Jubilee Year 2025 – Pilgrims of Hope

Prayer for Pope Francis

O God, shepherd and ruler of all the faithful,

look favorably on your servant Francis,

whom you have set at the head of your Church as her shepherd;

grant, we pray, that by word and example

he may be of service to those over whom he presides

so that, together with the flock entrusted to his care,

he may come to everlasting life.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

A Prayer for Pope Francis

Loving God,

We give you thanks for the life and leadership of Pope Francis — for his humility, his courage, and his heart for the poor. For the way he called us back to the Gospel — to mercy, to justice, and to joy.

Bless his soul with eternal peace and rest in your loving presence. Strengthen your Church, O Lord, to continue walking in the light he helped us see. Raise up shepherds after your own heart, that our Church may be ever faithful, ever hopeful, and ever loving.

We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Dear SJA Families,

 I hope your Easter break offered you some peace, renewal, and time with those you love. Easter, of course, is a season of hope — of light shining from the empty tomb — and a reminder that even in the face of suffering and loss, we are a people of resurrection.

This year, our Easter reflections are touched with sorrow as we mark the death of Pope Francis. His passing is a significant moment in the life of our Church and the wider world. He was a shepherd with the smell of his sheep, a Pope who walked humbly, loved boldly, and consistently pointed us back to the Gospel.

Pope Francis reminded us — again and again — that our faith must be lived at the edges: in compassion for the poor, in care for the planet, in welcoming the stranger, and in upholding the dignity of all people. In all ways, his leadership mirrored the MSC spirituality, 'to be on earth, the heart of God' in which we strive for everyday at SJA.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, a Jesuit from Argentina, he became the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church in 2013, choosing the name Francis after St Francis of Assisi — a bold signal of the papacy he would lead:

• a papacy rooted in simplicity, compassion, and care for the marginalised
• a Pope who washed the feet of prisoners, welcomed refugees, and reminded us that “the Church is a field hospital after battle”
• a call to mercy over judgement, encounter over exclusion
• a commitment to interfaith dialogue, especially with our Muslim and Jewish brothers and sisters
• a prophetic voice for the environment, through Laudato Si’, urging us to care for our common home
• a deep concern for the poor, the displaced, and the suffering — those Francis called “the flesh of Christ”

He was not afraid to challenge comfort or complacency, reminding us always that Christianity is a movement, not a monument.

This week we welcomed back all of our wonderful students. They skipped into school with smiles all around to catch up with their friends. I have listened to family holiday adventures, camping, trips to the coast, and heard about the abundance of chocolate eggs and bunnies consumed.  As always, a big welcome to our new families and look forward to sharing the journey with all of you.

Facilities Upgrade and Repairs

You may have noticed some holiday facility improvements, especially in our front entrance walk area and pergolas. New carpets and a fresh coat of paint have made all the difference in a multiple learning areas. Today, our new water dispensers on the rainbow top have been installed hopefully ready for next week.  We thank the Catholic Education Office for their continued support in the commitment for improving the learning and play areas of our school.

Staff Professional Development

During the holidays, the teachers have been busy planning for our term ahead. On Monday, during our Professional Development Sessions we continued our Catalyst journey learning more about Guided Practice. Guided Practice – ‘We Do’ explores the Gradual Release of Responsibility instructional framework in lesson design and explicit instruction. The Gradual Release of Responsibility framework is a research-based instructional model that shifts the learning responsibility gradually from the teacher to the student. It includes three phases: the 'I Do' phase where the teacher explicitly teaches and models, the 'We Do' phase where students engage in guided practice, and finally, the 'You Do' phase where students work independently. Our session focused on the ‘We Do’ phase, to help teachers deepen their understanding in the critical role of guided practice, and together we explored strategies to manage cognitive load, enhance questioning techniques, differentiate review from retrieval, and monitor student progress effectively through this phase. I am so proud of the Teachers and the Learning Support Team who worked together to ensure that we include this phase with fidelity in our lessons.

Volunteers Needed

Calling all volunteers for the following SJA events

Thursday 8^th May – Cross Country – (11.00am – 1.30pm) Many parents are needed to help with on the track marshalling and student support. Please contact Ryan Spencer if you can help – ryan.spencer@cg.catholic.edu.au

Friday 9^th May – Mother’s, Grandma’s Breakfast – (Dads only please- starting at 7am – 9am) cooking the bacon and eggs, sausages, serving, packing up etc. Even if you can pop in for just an hour, please contact Karen Leighton if you can help – karen.leighton@cg.catholic.edu.au

Saturday 17^th   May– SJA Working Bee in collabaration with the Community Council 

All Welcome. The Working Bee will begin at 8.30am – 12.30pm. There are slots that you can sign up for or even help out for longer. There is BBQ cooking for hungry workers (and kids), weeding garden beds, cleaning up the vegie patch, pruning, mulch patrol, sand pit and playground. Can you bring your own tools – shovels, pruners, rakes etc. A COMPASS note will be sent out, you will be able to sign up on this platform or contact our Office.

