Dear Parents/Carers,

I have certainly been surprised as to how quickly circumstances surrounding COVID-19 are changing. It is important that we are all staying up to date with the latest advice from the appropriate authorities in order to keep ourselves and, in particular, the vulnerable in our community safe. I would like to assure you that while we have had to make adjustments to some of our procedures, at St John’s our priority is to maintain as much normality as we can for the students.

During this time, I have great belief that the human spirit will prevail. This is a time for finding new ways to remain connected and to seek out those who would be feeling especially lonely and vulnerable. For many, prayer is a form of support and I encourage you to attend to your own spiritual well-being.

The latest information from our school and Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) office was distributed yesterday via Compass. CEDoW has also created a webpage which will be updated regulalry and contain the latest information about our systemic response. www.dow.catholic.edu.au/covid19 

It is important to note that unless there are specific increased risks or significant health-related reasons as to why students should be staying at home, then the expectation is that students will be attending school.

At this point in time our school has cancelled the following school events:

• Friday afternoon Infants and Primary Assemblies
• Wednesday’s Grade Masses
• Whole Grade Reconciliation
• Whole Grade visits by Fr John and Fr Feleki
• Cross Country Carnival
• Holy Week Liturgy
• Cupcakes for Compassion fundraising

The following image was shared with me by a colleague. A good reminder to not forget what we have.

Paul Moroney
Principal

This week at St John’s we are supporting the Bullying No Way Campaign 2020. The launch is this Friday 20^th March. This initiative is to raise awareness about this issue and to inform them of what bullying is and what it isn’t. It is also an opportunity to assist the children with some strategies for what to do if they are being bullied or they witness it at school.

Our aim is for our students to celebrate diversity and respect differences in others, rather than being judgemental or unkind because someone is different.

Bullying has three main features:

• It involves a misuse of power in a relationship
• It is ongoing and repeated, and
• It involves behaviours that can cause harm

Children and young people need to know that they are being heard, that their feelings matter​ and that their issue will be investigated respectfully. Bullying should be taken seriously..

Although it isn’t nice if someone does or says something mean to someone else, we don’t necessarily call that Bullying. It is also not bullying if children have a one off argument.

BULLYING ISN’T…

• Excluding someone once or twice
• Disliking someone
• Being Bossy
• Telling a joke about someone
• Arguing with someone

Schools can be much more effective when parents report bullying and support their efforts to deal with it.

If your child reports that bullying is occurring at school, or the bullying involves students from the school outside of school, you should let the school know the situation.

Working together with the school is the best way to help your child resolve bullying issues.

Schools will work with you to resolve the situation and will also work with the other student's parents. Due to privacy laws, they will not be able to share information about any other students involved.

Here at St John’s, we will always advocate for our students to:

Talk to someone about it.

• Find a trusted friend, teacher or adult who will listen to how you feel, be supportive, and perhaps even help you work out what to do.
• Talk to your friends - they can help you tell a teacher or your parents or just to feel better.
• Talk to your parents - tell them all about what's been happening.
• Talk to your teacher or another staff member - tell them all about what’s been happening. If you don't want to do this in public, make an excuse to see the teacher about something else, for example your homework.

Bullying is not OK. You have the right to feel safe.

Acting Assistant Principals Kylie Billett and Helen Libro

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Congratulation to the following students who received Good Samaritan Awards this week:

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE COMMONWEALTH BANK HAS CLOSED ALL SCHOOL BANKING UNTIL THE END OF THIS TERM

Happy Birthday to the following students and staff who are celebrating their birthday this week, March 16 - March 22

Don't forget that Waste Free Wednesday is on each week. We ask that students pack their lunch in re-usable containers to reduce the amount of classroom waste around the school. Points are awarded to classes for the least amount of rubbish each Wednesday.

RETURN AND EARN DRIVE

Congratulations to all our families who were able to support the Return and Earn Drive today. More than 2000 items were brought in which will now be collected by St Vincent De Paul to assist their fundraising efforts. Thank you!

PREMIER’S READING CHALLENGE 2020  - 2 March - 28 August 2020

The Premier’s Reading Challenge is running again this year!

At St Johns we promote the importance of reading and acknowledge that we all read for many different purposes. It is hoped that by participating in the PRC that students will continue to develop their love of reading. 

All K-2 classrooms will be participating in the PRC, with class teachers reading 30 books to their classes during class time up until August 25 and these books will be logged as a class. 

Year 3 - 6 students will be required to read 20 books - 15 from the PRC booklist and 5 self choice books. They will be required to self log their books. 

At the completion of the PRC, all students who have successfully read and logged their books will receive a certificate. 

ALL parents who wish their child to participate in PRC need to give permission through the COMPASS app notification by Tuesday 24 March.  

Any questions please contact Mr Astill at info@sjctdow.catholic.edu.au 

Mr Andrew Astill 

Literacy Contact