Dear Parents and Carers,

Dear Lord, thank you for your forgiveness. Thank you for not abandoning us to our mistakes, but for reaching out instead to bring us home. Help me accept your mercy without shame. Thank you for the love you have poured out for me and all of your children. Help me live out of that love today.

This afternoon many of our students from Year 2 and above will celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This sacrament is the process or step we take in order to reunite ourselves with God. As human beings we all share the experience of weakness and the failure to be our best selves. When we intentionally fail to make a loving choice we turn away in varying degrees from the unconditional love of God. This leaves us with a deep inner need for forgiveness and peace. The Sacrament of Reconciliation heals and strengthens.

The children are celebrating this sacrament following a four-week preparation program that has been led by some of our staff. We are grateful to Mrs Hampton, Fr John, Fr Feleki, Fr Richard and the Parish Sacramental Team for their coordination of the sacramental programs this year.

End of year for students

Please note that the last day for students will now be Friday 16 December which brings our school in line with other local schools. Our office will remain open on Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 December. Aspire will be taking bookings for vacation care from 19 December. We apologise for any inconvenience that this change of date may cause.

Parent Survey

Parents are invited to complete an anonymous survey which seeks your input into areas affecting the education of your children and the general functioning of the school. Results will assist the school in the preparation of the Annual School Report as well as strategic planning. A link to the survey can be found here.

P & F Meeting 

The next meeting for the P & F will take place on Monday 5 December at 7.00pm in the Tiered Learning Space. All are welcome.

Cyclic Review

Earlier this term, our school was prepared for its Cyclic Review that is conducted by the Catholic Education Office. It is a review of the school's strategic planning and to assist in setting future planning goals. These reviews are normally held every five years, however due to the interruption of the pandemic, it has been six years since St John's last review.

As part of this review, a panel was due to visit our  school to engage in conversations with staff about the goals we have been working toward, with a specific focus on Religious Education and faith development, learning, pastoral care and well-being. This visit had to be postponed and will now be held on Tuesday 6 December. The panel would like to engage with a small group of parents between 12.30-1.00pm. Please let the office know if you would like to be a part of this process.

Wishing you a safe and rewarding week ahead.

Paul Moroney

Principal

Happy Birthday to the following students and staff who are

celebrating their birthday this week  ,

 27th November - 3rd December

Recently, three of our students, Rhys M, Sean P and Lachlan A received awards at the annual Wollongong Diocese Sports Awards. Rhys was acknowledged for his achievements in diving, Sean for his achievements in Soccer and Athletics, and Lachlan for his achievements in Cross Country and Athletics. Well done boys!

Week 7 - Awards: INFANTS

Please provide consent via your Compass portal for your child to attend The 2022 Annual Swimming
Carnival on Friday 9 December at the Gordon Fetterplace Aquatic Centre (Bradbury Pools), The
Parkway, Bradbury.  The carnival will run from approximately 9.30am to 12.00pm
* The competitive races will be for students who are confident swimmers and have squad training
experience.  If you wish to nominate your child you will need to fill in a form at the office or request a
form is sent home.  Races start at the deep end and students will dive into the pool.  Children will be
selected from this carnival to compete in the Primary Western Region Swimming Carnival 2023. 
Children will compete in the age they turn in 2023.
* Nominations for competitive races close on Tuesday 29 November
* Non competitive students will participate in novelty events in their age group.  Students will use
the 25m and shallow pool.  Competitive students will join the novelty events once ALL their races are
completed.

* Children without consent will NOT be able to attend the carnival. Consent is required via Compass
by Monday 5 December

Year 6 Farewell - Important information

The next P & F meeting is on Monday 5th December at 7pm in the tired learning space. All are welcome.