Dear Parents and Carers,

This term holds particular significance for our Year 6 students and their families, as they prepare to farewell primary school and embark on the next stage of their educational journey. For many of you it will just across the road to SFX. We encourage you to savour each special moment in the coming weeks, whether it's morning prayer, Graduation Ceremony, Fun Day or a shared laugh with classmates. These are the moments that create lasting memories.

 We’re excited for all that Term 4 has in store and look forward to sharing it with our wonderful school community. Let’s make it a memorable conclusion to an incredible year at St Johns!

Community Council Thankyou

This week we Farewell Maxwell Rise as Chair if the Community Council. Max has been instrumental in leading this important parent body, forming working groups, listening to the community and also supporting me. Thank you Max, for your contributions. We know he will still be working tirelessly in the background to support and be a part of all parent engagement opportunities.

We invite all parents to come along to our School Council (SJA SC) meeting for this Term. The Community Council provides an important leadership role in our school by undertaking an advisory role in policy and finance matters, and a hands-on role in community building and school promotion.

We are seeking a new member for the executive (Chair) and non-executives (parent representative) capacity. If you would like to be involved in your child’s school, and you can meet twice a term (at 6pm on Wednesdays in Weeks 3 and 8 of each Term) please consider nominating yourself and joining us in the staffroom on Wednesday 29th October.

Terms of office are usually set at 2 years, so no one should feel they are committing themselves for life!

Boorowa Netball and Touch Football Carnival

Thank you to all of the Teachers, Coaches, Students and Parents for supporting such a great event such as Boorowa. The students displayed outstanding sportsperson ship and represented the school with pride. Thank you to Ryan Spencer for his organising this wonderful opportunity for our school. We hope to offer this to students from Years 2-6 in 2026. A full run down of the day with action shots will be in the coming newsletters.

Building Works

We are currently building new toilets for the Junior School. This will include a fully accessible toilet with shower and other facilities. It will also include will include external ramp. There has been some noise, however, I have been now assured that this will cease during school hours. The site is secure preventing any peeking until the scope of the works is complete. I have it on good authority that they will be airy and light inviting tones.  

Car Incident

Thank you to our Leaders, Karen Leighton and Deb Reed and Serae Love for your quick actions, kindness and support to the families involved. We know there were some time delays picking up your sons and daughters on Thursday afternoon, again we thank you for your patience. We are working with SFX and seeking ways in which we may be able to canvas the Government to provide other roads to exit this high traffic area.

Christmas Tunes

If you hear your children singing Christmas Carols, don’t be too shocked. We are preparing for the annual Kinder Concert, Christmas BBQ and Carols that will take place later this term.

Staffing News for 2026

I am pleased to announce and welcome the following Staff to SJA in 2026.

Mrs Natasha Pank will be joining us from St Thomas the Apostle, Kambah as our new Coordinator. You may know Ms Pank and her family as she supports Children Liturgy at St Thomas Aquinas on a weekend.
Mrs Jacinta Putt will be joining our Junior School from at St Joseph’s in O’Connor.
Ms Lilly Eastman will continue to be on Staff in a permanent capacity and a big congratulation on her Graduation.
Ms Ellouise Rabberts will join us as an Early Career Teacher. Ellouise has been working in Year 2 this year. 
Ms Emily Carter will join us from the Directorate Schools. Mrs Carter comes with many years’ experiences in Early Childhood Education.
Mr Robert Read will join us as a Classroom Support Teacher. Mr Read is coming from Rosary Primary School, Watson and is currently Head of Learning Support. Mr Read enjoys playing the guitar with the students.
Neha John will also join us as a Classroom Support Teacher from Mother Theresa School, Harrison. Ms John has held the positions of Assistant Principal, Coordinator and also Head of Learning Support. Ms John is a trained African Drummer and looks forward to offering a lunch club.

Good luck to Serae Love and Tabitha May for 2026 as they are on one-year transfers to another Catholic School within our Archdiocese. We look forward to your return in 2027.

We farewell and send our abundant blessing to:

Bethany Fear who will be moving to St Thomas Aquinas, Charnwood.

We thank Beth for her tireless service in Learning Support and Inclusion. Rest assured that this area is in excellent hands with the incoming experienced staff, they will have many opportunities to meet with Beth ensuring a smooth transistion.

Blessing for a lovely week ahead.

Jo Reed

Principal