St John the Baptist Koo Wee Rup Newsletter

21 April 2021

From the Principal

Principals Report

Dear Parents, Guardians & Carers,

Welcome back to Term 2. We hope you all enjoyed the break and time together.

We have a very busy term ahead, with things happening in the school, around the school and in the community and parish.

School Review: Every 4 years schools undertake a review process.  Our last review was held in 2016, and due to COVID-19 restrictions last year we will be having our review this year.  During the year staff will be completing a number of modules in regards to the organisation of the school, Teaching and Learning, Catholic Identity, Leadership and Child Safety.

This is an opportunity for all members of the school community to have a say in helping to form the Strategic Intent for our school moving forward.  Students will be consulted during the year on areas that are directly related to them.  Parents will have an opportunity to complete a survey  which will come home shortly. If you are lucky enough to receive an envelope we would be very appreciative if you completed it for us. The survey can be completed online or via hard copy and returned to the school office.  The information gained from it is extremely valuable to us in making decisions regarding the Strategic Intent of the school over the coming 4 years.

Building Project: Over the holidays, preparations for our future building works commenced. 

The existing Senior Building will be transformed into a new learning space. Including; 4 classrooms, library, breakout areas and toilets.  Works are due to commence later in the year. Please see above diagram for the new layout of the building. 

The Sacrament of Confirmation:  Due to cancellations last year we will be inviting last year’s Grade 6 candidates to join with this year’s group. The Commitment Mass will be held on Sunday 2nd May, 9:30am at St John the Baptist Church. The actual Sacrament of Confirmation will be held later in May. Full details will be forwarded to families later this week.  

Enrolments: Tours and interviews for 2022 enrolments have begun. If you know of anyone who is thinking of sending their child/ren to St John’s please remind them to make contact with the office. 

Mother’s Day Breakfast: We are pleased to announce that with additional precautions and restrictions, Mother’s Day Breakfast will go ahead. Further information and booking details will be provided via ‘Operoo’.

Uniform Term 2:  A reminder that winter uniform is to be worn during Term 2 & 3 (boys may continue to wear shorts), hats are not required and proper school shoes are to be worn (runners are only permitted on sports days). A note to the teacher is required for any instances of children being out of uniform. 

Regards

Chris Dortmans, Principal

Junior News

Welcome back Junior families to Term 2 2021!

Thank you to all families for being so prepared for School Photos on day one, the children all had beautiful smiles and a cheery attitude coming back to school.

Please remember that in Term 2 and Term 3 there will be no hats worn during recess and lunch. School hats can stay at home until we resume wearing them in Term 4.

This term is another very exciting term, with lots of events coming up. Over the next week Junior students will engage in activities about Anzac Day and their new Inquiry topic on Chemical Science.

In Foundation Science, students will be learning and undergoing experiments about how objects can be made up of different materials. That the materials that objects are made up of can be identified (Plastic, wood, metal, glass etc.) and that everyday materials can be changed or combined with other materials (melting, freezing, burning, etc.)

In Grades One and Two, students will be learning that people use science in their everyday lives. They will learn how to make realistic predictions, how to observe using our senses, how to safely use any required equipment or tools and how to make reflections on experiments done in class.

Middle/Senior News

Welcome back to another Term, we trust you've all had a restful break! As usual, the senior students have lots to look forward to this term and we will hit the ground running in the classroom.

In Literacy, phonemes and graphemes will remain a focus through our Soundwaves program. Our new writing topic is persuasive and we continue to work on comprehension strategies in reading. In Numeracy, we will consolidate multiplication and division. We will also begin our new Chance topic, our new Inquiry topic is Science and Religion will focus on Scripture and prayer.

NAPLAN testing will occur in May for all Grade 3 and 5 students. Please contact your child's teacher if you have any questions or concerns.

Dates

Term 2 
Thu 29 April - Class Mass - 9:15am -1/2W & 4/5M
Fri 30 Apr - Mothers Day Stall 
Sun 2 May - Confirmation Commitment Mass, 9:15am, St Johns Church
Thu 6 May - CANTEEN CLOSED - No lunch orders
Thu 6 May - Confirmation Workshop, 7pm, St Johns Hall
Fri 7 May - Mother's Day Breakfast 
Tue 11 May - Grade 6 Activity Day at Mary MacKillop College, Leongatha
Thu 13 May - Class Mass - 9:15am - 1/2H & 1/2B
Fri 14 May - House Cross Country
Mon 24 - Fri 28 May - Swimming Lessons (Whole School) 
Thu 27 May - Class Mass - 9:15am - 3/4H & 3/4K 
Thu 3 June - Class Mass - 9:15am - FK & 5/6M
Thu 10 June - Class Mass - 9:15am - FD & 5/6S

Uniform Shop

The uniform shop is open on Monday and Thursday 2:30 - 3:15pm, parents may attend the uniform shop in person, due to density limits only one person will be allowed in the shop at a time. 

Online is still the preferred method of purchasing uniform unless you need to check sizing. 

If you need to exchange an item please e-mail Belinda at uniform@stjohnskwr.catholic.edu.au with details and return the item via the office (please ensure it is unwashed with tags still attached) and your name is attached to the item returned. Exchanges will be processed on the next uniform shop day. 

For Uniform ordering through CDF pay—Visit https://stjohnskwr.cdfpay.org.au  or scan QR Code. (Guidelines for setting up your CDFpay account can also be found on Skoolbag).

As we are a ‘Sun Smart School’ we also require the children to wear a school hat from September to April with the ‘No Hat-No Play’ policy strictly enforced during 1st and 4th terms.

School uniform guidelines are available in the Parent Information section of Skoolbag, on our website or a hard copy can be obtained from the office. 

School Banking

School Banking - Banking day is Wednesday's - banking should be handed in through the classroom and will be returned the same day.   

If you are wishing to set up a new school banking account please visit: www.commbank.com.au/schoolbanking

Birthdays - 7 April to 20 April - Evie Walker, Isla Hughes, Isla O'Neill, Anastazia Jopp, Arshbir Singh, Evie Mitchell, Xavier Tierney, Adarshbir Singh

NOW OPEN!

Enrolments Year 7 2022

Due by 31 May 2021

Follow the link above to visit the Mary MacKillop College website for Application for Enrolment form and other information and videos.

Any questions, please contact the College Registrar 03 5662 4255 or ckitchingman@mmcrc.catholic.edu.au

Koo Wee Rup Catholic Parishes in Partnership

Including the communities of:  St Joseph’s Iona,  St James Nar Nar Goon,  Holy Family Maryknoll,  St John’s Koo Wee Rup and St Mary’s, Lang Lang

Administrator:  Fr. Peter Kooloos  Ph: 03 5997 1510   Fax: 03 5997 2220 Mob: 0438 622 766

Baptism Enquiries: Carmelina De Cesari   Mob: 0401 911 092   carmelinadecesari@gmail.com

WEEKEND MASS TIMES:  

St Joseph's, Iona - Sunday 11am Holy Family, Maryknoll - 2nd Sunday, 8am 
St James, Nar Nar Goon - Saturday 6pmSt John's, Koo Wee Rup - Sunday 9:30am
St Mary's, Lang Lang - 3rd Sunday, 8am