St Johns Newsletter - 17 April 2024

Principals Report

Dear Parents/Carers

Welcome back to Term 2! It was fantastic to see so many smiling faces on day one and hearing about the wonderful holiday break families had. This term is an eleven week term, and like every other term, there is a lot going on within the school.  Already we have school photos tomorrow and house cross-country next week. Please check the school calendar and keep an eye out for other correspondence throughout the term. 

Over the holidays we had some maintenance work completed around the school. The installation of the Buddy Seat, top-dressing areas on and around the ovals, and drainage and soft-fall added around the tank area. There are still some things to be completed throughout the term.

I would like to welcome Melanie Leighton to St John’s who is completing her counselling course workplace training with us. Melanie will be working with our wellbeing team on Mondays. 

Toys at school: We have noticed a sudden increase in toys, stuffed animals and collector cards appearing both in the classroom and outside at recess. These items often become a source of conflict or upset because they get lost, damaged or borrowed. Please support our efforts by checking your child’s backpack to ensure these items stay at home.

When it comes to ‘Show and Share’ items, please ensure their appropriateness, and remind your child that they are not to be taken outside at school.

Uniform: A reminder that all students are required to wear the correct uniform at all times. We take pride in our school and wearing the uniform correctly is a way of displaying this to others. If your child needs to be out of uniform for any reason, a written note to their teacher is required.

Some things to note in relation to uniform::

• Students are not permitted to wear makeup of any description or nail polish. 
• Jewellery other than small, plain stud or sleeper earrings is not permitted. 
• Hair accessories must be in school colours. (Blue and Yellow)  
• Sport Uniform - Is only to be worn on sport days or for excursions as advised in the excursion information. Any runners can be worn in conjunction with sports uniform.
• Shoes - Black leather shoes or fully black leather runners (no platform soles & no mesh runners). 

Labelling of uniform - Please ensure uniform items have your childs name written clearly on the label (especially for jumpers) - this allows them to be returned to your child when they are misplaced. 

School Photos tomorrow: Please see information below in regard to photo day, uniform requirements and ordering. 

ANZAC Day: Our school captains will represent St Johns at the KooWeeRup RSL ANZAC Day Service, please see flyer below for details of the service. As a school we will reflect on ANZAC Day at our assembly on Friday 26 April. A small supply of badges are available to purchase from the office. 

Enrolments for 2025: Enrolments for 2025 are now open, enrolment packs are available from the office, can be downloaded from our website or emailed upon request.  For all enrolment enquiries please call the office or email enrolments@stjohnskwr.catholic.edu.au 

We would like to wish Chantelle Walsh (FW) good health while she and Brendan await the arrival of their first child later this year.

Regards

Chris Dortmans, Principal

Religious Education News

This term in Religious Education our students are exploring the theme of ‘Belonging’. This theme focuses not only our connection to God but also our place within the Catholic community and the wider world.

Students will be learning about celebrations in the Church, in particular the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation. Through learning about these Sacraments, we deepen our sense of belonging to the Church and understand how we can experience the grace of God's love in profound ways.

In addition to this, we will also focus on the Catholic Social Teachings. These teachings guide us in understanding our responsibility to care for one another and our planet. This term, students will explore these through our St John’s WALK Expectations, integrating them into our daily life and interactions. Through these experiences, our students will not only learn about belonging in a spiritual sense but also how we are called to actively contribute to a more just and compassionate world.

Alycia Matthews, Religious Education Leader

Upcoming datesFriday 10/5: Mother’s Day Liturgy @9.15am

Pray Together

School Photos - Thur 18 April

House Cross Country - Wed 24 April

St Francis Xavier College - Advanced Academic Achievement Program

Uniform Shop & Canteen

Canteen

Our canteen is open on Mondays and Thursdays, all orders must be placed via CDFpay prior to 8:45am on canteen days. Please Note: Late orders cannot be accepted. If you have any queries in relation to canteen please email canteen@stjohnskwr.catholic.edu.au

Uniform Shop 

A reminder that Terms 2 & 3 require all students to wear Winter Uniform.

Uniform orders are processed on Monday & Thursday, orders must be placed by 2pm on these days via CDFpay (uniform shop is online only please follow the link above to access CDFpay). 

For exchanges or general enquiries in regard to sizing, second hand uniform etc please email Belinda:  uniform@stjohnskwr.catholic.edu.au Exchanges: After emailing the details of your exchange requirements please drop the item at the office with your name attached, exchanges will be processed on the next uniform shop day. Please note: All items being exchanged MUST be unwashed with tags still attached. 

Koo Wee Rup Catholic Parishes in Partnership

Upcoming Events

OSHC (Out of School Hours Care)

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. 

Community News - RSL ANZAC Day, 1st KWR Scout Group & Lang Lang Soccer

Container Deposit Scheme

St Johns has registered to fundraise through the Victorian Container Deposit Scheme. 

If you wish to donate your refund to the school please either: 

• Search for -St Johns School Koo Wee Rup, or
• Use the code above