Dear Parents/Carers,

As we approach the completion of first term, it is important to reflect on all that has been this term and to give thanks for a wonderful start to the 2019 school year. The season of Lent is a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving as a way of preparing for recalling the death and resurrection of Jesus at Easter.

Lent is an opportune time for reflecting, pruning, forgiving, letting go and being reconciled to God and others.

This Lenten Litany from Pope Francis helps to guide our words and actions during Lent. We are ever mindful that our loving God is always with us through moments of anguish to moments of great joy.

May the words of this Litany encourage and sustain you on your Lenten journey towards Easter.

Fast from HURTING WORDS and say KIND WORDS

Fast from SADNESS and be filled with GRATITUDE

Fast from ANGER and be filled with PATIENCE

Fast from PESSIMISM and be filled with HOPE

Fast from WORRIES and TRUST GOD

Fast from COMPLAINTS and contemplate SIMPLICITY

Fast from PRESSURES and be PRAYERFUL

Fast from BITTERNESS and fill your heart with JOY

Fast from SELFISHNESS and be COMPASSIONATE to others

Fast from GRUDGES and be RECONCILIED

Fast from WORDS and be SILENT so you can listen

Asking God’s blessing on you this coming week.

Jane Webb

Acting Principal

Cupcakes for Compassion

Many thanks is extended for the most generous support of Cupcakes for Compassion which helps to raise money for Project Compassion during Lent.

To date we have raised $1,330.35 which is a wonderful effort.

Next week, Kindergarten students are asked to bring cupcakes to school on Tuesday 9th April.

Cross Country – MONDAY 8^th APRIL

Thank you to the parents who have volunteered to help with the organisation of the Cross Country that will be held next Monday 8^th April at Mount Carmel Catholic College Varroville. We are very appreciative of Mount Carmel’s support in the planning of this whole school event. We also extend our thanks to Mrs Crescini and Mrs Marshall who have spent a great deal of time planning this day.

If you would like to nominate to help on the day, please make contact with Mrs Crescini or Mrs Marshall so that they are able to allocate you a role. This type of sporting event would not be possible without the generous support of many parents. Parents are also most welcome to come along as spectators on the day. Additional information is provided in this newsletter about the organisation of the day.

All students will be transported to Mount Carmel by bus following a brief morning assembly.

Parents are able to sign out their child/ren at the completion of the Cross Country with the classroom teacher.

If your child is signed out prior to the completion of the Carnival, this will be marked as a partial absence.

Sacramental Program – Holy Communion

Early next term, we start the Sacramental Program for children wishing to make their First Holy Communion. This is for children who are in Year 3 and above who have made their Sacrament of Reconciliation.

The Parent Information Night will be held in Week 2, on Wednesday 8 May at 7 pm.  All parents must attend this night to register their child into the Sacramental Program.

Workshops for this Sacrament commence the following week – Week 3. 

The Sacrament of First Holy Communion is on the weekend of Saturday 22 June and Sunday 23 June. 

More details to come at a later date.

RE Newsletter for Parents

The latest Religious Education Newsletter for Parents is attached to this week’s bulletin. 

Enjoy your week.

Mrs Kathryn Hampton

Religious Education Coordinator

Cupcakes for Compassion – Thank you!!

A very big thank you to all the students and families for their generosity during this Lenten fundraiser. We have been inundated with cupcakes and it has been fantastic!

Next week is the last week to donate money to Project Compassion and buy cupcakes. Thank you to the Kindergarten parents and families who will be providing the cupcakes next Tuesday. It is truly appreciated.

We will announce the total money raised next week. Thank you!

   

TRANSITION TO WINTER UNIFORM

From the beginning of next term we will be in transition mode to winter uniform.  All students are expected to be in full winter uniform from Monday 13 May (after Mother’s Day).

Note – Students in this transition period must wear either full summer or full winter uniform –not a combination of both.  We are including the uniform policy below for your information.

NAPLAN FAQS

NAPLAN tests the sorts of skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life, such as reading, writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy. It is important to remember that NAPLAN is not about passing or failing, but about assessing learning progress. At the classroom level it is one of a number of important tools used by teachers to measure student progress.

How is NAPLAN performance measured?

NAPLAN is designed to illustrate the range of student performance across the country.

Individual student performance is shown on a national achievement scale for each test. The performance of individual students can be compared to the average performance of all students in Australia.

How is my child prepared for NAPLAN? Do I need to assist my child to do any preparation?

NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are already learning through the school curriculum. Teachers will ensure that students are familiar with the test formats and will provide appropriate support and guidance. Excessive preparation is not useful and can lead to unnecessary anxiety. If you have any questions about your child's preparation for NAPLAN, you are encouraged to make a time to speak with their teacher.

NAPLAN tests are constructed to give students an opportunity to demonstrate skills they have learned over time through the school curriculum, and NAPLAN test days should be treated as just another routine event on the school calendar. The best way you can help your child prepare for NAPLAN is to reassure them that NAPLAN tests are just one part of their school program, and to urge them to simply do the best they can on the day.

The Australian Curriculum Assessment & Reporting Authority (ACARA) does not recommend the use of commercial products, such as booklets and practice tests, to help your child prepare for NAPLAN tests. None of the commercial products currently on the market are endorsed by ACARA. The use of services by coaching providers is not recommended.

Who participates in NAPLAN?

All students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 are expected to participate in NAPLAN tests, and schools should not exert influence on parents to withdraw their child from the tests. NAPLAN tests give you information on how your child is progressing against national standards. This information allows for additional intervention if necessary to ensure your child progresses at a rate where they can fully participate in all aspects of the curriculum. NAPLAN does not replace, but rather complements, assessments run by your child's classroom teacher throughout the year.

Adjustments can be provided for students with disability to enable them to access the tests on an equivalent basis as students without disability, and should be discussed with your child's school prior to the tests. Some students with significant intellectual disability and/or those with significant co-existing conditions which severely limit their capacity to participate in the tests may be exempted from sitting the tests.

Some students who have been attending school in Australia for less than a year before the tests may also be eligible for exemption. Exemptions should be discussed with your child's school.

Parents or carers may withdraw their child from the tests to address issues such as religious beliefs and philosophical objections to testing. It is recommended that withdrawal be considered in consultation with your child's school. States and territories have different ways of managing student withdrawals, but formal notification must be received by the school principal prior to testing.

Wherever possible, schools will organise for individual students who are absent at the time of testing to complete missed tests at another time during testing fortnight.

If you require further information about absences, exemptions and withdrawals from NAPLAN the contact staff for NAPLAN at St John’s are Mrs Webb and Mrs Libro.

Parents & Friends Newsletter attached.

Woolworths Earn & Learn is back for 2019!

We will be participating in Wolloworths Earn & Learn, so collect your stickers from Wooloworths from 1st May - 25th June. Collection boxes will be in the main foyer and extra sticker sheets will be available from the office.

Please only put the correct amount of stickers per sheet as we count sticker sheets, NOT stickers.

Earn & Learn stickers allow our school to get equipment, from musical intruments to maths equipment, sporting gear and science kits. There are thousands of products to choose from.

Please support our school.

Thank you!

Enrolment Forms for Kindergarten 2020 can now be collected from the school office. Interviews will take place with Mrs Webb, Mrs Billett or Mrs Libro in Term Two.

See attached flyer from LOWES regarding a school shoe sale.

School Holiday program for Sherpa Kids attached for your information.