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ST JOHN'S NEWSLETTER INSPIRING
STUDENTS FOR LIFE
TERM 4 WEEK 8

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previous newsletters

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

END OF YEAR COMMUNICATION

As I write my final newsletter, I am filled with gratitude and joy as I reflect on the extraordinary community that makes St John’s such a vibrant and special place. Our school is a learning hub of positivity, a place where growth is celebrated, learning is embraced and the support of our wonderful parents strengthens the fabric of our community. It is a place of substance, where Christian values shape and inspire our students to be the best versions of themselves.

The heartbeat of St John’s lies in its people. Our families, with their unwavering partnership and trust, form the foundation of everything we do. Our students, with their curiosity, enthusiasm and boundless energy, bring life to every corner of our school. And our staff, the glue that holds it all together, are simply exceptional. Their dedication to learning, care for every student, and commitment to creating a positive and dynamic environment are what make St John’s a school of strength. Their passion and hard work have created a school where learning is alive and where every individual is valued and supported.

As I prepare to step into the next chapter of my journey, I do so with great confidence and excitement for the future of St John’s. With Mrs Anna-Marie Bothe stepping in as Interim Principal, the school is in outstanding hands. Her leadership, vision, and deep connection to this community will ensure continued growth and success. I know she will work hand-in-hand with our talented staff to lead St John’s into its next exciting chapter.

I look forward to hearing about the amazing milestones and achievements that await this incredible school. St John’s will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will carry the memories of my time here with immense gratitude and pride.

Thank you for the privilege of being part of this remarkable journey. May God continue to bless and guide St John’s as it moves into this bright new season.

 

Brad Moss

Principal

IMPORTANT DATES

 

Week 8

Monday 2 December - Kinder / Little Saints Incursion: I've Got a Story to TellThursday 5 December - Whole School Transition Session #2

Friday 6 December

  • Little Saints and St John's Carol Sing-along in the hall for Chapel  
  • Year 6 Graduation Dinner

 

Week 9

Monday 9 December - Colour Fun Run

Tuesday 10 December - Minute To Win It

Wednesday 11 December - GRADUATION SERVICE and final day of school (students)  

From the deputy desk
School Happenings!

Thank you thank you thank you!

As we rapidly approach the end of our school year, we thank all of the wonderful members of our school community for the contributions you have made to help our students thrive. Our class transition sessions have been a great success and have created a sense of excitement as we look towards 2025.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Moss for all that he has done in his time here at St John’s.  He has been a wonderful guide to our school, and the driving force behind the amazing school community that it is today. Mr Moss has made many positive impacts on our school including our fantastic renovated spaces, contemporary learning and in taking a relational approach with families, staff and students. We wish Mr Moss all the best for his new role at Victory and look forward to him coming back to visit for special occasions.

End of Year Events

Here is additional detail to some of the upcoming events listed in our important dates section of the newsletter (Colour Run details are provided in a separate section in this newsletter)

Week 8

Friday 6 December

All families welcome to attend our Christmas Carols Chapel, beginning at 9:30am. Each class will sing and perform Carols.

All students may wear Christmas Clothes to school.

Week 9

Tuesday 10 December

Minute to Win It (Year 6 Vs Staff). All families are welcome to attend this fun annual event, beginning at 9:30am in the hall.

From 12 – 1:30pm staff are providing class parties with all food provided by the school.

Wednesday 11 December

Graduation and Awards Service beginning at 9:30am in the hall. This will include a farewell to Mr Brad Moss and morning tea afterwards for all families, visitors and Year 6 students.

We hope you all have a refreshing and blessed Christmas and holiday break.

 

Alison Jafari and Anna-Marie Bothe

FROM THE CHAPLAIN

KIDS CHURCH – FRIDAY NOVEMBER 30

This is a time of year for celebrations.

We celebrate the year coming to an end, and the new year starting.
We celebrate milestones, like graduating primary school.

We also celebrate Christmas.

But what is Christmas really about?

Join us for our last Friday Night Chapel for 2024, as we explore this question through fun activities.

And help us say thank you to all the year 6 students who have helped us lead Friday night services in 2024! 

Click here to subscribe to our Church Newsletter

ABRAHAM AND SARAH'S STORY - Bible Study

Join us for dinner and discussion as we look at the stories of Abraham and Sarah, pivotal figures of three of the world’s biggest religions today. Who were they and why are they significant?

For more information, contact Peter Reed: [email protected] 

COLOUR RUN UPDATE!

 

There are only a few days to go until our Colour Run finally happens! Thank you so much to all families and students for participating in our major fundraising event for 2024. Students have so far raised over a whopping $9000, which is amazing!

Here are our final updates:

  • The Colour Run is on Monday 9th December on the St John's oval. Students will have fun on the course in three waves: Little Saints from 1:30pm, Kinder – Year 2 from 1:50, Year 3-6 from 2:10pm.