Thank you again for all of your continued support and I look forward to catching up with all of you at our upcoming community engagement events.

Kind regards

Jo 

Friendly Reminders

 Enrolment 2026

2026 Enrolment Period is the month of May.

Enrolment period is now upon us. If you have a little one ready for school in 2026 or know of anyone interested in looking at our fantastic school for their children, please let them know to contact us. We are opened for individual or group tours.

Notes some key dates here:

School Uniform – Winter Term Reminders

From Week 3, all students are expected to be in full winter uniform. Thank you to all families for your efforts!

A few reminders:

• Formal black leather shoes must be worn (no black runners, Lynx shoes, or canvas shoes).
• Navy gloves, scarves, and coats are appropriate during winter.
• Jewellery is restricted to plain small studs/sleepers and a watch (no dangles, loops, or bracelets).
• A parent note is required if uniform deviations occur while sourcing correct items.

Our uniform promotes pride in appearance, a sense of belonging, and the spirit of our school community.

Uniforms are available through our fabulous SJA Uniform Shop.

Opening hours: Friday 9nd May 8:30am - 9:30am

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

Term Dates

This term will finish for students on Thursday 3rd July. Friday 4th July will be a Staff Professional Learning Day.

Illness

If your child is unwell, please do not send them to school. If your child becomes unwell during the day, we will phone you and ask you to kindly make swift arrangement to collect them. Children who are unwell are unable to remain at school for extended periods of time in the sick bay as they will spread their illness to others. Thank you for your understanding with this matter.

Dear St John the Apostle Families

Thank you to all of the school community for making me feel so welcome to your school.

Our students have returned to SJA and learning has continued, almost seamlessly. Thank you for all that you do behind the scenes to assist your child with returning, we understand that some of our students worry about friendships, being accepted, liked and even routine and familiarity of each day.

Protective Behaviours

This term we will have a major focus on the topic of Protective Behaviour, this will be shared with students and families. We aim to empower students to recognise and respond to unsafe situations by developing skills like communication, self-esteem, and resilience. We will be emphasising that everyone has the right to feel safe and supported. We will teach students about body awareness, personal space, and how to identify and report to adults when they are feeling unsafe.

School Photos

Next Wednesday 7^th May is our school photos day.

All students are required to be in their full school winter uniform, including their jumper. Please ensure your child comes to school with their hair neat and tidy, with their hair tied up if required.

Cross Country

The Cross Country Carnival will take place this Thursday 8^th May from 11.00am-1.30pm.

If any parents/carers are available to volunteer to help out at the SJA Cross Country, could you please email Sport Teacher Ryan Spencer ryan.spencer@cg.catholic.edu.au at your earliest convenience. We will need 30 adult helpers to stand at various checkpoints, monitor the runners and be track Marshalls. Mr Spencer will be in touch with you to confirm your role.

 The Community Council have kindly organised a special lunch for the Cross Country Carnival. The special lunch must be pre-ordered via the Qkr! App. It can be found under the Community Council Events tab. The special lunch is $6 and will include a hot dog, packet of chips and a juice popper. We will also have Gluten Free and Vegetarian options.

Mother’s Day

Next Friday 9^th May, we will be host a breakfast for all our Mum’s and Special people in our community.
Breakfast will be available from 7:45am, we will have bacon and egg rolls, sausage sizzle,  sweet treats, fruit as well as tea and coffee.

After the breakfast, students will line up on the Rainbow top as usual. We will hold morning assembly and we will do a blessing for all our Mum’s. From here we will hold open classrooms until 9:30am where we invite you to come in and see all our wonderful learning on display and enjoy an activity together with your child.

Dad’s, we need your help in cooking the BBQ. Please contact me at karen.leighton@cg.catholic.edu.au or the school office if you area are able to assist.

What Students are Learning About

On Thursday Year 3 enjoyed a walk to the church. They went to learn about the different objects that make up the church building. This included the tabernacle, pascal candle and baptismal font.

The children had the opportuinty to ask questions and look closely at each Sacred object.

Catholic Life and Reflection

The passing of Father Michael Fallon just before Easter was a sad occasion. He was the Parish Priest at St John the Apostle for many years and prolific writer whose work I often turn to when interprescripture. 

