Dear St John the Apostle families,

Today we began the season of advent with our Kindergarten Nativity story. Every year the Kindergarten class tell the story in a new way. Today was no exception. They were beautiful. Thank you to our Kindergarten teachers for their commitment in preparing the students. Thank you parents for supporting with costumes. I hope you enjoyed every minute.

This morning Edith B (Year 3), last year's recipient of the Sue Ferguson Arts Scholarship for a Year 2 student shared her work with the school. Edith used the gift from Sue Ferguson's family to further develop her interest and talent in visual arts. Well done Edith!

Congratulations also to Kate R (Year 2), this year's recipient of the Sue Ferguson scholarship. Sue Ferguson was a former teacher at St John the Apostle who had a particular love of Year 2 and the Arts. Her family provide this small gift to a student in Year 2 every year to support their development in the Arts. We look forward to Kate's presentation the following year.

Changes to our Parish

Last night I attended a meeting in our Parish led by the Vicar General Fr Richard Thompson where it was announced that from next year the MSC priests at our Kippax parish would take over the pastoral care and responsibility of St Thomas Aquinas Parish as well.

Change is always difficult but is also inevitable. However, both parish and school communities will maintain their own identity and ways of operating. The relationship that has already developed between ourselves and St Thomas Aquinas school will continue to develop and strengthen, benefiting both schools. It is an opportunity to really 'be on earth the heart of God' for others. I look forward to what evolves as part of this journey together.

Specialist Teachers in 2024

In 2023 we were not able to fill the Spanish Teacher position. Instead we offered a

specialist PE teacher from K-6. Students loved their  time with Mrs Hudson.

However, when staffing changes and shortages became apparent mid year we needed to restructure these specialist roles to prioritise a teacher in every home classroom, where students learn fundamental knowledge and skills on a daily basis. PE returned to being taught by the classroom teachers and we were very fortunate to find the enthusiastic and talented Mrs Ellis who has taught Visual Arts, another area of the curriculum, to all classes during Semester 2.

Languages is an important part of the curriculum. It is an essential requirement from Years 3 to 6. We are again seeking a Spanish Teacher and in the middle of a recruitment process. It is our intention in 2024 to offer this again. I hope to announce this early in the coming year.

In addition, our Teacher-Librarian, Ms Emma Alcock, will continue to offer her deeply knowledgeable program of literature and research in our very well stocked Library, Mrs Kate Macdonald will continue to teach every class Performing Arts (Drama, Music, Dance & Media) with great enthusiasm. Mrs Veronica Ellis will teach Visual Arts to K-2 and Mr Ryan Spencer will teach PE to all year levels. Mr Spencer loves sport, has his own experience in this area and is very much looking forward to providing this opportunity.

Code Camp in 2024

At the end of this Newsletter you will see a flyer for Code Camp. We have partnered with Code Camp to provide an after school activity each week for those students interested in this part of digital technologies. The flyer outlines the details for how to register. We're excited to be able to offer this opportunity.

Information and Digital Technologies 2024

This morning information about School Fees for 2024 was distributed to all families via email. Families of students in Years 4 and 5 may have noted that there will no longer be a chromebook levy moving forward. The changes in fee structure by Catholic Education has allowed that levy to be incorporated into the single school fee along with all other levies. For further information about school fees for 2024 please read the letter. For those who might have a few questions about the chromebook program please let me provide some additional information here.

Will the one-to-one chromebook program continue for Years 4 to 6 in 2024?

Yes, it will continue. Students will still have the opportunity to be provided with an individual chromebook to support their learning from Years 4 to 6. They will still be provided with a protective sleeve as well as the opportunity to take it home, during term time only. In the upper years of primary school it is an important time for students to learn to use such devices as tools for work and learning, to learn the skills required to use digital technologies effectively and collaboratively and, most importantly, to learn to use them as responsible and respectful digital citizens. This won't change.

Does this mean that younger students are subsidising the one to one chromebook program for older students?

No, this isn't the case. The one-to-one chromebook program is just one part of the overall strategy for use of information and digital technologies for all students across the school. We shape appropriate access and use of technologies to the needs of each age level. Our younger students have ready access to dedicated ipads, robotics equipment and licensed programs as part of their learning. This evolves through the years as students' capabilities and the curriculum changes. The end point is a one-to-one chromebook program. The new fee structure supports all of these opportunities from Kindergarten through to Year 6.

Do I still need to pay any outstanding chromebook payments from this year?

Yes. The old fee and finance structure from 2023 did not incorporate the cost of the chromebook. These payments are still required in order to meet the cost of student access and use this year.

What happens to the Parent and Family Agreement that was developed and signed at the beginning of the one to one chromebook program?

The care and responsible use of these devices is still paramount. The devices will still be owned and supported by the school and Catholic Education. They will still come with a warranty that allows for one accidental breakage each year. Therefore we will maintain a specific level of expectation around their use and care. A new agreement will be drawn up for the beginning of next year for all families in Years 4 to 6 that removes the cost component and maintains the expectations for care and use. This information will be provided at the beginning of the year.

