Dear St John the Apostle community, 

We've had a very succesful enrolment period recently. We are currently processing all of our Kindergarten enrolments for 2024 and any enrolments for other year levels. We have quite a few to get through and its exciting to meet each of these families and to hear about their hopes for their child and share how we can be part of this journey with them.

Community Council News

We had a very productive Community Council meeting on Wednesday evening. Thank you to all who attended.

We have begun planning the Fete for next year. A big thank you to Jen Sheppard (of Emily in Kindergarten) and Sally Walsh (of Desmond in Kindergarten) who have volunteered to coordinate our fete for 2024. We have a lot of great ideas for new stalls and we're looking forward to it already!

We will also hold a Parent Forum on Wednesday 2 August. Our Parent Forum will be focused on supporting positive and healthy friendships with a particular focus on understanding relational aggression. More information will be posted in coming weeks about this but I encourage you to put the date in your diary! It will be informative for children in every age (and a few adults as well).

Happy Feast of the Sacred Heart Day!

Today we celebrated the Feast of the Sacred Heart. A highlight was our Mass together in the hall, celebrated by our new assistant priest Fr Cheung. It was a joy to see so many children wearing red today and particpating in our fundraising activities for St George's, Kenya, giving to others in need. I would like to say a very big thank you to Mrs Rebecca Stevenson (Acting REC) who has organised the entire day!

I feel very fortunate to lead a school whose charism is 'to Be on Earth the Heart of God'. It is such a beautiful reminder each day that we don't need to wait to experience the love and acceptance of God. We can be God's love for each other, here and now, every day. We can give this gift to each other.

My favourite faith-based children's song is all about this. The lyrics (see below) explain just how we can be God's love for each other. It's such an uplifting song. On this special day in our community I'm very happy to share it with you.

Be God's (by Danielle Rose)

Where the world is merciless, be God's mercy.
Where the world is hopeless, be God's hope.
Where there is injustice, be God's justice.
Where there is sadness, be God's joy.
Where the world is doubting, be God's faith.
Where there is ingratitude, be God's grace.
Where there is confusion, be God's truth.
Where there is weakness, be God's strength.

Let your life change the world one person at a time.
Let your life be the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As the bread becomes his body, we can be the living sign.
With God's love, change the world with your life.

Where the world is wounded, be God's healing.
Where the world is weeping, be God's song.
Where there is despairing, be God's beauty.
Where the world is crumbling, be God's rock.
Where there is no tenderness, be God's child.
Where there is loneliness, be God's smile.
Where the world is dying, be God's life.
Where there is darkness, be God's light.

Let your life change the world one person at a time.
Let your life be the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As the bread becomes his body, we can be the living sign.
With God's love, change the world with your life.

If you want the world to change, be God's love.
Use your gifts to bless this day, be God's love.
God has greater plans for you, be God's love.
Plans to make a saint of you! Be God's love!
Heaven will fall down to earth, thank you, Father.
When you live a life of love, thank you, Son.
The lame will walk, the blind will see,
Thank you Spirit.
Jesus dwells in me!

Let your life change the world one person at a time.
Let your life be the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As the bread becomes his body, we can be the living sign.
With God's love, change the world with your life.

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Today let us all be God's love for each other. When we each focus on giving that love away we'll find that it will be given back to us ten fold, without even seeking it.

Matthew Garton

Principal