Dear St John the Apostle community,

Last night I spent time with our Year 6 students at the Cooba Sport & Education Centre. It was the second night of the camp and they were very tired but it was a great opportunity to spend time with our senior class and student leaders, particularly having a little fun and relaxation time with them.

Thank you to Mr Brett Seaman and Ms Sarah Collins for taking the students on camp. It takes a great deal of organisation to hold a successful camp. Thank you for their planning, preparation and their encouragement for anxious children and parents. Thank you also to Miss Laura Monaghan and Ms Rebekah Brown. Laura is one of our very capable and appreciated Inclusion Assistants and has helped students throughout the camp and Ms Brown spent the first day and evening with the students as well.

Developing student leadership is an important part of the journey of every student at St John the Apostle. While the public face of student leadership occurs in Year 6, when students take on roles such as captains or peer leaders, we begin developing leadership qualities from the moment they begin in Kindergarten. 

From the outset we try to encourage in every child:

• a strong sense of being comfortable with themselves and their uniqueness, understanding that they aren't always the best or greatest at everything, but neither is anyone else, and that's okay. It takes all colours to make a rainbow. True acceptance of themselves helps students see the good in everyone else.
• the willingness to try hard and to persist when something doesn't come to them quickly or easily. It gives them empathy for others who are struggling.
• to experience joy in celebrating others and letting them shine, even when their is no spotlight on themselves. It is part of being more community minded and rather than always individually focused.
• the ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively on shared goals and achievements. 'Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed citizens to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.' (Margaret Mead)

Sometimes we ascribe 'leadership' to those that are appear confident and decisive. But we all know people who are confident and decisive and also manage people poorly, send everyone off in the wrong direction, or are not willing to do any of the hard work themselves but happy to get everyone else to do it.

I like the words of Albus Dumbledore (Harry Potter series):

“It is a curious thing, Harry, but perhaps those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it. Those who, like you, have leadership thrust upon them, and take up the mantle because they must, and find to their own surprise that they wear it well.”

That's why we begin developing student leadership capacity from the moment they enter school. To be a successful leader in Year 6 requires students to have some confidence in themselves, confidence in others and confidence in the world. Some students develop this before they get to Year 6. Some students develop this during Year 6. As a culmination of our work, we hope we send them into high school with a good foundation.

Matthew Garton

Principal

What Students Are Learning About

The beginning of Lent is always an important part of our Church year. This year our focus for lent as a school is Pray, Fast and Give.

Year 5 led us in a prayerful and reflective Ash Wednesday Liturgy that included this reflection. 

Year 4 have began their fasting by thinking about what their Lenten promise is going to be. We decorated envelopes and then popped our promise inside. We don’t share with anyone what our promise is, we just pray on it and give it to God. They are sitting at our classroom prayer table.

Catholic Life and Reflection

God bless,

Steph Stewart

Religous Education Coordinator

Notices from the Parish

Latest Parish Compact - 19 February

Happy birthday to Jiva J, Addison I, Lucius H, Desmond W, Ryan S, Samuel O, Madeleine B and Alexa C, who celebrated a birthday over the last week.

School Fees

School fees are due Friday 3^rd March unless paying by direct debit.  If paying by direct debit please ensure school fees are paid in full by the end of the year.

Year 4 & 5 Chromebooks

A reminder to Years 4 & 5 you are invoiced on your school fees for your Chromebooks.

If you are paying by direct debit please ensure you have adjusted your payment to factor in the extra payment for Chromebook.

Year 6 Camp Payments

Year 6 camp payments are open on QKR. Families are able to pay by instalments or in full. Full payment for camp is due last day of term 2, Friday 30^th June.

Please ensure camp is paid in full by this date. If you need to discuss payment options please contact Debbie Milne via email: finance.sjaps@cg.catholic.edu.au

Help with the cost of schooling and everyday needs

The Future of Education Equity Fund provides financial support to eligible families, helping students access everyday essentials that assist with their education and wellbeing needs. It supports families with students who are enrolled in years P-12 in ACT schools (including non-government schools) or another approved forms of education who meet the eligibility criteria.

Future of Education Equity Fund years P–12

The Future of Education Equity Fund provides a one-off, annual payment to low-income families living in the ACT to help cover the costs of education expenses such as school uniforms, school excursions, sport equipment and activities and music lessons.

The following payments are available to those who meet the eligibility criteria:

• $400 for preschool students
• $500 for primary school students
• $750 for high-school and college students.

Eligibility: who can apply?

Families are eligible to apply for the fund if they, and their dependent students, meet the eligibility criteria. Independent students may also apply.

To find out more information and to apply for the fund please go to the ACT Government page for Financial and Resource Assistance for Families - Education. Should you need an assistance please do not hesitate to contact our Finance Officer, Debbie Milne (Finance.sjaps@cg.catholic.edu.au)

For Library Lover’s Day last week, Ms Alcock tasked the students with writing down their favourite books and series onto a coloured leaf to add to the ‘Book Lover’s tree’. From Dog Man to Pig the Pug to Diary of a Wimpy Kid, it’s been great to see the wide variety of stories that are well-loved by the students at St John’s. 

Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge

St John’s is excited to be entering the Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge again this year. Students in Kindergarten, Year 1 and 2 will be completing the challenge during library lessons. Students in Year 3 will keep a paper list in their classroom, and students in Years 4 to 6 will have their reading records available on Google Classroom from next week. The challenge is to read 30 books before Friday 11th August. Once completed, students need to inform Ms Alcock.

Is your child looking for a new online read? 

The Sora eBook and Audiobook service is available, at no charge, for access by students and staff.

Sora may be accessed on any Tablet, laptop, mobile phone, desktop computer, or loaded onto eReaders for offline. https://soraapp.com/welcome 

Happy reading!

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

Friday 3 March 8:30am-9:30am

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.