Do your best.

Dear St John's families,

Yesterday our school captains, Emily and Nicolai, joined me to attend the National Memorial Service for Queen Elizabeth II at Parliament House. Not only was it a memorable experience but it was also a moving one. It was a privilege to be present to recognise her remarkable service to not only Great Britain but also to the Commonwealth, including Australia.

Thank you everyone for such a wonderful term. It has been a very demanding one for our staff. They have been outstanding in their commitment to students and families and in being flexible and present to each other.

There have been many highlights for me this term and the happiest ones have all been when we have been together again. Our Father's Day Breakfast, the Book Week Parade and the End of Term Awards were all gatherings of the whole community. They were such a joy.

This is my favourite time of year. Filled with optimism and hope for the future. I sincerely wish everyone a restful and nourishing school holiday period and look forward to seeing everyone again on Monday 10 October.

Matthew Garton

Principal

Children's Experience of Racism Project in the ACT

On Tuesday and Wednesday this week, Year 4 and 5 participated in some sessions delivered by the Children and Young People Commissioner's office (ACT Human Rights Commission) about their experiences of racism. 

The ACT Children and Young People Commissioner's office is currently running a project to understand children and young people's views about racism in the ACT. Our students in Year 4 and 5 were able to contribute their experiences of racism through these sessions. 

The aims of the project are to:

1. Enable children and young people to tell their own truth about racism in the ACT through reflection and storytelling by individuals and within groups.
2. Investigate how children and young people identify themselves in terms of racial or cultural diversity (including the terms they prefer to use).
3. Find out who is speaking to them about race, racism and anti-racism and where these conversations are taking place.
4. Explore their ideas on anti-racism in ACT, including their views on the strengths of children and young people to contribute to anti-racism.

2023 Fete

The Community Council is starting to prepare for the 2023 Fete. We are currently looking for some volunteers to run the plant store. This role would include growing or acquiring plants for the plant store and running the plant store on the day of the Fete. Please contact me if you would be interested in running the plant store.

We are also starting to collect second hand books for the book store and clean plastic or glass jars for the Tombola store. If you have any of these items at home please feel free to drop them into the Front Office.

I am committed to creating beautiful spaces for students.  I have always understood that an organised and inviting classroom helped children to feel safe and settled. I believe strongly in the classroom as the third teacher: words, images, ideas recorded and displayed, all help students to be engaged in their learning.

In my time as REC at St Johns I have extended this to the hallways and breakout spaces. I encourage teachers to create displays of students work and use the artwork around the school to support their learning in Religious Education. Every now and again you see the Sacred Heart painting walking down the corridor. Once I thought I lost it! It was in a classroom being copied by the students; I love that.

This week I was struck by how beautiful our building is. We are so blessed with practical and well-furnished break out spaces and classrooms. The library is full of beautiful books, often on display in the window and I am running out of wall space for displays and new artwork, what a lovely problem to have!

Also, I am so excited to see the new playground as it enhances our beautiful expansive playground.

I am going into this break period with a grateful heart. For the school we are right now and for the school we dream of for the future. Each passing term sees us grow as a community, as teachers and as students.  Each one of us belongs here and is part of the St John’s story.

God bless, may you find some time for rest and to enjoy the warmer weather.

Psalm 23:6

Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

Happy birthday to Adelaide N, Adrienne M, Miranda T, Elizabeth D, Linuki M, Jacob H and Harry M 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 received the End of Term Awards. 

Congratulations to the following students who received 20 brag tags during the term.

Learning to live with change and loss

Change and loss are issues that affect all of us at some stage in our lives. At St John the Apostle we recognise that when changes occur in families through death, separation, divorce and related circumstances, young people may benefit from learning how to manage these changes effectively. We are therefore offering a very successful education program called Seasons for Growth which will commence in Term 4. This program is facilitated in small groups and is based on research which highlights the importance of social support and the need the practise new skills to cope effectively with change and loss. The program focuses on issues such as self-esteem, managing feelings, problem-solving, decision-making, effective communication and support networks.

As it is the first time if a few years, only some families will receive a notice soon with more details about the Seasons for Growth program. If you think your son or daughter would benefit from Seasons for Growth, we encourage you to talk to him/her about participating in the program.

St John’s is pleased to be able to offer this important program and we are confident that it will be a valuable learning experience for those who will be involved.

Stewart Mc Donald will be running the group but if you require further information please contact Stephanie Stewart. Stephanie.stewart@cg.catholic.edu.au

Please note that The Uniform Shop will be open on the following days:

Friday 7 October 2:00pm-3:00pm

Monday 10 October 8:00am-9:00am

Hats can be purchased at the Front Office but must be paid for via QKR or by cash only.

Parents are able to attend in person. 

If you have any questions or concerns please email the uniform shop on stjohnsclothingpool@gmail.com.