Week 3, Term 1

St John's School Newsletter

Term 1, Week 3

St John's is a Child Safe School where all children are respected and are protected from harm.

Principal's Message

Dear Families,

Last Wednesday the children who could confidently swim 50m from Years 3-6, teachers and myself walked to the pool for swimming trials. The children had the opportunity to try out for District swimming in Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly. Every single child tried their very best, they never gave up and every child finished the races they took part in. Fifty meters is a long way when standing at the end of the pool ready to dive in and even longer when you are swimming it. Well done to all children who participated. Due to Covid protocols we were unable to have our parents present but our Year 6 leaders were our time keepers and supported teachers, Melinda Watson, Linc McKernan, Nic and Dee. Many thanks to Melinda for her organisation of the trials and all the admin involved in taking part in District swimming. We know that 28 children from St John's have made it to District Swimming Sports tomorrow but every child was a winner on the day! A very big thank you to the Macklin Family. Michelle and John have generously donated the St John's swimming caps that the children will be wearing tomorrow. The children will be easily recognisable and look very professional and I know will wear them with pride.

Parent Teacher Meetings were also held last week using Google Meets which was new to all parents. Thank you for adapting to this new way of meeting. The teachers have appreciated having this time to meet with you and getting to know your children better through your eyes. We would also like your thoughts about using Google Meets as an option for future meetings.

At the moment we are actively keeping parents out of the school. This goes against everything we believe in as educators working in partnership with parents. Hopefully this will not be for too much longer and we can welcome everyone back into the school, into classrooms, the Church and to events very soon. The same vaccination protocols for parents will still apply as we do all we can to keep everyone healthy and safe.

We are doing very well in regard to Covid cases. Thank you for continuing to RA Test on a Monday and a Thursday. A new supply went home with the children yesterday. It is highly recommended that all students are tested twice a week. If you have made the decision not to do this, could you please let the office know and we will not send a supply home with your child. Teachers are testing twice a week and we are also testing any replacement teachers coming into the school. This is exhausting our school allocation and as you may know trying to buy extra RA Tests is very difficult. If you have a child in Year 3-6 please make sure they have a mask at school, this can be either a cloth mask or a disposable one.

The installation of our new shade sail is coming along. This has taken a lot more work than anticipated due to the layers of concrete discovered when drilling the holes. The poles are now in and we are waiting for the sails to arrive, hopefully next week.

Parents will often ask what can I do to help my child with their learning. If you can do anything with your children it is to set up a night time routine and read to them no matter their age. It creates a love of literacy and a special bond with you and your child. Reading to your children is one of the most valuable things you can do for them. If you can possibly do it, try to fit some story reading into your busy schedule. The short and long term benefits are enormous.

Never underestimate the value of sleep. As we start a new year students and parents will be very tired getting back into the school routine, so please look after yourselves, ensure your children get enough sleep each night and recharge on the weekends as best you can.

Until next week.

Therese

Calendar of Events

February 2022

16th - District Swimming

18th - Engineerrs Without Borders incursion

17th - Year 6 Catholic Identity Retreat (at school)

23rd - Divisional Swimming

March 2022

1st - Shrove Tuesday

2nd - Regional Swimming

2nd - Ash Wednesday Mass (TBC)

8th - School Advisory Meeting 6.00pm

11th - Sacrament of Baptism (TBC)

14th - Labour Day Public Holiday

16th - Foundation Students attend Wednesday's

17th - St Patricks's Feast Day

30th - School Photo Day - details will be sent home closer to the date

31st - Sacrament of Reconciliation (TBC)

April 2022

8th - Stations of the Cross Liturgy 2.00 pm

End of Term 1

25th - ANZAC Day

26th - School Closure Staff Sabbatical (TBC)

27th - School Closure Staff Sabbatical (TBC)

Religious Education - Week 3 Prayer

Week 3: The Beatitudes

The Beatitudes are among the best known verses of the Gospel of Matthew and are Jesus’ positive a framework for Christian living and excellent guidelines for establishing ways of being and doing in our homes, our classrooms and our school community.

They contain promises that God will bless the merciful, the pure of heart, the gentle, the peacemakers and those who work for justice. Jesus is talking about a deep happiness that comes out of choosing to live a life based on Christian values. This is not a happiness that one can buy.

Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up the hill. There he sat down and was joined by his disciples. Then he began to speak. This is what he taught them:

‘How happy are the poor in spirit: theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

‘Happy the gentle: they shall have the earth for their heritage.

‘Happy those who mourn: they shall be comforted.

‘Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right: they shall be satisfied.

‘Happy the merciful: they shall have mercy shown them.

‘Happy the pure in heart: they shall see God.

‘Happy the peacemakers: they shall be called sons and daughters of God.

‘Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right: theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

‘Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of evil falsely against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.’

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Happy Birthday to the following students!

Lylah Hamill, Lilly Cakebread, Joshua Huang, Darci Law, Scarlett Hamill & Maddie Hanson.

Congratulations -

William, Nash, Charlie, Maya, Paisley, Charlotte, Isla & Riley (not pictured)

Accounts - Accounts are sent out each month via email. If you are not receiving them, could you please contact Andrea via phone or email apenman@sjeuroa.catholic.edu.au . Thank you!

Uniform Shop - Discontinued stock - Knee-hi single pack socks size 2-8 x 4 packs & 8-11 x 10 $4.00 each. Please send correct cash to the school office with name, size and quantity in an envelope. First in best dressed.

Sally will be available on Tuesdays & Fridays this year. Orders must still be paid for and ordered online, however if you would like to try sizes or would like any other inforation please contact Sally Kubeil on 0407 904 335 and book a time to see her on those days.

Have your details changed? - Please let the office know if you have changed your phone number or address. It is very important that we have the correct details in case of an emergency. Thanks for your cooperation.