St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School Clinton eNewsletter

From Our Principal ...

Dear Families

Our school was built in 1977. We weren’t the first building in the area, and won’t be the last. We are surrounded by neighbours, some who have connections with St John’s and many who don’t.

Over the past few weeks, I have been contacted by a number of our neighbours in relation to parking. For your guidance, any area on the edge of Queensland roads, unless signed otherwise is available for parking, as long as the car is parked safely and legally. Anyone in the community is free to park on the street outside a residential house, as long as they are not blocking the driveway. This includes the owner of the residence.

I have had a number of conversations this year with particularly unhappy residents who have been either unable to leave their property or unable to enter due to St John’s family’s vehicles blocking driveways.

Regardless of how long you are there, even if you are just ‘ducking in’ to do a quick pick up, this is both illegal and unsafe. The relationship with our neighbours is based on respect. Please show our neighbours the courtesy they deserve.

Thank you for your assistance with this matter.

Have a great week and hug your kids.

Regards,
Jamie Emerick
Principal.

Parents & Friends Meeting POSTPONED

Due to unforeseen circumstances, this afternoon's Parents & Friends Assocation meeting has been POSTPONED until 5:30pm on MONDAY, 29 APRIL. The meeting will be held in the staff room.

ALL WELCOME!

2025 Prep Sibling Enrolments: OPEN NOW

If you have not already completed your child's Prep 2025 enrolment application, please do so NOW!

Interviews will take place this term.

Visit our school website to complete the online enrolment application.
https://enrol.sjgrok.catholic.edu.au/primary-school-enrolment/start

Harmony Morning Tea: RSVP by 28 March

Many of our families have a diverse cultural and language background. Leaving your country and extended family can be isolating for people. We would like to welcome new and existing families who speak a language other than English.

Please join Mrs. O’Brien and members of the ladership team for a morning tea on Thursday 18 April on the staffroom verandah from 9:00-10:00am. It will be a fabulous opportunity to chat and mingle with you all.

RSVP by Thursday 28 March to Melissa Davies – melissa_davies@rok.catholic.edu.au

What Is Holy Week?

The Season of Lent is ending. The Catholic liturgical calendar moves into Holy Week and the Easter Season.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdrPhxqRP9I

Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, which was yesterday, Sunday 24 March.

The 2^nd Rite of Reconciliation is available for people today. This is a celebration of Penance which includes a communal liturgy of repentance followed by the opportunity for individual confession and absolution. This is a Church tradition prior to Easter. All welcome at Star of the Sea (SOS) Church at 5.30pm this evening.

We also welcome our school community members to attend Mass this coming Easter weekend:

Mass Times:

Thursday 28 March Mass of the Lord’s Supper 6:30pm at SOS church

Friday 29 March Stations of the Cross 10am SOS Church
10am St Peter Chanel, Tannum
10am St Patrick's, Calliope
10:30am Our Lady of Mt Carmel, Mt Larcom

Friday 29 March Service of the Lord’s Passi 3pm at SOS church

Saturday 30 March The Easter Vigil 6:30pm at SOS Church

Sunday 31 March Easter Sunday 8am SOS Church
8am St Peter Chanel, Tannum
10am St Patrick’s, Calliope
11am St Agnes, Agnes Water

Book Stall In Aid Of Caritas

Project Compassion

During Lent, Project Compassion is a major focus for Catholic schools and parishes. This is led by Caritas, a Catholic service organisation. Project Compassion provides weekly stories throughout Lent. These always have a positive outlook and intent. The aim is to increase awareness of the circumstances of others and to walk in their shoes for a moment. The strength shown by people in other communities is always inspiring. Please take the time to view this 4-minute video and discuss it with your children, family and friends.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89bJV-w_wXk

St John's Reach Out Group

‘Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience’ (Colossians 3:12)

Mrs. O’Brien needs YOU!

The Reach Out group needs a co-ordinator.

After many years, our beautiful Tracey is stepping down from the role. I would like to say a huge thank you to her for the generosity and compassion she has shown to others.

The Reach Out group has touched the hearts of many families. A kind word, card, flowers or simple meal can make a difference to the lives of people within our school community.

The co-ordinator works closely with Lisa O’Brien (APRE) to send out emails to members with possible requests. If you would like to find out more, please email Lisa or speak with her directly. People who want to join and help in some way can contact Lisa as well. lisa_obrien@rok.catholic.edu.au

Bless you all.

Whole School Beep Off - Tues 26 March

Our Whole School Beef Off is on tomorrow morning at 9:00am WEATHER PERMITTING.

Students may wear sports shorts. They may also bring running joggers to wear for the Beep Off, but MUST change back into school shoes after competing.

All Things Cross Country...

Our Prep - Year 6 St John’s Cross Country is on Thursday 28th March for all students starting at 8.40am sharp.

General Information is as follows:

Prep – Year 1 to meet teachers in their classroom from 8.20am
Year 2-6 students are to put their school bags at their classrooms and move to their House Tents on oval from 8.20am. There will be NO Assembly.
Students to wear their school polo or choose a sun safe shirt in house colour, sports shorts, runners, sunscreen, school hat and a large water bottle.
The first race starts at 8.40am sharp (Year 1 Girls)
Prep – Year 1 students complete the Fun Run Track course (approx. 600m)
Year 2 and younger Year 3 students born in 2016 (only) compete the half course (approx. 1km).
Students born in 2015 - 2012 compete in their year of birth and complete the full course (approx 1.6km).
All students (P-6) receive a ribbon if they place 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, or 5^th
Students born 2012 - 2015 receive points towards Athletics Age Champion if finish 1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd
Students born 2012, 2013 and 2014 can be selected in the school Cross Country team to attend Port Curtis trials if they finish 1^st– 5^th.
All races finish at approx. 10.45am and students return to their normal school day.
All parent volunteers are always welcome! Please email Courtney McVean at Courtney_mcvean@rok.catholic.edu.au if you would like to help out.

