Dear St John's Community,

We have reached the end of our first week back at school for 2023 and I must say it has been wonderful to see the kids back. A few parents have asked me how the year has started compared to last year. We have seen a big change between this year and last year. Last year, coming back from Covid the children were reluctant to return, very lethargic and often teachers found it very hard to engage or motivate students in their learning. We noticed this also in the sporting activities, the toll of lockdowns and Covid had meant students were not used to the rigours of learning nor the physical aspects of sport and outdoor activity.

I am very pleased to say that this year has been very different. The children are literally skipping through the doors to the classrooms, are energetic, and enthusiastic, and the teachers have really noticed the difference! This is more like how it should be and it is a good sign for the rest of the year.

It was also amazing to see the new preps settle in so quickly as well. Like ducks to water!

Health Care Cards

Just a reminder that if you have renewed or now have a Health Care Card let Denise or Jeannine know in the office so they can help you with the CSF support some of these cards enable you to receive support for your child's schooling.

Please refer to the information provided in this newsletter under School Fees 2023.

Covid update 2023

While we have pretty much returned to normal we have been advised by MACS and government authorities that we must still advise the community of the following protocols regarding Covid-19.

While Covid measures have changed in the community, schools are required to continue to implement practices that reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission.

Use of air purifiers
good ventilation
good personal hygiene is promoted
face masks are provided for those who want them

RATS (Rapid Antigen tests) are still available from the school for those who want or need them. They should be used by staff or students if they:

have symptoms of Covid-19
are a household contact of someone with Covid-19
are a social contact of someone with Covid-19

Positive RAT results should be reported to the Dept of Health on 1800 675 398

Community Warning - Mosquitoes

The Catholic Education Commission of Victoria Ltd (CECV) and the departments of Health and Education wish to advise parents of the increased risks mosquito bites may incur after the recent heavy rain season.

Recent wet and warm weather has increased mosquito breeding. Mosquitoes can carry diseases that may be passed on to people through mosquito bites. A range of mosquito-borne diseases have recently been detected in mosquitoes in northern Victoria. Mosquito-borne diseases can cause serious illness, including infections of the brain, with children particularly at risk.

The best way to prevent mosquito-borne diseases is to avoid mosquito bites.

In line with community health advice, families can protect against mosquito bites by:

using insect repellent that contains picaridin or DEET on all exposed skin if outdoors when mosquitoes are observed, from October to March
wearing long, loose-fitting clothing outdoors if possible if mosquitoes are around and covering exposed skin as much as possible. Summer school uniforms, including polos and shorts, can continue to be worn, but students should use insect repellent on exposed skin if mosquitoes are active
limiting outdoor activity when mosquitoes are active.

Further information

A handy guide to help protect you and your family from mosquito-borne disease
Better Health Channel information about preventing mosquito-borne diseases.

Lent and Reconciliation

Within a few short weeks we will begin Lent with Shrove Tuesday and Ask Wednesday. Our Grade 4 First Reconciliation students will also be engaging in their learning to receive the sacrament this term.

Lent is a time of self-reflection where we confess our failings and resolve to live a better life based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. It lasts for just over six weeks leading up to Holy Week and Easter.

The idea of fasting around the time of Easter goes back to the days of the early Church. After the resurrection of Jesus, Christians fasted between Good Friday and Easter Sunday which was the time between Jesus' death and the discovery of his empty tomb.

Lent lasts 40 days (plus Sundays) leading up to Easter Sunday. The time period relates to the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert reflecting on the future of his life before he began his teaching.

Shrove Tuesday is the day before Lent starts and traditionally is a day for feasting and celebration to use up all the leftover food before the fasting starts for Lent. (Pancake Tuesday...yummy)

The word ‘shrove’ is derived from ‘shrive’ meaning to forgive.

Pope Francis reminds us that “The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a Sacrament of healing. When I go to confession, it is in order to be healed, to heal my soul, to heal my heart and to be healed of some wrongdoing.”

Please include those students preparing for this sacrament on their way to their First Communion in your prayers this term.

Loving God,

help us to teach our children that you love us totally and unconditionally.

Help us to encourage our children to grow in love and to learn how to say sorry, knowing that you always forgive.

Give us the courage to pray with our children and to share our faith with them as we journey together.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

Jokes for the weekend!

Q. Why was 2022 such a blur?

A. Your resolutions must have been too low.

Q. Why don't ants ever get sick?

A. Because they have little anty bodies.

Q. Why do seagulls fly over the sea?

A. Because if they flew over the bay they'd be called bagels.

Have a great weekend.

Derek Bruitzman

Principal

School Uniforms