St Johns Newsletter - 26 March 2025

Principals Report

Last week, the school celebrated Harmony Week, focusing on inclusiveness and respect for everyone's differences with the theme ‘Harmony - we all have a role to play’. On Monday, some students went the extra mile and wore outfits to represent a particular culture, either one they were familiar with or one that played a role in their own identity and personal story. Everyone enjoyed the ‘Dance Movies’ incursion. It was great to see students of different age groups interacting with each other. We would like to thank the students and staff from Koo Wee Rup Secondary College who visited our school and ran various cultural activities during lunchtime on Tuesday.  Later in the week, students gathered in House Groups to focus on different aspects of our multicultural community.

The Resilience Project: Building Resilience and Wellbeing in Our School Community.

We have partnered with The Resilience Project (TRP), a comprehensive mental health and wellbeing program that empowers students, staff, and families to build resilience and foster positive emotions. This evidence-based program provides our entire school community with valuable tools and strategies focused on enhancing mental health, resilience, and emotional wellbeing through practices of Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness (GEM), and emotional literacy. With engaging lessons, a comprehensive curriculum, and ongoing professional development for staff, TRP is helping us embed resilience and emotional wellbeing across our school community, building a foundation for positive, resilient growth that extends well beyond the classroom.

Parents are encouraged to extend TRP’s teachings into the home with TRP@HOME, an online platform offering activities, tips, and insights to help families integrate GEM principles into everyday life. See The Resilience Project section below for link to the Parent Hub and regular flyers.

Interschool Sports: The summer sports day, combining our Year 5 & 6 students with local schools, was a hit. Tennis, basketball, cricket and volleyball were played with friendly competition and great sportsmanship. The day was filled with fun and enjoyment, creating positive memories for all.

First Communion: Over the past month, 13 students in Yr 4 have been preparing for this sacrament. This coming Sunday, they will be receiving the sacrament of Eucharist for the first time. We congratulate them and commend them on their efforts.

Caritas and Project Compassion: Our Social Justice Leaders have been selling ‘Zooper Doopers’ in the canteen on Mondays and Thursdays to raise money for Caritas Australia. This money along with the money in the Project Compassion Boxes will help support Caritas’ outreach programs within Australia and throughout the world. Please ensure all Project Compassion donation boxes are returned to your child’s classroom before the end of Term 1.

Enrolments for 2026: After a very successful Open day we already have a large number of Foundation enrolments for 2026, if you are an existing familiy with a child to enrol we ask that you please submit your forms at your earliest convenience.

Last Day Of Term 1:  Thursday 3rd April, we will have our Easter Passion Play in the church at 11:30am. Parents and parishioners are welcome to join us. The Easter raffle will be drawn in the hall at 2:30pm - please ensure raffle tickets are returned via the classroom at your earliest convenience. Please be reminded that school finishes at normal time of 3:10pm.

Start of Term 2: A reminder that Term 2 starts for all students on Tuesday 22nd April.

Term 2 Uniform: Winter Uniform is to be worn by all students in Terms 2 & 3

It’s hard to believe that the first term has come and gone so quickly and on behalf of all the staff we hope you have a happy, holy and Easter and a safe holiday period with your families.

Chris Dortmas, Principal

Harmony Week

Religious Education News & Easter Play

As the term draws to a close, we are continuing to support Project Compassion, our Term 1 Social Justice initiative. We have received generous donations so far which has been fantastic. Donations can be brought to classrooms until Wednesday, 2nd April. To continue our support, our Social Justice Leaders are also selling icy poles on canteen days, with all proceeds going towards Project Compassion and other social justice initiatives throughout the year. Thank you for your kindness and generosity in helping those in need.

This Sunday, our Year 4 students will be receiving their First Holy Communion, a very special moment in their faith journey. Please keep them in your prayers as they take this important step. To conclude the term, our Grade 5/6 students will present the Easter Play in the Church, a cherished St John’s tradition that brings to life the events leading to Jesus’ death and resurrection. Families are warmly invited to join us for this meaningful reflection as we prepare for Easter.

Alycia Matthews, Religious Education Leader

Upcoming Dates

27/3: Grade 5/6 Class Mass @9:15am

30/3: Sacrament of Eucharist Mass @9:30am

3/4: Easter Play @11:30am

Pray Together

Free Dress Day Fri 28 Mar & easter Raffle Drawn 3 April

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

Please Note: The easter eggs/items to be donated towards raffle prizes should be handed in via your child's classroom on Free Dress day.  

The Resilience Project - Parent Hub

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:

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

St John the Baptist Catholic Parish - Easter Services Schedule

Upcoming Events

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

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. 

Koo Wee Rup Catholic Parishes in Partnership

Community News -Koo Wee Rup Netball Club Net Set Go