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Please go to our school calendar on the website or COMPASS for more details.
Please note that the first day of Term 3 and the last day of Term 4 (22 July, and 17 December) are also pupil free days for professional learning for staff. Students do not attend school on these days. OSHClub will be available.
Term 2 Week 9-10
- Friday Fitness (week 9)
- Yr 5 Basketball Clinic (weeks 9-10)
- Kinder, Yrs 1 & 2 Tennis Clinic (weeks 9)
- Parent-Teacher Interviews (week 9)
- Semester 1 Reports distributed (week 10)
- End of Term Award Ceremony (week 10)
- Archbishop visit (week 10)
Term 3 Week 1-4
- Pupil Free Day (Monday 22 July)
- NAIDOC Mass (week 1)
- Mitch Tambo - Whole School Performance (week 2)
- Mini Olympics Opening Ceremony (week 2)
- OZ Tag Gala Day (boys and girls) (week 3)
- Author visit - Sue Whiting (week 4)
- Feast of the Assumption (week 4)
The school positive behaviour focus this week was:
Respect others privacy.
Ngunnawal word of the week:
Bara (means 'light')
Dear St John's families,
Thank you everyone for your understanding regarding the cancelling of the athletics carnival. As anticipated, we had a significant number of staff away today and wouldn't have been able to run it safely or effectively. Plans are already in motion for forming a school team for the Belconnen region carnival next term. Thank you to Mrs Dess and Mr Seaman for their continued optimism and organisation.
We're looking forward to holding a Mini Olympics next term. Mrs Fraser has gathered a small committee of students to help organise the event. I remember doing my own Mini Olympics at school. It was fun to 'belong' to a country, to march under their flag and compete in some silly events. We'll share more details about the event in the coming weeks.
Cases of Influenza
We have had a large number of students away this week. From a third to a half of many of our older year levels. Some families have reported case of Influenza. This has often been identified through one of the more common influenza/covid tests that are now available in chemists. Influenza is very contagious so we really appreciate families keeping their children home to prevent the spread!
Be on earth the heart of God
Last week I shared my understanding about what 'the heart of God' is. It was based on the scripture 'God is Love' (1 John 4:8). We are called to be love.
Our charism also calls us to be love 'on earth.' On earth.
The first thing I notice is that 'Earth' is not capitalised. As our students learn, the name of our planet should have a capital letter. So this charism doesn't really mean 'be [on our planet] the heart of God'. It means something else. Something more nuanced. We also use the word 'earth' to mean soil. I think it is pretty obvious that our charism isn't 'be [on our soil] the heart of God'. That's not really what our Catholic faith and tradition is about.
So what does 'be on earth' mean in this context? I think our charism reminds us the be the heart of God (love) in a very real, grounded and tangible way.
Earthiness is about being present to our senses; to everything around us that we can see, hear, touch, smell, taste. It can be gritty, noisy, quiet, soft, warm, cold, sweet. Every moment of our day we are situated in a very physical space with all of creation, including our friends and family, other people, our pets, our garden, the neighborhood, the local community, the trees, the air we breathe the food and drink we consume. We are earthy people living as part of an earthy world around us.
To 'be on earth the heart of God' is to be present to everyone and everything around us in this very moment. To value the uniqueness and complexity of creation. To connect. To also see ourselves as an integral part of the very creation we find ourselves in. To love it all as God loves it. In short, our charism reminds us to be grounded in the present and to look on the world around us with love.
Naturally our minds go to to our family and friends when we talk about love. But I think our charism also pushes us to think beyond our immediate concerns. It reminds us that we are called to love all creation. We are called be mindful of the very earth itself and our impact on it. We are called to be aware of the many people we share our earth with at this very moment and to love them in whatever capacity we have right now. That often begins with loving what is in front of us.
As you read this, take in where you are situated right now. Use that often referred to strategy of mindfulness to stop, sit, focus on your breathing and just take in the sense of your own earthy body and the earth you sense around you. Who is with you? What of creation can you hear and see around you at this moment? Isn't it amazing that we are all here together and share this space and time? How can I show love to the people, the creation around me right now? What is one simple, tiny way can I 'be the heart of God', be love to them right now?
That's a question for next week's newsletter.
Groundsperson/Janitor Needed
Just a reminder that the position Groundsperson/Janitor has been advertised. If any community members know of someone that might be interested please direct them to the application site. They are also welcome to contact me directly matthew.garton@cg.catholic.edu.au.
Kind regards,
Matthew Garton
Principal
Parent Teacher Interviews
A reminder that Parent Teacher Interviews are next week.
Bookings can be accessed through clicking on the link below https://stjohnflorey.schoolzineplus.com/view-session/24. Please note that bookings will close on Sunday 23 June at 500pm. All bookings need to be made prior to this date.
Special Canteen Day
On the last day of school (Friday 5 July), we will be holding a Special Canteen Day that will take place during lunch time (1.25-2.00pm). On this day, we will have lolly bags and gelato for sale. We have pre-purchases available on Qkr. There may be options to purchase these with cash on the day, however pre-purchases on Qkr will be prioritised. This fundraising is on behalf of the Community Council and will go towards some new sports equipment for the children to play with a Recess and Lunch.
- Lolly Bags - $1
- Gelato - $3
Please note you can only purchase one of each for one child. The pre-purchase is available now on Qkr under the Community Council tab.
Awards
Congratulations to our Spelling Mastery and Brag Tag Awards recipients.
