Dear Parents, Carers, Students and Staff,

Thank you to 3 Blue for leading us in a beautiful Remembrance Day Assembly and Ceremony on Monday afternoon. Thank you to the family members who attended and helped us remember all who have given the greatest sacrifice in war for their country, their family and friends.

Mrs Leanne Griffiths, Front Office Manager, is currently on leave. Thank you to Debbie Milne and other staff members who have looked after the Front Office this week. We welcome Mrs Marg Smith who will manage the Front Office while Mrs Griffiths is away next week.

Mrs Debbie Milne has been a staff member at St John's for a long time and many of you know her well. I'm sure you would join me in congratulating her on becoming a grandmother this week to two beautiful twin boys. She is glowing with pride!

A few new faces for 2019

As we plan for 2019 I would like to announce some changes to our staffing for next year.

Mr Luke Folkard will be on a year's exchange to St Matthew's, Page and we welcome Mrs Alison Ewyk from St Matthew's. Mrs Ewyk is an experienced teacher with a particular interest in student well-being and mental health.

Mrs Jessica Figura will transfer to St Michael's, Kaleen and Mr Brett Seaman, a very experienced teacher from Holy Trinity, Curtin will transfer to St John the Apostle. We look forward to the addition of Mrs Seaman's experience in inquiry learning and the International Baccalaureate as we shape our own inquiry curriculum from Kindergarten to Year 6.

We wish Mr Folkard and Mrs Figura the very best in the next exciting chapter of their tale of teaching and thank them for all of their fabulous work with our students and families.

We will also welcome a few new staff members including Mrs Bree McEnaney from St Augustine's in Wodonga where she has most recently been Year 5 and 6 team learning leader and Miss Sarah Collins from St Patrick's Primary School in Lilydale who shares a love of the MSC spirituality that underpins the charism of our school and parish. Mrs Melinda Taylor, currently teaching two days a week in 1 Maroon will become a full-time, permanent staff member of St John the Apostle. She is also a very experienced teacher who has a passion and love for children and learning and has been an outstanding project leader in K-2 shaping our inquiry curriculum.

We will also farewell Miss Katherine Stella and Miss Samantha Slocomb as they complete their time here at St John the Apostle. They have each been wonderful members of staff and it has been lovely to hear the positive feedback from parents throughout the year regarding the impact they have had on students in their care. We wish them both the very best in the future.

There are some final staffing arrangements for 2019 to be made and I will happily share news of the classes that teachers will be assigned to later this term.

Prayers please

As some of you know, one of our teachers, Mrs Lyn Griffiths, has a very young granddaughter Annabelle who has been undertaking treatment for DIPG, a highly aggressive and difficult to treat brain tumour. You can read more about her and show your support on the Love for Annabelle Facebook Page. Please keep Mrs Griffiths, Annabelle and all of their family in your prayers and thoughts during this very challenging time.