Translate

Informer - Term 4 Week 7

From Our Principal ...

Dear Families

I read this in the parish newsletter at Mass over the weekend. At this time of year when we often find ourselves at our lowest both physically and mentally, it is a wonderful reminder for us. I spoke to our kids on Assembly this morning about the power of positive talk. We can easily convince ourselves that tasks are insurmountable and unachievable. We have to be positive in thought and action.

Have a great week and hug you kids.

Regards
Jamie Emerick

Is Your Family Leaving St John's?

If you know that you will be leaving at the end of this year, could you please notify the office as soon as possible.

As we have many students on our waiting list and our total enrolment drives many aspects of our school (staffing, budget, class sizes and structure) it is important that we try to be as accurate as possible in predicting the school enrolment for 2025.

Your assistance with this matter is greatly appreciated.

Term 4 School Fees - Now Overdue

Term 4 school fees were emailed to you on 16 October and were due for payment by Friday 27 October 2023, with the yearly fees (2023) to be finalised no later than Friday 1 December 2023. For families paying via direct debit, this is still current and the statement is for information purposes only, showing recent payments and charges.

Statements are available through our online Parent Lounge Site:
https://402sjg.rok.catholic.edu.au/parentlounge

Payments may be made by cash, cheque, direct debit, internet banking, EFTPOS or through Parent Lounge, either in full or in instalments (weekly, fortnightly or monthly). When making payments by internet banking, it is imperative to use your “School Fee Account Number” ONLY as the reference. This will ensure payments are allocated to the correct account.

The school office does not carry cash. If this is your preferred method of payment please endeavour to have the correct amount on hand.

If you are experiencing difficulties in making this payment, please contact Melissa Jackson in the office to discuss options.

School Office Hours:
Mon – Thurs 8.00 am – 4.00 pm
Fri 8.00am – 3.30 pm

P & F Meeting - TODAY

Our P & F Meeting is on TODAY at 5.30pm in the staffroom.

ALL WELCOME!

2024 Booklists

2024 Booklists are now available on Parent Lounge.

As always, we try to ensure the smoothest and most cost-effective way for purchasing booklist requirements. To ensure this, you have two options for filling your child’s 2024 booklist requirements:

OPTION 1: Purchasing from Office National Gladstone

Office National Gladstone is our online (and in-store) provider.
Office National Gladstone have already pre-priced your child’s 2024 booklist requirements at competitive rates and offer free home delivery (orders over $50).
You can order online via booklist.officebrands.com.au/aucklandst or you can drop-off or email your order form to Office National Gladstone.

OPTION 2: Purchasing from a local news agency of your choice

Simply take your child’s 2024 booklist to a news agency of your choice.
Local news agencies have been provided with our generic 2024 booklist

Please go on to Parent Lounge as of Monday 13 November to find all information and forms relating to your child’s 2024 booklist.

There will be a 2024 Book Drop-Off opportunity prior to the school year beginning next year, which is from 8.40am – 9.10am on Friday 19 January, 2024 ONLY.

If you have any questions about the 2024 booklists, please contact Mrs Jakki Graham at the school office.

Library News ...

It’s time to return your library books!

Lost a Library book?

Try to remember what the book looked like: How big was it? What colour? Was it thick or thin? What do you remember about the cover? Is it hardcover or paperback?

Next, tell your parents and your teacher. With their help you will probably find it.

Also keep in mind that all our library books have spine labels and barcode labels, so that they stand out!

Mrs. Skelhorn

Thank you!

Harrison B (3L) and Danielle W (5E) for your generous book donations.

2024 Student Leadership

It is that time of the year when our current Year 5 students prepare to deliver their speeches to apply for Student Leadership Positions for 2024.

Whilst all Year 6 students are called to a special leadership role within our school community, there are a number of positions of added responsibility that students may nominate themselves for being Year 6 School Captain and Year 6 House Captain.

School Captains

Five girls and five boys who have been short-listed, will present their final Year 6 School Captain speech to the extended school community on Wednesday 22 November (Week 8) at Nazarene Place at 8.40am.

House Captains

All suitable candidates will present their House Captain speech to their house peers on Wednesday 22 November (Week 8) starting at 11.30am.

We wish all candidates the best of luck. As always, we have a very strong group of young leaders moving into Year 6 in 2024, and are certain they are ready top take on positions of added responsibility.

Spirit Night - Wednesday 22 November

Every year, our students perform at the Marina Stage in front of parents and extended family. We invite you to attend and enjoy an informal evening together.

Please bring a camping chair or blanket, some insect repellent and your singing voices. Each of the classes will perform on the stage for your entertainment with a focus on the Nativity of Christ.

Food will be available through the Gladstone Men’s Shed. They will be selling steak burgers and sausages on bread, soft drinks and water for $2 per item.

Things to remember:

WHERE: Gladstone Port - Marina Stage Area
DATE: Wednesday 22 November
TIME: Gather from 4:30pm for 5:30pm START (on the dot). Finish by 7pm.
FOOD: Available from Gladstone Men’s Shed Volunteers (steak burgers, sausage sandwiches $2)
and soft drinks/water for $2. Available from the paved area behind the toilets/stage.

PARKING: CQU parking area. Parents DO NOT to park behind stage.

End of Year Mass

All classes and families are invited to our End of Year Mass; especially parents of students in Years 5 and 6. The Awards and 2024 leadership Ceremony will be held after Mass.

When: Thursday 30 November
Where: Nazarene Place
Time: 11:40am
Theme: Fruits of the Spirit Galatians 5: 22-26

Christmas Tree Appeal - for St Vinnies

The St John's Christmas Tree has been set up in the front office!

This is an opportunity for our school community to build awareness for children in families who are less fortunate than ours. Each year we ask families to consider buying a gift for a child or young person and placing it under the tree. There are gift tags hanging from the tree with the gender and age of a child written on the back e.g. girl aged 3 years. These ages range from 6 months to 15+.

It is a great way to discuss the meaning of Christmas, to give rather than to receive. It is worth considering the Christmas story Christians around the world believe, that God gave us his son in the hope of building a close relationship with each of us. Ultimately the gift of God's grace and love.

We hope your family feels the love, joy and peace of the Christmas season.

St Vinnies Christmas Hamper Appeal

https://donate.vinnies.org.au/appeals-nt/christmas-appeal-nt

St John's has a proud tradition of supporting St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hamper Appeal. Our focus is on donations of non-perishable food to support Central Queensland families. If you can provide food with at least a three-month 'in date' stamp your donation will help others in need during the festive season.

Items could include packaged fruit cake, biscuits, lollies, pasta, rice, baked beans, tinned food, dry/tinned pet food or play items. Perhaps a box of Christmas crackers will bring a smile to a child's face.

Donations can be left in the front office in the 'jelly bins' or with the front office ladies: Vicki, Melissa J, Mel D or Helen 😊

Thank you for your continued support.

Caritas Global Christmas Gifts

Prep - Year 2 Swimming

Swimming_Parent_Letter_P_2_2023.pdf

St John's Way Awardees

Non-State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme (NSSTAS)

The Non-State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme (NSSTAS) provides financial assistance to families transporting children to non-state schools in Queensland. The weekly threshold is reviewed regularly and for Semester 1 2024, the weekly family threshold will increase to $35 ($25 for a concession card holder). Applications for financial assistance can be made now for Semester 2 2023 at Non State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme (NSSTAS) (schooltransport.com.au).