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Please go to our school calendar on the website or COMPASS for more details.
Please note that the last two days of Term 2 (30 June and 1 July) and the first day of Term 3 (18 July) are pupil free days for professional learning for staff. Students do not attend school on these days. OSHClub will be available.
Term 3
- Athletics Carnival (Friday 5 Aug, Week 3)
Dear St John the Apostle families,
With the election last weekend and waking up Sunday morning to a change in political landscape, it has been a week with new possibilities and excitement in the air.
At the same time the extraordinary tragedy of another school shooting in the US has caused so many mixed responses: sadness for the young children and families who have experienced this, anger at the fact that this continues in the US at such great cost, and relief that we live in a part of the world where our children can come to school safely every day without such life threatening concern. We keep the families and community of Robb Elementary School and Uvalde in our prayers.
It's been a very busy week at school as well.
While quite a number of teachers across Catholic schools in the ACT and NSW were on strike today, our school operated as normal. The strike action taken by the IEU was to shine a more public light on the concerns being raised as part of the current enterprise bargaining process.
I know that many parents have appreciated that we operated as usual. I would also like to point out that each staff member makes their own decision regarding participating in strike action. Their choice to remain at school does not mean they don't support the cause. They may have chosen to continue to work for other reasons, personal to their circumstances.
We all want fair and reasonable employment conditions (including pay) and staff who work in schools are no different.
Reconciliation
Yesterday was Sorry Day. The anniversary of the The National Apology to Australia's First Nations People.
We began the day with a special morning assembly that highlighted the importance of The Apology in our Australian history. Thank you to Ms Wormald and Ms Gardner for organising our students to lead us through this important commemoration. This year, as part of our Annual Improvement Plan, we are working to embed opportunities for our students to develop a greater understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories.
Next week we will celebrate Reconciliation Week. We have a number of activities planned for classes. We'll share these with families via our Facebook page and other communication means over the course of the week.
The theme this year is Be Brave, Make change. As a teacher and school leader I spent years wanting to help students grow in their understanding about First Nations history and culture. Having learnt very little at school I didn't feel confident in talking to my students. I worried about getting it wrong, offending First Nations people and embedding 'incorrect' ideas in the students I taught.
Years later I participated in a three day course that would help build my understanding. The greatest learning I had was that it was better to do something than nothing at all. I learnt that all I had to do was drop the fear of getting things wrong and just look and listen and be involved, with curiosity and openness. I realised that by being less fearful and more curious I would develop a far greater understanding of the history and culture of our First Nations people. In doing so I would develop empathy, friendship and a stronger sense of mine and our Australian identity. I now look forward to learning and embracing more and more all the time.
Australia is a diverse country, beginning with those who were here first and the diversity across all First Nations people.
I encourage everyone to lean in to Reconciliation Week, with eyes and ears wide open, and just learn whatever comes across your path. I promise, you will be richer for it and will feel even more connected to our entire community.
Last year I was pleased to attend the Reconciliation Day activities at the National Arboretum on the Monday public holiday. If you're looking for something to do as a family I encourage you to attend. You can find out more about what's happening at: https://events.canberra.com.au/reconciliation-day
National Simultaneous Storytime
National Simultaneous Storytime was another national event our students
participated in this week. We joined students across Australia to listen to Josh Pyke read his book Family Tree.
Illustrated by Ronojey Ghosh, this book was a joy to listen to and across the school students were mesmerised.
If you'd like to hear the story please go to the following:
Tell Them From Me
This week, all students in Years 4 - 6 will be given the opportunity and time to participate in this survey during regular school hours. The survey will provide us with valuable feedback on what our students think about school life, how engaged they are with school and the different ways that teachers interact with them. Students will be given a random username and password to access and complete the survey online. Students’ names cannot be linked to their responses which allows it to be completely anonymous. Results will show all student scores combined – it is not possible to single out individual students in the results.
The survey measures include such topics as emotional and social well-being, physical health, and behaviours and attitudes linked to student success. The survey also allows students to give their thoughts and feedback in open-ended question responses.
Participation in the survey is entirely voluntary. Your child in Years 4 - 6 will not take part if either you or your child do not wish to. If, during the survey, your child is uncomfortable answering any question, he/she will be encouraged to leave it blank and move on to the next one.
If you do not want your child to take part in the survey, please contact your child's teacher.
Have a wonderful long weekend.
