Informer Term 3 - Week 4 - 2025

From Our Principal ...

Dear Families,

One of the current researchers that I follow closely is a Kiwi by the name of Nathan Wallis. He began as an early childhood teacher, who went back to study developmental neuropsychology, because research at the time was revealing the importance of brain development in kids. He has lots to share both on his website and on YouTube , he is well worth a look

One of his quick bites is on building resilience in our children.

On building resilience:

To build resilience means to allow creative thinking. A black-and-white thinker produces one answer, and that’s either right or wrong. The End. But if you want someone who’s able to provide multiple answers – creativity is essential! When you ask “What colour is this?” or “What number is this?” you’re focused on getting a specific answer – but children under eight need their brains stimulated to make them creative.

If I’ve got two five-year-olds in the back of the car and I say, “I wonder why the sky’s blue …” one of them might say, “Because blue is the first visible colour in the light spectrum.” That’s the correct answer – but the five-year-old probably doesn’t really understand why. They’re just parroting back something they’ve been taught. And, from a cognitive point of view, it’s not that intelligent – an actual parrot could be taught to say the same thing.

But another child – maybe one who’s come from a free-play environment – might say, “The sky’s blue be-caaauuuse …”

and you can tell from the long way he says ‘because’ that he’s making it up as he goes, “… because this whole world’s a dream I’m having, and in the dream I’m me but I’m also the sky, and I said can I have an ice block and you said no it’s nearly lunchtime, and that made me sad, so I’m blue – and so’s the sky!”

Now, that’s not at all why the sky’s blue – the answer’s absolutely incorrect – but from a human development point of view, I’d put all of my KiwiSaver on that second five-year-old being able to support me in my old age! A five-year-old who’s got that ability to be creative, to think on the spot, has got what it takes to succeed. And research shows that after the age of eight we can’t tell whether a child learned to read at seven or at four – there’s no difference. So, it doesn’t set you up for a lifetime of success by learning to read early.

In fact (and this sounds harsh), the only thing that the research indicates you’re likely to do by getting your child to read early, is to increase his or her chances of experiencing anxiety and depression as a teenager. It’s far more likely that his ‘success’ at reading or whatever has come at the cost of your child learning problem solving, cooperation, perseverance, and all those social-emotional skills.    (Nathan Wallis)

The skills our kids need to be active participants in their own lives are not developed as teenagers. The groundwork is set both in the first 1000 days and in the early years.  I can’t emphasise enough the importance of following what the most current research is saying and advocating.

Have a great week and hug your kids.

Regards,
Jamie Emerick
Principal.

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.

Pupil Free Day - Friday 5 September

Pastoral Care Groups: Friday Afternoons

On Friday afternoons (1^st , 8^th , 15^th  and 22^nd August) after second break, all children will be participating in Pastoral Care Activities that will be spread throughout the school.

If you need to collect your child between 1:20pm and 2:55pm, unless the matter is urgent, please pre-arrange early collection of your child with your child's teacher or the office, prior to Friday afternoon.

Thank you in advance for your understanding and assistance with this.

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.

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)

Grandparents Day - Friday 15 August 2025

P&F Movie Night: School Oval - Fri 15 Aug

If you have not already responded, please RSVP your attendance via Google Form link:

https://forms.gle/79GUViaCXwkjVVnD7

 Please respond by Thursday 7 August at 4pm.

Catholic Education Week Award Winners

Last week we celebrated Catholic Education Week with a whole school mass. As part of our celebrations, we congratulated to our Catholic Education Spirit Award recipients. We acknowledge students from each class who demonstrate the virtues of faith, hope and love on a daily basis.

We also congratulated 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 Week Lunch On The Lawn

Last Friday our families gathered for our annual Lunch On The Lawn to celebrate Catholic Education Week.  St John's strives to be a community of Faith, Hope and Love.

RSPCA Cupcake Day: Mon 18 Aug

Father's Day Stall: Orders Close 12 Noon Fri 22 Aug

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)

Learn to Pray

The Transfiguration of the Lord – Living in Hope of Seeing our Lord. August 6

Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sT-S1F3gsVI 

Each year on the 6th August, Catholic believers celebrate the feast of the Transfiguration. For believers, the scripture is worth reflecting upon, especially in relation to hope. 

Right now, we struggle to understand God completely. Our human minds cannot grasp all of His greatness. The world around us is full of distractions and doubts. We often find it hard to feel close to God. 

The Transfiguration gives us hope. It shows that one day believers will see God face to face. Christians will experience His glory fully. This will be a joy beyond anything humans can imagine now. The apostles’ experience on Mount Tabor is like a future in heaven...our future in heaven if we believe. They saw Jesus in His bright glory. In heaven, believers will see Jesus in His full glory, too. This encourages us to keep our faith strong as we wait for that day. 

The Transfiguration calls people to live holy lives. Jesus showed His glory to Peter, James, and John. This reminds all to seek holiness every day. All are called to follow Jesus and live like Him. 

The Church believes, all can be changed by meeting Christ. Each time people pray or receive the Eucharist, they come closer to Him. These moments help individuals to grow in faith. They make ‘us’ more like Jesus. The Eucharist and prayer are very important. They connect believers to Jesus. When followers receive the Eucharist, they take Jesus into our hearts. Prayer keeps followers close to Him every day. 

As we become more like Christ, we reflect His light. Others can see Jesus in us. Our actions and words can show His love. By living holy lives, we bring Christ’s light to the world. 

Let us all aim to bring Christ’s light to the world this week

Seafarers Centre Mass

Our school community has been invited to attend a mass at the Mission to Seafarer’s Centre on Monday 18 August from 1pm-1:30pm. Father Peter Doherty will be presiding over this 30-minute mass and has extended an invitation to our St John’s community.

The Mission to Seafarers provides help and support to the 1.89 million crewman and women who face danger every day to keep our global economy afloat. In our local community there are many ways people can support the centre on the corner of Alf O’Rouke and Bryan Jordan Drive.

Please make contact if you or another family member are interested in supporting this mission on 49720355.

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

Parish News

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.

Port to Park Fun Run