St Johns Newsletter - 3 September 2025

Principals Report

Book Week, one of our favourite times of the year.  This was a fantastic opportunity to promote the joy and importance of reading across our school community. We held our parade on the asphalt, with many families watching on. Students dressed as their favourite character from a book; and it was wonderful to see some very imaginative costumes; from our staff as well!

Two weeks ago, over 30 of our Year 3-6 students participated in the District Athletics at Casey Fields. Their attitude, competitiveness and behaviour were admirable. Our students managed some outstanding performances, and many have progressed to the next level, Division Athletics. Thank you to the teachers, staff and volunteers who assisted on the day and to the families in attendance who offered our students their support and encouragement. We placed 3rd overall. 

Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week will be celebrated from Monday 1 September to Friday 5 September. This is the perfect time to celebrate the wonderful work our teacher aides do in school. A huge thanks to; Megan, Eileen, Wendy, Tamara, Mel and Mel, Belinda and Chloe. We are truly blessed to have such dedicated, skilled and caring Learning Support Officers.  

Today we commenced 2 days of School Review. All Catholic schools undertake a review process every 4 years. The process allows the school to highlight the priorities and practices that support student outcomes through school improvement and effectiveness while highlighting areas for celebration and areas of opportunity.  Reviewers meet with all staff, students from all levels and a representation of parents. This evidenced-based process/framework is designed:

1. to assist schools and teachers to improve student outcomes
2. to satisfy legitimate expectations of government and sector authorities. (policies, processes, child safety)

National Child Protection Week 2025 is being held from Sunday, 7 September to Saturday, 13 September, with the theme "Every conversation matters: Shifting Conversation to Action". Led by NAPCAN, the campaign encourages all Australians to move beyond discussions about child safety to taking meaningful, protective actions within communities, families, and workplaces to ensure a fair go for every child. At St John’s, we take our responsibility in this area very seriously with many procedures, processes and policies focused solely on Child Safety.Finally, Happy Father's Day to all the fathers and father figures out there! Fathers play a vital role in their children's lives. Every word, every action, and every expression is an example for their children to follow. We hope that on Sunday, you have a moment where the love of your children is clear to see. It might be the smile on their face, the look in their eye, or the hug they give you. It might even be that they laugh at your dad jokes.

Regards 

Chris Dortmans, Principal

Religious Education News

Last week the Junior classes celebrated a beautiful Mass with the focus on Creation. Fr Stanly from Leongatha led the Mass. He shared a fact about how these birds work together to trick earth worms to think it is raining to draw them to the surface. His deeper message held 3 points;

1. God made our world in ways that are mysterious, but we know that His providence keeps everything in existence.
2. Of all creation, human beings have a special place and are called to a special relationship with God.
3. We do not take our world for granted but we respect it.

This week we celebrated Fathers at our whole school Mass.  We gathered to honor the fathers and male role models in our lives. Just as God, a loving father, sent His son to show His love to the world, we acknowledged and celebrated all the men who play a fatherly or paternal role in our lives. These are the men who teach, guide, and walk with us on our daily journeys. They are the ones who care for us, nurture us, and lift us up when we need help.

Pray Together

The Resilience Project - R U OK? Day

R U OK? 

WEAR A SPLASH OF YELLOW! 

Thursday 11 September is R U OK? Day, but we know that whether it’s a friend, family member, partner, or colleague , the people around us go through life’s ups and downs every day. That’s why we want everyone to feel confident to check in with the people they care about and ask R U OK? Any Day.

Research found that those who are regularly asked, 'are you OK?' report increased feelings of wellbeing, and we've learned that a third of Australians say they've been asking others more often over the past year . That means many of us are already showing up for others in meaningful ways! 

At St John’s, we will be acknowledging R U OK? Day by welcoming Carp Productions into our school to perform ‘Proud to be Me’, a play about confidence, self-esteem and accepting differences in ourselves and others. Teachers will also be planning wellbeing activities in their classrooms throughout the day - and remember, wear a splash of yellow!

Bike & E-Scooter Safety - Victoria Police

Upcoming Events

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

Uniform Ordering - Beleza

St Johns uniform is sold through Beleza both in their Pakenham store and online - see links below for online shop  or shop location/contact details. 

Koo Wee Rup Catholic Parishes in Partnership

OSHC (Out of School Hours Care) & School Holiday Program

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 via this link:  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