St Johns Newsletter - 26 June 2024

Principals Report

Dear Parents

The Blessing and official opening of the Senior Learning Area and Library last week was a wonderful event. In attendance was Paul Velten, Director of Catholic Education, Martin Dixon, Board of Directors DOSCEL, Matthew Smith (Corsier Scott Architects), Charles Bisignano (Builders) as well as Justin Greenwood, Principal at St Angela of the Cross and former Principal of St John the Baptist. The official guests were joined by members of our parish, parents and of course our staff and students. 

The ceremony was led by Fr Avinash and beautifully captured the spirit and essence of the St John the Baptist community. A particular highlight was the heartfelt singing by our students throughout the ceremony. It is a credit to our wonderful staff who work hard to prepare the students for such events. 

Congratulations to Chris Dortmans, who worked hard to organise the opening along with Di O’Hehir, Alycia Matthews and the Friends of St John for putting together such a memorable occasion.

St John the Baptist Feast Day: A reminder that we will be celebrating St John the Baptist Feast Day tomorrow (Thursday 27 June)  with a Whole School Mass at 9:15am, families are invited to attend. Students will also be provided a sausage sizzle lunch as part of our celebrations. The canteen will be closed on this day.

End of Term2/Start of Term 3: A reminder that Term 2 finishes on Thursday 27 June at 3:10pm. Friday 28 June and Monday 15 July are student free days for the purpose of staff Professional Development. Term 3 will commence for students on Tuesday 16 July. 

Parent Teacher Interviews are scheduled for Tuesday 23 July from 12:30pm to 7:00pm, this is a fantastic opportunity to touch base with your child’s teacher to ensure their learning is on track for the remainder of the year. Please note: This is a student free day. Further information will be provided over the holidays via email in regard to bookings.  

As it is the end of Term Two, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our teachers, LSOs and Administration staff for the dedication they show to our school community. The everyday learning and the extracurricular activities are possible due to the well oiled organisational machine that runs like clockwork. Sometimes there is a spanner thrown in the works, but most of the time things run quite smoothly. We appreciate the wonderful support of you, our parents, and wish you all a safe and enjoyable holiday break.

Regards 

Jacki Taylor, Acting Principal

Blessing & Opening Photos

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Religious Education News

St John the Baptist's Feast Day, celebrated on June 24th, is a special time in our Catholic tradition and for our school. St. John the Baptist was a key figure who prepared the way for Jesus and baptised him. His strong faith and humility are qualities we aim to nurture in our students.  

For our school community, St John the Baptist is a wonderful example of integrity and spiritual commitment. His life teaches the importance of being selfless, humble, and brave enough to stand up for the truth. As our students grow and develop their own faith, St John's story can inspire them to make good choices, uphold strong values, and build a deeper relationship with God. Learning about his life encourages our students to be resilient, serve others with kindness, and lead by example in their everyday lives.

We are celebrating our Feast Day as a school tomorrow, Thursday 27th June, with a special Mass and activities in our House groups.

Upcoming dates

Thursday 27th June: St John the Baptist Feast Day Mass @9:15am

Pray Together

World Religion Fair - Thu 27 June 2:15 - 2:45PM

SchoolTV - NIADOC Week

SPECIAL REPORT: Celebrating NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is celebrated by all Australians and is a great opportunity to recognise and learn more about the history and culture of indigenous communities.

NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced back to the Aboriginal rights movement, when on Australia Day 1938, protestors marched through the streets of Sydney to highlight the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Today, it is a week-long celebration held in July that consists of range of traditional and contemporary activities.

NAIDOC Week is an important event that helps build positive relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. It enables a deeper understanding of our differences and similarities. NAIDOC week is an opportunity for all Australians to eliminate bias and discrimination by reflecting and reconciling the wrongs of the past to facilitate hope and build a fairer future. Families are encouraged to join in and support young people in learning the significance of NAIDOC Week.

This Special Report offers suggestions on how families can celebrate NAIDOC Week together. We hope you take a moment to reflect on the information offered, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the wellbeing of your child, please seek medical or professional help.

https://stjohnskwr.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-celebrating-naidoc-week

Upcoming Events

Koo Wee Rup Catholic Parishes in Partnership

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.