Dear Parents/Carers,

We thank you Lord, for this term. For our challenges, our successes, and the mistakes from which we have learnt. Be with us as we spend our time with family and friends.

Keep us safe in our activities; give us good rest and good fun. Bring us back refreshed and ready for a new term. We thank you for our classmates, teachers, parents and a community that cares for us.

May we always be conscious of you in our lives.

Amen

As we bring our Term to a close this Friday, I would like to pass on my thanks for your support as we work together for your childen's growth in faith, learning and wellbeing. I would also like to acknowledge the work of our staff who demonstrate such dedication and care for the students each day.

I pray that you and your family enjoy some time together during the two week break. No doubt the children will benefit from slowing down a little, refreshing so that they are ready for Term 2. Just a reminder that all students return on Monday 28 April.

Holy Week and Easter

In recent Religious Education lessons, the students will have been learning more about the events of Jesus' life that we acknowledge during 'Holy Week.' This Friday 11 April commencing at 12.00pm, the whole school will participate in a liturgy that will recount these events, culminating with the crucifixion. All parents and caregivers are invited to join us for this liturgy. Please be mindful that this liturgy will have more of a sombre feel to it considering the events we are acknowledging. Following the liturgy, you will be able to collect your children rather than return for dismissal.

With Easter falling during the school holidays, we will be celebrating it with Mass under the COLA on Tuesday 29 April at 9.30am. Once again, parents and caregivers are very welcome to attend.

Federal Election

The following information may support your discernment regarding the Federal Election on 3 May.

It’s hard to believe that Term 1 has already come to an end! It has certainly been a busy and exciting start to the school year.

We’ve had a wonderful term filled with many memorable events and important milestones, including welcoming our new Kindergarten students, celebrating our Opening School Mass, and coming together for Harmony Day. Students also participated in the Cross Country Carnival and reflected deeply during the Season of Lent. We opened our doors for School Open Day, came together for our Parish Welcome Mass, and held our Meet & Greet sessions. For our Years 3 & 5 students, there was also the NAPLAN testing.

We are truly grateful for the ongoing support of our parents and carers throughout all these events. Your partnership plays a vital role in the life of our school, and we thank you for the ways you contribute to our community.

As we now enter the Easter season, we wish all families a happy, safe, and holy Easter filled with peace and joy.

We look forward to seeing you all again in Term 2 for another enriching and exciting term ahead.

SCHOOL PRIDE HOUSE COMPETITION

Congratulations to St Joseph (Red House) for winning the School Pride House Competition this term for collecting the most tokens for their house by consistently wearing the correct uniform and participating in Waste Free Wednesday. Today the students in St Joseph were rewarded with a mufti day and Zooper Dooper.

Year 2 will receive their reward tomorrow as they were on their excursion today.

UNIFORM REMINDERS- HAIRCUTS & EARRINGS

With the school holidays approaching, this is just a reminder of the expectation regarding uniform when students return to school. Below is important information taken from our uniform policy, with a particular focus on haircuts and earrings:

Hair

• Hair should be styled in a manner that attracts positive comments only, with an

        emphasis on a neat and tidy appearance. No extreme haircuts or styles.

• Minimal products (e.g. hairspray, gel) may be used to tame or control hair, but not to style (e.g. spike) hair.
• Hair must not be bleached or dyed in any way, this includes the addition of hair

        extensions, hair pieces or coloured braids.

• Hair, including fringes, must not fall on a child’s face, covering their eyes.
• Students’ hair cannot be unevenly shaved, including having any lines shaved into their head. Hair should not be shaved less than a number 3.

• Hair that is collar length or longer must be tied back.
• Students may use school coloured hair accessories (red, navy/royal blue, golden yellow). Hair accessories can include: ribbons, scrunchies, thin headbands or plain clips to hold hair back.
• Hair should be cut in an evenly cut manner. Hair should not have an extreme difference in length, but rather be of a blended appearance.

Jewellery

• Students may wear one pair of plain silver or gold sleepers (less than 1cm) or plain silver of gold studs.

We thank you for your support in ensuring that your child(ren) returns to school with the appropriate hairstyle and jewellery on their return to school in Term 2.

‘TELL THEM FROM ME’ SURVEY

At the beginning of Term 2, we will be inviting students, teachers and parents to provide feedback on their experience of our school using an online survey. The surveys are an important part of our whole school evaluation and planning process.

We would like to invite you to complete the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Partners in Learning survey. As we value the role of parents and carers within our school community we would greatly appreciate your feedback. The information you provide will be used to maintain our commitment to working together in partnership to further improve student learning and wellbeing at St John the Evangelist, Campbelltown.

The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. You will be able to access the parent survey on your computer or mobile device next term. We plan to provide parents and carers with access in Week 3.

EASTER CELEBRATIONS

The season of Easter, covers the fifty-day period from Easter to Pentecost. It can be seen as:

• A Time of Celebration
• A Time of Renewal
• A Time of Peace
• A Time of Promise
• A Time of New Beginnings

We hope all St John’s families have a blessed and Holy Easter when it arrives.

Next term, on Tuesday, 29 April, our community will gather to celebrate the Eucharist at our Easter Mass. 

Thank you to the P & F for organising our Easter Raffle this term. We also thank the school community for their support in purchasing tickets. The Easter Raffle will be drawn tomorrow afternoon. 

MONITORING ONLINE ACTIVITIES DURING THE HOLIDAYS

With the school holidays approaching, children are wanting to keep in touch with their friends from school. For many, this will be via online games and chats. This provides a fantastic opportunity to stay connected during the school holidays.

Keeping this in mind, we would encourage parents and carers to monitor their children’s online activities over the break. Please remember that staying involved and informed about your child's online activities is key. It's not about restricting their access, but rather empowering them with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate the digital world safely. By fostering open communication with children, they can make the most of the internet while communicating with their friends.

ANZAC Day falls in the last week of the school holidays. Our school will be involved in the Campbelltown RSL ANZAC Day march and service on the day. If your child would like to join in this significant community event, they need to meet staff near the entrance to the Queen St entrance to Campbelltown Mall by 8.30am. They will need to be dressed in their full winter school uniform, including their hat. The march will take us to Mawson Park at which there will be the traditional ANZAC Day service. Your child can be collected from Mawson Park following the service.

Happy Birthday to the following students and staff who are celebrating their birthday this week : 6th April - 12th April

Week 10 - Awards: PRIMARY