Dear Parents and Carers,

CONGRATULATIONS TO MR PAUL MORONEY – PRINCIPAL AT ST JOHN”S FROM 2020.

Last Friday 25^th November, an important announcement was shared with the staff, parent and student community from the Director of Schools, Mr Peter Turner, in relation to the substantive position of Principal at St John’s from 2020. Mr Paul Moroney will be the Principal at St John’s from the beginning of the new school year. We congratulate Paul on this significant appointment and offer him our prayers and support as he takes up this role. Paul is currently the Principal at Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Ingleburn. An opportunity will exist later in the term for parents to meet and introduce themselves to Paul over morning tea. This will be a wonderful way to warmly welcome him to the St John’s community.

A copy of the announcement is included with this bulletin for your information.

CLASS FORMATION GROUPINGS 2020

This lengthy process of class formation for 2020 has now commenced in earnest this term.

This process involves the current class teachers preparing draft lists for next year’s classes. This process takes into consideration the academic, social, emotional and physical needs of each individual student. Decisions are made to establish balanced, equitable class groups with the potential to work well together. As the teachers know the students within the school environment exceptionally well, the best interests of each individual student is always considered during the discernment process.

Parents are invited annually to contribute to the process of class formation by informing us in writing of any needs that may impact on class placement. Written requests could be submitted either through the class teacher or via an email to info@sjctdow.catholic.edu.au marked in the subject line – 2020 Class Formation. Parents are able to provide input during Weeks 1 - 4 in Term 4. This means that these requests need to be made by next  Friday 8^th November 2020.

It is important to note that whilst parental requests are considered, there is never a guarantee that these requests will be granted. If parents make a request, particularly about their child being placed within a friendship group, please be aware that there may be circumstances surrounding such requests that may prevent it from being granted.

ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT PARENT SURVEY

Each year we seek parent, staff and student input in order to prepare aspects of the Annual School Report. All parents have the opportunity, via an anonymous online survey, to provide input into areas affecting the education of their children and the general functioning of the school. All feedback is greatly valued and will assist in contributing not only to the preparation of the Annual School Report but also to the future directions in planning for school improvement.

This survey will be available for completion from next week. Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey.

CANTEEN NOW OPEN FIVE DAYS PER WEEK

Commencing from next week the canteen will be operating five days per week. Students will be able to purchase over the counter sales at both Lunch One and Two Monday - Friday.

Flexischools will be open to pre-order lunch orders for both breaks each day.

The canteen will be open for five days per week until the end of the school year. This will be to determine whether this is a viable option for the school canteen moving forward into 2020.

If you are interested in volunteering to support the running of the school canteen please do not hesitate to see either Mrs Stolzenhein or Mrs Tate about ways that you could assist.

UNIFORM POLICY

Parents are reminded of the following expectations according to the uniform policy in relation to haircuts.

HAIRCUTS

• The emphasis is on ‘neat and tidy’
• Shoulder length or longer hair for girls is to be tied back with school coloured ribbons
• No bleached / dyed hair
• Extremes of haircuts are not permitted, e.g., undercuts, long fringes with short on top, tracks, shaved, words, lines etc., are unsuitable
• The emphasis is on evenly cut hair. Hair must be neatly groomed (combed or brushed) away from the student’s face. To reduce the transfer of head lice, hair that is collar length or longer is to be plaited, braided or tied back with hair accessories.

Long hair not tied up could be ‘unsafe for the student and likely to result in a risk to health and safety of students and others’. Hair should not be dyed un-natural colours during the school term.

Inappropriate hairstyles (e.g. inappropriate words, shapes, stripes cut into the hair could ‘negatively influence the normal school operations’ and are therefore not permitted.

Parents are encouraged to follow these expectations when presenting your child for school each day.