Dear Parents/Carers,

Lord, at the start of a new school year make us ready, attentive and available to hear you. Thank You for the gift of being able to rise each day with the assurance that You walk through it with us. Thank You for the gifts of creativity and uniqueness, and the energy to put them to good use.

May all that we are this year, all that we try to do this year, may all our encounters, reflections, even the frustrations and failings all be placed in your hands.

May the work we do and the way we do it, bring new hope, new life, and courage to all we come in contact with. We pray for all in the St John's school and parish community. Amen

Welcome to the 2023 school year. I trust that your Christmas was a time of great blessing, and that your family was able to have some quality time together during the summer break. It has been wonderful seeing our Year 1-6 students return to school so positively this week, and we look forward to the Kindergarten children joining us next Tuesday. On behalf of Fr John and our staff, I would especially like to welcome our new families to St John's. I pray that your time with the our community is rewarding.

I also welcome our new staff to St John's:

• Miss Lily Clarke (Physical Education Teacher)
• Mrs Jessica Walker (Diverse Learning Support Teacher)
• Mrs Sandra Watson (Diverse Learning Support Teacher)

After a period of leave from St John's, it is wonderful to welcome back Mr Nash, Mrs Seweryn and Mrs Skinner. 

Meet & Greet sessions

An important aspect of ensuring we are meeting your child's needs is to maintain positive communication with you, as parents and carers. We are organising time for a 'Meet & Greet' session between yourselves and your child's classroom teacher in Week 4 of this term (13-17 February). This will give you an opprtunity to share with the teacher information about your child which would be valuable in knowing to support their learning and faith development. Details about booking a session will be made available via Compass. There will also be a form sent home for you to complete which will assist in directing the conversation that you have.

Parent-School Partnership Framework

Our diocesan system of schools has developed this framework to support the positive connections that exist bewteen home, school and parish. Together, we are all striving to provide a school environment for the children to find meaning and purpose through continual growth in faith and learning. I encourage you to read through this framework. 

Wishing you a safe and fulfilling week,

Paul Moroney
Principal

WELCOME BACK

We are excited to welcome our students and their families back to the start of a new school year. We all hope that you had an enjoyable Christmas and positive beginning to the new year.

This time last year we were trying to navigate our way through distributing RAT kits to our families and ensuring COVID safety measures were in place. Thankfully that is now in the past as we commence this school year with a greater sense of normality. Both teachers and students deserve some normality after what they have had to endure in recent years. We very much look forward to the year ahead as we support the learning and well being of our children.

MORNING DROP OFF PROCEDURES

The safety of the children is of greatest concern for both parents and teachers. To ensure their safety, please watch the following clip that shows two of the ways students can be dropped off in the morning.

We have two staff members supervising the morning drop off area in the Church car park, to allow for a safe and smooth process for all. 

We would also ask that any parents taking their child(ren) through the car park, walk along the outside or perimeter to enter the school gates. For the safety of everyone we would please ask that you not cross at the morning drop off area.

We thank you in anticipation of your ongoing support for the safety of the children.

Morning drop off video

SAFER INTERNET DAY

On Tuesday, 7 February, it is Safer Internet Day. In this online world we live in, it is crucial that our students are aware of being safe when on the internet. 

This year marks the 20th year of this global event. It is now celebrated annually in about 200 countries and territories. From cyberbullying to social networking to digital identity, each year Safer Internet Day aims to raise awareness of emerging online issues and current concerns.

As we did last year, we are currently in the process of engaging our local Police Liaison Officer to visit the Primary students to discuss online safety.

We strongly encourage all parents and carers to speak with their children about the importance of being safe online. Help for parents in this area can be found at https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents. 

Happy Birthday to the following students and staff who are celebrating their birthday this week and during the holidays, 1st January - 4th February

Opening School Mass

In Week 4, on 14 February 2023, we will be celebrating our Opening School Mass.

It will be held under the COLA, starting at 9.30 am.

Our student leaders will be receiving their badges at this very important School Mass.

All students will be in attendance and will be sitting on their own classroom chairs.  

We therefore ask that you bring your own chair to our Mass.  

Sports Uniform Days

Clothing pool will be open on Thursday the 2nd February from 3pm

Cash and eftpos accepted

Donations of uniforms also accepted

Just a reminder that Kindergarten officially start on Tuesday 7th February. You can arrive anytime between 9am - 9.30am, to try and make it less busy and crowded. You are welcome to have 2 parents accompany your child on their first day.

Just a reminder that students classes need to be updated to their new class on the flexischools app

If your child is away from school it is important to let the school know as soon as possible with a specific reason, e.g. what type of illness they have, If you are filling in a note on the Compass app, please add an explanation in the details/comments box .

Do not enter into compass if they are going to be late or leave early, that needs to be done from the school end.

It is really important to keep your child at home if they are unwell, this will help with the spread of illness.

If your child takes regular medication, has a medical condtion and/or allergy/anaphylaxis, the school will need documentation and/or an action plan from a medical professional as well as a signed consent form to administer medication/advice of medical condition (available from the office).

This applies even if medication or condition are temporary.

  It is important that you let the office know as soon as possible, via email or phone, if you are picking your child up prior to normal dismissal (including time).  We can then arrange to have them in the office ready for you.

Please note we are unable to arrange collection of your children during break times,

Please do not enter late arrivals or early departures into compass, this needs to be done by the school office.

Thank you for your assistance with this matter.

There are four of our students (Oliver B, Cooper A, Luca J and Michael S) who are participating in the Starlight Super Swim Challenge. Starlight uses play, social connection and creativity to support sick kids in some of their toughest times and positively change their healthcare experience. We are very proud of these boys in taking up this challenge and encourage you to support them via sponshorship. You can sponsor them via the following link:

 https://superswim.org.au/t/st-johns-boys