St Johns Newsletter - 14 February 2025

Principals Report

School Review 2025: The Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Ltd (DOSCEL) in conjunction with the Department of Education (DET) conducts reviews of schools every 4-5 years. This rigorous process is conducted by the Victorian Registration & Qualifications Authority (VRQA) and the evaluation is completed with support from a DET appointed external reviewer. The school review supports each school to differentiate its improvement journey by building on current strengths and assisting it to respond to challenges. It emphasises continuous improvement and affirms that every student, no matter their background or circumstances, has a right to learn in a school committed to improvement. It maintains that every school can improve.  

The review:

• welcomes school community participation in the review
• embraces the input of experts from both within and beyond the school
• forges links between evidence, school review, and strategic and annual planning
• seeks multiple perspectives, engagement with the whole school community and openness to challenge for improvement
• celebrates strengths and achievements.

The result of this is the development of the School Strategic Plan (SSP).

Throughout Terms 1 and 2 surveys will be conducted, data collected and analysed, and school policies and procedures looked at as part of the Review process.

Next week, a letter will come home,  inviting ALL families to complete a very short, 5 min, survey about the Catholic Identity of our school.

 If you have any questions about this process please feel free to contact me via the School Office.

A reminder that students are not to arrive at school before 8.30am each morning. We have before/after school care (OSHC) available on site for families who need to drop students earlier or collect them later in the afternoons.

Afternoon School Pick-up: Safety & Blocking of Streets: Please note that of an afternoon the car park gates open at 3:00pm. Therefore for the safety and consideration of those using the streets neighbouring the school, parents are reminded NOT to queue up waiting for the gates to open. Please park, then make your way AFTER 3:00pm when the gates open. Cardinia Shire Council have been made aware of the issue.

Also please ensure a safe speed is maintained within the carpark area to ensure the safety of all families. 

Professional Development & Closure Days for 2025: Ongoing Professional Development and Planning is vital for staff as it allows time to improve our knowledge and also reflect on current practice and trends in education. Throughout 2024 we will have a number of Professional Development (PD) days focusing on improving our teaching and learning. Under our enterprise bargaining agreement for teachers we also have a number of closure days classified as ‘Time in Lieu (TIL)’ for school staff.  Please note the following pupil free days in your calendars:

• Term 1: 
• Tue 11 Mar - Student Free Day (PD)
• Fri 4 Apr - Student Free Day (PD)
• Term 2 
• Mon 19 May - Student Free Day (PD)
• Fri 6 Jun - School Closure Day (TIL)
• Fri 4 Jul - Student Free Day (PD)
• Term 3 
• Mon 21 Jul - Student Free Day (PD)
• Wed 30 Jul - Student Free Day (PD)
• Wed 27 Aug - School Closure Day (TIL)
• Term 4 
• Mon 3 Nov - School Closure Day (TIL)
• Fri 19 Dec - Student Free Day (PD)

Parent Teacher Interviews: On Tuesday 18th and Thursday 27 February, we will be holding 10 minute ‘Meet the teacher’ interviews with parents/carers. This time will be an opportunity for you to meet your child’s teacher/s, discuss how they have settled in and share information about your child that you think will assist their teacher to support them throughout the year..

Bookings via PAM are now open, please ensure bookings are made at your earliest convenience before Monday 17 February. 

Regards 

Chris Dortmas, Principal

Religious Education News

This term, students across all year levels have been deepening their understanding of prayer as part of their Religious Education learning. Our junior students have been exploring the actions and meaning behind prayer, practising the Sign of the Cross, and learning that prayer is a way to communicate with God. They have also been reflecting on the words of our school song, considering how its message connects to their faith and daily life. Meanwhile, middle and senior students have been discovering the many ways to pray, engaging in prayer through song, meditation, and quiet reflection. These experiences help students develop a personal connection to God and recognise prayer as an important part of their faith journey.

This focus on prayer aligns with our Religious Education Curriculum: To Live in Christ Jesus. Across all year levels, students are learning that prayer is a vital expression of faith and can take many forms. By exploring different ways to pray, they are growing in their understanding of how to develop a meaningful prayer life both in school and beyond. We encourage families to continue these conversations at home, sharing moments of prayer together as a way to nurture faith as a family.

Alycia Matthews, Religious Education Leader

Upcoming Dates

13/2: Grade 3/4 Class Mass @9:15am

18/2: Sacramental Information Night at St James Nar Nar Goon @5:30pm (all families with students undertaking a Sacrament this year)

27/2: Grade F/1/2 Class Mass @9:15am 

Pray Together

Upcoming Events

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

St Johns Open Day - 2026 Enrolments

Families wanting to enrol for 2026 are invited to attend our Open Day to discover more about our wonderful school.

Enrolments will be open from Wednesday 19 February - enrolment packs can be obtained from the office or our website after this date.

If you would like an enrolment pack sent home please call the office or email office@stjohnskwr.catholic.edu.au to request this, interviews will commence towards the end of Term 1 following reciept of completed enrolment documentation. 

CANTEEN / NEW CDFpay App

Our canteen will operate on Mondays & Thursdays this year - any canteen closure days will be advised in the newsletter or via the Schoolzine App. 

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 as soon as possible.  

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).

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

To enrol in OSHC please use the online enrolment form below: 

Enrolment Form

For all other information in regard to OSHC please follow the link below to their website: 

Out of School Hours Care | Windermere

Alternatively you can visit them in the hall before or after school to enquire. 

St Francis Xavier College - Open Day 22 March 2025

Koo Wee Rup Catholic Parishes in Partnership