Informer - Term 1 Week 10

From Our Principal...

Dear Families

I read once that 'good decisions come from experience, but experience comes from bad decisions'. This time two years ago, we were preparing to begin the first phase of our building project. Covid 19 was a relatively new novelty and we were heading into a pupil free week to prepare for learning from home.

Fast forward two years and Covid is still with us and making its presence felt. We are still surrounded by construction and building materials. We have gotten lots of experience in two years. It could be very easy to only see the negatives and yes, there have been plenty of them. The poet, Robert Frost once said "I can sum up everything I have learned about life in three words - It goes on".  And go on it has.

Our kids continue to learn and grow and our school is slowly but surely transforming into what will be one of the showpieces of our diocese. 

After experiencing more than a little frustration this term, the end of the last week really reminded me of what is important. Mrs Graham has done an amazing amount of work coordinating landscaping supplies and plants that arrived last week and we were very keen to see some significant student participation.  To see the joy and excitement of our kids planting shrubs and bushes and knowing that they were playing are part in the story of St John's did my heart and head the world of good.

It doesn't change any of the frustrations and problems over the past two years, but it does make it easier to put them into perspective and see the big picture.

I hope the break is a chance to spend time with family and reconnect with loved ones.

Easter falls much later this year and with the standardised 10 week terms, Easter Sunday won't be until the last weekend of the holidays. Whilst it is not liturgically appropriate to be wishing everyone a happy Easter while we are still in Lent, I do hope that the peace of the Risen Christ may be with you all and those that you love.

Have a great week and hug your kids.

Jamie Emerick
Principal

My New Gallery

APRE News...

A Love of Work

It has been heartening to see the Marist characteristic of ‘Love of Work’ being enacted in the past week. To watch our year 6 leaders, and some other grades, helping with the planting of the new gardens has been tremendous. They have worked as a team with a sense of enthusiasm. This ties in with our Year 5 and 6 Leadership Days, where communication and understanding were recognised as keys to success. There needs to be a major shout out to Mrs Graham too for her hard work and organisational skills to make it all happen with our new gardens.

Attached is a newsletter item about a Love of Work for you to reflect on, particularly, in the areas where we can try to:

• To devote ourselves to study;
• To promote our sense of wellbeing;
• To give us purpose and meaning;
• To strive for justice and liberty…the dignity of human work.

On Wednesday, the students will have an informal time of prayer before they move to classes. We will go through the events of Holy Week as a school and contemplate the sacrifice Christians believe Jesus made for the salvation of his followers. Hopefully it will be a time of devotion, meditation and contemplation for those who attend.

This term has been difficult with classroom and office shifts plus the impact COVID has had on our school community. As you all prepare for the Easter break, I pray you are kept safe throughout the holidays, and have time to feel refreshed and rested. Some of our school community members are making their final commitment to the Catholic faith during the Saturday Easter Vigil. They have journeyed through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) program with the support of Father Andrew, Father Ashwin and parish members. Please pray for them as they officially join the Catholic community.

God bless you all.

Lisa O'Brien
Assistant Principal of
Religious Education

APC News

Reading fluency is the ability to read accurately, quickly and expressively. Fluent readers are also able to focus on reading for meaning.

For children with good reading fluency, reading becomes a natural, enjoyable and meaningful experience. Fluent reading allows children to focus on comprehension and extracting meaning – the very reason we read.

‘Oral reading fluency’ refers to reading text passages aloud. Fluent readers should be able to read a passage aloud for the first time with an easy speech rhythm, few errors or self-corrections, changes in their volume and pitch, and grammatically appropriate pauses and emphases that guide both reader and listener to the author’s intended meaning.

When these decoding skills become automatic through practice, they become instantly accessible, with minimal effort. This allows students to focus on reading for meaning.

Please take the time over these holidays to continue reading to your child or allowing them time to read. Research show that the more students read or are read to, impacts their ability to succeed at school.

No Waste Wednesday

Congratulations to Isabella Charalambous in Year 6 who is this week’s “No Waste Wednesday” Warrior.