Coloured Wrist Bands and Year of Birth

To help distinguish age groups per Cross Country race, we use both wristbands and date of birth on lower legs in some age groups.

Please note the following:

Coloured wristbands will be used for 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013 age groups and will be supplied at the start line. Wrist bands to be returned via classroom teacher at end of event.
Year of birth needs to be written on front of lower leg in marker pen, preferably at home prior to students coming to school for 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012. See example in photo:

Girl’s Year 1 Race	Neither required
Boy’s Year 1 Race	Neither required
Girl’s Prep Race	Neither required
Boy’s Prep Race	Neither required
Girl’s Year 2 Race	Neither required
Boy’s Year 2 Race	Neither required
Girl’s and Boy’s Yr 3 Race (born 2016 only)	Red Wristband - supplied at start line 2016 written on lower leg before arriving to school
Girls and Boys 2015 Race	Blue Wristband - supplied at start line 2015 written on lower leg before arriving to school
Girls and Boys 2014 Race	Green Wristband - supplied at start line 2014 written on lower leg before arriving to school
Girls and Boys 2013 Race	Yellow Wristband - supplied at start line 2013 written on lower leg before arriving to school
Girls and Boys 2012 Race	No Wristband required 2012 written on lower leg before arriving at school

2024 Cross Country Courses

Prep – Year 1

Extended Fun Run Track

Starting line at Year 1-3 Playground area
Run down the straight, turning left behind the football posts at the J Hickey end of oval towards Year 4-6 playground.
Run behind Year 4-6 Playground, past the top of the Nature Playground and down the Fun Run track towards the carpark path.
Run along path in front of the groundsmens’ shed, taking a slight left turn into the carpark, roped off area.
Run to the end of the roped off area, turn left up the hill on to the oval up the hill onto oval and to the finish line.

Year 2 and Year 3’s born 2016

Starting line at Year 1-3 Playground area.
One full lap of oval (anti-clockwise) and back down the straight to the small gate at J Hickey Av.
Run down J Hickey footpath and left into bushland.
Follow the bush track until reaching ‘’junction’’. Turn left and run up the hill until exit track at Laner St.
Follow the footpath up to the school car park, toward groundsmens’ shed, up to the Fun Run track, around the 4-6 Playground and on to the 80m track to finish line.

Students born 2015 – 2012

Starting line at Year 1-3 Playground area
One full lap of oval (anti-clockwise) and back down the straight to the small gate at J Hickey Av
Run down J Hickey footpath and left into bushland.
Follow the bush track until you reach the ‘’junction’’.
Turn right down the hill, across the bridge, turning left to run up the grass verge to Aramac Dr.
Turn left on the grass path of Aramac Dr until you reach the bridge at J Hickey Av.
Take a hard left turn and run on the grass track behind the houses until you reach the exit at Laner St.
Follow the footpath up to the school car park, toward groundsmens’ shed, up to the Fun Run track, around the 4-6 Playground and on to the 80m track to finish line.

Approximate Race Times:

8.40am Girl’s Yr 1 Race (Girl House Captains run with Yr 1 girls)

8.45am Boy’s Yr 1 Race (Boy House Captains run with Yr 1 boys)

8.50am Girl’s Prep Race (Girl House Captains run with Prep girls)

8.55am Boy’s Prep Race (Boy House Capt run with Prep boys)

9.00am Girl’s Year 2 Race (regardless of Year of Birth)

9.05am Boy’s Year 2 Race (regardless of Year of Birth)

9.13am Girl’s and Boy’s Combined Year 3 Race (born 2016 only)

9.21am Girl’s 2015 Race

9.29am Boy’s 2015 Race

9.37am Girl’s 2014 Race

9.45am Boy’s 2014 Race

9.53am Girl’s 2013 Race

10.01am Boy’s 2013 Race

10.09 am Girl’s and Boy’s (combined) 2012 Race

Fitness Club

Port Curtis Sport

Counsellor's Corner

This year, the school has begun offering a number of group counselling opportunities to support children through various challenges. Programs offer a unique opportunity for children to work collaboratively to build on and develop new skills to support them emotionally and foster a sense of belonging within our school community. Children will develop a toolbox of coping strategies they can use to help with emotional regulation. Each of the groups will explore the following:

Managing Anxious/Angry Feelings: emotional literacy, body awareness, reframing and challenging negative thoughts, problem solving.
Building Confidence and Self-esteem: emotional literacy, body awareness, positive character strengths, reframing and challenging negative thoughts, affirmations.
Drumbeat: a model of practice combining rhythmic music and cognitive reflection, with additional elements of Positive Psychology and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, designed specifically to meet the group’s needs.

While confidentiality is strongly encouraged within each group, it cannot be guaranteed due to the collaborative nature of the groups. If you would like your child to attend one of these group counselling programs throughout the year, please complete counselling consent forms at the office.

Library News ...

The winner of last weeks ‘Where on Earth am I?’ was Georgie A from 6G. The correct answer was our magnificent Great Barrier Reef. Which is a timely reminder to remember to celebrate World Water Day this Friday.

Water is one of the planet’s most precious resources. World Water Day is observed each year on March 22 to promote the responsible use of water and access to safe water for everyone.

Our display this week for World Water Day also includes Mermaids!! Congratulations to Lucy (6G) and Zeanna (5R) for the magnificent production of The Little Mermaid over the past few weeks.

Prep – Year 3 library books are due.

St John's Way Awardees ...

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