The following is an exerpt from his commentary on John's gospel.  I often use his commentary's for the staff and students as his simple language and wealth of knowledge help.

As we have often indicated, the gospels are meant to be contemplated as one contemplates an icon. This is absolutely imperative for this final section. Jesus has passed through physical death. He is, therefore, beyond the grasp of the senses. His first disciples could not and did not see or hear or touch him in the same way as they had prior to his crucifixion. Yet we have their word for it that they experienced him present among them and we know that this experience affected them profoundly. We know also that many people found their testimony thoroughly convincing. The stunning growth of the Church is evidence of this.

God bless,

Stephanie Stewart

Religious Education Coordinator

Our Guiding Light!

Our beautiful Kindergarten Teacher Olivia Etzrodt recently completed The Canberra Times Half Marathon. 

She guided Liz with cues about the course whilst running with tether. 

Thumbs up to you Ms E!!

Happy Birthday to Samuel Mullins, Victor Lomax, Sophie Peisker, AmeliaSwiderski, ThomasAnderson, Adaline Jozwiak, Aviana Jozwiak, Troy Khalu-Reindl, Caleb Quinn, Ameilia Peisker, Jayden Amardo, Violet Oxenham, Bevan Hilhorst, Angelina Amrado, KlaraNilsson, Jasmine Khalu-Reindl, Jackson Loricchiella, Sonam Drolma, Alexis Greenhalgh, Japji Chohan, Evelina Nilsson, Hugo Mullins, Jonah Terron, Sophia Woods, Grace Garang,  Charlie Daza, Samuel Hedges, Gauri Dwivedi, Aysha Zenha Mohamed Jabir, Toby Blackford, Luca Vuckovic, Evelyn Wijnberg, Rigzang Tshewang, Thomasina Neilsen, Jennifer Nguyen, Emma Wooden, Penelope Osborne-Goldsbrough, Angel Bujune who all celebrate a Birthday in April.

Dear Parents,

School photography day is coming up soon. Group and portrait photographs can be purchased by following the link below or by returning the order envelope with your payment to our photographer on school photo day.

Two easy ways to purchase:

1. Visa, MasterCard or PayPal
2. Cash – complete the envelope supplied and return it to our photographer on photo day

Or visit: www.advancedlife.com.au
And enter online order code: 21X CFH 6YT

School photography information:

• Online orders - do not require an envelope returned to your school
• Sibling Photos - Don’t forget to pre-order your sibling photos online up to 24 hours before photo day. We provide your school with a list of sibling orders right up to the day of photography, so no one misses out. If you miss the online order deadline, you can submit a completed sibling order envelope first thing in the morning of the day of photography, so your school is aware you want the photo taken and can bring your children together in time for it. Sibling photographs only apply to children enrolled at your school. Please note not all schools offer sibling photos
• Late fees - a late fee will be applied to each package purchased after photo day due to the additional cost of producing these packages separately
• Package delivery - School photographs will be returned approximately 6 weeks after the day of photography. Please note this delivery timeframe is dependent on proofing and additional photography days at your school.
• Previous Years’ photos - Past years’ photographs including sports, co-curricular and representative groups are also available to order under the “previous years or group photo” tabs at your school’s advancedorder site when you click on the “Order School Photos Here” button above. You can also order past packages, portrait images and gifts from your child’s unique, individual and secure advancedyou image archive site using the unique 9 digit image code found on packages you have ordered in the past

advancedlife would like to express our appreciation to St John The Apostle Primary School for placing your trust in us. Please remember we offer a 100% money back guarantee on our products to ensure your peace of mind. We would also love to receive your feedback or resolve any issues you may experience as fast as possible, to ensure your satisfaction. If you have any questions, comments or feedback relating to your advancedlife experience please contact us at: www.advancedlife.com.au/contact

Congratulations to Oskar El-Geddes and Alexandra Bradbury who qualified to compete in the ACT Swimming Championships. The Championships are being held on Tuesday 6^th May at the AIS. We are very proud of their achievements and wish both students the best of luck.

Opening Hours

St John the Apostle is pleased to announce 

ACEN SORA (previously Overdrive) 

eBooks and Audiobooks  (Year 3-6) 

The ACEN (Australian Catholic Education Network) Sora eBook and audiobook service is available, at no charge, for access by students, staff and parents 24/7 from school, home or any location.  The CE pays the annual subscription to Sora for all schools. 

Sora includes a large collection of eBooks and audio-books for students of all year levels, as well as adults.  The collection includes fiction, as well as non-fiction titles related to Australian curriculum topics. The current collection includes over 10,000 eBooks and audiobooks, including ‘Read-a-long’ books.

