Dear Parents and Carers,

It has been lovely to see some sun after last week's rain!

The NAPLAN assessment for students in Year 3 and Year 5 commenced this week, in the areas of Reading, Writing, Language Conventions and Numeracy. NAPLAN is a point-in-time assessment that allows parents to see how their child is progressing in literacy and numeracy. Further, it provides additional information to support teachers’ professional judgement about student progress.

At St John's, NAPLAN is now completed online and tailored to adapt to the student responses, providing better assessment and more precise results that can be used to inform student learning. NAPLAN individual student reports will be available later in the year.

The cooler weather has prompted a number of questions about the winter uniform. While the official change over date is next Monday 17 May, children have been allowed to wear either uniform, as outlined in previous newsletters. The school uniform policy is available on the school website and in the 'Parent Handbook 2021'. It is the expectation that all students are presented daily in the correct uniform and once again, I thank you for your support in this regard.

Our school hours are 8:30 am to 2:40 pm. It is important that children arrive on time each day. We no longer gather for a morning assembly, rather the children now move from the playground straight to their classrooms. It is important that children arrive on time and ready to learn. Being consistently late can have a significant impact on the learning outcomes for those students over time. 

To accommodate for the number of students and parent/carers during afternoon dismissal at the height of the pandemic, adjustments were made allowing for an earlier dismissal time. To this end, we have returned to our previous afternoon dismissal time of 2:40 pm. This information is particularly important for families who utilise the Jerematta St car lines for pick-up. Daily cars are parked from 2:00 pm at the front of the school which is not only contrary to the signage but exacerbates congestion as we approach dismissal time. Staff will not bring children to the carlines until approximately 2:40 pm and therefore arriving after this time will assist greatly in managing traffic congestion. All children will be supervised until 3:00 pm after which they will be brought to the school office.

As we continue to enjoy our beautiful new school facilities, planning is underway for the construction and installation of the following:

• astroturf / multi-sports area,
• extensive landscaping,
• playgroup markings (handball),
• basketball rings and
• Indigenous garden.

Mother's Day Stall - Thank you

Thank you to the Parents and Friends (P&F) for organising the Mother's Day Stall last Friday and the volunteers who assisted on the day. It was hugely successful and the children loved the opportunity to choose and purchase a gift.

At the P&F meeting last it was reported that the Mother's Day Stall resulted in a profit of $1600.00. It was agreed upon that money be used to replace the stage curtains in the School (McCabe) Hall.

Kindergarten 2022 Enrolment

In a change from previous years, Kindergarten 2022 enrolment meetings will take place on Wednesday 19, Saturday 22 and Tuesday 25 May. Members of the school leadership team will meet with families to discuss the enrolment process, exchange information and answer any questions about the enrolment process and the school. Importantly, if you haven’t submitted an application for Kindergarten next year, please do so as a matter of urgency. We have limited places available with placements being offered at the end of Term 2.

CEDoW Parent/Carer Listening Session

Our school had one of the highest participation rates in the recent Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong ‘Have your say’ survey, and we have been selected to host a listening session with representatives from the Catholic Education Office on Wednesday 26 May at 3 - 4.30pm in the school library.

You’re invited to join this session to discuss the big topics that came out of the survey and share your thoughts and improvement ideas. 

To register, please click here. Spaces are limited, so please register early if you would like to attend. I strongly encourage you to take part if you can. This will be a valuable opportunity to have your say on how our school and Catholic schools across the diocese can improve and what our future direction should be.

School Fee Reminder

The Catholic Education Office has made some changes to the way our school fees are collected.  These changes are reflected in the Diocesan School Fee Management Policy which is available on our school website. School fees are now due in full 30 days after the date of issue, which was in March.

I have been made aware that numerous families received reminders about school fees. These were sent out to parents/carers by Catholic Education Office Wollongong, not the school.

For all families who have received a first or second reminder, it is advisable that you make contact with the school office. Please do not ignore these reminders, as they require your urgent attention. 

