St Denis School Newsletter
Term 1 Week 3 2023
- Child Safety
- P&F Sundowner Picnic
- Ash Wednesday Mass
- NAPLAN
- Code of Conduct & Dispute & Complaint Resolution Procedures
Dear Lord Jesus
You led by example in serving others. Please help us to serve those around us in any little way that we can as we try our best to love, learn, share and respect in your light.
Amen
- Saturday 18 February - Sundowner & Welcome Back Picnic (5.00 – 9.00pm)
- Tuesday 21 February - Shrove Tuesday
- Tuesday 21 February - Year 6 attending Caritas Launch at Servite College
- Wednesday 22 February - Ash Wednesday Prayer Service and distributing of Ashes
- Thursday 2 March - Year 3 Excursion to Cockman House
- Friday 3 March - St Denis Swimming Carnival (Year 4 – 6)
- Monday 6 March - Labour Day Public Holiday
- Tuesday 7 March - Pupil Free Day (Staff Professional Development Day)
Dear Parents and Members of our School Community
Child Safety
A reminder to all parents, grandparents and carers of school rules regarding drop off and pick up.
1. Parking in the Kiss and Drive is strictly prohibited between the hours of 7.30 – 9.00am and 2.30 – 3.30pm. This includes ALL AREAS of the Kiss and Drive along Orchid Street. Parking at the entry or at any point of the Kiss and Drive is still prohibited.
2. I would also like to highlight the danger of U-turns on Orchid Street and the use of the alternate side of Orchid Street for drop off. Crossing from the opposite side of the road during peak traffic flow is extremely dangerous and is placing unnecessary risk on students, parents and staff.
3. We have also noticed some cars are exiting the Powell Street carpark and turning right onto Orchid Street. This manoeuvre is causing significant issues for two reasons:
a. we have many students and parents crossing at that intersection and with three directions of traffic converging, it is simply not safe turning right.
b. cars travelling North along Orchid Street are causing a significant bottleneck at the corner of Orchid Street and Roberts Street. Please exit Powell Street in a Westerly direction and turn right into Osborne Street if you need to access Roberts Street/Wanneroo Road.
Parents, please take the time to discuss these points with grandparents or other family members that may be assisting you.
As always, I raise these points as the health and safety of our students, your children, is of paramount importance.
Parent/Teacher Evening
P&F Sundowner Picnic
This Saturday, 18 February, the P&F will be holding our annual Family Sundowner Picnic. This event will begin at 5.00pm and conclude at 9.00pm. This is a fantastic way for our school to come together as a community and welcome new families. As we know, community building does not just happen and that it is something we must work together to develop. I would like to thank the P&F Committee for organising the event and look forward to seeing you there.
Advanced Notice
Tuesday 7 March is a Pupil Free Day. The St Denis staff will be undertaking Professional Learning focusing on student well being. Monday 6 March is the Labour Day Public Holiday.
Ash Wednesday Mass
Our second whole school Mass of the year will take place next Wednesday 22 February, 9.00am in the School Hall. Father Anthony will be distributing ashes to everyone in attendance. The Lenten Season is a time of preparation and penance in the 40 days prior to Easter. During their religious Education classes the children will not only discuss what Lent is about but will also look at ways they can be involved in the Lenten Season such as giving up something i.e. lollies, chocolate, etc. or giving something of themselves i.e. helping around the house or donating to Project Compassion. All parents are invited to attend this important Mass.
NAPLAN Online
The 2023 NAPLAN testing will take place in Term One in 2023 and run from 15 March through to 24 March. All students in Years 3 and 5 are required to undertake NAPLAN unless parents choose to withdraw their child. Parents wishing to withdraw their child must contact either myself or Belinda Quartermaine to obtain a Withdrawal Form. The form must be submitted by Wednesday 1 March.
Kindy Enrolments
Enrolment interviews for Kindergarten 2024 will commence shortly. Parents/Carers of students currently attending St Denis School are reminded that they are required to submit an Enrolment Application Form if they intend to enrol a younger sibling into the Kindergarten program for 2024 or beyond. Parents with students in Pre Kindy are also required to submit an application form for Kindy. Due to high demand at St Denis, please encourage family/friends to submit applications as soon as possible.
Goals for 2023
It is always important to set goals, personal, professional, family or otherwise. As a school we also set goals, these come in the form of a School Improvement Plan, which as a staff we write each year. It aligns with our Strategic Plan and is underpinned by our Vision for Learning.
Some of our goals this year are:
· Developing Charisms which reflect the spirit of Jesus at St Denis School (Mercy tradition and MJR values).
· Implementation of Lighthouse Mathematics strategies across all grades
· Measuring and analysing student growth in numeracy with a focus on our top cohort of students
· Grammar and Punctuation (Middle/Upper Years)
· Integrate Aboriginal perspectives across the curriculum
· Establish and Implement a Mental Health and Wellness Plan
· Upgrade the Early Years external physical environment to meet the National Quality Standard
Changes?
Have you moved to a new house, changed email addresses, mobile, home or work telephone numbers over the break? Please ensure you complete a Family Detail Changes Form (on our school website) and submit to the office at your earliest convenience. Are there any change of details for the people you have nominated as your emergency contact details? If so, we will also need these updated. Many thanks.
Merit Award winners
Pre Primary - Zoe
Year 1 - Oliver
Year 2 - Ava
Year 3 - Sarah
Year 4 - Emmeline
Year 5 - Mikaela
Year 6 - Matisse
St Denis Code of Conduct
With regards and best wishes
Principal
St Denis School
MAKING JESUS REAL
WEST
WEST stands for Welcoming, Encouraging, saying Sorry and Thanks.
Four simple words which can make a huge difference.
When we WELCOME people with a good morning, wave, thumbs up or a simple smile it can brighten up their day and put them in a good mood. It costs you nothing but can make a world of difference.
If we ENCOURAGE one another, we are more likely to have a positive attitude and mindset. This can make people want to try harder and give their best in everything that they do. Simple words like well done, super effort, terrific or you’re a champ can set you up for a great day!
Being able to say SORRY when we have done something wrong can mend relationships and friendships. Sometimes it’s hard to admit when we have done something wrong or hurt someone’s feelings. When we are able to say sorry, we feel better and the person you have hurt feels better. It is a win, win for everyone involved.
Finally, giving THANKS, by showing that we are grateful for the things that we have been given or the help that we have been offered is a simple way to show your appreciation towards others. How do you feel when people say thanks, it’s a good feeling which encourages and shows respect towards one another.
This week make WEST your motto. Try to be a WEST person in everything you do and say – Are you a WESTY or someone who is only worried about themselves and what they want?
ST DENIS SUNDOWNER
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
AUSTRALIAN PARENTS COUNCIL
Welcome to the latest edition of our Schoolzine eNewsletter!
This month we chat about:-
- Healthy LunchBox week
- 10 Reasons to join your P&F
- Safer Internet Day
- Youth Advisory Groups
- Schools Upgrade Fund
- Clean Up Australia Day
Visit the link below to view your newsletter:
https://austparents.schoolzineplus.com/news?nid=34