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- Hats go back on from (week 4)
- Learning Journeys (week 6)
- Community Council Meeting (week 8)
- Year 2 Excursion, Recycling Hub (week 8)
- Year 5 Camp Birrigai (week 9)
- Boorowa Carnival (week 10)
Please go to our school calendar on the website or SZapp for more details.
It has been a big week here at school for many of our staff and families as we remember the chapter of Anthony Ganley in our personal and school stories. Thank you all for your understanding and support during this time.
On Wednesday afternoon we said our own farewell to Anthony at our Memorial Mass. Thank you to those families who were able to attend and be part of this celebration. We move forward in the knowledge that Anthony's contribution will always be a part of our story and thankful for the positive influence he has had on the young lives of many of our students.
First Eucharist
Congratulations to all of our students who celebrated their First Eucharist last night and those who will celebrate First Eucharist this evening. It's an important step in the faith journey of our young students. It's also a joy to be present as they begin to participate in a Sacrament that enables them enter more fully into the life of our parish community.
Thank you to Frs Kimi and Michael and to Marian England and Sharon Greaves who together have supported families and students in celebrating their First Eucharist. Thank you also to Mrs Alison Ewyk and Ms Ashleigh van Kemenade for helping all of our students learn the meaning of this Sacrament in our Catholic Tradition.
This has been an perfect example of how it takes a community, working together, to guide and nourish children as they learn and grow.
Wet weather pick up
Thank you everyone for your understanding and patience at Wet Weather Pick Ups. We know it is often a tight squeeze for students and for parents and carers who need to stop, park and come in to collect their child. We're always looking for improvements to make life a little easier and your feedback and ideas are welcome.
It is good to have the rain!
Hats On!
It is the end of July and with August beginning next week it is time to return to wearing school hats.
Please take a moment over the weekend to remind your child to find it and put it in their bag. Students without a school hat from Monday will play under designated, shaded play spaces.
I hope there's an opportunity for you to get out and about this weekend after all of the recent rain.
Matthew Garton
Principal
Learning Journeys and Donations
Learning Journeys will take place in Week 6. To ensure we abide by COVID restrictions we will have a number of options for parents and families to attend. Learning Journeys will run at the following times in Week 6:
Tuesday (17 August) - 3:15-4:30pm
Wednesday (18 August) - 8:30-8:50am and 3:15-4:30pm
Thursday (19 August) - 8:30-8:50am
Learning Journeys are an opportunity for families to visit their child's classroom and see what they have been learning about. Children prepare for the visit. They show parents different pieces of work they are proud of and discuss with their families what they have been learning. Learning Journeys are a fantastic celebration of your child's learning, growth and achievements.
Alongside our Learning Journeys, the Community Council will run a fundraiser event. The Fundraising Committee have sent out two notifications requesting donations for a hamper raffle we will be running in Week 6. We will have raffle tickets available to purchase during the Learning Journeys. If we are unable to run Learning Journeys due to a change in COVID restrictions, we will have an online option to purchase raffle tickets.
We have already received a number of donations for the hampers. Thank you to the families who have already donated. We are still looking for non-perishable, new items. Below are the themes for each hamper for each year group:
Kindergarten - Pet hamper (eg. chews, pet toys, pet treats, food, leads etc.)
Year 1 - Baby hamper (e.g. wraps, clothes, nappies, rattles, baby toys, wipes etc.)
Year 2 - Kids Toy hamper (e.g. puzzles, fidget toys, board games, balls etc.)
Year 3 - Snack/movie night hamper (eg. delicious treats, chocolate, chips etc.)
Year 4 - Pamper hamper (eg. bath salts, candles, body products etc.)
Year 5 - Parents hamper (eg. wine, beer, chocolates, nuts etc.)
Year 6 - Home hamper (eg. tools, cleaning products, Bunnings gift card etc.)
Athletics Carnival and ACT Government: Parking at Sporting Events
The St John's School Athletics Carnival is being held at Charnwood Oval on Friday 6th August (next Friday). A paper copy permission note and request for volunteers will be sent home today.
Any students 8 years and older who would like to compete in the 800m need to arrive at Charnwood oval by 8.15am and we require parents/guardians to drop their child/ren off. If your child/ren are interested in competing, please email Ms McIver - Charlie.McIver@cg.catholic.edu.au with their name and DOB.
Below is some information sent from the ACT Government about parking at sporting events:
Keep our kids safe at sporting events.
Play by the rules when parking at ovals and sporting venues.
Parking inspectors will be patrolling local sporting events throughout the year to keep our future athletes and Olympians safe - break the rules and you risk a fine.
Don’t park on footpaths, across driveways, no stopping zones, no parking zones, bus zones or in disabled parking spaces.
Can’t find a park? Be a sport, park legally and venture further afield.
You’ll be keeping us all safe and it will be good for your fitness too!
Please also remember to treat our parking inspectors with respect.
Like umpires on the field, they are enforcing the rules to keep us all safe.
To report unsafe and illegal parking call 13 22 81 or visit www.act.gov.au/illegalparking
Rebekah Brown
Assistant Principal and Inclusion Coordinator
What students are learning about
Yesterday I had the opportunity to visit several classes. I spent time listening to the students to see what they have learnt about the 7 sacred species that are part of our focus this year 'God In All Things'. I was thrilled to have songs sung (in Hebrew!), artworks shared and questions asked. I was able to visit Years 1, 2, 5 and 6. Year 3 will begin their reflection now that they have finished their Communion preparation. Next week I will visit Kindergarten and Year 4.
