Informer Term 1 - Week 10 - 2025

From Our Principal ...

Dear Families,

It is hard to believe that the term is nearly at an end.  The hustle and bustle of our lives can often be a torrent that we get caught up in. It is very easy to be so consumed in what is happening around us that we risk not actually being part of the moment.  A quote that spoke very clearly to me, and is great reminder, is that “happiness is a journey, not a destination”.

At times, I can be very guilty of thinking that ‘things will settle down once x, y or z is finished’, or ‘I just have to get through the next hour or day or week’.  I still think we need to have these positive conversations with ourselves and teach our kids the same strategies: however, as with anything, if we only have one arrow in our quiver, we struggle once that has been shot.

I am a big believer in that life is found in the messiness of the day to day. We cannot escape it. We can turn our backs on life and ignore it, but it doesn’t go away. It just keeps rolling along whether we are there or not. If we are not part of our day to day life, we run the risk of it just passing us by.

A great speaker, I once did a Professional Development with, talked about the difference between fun and joy. We can all have fun, but it rarely lifts up our soul. When I talk to people, the great moments of joy in life are usually found with our families. The saying of “our children want our presence, not our presents”, speaks more and more clearly to me every year and is a constant reminder. 

In the nearly ten years since I last took some serious Long Service, a lot has changed in my family. All my kids are now working and live away from Gladstone and we are adapting to life as empty nesters.  I am taking some time next term to do some professional development at some schools in Perth and attend a retreat run by the Benedictine monks. Once we return, some time at home and just catching up with the farm jobs that just seem to keep multiplying will keep me busy till the end of May.  I will return for the first week of term and then have the next four weeks as leave. Mrs Graham will be acting Principal in my absence.

I hope that the time of Easter and the joy of the Risen Christ brings all families happiness and the opportunity to spend time together.

Have a great week and hug your kids.

Regards,
Jamie Emerick
Principal.

Cross Country: Wednesday 30 April

Leg-Marking: Year of Birth

To assist with the hectic nature of our Cross Country morning, parents are asked to mark their child’s leg with their date of birth prior to arriving to school on Wednesday 30 April.

This is only for Year 3-6 students born in 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

See photo for size and positioning requirements.

Parking

Families need to be aware that sections of the Laner Street carpark and surrounding grass verges will be roped off for the Cross Country event on Wednesday 30 April. Please be considerate of this, as it is for the safety of all of our students.

If families do secure a park within the Laner Street rear carpark which is not roped off, it is asked that you do not exit the carpark until after the event has concluded (10.45am).

If you know you will be leaving the carpark before the end of the Cross Country event, please park in another area.

All requests are made to ensure the safety of our students.

General Information

• Wednesday 30 April starting at 8.40am sharp.

• 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 is NO Parade.
  
  
• Students to wear their school polo or a sun safe shirt in their house colour, sports shorts, runners, sunscreen, school hat and a large water bottle.

• The first race starts at 8.40am sharp (Year 1 Girls – with House Captains).

• Prep – Year 1 students complete the Fun Run Track course (approx. 500m) and our House Captains run with the P-1 students.

• Year 2 and younger Year 3 students born in 2017 (only) compete the half course (approx. 1km).

• Students born in 2016 - 2013 compete in their year of birth and complete the full course (approx.2km).

• Parents, under no circumstance, are to be on or crossing the track. This interferes with students who are running and causes safety issues. Please respect all barricades.

• All students (P-6) receive a ribbon if they place 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th or 5^th

• Students born 2013 - 2016 receive points towards Athletics Age Champion if they finish 1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd.

• Students born 2013, 2014 and 2015 may 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 student return to their normal school day.

Whole School Beep Off: Fri 4 April

Due to our ever-increasing student numbers, we have decided to ‘split’ our annual Whole School Beep Off this year for the safety of our students.

Immediately after parade at 8.45am, our Year 3-6 students will be separated into a girls and boys ‘race’ with our P-2 students cheering them on.

Immediately after (approx. 9.15am), it will be our P-2 students turn, where they will be separated into a girls and boys ‘race’ and our Year 3-6 students will cheer on our younger students.

Free Dress Day

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.

Free Online Reading Tutoring

ANZAC Day School Liturgy

ANZAC Day March

The Dawn Service has grown in popularity in the Gladstone community with numbers climbing higher each year. As our school population increases, considerations need to be given to ensure the solemnity of ANZAC Day is preserved. Past experience has shown space is limited around the cenotaph, with veterans, current service men and women, and families having priority over community and school groups. Often the solemn service has started before later groups arrive and this has the possibility of causing disruption.

In 2025 St John’s will be formally represented at the later Day March and not the Dawn Service. By engaging with the mid-morning march, we hope to support veterans, current service men and women, and families by boosting numbers at this second gathering. Details will be included in the newsletter next week about where and when to meet.

Students and families are welcome to attend the Dawn Service. As you line the road, we know you will support veterans, and those enlisted, by recognising their commitment and sacrifice.  

We hope to see the support of many on that special day.

Sacraments of Confirmation and Communion: Enrol by Friday 4 April

Enrolment is open for the Sacraments of Confirmation and Communion. This is organised by the Parish Office located in Herbert St Gladstone.

Children who have received their Sacrament of Baptism and Reconciliation (from Year 3) can apply.

The enrolment form and information letter are below.  For your convenience, copies are also available from the front office.

All paperwork and payment must be made directly with the Parish Office. There is a direct debit option, but families MUST refer to the sacrament and record their surname to reduce confusion e.g. CONF Parry or COMM Parry.

The workbooks for Confirmation and Communion can be collected from the Parish Office. No workbooks will be available from the school office.

Enrolments are due back to the Parish Office by Friday 4 April.

Thank you, Lisa O’Brien APRE

Learn to Pray

Mother's Day Stall: Order via Parent Lounge before 12 noon Thurs 24 April

Prep 2026 Sibling Enrolments: ENROL NOW

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)

Volunteer Tuckshop Roster

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

Road Resurfacing Traffic Disruption

Uniform Shop Hours

OSHC Easter Vacation Program

Parish News ...

Chanel College Open Night: Tue 8 May

Strong Communities Parenting Support Programs

Basketball Winter Season Sign On

Central Football Club

Free Kindergarten

GRC Family Movie Night: Boyne Island