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Informer Term 2 - Week 7

From Our Principal ...

Dear Families,

Silence. It is said that silence used to be ‘the norm’ and people were disturbed by lots of noise, whereas today noise is normal and silence has become disturbing.

As Henri Nouwen comments, “We have become alienated from silence.” But silence is important and necessary. In prayer, the use of silence is self-evident: we want to hear God’s voice and not our own chattering minds. Why else would the Desert Fathers, and Jesus himself, have ventured out, away from the hustle and the bustle? Scripture encourages us to “be still” (Exodus14:14, Psalm 46:10) and embrace solitude and silence.

Author Larry Warner, inspired by the spiritual exercises of Saint Ignatius, says, “In silence and solitude we slow down, extend our open, empty hands of faith and ready ourselves to receive from God whatever God may have for us.”(Excerpt from the KU Leuven September issue of Catholic Dialogue Schools).

As we approach the busiest four weeks of the year, the challenge to find time to stop and be part of silence is more and more difficult. The opportunity to sit in silence for even 30 seconds is a chance to catch our breath, regather and face the problems of the day.

Have a great week and hug your kids.

Regards,
Jamie Emerick
Principal.

Remembrance Day

The red poppy stands as a valuable symbol of “remembrance”. Throughout the battlefields of Western Europe and at Gallipoli, this delicate little flower represented some vestige of hope, hope of a more peaceful world to come. One source commented that, “The Flanders poppy was immortalized by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae’s poem In Flanders Fields (1915) and became the enduring symbol of the war for veterans and remembered as the only flower to bloom in the shattered landscape of no man’s land. The artillery shells and shrapnel stirred up the earth in France and Belgium and exposed the seeds to the light they needed to germinate.”

On each Remembrance Day, let us always remember those who have been afflicted by the pain and suffering that war brings. But as we focus on the symbol of the dancing poppies, let us also see this as a time to regenerate the Spirit of hope.

Let us pray with St Paul, that “may the Lord of peace always give [us] peace and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16).

In Flanders Field
By John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

School Fees

Please be reminded that School Fee accounts were due Thursday 31 October.

If you have not made this payment yet, please endeavour to finalise this account as soon as possible.

For families paying via direct debit, this is still current and the statement is for information purposes only, showing recent payments and charges. However, should be finalised by the end of the school year.

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” as the reference. This will ensure payments are allocated to the correct account.

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

Swimming Lessons- Prep to Year 2

Prep - Year 2 Families have been emailed information regarding swimming lessons. Please accept/decline your child's attendance via Parent Lounge by today. Lessons will take place over four consecutive days (25 November to 28 November) at the John Dahl Swimming Pool. More information can be found in the letter sent to parents.

Year 3 - 6 Swimming Carnival Information

Swimming_Carnival_General_Information_for_Year_3_6_Swim_for_students.pdf

2024_Swimming_Carnival_Outline_School_Community.pdf

Catholic Mission Month

As a Catholic school, Catholic Social Teaching should be embedded within our daily lives. One principle of this teaching is Preferential Treatment for the Poor. Each October, the focus for Catholic schools and parishes actively supports Catholic Mission Month. At St John’s we hold our annual Crazy Sock Day with Socktober activities. This year we were further blessed by the selfless actions of students in Year 5 who gave up their time and talents to support this worthy cause.

We celebrate the actions of this group of students who designed, created and sold bracelets during the week of Socktober. Thank you to Soriia, Piper, Stella, Audrey and Charlotte. Your compassion and drive brought the words of Pope Francis alive. Thank you to those who supported their efforts. The funds raised will assist the homeless in Mongolia in 2025.

Liturgy News

Thank you to parents and families who were able to attend the liturgy with Year 4K and 4P. We were blessed to have Father Peter join us.

Students have been learning about The First Fleet and Early Settlement, so Mrs. Rossiter created a ‘bush scene’ in the library for the students to gather around and to celebrate the liturgy together.

Pope Francis reminds us, “..that this encounter around God belongs to all” and it is an invitation to develop a personal relationship with God.

Year 2 Church Visit

Last week, our Year 2 classes attended the All Saints Mass at Star of the Sea church. The first of November is known as All Saints Day. It is a time when believers gather and pray to raise awareness relating to the lives of saints. It is also an opportunity to reflect on how we can be guided by their actions and brings these to life in our own lives.

The students gathered with Father Peter after the mass. They talked about how to show compassion and what justice could mean. All of the students demonstrated outstanding listening and engagement. After mass, they enjoyed an excursion where they made links between the history of Gladstone before a cool refreshing splash at East Shores.

Thank you to our students, teachers, assistants and parent helpers!

Year 6 Combined Liturgy: Mon 25 Nov

Our Year 6 students will have their final liturgy at St John’s as a combined group.

We will gather in Nazarene Place on Monday 25 November and families are welcome to attend.

The liturgy will begin at 9:15am and should finish by 10am. Students are asked to bring a small plate of food to share after the liturgy. We will enjoy having time together after the liturgy. This journey is coming to a close for many of you and we will miss you.

Year 3 to 6 Enrichment Activities

Last year we trialed with the Year 3-6 students, Enrichment Lessons which the students overwhelmingly enjoyed. The students have requested we do Enrichment Lessons again this year, so over the last few weeks, we have come up with a very large list of teacher-led activities and the students were able to nominate their 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd choices.

The list of activities encompass the following – creating a cookbook , fitness/bootcamp, diamond art, yarn crafts, water colours, painting the new buddy benches, football, drama, pottery, robotics, basketball, drones, chess/lego/boardgames, computer coding, tie-dying and graffiti art.

I think you would agree that this is a fabulously extensive list to suit all interests again this year!

With the term being very full (as always in Term Four), the activities will occur in Week 9 and Week 10.

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.

P & F Meeting: TODAY

St John's Way Awardees ...

Students who have embodied faith, dignity and integrity within our school.

We view our school as one body, with many parts, each in its own way contributing to our common mission.
(1 Corinthians 12: 12-26)

Winners Are Grinners

This week we announced the Fun Run winners!

Congratulations to Roman in Prep for being our highest individual fundraiser. He received a prize of a new scooter and a remote control car.

The Prep Owls raised the most funds as a class and will enjoy a pizza party later in the term.

Thank you to all students for their efforts with the Fun Run.

In consultation with our students, it has been decided that the proceeds will be used to build a new Ninja Obstacle Course and a Climbing Frame in the playground.

Flute Recruiting For 2025

Flute_Letter_Parents_Oct_2024ab.pdf

Tuckshop Ordering Information

The following information will ensure the efficient ordering of tuckshop for your child/ren:

Tuckshop must be ordered online via QuickCliq www.quickcliq.com.au Orders will not be accepted at the Tuckshop or Office.
Orders must be placed by 8:10am. Tuckshop can be ordered weeks in advance. Simply click on the day/s that tuckshop is required.
QuickCliq operates very slowly at very busy times i.e. close to 8:10am. During these times the system may boot you off and require you to log back in. Late orders put a lot of pressure on our tuckshop staff and volunteer helpers.
If you miss the ordering cut off time, your order will be transferred to the following day. You will be notified of this on the screen.
Parents MUST check confirmation email to ensure the order has been processed for the correct food on the correct day.

If you have any problems with the online ordering system please contact QuickCliq via 1300 11 66 37, or email: support@quickcliq.com.au

Our tuckshop operates every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (first and second breaks).