Our school offers a variety of methods of payment and frequencies to provide families with flexibility to meet their commitments. To facilitate this flexibility families must now complete a Request to Pay School Fees by Instalment to advise the school of their intended payment option. This form is only required to be completed once as the frequency you elect, will remain attached to your school fee account for all future fees. 

If you have already entered into a fee installment plan and your school fee statement has your fee installments listed, it is important that you make your repayments on time, to avoid any reminders from the Catholic Education Office. 

If there are any concerns with meeting your school fee obligations, or your family is experiencing genuine financial hardship, please contact myself or Mrs Vigorito through the school office to confidentially discuss your individual situation.

Our school is here for your children.

Yours sincerely
Andrew Heffernan
Principal

The Ascension – 16 May 2021

REFLECTION by Dianne Bergant CSA

The Ascension is really a kind of liminal moment in the Easter season. It is a time between times; a moment when we have left one place in our journey but have not yet arrived at a second. While the narratives that describe the Ascension fit well into the unfolding story of redemption, the feast itself celebrates one aspect of the resurrection itself, namely, the exaltation of Jesus. The readings help us through this paradox. They allow us to focus on this theological point while we commemorate a turning point in the life of the church. We do this by considering both the enthronement of Christ in the heavens and the new body of Christ on earth. Today we stand awestruck, watching Jesus ascend into the clouds of heaven, there to be enthroned at God’s right hand. Today we are overwhelmed by the divinity of the one whom we have known in his humanity. Amidst shouts of joy and exaltation, Christ is enthroned in heaven in both his divinity and his glorified humanity. Now he is present with us in a new way, in a new body, in the church. He teaches through its apostles and evangelists; he ministers through its prophets and pastors. Through us he continues to heal and to comfort; to forgive and to include. We have his power, the same power with which he performed marvels when he walked the earth. We have each other; together we make up the new body of Christ. 

Pentecost – 23 May 2021

REFLECTION by Dianne Bergant CSA

Pentecost brings the Easter season to a close, celebrating the fullness of the Spirit. The plan of salvation has been brought to its conclusion. The Risen Lord is exalted in his rightful place next to God and has sent his own Spirit to fill the earth with God’s power. The world is charged with divine energy; it needs but a spark to ignite it with life and excitement.

If this has all really happened, why does our world look the same? Why is there so much religious and ethnic rivalry? Why do we continue to make distinctions between Jew and Gentile, slave and free, woman and man, distinctions that favour one at the expense of the other? Why is there so little peace, or comfort, or solace? Why do we refuse to forgive or to be reconciled? Is Pentecost merely a feast that we celebrate in red vestments? Has the face of the earth really been renewed?

The answer is yes! Resoundingly, yes! The Spirit has been poured forth and works wonders wherever human hearts are open to its prompting. The earth is renewed each time rivalries are resolved, distinctions are recognised as merely expressions of diversity, peace is restored, comfort and solace are offered, and forgiveness is granted. We are immersed in the vigour of the Spirit of God; all we have to do is open ourselves to it and the reign of God will be born in our midst.

Mary, Help of Christians – Patroness of Australia 24 May 2021

COMMENTARY by Mary Coloe PBVM - Behold your Mother, Behold your Son.

From the Cross Jesus speaks to his mother and the Beloved Disciple – ‘Woman, behold your son’; ‘Behold your mother’. These words establish a new relationship between the woman and the disciple; from now on, they are mother and son. But, in changing this relationship, Jesus also brings about a change in his relationship to the disciple. Since they now claim the same woman as ‘mother,’ they are now brothers/sisters. If disciples are now brothers/sisters of Jesus, then disciples are now children of God. John’s theology of the Cross is that believers are drawn into Jesus’ own relationship with God. The scene concludes with the phrase, ‘from that hour, the disciple took her to his own’ (eis ta idia). This small phrase repeats what was said in the prologue and so signals that the promise given in the Prologue that believers would be given the power to become children of God (1:12), has now been fulfilled.

