Week 4 Term 2 2022

We warmly welcome the following children and their families to St John Bosco School; Jaxon 1-2SS, siblings Skye 1-2N and Ethan 3-4H. It is wonderful to observe new children being welcomed. Our school value of ‘Belonging’ certainly is present within the community, with everyone striving to ensure every member has a strong sense of belonging at St John Bosco School.

National Simultaneous Storytime

On Wednesday 25th May, our children participated in National Simultaneous Storytime. National Simultaneous Storytime is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. 2022 marked the 22nd successful year of the event.

This year, the book was Family Tree written by Josh Pyke and illustrated by Ronojoy Ghosh. Our St John Bosco Family created a Family Tree which represents all members of our community. Our Family Tree is on display in the library for everyone to enjoy.

Mask wearing in schools

The Premier has recently announced that the Emergency Management Committee has determined that the general requirement for adults to wear masks in education settings would cease from Monday 30th May 2022.

While masks remain recommended by the Chief Public Health Officer, from 30th May, staff, parents, adult visitors and secondary students are no longer required to wear masks when attending the school. Those who continue to choose to wear masks will be supported to do so.

Additionally, face masks will be required to be worn in education settings where COVID-19 transmission reaches certain thresholds, based on SA Health advice. In these instances, face masks will be required to be worn indoors by students in years 7-12 only, and all staff and visitors in the school for a 14-day period. If we reach an outbreak threshold at our school, you will be advised of the dates that face masks will be required. Exemptions to mask wearing will continue to be made for students or staff who have a medical condition, such as problems with their breathing, a serious skin condition on the face, a disability, or a mental health condition.

Thank you for continuing to support our school as we follow the SA Health advice and in particular for your cooperation in keeping students home from school if they display even mild symptoms.

Wishing you a lovely weekend

Kate Turner

On Thursday we celebrated National Sorry Day.  National Sorry Day is a day to acknowledge the strength of Stolen Generations Survivors and reflect on how we can all play a part in the healing process for our people and nation. While this date carries great significance for the Stolen Generations and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, it is also commemorated by Australians right around the country.  Today we begin Reconciliation Week.  This year the theme is “Be Brave. Make Change.”  This is a challenge to us at St John Bosco and to all Australians – individuals, families, communities, organisations and government.  At St John Bosco we demonstrate our ongoing commitment to reconciliation.

Sara Hart

On Thursday 26th May 5/6L and the Reception children gathered to learn about, and acknowledge, Sorry Day. They started with an Acknowledgement of Country, the Reception children listened deeply and articulated the words that they identified as ‘key words’ or ‘important’ words to them in the Acknowledgement of Country.

Acknowledge - Samarth

Culture and Country - Sophia G

Tradition - Luca

Culture - Isha

 The children then engaged in a ‘Yarning Circle’ or ‘Dialogue Circle’. They learnt about this special process, understanding the importance of hearing every voice.

We could use something natural for the power instrument as the Kaurna People used a lot of natural things - Naish

Sorry Day is when you say sorry to the Kaurna People for all the bad things that happened - Sophie

We say sorry to let people know that we care for them - Sebastian

We say sorry for mistakes that were made - Isha

We say sorry because today is Sorry Day and we say sorry to the Kaurna People - Allison

The topic they focused on was ‘sorry’. Mrs Turner then joined the children after this and taught the children more about ‘Sorry Day’ by sharing a personal story, as well as reading ‘Stolen Girl’ to the children. The three classes also created ‘chatterboxes’ together, and illustrated them with symbols or images they believed where relevant to the day, as well as including questions about what they have learnt or discussed. Below is a snapshot of the dialogue from the Yarning Circle today.

Last Thursday I had the absolute honour of seeing the result of planning and dedication from St Francis de Sales House Captains Jessica and Marco come to fruition.  The student initiated fundraising day was more than a success.  Just as important as raising money for this important cause was raising awareness.  Jessica and Marco planned and presented an information talk to give to each of our Learning Communities before the children and staff engaged in fun activities.  The children decorated hearts, got pink moustaches and pink hair!  We thank the St John Bosco community for supporting this special cause that is very close to our hearts.

Thank you to all the helpers who took time out of class to help with the Breast Cancer Fundraiser last week. We also thank you for donating money, to help raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. All the children had lots of fun engaging in the planned activities, including face painting and hair spray. The love hearts created for the mural are amazing and we can’t wait to put them together as a community, to create a huge design. Marco and I are very happy with how this turned out and we want to thank the St Francis de Sales House for helping create (and for supporting) this fundraiser. - Jessica

In 3-4E the children have been thinking like scientists in their inquiry into heat energy. This week the children began their inquiry by experimenting with food colouring in water of different temperatures. They used their observation skills and prior knowledge to make predictions and came up with theories to explain the differences they discovered. 

The water pressure was stronger in the hot water which make the food colouring move around. - Angelo

My theory is the opposite of Angelo's. I think the hot water has less pressure and the cold water has more. - Zak

The water is hot so it makes the food colouring mix faster. - Anthony

When we poured the dye into the hot water, it wasn't letting it get to the bottom. The cold water took it to the bottom and it looked like a tornado. - Mikaela