Families currently in Year 3 will be invited to an information evening at the beginning of the year where all aspects of the one-to-one chromebook program will be introduced to them.

Information about the return of these devices in Year 6 will be provided early next week.

Christmas Family Picnic

We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible this Thursday evening as we begin to wind up and celebrate the end of the year.

The Community Council are cooking a BBQ for everyone. They do need assistance in cooking and serving. If you are able to help please email maryann.fraser@cg.catholic.edu.au. 

Have a lovely weekend.

Matthew Garton

Principal

Achievement Data

Over the last few weeks, we have been completing assessments and looking at our student achievement data. One assessment that we completed across the school was DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills). We saw very pleasing results across our school. 56 students in our school no longer require reading intervention and 50 more of our students across the school achieved above average results. This is a big achievement for all of our students and staff.

Transitions from 2023 to 2024

We have a thorough transition process at St John's. Each 2023 teacher will complete a transition handover with the 2024 teacher. On Thursday 14th or Friday 15th of December, all parents or carers of students on Personalised Plans will receive an email invitation to bring their child in for an afternoon during the week before school starts in 2024. It will be an opportunity for them to see their new classroom and support their transition. 

Spelling Mastery and Maths Mastery Awards

A big congratulations to the students who received Spelling Mastery and Maths Mastery Awards today. 

What Students are Learning About

This week Kindergarten presented their Nativity story. It is a time-honored tradition for Kindergarten in our community.  It is an important time for them to learn about the story of the birth of our Lord. They learn that there is more than one version and that often the story we know is a blended version of it.

The songs they learn help them to connect more fully to the story. Well done to Ms Watson and Ms Kennelly for supporting all of our students to deepen their connection to the birth of Jesus.

Catholic Life and Reflection

Australian Catholics is a magazine distributed quarterly by the parish. If you attend St John’s it is available just inside the door of the foyer. I often enjoy reading the articles. This edition is all about music. It includes a “sneaky Jesus playlist”. The likes of U2, Dido and Rage Against the Machine are linked to gospel stories. https://www.australiancatholics.com.au/acmagazine

My first exposure to Christian music, that wasn’t at church, was, like many I am sure, Amy Grant.  I still have her Straight Ahead album on record!  You might like to listen to some of her hits here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7wDR5LCarE

I look back now and realise that she was an important connection for me to my faith in my teenage years.

I still enjoy listening to Christian music and try to find ways to use it especially with staff and students. Lauren Daigle is a new favourite https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIaT8Jl2zpI. I use Owl City in our upcoming Cornerstone Ceremony https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIaT8Jl2zpI and I listen to https://www.1wayfm.com.au/ when I’m in the car.

Although music is not my first go to, there are times when I find it soothes the soul. If you get a moment in the next week or so, try to listen to some music that speaks to you.

I would love to hear who your favourite artist is or which hymn always makes you join in at Mass. 

Communicating, loving, praising God comes from the soul and sometimes the best way to show that is with a song.

God bless and go gently in these busy times.

Stephanie Stewart

Religious Education Coordinator

Notices from the Parish

Latest Parish Compact 3 December 2023

Happy birthday to Cyrus K, Edie B, Kelsey N, Kaylie C and Josie A who all celebrated a birthday over the last week.

NOTE: All donations can start to be dropped off in the Front Office from now until the Fete.

Our school Fete will be on Friday 15 March 2024 from 4-8pm (Term 1, Week 7). We are already well on our way with preparations. Please see information below about requesting volunteers in the lead up to the Fete and requests for donations. We really rely on our school community working together to ensure the success of our school Fete. 

Store Conveners 

Thank you to all of the parents who have contacted me to help out as store conveners. Please contact Rebekah Brown rebekah.brown@cg.catholic.edu.au if you would like to take on one of these roles or if you have any questions. 

At times, we may need to ask the store convenor to purchase some of the items required for the store. However, this money will be reimbursed as quickly as possible. 

Donations 

The Fete Committee has decided to send out all of the requests for donations for the 2024 Fete at one time so that families don't feel like there are requests every week or two. We rely on our community to donate a couple of items per child. Please see below a list of the items we are requesting. All of these items can be sent to school with your child or delivered to the front office. Thank you in advance for your donations and support. 

Tombola

For the 2024 Fete, we are doing Tombola a little differently. We are asking that a full jar is donated. In the past, we have asked for empty jars and the Store Convenor has filled the jars. The items also don’t need to be in a jar. They could be in a zip lock bag, a plastic container or anything that is enclosed and we can stick a raffle ticket on. 

Items that can be put in the tombolar jars/containers:

• Lollies and chocolates 
• Jar of trinkets - small toys, erasers, stickers, hair accessories, craft supplies, stationary etc.

Hampers

We are asking that each child in each year group, donates one or more items for the below hampers. Each year level has been allocated a theme. Year 6 has not been allocated a theme, as they will no longer be at St John’s in 2024. If Year 6 students would like to donate an item, they can choose any theme. Please see below images of past hampers. 

