School Charisms Compassion, Forgiveness & Desire for Unity In Harmony Nidja Noongar Boodjar Noonook Nyininy

PRAYER FOR THE YEAR

Lord,

We welcome you into our hearts at the start of

another year.

We praise you and thank you for the opportunity of

growth that awaits us.

Help us to be positive and to strive to see the good

in everyone we meet. Amen

Dear Parents It was wonderful to welcome everyone back from the unexpected, extended, holiday break and see the children happy about being with their friends and teachers again. Let’s hope this enthusiasm remains with them throughout the year. I especially welcome our Kindy children and new children to other year levels. To all our new families here at St. John Paul II, a very special welcome is extended. Welcome back to Mr Baker (Yr 6) who is returning from leave. Congratulations to Mrs Cook, formerly Miss Schofield on her marriage and to Miss Alaga who became engaged during the holidays. I forgot to thank Mrs Draper at the end of last year for taking the Assistant Principal role when it became vacant in second semester. Her valued experience and commitment to helping the school in whatever capacity is acknowledged and very much appreciated. Uniform Shop Please note the new uniform shop hours are from 8:15 – 9:30am and 2:30 – 3:15pm on Thursday. Thanks to Rebeca Solomon and Kerry O’Neill for volunteering to open the uniform shop prior to school starting to ensure all students were provided with their uniform needs for the start of the school year. Parents, we require your ongoing support in making sure that children come to school in the correct uniform, including all black shoes. This extends to not wearing nail polish and jewellery (except studs or sleeper ear-rings), no hair colours or ‘tracks’ as part of a haircut. Absentee phone number Please note the school absentee number is 0481 883 524. Parent/Teacher Meetings With a later start to the year due to lockdown and uncertainty around restrictions going forward, the decision has been made to cancel parent teacher meetings this year. Instead, we will be sending out an information letter reminding everyone of school expectations as well as year level related information. Parents always have the opportunity to make an appointment with the classroom teacher to discuss any concerns or information regarding their child’s progress. Collaborative conferences will be held week 8, 22-24 March.

Volume 1 – 11th February 2021

P&F meeting Thanks to Jenna Brown for taking on the president position for 2021. The first meeting for the year is on Wednesday 17 Feb starting at 5pm. Your attendance is encouraged. Here’s your chance to have a say and get involved! P&F Welcome Event Unfortunately, we have had to put off our first family get together, scheduled for tomorrow evening, as we are still under government restrictions. Medical update It is the responsibility of parents to advise the school of necessary medical information about their child. Allergies, asthma etc. require an action plan. All action plans need to be reviewed and updated for the new year. If your child is new to the school or if a health condition has been diagnosed (asthma or an allergy to specific food group or insect bite), it is most important that the appropriate ‘Action’ plan (from your doctor) and medication be sent to the office. We advise parents to come and view the existing action plan before 15 Feb as well as check expiry dates for medication (epipens). Allergies St John Paul II is a “Nut-Aware” school. Therefore, parents/guardians are discouraged from sending such items to school, including raw nuts (eg peanuts, hazelnuts, cashews, etc), nut spreads (eg peanut butter, Nutella, etc) and snack foods with nuts in the ingredients list (eg some muesli/snack bars). School Fees Catholic Education Western Australia has taken the decision not to increase school fees for the 2021 school year. School Fees will be issued in Week 4 of Term 1. Should you wish to start a payment plan or if you have account enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us. Health Care Card holders wishing to access a discount to the tuition fee, or if you know that your Health Care Card has expired, will need to provide a copy to the school office by Monday 15th February 2021. Term Dates & Pupil Free Days at SJP2 for 2021 Please note the term dates and pupil free days for children next year. Hopefully this information helps with your planning. First Term Monday 8 February – Wednesday 31 March Second Term Monday 19 April – Thursday 1 July Third Term Monday 19 July – Friday 24 September Fourth Term Tuesday 12 October – Friday10 December PD days - Thursday 1 April to tie in with Good Friday and term holidays

Tuesday 8 June to tie in with WA Day public holiday (7 June) Friday 2 July to tie in with school holidays

Monday 23 August Monday 11 October to tie in with school holidays / start of term 4

Code of Conduct All parents have agreed to the school’s Code of Conduct. If you objectively observe a breach of the Code and feel the need to report it, please see the appropriate teacher or a member of the leadership team. How to Deal with a Dispute or Complaint in a Catholic School Brochure From time to time, after having followed school policy guidelines, there may be occasions where a resolution or outcome is felt not to be resolved. A brochure on the school website outlines how to deal with a dispute or complaint in a Catholic school. Supervision Please do not send children to school early. Teachers are on duty from 8:10am to 3:15pm. Children not collected by 3:15pm are sent to the office area. A phone call to the school office if you are going to be late collecting your child reduces the stress levels for all concerned. Punctuality We need children at school on time. We have a lot to do and late arrivals may cause embarrassment to children and delay classes that are anxious to get down to the work at hand. Children who are late can also miss important learning opportunities. Please try to have your child at school before the bell. Late arrivals must go through the office to register their attendance. A Great Start! Children have settled beautifully and teachers have been very impressed with their efforts to date! Let’s hope it continues throughout the year. CANS FOR CASH Do you collect your bottles, cans and plastics? Fr Vinh encourages us all to collect and save our recyclable bottles etc and donate these to his new venture, raising funds for the Vietnamese Orphans. Though the amounts raised through the recycling facility may seem small to us, these will help to make a difference for those at the orphanage. Fr Vinh is happy to receive recyclable items, or alternatively you can donate your change to his fundraising venture. Fr Vinh extends his thanks to parishioners and friends for the donation of empty cans and bottles. We hope to have organised a collection point at school by the end of next week, so start saving your recyclables! God Bless Mr Chris Lamb Principal