National Day of Celebration of 200 years of Catholic Education in Australia – 24 May 2021

Catholic Education is celebrating 200 years in Australia, marking the bicentenary of the first Catholic school established in Parramatta in October 1820.

The first Catholic school in Australia was founded in October 1820 by Irish Catholic priest Fr John Therry and run by convict and lay person George Marley. The school, which Catholic historians believe was in Hunter Street, Parramatta, taught 31 students. By 1833, there were 10 Catholic schools in the colony. 

Over 200 years, Catholic schools have grown to become the largest provider of schooling in Australia (outside government) with one in five school age students attending a Catholic school. This represents 777,000 students in 1,755 schools across the country and employing over 100,000 teachers and staff.

The formal celebrations were due to be held from October 2020 to October 2021. However, due to pandemic restrictions, the celebrations will now be held during the 2021 school year. A National Mass is being celebrated in states and dioceses on the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians on 24 May 2021.

EASTER SEASON

We are still in the Easter Season. Rejoice, Jesus has risen from the dead! Let us celebrate in the new life and the new hope that Jesus gave us!! Easter is not one day or one solemnity—it is a fifty day celebration, finishing on Pentecost Sunday. The Easter Season is a time when we, as a Church, focus on the promises of Jesus to save us from evil and to be with us in our lives. It’s really a chance to rejoice in our salvation!  It is a time to remember that Jesus died and then rose from the dead so that we could have eternal life in heaven.

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM – CONFIRMATION

This week many children from our Parish will begin their preparation program for Confirmation.

A reminder for all Confirmation candidates that workbooks need to be handed in at school each Monday with one session completed each week. Please hand in to your class teacher. They will be returned to you each Monday afternoon.

Let us pray for these children who are taking this important step in their faith journey.

A Prayer for our Confirmation Candidates

Lord, You send out Your Spirit to touch the hearts of all people, so that they may believe in You and in Jesus whom You sent. Look kindly on all candidates for Confirmation as they listen to Your voice. Open their hearts to Your Spirit and bring to fulfilment the good work that You have begun in them. As we prepare these children for Confirmation, make each of us an instrument of Your love. Teach us to appreciate what is holy in others, and to be patient with what we do not understand. Deepen our faith in the Gospel and help us to pass it on by our example. We pray that You will continue to guide us and sustain us. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST

Masses have resumed at normal times in our Parish. Parishioners still need to sign in on arrival, sanitise and maintain social distancing. Presently, face masks are also required and singing is not permitted. Don't forget that you can also participate in one or more of the many online Masses livestreamed throughout our diocese. Check out our diocesan website for all the links.   

ADULT SPIRITUALITY

“Ripples: Inspired Voices, Treasured Stillness” – Adult Spiritual Formation

Ripples seeks to offer a space where people can draw on the wisdom of a series of guest speakers and can experience some treasured stillness through meditation. Practices like these create a ripple effect. They have the potential to impact the way we respond to family, friends, colleagues, to others in our world, to creation and to our loving God.

https://ripples.dow.catholic.edu.au/p/introduction-1588201803/

PRAYER INTENTIONS

We pray for all families in our school community who are in need of our prayers, as well as our country and world.

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, pray for us.
St John the Evangelist, pray for us.

Kylie Crowe
Religious Education Coordinator

PB4L is an evidence-based framework that emphasises school-wide systems of support for all students and staff. These include proactive strategies for defining, teaching and supporting appropriate student behaviours. Positive behaviour supports are implemented for all students, across all school settings, by all staff, at all times. This continuum of support ensures students’ academic and social outcomes.

All student behaviour expectations are founded on our three school rules that are:

Diocese of Wollongong Netball Gala Day

The Netball Gala day is for Stage 2 girls and Stage 3 boys and girls. Students do not have to play Netball to participate. Please note that the Compass online permission has been sent out to parents. If you would like your child to participate please complete by Friday 21 May. If you have any questions about Compass please contact the office.