Kindergarten - Baby hamper (e.g. wraps, clothes, nappies, rattles, baby toys, wipes etc.)

Year 1 - Pet Hamper (eg. pet toys, treats, feeders, bowls etc.)

Year 2 - Kids Toy hamper (e.g. puzzles, fidget toys, board games, balls etc.)

Year 3 - Pamper hamper (eg. bath salts, candles, body products etc.)

Year 4 - Parents hamper (eg. wine, beer, chocolates, nuts etc.)

Year 5 - Home hamper (eg. tools, cleaning products, Bunnings gift card etc.)

Books

We will be having a book stall. We would love donations of books to sell at the Fete. These can be picture books, children and adult novels, recipe books etc.

Lucky Lock

We will be having a Lucky Lock competition again for the 2024 Fete. An esky is filled with wine and beer and locked with a padlock. We sell keys and one key opens the lock. This lucky person wins the esky and its contents. To run this competition, we would love donations of the following:

• Wine, beer etc.
• Old keys that are no longer useful 

Pre-loved Soft Toys

We are asking for clean and in good condition pre-loved soft toys to be donated. 

Thank you so much for all of your support in making out 2024 Fete a success.

Kind regards,

Fete Committee

Please see below a letter we are sending out to local businesses to support our upcoming 2024 Fete. If you have a business that would like to sponsor the Fete or you know of someone who would be interested in sponsoring our Fete, please see the below information. If you would like this letter to supply businesses with our letterhead, please email Rebekah Brown (rebekah.brown@cg.catholic.edu.au).

Supporting our school – Supporting our students

We hope this letter finds you well. We are writing to you to seek your support for our schools upcoming Fete.

We are hosting our highly anticipated Annual Fete on Friday, 15 March 2024 and we are extremely excited about creating a memorable experience for our students, families and the wider community. For over 40 years St John the Apostle Primary School has served a community that includes families from over 30 different locations in the ACT and NSW.

This event is not only a great opportunity to celebrate our school’s achievements, but also a chance to raise funds for various academic and extracurricular activities, including the continued upgrading our playground and kitchen garden space.

In order to make this event a resounding success, we are reaching out to businesses like yours, which have demonstrated a commitment to community and education. We would be grateful for any donation you can provide, whether it is in the form of monetary support or an in-kind contribution. Your contribution will go towards purchasing items for our stalls, including our BBQ, drinks, gelato, popcorn and fairy floss, chocolate toss, and many more!

As a sponsor, your business will receive significant exposure and recognition at our Fete. We plan to acknowledge our generous sponsors in our signage, social media platforms, school website and our school newsletter with a heartfelt thank you for your support.

We understand that businesses receive numerous sponsorship requests, and we truly appreciate your consideration of our request. Your support will have a direct impact on the educational opportunities we can provide to our students.

Please find enclosed a sponsorship form that outlines the various donation levels. We kindly request that you review the form and select a sponsorship level that aligns with your business’s objectives and budget. If you are able to support us, or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Rebekah Brown our Assistant Principal on (02 6258 3592).

On behalf of the entire St John the Apostle Primary School community, we thank you for your time and consideration.

Yours sincerely,

Matthew Garton             Katie Matthews

Principal                        Community Council Chair

St John the Apostle Primary School Fete Sponsorship Form

Thank you for considering sponsoring our Annual School Fete, we truly value your support. Please review the sponsorship levels below and select the one that aligns with your business' goals and budget.

Gold Sponsorship - $1,000 or more:

• Prominent recognition as a Gold Sponsor on event signage
• Company logo featured on our school website and social media platforms with a link to your website
• Acknowledgment and thank you at the event
• Opportunity to place promotional materials at our event booths or information stands

Silver Sponsorship - $500:

• Recognition as a Silver Sponsor on event signage
• Company logo featured on our school website and social media platforms
• Acknowledgment and thank you at the event
• Opportunity to place promotional materials at our event booths or information stands

Bronze Sponsorship - $250:

• Recognition as a Bronze Sponsor on event banners, flyers, and signage
• Company name showcased on our school website and social media platforms
• Acknowledgment and thank you at the event

Please contact us using the details provided below to arrange payment of your sponsorship contribution. We will then reach out to discuss further promotion and recognition opportunities. We sincerely appreciate your generosity and support.

The Uniform Shop Opening Hours

Friday 8 December - 8.30-9.30am

The Swimming Carnival for St John the Apostle Primary is held in Week 3, Term 1, 2024.

It is for students who will be in Years 2 - 6 next year. All students attend and participate to their level of competency. There will be novelty events for those who are not confident swimmers.

To be prepared for this event, and avoid a rush of alerts and notes for families at the beginning of next year, we ask families to fill out the attached form to indicate the swimming capacity of their child. We also need to know which events students will be swimming in so we can organise the races for the day.

Access the information sent via Compass and complete the 'Additional Questions' section. Please return via Compass by Friday, 1^st December 2023.