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Dear St John the Apostle Primary School Community,
Welcome back to everyone!
We've had a very settled and happy first week of school here with our new staff and students all finding their feet quickly and everyone enjoying the new playground improvements.
A settled start is what we all needed after a rather unsettling Christmas holiday break for the ACT and NSW. A number of staff and families have been impacted by the smoke, fires and hail. Other community members are undergoing challenging times with very sick family members. During these times we are thankful for the communities, such as St John the Apostle, that where we belong and the support we can find there. A settled start doesn't just happen and I want to thank the excellent staff team for the many hours spent in preparing for the year ahead.
Welcome
Welcome to all of our new students and families across the school. Thank you for
choosing St John the Apostle to be part of your family story. We look forward to helping your child to grow and learn and become the best they can be.
We also welcome a number of new staff to our team here:
- Charlie McIver (1 Maroon Teacher)
- Ruth Blackwell (2 Maroon Teacher)
- Ashleigh van Kemenade (Year 3 Maroon Teacher)
- Scott Suitor (Year 6 Blue Teacher & School Coordinator)
- Sean O'Neill (Inclusion Assistant)
- Ben Fely (Inclusion Assistant)
- Laurie Fraser (Inclusion Assistant)
- Rheannan Vergano (Inclusion Assistant)
We look forward to their contributions to our school community.
Air Quality Management in School
Using information from the Education Directorate, Catholic Education have produced an “Air Quality and Response Guide to Schools” that provides us with support and advice for ensuring the safety and well-being of staff and students when the air quality is very poor. We undertake an assessment each day to decide the plan for the day. Similarly to last year, mitigation strategies may require restriction of students from the playground, cancelling or postponing excursions, possible rotation of students in classrooms that are less exposed to poor air quality, monitoring individual staff and student health requirements. These are some of the actions that make up the Action Plan.
Parent Information Night
We look forward to seeing everyone at the Parent Information Night this coming Thursday evening. It is a great opportunity to hear about the direction the school is heading this year, what will be happening in your child's classroom and to meet the teacher. We will be handing out a lot of information on the night and you won't want to miss it.
Swimming Carnival
Our Year 2-6 Swimming Carnival is coming up very soon! On Wednesday a note went
home that covers both permission and nomination for any races. It takes time to organise the heats for each event and we would like every child to return their note by next Wednesday 12 February. Every class that has all notes returned on that day will receive Zooper Doopers!
Well done everyone on a great first week of school! Congratulations!
Matthew Garton (Principal)
PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT
Thursday 13 February
5.30pm General Address in the Hall
6.00pm Classroom Sessions
6.30pm Classroom Session (repeat)
I warmly welcome you back to the 2020 school year.
For many this summer has not been one of rest and relaxation. Being conscious of this for our staff and our wider community for the beginning of the year, we have focussed on Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God.”
Of course, many of us have seen the first part of this psalm as a reminder to stop, rest, have some stillness, and calm in our life. We participated in some Christian Meditation during our first morning together. You might like to try it.
We then spent the rest of our time focussing on the ending… “know that I am God.”
In times of stress and trouble, we sometimes think we know better than God does. One of the reflections I read was quite succinct when it said the Psalm is saying “For goodness sake let me do my job, let me be God!”
As we begin another school year there are many things we worry about. Are our kids going to be ok without us? Will their teacher be kind?
Psalm 46:10, is a timely reminder about faith and trust in God’s plan.
God bless you and may 2020 be filled with joy.
Stephanie Stewart
Religious Education Coordinator
Notices from the Parish
Happy birthday to Jack G, Alexander N, Vanessa O, Tobden T, Emilio C, Aravindya P, Celine M, Hana N, Vlentiono M, Jacob N, Harrison R, Bernice K, Hudson H, Klaudia S, Denzel W, Joshua W, Emma T, Ivy S, Ethan Z, Vincent B, Felicity B, Ashley C, Jack H, Noah M, Angus G, Emilio V, Diosa M, Amy S, Genelson K, James K, and Ashita B all celebrated a birthday over the last month.
MULTICULTURAL FETE 21 FEBRUARY 2020
The Fete Committee is asking for items that can be donated for use at the silent auction. We are also asking for bottles of wine and blocks of chocolate to be used as prizes on fete day.
A few more reminders. Have you.....
- started collecting jars?
- started collecting pots and seedlings?
- sold and returned your raffle tickets?
- signed up to volunteer?
- let us know if you or your business can make a donation towards the silent auction?
Please contact fete.sjaps@cg.catholic.edu.au with questions, ideas or donations.
Welcome back! It has been great to see old faces and new in the Library this week and we are ready for a great term.
Information about the Library
All classes at St John the Apostle have weekly Library lessons. During this time the students are given the opportunity to borrow and return books from our wide range of Fiction, Non-Fiction, Junior Fun Fiction, Picture Books (Junior/Senior), Big Books and Graphic Novels. They will also engage in literacy based learning experiences to develop a love of reading.
Opening hours and family borrowing
The library is open Monday - Friday at lunch. During this time, children can spend some quiet time reading, drawing, playing chess or other board games. We are also open for Family Borrowing on Monday afternoons, from 2.50pm to 3.30pm. Students must be accompanied by a parent/carer.
Parents are always welcome to drop in and see our beautiful library space, explore our books and resources, or lend a helping hand.
Library Borrowing helpful hints
In order to keep our library books in a condition that allows others to enjoy them;
- Always bring a library bag to transport books to and from school (loans are for 2 weeks).
- Keep your books in a safe place at home, away from pets, food and drink.
- If a book is damaged, please return it to the library so it can be repaired.
- If a book is misplaced/lost please contact us. A fee will need to be paid to replace any lost items via our school payment system, Qkr! or at the front office.
Overdue books
Overdue Notices are emailed in Weeks 5 and 9 of every school term. Should a student have more than 2 books overdue, they will not be able to borrow again until they are returned. Please contact us if you think a book has already been returned.
Scholastic Book Club
Each term, families are given an opportunity to purchase quality books from Scholastic. 20% of the order spend is given back to the school to purchase valuable educational resources via its Rewards program.
Happy reading!
Mrs Georgina Jaram (Teacher/Librarian) and Mrs Vanessa Hallaj (Library Assistant)
The canteen is in need of volunteer helpers every Thursday and every second Friday. If you would like to help or find out more information please contact the office.
