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Dear St John the Apostle Community,
We recently reviewed how we use SZapp and our website. We cross checked the email addresses registered with SZapp with those in our school database and found that nearly every child has one or more parents registered with SZapp. Great news! Thank you for jumping on board.
Language need not be a barrier
We also discovered that most families who had not connected to SZapp had English is an additional language or dialect. It’s important to us that all families can receive or obtain important information. One of the features of our school website is that it has a language translator, making it more accessible for everyone. We will work with these particular families directly to help them connect succesfully. If you personally know of a family who may not be using SZapp because of a language barrier, please also help them out and show them its benefits.
Too many 'pings'
We also heard from a couple of parents that they switched off the notifications because they were receiving them too often. I also don't like looking at my phone every time it pings through the day. To help make this easier we have decided to limit the delivery of notifications to 9.15am and 3.00pm. This way parents receive them early after dropping children at school or around pick up time. This makes it easier for parents to respond if they need to and deal with any school related issues. It also means that if you receive a notification outside of those times you will know it is important.
I also encourage everyone to go into the 'Manage' section of SZapp and select the relevant class groups they wish to receive notifications from. It will help to eliminate any unnecessary notifications for you.
One calendar to rule them all!
You may have noticed that the First Day Byte did not come out this term. Our feedback is that there are too many places to look at for calendar information including the SZapp, school website, Term Overviews and First Day Byte. It can be confusing when events have been changed or added and the paper versions no longer reflect what is happening.
From this term, we are concentrating our efforts on our online calendar, the calendar that appears on SZapp and the school website. Leanne updates it each Monday with the most recent information provided to her by staff. It is now the one and only place to find the most accurate dates and times.
A responsible use of resources
We really do want to make sure we have a more sustainable environmental footprint and not waste our school budget. Therefore, we want to be as paperless as possible. An increasing number of our permission forms will now be on SZapp and less and less sent home on paper.
We hope these few changes will help streamline communication a little more and make it easier for a smooth, refined sharing of school inofmration.
Matthew Garton, Principal
When you become a parent no one tells you how much you will hold your breath. When they are learning to walk. When you watch them attempt stairs for the first time. When they are performing in a musical. When things are just really tough and you are desperate for something positive to happen for your child. Sometimes you don’t even know you are holding your breath until you let it out.
I truly believe that it takes a village to raise a child. Dance teachers, football coaches, aunties, best friend’s fathers, teachers and all of the other positive influences children are exposed to. But I also believe that as parents we need the same thing. Your partner, your best friend, your mum, your kids best friend’s mum, your colleagues …our village is essential.
We cannot do this incredibly important job alone. So when we are holding our breath for our kids, we need someone there with us to understand our need to let it out.
I am truly blessed to part of a community that walks with me and celebrates when I have released a breath I have been holding for a long time.
Romans 12:5 New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)
'so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.'
God bless you all,
Stephanie Stewart, Religious Education Coordinator
Parish News
Belconnen Youth Ministry
Junior - Inviting all students in year 3-7 to join us for an afternoon of faith, friendship and fun at South Belconnen Parish's Youth Group and Youth Mass. Join us in Marian Hall just outside of St Matthew's Church, Page on Saturday 15th June at 4:45pm for Youth Group (yr 3-7) then come to celebrate the Youth Mass (all ages) at 6pm. Contact Youth Minister Sarah for more information at Sarah.Larkin@cg.org.au
Senior - Agape is a youth group for students in year 7-12 who are interested in learning more about their faith with friends. Join us at St John's Parish, Kippax on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month following the 6pm Mass from 7-9pm. Contact Youth Minister Eoin for more information at Eoin.Garton@cg.org.au
Young Adults - Young adults aged between 18-30 are invited to casually meet up for dinner onSaturday the 15th June. Join us for the 6pm Youth Mass at St Matthew's Church, Page then move with us to get dinner as a group in the Belconnen city. Contact Youth Minister Sarah Larkin for more information at Sarah.Larkin@cg.org.au
Freezing night in Canberra
Thursday 20 June 2019
“One night isn't a lot, but it can make a whole lot of difference”
our parishioner Ted Kell is participating in the SLEEPOUT this year.
