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- Principal's Message
- Cancellations
- Religious Education
- PB4L
- Merit Awards
- ANZAC Day Liturgy
- COMPASS – Recording of Absences
- World Autism Awareness Day
- Sport News - Cross Country Postponed
- Staff Development Day (Term 2)
- Happy Birthday
- Earth Day 2022
- Book Club LOOP
- Child Safety Handbook
- PEAK — Vacation Care
- Technology Tip
- Community Announcements
Dear Parents and Carers
It has been a very busy term, but at the same time, so much has been achieved. One of my many pleasures as Principal is engaging with the children and sharing in their learning and achievements. I’d like to therefore acknowledge and congratulate all children for their hard work and commitment to achieving their personal learning goals throughout Term 1. A walk through the school on any given day is homage to the strong learning focus that exists at St John’s. Thank you also to our very dedicated staff, who work so very hard to support the learning needs of all children within a safe, inclusive and supportive learning environment.
In the first week of the school holidays, the church begins Holy Week, a very sacred time of the year when we commemorate and remember the last week of Jesus’ life on this earth. The Lenten Season of sacrifice and self-denial is about to come to an end, with our focus shifting to the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the events that precede this time.
Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, which marks Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, followed by Holy Thursday, the Lord’s Last Supper. Good Friday is the day of our Lord’s crucifixion and death and on Holy Saturday we watch for the expectant rising of our Saviour on Easter Sunday.
Easter Sunday is what we've all been waiting for! The 40 days of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving during Lent, were in preparation for this day. This is known as the Easter Triduum and refers to the three days before Easter.
Easter Prayer
We praise you for the light of new life
made possible through Jesus.
We praise you for the light of new life
that shone on the first witnesses of the resurrection.
We praise you for the light of new life
that continues to shine in our hearts today.
Cross Country
While we remain hopeful that the cross country will proceed as planned on Friday 8 March, the weather forecast is far from promising! Details have been shared with the school community, including a proposed timing for each event. Parents and carers are most welcome on the day and in the event that it is postponed, a Compass alert will be sent to all families including a new date, early in Term 2.
New Enrolments
Last Saturday we held a ‘School Open Day’ from 1:00 - 3:30 pm, in which prospective enrolments were invited to tour the school facilities and hear a little about the educational experiences on offer at St John's. Over 80 families registered for the experience and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
We are actively enrolling across the school and if you have family or friends interested in becoming part of our wonderful school community, please encourage them to contact the school office.
A reminder that Kindergarten 2023 applications are NOW DUE, with enrolment interviews taking place in Term 2.
Term 2 - Important Information
Please note that Term 2 commences on Wednesday 27 April for all students. Monday 25 April the ANZAC Public Holiday and Tuesday 26 April is a Teacher Professional Planning Day (PUPIL FREE DAY).
All children should return to school in Term 2 wearing their summer uniform. The official change over to the winter uniform is Monday 16 May (Wk. 4 Term 2). However, the winter uniform may be worn from the commencement of Term 2, if the weather necessitates the need. Please refer to the school uniform policy, as it is expected that all children present wearing the correct uniform.
I wish you Easter blessings as well as a restful and enjoyable holiday break.
Yours sincerely
Andrew Heffernan
Principal
Updated 7 April
Unfortunately, it has been necessary to cancel the Holy Week Liturgy planned for 11:30 am Thursday 7 April. Term 1 Principal Awards will be presented during the day and the Easter Raffle will be drawn, with winners announced via a Compass alert.
Friday's cross country has also been postponed and the new date will be Thursday 28 April.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
Be a gift of love and compassion for one another.
Mary MacKillop 1867
HOLY WEEK
March 28 - April 3, 2021
Holy Week is the week before Easter Sunday, beginning seven days before with Palm Sunday and ends with Holy Saturday. Easter is not part of Holy Week, but rather the beginning of the Easter season of the Liturgical year.
On Palm Sunday we celebrate the triumphant entry of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, into Jerusalem, riding a donkey. On that day, the people laid palms before Him, a gesture reserved for triumphant leaders. We celebrate this at Mass by distributing palms to the faithful, who may keep them for a time for use as devotional objects.