Matthew Garton
Regional Cross Country
A big congratulations to all of the students who participated in the Belconnen Region Cross Country Carnival on Thursday. Each student showed great sportsmanship, perseverance and exceptional behaviour. A number of our students placed in the top 10 for their age group and will attend the ACT Cross Country Carnival. We will announce these students once we receive the final results.
I would like to commend each of the students on their exceptional behaviour. As I returned to school and I was hopping off the bus, the bus driver pulled me aside and said that he had been driving buses for school groups in Canberra and Sydney for 10 years and had never experienced a school with such exceptional behaviour and beautiful manners. To say I was proud would be an understatement.
A big thank you to Mr Brett Seaman for his organisation of the Regional Cross Country Carnival and Miss Rheannan Vergano who helped on the course. Thank you to all of the parents who came to support the St John students.
Rostrum
On Tuesday, Mr Matthew Garton, Ms Sarah Collins and myself had the absolute pleasure of judging the Year 6 Rostrum speeches. Rostrum is a Primary School Speaking Competition and has been running for 50 years in the ACT and surrounding areas of NSW.
The four finalists from Year 6 this year were Daniel, Nicolai, Anna and Emily (left to right in below picture). They all did a wonderful job and spoke about a variety of topics including "teamwork", "every little bit helps" and "my least favourite thing".
The student who will represent our school at the quarter finals is Emily on the topic My Least Favourtie Things - Cucumbers. Congratulations Emily!
Thank you to Miss Tabitha-Jane Wormald and Mr Brett Seaman for their organisation of our school’s Rostrum competition and their support and organisation of each Year 6 student who delivered a speech.
Rebekah Brown
Assistant Principal and Inclusion Coordinator
As I was saying goodbye to my youngest before school this morning, I was a little concerned about how he would go presenting his homework, that he would have a friend to play with and that he would be able to self-regulate because he is a little tired. These are normal Friday morning concerns for me. I don’t worry that he won’t come home.
As humans we can be shocked and outraged at yet more young lives lost. As parents we can hold our babies a little closer tonight. As Australians we can be so grateful that we are not in the same position. But we can do very little to change the laws in the United States.
All we can do, as Catholics is pray. Pray for peace and love and common sense to finally prevail.
As Jesus holds those little ones and their teachers gently in the palm of his hand, we pray for their parents, families, and school community. Pope Francis said:
"The Second Amendment did not come down from Sinai. The right to bear arms will never be more important than human life. Our children have rights too. And our elected officials have a moral duty to protect them."
Pope Francis May 2022
May God bless us all.
Stephanie Stewart
Religious Education Coordinator
Notices from the Parish
Happy birthday to Gauri D, Sophie R and Luca V who all celebrated a birthday over the last week.
Please note that we ask students to not bring home made cupcakes to share with the class for their birthdays. This is a precautionary measure for health and hygiene. The Canteen offers a number of options to share with the class. Purchases can be made through the QKR app.
Congratulations to the following students who will receive an award for the fortnightly Positive Behaviour Focus.
| Class | ||
| KB | Alex R | Sophie C |
| KM | Liam Z | Kaylie C |
| 1B | Lewys C | Annika N |
| 1M | Kiranjot K | Imogen C |
| 2B | Samuel O'D | Hunter C |
| 2M | Chloe L | Stephen P |
| 3B | Noah M | Zain G |
| 3M | James K | Amelia N |
| 4B | Olive G | Tessa V & Kelvin N |
| 4M | Kelsey N | Sean O |
| 5B | Uasi T | Diosa M |
| 5M | Ameila F | Jacob N |
| 6B | Arok G | Claire B |
| 6M | Renecia O | Yusha A |
| Performing Arts | Xavier T (5M) | Bernice K (6B) |
School Fees:
School fees are due today, 27th May.
If you are paying by direct debit please ensure the amount you are paying will pay your fees off in full by the end of the school year.
If you need to discuss your fees please direct your enquiries to Debbie Milne via email; finance.sjaps@cg.catholic.edu.au
Year 5, 1 – to – 1 Technology:
Term 2 payments for 1 – to – 1 Technology for Year 5 are due today, 27th May. If you have made your payment please disregard this reminder and thank you for your payment.
Payment for the term is $53.00. Payments are to be paid on the QKR app. You are able to select and make payment for multiple terms.
No payment of term fee will mean that students will not be able to bring their device home for use at home.
If families are split both parties need to make their payment for the student to take their device home.
The Uniform Shop will be open on the following dates:
Friday 3 June 8:30am-9:30am
Parents are able to attend in person.
If you have any questions or concerns please email the uniform shop on stjohnsclothingpool@gmail.com.