Sora may be accessed from any tablet, laptop, mobile phone, desktop computer, or loaded onto eReaders for offline reading.   

Sora APP for iPads  - ACEN library Login Procedures

1. Search and install the Sora APP from the Apple Store or Google Play.
2. You are directed to a screen that will read “Find my School.”
3. Choose “ACEN Member Collection.”
4. Sign into the ACEN Member Collection using the student Network Login details and Password (the Diocese from the dropdown menu will be “Canberra-Goulburn”).
5. The Sora home screen appears with the borrower logged in.  A borrower's Account button is at the top of the screen to see current loans and open books that have been borrowed.

Sora ACEN Website

The ACEN Sora website is located at https://soraapp.com/welcome/login/202541. You will login using the above steps. 

Site Features

• Favorite titles will be displayed.  Click on a title to borrow it, or use the Search window to find a particular title or author’s books.
• Borrower’s title checkout limits and holds are displayed in your account. Titles are borrowed for 14 days and may be renewed.  Titles disappear following the borrowing period.
• Holds may be put on titles that are currently on loan to other borrowers.
• Titles may be read in the browser, or returned by clicking the Return button.
• After the title is opened on the screen, click at the bottom of the screen near the
• Other Advanced features are available for searching titles/groups of titles.  

Title Access Year Levels

Titles in the Sora collection have been given access year level ratings, so students will only be able to borrow titles rated for their level or below.  Students will see all available titles in Overdrive, but titles not able to be borrowed will be greyed out. Eg.  Year 3 students will not be able to borrow Adult level titles. Title are Juvenile (K-4), Young Adult (years 5-8) and Adult (Year 9 – Adult).

Parental Access to Sora

Parents may access Sora using their child’s computer network login details.  The child’s borrowing limit of 3 titles still applies.

Unfortunately, parents will not be able to borrow titles that are above their child’s access level.  Eg. If the child is a Year 6 student, parents will not be able to borrow Adult level books, only Young Adult or Juvenile level books.

Happy reading!

Ms Emma Alcock

Teacher Librarian  

Cross Country Change of Date - 

There has been a change of date for the SJA Cross Country - due to SFX Open Day and Kinder Excursion to the Zoo.

We will now hold the Cross Country on Thursday 8^th May.

More information to follow.

New Direct Debit Payment Option Coming Soon!

We are pleased to announce that St John the Apostle has recently introduced the BPoint Enterprise Solution to manage direct debit arrangements for the payment of school fees.

What is BPoint and What Do You Need to Do?

BPoint is a secure Commonwealth Bank payment processing platform designed to facilitate online payments, while ensuring the highest security standards. This system safeguards your financial information using industry-leading security measures.

Our new direct debit platform will allow you to pay school fees using either a bank account or a credit card (excluding AMEX). Please note that payments made via credit card will incur a 0.5% surcharge.

Establishing Direct Debits.

Next week, families will receive an email outlining estimated weekly, fortnightly, and monthly repayment options to ensure all fees are paid by the end of the year. These amounts will also include any outstanding 2024 balances. 

What next? 

You will receive an email that will provide a start date for direct debits and options for selecting your preferred payment frequency. Once a payment frequency is selected, you will be directed to enter your bank/credit card details. Once the information is entered, you will receive an email from no-reply@bpoint.com.au . The email will contain two links,

1.         The first link requires confirmation of the direct debit arrangement. Please note that the link will expire within 7 days.

2.         The second link provides a copy of the eDDRSA for your records.

While using the direct debit payment option is not compulsory, many families find it helpful in staying up to date with their financial obligations.

For any questions or further assistance, please contact our Finance Office - Finance.SJAPS@cg.catholic.edu.au

Getting Kids to Talk, Not Shrug: Simple Strategies for Meaningful Conversations

Your child climbs into the car after school, and you eagerly ask about their day. You’re genuinely excited to see them. 

The response? A mumbled “fine”… and that’s it. Whether you’re facing a tight-lipped five-year-old who’s suddenly turned into a mime artist or a teenager who communicates exclusively in shoulder shrugs, cracking the code of kid communication can feel like trying to solve a Rubik’s cube in the dark.

But here’s a ray of hope: research from the Harvard Family Research Project reveals that persisting with open dialogue doesn’t just improve today’s family dynamic—it weaves stronger decision-making abilities into your children’s future and creates family bonds that can weather any storm. In short, it’s worth the effort to make conversations happen. 

If you pause and think about it, though, you’ll find that they usually do happen. Often more than we realise.

Why Won’t My Child Talk to Me?