The next major event in Holy Week is Holy Thursday. On this day, Jesus celebrated the Passover feast with the disciples. we know this feast as the Last Supper. This is the night He was betrayed by Judas and arrested. The Last Supper is celebrated at every Mass, and especially on Holy Thursday. After supper, Jesus went to the Mount of Olives and prayed. Jesus was arrested on the night of Holy Thursday.
The next day is Good Friday, and on this day, we commemorate the trial, punishment, and crucifixion of Our Lord. Jesus was presented to Pilate for trial. Although Pilate found no guilt in Jesus, he agreed to have him crucified. Christ was stripped, flogged, and crowned with thorns. He was then forced to carry His Cross to the place of His execution. There, He was nailed to the Cross between two thieves who were also crucified. Jesus was taken and laid quickly in a tomb.
On Holy Saturday, there is no Mass. Parishes may hold services, but there is no distribution of Communion. This concludes Holy Week. The following day is Easter Sunday, the day on which it was discovered the Tomb was empty, and our Lord was resurrected, triumphing over death once and for all time.
(Adapted from catholiceducation.org)
FLOOD APPEAL
Thank you to Maria, Panos and Dimitri from Made Fresh Canteens for their generous donation of $200 towards the Flood Appeal Fundraiser. This brings the total we raised to $1690.80.
PROJECT COMPASSION — For All Future Generations
This week we hear the story of Rosalie. Rosalie lives with her husband and seven children in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). She had a tough childhood and was made to join the army when she was only 15. When Rosalie left the army, she had to adjust to ordinary life and work out a way to earn a sustainable income. Caritas helped her learn new business and social skills. Rosalie joined a community saving and lending group, which helped her start her own small business. Now, she is helping her family and community break the cycle of poverty and create lasting change for all future generations.
Altogether during Lent, the students have donated $682.25 using the Project Compassion boxes. We thank you and the students for your generosity.
EASTER RAFFLE
Thank you to Woolworths for donating $100 worth of Easter Eggs to the raffle, this was made possible by Jacob V (a member of the Mini Vinnie’s team) and his mum.
The raffle will be drawn on Friday, after the Holy Week Liturgy. With the donations we received, we have been able to create 30 prizes. There is much excitement around St John’s at the moment, in anticipation of the raffle draw. The total raised from the raffle tickets is $2906. Caritas are grateful for your donations of eggs and sales from raffle tickets. These donations enable Caritas to help to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity for people in need.
RECONCILIATION
On Thursday the 7th of April, students from St John’s will participate in their First Reconciliation (officially called the Sacrament of Penance, and also known as Confession). This is a Sacrament instituted by Jesus Christ in his love and mercy to offer us forgiveness for the times we have sinned and turned away from God. We keep the students in our prayers, as they continue their faith
Dates for your diary:
Holy Week Liturgy - 7th April 11:30am
Sacrament of First Penance (Reconciliation) - 7th April 6pm
Easter Liturgy - 27th April 11:30am
Confirmation Parent Night - 28th April 6pm
Anzac Day Liturgy - 29th April 11:15am
Mothers Day Liturgy - 6th May 11:30am
EASTER MASS TIMES
| Holy Thursday | 7pm (in the church) |
| Good Friday | 10am Stations of the Cross (outdoors) 3pm - Veneration of the Cross (outdoors) |
| Saturday Vigil | 5pm |
| Easter Sunday | 9am (outdoors) |
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.
Renee Maguire
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 – Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe.
PB4L Raffle Ticket Winners
Week 9
Gunyah |
Kindergarten |
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
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Bella |
Leo G |
Alessa E |
Taylan B |
Year 3 |
Year 4 |
Year 5 |
Year 6 |
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Audrey S |
Tinashe N |
Lucas F |
Zak D |
Week 10
Gunyah |
Kindergarten |
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
|
Roark T |
Christian M |
Harper L |
Ana |
Year 3 |
Year 4 |
Year 5 |
Year 6 |
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Zara B |
Isaac I |
Grady F |
Harper W |
ANZAC Day will take place during the Term 1 Student Vacation Period. As a school, we will be commemorating this very important national day with our annual ANZAC Day Liturgy at St John’s. The liturgy will take place on Friday 29 April at 11.15 am. Members of the Wollongong Army Cadet Unit, representatives from the Dapto RSL Sub Branch and other special guests will be attending the liturgy.
