Dear Parents and Carers,

God of power and mercy, open our hearts in welcome. Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy so that we may share his wisdom and become one with him when he comes in glory, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

When any of us get the smallest hint about how much God is giving to us, we are grateful: the beautiful colours of a sunset; courtesy from a stranger who allows us to change lanes in the traffic; our family; our dog; a new day, even with all its losses and tangles. The children at school provide 'gifts' of friendship, persistence in leanring and care for others.

Fr John Foley reminds us that we do very little to “deserve” the mysterious goodness around us and in us. We are not required to be worthy of it because God gives everything out of pure generosity. God gazes in wonder at the world and at each person and says, “You are worth it. I will not leave you.” 

Sometimes gifts are there, but we cannot see them. In that case, our Advent eyes will have to rest for a while and do some waiting. It will be there, God’s delicate care for you and for us. We must wait, in Advent and in every time. 

Student Academic Reports

We are on track to have your child's report for Semester 2 available on Compass from next Wednesday. This semester all children, including Kindergarten, will receive a report. We will confirm via a Compass notification when the reports can be accessed.

Cyclic Review

As mentioned in previous Newsletter, our school undertook a Cyclic Review yesterday. This process involved a panel validating a report written by us which summarised our strategic planning since the last review in 2016, and to support us in formulating future goals. We will receive their report and recoomendations at the end of this year, so we will be able to update you on this in the new year.

At the end of their visit yesterday, after meeting with Fr John, staff, students and parents, the panel unanimously affirmed the faith-filled, hospitable and caring community that was clearly evident for them in only a short visit. They also commended the school on the growth in learning that is occuring for the students, as evidenced through standardised assessment data such as NAPLAN.

Wishing you a safe and rewarding week ahead.

Paul Moroney

Principal

REMINDERS REGARDING MORNING DROP OFF

The safety of the children is of greatest concern for parents, carers and teachers. Thank you to the majority of parents and carers who continue to ensure children are dropped off safely to school.

 We have noticed that closer towards the morning bell, children are leaving vehicles prior to stopping at the designated drop off zones in the church car park. We would ask that you keep your child(ren) in your vehicle until reaching the drop off areas for their safety.

Another reminder is if any parents or carers are taking their child(ren) through the car park, please walk along the outside or perimeter to enter the school gates. 

To ensure their safety, watch the following clip that shows two ways students can be dropped off in the morning.

Morning drop off video

We thank you in anticipation of your ongoing support for the safety of the children leading up to the end of the school year.

UNIFORM FOCUS- HOUSE COLOUR COMPETITION

Our House Colour Competition focusing on uniforms for our whole school reward system is coming to an end for this term. 

The winning house will be announced on Monday, 12 December. The reward will be provided for students in the winning house on Wednesday, 14 December. On this day students from the winning house will be rewarded with a mufti day and zooper dooper.

FIRST RECONCILIATION

Congratulations to many of our Year 2 students who made their First Reconciliation last week on Wednesday, 30 November. The children, with the support of their parents, carers and workshop leaders completed the program over four weeks. They engaged positively in the workshops and were extremely well prepared. Forgiveness is the demonstration of God’s love for us in this special sacrament.

YEAR 6 GRADUATION MASS & CELEBRATIONS

The Year 6 Graduation Mass and Celebrations is being held tonight, Wednesday, 7 December.  We look forward to celebrating this milestone of completing Primary Education with our Year 6 students, their parents and teachers.

We congratulate our students for the wonderful example they have provided throughout the year. They have taken on their role of student leaders with a high level of commitment and responsibility. They leave behind a myriad of memories, laughs, cultural talents and academic achievements. We wish them all every success when they move onto high school in 2023.

MAPLE FINISHES HER WORK FOR THIS YEAR 

This semester Maple has been introduced to support the well being of students. She has certainly made an impact since commencing at St John’s. She will resume the second week back in 2023. This term she has worked three days a week working with particular students, visiting classrooms and being a presence on the playground. 

Congratulations to all the students in following the three expectations clearly outlined to support Maple’s integration into the school community. There has been a greater opportunity for students to interact with her this term. 

Thank you to the core team of teachers and SSO’s who have assisted Maple in making connections with the students.

Next week we will share some survey data provided by students about our well being dog program.

  

Happy Birthday to the following students and staff who are

celebrating their birthday this week  ,

 4th December - 10th December

Week 8 - Awards: PRIMARY 

Thank you to our St John's community for their generosity in donating to the Koala Campaign , Tracey from WIRES

was thrilled with the donations which are much needed by the organisation to help with local injured wildlife.

  

Clothing Pool will be open on Thursday morning from 8.30am-9am down in the clothing pool room

Cash and eftpos available

Donations of clean outgrown uniforms also accepted

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), TheParkway, 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.

 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.

* 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

This is to let you know Lowes will be participating in the NSW voucher program for schools when it commences