Dear St John the Apostle community, 

Reconciliation Day

This weekend we celebrate Reconciliation Day.

The sixth annual Reconciliation Day event in Canberra will be held this Monday 29 May 2023 at the National Arboretum. Reconciliation Day is part of National Reconciliation Week and is a time for all Canberrans to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievement, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

From language workshops, to art and crafts and storytelling, to live entertainment, stalls and exhibitions, the event will offer a family friendly and engaging program that creates a welcoming environment, encouraging all members of the community to attend and participate.

It is a great family event and I encourage families to take time out to go to the Arboretum and, in the spirit of Reconciliation, just 'take in' a little of the people and culture being celebrated. It's a great way to help our children continuously develop understanding and empathy and learn how to contribute to the ongoing process of reconciliation.

Enrolment Period

We've had a very positive response during our Enrolment Period for those enrolling in Kindergarten in 2024 and in various other year levels.

The official Enrolment Period for Kindergarten and Year 7 in 2024 closes today.

If you have a younger sibling who is currently attending pre-school and you are yet to enrol in Kindergarten at St John's for 2024 please enrol your child over the coming weekend to ensure a place.

If your child is currently in Year 6 and yet to enrol for Year 7 at St Francis Xavier College for 2024 please submit the enrolment form quickly to guarantee a place for them.

The online enrolment form for all Catholic systemic schools is at:

Tell Them From Me Parent, Staff and Student Survey

During the next two weeks, all students in Years 4 - 6 will be given the opportunity and time to participate in this survey during regular school hours. The survey will provide us with valuable feedback on what our students think about school life, how engaged they are with school and the different ways that teachers interact with them. Students will be given a random username and password to access and complete the survey online. Students’ names cannot be linked to their responses which allows it to be completely anonymous. Results will show all student scores combined – it is not possible to single out individual students in the results.

The survey measures include such topics as emotional and social well-being, physical health, and behaviours and attitudes linked to student success. The survey also allows students to give their thoughts and feedback in open-ended question responses.

Participation in the survey is entirely voluntary. Your child in Years 4 - 6 will not take part if either you or your child do not wish to. If, during the survey, your child is uncomfortable answering any question, he/she will be encouraged to leave it blank and move on to the next one.

If you do not want your child to take part in the survey, please contact your child's teacher.

Staffing Update

Congratulations to Mrs Rebecca Neiberding (Inclusion Teacher) who will take up a position as Food Technology Teacher at SFX from next Semester. Mrs Neiberding has been an integral part of the Inclusion Team for several years now, organising and running intervention programs, supporting the development and review of Personal Plans, managing Inclusion Assistants and conducting assessments. We wish her well in her new opportunity. We are currently advertising for a new Inclusion Teacher.

Congratulations also to Mrs Bree Dess who is expecting another baby. She will take leave a few weeks into Term 3 and remain on leave until the end of the year. We are currently arranging an Acting Coordinator and a 4 Maroon teacher for Semester 2. Mrs Stephanie Stewart will return to teach 4 Blue in two weeks time.

There is a lot of sickness going around at the moment. I encourage everyone to look after themselves and their children and use the coming long weekends to rest and nourish themselves wherever possible.

Have a wonderful long weekend.