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Informer Term 1 - Week 6 - 2025

From Our Principal ...

Dear Families,

This week we celebrate Ash Wednesday. This is the beginning of the period of Lent. Lent is a time in many Christian churches that focuses on the preparation for the celebration of Easter. Lent has its origins in the tradition of fasting in the Hebrew Scriptures. Today, Lent is less about the abstaining from particular foods or habits, and more about developing habits that help us grow closer to our God.

As beginning teacher, I remember being exposed to the concept of ‘What am I doing for Lent?’ rather than the traditional focus of ‘What am I giving up?’

It changed my thinking about Lent and took it away from being an onerous task that was difficult and unpleasant, and changed it into something that gave me focus and helped me on my journey through life. Sometimes my goals have been ambitious, and I have not always succeeded, but as I've grown older one of the things I've realised is that Lent is not always about the goal. Sometimes I struggle to focus and concentrate, but life has shown me that what you learn on the journey can be just as important as succeeding.

As a family sitting around the table, we would try to have a conversation about things that happened in our days. As we prepared for Easter, we would discuss our Lenten promises and in many classrooms there would be a Lenten tree that our kids would pin their promises on.

It is very easy to only focus on what am I giving up and many of our kids are happy to give up broccoli, vegetables or homework for Lent. The conversation we need to have is 'What are we going to do for Lent? How do we become better people and develop a closer relationship with our God?'

There is an old saying that God loves a trier. Do our actions show us to be people who are striving to become better? Do they show that we care for the people around us and the world in which we live? That may be an interesting challenge for each of us to adopt this Lent.

Have a great week and hug your kids.

Regards,
Jamie Emerick
Principal.

Ash Wednesday Liturgy - All Welcome

Parents are welcome to attend our whole school Ash Wednesday liturgy in Nazarene Place on:

Wednesday 5 March from 8:50am-9:09am

Ash Wednesday and Lent

Pope Francis, the leader of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church has said, “Lent is a new beginning, a path leading to the certain goal of Easter, Christ’s victory over death. This season urgently calls believers to conversion. Christians are asked to return to God ‘with all their hearts’ (Joel 2:12), to refuse to settle for mediocrity and grow in friendship with the Lord.”

Wednesday 5 March is Ash Wednesday. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, a day when many churches hold services that remind Christians that “we are but dust and to dust we shall return.” The ashes used to mark the sign of the cross on foreheads on this day are created from the burning of palm branches that were used the previous year during Palm Sunday.

Lent, based on the Latin term for “forty," is the period of time (40 days) leading up to Easter, or Resurrection Sunday. Lent was established initially for new Christians, those who experienced a call. They were to spend 40 days and 40 nights preparing for their baptism. If, in the end, they still wanted to follow Jesus, then on Easter Eve, they would be baptised as the sun was rising in the east, signaling the new day, the new era, inaugurated because of the Resurrection.

This Lent we encourage people within our school community to actively prepare for Easter. The Catholic Church focuses on three areas: Pray, Fast and Give. These are meant to be simple daily routines to prepare you for Easter. Prayer can be a silent prayer of thanksgiving as you wake up or to attend Stations of the Cross during Lent. You can fast from the snooze button or Netflix and use that time to help others. To give can be to give your time and get to know someone better. Lent is to learn to walk more closely with God, so it becomes a natural daily experience for believers.

The school will have a short liturgy on Wednesday 5 March at 8:50am for Ash Wednesday in Nazarene Place. The parish will have Ash Wednesday masses at the following church centers:

St Peter Chanel, Tannum Sands: 9:00am

Star of the Sea, Gladstone: 12:00pm

Star of the Sea, Gladstone: 5:30pm

Our school community will lead Stations of the Cross on Friday 14 March at Star of the Sea Church, Gladstone from 6:00pm. All families are welcome.

Shrove Tuesday: 4 March-Volunteers Needed

Stations of the Cross: All Welcome

Acceptable Hairstyles at St John's

Our school uniform expectations are clear and well-communicated both at the time of enrolment and throughout each school year. It is expected that all students who are enrolled at St John’s adhere at all times to the uniform recommendations as per the signed enrolment agreement.

To ensure there is no confusion regarding the acceptable hairstyles at St John’s please be reminded of the following. A full outline of our uniform expectations can be found in the Parent Handbook.

Hair styles must reflect a conservative image that doesn’t draw undue attention to an individual.
Undercuts, tracks (including tracks along the part-line), styles incorporating a gauge less than 3, artificial hair colours, rat’s tails and extreme hairstyles (mohawk, buzz cut or dreadlocks) are NOT acceptable.
Hair longer than collar length MUST be worn tied up (entirely) in a neat ponytail.
Hair must be out of the face (especially eyes) at all times.
Hairbands, ribbons or clips must be must red, white or navy blue. Elaborate or oversized hair accessories are not acceptable.
Hair must be tidy and reflect good personal hygiene

If doubt exists with a style of hair, a student or parent should check with the Principal before having a style change.

School Funding in Australia

The below link explains revised school funding in Australia.