To donate go to www.ceosleepout.org.au
and donate using his particular reference.
Marriage & Family Sunday Mass
Date: 2nd June
Time: 11:00am
Venue: St Christopher’s Cathedral
The Mass will include a Renewal of Marriage Vows for all who wish to participate. No need to register. Just turn up and join in
Followed by
Marriage as Mission Lunch, Expo and Forum
Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Cost: $10 donation at the door
Guest speakers Joe & Louise Zavone plus representations from various groups, ministries and agencies involved in marriage formation and support.
Registrations essential http://bit.ly/marriage_mission2019
Enquiries ring Lara Kirk 0429 192 869 or lara.kirk@cg.org.au
Happy birthday to Alek A, Thomasina N, Jaxon R, Lovette E and Otis H who all celebrated a birthday over the last week.
Many years ago Cancer Council ACT coined the phrase - End Of May is Hats Off Day to assist Canberra primary schools and early childhood services with their hats on (and off) policy - incorporating a balanced approach to UV protection.
So, in keeping with the End of May is Hats Off Day jingle, all Canberra school students (and teachers) can leave their hats at home or replace it with a beanie as we enter in the low UV June and July winter months.
End of May spells Hats Off Day for ACT schools.......for a few months anyway because the Beginning of August is Hats On Again for All Of Us.
Encouraging healthy attitudes towards women
Recent events and current statistics highlight that as a nation we have a serious problem when it comes to domestic violence. While there’s no easy solution, together, we can do our part to stop violence against women. If you’re a parent or guardian, you can play an important role. Disrespect towards girls can begin in childhood, and we can break the cycle when we teach our children to be respectful and caring right from the start.
As parents, we have three main jobs:
• First, to love our children and build a strong lifetime bond
• Second, to keep them safe from harm until they can do that for themselves
• Third, to teach them all the skills they need to thrive in life and to make a positive difference in the world
Life skills approach to raising children
So what life skills do children need to learn when it comes to the issue of preventing violence against girls and women? As parents, we can talk with our kids about:
• Behaving respectfully towards others
• Communicating their needs using words and without the need to hit, snatch or shout
• Managing their emotions and their behaviours so as not to ‘fly off the handle’
Start the conversation about respect early
Start by responding to your child calmly when they are disrespectful to others. The following three-step communication approach can be used from early childhood through to teen years. Let's put it into practice.
If a boy is making fun of his sister or a female friend:
1. STOP: Respond calmly rather than react asking him to stop the teasing.
2. EMPATHISE: Invite your son to see the behaviour through the eyes of his sister. 'How do you think your sister/friend feels right now?'
3. EDUCATE: Provide options such as ignoring his sister or friend if she's annoying him or providing an appropriate social script he can use to communicate his thoughts such as, "I find it annoying when you don't share the computer".
It's a marathon, not a sprint
When it comes to gaining academic knowledge and learning skills, parents know it takes years of consistent effort from childhood through to adolescence. In the same way, parents can take a long-term approach to teaching life skills beginning right from toddler to teen.
Parents lead the way
Parents are powerful teachers and role models for the next generation. We can teach our children how to be respectful and kind to each other. By stopping disrespect and violence at the start we can play a crucial role in putting an end to violence against girls and women.
Resources you can use
The Stop it at the Start campaign provides parents, family members and others with information and practical resources to self-reflect, and talk to boys and girls aged 10-17 about being respectful and caring. You can find videos, guides and other resources to help you have conversations with your children at www.respect.gov.au/resources/talking-about-respect.
There is so much we can do in families to develop healthy attitudes toward women. Through modelling and teaching we can change entrenched attitudes and behaviours that will put an end to the cycle of violence against women.
Payment is now available through QKR.
Winter Junior Tennis Coaching @ South & North Canberra Tennis Clubs
- Qualified Tennis Australia Coaches
- Free tennis racquet for new players
- Trial lesson available
July School Holiday Camps @ Old Parliament House Tennis Club
- July 8th - 10th (Week 1) & July 17th - 19th (Week 2)
- All ages & abilities
- Morning, half-day & full-day options
Contact: www.tenniscanberra.com.au | 0416 186 121 | play@tenniscanberra.com.au