Informer Term 3 - Week 10 - 2025

From Our Principal ...

Dear Families

Bertrand Russell was an English philosopher born in the 1870’s. He questioned the United Kingdom’s role as colonial empire, went to prison for his pacifism during World War I and initially supported appeasement against Nazi Germany before changing his view in 1943, describing war as a necessary "lesser of two evils". In the wake of World War II he welcomed a world led by America in preference to either Soviet domination or no (or ineffective) world leadership, even if it were to come at the cost of using their nuclear weapons. He was a vocal critic of Joseph Stalin and the totalitarian regimes he founded across Europe, he condemned the United States' involvement in the Vietnam War and become an outspoken critic of nuclear weapons.

He spoke real words of wisdom on the need to be tolerant. “Love is wise; hatred is foolish. In this world, which is getting more and more closely interconnected, we have to learn to tolerate each other, we have to learn to put up with the fact that some people say things that we don't like. We can only live together in that way. But if we are to live together, and not die together, we must learn a kind of charity and a kind of tolerance, which is absolutely vital to the continuation of human life on this planet.”

The media has been flooded this week with images and opinions regarding the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Regardless of what side of politics you sit, it would be hard to deny that he hadn’t made an impact in bringing young people into political life and awareness. He would say his ministry was based around spreading the gospel at all times and having conversations and discussions on what we believe and why.

To see scenes of cheering and celebration that he had been shot is a very sad reflection on where American society has gone and if all other indicators are similar, where will our own society be in 10 years. A young wife is a widow and two young children are without a father, over differing political opinions. The terms fascist and leftist seem to be thrown around with great enthusiasm. The only term I see is intolerance. There is a great quote from the Friends of Voltaire:

“I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death, your right to say it.” Where is that sentiment in the world of politics today?

A poster on Pinterest summed it up, “We all have different opinions. The "problem" arises when people believe their opinion is superior and are unwilling to understand other perspectives or expect others to conform to their views.”

The message we need to dwell on and talk to our kids about is the message of Jesus that never changes. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, your mind and soul. Love your neighbour as you love yourself.” St Paul was very clear on his definition of love when he wrote to the Corinthians. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

Have great week and hug your kids.

Regards
Jamie Emerick
Principal

Parking At Pick Up/Drop Off Time

Under no circumstances should parents/caregivers park on footpaths or medium strips near our school. A Gladstone Regional Council Parking Compliance Officer visited our school area recently, and noted several cars parked on footpaths and medium strips near our school – especially near the Laner Street back car park.  Parking on footpaths and medium strips can, and will in future, incur a hefty fine.  Fines can also be incurred by drivers who choose to drive over, and cause damage to gutters/curbing and channeling. 

Please see below a Road Safety in School Zones – Keeping our Children Safe brochure from the Gladstone Regional Council.  As well as providing safety tips, it also highlights some ways that drivers can incur fines in school zones.

Some other things to remember at pick-up/drop-off:

• Students in Prep, Years 1 and 2 MUST be picked up after school (3:00pm to 3:20pm) from the J. Hickey Avenue Stop, Drop, Go area. 
• Students in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 (and their younger siblings in Prep, Year 1 and 2), MUST be picked up after school (3:00pm to 3:20pm) from the Laner Street Stop, Drop, Go area.
• Students MUST sit in the undercover area at each location and wait for direction from the teacher on duty. No students are to be playing on school play areas during this time.
• Parents under no circumstances are to park their car in either the J. Hickey Avenue or Laner Street Stop, Drop, Go areas. Please use the Laner Street visitor car park or street parking if you intend to walk your child/ren into the school grounds. 
• Under no circumstances should the visitor car park be used as a pick-up or drop-off area for students.
• Drivers MUST not obstruct the bus from entering or leaving the bus stop on J. Hickey Avenue.

When parking and collecting children, please do not park over our neighbours' driveways.

Thank you for ensuring the smooth and safe drop-off and collection of our wonderful students!

Is Your Child Departing Early Friday? ...

This Friday from 1:50 pm, all children will be participating in our annual Fun Run.

If you need to collect your child early, unless the matter is urgent, please pre-arrange this with your child's teacher or the office, prior to Friday afternoon. This allows us to locate children who will be out on the oval participating in the Fun Run.

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

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.

GPC Port to Park Donation: Thankyou

Thank you to all families, and the wider community, who chose St John's as their nominated school to receive a generous donation from Gladstone Ports Corporation's Port to Park Fun Run. $3,475 will be used to purchase sporting equipment for our school.

Thank you to GPC and their sponsors.

Support Your Child's Reading: Parent Workshop

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)

Reconciliation 2025 - Year 3 and Above

Enrolment for Reconciliation is now OPEN.

Families are invited to enroll for Reconciliation via the Parish Office located in Herbert St. Paper copies will be sent home to families this week, but families are free to print and complete forms found on the newsletter. A baptism certificate is required when enrolling, either copied or scanned.

Enrolments are due by Friday 19^th September.

Parents of enrolled children can expect an email early October with a reminder of upcoming Presentation of Candidates.

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)

Year 6 Need Clean Bottle Tops For Artwork

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

Holidays

OSHC Vacation Care Program

Uniform Shop Hours

Positions Vacant: OSHC Assistants

Parish News ...

Softball Sign On

Gladstone Regional Council News ...

Women In Touch