Informer Term 3 - Week 3 - 2025

From Our Principal ...

Dear Families,

Information around School Fees for 2026 was communicated last week.  I have already had a number of conversations with families about the new model and some misconceptions that are getting about.

Myth 1: The fee changes are driven by Catholic Education – Diocese of Rockhampton.

• Needs Based Funding is an initiative of the Federal Government. The Gonski Review was commissioned by Federal Government to review school funding in Australia.
• A number of Recommendations were delivered to parliament.
• Review recommended to continue Federal funding of Non-State Schools, both Catholic and Independent.
• Funding arrangements should consider parents’ ability to contribute.

Myth 2: Schools are getting more money.

• School Resourcing Standard (SRS) is acknowledged by government as the minimum amount needed to provide an education for a child in any primary year level. In 2025 that figure is $13,994.
• This figure is made up of funding from the State and Federal Governments as well as school fees set by the system.
• Historically, our schools received 85% of the SRS through Federal and State Government funding. The SRS total amount was made up through fees.
• Under the new model, the Federal Government will continue to fund independent schools, but they have the ability to look at the income of every family enrolled at a school and develop an average family income over a 3 year period. This is a Direct Measure of Income (DMI) score.
• Every independent school in Australia has a DMI and it determines each school’s Capacity to Contribute (CTC).
• We will still receive Federal funding, but what we receive will determined by the school’s CTC.
• In essence, the Federal Government now sets our school fees. When we combine State and Federal funding along with what parents pay in fees, we will still be receiving the minimum SRS amount.
• Gladstone, Mackay and Emerald are outliers in our Diocese as industry and mining push up the average income of families at our schools.
• The amount government will contribute will continue to reduce up until 2029.
• Modelling would show that on current information, the all-inclusive fees for a primary student in Gladstone will be around $4,000 per student per year. This is an all-inclusive fee. Parents pay for uniforms, stationery and any individual items. The school provides everything else. We still charge a Building Fund levy, as recurrent funding from the government cannot be used for capital or building purposes. This money is used to ensure the ongoing provision of contemporary and up to date learning spaces for our children.

St John’s and CEDR continue to look at concessions and how we can provide support for families who are genuinely needing assistance. These are factored into our school budget. I have attached the fliers that have been developed to support communication of the process for families’ information. You can see that the process is ongoing and will continue to roll out over the few years. If you have any queries or concerns or just want to talk about the process, I am happy to catch up with anyone. As I continue to tell families, if we don’t know the problems or pinch points, it is hard to fix these. As with any change, it comes with opportunities and challenges.

Over the course this week, Catholic schools across Australia celebrate Catholic Education Week and all the great things that happen in our schools. We will have our school Mass on Tuesday. Looking forward to catching up with families at Lunch on the Lawn on Thursday as well.

Have a great week and hug your kids.

Regards,
Jamie Emerick
Principal.

Catholic Education Week

Catholic schools across Queensland will again celebrate Catholic Education Week in 2025 with the theme Communities of Faith, Hope & Love. Each year, a new take on the theme’s creative is released to ignite celebration planning.

This theme captures the essence of what it means to be part of a Catholic school community.

Faith ignites growth. Hope fuels support. Love welcomes all. Together, these pillars nurture students’ spirits, empower teachers, and embrace families, creating a vibrant learning community where everyone thrives.

Hope: embracing the Jubilee Year

Catholic Education Week’s theme works in unity with the 2025 Jubilee Year theme: Pilgrims of Hope. This reminds us of the profound significance of hope and its universal reach.

This year, a scallop shell design has been added to the event materials. The shell is a traditional symbol of pilgrims, highlighting our connection to this journey. We acknowledge students from each class who demonstrate the virtues of faith, hope and love on a daily basis. We also congratulate our wonderful school cleaner, Margie McMullen and her husband Robert, for their tireless efforts within our school community. Margie especially blesses our school with her unending joyful spirit and the random acts of kindness she shares throughout the school. God bless you, Margie!

Catholic Education Spirit Award Recipients

Congratulations to our Catholic Education Spirit Award recipients. These awards are presented to one child in each class who demonstrates the Catholic values of Faith, Love and Hope every day.