Congratulations Alex Richardson
Alex Richardson represented the Belconnen team at the ACT Cross Country Championships on Friday 14th June. Alex ran an amazing race, finishing 20th out of all the other 8 year old boys in the ACT. A big congratulations to Alex on this great achievement! We're very proud of you!
2025 Fete Committee
I know we aren't even half way through the year yet, however I am calling for volunteers to be on the 2025 Fete Committee. Stephanie Juskevics (Kindergarten Parent) has offered to be the Fete Coordinator. Thank you Stephanie!
The Community Council has decided to structure the Fete Committee differently for 2025. We are asking for one volunteer per year group to be on the Fete Committee. A volunteer's role will be to convene one larger/a few smaller stalls for their child's year level. Each year level Fete Convenor will also support organising volunteers from that year level to volunteer on the stall/stalls they are convening.
If you are interested in being a year level Fete Convenor, please email Stephanie at stephanieh1978@hotmail.com
Rebekah Brown
Assistant Principal and Inclusion Coordinator
Happy Birthday to Oskar El-Geddes, Sian Kim, and Solomon Azzam who all celebrated a birthday over the last week.
Second Hand Uniform Donations
The Uniform Shop would love to receive second hand uniform donations. If you have school uniforms at home that you no longer need please send them into school. Thank you.
Opening Hours
The Uniform Shop will be open during the following:
Friday 28 June - 8.30am-9.30am
If you have any questions or concerns please email the uniform shop on stjohnsclothingpool@gmail.com
The Best Way to Say 'No!' to Your Kids
One of the most difficult parts of parenting is saying no.
Unfortunately, sometimes we have to. Sometimes plans change, or something might not be safe. At times, someone else’s needs may matter more, or our child wants what they can’t have.
And while they might not thank you for it, setting limits is one of the best things you can do for your child. Saying ‘no’ teaches our kids important lessons about life, independence, empathy, and getting along. Research shows that the best parenting style is one that combines setting limits with warmth. These parents are nurturing and responsive, but they set firm limits for their children. They listen to their child’s point of view, but they don’t always accept it. And it works! Their children tend to be friendly, self-reliant, cooperative, curious, and goal-oriented.
So how can we say no while still letting our kids know that we empathise with them? How can we be firm and warm?
Give them their wish in fantasy.
It’s important to remember that our kids have big feelings, and that’s ok! We might need to limit behaviour, but big feelings are allowed. And while our kids don’t always need us to say yes, they do need to feel heard. All humans are more willing to cooperate once their feelings have been acknowledged. Our kids are no different.
So when your child wants something that you can’t (or won’t) say yes to, you can still show him that you empathise. Give him his wish in fantasy.
Here is an example. Imagine you’re in the supermarket with your child. You’re at the checkout, and it’s been a long, tiring day. You just want to get out of there and get home. Suddenly your child pipes up, ‘I want a lolly!’ You inwardly groan. It’s just before dinner, and you need to say no! You can feel a tantrum brewing. The last thing you need is a public meltdown!
But it doesn’t have to end in a meltdown. Here’s what you do:
First, connect with your child. Touch him on the arm, get down to his level, and make eye contact. 90% of good parenting is connection.
Then, give him what he wants in fantasy. Say, ‘I wish you could have a lolly! What kind would you get?’ Hopefully, your child will start to calm down right away and think about the answer. ‘Freddo Frog’, he might say. ‘Oh, that’s a great choice. I would pick lolly, or maybe freckles.’
Depending on how big your child’s feelings are, you might need to extend the fantasy. You might say, ‘What if our car was made of lollies? We’d never have to go to the supermarket again!’ Your child might say, ‘The wheels could be cookies!’ When you give your child what he wants in fantasy, it shows him that you understand his feelings and that you care. Once he hears this, it is much easier for him to transition from being overwhelmed by his big feelings to dealing with a situation that, from his perspective, is less than ideal.
When you engage your child in fantasy, you are speaking to him in his favourite language: play. This reinforces your connection. It also shows your child that even if the world sometimes feels unfair, it is basically safe. This is because he has felt heard and understood.
We might not always get a round of applause, but putting this principle into practice will help us through the tough “no” moments with our children. They may still want what they can’t have, but we’ll be able to playfully get them through it. And in the process, teach them.
The NFSA in Acton is screening a selection of sports classics and well-loved family movies during the July school holidays, including A League of Their Own, Cool Runnings, Bend It Like Beckham, Howl’s Moving Castle and Lilo & Stitch. The NFSA building is open daily to explore before or after the screening, including pop culture curiosities on display in The Library and locally roasted coffee available to enjoy in the onsite cafe or sunny courtyard.
6 pm, Fri 5 Jul
Two sisters join the first female professional baseball league and fight to prove that women have a place in sports in this critically acclaimed hit inspired by true events.
Thu 11 Jul
A feel-good family film about striving to achieve your goals – no matter the odds – loosely based on the true story of the first Jamaican bobsled team to compete at the Olympics.
1 pm, Fri 12 Jul
Sporting talent, family expectations and friendship collide in this heartfelt coming-of-age comedy about two young women who bond over their shared love of football.
1 pm, Thu 18 Jul
The Wizard of Oz meets anime magic in this heartwarming fantasy adventure from Studio Ghibli. Selling fast!
Fri 19 Jul
Extraterrestrial experiment Stitch and young Hawaiian orphan Lilo find unlikely connection (and much chaos) in this treasured Disney animation.