My aim for this theme has always been to help students to understand the connection that Jesus has to his Jewish faith. As a Jewish man Jesus understood the significance of the 7 Sacred Species of Israel. The gospel writers also knew they were mostly writing for Jewish audiences and so highlighted the use of the sacred species to instruct and remind them of God’s promises.
What teachers have been learning about
As Rebekah Brown has been mentioning in the newsletter recently, a focus for our school has been how students learn best and ways in which we can support them to convert short term memory into long term memory.
Teachers have been experimenting with this during Religious Education lessons. I created a set of slides for each grade with information related to what we want students to know and understand about the 7 Sacred Species. They have been reviewing these regularly.
You might like to have a look at the Year 3 to 6 reviews by clicking on the Seven Sacred Species link below.
Catholic Life and Reflection
Yesterday I was blessed to be able to attend First Communion. It was lovely to reflect during the liturgy. It brought great comfort. In his Homily, Fr Kimi reminded us that we don’t have to be perfect or even feel worthy to receive the Eucharist as it is in receiving that we are healed and strengthened. As always, a simple and clear message that the love of God is above all else.
The students felt God's love last night. As they nervously waited for their turn, reminding each other which hand goes on top, they were excited. Although too young to understand the full expanse of what was happening (do any of us really?) they knew enough to know that they were about to experience something special.
Mathew 14:20 And all ate and were filled...
Please continue to pray for all of our students who are receiving the Sacrament for the first time and for those who support them in their journey.
Notices from the Parish
Happy birthday to Nate S, Lacey S, Michael H, Miles M, Jasmine K, Theodore C, Mia A, and Emily K who all celebrated a birthday over the last week.
Please note that we ask students to not bring home made cupcakes to share with the class for their birthdays. This is a precautionary measure for health and hygiene. The Canteen offers a number of options to share with the class. Purchases can be made through the QKR app.
Congratulations to the following students who will receive an award for the fortnightly Positive Behaviour Focus at next week's assembly.
| Class | ||
| KB | Piper A | Imogen C |
| KM | Charlotte S | Lewys C |
| 1B | ||
| 1M | ||
| 2B | ||
| 2M | ||
| 3B | Blake W | Adrienne M |
| 3M | Vanessa O | Ethan B |
| 4B | Emry W | Alaina S |
| 4M | Xavier T | Dante L |
| 5B | Lucas M | Renecia O |
| 5M | Otis H | Bailey C |
| 6B | ||
| 6M | Briony F | Emma M Scarlett M |
| Sustainability (K-2) | Noah M | Viliami M |
| Library | Alaina S | Jessie A |
The perks and pitfalls of being born first
The birth of a first child is a big event. Such is the excitement and emotion that parents often don’t realise that the baby that they bring home is a ground breaker, taking them headlong into every stage of development.
First-borns are born into a privileged position. Living in the spotlight, they get piles of attention and as they grow up, they are given more responsibility than other children in other positions. They lead the way, break new ground, and rule the roost if others follow. Parents expect a great deal from first-borns, so to avoid disappointing them many become low risk-takers. Parental expectation and their tendency for perfectionism and conscientiousness can make first-borns more anxiety prone than children in other birth order positions.
First-born children can be bossy, responsible, and achievement-oriented but they are more neurotic, more intense, and more inflexible than children in any other birth order position. Taking life and themselves too seriously is a problem for many first-borns Here are some tips for parenting children and young people in this privileged but anxiety-prone position:
Encourage rather than praise or criticise
First-borns respond to encouragement as it releases the pressure on them to perform. When they know that effort, improvement, and contribution matter more to parents than good results they’re more likely to take risks and stretch themselves as learners.
Save responsibilities for others
First-borns know all about responsibility, as they get more than their fair share of jobs and reminders to be good role models. Share chores, responsibilities, and expectations among all children in the family, including youngest children.
Enjoy two-on-one time
First-borns love having both parents to themselves, if applicable, as that’s the way life was until a second-born came along and robbed them of their privileged position. Only children are fortunate that they don’t experience the ‘disgrace’ of dethronement.
Embed wellbeing practices into family life
Help anxiety prone first-borns develop positive wellbeing habits including healthy eating, adequate exercise, and sleep and relaxation techniques such as mindfulness and meditation.
In Closing
The drive, leadership and attention to detail of first-borns contributes enormously to society. We need to help them lighten up and enjoy themselves as well.
Michael Grose
Michael Grose, founder of Parenting Ideas, is one of Australia’s leading parenting educators. He’s an award-winning speaker and the author of 12 books for parents including Spoonfed Generation, and the bestselling Why First Borns Rule the World and Last Borns Want to Change It. Michael is a former teacher with 15 years experience, and has 30 years experience in parenting education. He also holds a Master of Educational Studies from Monash University specialising in parenting education.
WVYC Annual Concert–Saturday 7/Sunday 8 August
A full and varied program featuring all our choirs: Nova (Lower Primary); Borealis (Upper Primary/Lower Secondary); Australis (Secondary/Tertiary); Centauri (choir for young men with changing voices).
6pm Saturday 7 August Wesley Uniting Church
3pm Sunday 8 August Wesley Uniting Church
Bookings: trybooking.com/BSSDH
Open Day (Rehearsal)–Tuesday August 17
For ages 8-18. Come and have fun as you sing with one of our age appropriate choirs. No previous experience necessary.
RSVP: info.wvyc@gmail.com
Auditions–Saturday 21 August
For ages 8-18. Take the next step as you join us. Prepare a simple song you sing well. Our director, Olivia, will guide you through the rest.
Bookings: wvyc.director@gmail.com
For more information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me by reply email. Or visit our website at wvyc.org.au.