our Whole School Athletics Carnival as we have known it, has been cancelled. 

 

As your children settle back into school life onsite it is important to let us know how they are travelling. Give your children time to settle in, encourage them and remain positive. Tell them  that they should practice good hygiene  Do let us know  if  you have any concerns.  The staff will also do the same and contact you should we need. 

Students Bring Sanitizer, Water Bottle, Pencil Case, School Hat and  School Devices

Whilst sanitizer will be provided, many students bought their own as it was softer on their hands.  Students will also wash their hands with soap and practice good hygiene. 

Students need their own Water Bottle.

Students should bring their own pencils/ pens to use.

Term 4 - Sunsmart - bring a Hat 

Returning Devices 

Please ensure that your child brings back the loaned device and charger to their classroom teacher on MONDAY 12th October. 

Staggered Starts and Finishes

In the best interests of public safety, we are once again instigating a staggered start and staggered finish to the  school day.  This worked well last time!   Please note the students will have their recess and lunch at the normal times and will play in designated areas. 

 

  • Parents/ Carers must wearMasks
  • Parents/ Carers can not come on school grounds
  • Adults must adhere to Social Distancing
  • Families who have a surname beginning with A-L are asked to drop their children between 8:30am & 8:40am. These families are asked to collect their children from the front or back gate between 3:10pm & 3:20pm.
  • Families who have a surname beginning with M-Z are asked to drop their children between 8:40am & 8:50am. These families are asked to collect their children from the front or back gate between 3:20pm & 3:30pm.
  • There will be a staff member walking the children to the Police Road Crossing at 3:20pm  
  • OSHC (Camp Australia ) will operate normally. Please park on top carpark.
COME AT YOUR ALLOCATED TIME
 
  • Please ensure your child knows that you will not be allowed to enter the school grounds in advance. Various staff will be on duty before school to assist should someone be anxious
  • Please ensure that your child knows exactly where they will be collected from at the end of the day; from the Parish Carpark or the Back Gate Entrance. 
  • To limit the number of adults congregating around the school entrances we encourage one parent/carer to drop off/ pick up.

 

If you are using the Parish carpark please park on the west side of the carpark (parking spaces directly behind the church)and wait for your child by standing on the one of  cones on the ground near the school fence.  Your child/ren will will be distributed to you. 

Parents/ Carers  dropping off /picking up their child need to be considerate , patient and MINDFUL of everyone’s safety 

 Canteen

The Canteen will NOT operate in the week of October 12- 16. We will let you know in advance as to when it will operate and under what conditions. 

Visiting the school

 If a parent has a need to visit the school we ask that you ring the office to make an appointment.

 

STUDENTS LATE/ LEAVING EARLY

If students are late or leaving early, parents will need to come to the front office and ring the doorbell. A staff member will come to the door to assist. 

Any parent that does come onsite (into the building) will need to complete and sign a COVID declaration form for tracing purposes.  If students are leaving early please ring in advance to inform us and allow us to have your child ready for collection.

 

I will be sending out a Video this Sunday with a set of slides I am Going back to School. 

Fete Raffle

Whilst sadly our Annual Parish Fete wont go ahead this year, there will be a Raffle - a chance to win some great prizes and to support our Parish and school!  What a terrific way to bring some Christmas cheer to some lucky families! 

Each Family will receive one Raffle Book (Sent home with the eldest child next week.)  

We have extended the draw raffle date to the 22nd November (Not 25th October). 

 

Please note we fully understand should families not be able to buy raffle tickets. Please send the raffle book back to school. 

Indonesian Week 

Thanks for your Involvement in Indonesian Celebrations- held last week of term 3! Winners will be announced by Pak Kris next week!!! 

Book Week

St John Vianney's will be celebrating Book Week in Week 4 (26th - 30th October)

 

Students are invited to dress up as their favorite book character on Monday 26th October. Further details to follow. 

School Review

This Friday the Leadership School together with CEM representatives will meet with our School Reviewer Dr Judith Gurvich online to discuss our recent school review. We will begin to detail our School Improvement Plan for the next four years. I will provide further information in coming weeks. 

Parent Teacher Conferences for 5/6R 

A reminder that these will be held tomorrow Thursday 8th October.

Year 5 enrolment in Catholic Secondary Schools  for 2022

Year 5 parents - Applications for Catholic Colleges close this Friday 9th October. Please submit applications directly to the College.