Dear St John the Apostle Primary School Community,

Thank you to those parents who have responded to our Annual School Survey of Parents, Students and Staff. Yesterday we received notification that 67 parents have responded and 119 Years 3-6 students have responded (we've been giving them time at school).

We really value the feedback each year and take the time to see if there are any particular patterns and themes that emerge for significant consideration in our school improvement planning. I encourage everyone to participate.

An email invitation containing a link has been sent to all parents using the email address provided to the school. If you don't appear to have received one please check your junk mail folder or you can go to the following link:

First Eucharist

Today our Year 3 students participated in the First Eucharist Retreat Day. It is a day for all Year 3 students, regardless of their faith background. It is an opportunity to participate in and learn about Eucharist as part of our Catholic Faith tradition as well as provide an opportunity for reflection for those who are actually preparing to receive their First Eucharist. We keep them in our prayers today and over the coming weekend as they celebrate in our Parish Masses.

Positive Behaviour For Learning 

When you visit St John the Apostle you will notice a number of posters around the

school that describe the behaviour expectations we have of students (and everyone) in the school. We've added a new poster that names 'safe hands, safe feet, safe words'.

This poster doesn't tell children how to feel or what to think. It simply describes an action. We know that all children slowly learn how to recognise and describe their feelings and develop the language to express themselves. In the absence of the language to do this they can try to express their needs and wants through physical actions.

We are providing a message that physical contact is okay, it just needs to be in a way that people feel safe. Have hugs, pats on the back, hold hands and help each other. When your upset or angry, that's okay too, just deal with these feelings in a way that is safe for everyone, that includes the way you speak to them.

The poster is getting a little more attention at the moment as we learn to use these words consistently throughout the school. You may hear them at home.

UR Fab

It's been great to see the first week of UR Fab sessions for some of our Year 2 and 3 families be such a success. Thank you to the families who have accepted to be part of the program and committed to participating in it. We are very fortunate to have Karina and Charmaine from the program working along side Hannah (our school counsellor) and Allison Lock (Year 3 Maroon) teacher.

We're also fortunate to have our Year 3 Blue class undertake the 'whole class program' with the UR Fab Team. 

Student Attendance

At the end of last week we were required to submit our Terms 1 and 2 student attendance statistics to the Australian Government Department of Education and Training. You may be interested to know that overall our school had an average student attendance rate of 94%, with Years 3 and 5 having the highest attendance rates of 96% each.

A little more concerning is that 51 students across the school had an attendance rate of less that 90%, which equates to one day away from school per fortnight or a whole week each term or four weeks a year (as a minimum). Sometimes sickness hits hard and sometimes students go away on an extended holiday. However, that would account for much less that 51 students last Semester.

Consistent attendance at school has a very positive impact on children's learning, their relationships with friends and the teacher. In short, it has an impact on their well-being. We'd love to reduce the amount of students with less than 90% attendance. We'd be more than happy to chat with any families that are finding school attendance a challenge. If we ever contact you to check in about your child's school attendance it will always be in the spirit to help.

Learning Journeys

Just a reminder that next week parents will have the opportunity to undertake a Learning Journey with their child. A Learning Journey is a short visit with your child to the classroom so they can proudly show and tell you about some work they've selected.

There is no need to book in. Your child's classroom will be open for a visit on Wednesday 7 August from 3.00pm to 5.00pm and Thursday 8 August from 8.20am to 8.50am. The teacher will be in the room should you have any questions, however, this will be time just with your child.

Award Nomination for Mrs MacDonald

One of the awards celebrated at the 2019 Catholic Schools Recognition Awards is an

award for  'Untying Religion in Art', i.e. art that generates conversation about spirituality and religion.

We've nominated Mrs Kate MacDonald for the wonderful paintings she has produced for us over a number of years. Her paintings, displayed throughout the school, reflect various annual themes and reflections on scripture and the MSC charism.

We won't know for a while if she will win the Catholic Schools Recognition Award but she has already won in our eyes with her inspirational pieces that ignite our faith and conversation with students and staff at school. Good Luck Kate!

Robotics Club

Year 4 Blue teacher, Mrs Alison Ewyk, has re-ignited our Robotics Club! Her own adult sons were enthusiasts of Robotics at SFX and she would love to support the next generation of students to see what they can develop. I look forward to seeing this continued to grow.

I also look forward to seeing many of you next week at our Learning Journeys. Have safe and peaceful weekend.

Kind regards,

Matthew Garton (Principal)