St Johns Newsletter - 5 January 2024

Principals Report

Dear Parents/Carers

2024 has been a remarkable year marked by significant opportunities for our students. We commend our students for their diligent efforts and the strong bonds they have cultivated at St John's.

Recently, we celebrated the achievements of our Year 6 cohort. As they embark on their secondary school journey, we wish them continued success. The Colour Event and Guard of Honour were a touching farewell, acknowledging their valuable contributions to our school community.

Congratulations to the following students who received Graduation Awards: 

• St John the Baptist Citizenship Award : Ranit Timothy
• Fr Flynn Memorial Scholarship: Agilan Sureshkumar
• Sportsmanship Awards: Corey Miller & Lyla Hancock
• St John the Baptist Awards:  Summer Kenneth & Jena Chol
• Men’s Shed Encouragement Award: Liam Mackenzie
• St John the Baptist Academic Award:  Sebastian Mulhall
• St Sofia Committee Awards: Chloe Bertuna & Antonio Pace

I extend my heartfelt thanks to the dedicated members and volunteers of the Friends of St John’s. Your unwavering support has been instrumental in creating a vibrant and enriching learning environment for our students. Dusk Crowley, your leadership this year has been amazing.

To all staff, thank you for providing the safe and inclusive learning environment and innovative programs for our students – be it academic, sporting, the 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 2025

• F: Raelee Browning (4 days) Nicola Finch (1 day)
• F: Bianca Deane (3 days) Bernadette Hance (2 days) 
• 1/2: Daniel Stark
• 1/2: Erin Bolton (3 days) Lisa Banjac (2 days),
• 3/4: Brooke Baker (3 days) Anna Hughes (2 days)
• 3/4: Alycia Matthews (4 Days) Simone Vanderputt (1 day)
• 4/5: Olivia Dunkley (4 days) Peta Barnett (1 day )
• 5/6: Crystal Meyer
• 5/6: Jess Gridley (3 days) Rhiannon McFarlane (2 Days)

Leadership

• Principal:  Chris Dortmans
• Deputy:  Jacki Taylor (Teaching and Learning)
• Religion Leader: Alycia Matthews
• Learning Adjustment: Jacki Taylor
• Leaders of Learning: Brooke Baker, Rhiannon McFarlane

Specialists

• Physical Education: Jess Gridley
• Italian: Simone Vanderputt   
• Visual Arts: Lisa Banjac   
• Performing Arts: Rhiannon McFarlane    
• Catholic Identity: 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 

Again I’d like to welcome Crystal Meyer and Nicola Finch to our staff next year.  

Crystal is returning to Koo Wee Rup after 12 months in Queensland. Prior to 2024, Crystal taught at KWR Secondary College.  She brings great experience and knowledge which will complement our current staff.

Nicola has spent 2024 teaching in a casual role and previously taught at a number of Catholic Schools in the area. With many years of experience behind her, Nicola is a great asset to our school.

We're sad to say goodbye to two wonderful members of our teaching staff, Sarah and Georgia. Their dedication, passion, and positive energy have made a significant impact on our school community.  We wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

We also farewell a number of families who are moving from St John’s. We wish them all the best in their new schools and adventures.

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.

Students in Grades 1 to 6 commence on Wednesday 29th January 2025 and students in Foundation commence on Thursday 30th January 2025.

We hope you all had a Merry Christmas & wish you a Happy New Year. 

Sincerely

Chris Dortmans, Principal

Uniform Shop - ordering from Beleza

Uniform Shop 

A reminder that our onsite uniform shop has closed and all uniform ordering is now available via Beleza in Pakenham (both instore & online).

Please see attached information (this has also been emailed to all families).

NEW CDFpay App - action required

St Johns will now use CDFpay powered by Flexischools for all canteen ordering and all fundraising/event purchases. 

Please ensure you delete your old link to the CDFpay site and download the new App (instructions below) to ensure you are set up for the begining of the school year. 

Friends of St Johns Welcome Picnic - Save the date - Friday 7 February

Details to come. 

Upcoming Events

Upcoming events shows events for the next 4 weeks, for events further ahead please see the calendar in PAM. 

Koo Wee Rup Catholic Parishes in Partnership