Informer - Term 2 Week 3

From Our Principal...

Dear Families

I first came across Vince Lombardi when I was a young footballer who read anything I could on footballing culture. I came across the name of Vince Lombardi and began a lifelong affection for his way of thinking and doing things

Vince Lombardi is considered one of the greatest football coaches in the history of the American football.  He won 2 Super Bowls as the coach of the Green Bay Packers and took them to 5 championships. The NFL's Super Bowl trophy is named in his honor.  He had a career wining rate of 73.8%.

Lombardi was acknowledged as inspirational speaker and his motivational quotes and speeches are often cited by other coaches and speakers not just in sport but the business world, self-help seminars and any field where human nature is involved.

One of his great sayings that has been in my head for many years  is "The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall."

It is a saying that has been with me through many personal and professional lows. We all have those points in our lives where it hasn't gone to plan and we are left there picking up the pieces. It can be a minor issue or it can be a catastrophe, at times they feel very similar. The challenge from Lombardi, is how do we rise?  I have a  picture frame on my desk that says "Courage is not the absence of fear, Courage is saying I will try again tomorrow."

I was dealing with a student recently who was not having the best of days and a series of incidents had made it quite an emotional day for them. In the midst of this, I had a bit of a revelation and I asked "Are you coming back tomorrow?" I got a very puzzled and surprised "Yes". My response was "Good, tomorrow will be a better day. We can sort it all out then."

It didn't take all of the emotion and pain out the day, but it did preempt the fact tomorrow was a new day and we could deal with tomorrow's problems tomorrow.

As a society, we seem to shove under the carpet the unpleasant reality that more and more of our kids seem to think that the only solution to the problems of life is to take their own.

It is a tragedy that families never recover from and one that Gladstone is not immune from.  In our own community  and families, the ability to give kids the chance to fail in a safe environment and manage the consequences of their actions is vital. We do not learn this skill as teenagers or young adults, life expects we have it well mastered by then. Our kids need to learn to fail at an early age, that is where they learn to keep it in perspective and know that the sun will come up tomorrow, the world will not stop and I will do my best again.

Have a great week and hug your kids.

Jamie Emerick
Principal

APRE News...

This week we prepare to honour mothers and other strong female role models in our life. Being the month of May, it is also dedicated to Mary the mother of Jesus. This came about in the 13^th century. Some say because it was created to replace various pagan cults. The actual reason is the fact that this month is the time when spring, in the northern hemisphere, is at the height of its beauty.  Spring is also connected with nature renewing itself.  In her way, Mary gave new life to the world when she gave birth to our saviour Jesus Christ.

Devotion to Mary is one of an important part of the Catholic identity. As our mother she is an example of a committed "Yes" to the will of God. Because of the devotion to her many people ask her for help in the most difficult moments of their life as any child does with their mother.

I would invite you to engage in a small prayer blessing to celebrate the women throughout time who have influenced those around them. You may wish to light a candle for each of the different forms mentioned below.

Let us pray: May we pray for and hold tenderly the women who have brought us to birth and gifted us with life. We pray for and hold tenderly the women who are pregnant and who are new mothers. We pray for and hold tenderly the women who have given up their children and those who are unable to mother. We pray for and hold tenderly the women who have mothered children not of their body and those who have chosen not to mother. We pray for and hold tenderly the women who are our ancestors and for those yet to be born who are to become mothers of the future. We pray for and hold tenderly all women who bring to birth the Word of God.

Amen.

Lisa O'Brien
Assistant Principal Religious Education

Chanel College Tour and Info Evening

Walk Safely To School Day

Library News...

This week in our Library we are busy celebrating ‘International Harry Potter Day’ May 2^nd and ‘Star Wars Day’ on May 4^th.

We are continuing to occupy our time doing colouring in activities and we are reading ‘The Bug Collector’ by Alex Griffiths and completing a couple of activity sheets.

Well known author Graeme Base celebrates his Birthday this week – May 6^th.  Graeme Base is one of the world’s leading creators of picture books. His madly detailed alphabet book Animalia received international acclaim when it was first published in 1986 and has now sold over three million copies. The book has also inspired an animated TV series, has its own app and is the first offering in a detailed digital education program called The Graeme Base Educational Suite.

Then, of course, there is Mother’s day…we are busy colouring in and constructing a small display in honour of our mothers.

This Week In Our Library

St John’s Athletics Carnival - Friday 27 May 2022 (Week 6)

General Information

The 2022 St John’s Athletics Carnival is on Friday 27 May 2022

All year 3-6 students are being timed/measured according to their age and house groups in HPE to place them in the appropriate heats and finals for all events. Due to safety and time, discus and high jump will be completed in HPE classes. The 800m and 1500m will be held prior to the Athletics Carnival – see newsletter for dates and details.

Prep - Year 2 students will race in their year level and all other year levels will race in their year of birth.

Below are the approximate time breakdowns for our 2022 Athletics Carnival.

All students must wear their school sports shorts, hat and a sun-safe house coloured shirt. 

Although the tuckshop will be operating, the menu is restricted. Online ordering and EFTPOS (for adults) is available on the day. A menu will be available soon.

House Tents are for student seating only. Parents are more than welcome to bring their own shade arrangements and set up around the oval (outside of student seating, finishing line areas and marshalling areas). All students are expected to be seated in their house tents unless they are competing or marshalling for an event.

Port Curtis Soccer

The following students have been selected in the 10-12yrs soccer teams and will be attending the Capricornia trials in Emerald on Monday 23^rd May.

Harry McAdam
Archie Doherty
Isabell Charalambous

Do It For Dolly Day

St John’s will be supporting the "Do it for Dolly Day" on Friday 13 May.

"Do it for Dolly Day" is a nation-wide day promoting inclusiveness and kindness, bringing our attention to making our world a kinder, brighter place.

This year, we will have a Free Dress Day on Friday 13 May and we encourage students to wear blue in support.

A variety of activities will occur within classrooms focusing on inclusiveness, kindness and making our world a kinder, brighter place through Week 4.

Gold coin donations from students will be donated to the Dolly’s Dream Foundation.

Key Athletic Carnival Dates

Week 5 (Monday 16 May – Friday 20 May)

• Tuesday 24 May @ 8.45am = 1500m Race (student to self-nomination for this race who are born 2013, 2012, 2010 and 2010)
• Thursday 19 May @ 8.45am = 800m Race (all students born 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010 to compete)
• Tuesday – Thursday (during HPE) = High Jump (for all students born 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010)

Week 6

• Friday 27 May = St John’s Athletics Carnival (P-6)

Bookclub

St John's Way Award

Tuckshop Specials

Volunteer Tuckshop Roster

Tuckshop Menu