St Johns Newsletter - 13 December 2023

Principals Report

Dear Parents/Carers

2023 has been a fantastic year full of opportunity for our students, which will be celebrated at our End of Year Mass on Thursday.  While the holidays are just a few days away, the learning hasn’t stopped. Our students continue to work hard and have fun right to the last day. Our junior students have been writing about their Elf on the Shelf each day, and our Year 3 to 5 students have been practising their carol singing - unfortunately our visit to Koo Wee Rup Regional Health has been cancelled due to thunderstorms and the power outage, we will video the performance to share with the residents. 

We congratulate our Students for the tremendous effort you have all put into your learning and friendships at St John’s this year. 

Last week we farewelled our Year 6 students, we wish them all the best for secondary school. The Colour Event and Guard of Honour created a fitting end to their time at St John’s and a way to thank them for the contributions they’ve made to our school community. 

Congratulations to the following students who received Graduation Awards: 

St John the Baptist Citizenship Award : Indie Meyer

Sportsmanship Awards : Bradley Thurling & Lucy Banks

St John the Baptist Awards:  Indiana Maloney & Oscar Wilson

Men’s Shed Encouragement Award: Alex Elliott

St John the Baptist Academic Award:  Xanthe Parker

St Sofia Committee Awards: Charlotte Hughes & Lacey Hester

Thank you to the Friends of St John’s members and volunteers  for your involvement across many aspects of the school. You continue to support our school, staff, families and the broader community. I’d particularly like to thank Dusk Crowley for leading our Friends of S Johns this year. 

To all staff, thank you for providing the safe and inclusive learning environment and innovative programs for our students – be it academic, sporting, the creative arts, extra curricula or simply fun and laughter. You have continued to support our students as they become increasingly self-motivated learners and confident and creative individuals.

Staffing 2024

F: Mrs Chantelle Walsh

F/1: Mrs Bianca Deane (3 days) Mrs Bernadette Hance (2 days) 

1/2: Mrs Olivia Dunkley (4 days) Miss Raelee Browning (1 day)

2: Mrs Erin Bolton (3 days) Mrs Rhiannon McFarlane (2 days),

3/4: Mrs Brooke Baker (4 days) Mrs Lisa Banjac (1 day)

3/4: Miss Jess Gridley (3 days) Mrs Anna Hughes (2 Days)

4/5: Mrs Sarah Manelski (4 days) Mrs Lisa Banjac (1 day )

5/6: Mr Daniel Stark

5/6: Mrs Alycia Matthews (4 Days) Miss Raelee Browning (1 day)

Leadership

Principal:  Chris Dortmans

Deputy: Mrs Jacki Taylor (Teaching and Learning)

Religion Leader: Alycia Matthews

Learning Adjustment: Jacki Taylor

Leaders of Learning: Sarah Manelski, Rhiannon McFarlane

Physical Education: Jess Gridley Italian: Simone Vanderputt   

Media Arts: Simone Vanderputt    Performing Arts: Rhiannon McFarlane    

Catholic Identity: Mrs Bernadette Hance  

Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM): Rebecca Taylor

Library Technician: Megan Briganti

Support Staff:

Wendy DeGroot                     Eileen Crowley                       Melinda Hunt                 

Sharlyene McDonald           Melinda Neill                         Belinda Scamporlino

Megan Briganti                     Tamara Durrington             Bill Van Diemen

Di O’Hehir                               Nancy Rintoule

We welcome Lisa Banjac to our staff next year. Lisa has been working at St James Nar Nar Goon in various roles for a number of years. She brings great experience and knowledge which will complement our current staff.

We farewell a number of families who are moving from St Johns and also welcome families commencing at St Johns.

And finally, thank you to all our parents and carers for supporting your child/ren’s learning.  I hope everyone has a safe, holy and happy Christmas and New Year and I look forward to working with you again next year.

Regards

Chris Dortmans, Principal

Religious Education News

As part of our learning and preparation for the Advent season, classes are including a focus on Social Justice. Students are being asked to think about other children and families in our community and those who may not be as fortunate as they are. This Christmas we are once again supporting the St Vincent de Paul Society’s Christmas Festive Food Hampers. This week, we are seeking donations of non-perishable food items and toiletries. Each class has a donation basket for items to collect. We thank you for your generous support.

This Thursday we will be holding our whole school End of Year Mass. This is a lovely opportunity for our school community to come together to celebrate the year and the Advent season before Christmas. All are welcome to attend, we hope to see many families there.

Alycia Matthews, Religious Education Leader

Upcoming dates

Thursday 14/12: Whole school End of Year Mass (all welcome)

Pray Together

Dear Lord,

As we approach the Advent season and reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ, we come to you with hearts full of gratitude. We seek your guidance in this time of joy and celebration, that we may be filled with hope.

In this time of Advent, may we be kind to others, just like Jesus taught us. Help us share joy and love with our friends, family, and everyone we meet. Guide us to be patient and caring, showing others your love through our actions.

As we light our Advent candles, let their brightness remind us that Jesus is the light of the world. Help us see this light in the smiles of others and in the love we share.

May each family draw near to You this season as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. May peace reign in our homes and throughout our school community.

Amen

St Vincent de Paul - Tinnies for Vinnies

Upcoming Events

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

Christmas Eve Mass & Choir

Friends of St Johns - Stuck on You Affiliate Program/Fundraising - coming soon!

The Friends of St Johns are partnering with Stuck on You to provide parents with a great option for labelling of students clothes, containers, drink bottles etc!! 

We are waiting for some updates to be finalised with the Stuck on You Affiliate Program so we can provide a code so parents can support the Friends of St Johns when placing your order. 

Once we have the code we will share full details via Seesaw and the newsletter. 

Community News - Catani Cricket Blast & Lang Lang Soccer Club

Parish Christmas Mass Schedule

Koo Wee Rup Catholic Parishes in Partnership