Term 1, Week 2, 10 February 2022
Principal Message
Welcome
Welcome to 2022 and welcome back to all our existing families. A special welcome to the new families who have joined the St John's community this year:
Bower Family - Louis in Kinder
Donnelly Family - Cody in Kinder
Eglington Family - Henry in Kinder
King Family - Blake in Kinder
Lockyer-Flavell Family - Remi in Kinder
Caravella Family - Vida and Sienna in Stage 3
Andrews Family - Mia in Stage 2
Welcome and thank you for choosing St John's for your child's education!
Thank you
I want to thank the St John's community for making me feel so welcome. We had a very busy holiday period moving down from Brisbane, so it feels nice to have finally settled and living in Pottsville is certainly an enjoyable change of scenes! CLICK HERE to view a more detailed introduction about me.
Last week, was obviously not the start that I imagined, but it has been great to visit classrooms and get to know all of the students this week.
Thank you to the leadership team and school staff for the extra efforts they exhibited in my absence last week to ensure that the students transitioned smoothly into term 1.
Covid Updates
Please ensure that you keep your eye out for COVID-19 Updates which I am posting on Compass. They hold vital information relating to how we action the NSW Government COVID-19 back to school plan at a local level.
If you are having issues accessing Compass, please get in touch with the office.
Communication Channels
This year we will be communicating with parents and families in the following ways:
Compass is the official communication channel between school and home. Download the Compass app on your device. You will be given a login code to access your compass account. Notifications and updates regarding your child or the whole school are available through the compass app. Pay school fees, pay and give permission to attend events, view report cards and more!
Facebook is essentially a marketing platform for the school, not an official communication channel. Please like and follow our school Facebook page … St John’s Primary Mullumbimby.
School news, snapshots, photos, events and competitions will be placed on Facebook.
SeeSaw is a digital portfolio. Please download the SeeSaw app for families on your phone / device. This will allow you to see your child’s work samples from the classroom. These can include writing samples, videos, photos and tasks.
School Newsletters (via Schoolzine)
Paper copies of the newsletter are available from the school office, electronic copies are emailed to parents fortnightly. Newsletters will include important information, dates and photos and news of what is happening in our classrooms.
For all apps please turn on notifications to ensure you are kept up to date!
Social Media Reminder
It is quite common for parents to establish social media groups or pages to share information or connect with other parents in your child’s class and school community. Please be reminded that it is not permitted to establish a social media presence using the school's name or logo without written permission from the Principal. Any permitted social media pages/groups/accounts must adhere to the schools and the Catholic Schools Office Diocesan Social Media Policies.
Teacher Meet 'n' Greet
Our Teacher Meet 'n' Greet which is usually held this time of the year, has been postponed due to current restirctions. We are planning on holding the Teacher Meet 'n' greet after week 4. Please keeep your eye out for information regarding this.
2022 Bell Times
Supervision begins.......................... | 8.25am |
School begins................................... | 8.50am |
Morning Session............................. | 8.50am - 10.50am |
Lunch............................................... | 10.50am - 11.20am |
Middle Session................................ | 11.20am - 1.20pm |
Recess.............................................. | 1.20pm - 1.50pm |
Afternoon Session.......................... | 1.50pm - 2.50pm |
School finishes................................ | 2.50pm |
Transport NSW Flashing Lights Campaign
Thursday 27 January - Saturday 12 February 2022 is the Transport NSW Flashing Lights Campaign.
Families can help keep children safe by:
- Sticking to the speed limit and following the road rules in school zones
- Slowing down to 40km/h when bus lights are flashing
- Looking out for children crossing the road near bus stops, in school zones or along bus routes
- Giving way to buses when they merge back into traffic.
- Never drop off or meet children on the opposite side of the road to the bus stop or call them across the road. Always drop them off or meet them on the same side of the road as the bus stop.
- Encouraging their children to be distraction-free around buses - put down their phone and take off their headphones.
Please find more information on the Transport NSW Bus Safety for School Students brochure.
Parent Involvement Request
At St John's we have a Parish School Forum. The first Parish School Forum Meeting for 2022 is to be held Tuesday 1st March beginning at 5:30pm in the Hall.
All parents and carers are invited to attend. Agenda will include Fete, AGM, Parent Assembly and Parent Representative Roles.
Kind Regards, Dave |
Assistant Principal Message
Student Wellbeing- the Key to a Successful School
Welcome back one and all: it is so good to see all the children back, bright eyed and bushy tailed after the Christmas break. They are always excited to see their friends and commence life and learning in a new class. Healthy friendships are as you know an integral part of student wellbeing.
It has been wonderful watching the children making the most of their time on the playground with their friends this week. So many great games happening across the school. In the middle of all that play our resident plovers are sitting on four eggs. The children are patiently waiting and sharing the playground hoping that the eggs hatch soon, so that the plovers can move on with their young and the Bullrush field can swing back into action. Patience is part of resilience and resilience is an important component of student wellbeing.
Some children struggle with the return to school. It can cause some stress and anxiety as they make the transition back into the busyness of class and playground life. If your child is struggling with any aspect of school life please communicate with the classroom teacher immediately. We have a number of strategies that we can use to support your child no matter what the issue is.
Our school counsellor Anastasia Elliott is back and ready to support student wellbeing across the school. Please see the information below regarding our student counselling services.
School Counsellor Information for Parents/Guardians Our School Counsellor assists in developing and fostering wellbeing at school to maximise learning success for all students. The focus is particularly on building positive relationships and good mental, social-emotional and physical health. Our School Counsellor provides individual and group counselling support for students with a range of mental health, social, emotional and family issues, and targeted interventions in collaboration with staff to improve student mental health and wellbeing outcomes.