While teenagers often cop the blame for becoming human clams, the truth is that children of all ages surf waves of uncommunicativeness. Our littlies might be wrestling with emotions bigger than their vocabulary can handle. Or they’re tired and don’t want to talk. Primary schoolers often retreat into quiet harbours when navigating the choppy waters of friendship dramas or classroom challenges.

The Science Behind the Silence

For teenagers, there’s fascinating brain science at play. The adolescent brain undergoes a dramatic renovation project—imagine trying to have a quiet chat while major construction work is happening upstairs. Their emotional responses are cranked up to eleven, while their ability to regulate these feelings is still very much a work in progress.

The truth is we often don’t feel like talking either. When you walk into the house at the end of the day and your spouse or partner expectantly encourages you to “tell me about your day”, do you open up and spill it all? If you’re like most of us, you want to get in the door, get settled, and tick off a few things like dinner, washing, and getting kids to bed. And you’re about ready to talk when you’re lying horizontally in bed.

How to Get Kids Talking: Practical Strategies

The good news? There are tried-and-true ways to pierce this bubble of silence, no matter your child’—or no matter how you’re feeling.

Create “Side-by-Side” Moments for Natural Conversations

Magic often happens when you’re not eyeball-to-eyeball. For younger children, it might be while their hands are busy with Lego or when they’re elbow-deep in craft glue. With older kids and teens, car rides become confession booths on wheels, and dog walks transform into walking talk sessions. These moments, free from the spotlight of direct eye contact, often unlock the floodgates of conversation.

Active Listening: The Secret to Deeper Conversations

When your child does crack open the door to communication, resist the urge to burst through with solutions or life lessons. Instead, become their emotional echo: “That sounds really rough” or “I can hear how excited you are about this.” This approach works whether you’re validating a preschooler’s theatrical meltdown over the wrong-coloured cup or a teenager’s complex social algebra.

For younger children, physically coming down to their level can help them feel seen and heard. With teens, acknowledge their growing independence by treating them as the experts of their own experience—at least initially.

Make One-on-One Time Sacred

In the whirlwind of modern family life, individual connection time often gets sacrificed on the altar of busy schedules. But carving out regular one-on-one time—even just 10 precious minutes—can work magic. For little ones, it might be bedtime stories where you do all the silly voices or morning cuddles that start the day with connection. With older children, it could be a weekly hot chocolate date or shooting hoops in the driveway as the sun sets.

The Secret Ingredient: Your Undivided Attention

Yes, that means letting your phone gather dust for a few minutes. This dedicated time whispers a powerful message: “In this crazy-busy world, you’re worth pausing for.”

Final Thoughts: Building Stronger Connections Over Time

Remember, nurturing open communication isn’t about forcing conversations or expecting overnight miracles. It’s about creating little pockets of safety where sharing feels as natural as breathing, whether your child is four or fourteen. Plant these seeds of connection consistently, water them with patience, and watch as they grow into something beautiful—a relationship that can withstand any season.

Does your child clam up when you ask about their day? Try these strategies and let me know what works best for your family! Share your experiences in the comments.

Author

Dr Justin Coulson

Dr Justin Coulson is a dad to 6 daughters and grandfather to 1 granddaughter. He is the parenting expert and co-host of Channel 9’s Parental Guidance, and he and his wife host Australia’s #1 podcast for parents and family: The Happy Families podcast. He has written 9 books about families and parenting. For further details visit www.happyfamilies.com.au.

A friendly reminder that St Johns is a nut free school. Thank you.

From next Tuesday (8 April 2025), bus timetables and school packs will be available to download ahead of timetable improvements which begin from the start of school term two on Monday 28 April 2025.

Improvements for students include additional school services and refinements to bus routes to provide better coverage to surrounding suburbs. Some school services are also being adjusted to better align with bell times based on school community feedback. More broadly, the timetable improvements will deliver an additional 94 bus services per weekday including more AM and PM weekday peak services for key Rapid routes. There will be no changes to light rail frequencies.

School packs and timetables

Please find attached the updated school pack specific to your school to help distribute to your school community. Also attached is a social tile to help with your messaging.

Updated school packs and timetables will be made available to the broader community to view and download ahead of the school holidays next Tuesday 8 April 2025. Students and families will be encouraged to check their school packs and timetables at the Transport Canberra website to prepare for the new school term.

For parents, careers and guardians with children who catch the bus to school, we recommend familiarising them with any updated morning and afternoon pickup times.  Please be aware though, the Transport Canberra journey planner on the MyWay+ app and online will be updated with the new timetables in the week leading up to term two. 

Summary of school changes:

Route 1045 – Morning service begins 4 minutes earlier to better accommodate bell time.

Keep in touch

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