Dear St John's families,

I have not been at school for much of this week.

Earlier this week I attended the National Catholic Education Conference in Melbourne. I heard some wonderful speakers who inspired us all about the important role that Catholic schools play in the lives of families and communities across Australia.

One person who spoke on a panel was Selina Walker, Ngunnawal woman, chair of the Catholic Schools Parents Archdiocese Canberra Goulburn and parent of students in Catholic schools in the ACT.

Selina was a grounded voice who represented parents views exceptionally well on the panel. She spoke about how, prior to COVID, parents were often square pegs and schools were round holes and how we struggled at times to fit together. During COVID parents and teachers each had a new appreciation and understanding of each other's role. We all became triangles. Following COVID we don't have to go 'back to normal'. In fact, moving forward we can all be hexagons.

I know this sounds like a simple reflection on the impact of COVID and the new home-school partnership that exists. Sometimes the simplest expressions of a truth are the most impactful and Selina articulated it so well.

School Camps

After flying back into Canberra on Wednesday evening I had the joy of being on camp with Years 5 and 6 students throughout Thursday and Friday. What an amazing group of students we have at the senior end of the school. Their support for each other and willingness to try new experiences was admirable. Our staff were all very proud of our students.

Thank you to our Years 5 and 6 teachers for their commitment to their students in ensuring they had the opportunity to go on camp and learn essential skills of independence.

On our pupil free day today our teachers spent the day catching up on professional learning they are required to complete on the Disability Education Act and then planning for Term 4, with a particular focus on all of the curriculum they will cover throughout the term. Thank you to our families for supporting our teachers with the opportunity to prepare this learning for our students.

The weather is warming up. It's time to finish hibernating and to walk into the end of the year with energy and enthusiasm. I'm looking forward to all we can achieve in the home stretch ahead!

Have a lovely weekend.

Matthew Garton

Today marks the end of an era with the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. Monarchist or not, her contribution to Britain and the world beyond, cannot be denied.  A woman of deep faith, she always acted with poise and grace. As promised in the very beginning of her reign, she would serve and so she did.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.