  • Students should wear a white t-shirt on the day and have a hat to wear also. Students should have some spare clothes to change into after the event.

  • Parents and friends are more than welcome to come along, bringing your own chair and hat. The Colour Run zone will be marked on the ground and spectators are asked to stay outside of that zone. Parents are also able to sign their child/ren out after the event. Sign out sheets will be available at the oval.

  • Students and spectators will be able to purchase Snow Cones for $3. These will be available under the verandah of the Library from 1:30pm. Special thanks go to the Kinning and Jarick families for volunteering their time and snow cone making equipment to help raise more money for this fundraiser.

  • Special thanks must also be given to Bill Schulz from Domestic Water (0427 293 229), who is providing a water fun obstacle, and Jindera Tyres, who are providing us with some tyres to be part of an obstacle.

  • While we have not encouraged the element of prizes as students’ reason for fundraising, it is part of the process with the company that we have chosen to use this year. Prizes will be delivered to St John’s, hopefully arriving in the last week of term so that students can take them home. If there is a delay in delivery, parents will be informed, and an alternative day will be made available to collect prizes.  

     

The Colour Run Fundraising Committee  

In Weeks 6 and 7, our Year 5 and 6 students participated in a friendly basketball competition with students from St Mary MacKillop College. It was a fantastic event filled with energy, skill and camaraderie. Throughout the competition, our students demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship, playing hard while maintaining a positive attitude. The event concluded with an exciting Showdown, with the whole school coming together to applaud and cheer on their team. This was a wonderful opportunity to showcase our school’s ability to be welcoming and respectful hosts. We are proud of all the students who participated and thank Mary MacKillop for joining us in such a spirited and enjoyable event.

Luke Schulz and Joel James proudly represented our school at the RAS Tennis competition last week, demonstrating outstanding sportsmanship, resilience and grit. They faced strong opponents from many of the schools in our region and persevered through a long day of matches in hot weather. Congratulations, boys, on an incredible effort and for showcasing determination and school spirit!

basketball competion - St mary Mackillop college V st john's

RAS tENNIS

TICKETS NOW OPEN
Scan the code or click on the link to book your seats. Limited seating available so don't miss out!

Book your seats here

STUDENT INFORMATION
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN CLASS

KINDERGARTEN

teen numbers

We have been exploring our teen numbers over the last two weeks; not just being able to recognise them, but how many ways as a Mathematician that we can show our teen numbers using different hands-on materials. We used dice, number sentences, drawings, sticks, counters and many other ways to make a teen number. The Kinders did a brilliant job!

 

wombat stew

Our Storybook for the last two weeks has been the classic, ‘Wombat Stew’ by Marcia Vaughan. We have been using templates to create our own fruit stew, delicious stew and random stew. This week, we wrote an ingredients list of things we found on a nature walk that could go in a stew. Then, we got our hands dirty and added some dirt and water and created the most delicious mud stew.

YEAR 1

CHRISTIAN STUDIES

This term, we have been learning about the importance of trusting in God as a source of strength and support during challenging times. Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in God with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Our students have been reflecting on this message by creating heart-shaped crafts to symbolise God’s unwavering love for us. These activities have sparked meaningful conversations about faith and how we can rely on God in our daily lives. It’s inspiring to see their creativity and deepening understanding of this important lesson.

YEAR 2

JINDERA COMMUNITY GARDEN CAKE STALL

On Saturday 23 November, the Community Garden Volunteers held a cake stall at IGA. The Year 2s got busy and did a cook up! With the help of Miranda Tyrell and Sandra (Evie Wright’s nan), we made honey joys, chocolate crackles, decorated cupcakes and gingerbread Christmas cookies. We also created flower pots, planted succulents and got creative and decorated garden people to put into pots. The Community Garden raised over $1000.

Next Friday 6 December, we will head to the Community Garden in the morning straight after Chapel to put up our decorations and have lunch down there. Please send in some old clothes for the children to wear, as we will be doing some painting.  

Then on Sunday 15 December, we have been invited to the Jindera Community Garden Christmas Party at 5pm. The children have been asked to sing Christmas Carols and there will also be a free sausage sizzle, activities and a raffle. If you can attend, please bring your own chairs and drinks. Children can dress up in something Christmassy. I realise that this may not be possible for some of you to attend, being school holidays and such a busy time of the year. As this is an event during school holidays, children will be under the supervision of their parents for this event.

This is a fabulous opportunity for our students to participate in. Please click below to RSVP if your child can attend by Tuesday 3 December.  

Jindera Community Christmas Party RSVP

MS MELLICK IS SLIMED

Last Thursday the Year 2s were so proud and excited to see Ms Mellick get slimed. To help support her, the Year 2 team helped design her Dory costume. We made our own fish with the help of the creative Mrs Kate and chanted “Just keep swimming….” as the slime was poured upon her. Way to go to Ms Mellick!