Lunch On The Lawn - Thurs 31 July

Catholic Education Week is celebrated annually in the third week of the third term.

As part of these celebrations, we invite families to join us on the school oval for Lunch on the Lawn. In 2025 this will be held on Thursday 31 July at 10:45am-11:25am and we warmly welcome you to organise a picnic lunch and perhaps invite grandparents or special family members to eat with you. We have a decade of experience under our belt and have listed some suggestions below to assist in making your visit pleasant and enjoyable.

1. Parking will be problematic. Please be considerate of our neighbours around the school and do not block driveways or access points. Maybe carpool or walk if you live close by.
2. Finding your child. Have a pre-arranged collection point for you to meet your child. Discuss, decide and check your child KNOWS where to meet you in a crowd of 1000 people. Select an obvious landmark to help e.g. I will meet you behind the Prep Toilet Block on the grass.
3. Older siblings will be released earlier by their class teacher to collect younger siblings. Remind older children about their responsibility.
4. Picnic food. A pre-organised picnic can alleviate waiting times at fast food restaurants. Businesses close to the school and Calliope have been notified about a busy period, but we would suggest being early if choosing that option.
5. Not available to come. Teachers are aware not all families can attend. Please discuss this with your child (and teacher if in Prep or Year 1) and we will informally arrange children to sit with families and friends present. Organising a ‘foster family’ beforehand can assist children who may become worried, so please do this if you are able. Our students eat together every day without parents being present so this will not be an issue.

We look forward to seeing you next week!

Parent Webinar: Help your child manage stress

Navigating Neurodivergence Video Series

Catholic School Parents Queensland (CSPQ) invites parents to view their special video series featuring Madonna King and Rebecca Sparrow, authors of Out of the Box: A One-Stop Guide to Navigating Neurodivergence.

In this 4-part series, Madonna and Rebecca unpack what neurodiversity really means for families today.
Drawing on expert insights and lived experience, they offer clear, compassionate, and practical advice on everything from navigating a diagnosis to managing ongoing challenges.

Prep 2026 Enrolments: Important Diary Dates

Prep 2026 Information/Orientation sessions have been scheduled for the following dates:

Monday 27 October – First Orientation Session (compulsory for all students who have accepted placement)

Monday 24 November – Final Orientation Session (compulsory for all students who have accepted placement)

Prep 2026 Sibling Enrolments: ENROL NOW

2026 Prep Enrolment interviews finish THIS WEEK. 

If you have already had your enrolment interview and forgotten to bring in any documents i.e. original birth certificate, current immunisation schedule, pediatric reports, speech pathology assessments etc., please do so as soon as possible. Your enrolment application is ON HOLD until these documents are received.

If you have not yet applied for enrolment, please do so NOW.

Student Drop Off/Pick Up

For the safety of our students, please be reminded that the front Administration car park is NOT for student drop-off or pick-up.

Students must be dropped off/picked-up in the allocated supervised areas (J Hickey Ave or Laner Street), or parents can bring/meet their children in the school grounds.

Disabled car parks are accessible in our main car park (off Laner Street).

The Administration Car Park is CLOSED DAILY between 2:30pm and 3:15pm.

Thank you.

Floot Loops Performance: Friday 1 August

Volunteer Inductions

If you wish to volunteer in any capacity at St John's and you have not yet completed one of our 2025 Volunteer Induction sessions, it is essential that you attend one of these sessions on either Thursday, 7 August or Friday 8 August. You do not need to pre-register; just arrive at the school library 5 minutes prior to the start time.

P&F Movie Night: Friday 15 August

RSPCA Cupcake Day: Mon 18 Aug

Learn to Pray

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

Uniform Shop Hours

Autism Workshop

‘Positive Partnerships’ is a well-regarded organisation that provides information to parents, carers and educators of school-aged autistic children. Their information is based on research.  They are offering a FREE Autism Workshop in Gladstone at the Mantra Hotel.   

In the Workshop you will learn more about autism and ways to strengthen the partnership between home and school.  Topics will include:

• The diversity of autism
• Sensory processing
• Understanding behaviour
• Working together with your child’s school.

Please see the below Flyer for more information and details on how to register.

Parish News

Cricket - Great Keppel Island

Home Run Heroes

Port to Park Fun Run