School Fees

Term 1 2025 School Fee Accounts have been issued and were emailed Thursday 13 February. Statements are also available through our online Parent Lounge Site:

https://402sjg.rok.catholic.edu.au/parentlounge

Please note, Term 1 school fees were due Friday 28 February.

For families paying via direct debit, this is still current, and the statement is for information purposes only, showing recent payments and charges.

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).

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

Prep-Year 2 Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Code of Practice: ACCEPTANCE NOW DUE VIA PARENT LOUNGE

Each year, age-appropriate ICT Codes of Practice are communicated with our students and families.

Last week, your child’s class teacher discussed relevant and appropriate information within the Early Learning and Care – Year 2 ICT Codes of Practice.

A digital copy of the Early Learning and Care – Year 2 ICT Code of Practice has been uploaded to Parent Lounge where parents are asked to read through the document, discuss the importance of the Code of Practice with their child and tick to accept the document.

By ticking to accept, you are ‘signing’ that you have read, understood and support the Early Learning and Care – Year 2 ICT Code of Practice. This needs to be completed by Friday 14 March or your child’s access to ICT may be impacted.

Prep 2026 Sibling Enrolments: ENROL NOW

After School Pick Up Arrangements

To avoid disruption to classroom teaching and learning, please make after school pickup arrangements with your child prior to dropping them off at school in the morning.

Please do not rely on Seesaw or emailing your child’s teacher during school hours as a method of communication, as some days, due to the busy nature of teaching, your child's teacher may not have time to read their Seesaw or email messages during the school day.

We do understand that emergencies arise. Under these circumstances, please contact the school office to relay a message to your child.

Thank you for your understanding.

Library News ...

Inspirational stories of the wonderful women and girls who have shaped our world, from Anne Frank to Oprah Winfrey. Meet history's leading ladies from politics, science, business and the arts, from exciting entrepreneurs to clever creatives.

Professor Sahajwalla, 2022 NSW Australian of the Year, is founder and Director of the Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (UNSW), and head of the new ARC Microrecycling Research Hub. One person's trash is another person's treasure! Veena is literally revolutionalising the processes to transform waste into amazing products which she calls 're-forming', and that goes way beyond recycling! She and her team have invented machines that can do it on a micro level so you could have one in every suburb and town in Australia, and the world! Plus, her 'green' steel is cheaper to make and will use millions of old car tyres and other plastics instead of coal in steel-making, reducing carbon emissions by 80%. No wonder she's getting awards all over the place!

Hatsheput: Pharoah -- The Trung sisters: warrior queens -- Joan of Arc: warrior and saint -- Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz: scholar and poet -- Laura Bassi: physicist -- Eliza Lucas Pinckney: agricultural entrepreneur -- Phillis Wheatley: poet -- Elisabeth Vigee-Le Brun: painter -- Maria Theresia von Paradis: pianist and composer -- Sacagawea: guide and interpreter -- Mary Anning: fossil hunter -- The Bronte sisters (Charlotte, Emily and Anne): authors….the list is almost endless….

Wednesday Fitness is Back!

Each Wednesday morning at 7.45am, Mrs Graham is running a 30-minute fitness session for any keen students. These sessions will help build on the fitness gains already made in HPE (from our fitness focus in Weeks 1-5) and help prepare students to do their best at the upcoming Cross Country (Thursday 3 April), the School Athletics Carnival (Term 2) as well as their own personal health benefits and goals.

Fitness will continue weekly throughout Term 1 and Term 2.

All keen and committed students are most welcome! Please meet Mrs Graham on the oval at 7.45am sharp each Wednesday morning.

Beep Test Results: Week 5 (Final Week)

Girls:
Maddie Butler Year 4 9.3
Laiken Knot Year 4 9.1
Harper Halliwell Year 6 9.1

Boys:
Koby Halliwell Year 4 11.1
William Bebendorf Year 6 11.1

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)

Cummins House Lunch

Cummins House gathered last Friday for a special Colour House Lunch, celebrating community and friendship. Students enjoyed sharing a meal, fostering teamwork and strengthening our Catholic school spirit. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect, reflect and appreciate the bonds that make our school family so special.

St John's Cross Country: Save The Date

Whole School Beep Off: Save The Date

Tuckshop Volunteers Needed

Can you spare 30 minutes or 3 hours on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday morning to volunteer in our tuckshop - anytime from 8am to 2pm?

Our lovely tuckshop staff will provide training. Volunteers need to have completed our school Volunteer Induction Session.

Please call the office if you are able to help out.

Volunteer Tuckshop Roster

Our Tuckshop is OPEN Four Days a Week
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday - BOTH Breaks

Please remember our online ordering closes at 8:10am sharp

This Week's Tuckshop Volunteer Roster is:

Tuesday 29 April - Year 1 Quolls
Wednesday 30 April - Year 5 Eagles
Thursday 1 May - Year 6 Bandicoots
Friday 2 May - Prep Turtles

Thank You!

Tuckshop Ordering Information & Menu

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

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