St Johns Newsletter - 29 November 2023

Principals Report

Dear Parents/Carers

The year is quickly coming to an end with just over 2 weeks to go.  Next week is our Grade 6’s final week , this is a time to reflect, celebrate their successes and farewell friends and families.  

There are a number of activities organised to help make this a memorable week as we say goodbye to our graduating students and wish them all the very best for Secondary School.

• Gr 6 Final Assembly: Monday 4th December: Next Monday at 2:15pm, we gather in the hall for our final assembly which will focus on and be run by the Gr6’s.
• Gr 6 Activity/Fish & Chip Evening: Monday 4th December:  Grade 6 students remain after school to enjoy some fun activities with their peers and school staff.  An early dinner of Fish & Chips will be provided at 5:15pm. Students are to be collected at 5:30pm.
• Gr 6 Graduation Mass: Wednesday 6th December: Next Wednesday evening is our Graduation Mass, 7pm in the Church, followed by awards and presentations. 
• Whole School Colour Event: Friday 8th December: To celebrate the end of the year and farewell our wonderful Grade 6’s, we are holding a Colour Event on Friday 8 December. The children, in their grade levels, will run through an obstacle course where staff will spray Indian Holi colour powder on their clothing - this is a casual clothes day (light coloured clothing recommended), full details below. Please note: This is a student only event.
• Grade 6 Guard of Honour: 8th December: Traditionally we end this day with a whole school guard of honour for the Grade 6’s with parents in attendance – this will take place on the basketball court at approximately 3pm. If you wish to attend please gather outside the hall gate before this time, we will let everyone in just prior to the guard of honour commencing.  

Permissions for the Colour Event have been sought via PAM where you are able to select your child’s level of participation ie. Run without colour. Wed 29 Nov (today) is the closing day for permissions for this event - please action via PAM. 

Reports Home: Friday 8th December: Student Academic Reports will be posted on PAM next Friday. If you have any queries regarding your child’s report please make an appointment with your child’s teacher to discuss. 

Meet Your Teacher Morning: Monday 11th December: After recess students will find out who their 2024 teacher/s are and spend time with their classmates.

School Fees: School fees are due to be paid in full by the end of the school year, statements will be sent via email shortly.  Please contact Nancy at the office if you have any queries in regard to fee statements or need to make arrangements regarding any outstandings. 

Uniform Shop: Please see information below in regard to final ordering days for the Uniform Shop and pick up of orders placed over the holidays. 

Regards

Chris Dortmans, Principal

Religious Education News

As we approach the season of Advent students will be preparing for this special time in their classrooms. Advent means ‘coming’ or ‘arrival’ and symbolises a period of waiting and preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ.

Lasting four weeks, this season marks the beginning of a new liturgical year and serves as a time of joyful expectation. Each of the four Sundays of Advent is represented by a candle on the Advent wreath – each symbolising hope, peace, joy, and love.

In our classrooms students will be learning about this special period of anticipation in different ways that are meaningful to them. Our junior students will be looking at how their families celebrate Christmas and learning about Jesus’ family, in particular Mary, Joseph, and St John the Baptist. Our middle and senior students will be learning about symbols of Advent and their meanings, and looking at scripture texts that depict the story of the birth of Jesus.

Alycia Matthews, Religious Education Leader

Whole School Colour Event - Friday 8 Dec

To celebrate the end of year and farewell our Grade 6’s, we are holding a Colour Event on Fri 8th December.

This will be a casual clothes day and children are encouraged to wear eye protection (swimming goggles work well) and a white/light coloured t-shirt to show-off the colours. Appropriate enclosed footwear must be worn.  The children, in their grade levels, will run through an obstacle type course where staff will spray Indian Holi powder on the children’s clothing.

The Holi colour powder is non-toxic, non-flammable, skin safe, biodegradable and environmentally friendly.  Made of corn starch and food grade colours, it is safe for all.

An example can be watched:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyGDsS3DzWw&feature=emb_logo

Please discuss this event with your child (perhaps watch the video together) and select the level of participation your child is comfortable with via the Connect Field request in PAM before Wednesday 29 November.

Library - End of year returns

Christmas Eve Mass & Choir

Uniform Shop & Canteen - End of year closure dates & 2024 information

Final Canteen day for 2023

Thursday 14 December

If you have any queries in relation to canteen please email canteen@stjohnskwr.catholic.edu.au

Uniform Shop 

Final Uniform Shop day for 2023 - Thursday 14 December 

Orders placed after 2pm on Thursday 14 December will be available for collection from the uniform shop on Monday 29 January between 2pm - 3:30pm (uniform shop is located in the hall).

Cut off for these orders is 12noon, Monday 29 January. 

PLEASE NOTE: This date is only for collection of orders placed over the holidays via CDFpay.

If you have any queries in relation to uniform sizing, availability of second hand uniform or need to exchange an item please email Belinda  - uniform@stjohnskwr.catholic.edu.au

Upcoming Events

OSHC (Out of School Hours Care) - Enrol now for 2024

After School Hours Care operates out of the St Johns hall before and after school.

Please contact OSHC directly for all enquiries:

• 1300 946 337
• EnrolmentsOSHC@windermere.org.au

Alternatively you can visit them in the hall before or after school to enquire. 

Note: If you are enrolled with OSHC this year you do not need to re-enrol for 2024. 

Community News - Lang Lang Soccer Club

Parish Christmas Mass Schedule

Koo Wee Rup Catholic Parishes in Partnership