At the end of this school term, we give thanks to God: 

For all the teaching and learning that have taken place in our school,

both in and out of the classroom.

For the talents and gifts that have been shared,

and the challenges that have been faced. 

For the respect and care that have been given. 

We give thanks for the friendships that have just begun,

and for those that have grown.

For the faith that has been lived in our daily struggles. 

We give thanks for the community that we are.

Bless our families as we take our holidays,

May our time with family and friends leave us with memories to cherish. 

Pour out your love on us so that we may return renewed and refreshed

to continue our journey together. 

We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we near the end of Term 3, I would like to acknowledge the students for the way in which they have positively committed to their learning and friendships each day. We have been particularly focussing on our school motto (“Walk in Pace and Joy”) with the students, encouraging them to consider how their words and actions can bring the motto to life. There have been some wonderful examples of students demonstrating this on a regular basis, and we look forward to building on this next term. Another of our goals this year has been to improve the students’ reading skills through explicit teaching strategies and we look forward to providing a snapshot of some results of this goal following some assessments in Term 4.

I am particularly grateful to the staff who work tirelessly for the children each day. Their dedication and commitment to the students' wellbeing and learning ensures that the children are being very well catered for in so many ways.

I hope that during the student vacation that you get to spend some time with your family away from the regular structures and routines. If you are travelling, may you stay safe. 

Farewell to Marissa Bishop

Today we farewelled Marissa Bishop, our Student Welfare Officer. Employed by CatholicCare, Marissa has worked two days/week for the last nine years at St John's, supporting the wellbeing of many students and their families. She has gone about her work with great compassion and care, and she will be missed. Marissa is moving into work supporting children in foster care, an area in which she will provide excellent skills.

Last day of Term 3

Paul Moroney
Principal

END OF TERM 3 RECAP!

As Term 3 comes to a close, we look back on a vibrant and eventful term filled with exciting teaching and learning activities, achievements, and community engagement. Our students have embraced every opportunity to learn, grow, and celebrate together, making this term one to remember.

Book Week and Olympathon

Our students participated in Book Week to celebrate books and love of reading. The much-anticipated Olympathon was a fantastic way to get the whole school involved in fun, physical challenges while promoting teamwork and school spirit. The students showed great enthusiasm and determination!

Wellbeing Week – RUOK Day

We placed a special focus on mental health and wellbeing during Wellbeing Week, with RUOK Day being a highlight. Students engaged in activities that encouraged open conversations about fostering a culture of care, support, and kindness within our school community.

NAIDOC Week Celebrations

Our school proudly participated in NAIDOC Week celebrations, where we honoured the rich culture, history, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The students enjoyed cultural activities, art, and discussions that deepened their understanding of Indigenous heritage and the importance of reconciliation.

Incursions and Excursions

This term was filled with exciting learning experiences outside the classroom. From engaging incursions that brought experts to the school to excursions that allowed our students to explore the world beyond the school fence, these hands-on learning opportunities enriched the students’ understanding of various subjects.

Gala Days – Basketball and Soccer

Our students had a ball (pun intended) participating in the Basketball and Soccer Gala Days. Both events showcased our students' athletic talents, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Congratulations to all who represented the school with pride and to the teams that brought home well-deserved wins!

Public Speaking and Art Competitions

We were immensely proud of our students who participated in the Public Speaking Competition and the Christmas Story Art Competition. Their creativity, confidence, and dedication were on full display. A special congratulations to those who were awarded for their outstanding efforts!

Father’s Day Celebrations

This term also saw our school celebrate the special bond between fathers and their children with our Father’s Day picnic. It was heartwarming to see so many dads and father figures join us for this occasion. We hope the day was as special for them as it was for us.

ICAS Testing

A big congratulations to the students who participated in the ICAS Testing this term. Their commitment to academic excellence is commendable, and we had some  excellent results, knowing our students have done their best.

Kindergarten – 100 Days of School

Our Kindergarten students reached an exciting milestone as they celebrated their 100 Days of School. The joy and energy they bring to our school is infectious, and we’re so proud of their progress in this early stage of their educational journey.

Mini Vinnies Winter Sleepout

This term, our Mini Vinnies group showed their commitment to social justice by participating in the Winter Sleepout. The event raised awareness about homelessness and allowed our students to reflect on the importance of compassion and helping those in need.

Regional Athletics and Tiger Shield

Congratulations to our students who participated in the Regional Athletics Carnival and those who competed in the Tiger Shield Soccer competition. Your hard work, perseverance, and competitive spirit have made us all proud. It’s always wonderful to see our students shine in the sporting arena!

Parish Confirmation

Finally, we were privileged to witness a spiritual milestone for many of our students through the Parish Confirmation. This sacred ceremony was a beautiful moment for the candidates of our school community to come together in faith and celebration.

As we wrap up Term 3, we extend our heartfelt thanks to our staff, students, and families for their continuous support and engagement. We wish everyone a restful break and look forward to Term 4, where even more exciting opportunities await!

SCHOOL PRIDE HOUSE COMPETITION

In Week 10, our School Pride House Competition was awarded to the students who had collected the most tokens for their house by consistently wearing the correct uniform and participating in Waste Free Wednesday this term. 

Congratulations to Vaughan House (Green) who collected and averaged the most number of tokens this term. Below are the results:

Happy Birthday to the following students and staff who are celebrating their birthday this week : 22nd September - 28th September

Week 9 - Awards: INFANTS

TIGER SHIELD SOCCER TOURNAMENT

On Saturday 21st September, some of our students competed in the Tiger Shield Soccer Tournament held at Ron Dine Memorial Reserve, Camden. The day consisted of round robin games, followed by quarter finals, semi finals and a grand final. 

Our Junior Boys team won their first two games, and drew the third game, while the Senior Boys won three of their four games in the round robin. Both teams progressed to the quarter final, with the Junior Boys winning and progressing to the semi final, but unfortunately the Senior Boys went down 2-0 to a very strong opponent. The Junior Boys fought hard in the semi final which ended in a draw, but unfortunately did not make it to the grand final based on behinds. Congratulations to all players on a great effort, we certainly have some talented soccer players in our school.

A massive thank you to our team coaches and managers Mr Brown, Mrs Kierans, Mr Martinez, Mr Shrestha and Mrs Giannetti. Without your help, this day would not have been possible. Not only did they give their time on the day, but they also trained the boys before school on several occasions leading up to the tournament.

All players were presented with a ribbon at assembly on Monday morning.

Please help us supply appropriate bus services by reminding students to tap on and tap off with their School Opal cards.

 I am writing on behalf of Transit Systems NSW, the bus operator that provides your school bus services, regarding student use of the School Opal card.

It is a condition of the use of a School Opal card that students must tap on at the beginning of a trip and tap off at the end of a trip at an Opal Card Reader, when they travel to and from school. Please refer to the Transport for NSW website for further details: https://transportnsw.info/school-pass-terms

 Opal data gathered by tapping on and off is used to determine demand for bus services. If students fail to tap on and tap off, services for your school may be reduced or even cancelled due to the lack of recorded patronage.

With this in mind, we ask for your assistance in reminding your students that tapping on and off at the beginning and end of each trip is one of the conditions of using a School Opal card.

What's On in Campbelltown for the Spring School Holidays?

Come and join us in the Spring School Holidays for a program filled with fun for all ages. There's plenty to do at the Billabong Parklands, Campbelltown Arts Centre and our libraries with a number of activities and workshops scheduled.

Check out our full program on our website. Please note that some of the events require booking tickets, so get in quick before they are booked out. 

What's on in Campbelltown

Amelia