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Dear St John the Apostle families,
We've had quite an amazing last week of school. It has been a great end to an extraordinary school year.
Year 6 Graduation
On Tuesday we celebrated the Year 6 Graduation. Due to COVID restrictions we held it in the hall with three successive sessions for smaller groups. We really wanted parents to have the opportunity to be present. It was a lovely celebration for everyone. They have been an amazing group of students to work with over the years. We have learnt as much from them as they have from us.
At the end of Year 6 we give out several special awards. They are only awarded once during each student's journey at St John the Apostle. Congratulations to the following award winning students:
| Outstanding Effort Award | Leadership Award | ||
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| Brianna Rose | Alicia Oxborrow | Eseta Tuipeatau | Georgia Stanton |
| Discipleship Award | Outstanding Academic Achievement | ||
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| Mikayla Stanton | Leonardo Braybon | Abhinav Bansi | Thomas Fonhof |
| Leadership Award | Rotary Youth Citizenship Award | ||
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| Darcy Menzel | Emily Reid | ||
Today we finished with the Passing of the Light Ceremony where Year 6 pass on the light of leadership to the Year 5 students for next year. You can view this here:
We wish all of our Year 6 students many blessings in the future. There are a number of families who will be leaving our community as their last or only child is graduating Year 6. I would like to thank you for choosing St John the Apostle to walk alongside your family in helping your children to grow and become the wonderful young people they are. It has been a privilege. You are and always will be part of the St John the Apostle story.
While all families support the school in various ways, of these families I would particularly like to thank a number of them who have actively supported our school in many ways either on the Community Council, volunteering at sporting events or organising aspects of our fete for many, many years. There are too many to name here and I fear I may miss someone out. Please know that we are very, very grateful for every way you have helped our community. Our school and our students for years to come are better off for you having been so actively involved. Your positive impact has been welcome and will be warmly remembered.
Classes for 2021
On Wednesday afternoon the students were told their classes and teachers for next year. All was quiet across the school as they spent an afternoon together. It was wonderful to have all the students and teachers new to our school next year be present as well.
Our teachers have all been involved in transition meetings this week, where the current teachers talk to the 2021 teachers about each student's needs. We have a very collaborative and supportive staff with a shared understanding that we all care for every student in the school. This was more than evident this week.
Fun Day
Fun day yesterday was fantastic!
It was so important to end this year positively. Our students and our staff deserved it. We had a magician, jumping castles, face painting, balloon modelling, blow-up obstacle course...there was so much to do! Thankfully the rain held off.
Our students with 20 or more brag tag stickers, reflecting the outstanding ways they showed respect over the last term, were all able to have extra time.
Thank you to our students for being great throughout the day and making sure that everyone had the opportunity to have fun.
One last farewell
This week we found out that Hannah, our School Counsellor, will be moving on to a new school. While Hannah has offocialyl worked for CatholicCare, she has been an essential member of staff and worked closely with both the school and families to support students over a number of years. We wish Hannah all the best for the future.
We have been provided with a small increase in Counselling hours next year and we look forward to welcoming a new Counsellor to the St John the Apostle Community.
Finally, I could spend many paragraphs thanking individuals and groups for their contributions to our school over the course of this year but I think that I would just like to say thank you to everyone for everything we have achieved this year as a community. It is amazing that out of adversity we have responded so well to the challenges and achieved so much together. This is what community is about. Together.
Bless you all and your families this coming Christmas and holidays. May you have hope, peace, joy and love throughout the school break.
Keep conneced via Schoolzine for any updates before school returns on Monday February 1 2021 for all students.
God Bless,
Matthew Garton
Principal
At the end of each year what I look forward to the most is the cards. The scrawly handwriting and sweet words of a small person who has been mine for a year. If you ask some of the inclusion assistants, they are still mine after almost 20 years!
I have never underestimated the power of a small child to change lives. As we wait in joy for the birth of our Savior remember the impact of your first child. Imagine Mary and Joseph at this time waiting and knowing the birth of their child would change the world. The birth of my children certainly changed mine. The birth of your children has filled my life with joy too. So, thank you, once again, for trusting us with your most precious gifts.
God bless you all in this very special season.
Stephanie Stewart
Religious Education Coordinator
Notices from the Parish
Happy birthday to Logan M, Grace R, Mark G, Sam J, Oscar P, Hannah S, Brianna S, Ernest E, Isla B, Bronson D, Lily H, Natalia G, Raphael I, Anna G, Noah D, Charlotte K, Steven P, Diamond M, Alexis M and Lachlan R who will all celebrate a birthday over the remainder of 2020.
