Dear St John the Apostle families,

Welcome back to school for Term 2. Welcome to our new families who have joined us. It's a great privilege to have the opportunity to support your child in their educational journey. Thank you.

We have had a wonderful start to the Term and have celebrated a beautiful Easter Liturgy organised by Ms Kate MacDonald and some Year 6 students on Thursday, and an ANZAC Service presented by Year 2 today. 

Enrolment Period

2024 Catholic Schools Enrolment Period will take place from Week 2 to Week 5 (May 1 - May 26). We are very excited to have families come to see our wonderful school during this time. We will be providing the following opportunities for existing and prospective families:

• Information night - Tuesday 9 May, 5 - 6pm in the School Library
• School Tours - Wednesday 3 May, 9.30 - 11.00am,  Thursday 9 May, 4 - 5pm (prior to Information Night) and Thursday 18 May, 4 - 5pm
• 1 to 1 tours with Mr Matthew Garton (Principal) - by appointment 22 to 26 May

If you know any families interested in enrolling their child at St John the Apostle please refer them to our website for how to enrol. If you have a child who is due to start in Kindergarten in 2024 we are currently accepting enrolments.

Staffing arrangement reminder

Just a reminder that Mr Matthew Garton is on leave for the first two weeks of school, undertaking a pilgrimage to the Holy Land with a number of other Principals. During Weeks 1 and 2:

• Mrs Rebekah Brown will be Acting Principal
• Mrs Bree Dess will be Acting Assistant Principal
• Mrs Rebecca Stevenson will be Acting Religious Education Coordinator
• Mrs Mel Watson will be Acting Coordinator

Update from Mr Garton

Mr Matthew Garton has been on his pilgrimage to the Holy Land for about two weeks. We have been following his journey closely on our school Facebook page. If you are interested in following his journey head over to our schools Facebook Page. Over the last three days Mr Garton has visited Nazareth and visited the house where Jesus grew up. He also visited the place where Mary was visited by the Archangel Gabriel. The next day Mr Garton visited Jerusalem and attended mass at the Mount of Beatitudes. He also went to the Church of the Nativity where Jesus was born. It really looks like he is having an extraordinary time. We look forward to hearing all about his trip when he returns in Week 3. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. 

Rebekah Brown

Principal (Acting)

Cross Country

On Friday 5^th May (Week 2) we will be holding our school Cross Country Carnival from 11.30am - 1.30pm. This event will be held here at school, with parents, friends and families more than welcome to come along and support the students. 

The order of events are as follows:

*all times are approximates of when each race will begin​​

11.40am - 12 and 13 years (3km)

11.45am - Kindergarten (500m)

11.55am - 8 years (1km)

12.05pm - 9 years (1.5km)

12.20pm - 11 years (3km)

12.30pm - Year 1 and 7 years (1km)

12.45pm - 10 years (2km)

The carnival should be completed by 1.30pm. 

Students from the age of 8 years will race in the age group that they are turning this year. 

Some reminders: 

• The Community Council have organised a special lunch which can be pre-ordered via the Qkr! App. The special lunch is $6 and will include a sausage sizzle, packet of chips and a juice popper.

If you are available to volunteer on the day, please let Rebekah Brown know ASAP. Rebekah is best contacted via email at Rebekah.Brown@cg.catholic.edu.au. 

Anyone who has already volunteered, we ask that you sign in at the front office and please meet with Brett Seaman at 11.20am. 

We look forward to seeing you there! 

Bree Dess

Assistant Principal (Acting)

What Teachers Are Learning About

Teachers began Monday’s Pupil Free Day together in prayer, reflecting on the Resurrection scripture from the Gospel of Luke.  We shared thoughts and contemplations on the scripture, e.g. ‘Given the first century opinion that the testimony of women is not worth much, why do you think Luke mentions them?’  We discussed that Jesus frequently disregarded cultural norms to help the marginalized. He treated women like people, created in the image of God.  Women were prominent in Luke’s portrayal of Jesus’ life. The gospel affirms the role of women as witnesses and portrays their interactions with Jesus in parallel with those he had with men. 

What Students Are Learning About

This week, students across the school learnt about the Resurrection.  Easter is a time to rejoice and celebrate.  The resurrection reminds us that Jesus has restored our friendship with God. God opened the door to heaven for us through Jesus' death and resurrection. This is truly something to celebrate!

Thank you to Ms Kate McDonald and Year 6 students who led the school in a reflective Resurrection Prayer Liturgy on Thursday.

Lord, help us to live in the gladness and grace of Easter Sunday, every day. Let us have hearts of thankfulness for your sacrifice. Let us have eyes that look upon Your grace and rejoice in our salvation. Help us to walk in that mighty grace and tell Your good news to the world.

Catholic Life and Reflection

This Sunday we celebrate the Fourth Week of Easter: Good Shepherd Sunday

“But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.  The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”  John 10:2-4

In this story, the gatekeeper is the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit will open our minds and hearts to know and love God, if we let Him.  Jesus, Himself is the gate. Through Jesus we enter into new life.  We are called to an intimate and personal relationship with Jesus the Good Shepherd.  Knowing we are personally and intimately loved by Christ, that we are called by name, invites and encourages us to listen.

We can pray to the Holy Spirit that our minds and hearts will be opened to know and love Christ. 

My Catholic Life: Fourth Week of Easter: Christ the Good Shepherd for All

Rebecca Stevenson

Religious Education Coordinator (Acting)

Happy birthday to Jack R, Indiana E, Grace P, Olivia T, Jeremiah F, Elspeth S, Mason W, Izabella H, Lilah J, Hugo G, Keijo K, Vincent N, Awur A, Cameron B, Ameila F, Lewys C, Jordan D, Grace H, Erin V, Naz H, Arzoi S and Oliver W who all celebrated a birthday over the last 3 weeks.

Year 6 Camp Payment

A reminder to Year 6 families that you have until the end of term 2 to pay for camp in full. Camp can be paid on QKR, over the phone or at the front office. If you choose to pay via direct debit or BPAY please add a reference for camp payment. The cost for camp is $420.00. You can pay by instalments or in full.

Jump Rope for Heart kicks off this term at St John the Apostle!

Jump Rope for Heart is the Heart Foundation’s primary school skipping challenge that helps kids move more, have fun and raise funds for lifesaving research and programs.

This year we’ve got an audacious goal to see our student Heart Heroes at St Johns to log 40 hours of skipping throughout the program!

Register your child online, so they can receive the full benefits of the program and participate in online fundraising, simply follow the link below to get started. www.jumprope.org.au/parents

Students will be skipping throughout the term in PE lessons and during lunch break. During this time you can share their online fundraising page with family and friends to help raise money for this great cause.

We will hold our school Jump Off Day in Week 6. This will mark the end of the program and is a chance for everyone to come together to skip and show off their newly learned skills. Please contact lauren.hudson@cg.catholic.edu.au if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you for supporting the Jump Rope for Heart program!

The Uniform Shop will open on:

Friday 5 May - 8.30-9.30

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

The Book Fair will be held in Week 5 of this term. We will let you know the opening times closer to the date.