We continue to be very pleased with everyone’s concerted efforts to keep the use of plastic down in our lunch boxes. Our school grounds are certainly looking very ‘waste-free’ too! Thank you, everyone!

All things Cross Country..........

Our P-6 St John’s Cross Country is on Thursday 31 March for all students starting at 8.40am sharp.

Prep – Year 1 Cross Country Course

This year, to ensure the safety of our students, the Prep and Year 1 Cross Country course is a little shorter. Whilst it is still a good challenge for our younger students; it will suit the sprinters!!!

General Information is as follows:

• 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 will be NO Parade.
• Students to wear their school polo or choose a sun safe shirt in house colour, sports shorts, runners, sunscreen, school hat and a large water bottle.
• The first race starts at 8.40am sharp (Year 1 Girls)
• Prep – Year 1 students complete the Fun Run Track course (approx. 500m)
• Year 2 and younger Year 3 students born in 2014 (only) compete the half course (approx. 1km).
• Students born in 2013- 2010 compete in their year of birth and complete the full course (approx 1.6km).
• All students (P-6) receive a ribbon if they place 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, or 5^th
• Students born 2010 - 2013 receive points towards Athletics Age Champion if finish 1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd
• Students born 2010, 2011 and 2012 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.
• All parent volunteers are always welcome! Please email Jakki Graham at jakki_graham@rok.catholic.edu.au if you would like to help out.

Proposed 2022 Cross Country Courses

Prep – Year 1 (Fun Run Track)

1. Starting line at Year 1-3 Playground area
2. Run down the straight, turning left behind the football posts at the J Hickey end of oval towards Year 4-6 playground.
3. Run behind Year 4-6 Playground, past the top of the Natura Playground and up the hill to the finish line.
   

All Year 2 and Year 3’s (born 2014 only)

1. Starting line at Year 1-3 Playground area.
2. One full lap of oval (anti-clockwise) and back down the straight to the small gate at J Hickey Av.
3. Run down J Hickey footpath and left into bushland.
4. Follow the bush track until reaching ‘’junction’’. Turn left and run up the hill until exit track at Laner St.
5. Follow the footpath up to the school car park, toward Groundsman's shed, up to the Fun Run track, around the 4-6 Playground and on to the 80m track to finish line.

Students born 2013 – 2010

1. Starting line at Year 1-3 Playground area
2. One full lap of oval (anti-clockwise) and back down the straight to the small gate at J Hickey Av
3. Run down J Hickey footpath and left into bushland.
4. Follow the bush track until you reach the "junction’’.
5. Turn right down the hill, across the bridge, turning left to run up the grass verge to Aramac Dr.
6. Turn left on the grass path of Aramac Dr until you reach the bridge at J Hickey Av.
7. Take a hard left turn and run on the grass track behind the houses until you reach the exit at Laner St.
8. Follow the footpath up to the school car park, toward the groundsman's shed up to the Fun Run track, around the 4-6 Playground and on to the 80m track to finish line.

Port Curtis Rugby League

St John's Way Award

Tuckshop Specials

Volunteer Tuckshop Roster

Tuckshop Menu

OSHC

Chanel College Enrolments For Year 7 In 2023

A reminder to Parents/Carers that Enrolment Applications for Year 7 in 2023 opened in October 2021. Please note that places are filling fast, so get your application in now to avoid disappointment.

The first round of Applications CLOSE 27 May 2022. Please be aware that there may not be a Round 2 if all places are filled first time round.

Chanel College OPEN NIGHT for Year 7 in 2023 will be held on Tuesday 3 May 2022. All welcome.

Tour our facilities and see what it is that makes Chanel College a special place for learning.

We understand that choosing the right school for your child is an extremely important decision. At Chanel College we will make that transition a smooth process for your family.

Enrolment Information packs are available from the College Office.

Applications can be made online by visiting www.chanelcollege.qld.edu.au under the Enrolment Tab.

If you have any enquiries, please contact our Enrolments Officer: Mrs Jo Constable on 4994 8925 or email enrolments@chanelcollege.qld.edu.au

#responsibleresilientrespectfullearners

School Holiday Program