Casual interactions between the School Counsellor and students may occur at school at any time and parents may be notified if deemed appropriate. Additionally, our students can speak informally with a staff member regarding concerns. However, parents/guardians would always be informed of the request for a formal discussion, behavioural observation or intervention with the School Counsellor so that consent, communication, and follow up between home and school can fully support the student. Consent is not required for emergency situations.
Students may access support from the School Counsellor by completion of a referral form. If a parent/guardian has concerns about a student’s social or emotional wellbeing, the process for making a referral is as follows:
- Organise a meeting with the student’s teacher to discuss a referral to the School Counsellor. Alternatively, if a student’s teacher has a wellbeing concern they will contact the parent/guardian to arrange a meeting.
- Complete a Referral Form at the meeting which includes details about the concerns and desired outcomes from the referral, and complete an Informed Consent Form.
- The School’s Pastoral Care Team will review the referral and prioritise according to need.
- The School Counsellor may need to gather more information about the student relevant to the referral. This may include observations at different times, past assessment reports, interviews, reviewing academic progress and consultation with teachers and other health professionals.
- The Pastoral Care Team may recommend formal intervention with the School Counsellor for a set number of sessions (individual or group) that will be reviewed and monitored by the team.
- Relevant information and feedback will be given to the parents/guardian and teacher.
Parents/guardians and students are advised that participation in all services is voluntary and the service provided by the School Counsellor is outlined above. A request made through a referral does not guarantee one-on-one support from the School Counsellor. When providing counselling services, it may become evident that students require specialist support beyond the capacity of the School Counsellor. Therefore, it may be necessary to refer students to external services in which case the parents/guardians will be contacted and this will be discussed.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Looking forward to a great year working in partnership with all families to achieve the best possible outcomes for your children.
Kind regards Greg Flint
Warmest wishes, Greg.
TEACHING AND LEARNING
Settled and Ready to Learn
During the holidays our teachers have spent a lot of time and effort creating engaging, adaptive learning environments. There are flexible learning spaces where students can gather as a whole class for explicit teaching; work collaboratively in small groups; find quiet corners to work independently or spaces where they can interact with a buddy. The rooms are visually appealing and offer displays where children will share and celebrate their learning as the term progresses.
Our K-2 classrooms open up in the first hour for investigations. Teachers are building connections with their children through their interactions with students at this time. We have the focus children for each day who enjoy a personalised conversation with their teachers. The reporters and photographers have special roles in recording specific learning and sharing it with their peers at reflection time. Students move between the rooms to investigate various provocations, or questions, that link to their interests and our curriculum. It is great to hear the conversations between students, see relationships developing, see our older students supporting our younger ones; watch students collaborating to solve problems, develop social skills and make connections. It's a hive of activity and students clearly love the opportunity for choice and voice in what they are learning.
When I enter our Stage 2 and 3 classrooms there's a sense of calm and students are either highly engaged in learning tasks or actively listening to explicit instruction. They too are collaborating, building new connections and developing a deeper understanding of themselves as learners. What a great start for our students. I thank the teachers for their dedication and efforts to create such a positive transition for your children in 2022. The photos will provide a snapshot of learning inside St John's.
Naomi
Around the Stages
RE NEWS
2022 Sacramental Programme
There will be a Parish Sacramental Information Evening (Compulsory) held on
Tuesday 22nd of February from 5-6 pm at the St John's Church, Mullumbimby. This information session is for any parent or carer who has a child who is in year 3 or 4 and wish for them to celebrate either the Sacrament of Confirmation, First Reconciliation or First Holy Communion this year.
First Reconciliation - During Lenten Season as we prepare to celebrate the Easter mysteries.
27th of March 2022
Confirmation - The Bishop will celebrate on the 23rd of May 2022
First Holy Communion- 21st of August 2022
SCHOOL NEWS
SCHOOL FEES
2022 Term 1 School Fees have been sent out this week. Payment can be done via Bpay or Compass pay. Fees will now be charged per term. Please use your compass app to access balances. Statements are emailed each month. If you have any concerns or queries please contact the school.
Stage 2 & 3 Camp
In Week 8 of Term 1 2022, students in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 will travel to Tyalgum Ridge Retreat for a two night excursion from Monday 21st of March to Wednesday 23st of March.
The cost of the excursion is $305 per child which includes transport, accommodation for 2 nights, all meals and activities
A consent form along with medical forms will be sent out via Compass in week 3. Information about how to pay via the compass app will also be communicated in week 3.
BOOKCLUB
Book Club Issue 1 for 2022 has been sent home.
Orders to be returned to school by Monday 14 February.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU"
Our birthday people
Caleb & Tiana
Summer Holiday Birthday Celebrations
Ike, Gemma, Ayla, Tommy, Georgia, Mrs Russell & Mrs Bottle who celebrated their birthdays over the summer holidays.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Slip Sliding Friday Night Family Movies
FREE Slip Sliding Friday Night Family Movies and giant inflatable FUN is on Friday 18 and 25 February from 5 to 8 pm at the Petria Thomas Swimming Pool in Mullumbimby.
As part of the NSW Government's The Festival of Place, the two family nights guarantees fun for everyone!
Shrek 1 showing on 18 Feb and Shrek 2 on 25 Feb.
Sausage sizzle, hot chips and snacks available at the pool kiosk.
Grab a meal downtown before or after the movie and inflatable fun
Entry numbers are limited - entry on a first in basis and subject to NSW Health regulations. This is a weather dependent event.
Slip Sliding Friday Night Movies has received $15,000 and is 100% funded by the NSW Government’s The Festival of Place.
For more information about The Festival of Place and its programs https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/premiers-priorities/great-public-spaces/festival-of-place/in-your-streets
