St Johns Newsletter - 12 March 2025

Principals Report

Last week we began the liturgical season of Lent. During this season we are called to fast, give alms (donate) and pray. As a catholic community, this is a time when we are called to grow more deeply in our relationship with Christ and reflect on our lives. This is a time for us to refocus on God’s love for us, as well as God’s call to love and serve others. 

Lent also marks the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Donations to Project Compassion allow Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to alleviate poverty, hunger, oppression and injustice. Each family has received a Project Compassion donation box. We encourage our children to consider giving up something during Lent and in turn put a monetary donation into the donation box. These boxes are collected at the end of the term.

SRC (Student Representative Council)

Congratulations to the following students recently elected as their class SRC Representatives:

3/4B - Lincoln Butera and Tiarni de Mel

3/4M - Taylor Walker and Emily Tavares

4/5D - River Price and Ashlee O’Neill

5/6G -  Mason O’Hehir and Charli Hands

5/6M - Jackson Henning and Evie Mitchell

NAPLAN: The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 students is held in March each year. This year, the NAPLAN test window is between Wednesday 12 March and Monday 24 March. A Parent Information Brochure has been provided in this newsletter.  

Harmony Week (March 17-21) focuses on inclusiveness and respect for everyone's differences with the theme 'Harmony- we all have a role to play’.

On Monday 17th, students are invited to wear traditional cultural clothing. This is a great way to share and celebrate their heritage with others.

Other activities organised for the week include;

• ‘Multicultural Moves’; dance incursion where students get to experience and learn different cultural dances
• Students for KWR Secondary College visiting to run games and activities
• Multi-age craft and fun activities

Enrolments for 2026 are now open, please see information below in regard to obtaining an enrolment pack and details of our upcoming Open Day for prospective families. A reminder that current families with siblings to enrol for 2026 should have already advised their intention to enrol - if you are yet to do this please contact the office. 

Congratulations to Bianca & Sean Deane on the safe arrival of their beautiful baby boy Finn. 

Regards

Chris Dortmas, Principal

Religious Education News

For the next few weeks, many of our Grade 4 students will be preparing for their First Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Eucharist. The Sacrament of the Eucharist is a special part of the Catholic faith, where believers receive blessed bread and wine, which represent the body and blood of Jesus. This tradition comes from the Last Supper, when Jesus shared a meal with his followers and asked them to “do this in memory of me” (Luke 22:19). For our Grade 4 students, preparing for their First Holy Communion is an important step in their faith journey. They are learning about the significance of the Eucharist, the meaning of gathering as a community for Mass, and how receiving Communion helps them grow closer to God.

In their preparation, students explore the themes of gratitude, sharing, and remembering Jesus’ teachings. They learn prayers, reflect on the importance of kindness and service, and understand how the Eucharist connects them to their faith and to others. As a school community, we keep these students in our prayers as they take this next step on Sunday 30th March.

Alycia Matthews, Religious Education Leader

Pray Together

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 are now open

Enrolment packs can be downloaded from our website (https://www.stjohnskwr.catholic.edu.au/enrolment-information/enrolments/), alternatively, 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. 

Harmony & Cultural Diversity Week

STEM - Items Request

Easter Raffle & Free Dress Day Fri 28 Mar

Easter Raffle tickets have been sent home with the eldest child in each family today, if you would like more tickets please contact the office. 

Camps, Sport & Excursions Fund (CSEF) & 2025 School Savings Bonus (SSB)

Camps, Sports & Excursions Fund (CESF)

The Camps, Sports & Excursions Fund has been introduced by the State Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.

The 2025 CSEF amount will be $154 per primary school student.

To be eligible for the fund you must be:

• A parent or legal guardian of a student enrolled at a registered Victorian school on the first day of Term two or the first day of Term Three; and
• Hold a valid means-tested concession card or be a temporary foster parent.

Application forms are available from the school office or may be downloaded via the link below
and should be lodged with the school by 22 June 2015.

2025 School Savings Bonus

The School Savings Bonus is a State Government initiative designed to assist families with cost-of-living pressures. Under this funding, each eligible student is entitled to a $400 bonus for application towards activity levies and uniform purchases from approved supplier. Within our school, all CSEF applicants are eligible to receive this funding. All families who have a Centrelink Health Care Card and have not applied for CSEF in the past are encouraged to contact the school office and initiate an application this year. Please refer to the below link for more information:

NAPLAN Parent Information Brochure

Upcoming Events

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

Parish - Healing Mass for the Sick & Health Care Workers - Sunday 6 April

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