Please note that we ask students to not bring home made cupcakes to share with the class for their birthdays. This is a precautionary measure for health and hygiene. The Canteen offers a number of options to share with the class. Purchases can be made through the QKR app.
Congratulations to the following students who received the End of Term Awards.
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Academic |
Consistent Effort |
Discipleship |
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Academic |
Consistent Effort |
Discipleship |
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KB |
Theodore C Harvey I |
Viliami M Fiesita M |
Sophie P Katie W |
KM |
Katie N Lily L |
Penny A Jenson C |
Aluel A Samuel O |
|
1B |
Vincent N Grace R |
Sophia C Henry T |
Amelia S Gauri D |
1M |
Taylor M Xavier B |
Sophia C Henry T |
Leo K Aravindya P |
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2B |
Sophia N Vanessa O |
Sean O Charlotte K |
Lorenzo S Ziva Z |
2M |
Abbey W Ekluvya G |
Elizabeth C Jamie S |
Jacob H Emma D |
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3B |
Olivia T Harry P |
Charlotte H Aiden S |
Kelly K Jordan D |
3M |
Sophie R Matilda M |
Tobias P Erin V |
Miranda T Eva G |
|
4B |
Emily A Yusha A |
Phoebe S Evan M |
Claire B Klaudia S |
4M |
Bhoomika P Lucas M |
Isabella T Daniel S |
Mau'lupe M Ella W |
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5B |
Hudson H Evelina T |
Briony F Harrison R |
Miles M Cooper W |
5M |
Michaela H Nelson K |
Diamond M Zella K |
Zeke N Finn P |
|
6B |
Natalia G Mikayla S |
Hannah S Sophia H |
Jack G Darcy M |
6M |
Thomas F Dakoda L |
Mark G Alicia O |
Holly C Cameryn K |
|
KB |
Edith B |
Theodore C Harvey I William L Madeline O Rylan R Katie W Ashley C |
Ernest E Henry J Villami M Akshaj P William S Alexander N Chloe L |
KM | Aluel A Jenson C Ewan G Marian L Logan M Liam R Alex D Steven P |
Jayden A Jackson M |
Penelope A Jessica G Jack H April M Samuel O Shanaya S Alex S |
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1B |
Lincoln A James M Vincent N Henry T Campbell G |
Gauri D Evie M Ileana R Vincent N Jordi M Alyssa S |
Isabella J |
1M | Aashna A Aravindya P Hana N Xavier B |
Xavier B Allira R |
James K Jonah T |
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2B |
Aston B Angus G Liliana G Adrienne M Vanessa O Lorenzo S Ziva Z Emily T |
Te-Aroha B Brenda G Lucius H Oluwatoni O Naveliangel S Emilio V Charlotte K Denzil W |
Alexa C Liam D |
2M | Awur A William B Jacob H Sophie J Ky M Abbey R Annabelle-Louise T Luke L |
Ethan B Bronson D Rose H Keijo K Kelvin N James S Abbey W Elizabeth C Eklavya G |
Felicity B Emma D Michael H Alexandra L Apryl P Charlotte S Sophia Y Ethan C |
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3B |
Jessie A Tyler R Elsie I Cooper P |
Bianca L Alaina S |
Ryan L Joshua W |
3M | Bior A, Nuer A Sam J Matilda M Zoe S Miranda T Erin V |
Ajay B Ngawang C Harry M Sophie R Alek S Xavier T |
Lovette E Raphael I Diosa M Ryan S Aisling S Uasi T |
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4B |
Claire B Jessica C Bailey C Anna G Nicolai L Alexis M Emily N |
Renecia O Amy S Phoebe S SallyW |
4M | Matthew H Lucas M Bernice K Elizabeth D |
James H Lily H Adelaide N |
Ella W Mia A Phoebe B |
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5B |
Bradley L Star H |
Evelina T Bradley L |
Rebecca C Matilda P |
5M |
Isla B Alek A Meloni C Apajok G Zella K Jasmine K |
Koby M Jasmine M Diamond M Zeke N Finn P |
Samsara R Lachlan R Emma T Jansen V |
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6B |
Abhinav B |
Mikayla S |
Olivia G |
6M |
Thank you to all the families who have facilitated the return of Library books over the last couple of weeks. We love it when our students borrow books, but we really love it when all books are returned at the end of the year so that all our resources are organised and ready for the following year.