DATES TO REMEMBER

FEBRUARY 17th 8:45am

Ash Wednesday Whole School Mass (Yr 6)

19th 8:30am

4J Prayer Assembly Project Compassion

Launch & Mission Day 22nd Feb to ( 5th Mar ) Swimming Lessons for

Yrs 1-6 26th 8:30am Merit Assembly

8:45am Year 6 Leadership Assembly

MARCH 1st Public Holiday

PARISH INFORMATION

St John Paul II Mass Monday to Saturday 8.00am Every Saturday 6.00pm Every Sunday 9.30pm Reconciliation By appointment Father Vinh Dong contact details 6400 0276 or 0422 422 773 Baptism & Weddings By appointment Father Vinh Dong contact details 6400 0276 or 0422 422 773 Parish Office St John Paul II Catholic Primary School Presbytery 79 Joseph Banks Boulevard Banksia Grove WA 6031 Email: vinh.dong@perthcatholic.org.au

School Times Start 8.25am Finish 3.00pm Monday Finish 2.00pm Kindy Times Start 8.25am Finish 2.45pm Monday Finish 2.00pm Uniform Shop Thursday 8.15am to 9.00am 2.30pm to 3.15pm P&F Meeting 17 February 5.00pm School Advisory Council 17 February 6.00pm

OTHER DATES AND TIMES

CENTRED ON JESUS CHRIST

SCHOOL COMMUNITY NEWS

BOOKCLUB ISSUE 1

PLAYGROUP

Next Wednesday we will come together as a school community for Ash Wednesday Mass. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten Season of the Church. It is a time to prepare to celebrate the great feast of Easter. For forty days, we accompany Jesus on his journey to Calvary and we see the mercy he shows towards others, despite his suffering. Just as God shows mercy towards us, like Jesus, how can we show mercy to others? While Jesus was in the desert he hardly had any food to eat or water to drink. How can we support the less fortunate in our community? Lent is a time when like Jesus in the desert, we spend 40 days trying to come closer to God. We look at our lives and prepare ourselves for Easter. We try to pray more and share more, thinking less about ourselves and more about other people, our neighbours at home and around the world.

Loving and compassionate God,

teach us to show love and mercy to each other.

As we begin our journey through Lent, inspire us to be generous and kind.

Through our joy, patience and kindness, may we help to build a better world.

Amen.

Congratulations to Vince & Emerald on the happy and safe arrival of Nia. A beautiful sister for Zuri (Yr2) & Taji (KG). Congratulations to Yohannes & Senait on the happy and safe arrival of their twins, Tobias & Diana. A beautiful brother & sister for Lewi (Yr 6).

Playgroup will commence Friday 12 February 8.45am – 10.20am. Please remember that your child must wear a hat for outside play and bring a piece of fruit. Parents are to wear masks. Gold coin donation.

Flyers for Issue 1 bookclub went home this week. All orders & payment must be into the office by no later than Wednesday 17th February. LOOP orders must also be processed by 17th February. No late orders can be taken.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Food Sensations for Parents Put the fun back into family mealtimes! Are you a parent or carer of a child aged 0-5 years? Join Foodbank WA’s university qualified nutritionists for a fun, interactive healthy eating and cooking program. Over 5 sessions you will learn:

Healthy eating for children aged 0-5 years

Tips for making mealtimes enjoyable

Lunchboxes, label reading and food safety

Feeding the family on a budget

Quick, easy, delicious, low cost recipes When: Fridays 19th & 26 February 5th, 12th & 19th March Time: 9:15am to 12:00pm Where: Child & Parent Centre Centre, 14 Viridian Drive, Banksia Grove To book, call 9367 0964 or email banksiagrove@ngala.com.au

***************************************************** Positive Parenting Program A series of three seminars for parents / carers with children 2 – 8 years. Power of Positive Parenting When: Monday 8th March Raising Confident Competent Children When: Monday 15th March Raising Resilient Children When: Monday 22nd March Time: 12:30 pm to 2:30pm Where: Child & Parent Centre Centre, 14 Viridian Drive, Banksia Grove Bookings essential via phone or email: 9367 0964 or banksiagrove@ngala.com.au

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First Steps Playgroup Do you have a child under 6 years of age displaying:?

Delays in their communications skills

Difficulty playing and engaging with their peers or siblings

Interest in a limited range of toys and activities

Delayed or unusual play skills First Steps Playgroup is available at no cost and provides the opportunity for parents / carers to talk to our experienced therapists and play leaders about their child and learn new information, while their child is learning play and communication skills. When: Mondays commencing 1st February Time: 1:00pm to 3:00pm Where: Child & Parent Centre Centre, 14 Viridian Drive, Banksia Grove Registrations are essential as places are limited! Contact stacey.cole@autism.org.au for more information or to register your interest for the group. Other venues are available. Proudly supported by Meerilinga, The Shire of Mundaring, Anglicare, Ngala and Centrecare Child & Parent Centres.