Term 3, Week 6, 25 August 2022
Principal Message
We are just over the halfway mark of the term!
Congratulations to the three students who celebrated their sacrament of first Holy Communion last weekend - Jack Heares, Isaac Armstrong and Ryder Butcher. It was a lovely celebration and Miss Wells prepared you all beautifully. Thank you Miss Wells!
We have had a fantastic week for book week! Thank you to the parents who were able to make it to the Parade and/or the picnic. It was really nice to come together as a community for these events. Please see some book week highlights below. A huge thank you to Mrs East who has organised the book fair and the display in the library. Just a reminder that Friday 26th August is the final day for the book fair.
This week we welcomed back Mrs Loane who has been on carers leave looking after her mother in Sydney who has recently undergone some surgery. We were also supposed to welcome back Mr Flint from long service leave this week, however is wife Sue had a fall whilst they were away and was injured, so he has taken a few extra days off work to care for her. We will welcome Mr Flint back on Monday 28th August. We keep both Mrs Loane, Mr Flint and their loved ones in our prayers.
Just a reminder about the Father's Day Brekky on Friday 2nd September @ 8am - All Dads/Father figues are welcome!
SAVE THE DATE - DAY ON THE GREEN
Saturday 22nd October 2022 2pm-7pm
This event will take place on the school oval where there will be food, entertainment, auctions and raffles etc. It is a social event for adults only.
We are seeking donations of items to Auction or Raffle. If you are able to donate any items or have contacts, please let me know.
Key Dates for Term 3
Please find below key dates for Term 3 at this stage. Any additional dates will be communicated as they arise during the term.
- Sunday 4th September - Father's Day (We will celebrate this on Friday 2nd September).
- Friday 9th September - Junior Johnnies program begins.
- Friday 23rd September - Last Day of Term 3.
Ongoing items to be conscious of during term 3:
- School Assembly is taking place every Monday at 2:15pm. Parents Welcome
- The School newsletter will go out on Thursday in Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10.
- Family Connect Worker Lisa Wood is in every Monday.
- School Tuckshop will be open every Friday.
Apple Learning
Last week we welcomed members of the Apple Education team to meet with our staff. This is part of an ongoing partnership with Apple, as we are now a school that largely uses Apple devices as learning tools in the classroom.
This particular session enabled staff to explore some native Apple Apps and make a short Clip!
The purpose of such sessions it to enable staff to discover new ways to enhance creativity and productivity in the classroom, as well as to get inspiration to take their learning further, no matter where they are up to on their Apple learning journey.
Tell Them From Me Survey
The 'Partners in Learning' Parent Survey will close at the end of August, so please use this opportunity to provide feedback to the school from a parent perspective.
This Parent survey is based on a comprehensive questionnaire covering several aspects of parents' perceptions of their children's experiences at home and school. It is based primarily on Joyce Epstein's framework for fostering positive relations between the school and the community. The survey provides feedback to schools about the extent to which parents feel the school supports learning and positive behaviour and promotes a safe and inclusive environment.
Survey link below!
http://tellthemfromme.com/5t5vn
Kind Regards,
Dave Bermingham
Student of the Week Awards (Week 5 & 6)
TEACHING & LEARNING
World Travel with S2!
Luckily I wore my travelling boots today because I was rather excited to hear that I was embarking on a world tour with Stage 2. With only our lunch boxes, and a much needed growth mindset, we were set to travel. There was not a passport in sight. Tropical reefs, illuminated cities, magical glaciers, stunning deserts, ancient monuments and the spectacular Northern Lights were all part of our incredible journey. We could feast our eyes on unique landforms, geographical features and manmade landscapes.
So, did Mr Bermingham suddenly decide to fly us around the world? That would be nice but unfortunately it was not the case. Instead, we were brave explorers into the wonderful world of virtual reality. Using our VR headsets, a tablet and smart phones we were able to visit anywhere from the North Pole to the Sahara Desert and many places in between. VR technology is designed to help raise engagement and increase knowledge retention for students of all ages. The head sets allowed the students to learn through experience using a fun, hands-on and interactive platform. However, we did need our growth mindset because we initially experienced some challenges with the technology. Perseverance and patience eventually paid off and Miss Wells did a great job in problem solving each challenge.
When I asked Stage 2 at the end of the session what they enjoyed most about their learning, they reported that it was just like being there and you got to feel like you were floating through that place. They said you could really see what it was like because it was all around you in three dimensions. Through their experiences the children were able to identify the geographical features of contrasting environments, compare and contrast the natural features and manmade features and infer why places had these features. What an engaging way to not just learn about Geography but to actually experience it!
S2 Virtual Reality
RE NEWS
St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal
St Vincent de Paul retail team are in need of high quality winter garments to be sold in shops throughout the region. They would love quality over quantity!
The Mini Vinnies Team are asking for each student to bring in one item of clothing from home.
The following items would be fantastic
- men’s and women's jackets
- men’s and ladies Jumpers
- men’s and ladies coats
- winter boots or shoes
- ladies winter knitwear
These items can be handed to your classroom teacher or there is a collection box in the office.
Could you please bring in donations no later than August 29th (week 7)
Masses Term 3
Mass | Stage Responsible | Date and Time |
God’s Great Family | Kindergarten | Wednesday 31st of August 9:30 am |
All are welcome!
BABY NEWS
Oscar Eglington
Congratulations to Blake and Henry in Kindy to have each welcomed a new Sibling into their families over the last two weeks. Henry has a new baby brother (Oscar) and Blake has a new baby sister (Isla).
Congratulations to both families and welcome to the St John's community Oscar and Isla!
BOOK WEEK 2022
What an amazing week we have had for Book Week this week. Please see some highlights below!
Book Week Picnic
School Info
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU"
Our birthday people
Kiara & Theodore
BOOK FAIR 2022
Our Annual Book Fair has its last day tomorrow. Tomorrow is the last day for ordering books from Book fair 2022. The school receives a commission on all purchases.
Piano Lessons
Piano lessons are available at St John’s, during school hours and after school.
Enquiries please call Daniel Holland 0401 071 667
FAMILY CONNECT - The Lunch Box: snack sized tips with Lisa
All Things Parenting – including how to look after yourself!
When looking for parenting information, go no further than The Australian Parenting website, https://raisingchildren.net.au/ With topics relating to pregnancy, the spectrum of childhood, autism, disability and grown-ups, there is not much you won’t find to support your parenting journey. The information is free, reliable, up-to-date, and independent to help your family grow and thrive together. You can even subscribe to their monthly newsletter which provides information and practical tips.
If you’re looking for local, face to face parenting support, our Family Connect worker Lisa Wood can help you. Lisa is at St John’s each Monday. You can contact Lisa on 0429 441 518 or email her lisa.wood@socialfutures.org.au
COMMUNITY NEWS
MPACT: Drama classes for 8-11 yr olds right here at St. John's Fun, engaging and skill building drama classes are now on offer at St. John's Primary school Hall on Wednesday from 3.30-4.30pm.Participating in Drama classes builds confidence, literacy skills, sopporation, problem solving, develops a child's imagination and provides a platform for them to express their ideas. Director of Byron Youth Theatre established MPACT: Mullum Performing Arts Community Theatre to offer structured drama and theatre classes for Mullum and surrounding towns. We are delighted to have the classes here at St. John's and encourage parents whose children are aged between 8-11 to contact Lisa via byronyouththeatre2481@gmail.