All families and friends are most welcome to join us for this special occasion. If any family members have/are serving in the Armed Forces and are able to join us on the day, please contact the school office by Friday 8 April.
The NSW Education Act (1990) and Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) require Parents/Carers to ensure that children of compulsory school age attend school on each day that the school is open for instruction. If children are absent from school, Parents/Carers are required to provide the school with an acceptable explanation, within seven days of the absence.
During the next school holiday vacation period the settings in compass will be adjusted to reflect the requirements of the Education Act (1990). After seven days, absences will automatically be recorded as Absent - unexplained / unjustified if the school is not provided with an acceptable explanation from Parents/Carers. Parents wishing to provide the school with an acceptable explanation after the seven day period, will need to contact the school and the school will adjust the attendance register. Parents will no longer be able to enter the absence through the parental portal in Compass after the seven day period.
The school will continue to support Parents/Carers and frequently send home letters giving Parents/Carers the opportunity to provide the school with an explanation for absences.
Please do not hesitate to contact the school should you require further information regarding the change.
April 2nd each year is celebrated as World Autism Awareness Day around the world. A day to recognise and spread awareness and acceptance of Autism and neurodiversity in communities all around the world.
As this day fell on a Saturday this year, St John's celebrated this special day with a Mufti Day on Monday. Students and Staff dressed in colours of the rainbow to symbolise the spectrum of abilities and talents of people with Autism in our school community.
To the following students who will celebrate their birthday in April — we wish you a very happy birthday and hope you have a great day.
April
| Kinder | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 |
| Marli | Lennox | Lucas | Haylen | Giorgia | Lorenzo | Phoenix |
| Harry | Charlotte | Hayley | Lolita | Elden | Georgia | Charlotte |
| Grace | Tanyn | Isabel | Justin | Nicola | Tyler | Liam |
| Elijah | Jahnyah | Elisha | Dimitri | Sage | Divine | Lani |
| Oscar | Filipe | Lucas | Archie | |||
| Mia | Ethan | Ruby | ||||
| Connor | Joseph | |||||
| Hannah | Brody |
Earth Day is celebrated on the 22nd April each year and is an event dedicated to raising awareness about the various environmental challenges that face our planet.
First held in 1970, Earth Day is coordinated by the Earth Day Network, with 193 countries around the world having their own version of celebrations. In many places, Earth Day forms part of Earth Week: a longer period of climate awareness that includes activities and campaigns.
The Earth Day 2022 theme is Invest In Our Planet.
Although Earth Day falls during the school holidays, the following resources may be useful.
Dear Parents/Carers,
The best gift any parent can give a child is the love of books and the joy and benefits of independent reading for fun. Children who read at home, or are read to, have a head start on reading success in school.
Our school is participating in Scholastic Book Club this year. Up to twice a term, during the school year, we will send home a Club catalogue with a different selection of books offered for all ages.
You’ll find award-winning books and bestsellers, as well as old and new favourites. We recommend them because the books span a wide range of children’s reading levels and interests and because they are inexpensive (some books cost as little as $2).
It is easy to order. The Book Club LOOP platform for parents allows you to pay by credit card. Your child’s order is submitted directly to school safe and sound and the books will be delivered to class. You can place your child’s order at scholastic.com.au/LOOP or using the LOOP app, which can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.
Owning your own books is something special! we hope that you will encourage your child to order books this year. Each order helps earn free books and teaching materials for our school, however, there is never any obligation to order. We know of no better way to encourage reading than to allow children to choose the books they want to read.
Sincerely,
Mrs Maree Kissell
Library Manager
The “NSW Police Legacy Child Safety Handbook” is a comprehensive resource to assist parents, carers as well as teachers on a range of topics essential to child safety.
The handbook has been updated to include key messages about storm and flood safety, covid safety, children's personal safety and online safety.
The updated digital edition (link below) also includes important content updates from: NSW Ministry of Health, NSW Police Force, Fire and Rescue NSW, Rural Fire NSW, Transport for NSW, Sydney Trains, NSW Department of Family & Community Services, eSafety Commissioner and NSW Office of the Children's Guardian.
Here are also a couple of other links where the digital handbook can be viewed:
NSW Police Legacy – https://www.policelegacynsw.org.au/resources/
Child Safety Hub website – http://nsw.childsafetyhub.com.au/handbook/
The handbook is also available to download for free on all the App stores.
