St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School Clinton eNewsletter

From Our Principal ...

Dear Families

One of the great teachers I learnt from early in my career used to regularly tell me. “Jamie, it’s all in the brokerage”. His message was ‘it is not what you are selling that is important, but the way you sell it is what makes all the difference.’

My own grandma used to continually tell us that you would catch more flies with honey than you would with vinegar. Again, it’s not always about the message, but how you deliver it.

There is a great story of a family visiting their grandparents farm and they go out picking fruit. One of the younger boys, in his eagerness, tripped and spilled his bucket of berries. He was inconsolable even when the others reassured him with offers to share from their own baskets. The grandfather quietly knelt on his knee, put his arm around the boy and told him that, "In order for the crop to continue, nature had provided for little boys to now and then trip and sow the berries, so that they may continue to grow. If he would come back next year, he would find a terrific lot of berries in this very spot!" And at that, the boy broke into smiles.

Same message, but a very different delivery.

Stephen Covey wrote a great book in the late 80’s called "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People". It is a book that has shaped me as a person, parent and as a principal. One of the habits he emphasises is "seek first to understand". It is a simple strategy, but one that can change the entire direction of a conversation. Instead of asking an interrogative ‘why did you do x,y or z’, you can reframe the question to ‘I noticed x,y or z, can you tell me more about that?’

Social research would tell us that for every negative interaction we receive, it takes 9 positive interactions to balance this out. Just by changing the way we ask a question, can have a huge impact and effect on our kids, partners or the people we interact or work with.

It is a simple habit to develop, but it means we go into a conversation, discussion or meeting with a positive and proactive mindset, rather than in a reactive combative state. Experience would tell us that either an adult or child, when they feel attacked will usually attack back.

As adults and parents we need to be smarter than that. The challenge for us all is to not let emotions dictate our responses. Our kids need to see us react and respond calmly, that is how they learn and what they will model themselves on.

Have a great week and hug your kids.

Regards
Jamie Emerick
Principal

Pupil Free Day - Friday 5 September

Our school will be closed to students on Friday 5 September, as all staff will be participating in Professional Development.

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)

First Aid & Sick Bay Procedures At School

To ensure the safety and wellbeing of all students, our school follows clear protocols when a child becomes unwell or is injured during the school day.

Procedures for Unwell Students

Students who feel unwell are referred to the sick bay by a teacher.

A trained First Aid Officer assesses the student’s condition and takes their temperature.
The student is asked appropriate questions to determine the nature of their illness, such as:

Do you have a headache, sore throat, or cough?
When did you start feeling sick? If response is “before school” – did you tell an adult in your family that you were feeling unwell?
Did you have any medicine or Panadol before coming to school today?
Is anyone at home sick at the moment?
Have you been drinking enough water?
Do you need to go to the toilet?
Have you eaten your lunch today?
Have you been sick recently?

If the student presents with a high temperature, a parent is contacted immediately.
If the student does not have a high temperature, they are monitored and rested in the sick bay for 20 minutes, after which their temperature is retested.
If the student remains without a temperature and appears improved after resting, they return to class.
If the student continues to feel unwell, a parent is contacted to take their child home.
Whenever a child is sent home, the office staff will communicate this with the class teacher and teachers of siblings (if parent is also taking sibling home early).

Procedures for Injured Students

If a student is injured during playtime, they report the injury to the teacher on duty.
The teacher provides a ‘first aid card’, and the student proceeds to the office accompanied by a responsible peer.
If the injury requires further context or is more serious, the teacher on duty will call the office to provide additional information.
At the office, a trained First Aid Officer assesses the injury and administers appropriate care.
If the injury is deemed more serios (e.g. sprain, suspected broken bone where the child is managing the pain, injury to the face area etc), a parent is contacted.
If the injury is deemed severe (e.g., obvious broken bones, significant bleeding, breathing difficulty etc), both an ambulance and parents are called.
If the injury involves a ‘head knock’, the school’s concussion protocol is followed, and a parent is contacted. If a concussion is suspected, a parent is called immediately.
Whenever a child is sent home, the office staff will communicate this with the class teacher and teachers of siblings (if parent is also taking sibling home early).

Parent Teacher Interviews: Prep - Year 6

Parents & Friends Meeting: TODAY

Singer Andrew Chinn Visiting: Thur 4 Sept

Andrew will be working with all year levels throughout the day, culminating with a whole school concert from 1:50pm to 2:50pm.

Learn to Pray

School Fun Run: Friday 19 September

Our much-loved Fun Run is on our last day of this term - Friday 19 September starting at 2pm. The Fun Run begins with Buddy Classes leading out together for the 1^st lap (Year 6/Prep first Buddies go first) and then students complete the Fun Run at their pace.

All students need to wear their normal PE uniform, school hats and a water bottle. Please be reminded that the last day of Term 3 is NOT free dress day.

At the end of the Fun Run (approx. 2.45pm), all students will receive an ice block (if they would like one) before returning to class for dismissal.

If any parents want to join in on the Fun Run, the Risk Assessment must be read and signed. This Risk Assessment will be displayed near the oval for reading and signing. Please note the following:

No strollers or prams are allowed on Fun Run track.
Only students currently enrolled at St John’s can participate (no younger or older siblings).
Parents are to wear closed in shoes and hats.

If you have any questions about the Fun Run, please see your class teacher or see Mrs Graham.

Fun_Run_Letter_2025.pdf

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)

Congratulations To Our Rugby League Team

St John's Rugby League Team travelled to Hervey Bay last Thursday for the inter-region play off between the best team in Capricornia and the best team in Wide Bay.

They played Sandy Strait State School at Hervey Bay Seagulls and defeated them 14-4.

That is now the fourth competition they have won, and the school's trophy cabinet is over-flowing.

Congratulations to the team as they are now finished for the season - undefeated!

RSPCA Cupcake Day

Many thanks to our Year Five families for creating such amazing cupcakes for our annual RSPCA cupcake day. Thank you also, to our school community for supporting this great cause. $1127 was raised. This will be donated to our local Gladstone Animal Rescue Group.

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 14 Oct - Year 3 Kangaroos
Wednesday 15 Oct - Year 3 Platypus
Thursday 16 Oct - Year 2 Yabbies
Friday 17 Oct - Prep Owls

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