The Library will be closed on Thursday and Friday so if you discover a book that needs to be returned please drop it in at the front office.
We encourage all adults and children to continue reading over the Summer holidays and to help with this Sora will continue to offer online reading for all students.
The ACEN Sora website is located at:
Visit https://soraapp.com in your web browser, or download the free Sora app from the Apple and Google Play stores on a mobile device. When asked to search for a library, click to search by ‘Name’, not location, and then search for ‘ACEN’.
Thank you for the last three years, it has been a real pleasure to teach your children and help inspire in them a love of reading. So many students have touched my heart and I will take the memories I have made here at St John’s with me to my future schools.
Thank you and Merry Christmas from the Library Staff!
Mrs Georgina Jaram (Teacher/Librarian)
Mrs Kirsty Vera (Library Assistant)
The Clothing Pool will open in the last week of the school holidays for all your back to school uniform requirements. Check the Schoolzine app for details closer to the date.
A reminder that the St Johns school bag is compulsory and is only available from the Clothing Pool. Please email stjohnsclothingpool@gmail.com for more details.
Creating healthy digital habits in kids
Surveys have consistently shown that children have been exposed to rising amounts of screen time in recent years, as well as parents struggling to manage the moods and time demands of children and young people.
As kids spend increasing amounts of time tethered to a digital device, it makes sense that the time they are online, is time well spent. As parents we’re often concerned about the connections children and young people are making and the subsequent impact on their wellbeing. We’re often concerned about the content they’re consuming, and how helpful, relevant and safe it is for them. Rightfully, there’s concern that the time spent online, scrolling, searching and swiping, may well be time better spent on other pursuits.
Obviously, these digital devices won’t be going anywhere fast. So, we need to look at how we remain in control of our screen use, and ensure the time we’re investing online is adding something helpful, positive and meaningful to our lives.
Here are a few tips to help you be more intentional with your scrolling. Being mindful of how time spent on devices, is certainly not just reserved for young people.
Encourage creation not just consumption
Here’s a simple question. Are you more of a consumer or creator when you’re online? When you spend your online time in creative mode such as making things, creating own videos, editing photos, writing blogs, coding a video game or composing a song you are getting something tangible in return for the time spent on a screen. You are achieving and creating something, rather than simply consuming the content made by others, which is generally far more satisfying as a user.
Look at who you are following
Consider the real purpose of the people on your feeds. Are you following celebrities you can never relate to, companies you would never buy from, or people who bring you down rather than teach or inspire you? Ideally, you’ll follow people and companies that you can connect with and add positively to your life.
So what about your child? If they have a passion for something, help them find suitable people to follow. For instance, if they love space, search for NASA and related accounts. If they love photography, help them find great photographers sharing their work online. When they’re following people that teach, inspire and ignite their passions, they’re less likely to spend valuable time with energy zappers.
Do a digital declutter
We all have so many apps on our devices and many are just clutter that we used once and no longer visit or don’t add anything constructive to our day. Maybe you could try deleting all the apps on your phone and only put those back that you need to make your day easier, or that offer you something positive. This forces us to look at the real benefits, or not, of the apps and thus the time we are spending online. Could there be better games for your kids to play? Are there better videos for them to watch than the ones that the YouTube algorithm believes they want to see?
Role model good practises
Most kids learn much more from what they see and experience, rather than from what they are told. As a parent be sure to be intentional with your screentime. Do you:
- Follow people that support you, challenge you in helpful ways or inspire and lift you up?
- Interact in positive ways?
- Give people your attention rather than scroll whilst others are talking to you?
- Put your digital devices away in order to fit all the other important things into your day?
Setting your kids up with good online habits will help make these practises the norm. If you don’t want your children falling prey to the harmful and unhelpful experiences online, you need to be sure that they are focusing on positive and helpful screentime pursuits.
Be intentional with your scrolling, and you’ll ensure you’re getting a much greater return on your online investment.
Martine Oglethorpe
Martine is a parent educator and a youth and family counsellor who speaks, writes and consults on the challenges faced by families in the modern world. Martine has a Masters in Counselling and a background in secondary education. Through her personal and professional work with families raising children, she recognises the important role technology plays in the social and emotional wellbeing of young people. Martine is an accredited speaker with the Office of the eSafety Commissioner.