MATHEMATICS

Place Value - last week the students enjoyed thinking mathematically and playing a place value game from 100 to 1000 using dice and post-it notes.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING

Check out our Christmas decorations that keep on evolving for the Community Garden.

THANK YOU!

A big thank you to Mrs Kate who has been helping in the Year 2 class over the last two terms. We have loved having you spread your cheer and being an awesome helper. We wish you the very best as you continue your studies as a teacher.

Thank you also to all our parents and grandparents for all of you support over the year. We have loved teaching your children and have had so many fond memories and we have loved watching them grow.  

Special mention to Sandra (Evie Wright’s nan) and Miranda (Floss’s mum) for consistently coming in throughout the year. We really appreciate your time in helping the children learn to read.

The Year 2 Team (Fiona, Janelle, Kaylene and Kate) wish you all a very blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.

YEAR 3/4 LK

Learning up to Week 8

Students have been enjoying their time in art class by using mixed media to create Christmas-themed artworks. These projects help them develop their skills and allow each student to make choices, resulting in unique and personal creations. We believe the students' artworks are beautiful and the clever Mrs Dunlop turned them into Christmas cards.

YEAR 3/4 PV

We have loved doing art this year! Students used oil pastels and watercolours to create a Christmas image. These were shrunk and transferred onto cards.

Patience and concentration were needed to colour in an optical illusion titled ‘Falling’. It was fun posing for the photos.

Mrs Gordon and I would love to wish you all a blessed and safe holiday break.

YEAR 5/6

YEAR 6 DAY AT THE WEIR

Last week, Year 6 students went out to the Great Aussie Resort on the Hume Weir for the day. We were lucky to have the storms go around us and it ended up being a fantastic day to be in the water. Students spent the majority of their time canoeing and swimming. It was a great day spending time together!

WELLBEING and the flu season

Flu season

It's that time of year again when coughs, colds and covid are about in the community.

NSW Health advise we are currently in the moderate level of COVID-19.

For everyone to stay well this season please follow the recommendations of the NSW Government and keep your child home when sick.


You can find out more via the following links

https://education.nsw.gov.au/schooling/covid-19/advice-for-families#Staying1

https://www.nsw.gov.au/health/covid-19/testing-managing/symptoms

 

Whilst we understand how challenging it is to be called at work, we also know parents value a safe school and we thank you for your support.

 

speach bubble circle

STAY HOME WHEN SICK!

PRAYING FOR YOU

At St John's, we pray for our students and their families and staff members.
This week, we are praying for:

Week 7

Hudson & Jasmine Piltz

Evie and Jonti Noordam

Frankie and Maxton Marshall

Kenzie Medcraft, Lance Taylor, Sam Evans

Gabby Cotter

Week 8

Kade Anderson

Ryder and Theo Bakes

Benjamin & Samual Busch Kaithln Holmes

Milla Goldsmith & Scarlett Jones

Anna-Marie Bothe

MERIT AWARDS

Kinder

Ziggy Saggers and Audrey Vitullo  
Year 1

Anthony Yong and Eloise Sutcliffe and Zoe Bergmeier
Year 2

Sophie Chang and Charlotte Phelps  

 

Year 3/4 LK

Thea Kinning and Jack Mighalls and Lachlan Kalina and Cruz Smith and Chad McPherson  

Year 3/4 PV

Amelia Yong and Harrison Connelly

Year 5/6 GC

Tully Heath and Darcy Wright  

Year 5/6 DB

Levi Wilson and Matthew Kalina

GOOD SAMARITAN AWARDS

Little Saints

Poppy Wills and Kayelina Livingstone Kinder

Maxton Marshall, Mia Thomson and Ava Jones
Year 1

Archer Walker and Morgan Mason  
Year 2

Xander Grimmett and Grace Ross

Year 3/4 LK

Joel James and Mia Lieschke  

Year 3/4 PV

Evie Noordam Tennyson Deegan

Year 5/6 GC

Hannah Code and Deon Byers

Year 5/6 DB

Maison Holm and Matthew Kalina

CARPARK - SAFETY IS EVERYONES RESPONSIBILTY! 

             Use the footpath to enter school

             Walk

             Use dedicated parking bays  

 

             DO NOT walk/ride/scooter through the carpark

             DO NOT park in driveways

Hats 

Be like George!

  • Label your hat

  • Keep your hat in your bag

  • Wear your hat if the UV is 3 or higher

  • Look after your hat

THEIRCARE
BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CARE

HEAD LICE 

Currently we have an increased number of cases of head lice presenting at school. Please click here for a fact sheet of treatments and preventative measures which may be a support to families. If head lice is detected at school, home will be contacted. In line with school expectations, any child with below shoulder length hair is required to tie their hair back while at school. Please ensure if your child has longer hair it is tied back for the school day.

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS