Canteen will be CLOSED on Friday 5th July - Last Day of Term.
Please ensure your child/ren have enough food for the day.

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we come to the completion of the first semester and reach the half way point of the school year, it is appropriate that we pause and give thanks for all that has been possible so far this year. We can celebrate that students have had many opportunities over the past two terms to grow academically, physically, spiritually and socially.

Our school community is enriched by the dedication and commitment of the staff at the school.  At the end of this week we will break for the winter school holidays. The two weeks will hopefully enable the students to relax and recharge before returning for the second semester of the year.

Gratitude is also extended to parents for the way they have assisted and been involved at school during the past term. It is hoped that you will be able to continue your involvement throughout the remainder of the year. It is when the school and home can work together in partnership that students can truly benefit.

PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES –

Thank you to the many parents who have been able to attend Parent Teacher Conferences, with your child and his/her teacher over the past week. This is a great opportunity for parents to be informed about how your child is progressing with their learning so far this year.

It is also an opportunity for parents to ask questions and seek clarification about the Semester One report that was distributed last week to students in Years 1 – 6.

At St John’s, we understand the benefits to student learning when teachers and parents are able to work in close partnership together. We value the time that parents make to be present at these conferences.

We encourage parents to be informed about your child’s progress and following the parent teacher interview speak with your child about the goals that have been set to support further learning next term. We have also included the students in these Conferences, as we believe that this enables them to take greater ownership of their learning goals that have been set for next term.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the teachers for the time and effort taken in writing the student reports as well as completing the Parent Teacher Conferences over the past week.

What each of us bring to St John’s are a variety of gifts. This includes you as parents who demonstrate support, co-operation and commitment. This week, as we engage in parent teacher conferences the demonstration of that support, co-operation and commitment is clearly evident.

We also see this every day as the children come into school proudly wearing their uniforms, and being ready to learn. We see it in the P&F who have worked hard in the organisation of last Thursday nights Infants and Primary Disco - all to support the work we do as educators at St John’s.

We are truly blessed to have the support of each other, as we make decisions that have a positive influence on the most important members of the St John’s school community – our students.

Wishing you all a safe and enjoyable break.

Mrs Jane Webb
Acting Principal

All parents are warmly invited to join us at a Mass of Thanksgiving to offer our thanks to Sr Laureen Dixon rsc, who will be leaving our school community and moving to Melbourne.

Please join us at 10am for Mass on Friday 5^th July, to give thanks for the wonderful contribution that Sr Laureen has made to the school community at St John’s.

This will be a special time to give thanks for Sr Laureen and pray for her as she moves to Melbourne. 

The holidays are a time for rest, relaxation, family time.

But learning doesn’t have to stop…. 

You can help your children over the holidays to foster a love of learning by taking them along to an outside activity or doing things at home.

We hear some great tips from our parents. Here are some that they have shared with us!

• Cooking is great for measuring and using numbers  
• Visit the local library
• Visit the Campbelltown Art Gallery 
  
• Play a board game
• Visit the park
• Take a train or bus somewhere
• Visit a museum
• Enjoy spending time together!

Acting Assistant Principals
Kylie Billett
Helen Libro

Grandparents Day – Photos of Children with their Grandparents

We are having a Grandparents Day Mass in Term 3 on Friday, 26 July 2019. 
We will celebrate the Feast of Saints Anne and Joachim who are the grandparents of Jesus.
As part of our Mass, we will be putting together a reflection iMovie at thanksgiving time after Communion. 
Children are invited to email Mrs Hampton a photo of them with their grandparents.
If you would like to participate, Mrs Hampton’s email address is:

kathryn.hampton@dow.catholic.edu.au.

We need all photos emailed by Friday 5 July 2019.  Unfortunately, we are unable to accept photos emailed after this date.  
Thank you for your help.

Mrs Hampton

NAIDOC WEEK INCURSION AT ST JOHN’S 

Monty Pryor 

Boori Monty Pryor is an Indigenous Australian writer best known as a storyteller and as the inaugural Australian Children's Laureate. Pryor is descended from the Birri-gubba nation of the Bowen region and the Kunggandji people from Yarrabah, near Cairns.

A WORD FROM 6 GOLD ABOUT MONTY’S VISIT TO ST JOHNS: 

Monty Pryor was invited to St John’s as a significant Aboriginal person, an inspirational public speaker and author.
He is a comedic genius and knows how to make students like Cordelia and I laugh. He told us stories about what he did growing up. He taught us one valuable lesson and that was to find happiness in all aspects of life. He said when writing a story to write about what has happened to you and to make your writing more interesting by using exaggeration. 

On behalf of the St. John’s community, we would like to thank Monty for taking his time to come and speak to us.

Written by Cordelia and Hannah
6 Gold

Northern Region M-Bot Challenge

On Wednesday, 26th June, five of our students attended the Annual Northern Region M-Bot Challenge. This was the first time St John’s has participated in this event and we had two teams representing our school, the Tech Masters and STEM Wizards. Maryanne Star, Bea Sualibios, Nicholas Adams, James Palpal-Latoc and Zahie Wahhab did us proud as they showed perseverance and dedication when completing the challenges, as well as lending a hand to students from other schools when they needed an idea or two.

There were three events on the day, a dance challenge, sumo challenge, and a maze challenge. Our students took on each challenge with enthusiasm, even those that were new to them. They collaborated with one another to solve the problems encountered when completing the challenges, and were thrilled when their hard work led to a third place in the sumo challenge and a first place in the maze challenge. Bea, James and Maryanne will now be going through to the Diocesen Challenge next term.

Congratulations Tech Masters and Stem Wizards!

Remember Waste Free Wednesday every week.

Clothing Pool is open this week on Friday morning 8.30-9am

Our school banking day is: Wednesday

Lowes Sale Flyer attached for your information.

We have a number of items looking for their homes in Lost Property at the office. We ask that if your child/ren are missing any items, please check the lost property before the end of this term.

If you have found any lost property that you may still be holding onto, can please bring the items to the office and we will find their owners.

Term 3 Catholic Care dated are attached for your information.