St Johns Newsletter - 9 October 2024

Principals Report

Welcome back to Term 4, I hope you had a wonderful holiday spent with family and friends. Fourth term is very busy and this year is no exception! Please make sure to read the newsletter and check the calendar in PAM for event details etc.

We congratulate Daniel Stark on his recent wedding. We wish Daniel and Lauren lots of love and happiness.

At the end of last term, Hugh Quinn and Mackenna Barker participated in the Lion’s Club Junior Public Speaking Competition. They can both be very proud of their presentations. After winning in his age group, Hugh will be competing in the Regional Competition this evening. We wish him the best of luck.

Summer uniform/hats compulsory: It is now compulsory for all children to wear a broad brimmed hat when outdoors during school activities. Please ensure your child has their own clearly named school hat at all times, children without hats will play in shaded areas. 

Our Grade 2 students are looking forward to their Evening at School tomorrow and Activity Day on Friday, please see PAM for full details. 

SOCKTOBER  is our Social Justice focus for October. Socktober is an initiative of Catholic Mission and one way our school can fundraise and engage in supporting Catholic Mission during World Mission Month in October. Classes are invited to fill a sock with loose change during the month of October and Monday 14th October is Crazy Sock Day (gold coin donation) - see flyer below for full details. 

Marching: During October, we will be practising in preparation for our annual House Marching Competition held on Grandparents’ Day, 8th November. Coordination and timing are key, so be prepared for a lot of ‘left, right, left’.

October also sees the start of our Foundation Transition/Orientation program. Our program is designed to introduce next year’s Foundation children to the classroom environment, our staff and learning programs in a fun and exciting way. Children get the opportunity to attend classes and actively participate in learning activities. Our first session is on Monday 14th October, commencing at 2pm - full details were sent to families in September. Please contact the office if you have any queries. 

Our whole school musical (Alice in Wonderland JR.) is fast approaching, families have received information in regard to the event, costume requirements and permissions have been requested via PAM. Tickets are selling fast, make sure you secure tickets if you haven’t already! If you have any queries please contact the office. 

Regards

Chris Dortmans, Principal

Religious Education News

Crazy Sock Day for Socktober
Next Monday is our annual Crazy Sock Day, a Social Justice initiative to support Socktober and Catholic Mission. On this day, students are invited to wear their craziest, most colourful socks as a fun accessory to their regular school uniform. In exchange, we ask that students bring a gold coin donation to help raise funds for Catholic Mission’s work supporting those in need. This is a wonderful way for our school community to live out our social justice values and show kindness to others. In class over the next few weeks, students will be learning about Catholic Mission and how they support communities around the world. Thank you for your support. For more information on Catholic Mission and Socktober, visit https://www.catholicmission.org.au/ and https://www.socktober.org.au/ 

Sacrament of Reconciliation
This term, our Grade 3 students will be preparing for and receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This is a very special time as students experience God's love and forgiveness in a profound way. Reconciliation, allows us to reflect on our choices, seek forgiveness for our sins, and be reconciled with God and the community. It is an important step in their faith journey, and we are proud to support our students as they grow in their understanding of this beautiful sacrament. Please keep our Grade 3 students in your prayers during this sacred time.

Upcoming dates

14/10 Crazy Sock Day

20/10 Sacrament of Reconciliation Commitment Mass @9:30am

24/10 Sacrament of Reconciliation Workshop (Sacrament students and their families) @6pm

Pray Together

Crazy Sock Day - Monday 14 October

Whole School Musical - Wed 30 Oct, Bunjil Place, Narre Warren

Students are very excited for production and tickets are selling fast!! (Ticket link was emailed to families on 3 Oct)

Upcoming Events

Uniform Shop & Canteen

Canteen

Canteen operates on Monday and Thursday, orders are via CDFpay and close at 8:45am on canteen days (late orders cannot be accepted). 

Uniform Shop 

Uniform orders are processed on Monday & Thursday, orders must be placed by 2pm on these days via CDFpay.   For exchanges or general enquiries in regard to sizing, second hand uniform etc please email Belinda:  uniform@stjohnskwr.catholic.edu.au 

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.