Dear Parents and Carers,

May God's blessing go with us today. At the end of this school year we pray, that you keep us safe and give us rest, so we start again renewed and refreshed. Full of health, full of fun, ready to come and learn again. May God's blessing go with us today, as we begin our school holiday. Give your peace and your joy, to every girl and every boy. Help the teachers enjoy the break, and prepare and plan for the new intake. May God's blessings await us next year, to embrace each new challenge without fear. Fill this school with your love, and guide our hearts from above. Full of faith, full of hope, full of joy, and full of love. Amen.

This being the final Newsletter for the school year, I would like to pass on every blessing to you and your family for the Christmas season and the summer break. May you experience the joy and peace that the birth of Christ can bring. Thank you for your support during this year. It was wonderful that we could all join together last night at our Carols Under the COLA to celebrate the joy of Christmas. 

I would like to thank and farewell the families who finish their time at St John's this year. We thank you for contributions to our school community over the years and wish you and your children every best wish for the future.

Student reports

During tomorow Semester 2 student reports for all students will be available on the Compass app. 

As happens for all schools across Australia, students in Years 1-6 receive a grade for each Key Learning Area (subject). This grade is based on a 5-point scale. Across our diocese we use A-E. A grade of 'C' is a measure for students who are achieving what is expected of them for their Year level in any subject. An 'A' or 'B' indicates they are working beyond the expectations while a 'D' or 'E' show they are working towards the expected outcomes. The report also gives you an indication of their work and social habits, as well as some aspects to focus on for next semester. 

I would like to acknowledge the work of our teachers in writing the reports. They are very dedicated in ensuring your child's report is an accurate reflection of their progress.

Staffing

I congratulate Mrs Kylie Billett who has been successful in being appointed as Co-Assistant Principal at St Justin's Oran Park, commencing in 2024. Kylie has worked at St John's for ten years in a variety of roles, most recently as our Diverse Learning Coordinator and fulfilling an integral role on our Leadership Team. We will certainly miss her expertise and wish her the very best in her new role. 

As has been mentioned previously, we also farewell Mrs Kathryn Hampton and Ms Lesley Aliphon. Also, we congratulate Miss Kayla Ryan has been appointed as a permanent classroom teacher at St Anthony of Padua School in Austral. We also wish Mrs Emily Jeffreys the very best for the birth of her first child in March next year.

Classroom teachers for 2024 are as follows:

Kindergarten: Miss Brticevic, Mrs Marten, Miss Witheridge

Year 1: Mrs Le-Guier, Mrs Skinner, Mrs Small

Year 2: Mrs Guyer, Miss Robinson, Mrs Sinfield

Year 3: Miss Costello, Mrs Glen, Miss Johnson

Year 4: Miss Clarke, Mrs Spence

Year 5: Miss Davidson, Mrs Lorenzini, Mr Zamroz

Year 6: Ms Afchal, Mr Nash, Mr Toohey

Visual Arts: Miss Polsen

Music/Drama: Ms Johnson

PE: Mrs New

Diverse Learning: Ms Coffey, Mrs Walker, Mrs Watson

Leadership release: Mrs Seweryn

Christmas Toy Drive

Sincere thanks for your support of the Christmas Toy Drive that was organised by our Mini Vinnies Team. There was an overwhelming number of toys that will go to those in the Campbelltown community who are in need.

A representative from Vinnies in Campbelltown, Marguerite, thanked the children at our assembly this morning and presented our Mini Vinnies team with a certificate of thanks.

Paul Moroney

Principal

It is hard to believe that another school year is nearly over and we are in the middle of December. There have been many highlights throughout the year. Below are some which come to mind:

• Engaging learning experiences being implemented in classrooms
• Excellent NAPLAN and PAT results in English and Mathematics
• Implementation of the new K-2 English & Mathematics curriculum
• Grandparents Day Mass and Open Day
• Sacramental programs with our parish
• Various Masses and Liturgies
• Our Science Expo in recognition of National Science Week
• The Wests Tigers Blitz
• Reenactment of Holy Week events
• Online safety talks with Constable Michel
• Book Week Parade
• NAIDOC Week celebrations
• Harmony Day
• Wellbeing week
• St John’s Got Talent
• Opening of our new playground and table tennis area
• 201st year anniversary of the first Catholic Mass held in Campbelltown
• Transition to school playgroup and Kindergarten Orientation
• Watching the students participate in the athletics, swimming and cross country carnivals
• Sports gala days
• Maple continuing to support the well being of our students 
• Excursions and incursions during the year

We thank our parents and carers for their ongoing support in 2023. Special thanks also goes to the P & F for their efforts in organising events and supporting our school.

Thanks goes to the staff for their commitment and dedication towards the children’s learning and well being. They have gone above and beyond on many occasions throughout the year. The genuine concern by staff for all the students is evident with their daily interactions in classrooms and on the playground.

And finally, the special students here at St John’s. The way that so many of the students display our Good Samaritan values is a credit to the children themselves but also their parents and teachers. We thank the students for making it a privilege to be part of this special Catholic school community. 

CHRISTMAS

The feast of Christmas is about the incarnation of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, when God took on human nature and became man in the person of Jesus Christ. The writers of the Gospel accounts looked back to the birth of Jesus from the perspective of his life, death and Resurrection (the Paschal Mystery).

We live now with the presence of Jesus among us through the Holy Spirit.  Our time is the time of what is, and the promise of what is to come: the fullness of the reign of God. God with us is both a present reality and a future event. This is a mystery of our faith. ‘Emmanuel’ from the Hebrew ‘God is with us’, is frequently found in Christmas carols, referring to the presence of God revealed in the life of Jesus.

On behalf of the staff, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the St John’s community for their support throughout 2023 and wish all the students and families a safe, holy and merry Christmas. I’d also like to thank Fr John, Fr Feleki & Fr Richard for their guidance and wisdom in nurturing our own faith throughout the year. We also wish all the students and families who are leaving our community all the very best as they journey elsewhere. 

THANKS TO THE 2023 SCHOOL CAPTAINS

Thank you to the School Captains for their wonderful example and leadership this year. This year our student leadership team was:

School captains

Elena Krupljanin

Michael Southby

Vice captains

Marlena Gonzales Apolinario – Leader of Forgiveness

Noah Villarosa – Leader of Listening

Oliver Bailey – Leader of Justice

Anna Ouhan – Leader of Welcoming

St Joseph Red House Captains

Raquel Bayon

Cooper Anderson

Polding Blue House Captains

Fisiilose Feiloakitohi

Sienna Galea

Vaughan Green House Captains

Phoenix Turner

Daniel Bader

Therry Gold House Captains

Faith Purba

Xavier Abi-Khattar

They have been a fantastic support for all teachers and students in the life of our school. We greatly appreciate the different initiatives they have embraced throughout the year. May they all continue to develop their leadership skills in the future and make an impact on their respective communities. 

Happy Birthday to the following students and staff who are celebrating their birthday this week  10th December - 31st December

Congratulations to the below people for winning a prize in the raffle

Christo D

Susannah J

Misha

Francesca 

Matthew K

Aaric

Brydee

Bryson D

Chelsea M

Ibhaan

Hudson L

Please see the pictures below for the large quantity of lost property left at school. If anything looks familiar please come in and check

Anything not collected by Thursday 14th December, will be donated