Congratulations — Emily H (6B)

Emily attended the Primary Australian Football (AFL) All-Schools Selection Trial. She was successful in gaining selection in the NSW team. Unfortunately due to Covid19, the Australian Championships were cancelled.

Emily was awarded the ‘Best on Ground’ award at the event.

An outstanding sporting achievement, well done Emily.

Representatives

Lachlan L (5B) and Jesse G (6G) are attending the Mackillop Softball trials in Sydney on the 10th of June. St John’s wishes Lachlan and Jesse the best of luck.

After the first trial was postponed due to the weather, Curtis McW (6G) will be attending the Wollongong Diocesan Rugby trials on May 24th - best of luck Curtis.

Remember, Tuesday 18th May 2021 is School Banking day and students can bring in their weekly deposit.

Saving regularly is an important habit to get into, whether you're saving a little or a lot. Remember, there is no minimum deposit with School Banking, you can send as little as 5c per week in, saving regularly is what is important.

For every deposit made at school, students will receive a Dollarmites token. Once students have individually collected 10 tokens they can redeem them for a School Banking reward item.

The rewards available during 2021 are:

• Terry Denton’s Activity Book
• Scented Stackable Highlighters
• Mini Soccer Ball (size 2)
• Icicle Slapband Ruler
• Treetop Stationery Set
• Snowy Origami Set
• Treetop Handball
• Water Skimming Bounce Ball
• Tomato Seed Kit
• Polar Pencils & Pencil Toppers
• Emoji Wallet
• Scratch Art Cards
• Snakes & Ladders Game

School Banking is also a great fundraiser for our school. Our school receives a Regular Savers Contribution of $5 for every 10 deposits processed per student as well as an Annual Contribution which is based on the number of students who made at least one School Banking deposit in the prior year. For more information about contribution payments, visit www.commbank.com.au/sbinfo.

If your child has lost their book, please contact your School Banking Co-ordinator for a replacement or visit any Commonwealth Bank branch.

Thank you for supporting the School Banking program at St John's. We would also like to thank the wonderful parents who volunteer as our School Banking Co-ordinators and process our banking every week.

Getting involved in School Banking is easy!

All you need to get involved in the School Banking program is a Commonwealth Bank Youthsaver account. You can open an account for your child in one of two ways: 

1. Online — www.commbank.com.au/schoolbanking and click on the link to open a Youthsaver account.

2. In branch — Visit a Commonwealth Bank branch with identification for yourself and your child, like a driver’s licence and birth certificate.

If your child has an existing Commonwealth Bank Youthsaver account they can start banking straight away. They just need to bring their deposit in every week on School Banking day using their Dollarmites deposit wallet.

School Banking day is Tuesday each week you need to all books to dropped in yellow tub at the school library on Tuesday morning. Thank you.

Stage 3 were incredibly fortunate to hear Kirli Saunders, a proud Gunai woman and award winning author, share her personal story as well as passages from her most recent children’s book Bindi.

This artwork is Over the Rainbow by Year 1

Sheppo’s is a local family owned and operated business with the mission to provide the Illawarra and South Coast with a reliable, affordable, and friendly service. Essentially, we are a transport service, doing airport/cruise transfers, event transfers and leaning into the tour sector.

Fortunately, this year we have teamed up with the crew at Sydney Harbour Party Boats to bring an all-exclusive VIVID package to the people of the Illawarra.

Package Inclusions are as follows:

• 3-hour cruise: two level party boat, with dance floor and seating area downstairs, as well as an open-air top deck space to take in the exquisite views of Sydney Harbour and the VIVID light shows
• 3 large eskies with ice provided on board.
• BYO drinks
• Transport from Wollongong to King Street Wharf and RETURN
• Grazing box for 2 (OPTIONAL EXTRA) - $60
• Kids grazing box (OPTIONAL EXTRA) - $30

The package with all above inclusions is $110 per person.

The dates open to selection at present are 10th, 13th, 18th, 21st, 25th and 26th, with Saturday the 21st being an ADULTS ONLY cruise!