Dear St John the Apostle families,

It's beginning to feel like the end of winter as the days get brighter and a little longer. When I first moved to Canberra from Adelaide, a little over 20 years ago, it was the middle of winter. I still find winter temperatures a little challenging and can't believe how much children in Canberra seem to not feel the cold!

School Uniform

Our positive behaviour focus this week has been 'wear the correct school uniform'. I spoke to all our students about why we have a school uniform and it's importance. I spoke about how:

• It is one of the ways we show we belong to our St John the Apostle community. Both uniforms, with the school crest, remind us of the friends, the community and the values we all share. 
• The uniform means we don't need to get up in the morning and worry about what we must wear. We don't have to buy a whole lot of other clothes. We know exactly what we need to put on, which is much less stressful for everyone.
• A uniform means we all wear the same clothes and nobody needs to worry about what they look like. We are all equal.
• The uniform items are designed to be durable and long lasting and meet the needs of students in a school setting. They can survive the activity of school life and still look smart.
• They are a sustainable approach to clothing. Having a shared uniform results in items being passed on between family and friends or through the clothing pool, reducing the need to produce more and more new items.

There are so many good reasons for having a school uniform. We wear it with pride and a sense of belonging. Sometimes we need to clear up confusion among students about what items they need to be wearing. We will always do this quietly, with respect, and chat to parents, the people responsible for organising their child's uniform. We're always happy to help families who need any assistance in this area and our volunteers in the Uniform Shop are simply amazing!

Thank you to all of our families who help their child wear the correct school uniform each day. It makes a big difference to their child's sense of belonging and comfort at school.

Chief Health Officer's Message

Dr Kerryn Coleman, the ACT Chief Health Officer, has written to all school communities about the anticipated impacts of COVID-19 during this school term and provided advice on how families can assist in minimising and managing any spread of COVID-19 in schools. It is accompanied by a short video. Dr Coleman has always provided very sound and reasonable advice to the ACT Community. Please take a moment to read and listen to Dr Coleman's messages.

You can read the letter here.

Camp Cancellations Feedback

I've had a little feedback expressing concerns over the camp cancellations occurring this term. I perfectly understand students' disappointment, though they all took the news very, very well. They are a very resilient group of students and almost knew that this might happen. It has also been a little confusing to watch SFX Year 7 students still go on camp this week after we have cancelled ours.

Please know that there is no joy at all in cancelling camps. It is never an easy decision.

When Catholic Education, in supporting schools to manage COVID-19 exposure and staff shortages, directed schools to cancel camps for Term 3, some schools found themselves in a position where they had a camp organised in the first two weeks. For these schools there was significant financial commitment already in place, as well as the emotional commitment by students and staff for an event just days away. It was then determined that these camps could go ahead, to reduce the financial and emotional impact on schools and families, but with significant COVID safe practices in place.

We are not in the same position regarding financial impact. While I share the disappointment of having to cancel a camp (as I looked forward to going as well) please know we are working hard to develop an alternative opportunity for students prior to the end of the year either through rescheduling, adjusting or replacing the event.

Congratulations Uasi

Congratulations to Uasi T in Year 5 who submitted a video entry for the 2022 Young Voices Awards by Australian Catholic Magazine, sponsored by Australian Catholic University (ACU). Uasi was awarded highly commended in the Junior Digital category for his entry 'Break His Legs Cody'. You can view Uasi's video entry below:

Well done Uasi!

I hope everyone enjoys the weekend and continues to stay healthy and well.

Matthew Garton