NATIONAL CHILD PROTECTION WEEK- SEPTEMBER 1-7

This year’s theme ‘EVERY CONVERSATION MATTERS: Shifting Conversation to Action’ highlights that while open discussions are crucial, words alone are not enough: we must turn dialogue into meaningful action.

NAPCAN acknowledges that while conversations can raise awareness, challenge harmful norms, and spark new ideas, real change happens when we take steps to create safer environments for children that prevent them from harm.

This year, we are focusing on moving beyond conversations to concrete actions that prevent harm and instead, focussing on strengthening support systems, and empowering communities to actively protect children.

By shifting from conversation to action, we can ensure that every child not only feels heard but also experiences real safety, care, and protection.

Sourced from- https://www.napcan.org.au/ncpw-theme/

WELLBEING WEEK AT ST JOHN’S

Next week is Week 8 of Term 3, which has been set aside as Wellbeing Week. This week is aligned with ‘R U Okay’ Day held on Thursday, 11 September. We know that whether it’s a friend, family member, partner, or colleague , the people around us go through life’s ups and downs every day. That’s why we want everyone to feel confident to check in with the people they care about and Ask ‘R U OK?’ Any Day.

We are looking forward to promoting mental health and well being for everyone in our community. There will be a range of activities next week such as a mufti day wearing yellow or bright colours (Thursday, 11 September), health hustles, discussing acts of kindness and a class picnic with fruit.

FATHERS DAY CELEBRATIONS

We hope that all fathers, grandfathers, uncles and other men in the lives of our children have a Happy Father’s Day on Sunday, 7 September. It is a day for people to show their appreciation for fathers and father figures. 

This Thursday, 4 September, there will be an opportunity for the students to purchase a special something for Father’s Day. Thank you to the P & F who have organised this opportunity for the children to buy something at the Father’s Day Stall. Gifts can be purchased for $5.

On Friday, 5 September, we invite our fathers, grandfathers and other men in the lives of the students to have a picnic lunch. We once again thank our hard working P & F for organising the BBQ lunch for our school community.

A special Father’s Day Liturgy on Friday afternoon will be held at 12:45pm. Our Father’s Day picnic lunch will follow. We hope many of our fathers and grandfathers will be able to attend.

Lord God, who is Father of all,

send your blessing down on these men who are fathers.

For those who in the night worry for their child,

grant them your comfort.

For those who in the day work and struggle to provide for their child,

send them your strength.

For those who mourn a child,

hold them in your love.

For those who play, laugh, sing and dance with their child,

you share in their joy.

Lord God, who is Father of all,

walk with these fathers, in the light times and the dark.

Bless them, and may they each be a living symbol of your fatherly love;

a symbol to their children and all who they encounter.

We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

GRANDPARENTS DAY CELEBRATIONS

We were so fortunate to have our school filled with so many members of our community, on Friday, 29 August, in honour of Grandparents Day. It was a wonderful celebration, with our Whole School Mass, Picnic and Open Classrooms.

Thank you to Fr. John and Dcn. Darren for helping us celebrate Grandparents Day and the feast of St. Anne and St. Joachim, the grandparents of Jesus. 

Thanks to Miss Costello, our Religious Education Coordinator, for coordinating the Mass. We also thank Tim Hart who led our music next to Ms Johnson and our School Choir. We also appreciate our students and grandparents who participated in the liturgy in various ways.

Thanks to all the families for assisting with contributions for our morning tea. 

A special thank you to the Grandparents and loved ones for your presence and unwavering love and support for our students. They were overjoyed showing their classrooms and sharing our school with the special people in their lives.

 

SCHOOL PRIDE HOUSE COMPETITION

In Week 10, our School Pride House Competition will be awarded to the students who have collected the most tokens for their house by consistently wearing the correct uniform and participating in Waste Free Wednesday this term. 

The winning house will be announced on Monday, 22 September via Compass and at Tuesday morning’s announcements. The reward will take place on Wednesday, 24 September. On this day students from the winning house will be rewarded with a mufti day and Zooper Dooper.