Dear St John the Apostle families,

Our school focus of 'do your best work' was a deliberate choice this week. I have heard about fantastic results for our students in the end of year annual assessments we conduct. One area of particular note is Spelling from Years 3 to 6 where we have implemented the Spelling Mastery program since early this year. While the end of the year feels like it is closing in I am encouraging all of our students to continue to keep up their great learning.

Today we were able to celebrate with the students their achievement at the recent Walkathon. Thank you to Assistant Principal, Rebekah Brown, for organising the Fun Day. Please see Rebekah's section below for more details.

Staffing and Classes for 2023

At this time of year we are organising staffing for 2023. At the end of this year we farewell Mrs Allison Lock and Mr Sean O'Neill.

Allison has taught at St John the Apostle for four years and is known for being an exceptional teacher of writing and passionate about student well-being. She often makes time to open her classroom for groups of students at recess and lunch to have some 'down time' away from the hubbub of the playground. Allison will be moving to the south coast with her family to teach at a local Catholic Primary school.

This year we have been very blessed to have Sean teach his first full-time class at our school. Sean was an Inclusion Assistant at St John the Apostle while completing his teaching degree and became a teacher here immediately after. His Year 2 class simply love being with him. He has a calm, quiet and kind way with all of his students, helping them come to school each day and love their learning. Sean will be trying his hand at teaching in the UK next year.

We will farewell Allison and Sean later this term.

I have already announced that Ms Lilly Kennelly and Ms Mel Watson will both be teaching in Kindergarten next year. These appointments are always made earlier than other year levels in time for our Orientation Program. Other class appointments will be made in the coming weeks and announced in the Newsletter.

Playground Update

Both sections of old equipment have been removed and the sites are now being prepared for the installation of the new equipment. Students have really enjoyed watching the demolition.

I walked around our playground recently and realised just how fortunate we are to have such a large and beautiful outdoor space. Our students rarely have the disagreements and confinement issues that students in other schools do, even when part of the playground is closed off.

Christmas Family Picnic

Our Christmas Family Picnic will be held on Tuesday 6 December at 6.00pm. We will

hold a picnic on the school grounds and students will perform Christmas songs for everyone from. More information will come out prior to the event. Please save the date in your family calendars.

Matthew Garton

Principal