St Johns Newsletter - 23 April 2025

Principals Report

Dear Parents/Carers, 

Welcome back to the beginning of another term. I hope everyone had a relaxing holiday and enjoyable Easter. We have a busy term ahead of us, it is packed full of learning and events within the school and in the wider community. With this in mind, please be aware of the calendar in PAM (Parent Access Module) and action any permissions required in a timely manner. 

Easter: We concluded last term with the ‘Passion Play’ highlighting the events of Holy Week from Palm Sunday up to Good Friday. Thank you to the Yr 5/6 students for leading such a respectful and reverent reflection.  Yesterday, we gathered again as a school to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday.  The choir rendition of ‘Hallelujah’ was very moving.

Music before the Bell: This music, which is played for 3 minutes before each bell, has been a great success in reminding and allowing children time to finish playing, get a drink etc and line-up ready to go into class. I now encourage parents to support their child’s independence and, in the mornings, use this ‘Music Time’ to quickly say goodbye and make their way back to their cars.

Uniform: A reminder that Winter Uniform is to be worn by all students in Terms 2 & 3. 

ANZAC Day: On Friday, our school captains Tony and Evie, will lay a wreath on behalf of our St Johns to comemorate the fallen soldiers. The dawn service march at Koo Wee Rup commences at 5:45am from the end of the avenue of honour.

House Cross Country: Monday 28th April: Students come to school in their SPORT UNIFORM and may wear something to represent their House Colours (ie House colour T-shirt, socks, hair ties etc). Parents are welcome to attend. Please see further information below. 

Caritas: Project Compassion: Thank you to our school community for your support of Project Compassion again this year. If you still have Project Compassion Boxes at home please return them this week.

School Photos are on Wednesday 30th April, please note the information below in regard to uniform, hair, ordering and arrival at school on the day in the School Photo section below. 

Mother’s Day Events: Our Mother’s Day events are a highlight of the St John's calendar every year, please see details of our Mothers Day Stall, Breakfast and Liturgy below and ensure you register for the breakfast by the required date.

Regards 

Chris Dortmans, Principal

Religious Education News

This year, the Catholic Church is celebrating a special event called the Year of Jubilee, a time of renewal, joy, and growing closer to God. Jubilees have been celebrated for centuries as a way for people to reflect on their faith, seek forgiveness, and share hope with others. The theme for this Jubilee year is Pilgrims of Hope, reminding us that we are all on a journey of faith, walking together with trust in God’s love and mercy.

At our school, we will be exploring the theme of Pilgrims of Hope in our classrooms, helping students understand what it means to live with hope and share kindness in their daily lives. Through scripture, prayer, and creative activities, students will reflect on how they can be a source of hope to others. Later this term, we will join in the wider celebrations of Catholic Education Week, marking this special Jubilee year with special activities and prayerful gatherings. We look forward to sharing this journey of faith and hope with our school community throughout the year.

Alycia Matthews, Religious Education Leader

Upcoming Dates

1/5: Whole school Beginning of Term Mass @9:15am

9/5: Mother’s Day Liturgy @9:15am

Pray Together

House Cross Country - Monday 28 April

School Photos - Wednesday 30 Arpil

Photo Day reminders: 

• Uniform to be worn on the day - we ask that ALL students wear Winter uniform with jumpers/bomber jackets. Note: NO SPORTS UNIFORM TO BE WORN ON THIS DAY. 
• Grade 6 Students should wear their Grade 6 top. 
• Hair - should be neat and tied up as per school requirements. (Hair accessories to be school colours only)
• Photos will commence from 9am  - please ensure children arrive at school prior to the 8:50am bell to allow for smooth organisation of the day. 
• Order flyers were sent home prior to the school holidays - if you have misplaced this you can search your childs order code on the Schoolpix Website - first log in/register, select school photos then use the search student function. 
• PLEASE NOTE: ORDERING IS ONLINE ONLY.  

Parent Information Night - Junior School

CANTEEN - CLOSED Thurs 24 April

Our canteen will operate on Mondays & Thursdays this term commencing on Monday 28 April. 

Mother's Day Breakfast & Liturgy - Fri 9 May

Mother's Day Stall - Thurs 8 May & Raffle

The Resilience Project - Parent Hub & TRP@Home

TRP@Home - Scan the QR code below to access

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:

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

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. 

Community News