Dear St John the Apostle community, 

We had a disco again! Our last disco was in 2019! One parent commented last night that everything was feeling just like before COVID. How nice.

Thank you to Community Council members Kelly Bradbury and  Belinda Clifford, as well as our Assistant Principal Rebekah Brown, for organising last night's dance extravaganza. The children had a wonderful time and it was so lovely to see so many parents staying and chatting with each other.

Thank you in particular to the many parents and grandparents who volunteered to help at one or both of the discos. We could never have this event for your children without your help.

Thank you also to the Years 3 and 4 teachers who planned and prepared the Fathers Day breakfast this morning. It was great start to the day given that there were a number of tired children and parents after the disco.

Happy Fathers Day

A big Happy Fathers Day to all of the dads, grandads and anyone who plays that role in our students' lives.

Last year my youngest of four finished Year 12 at SFX. I am now a father of young adults, no longer school age children. We prioritise family dinners every Sunday evening, where partners or friends are always welcome to come along. We play games together, talk about the week we've had and the week ahead. We laugh and joke and, while they are no longer school age, they are all still young enough that the joking and banter can result in tears! You never stop being a parent and saying things like 'leave your brother/sister alone!'

One of the joys of being a father of four young adults is that I get to reassure parents I meet that no one is a perfect parent; that children don't have to be the best at everything, rather just be their unique selves; that every time you face a challenge with your child, their is a light at the end of the tunnel. They will almost always come out the other end more mature and fuller as a person and you will be relieved.

This Sunday I encourage every dad, if possible, to just be still and enjoy your own children. Sit and watch them. See how amazing they are, and know that you have been a part of making them just like that. You might say to yourself 'I have no idea how I've done this!'. That's okay. Just know that they are very thankful for everything you do.

Matthew Garton

Principal