Informer - Term 2 Week 4

From Our Principal

Dear Families

I can't claim this reflection, it comes from a Baptist church in the US. I read it over the weekend and really liked it. Again, it is another reminder of the wisdom in our kids. They may not always be able to articulate or write clearly about what they see around them, but they are exceptional observers who are in touch with their own feelings and the way other people around them make them feel.

A Mother’s Day reflection

Generally, I like to use Mother’s Day as an opportunity to celebrate all women, but this year I want to especially celebrate grandmothers through the following story from James Dobson, written by a third grader:

A grandmother is a lady who has no children of her own. She likes other people’s little girls and boys. A grandfather is a man grandmother. He goes for walks with boys, and they talk about fishing and stuff like that.

Grandmothers don’t have to do anything except be there. They’re old so they shouldn’t play hard or run. It is enough if they drive us to the market where the pretend horse is and have lots of coins ready. Or if they take us for walks, they should slow down past things like pretty leaves and caterpillars.

They should never say, “Hurry up.”

Usually grandmothers are fat, but not too fat to tie your shoes. They wear glasses and funny underwear. They can take their teeth and gums out.

Grandmothers don’t have to be smart, only answer questions like, “Why isn’t God married?” and “How come dogs chase cats?” 

Grandmothers don’t talk baby talk like visitors do, because it is hard to understand. When they read to us, they don’t skip or mind if it is the same story over again.

Everybody should try to have a grandmother, especially if you don’t have television, because they are the only grown-ups who have time.

The End.

You cannot escape the fact that the description above highlights an important fact about grandmothers – they are present with their grandchildren!

“They don’t talk baby talk like visitors do.” In other words, they respect kids and do not treat them as if they are stupid or don’t know anything. An old saying says, “You can con a con, but you cannot kid a kid!” We can all take a leaf out of our grandmother’s playbook by applying this simple principle to all our relationships – treat people with respect!

“They don’t skip or mind if it is the same story over again.” This highlights the virtue of patience. No matter how many times she has heard the story, Grandma will always take the time to listen. There can be times in relationships where you find your patience wearing thin or you feel you have something more important to do than listen to the same problem again. But for many people, the sheer fact someone takes time to listen to them gives them the sense of being loved. Patience is an incredible gift in all relationships.

“They are the only grown ups who have time.” How can such an observation be so wonderful, yet so sad, at the same time? We all know it to be true, however. From this child’s perspective, Grandma is the only adult who has time for them. Sadly, it is also true for us as adults. How rare it is to find someone who will take the time to be with us, listen to us and encourage us along the way. No doubt this is why Solomon said, “Two people are better off than one. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help.”

We can learn a lot from grandmothers!

Respect. Patience. Time.

Every relationship will blossom and grow when these gifts are present.

To reflect on this Mother Day: What relational gifts did you receive from your grandmother?

Take the time to thank God for them, and her, this Mother’s Day.

Pastor Rob (Woodvalebaptist.com)

Have a great week and hug your kids.

Jamie Emerick
Principal

APRE News...

I hope on Mother's Day all of our mums felt special, appreciated and loved. It is worth pondering how many of our own character strengths can be attributed to the positive influence of our mum or other female role models in our lives. The virtues we uphold in both society and faith allow a person to perform good acts but to also give the best of themselves.

I wonder how often mothers do this to the detriment of their own health or wellbeing by putting their children and families before themselves?

We are encouraged to work at forming our character so we can freely, joyfully, and easily accomplish what is good. A firm faith in God, as a foundation, helps us to do this but we need to bring this goodness to life through our words and actions.

My own mum has lived for nine decades and been a mother to her own children, stepchildren, her grandchildren and now great-grandchildren. The virtues she displays of faith, hope and love will hopefully be a legacy that will continue in future generations. Last week I saw this in action in our own school community as Linda Thornettt, grandmother to Yanisa, Lexi and Lochie, gave up her time to help the Year 5 and 6 students create a magical succulent garden for each of their beautiful mums. In that time, Linda shared her kindness, patience and act of love with close to 180 students. Our Prep teachers prepared a beautiful day for our mums to share with their little ones and the students in Year 1K engaged in a lovely class liturgy with a focus on growth.

I know there are many instances of care and compassion growing within our school and we are so lucky to be part of this.

Be living members of the Church, therefore, and
Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit,
Seek to serve all people like Christ,
Who came not to be served
But to serve.

(Order of Confirmation #22/38)

Lisa O'Brien
Assistant Principal Religious Education

Inculsive Curriculum News...

Welcome to Term 2 at St John’s, although the impacts of Covid are still present, we are now well and truly settled into the school year. Not so long ago, the Inclusive Education role (Learning Support) encompassed one person.  However, the challenge to promote inclusion and differentiation to meet our student’s diverse needs now requires a wider support model.

We are very happy to introduce the 2022 Inclusive Education Team.    This year the team comprises of eight staff who work collaboratively to support teachers, students and families across the school setting.

Assistant Principal – Curriculum: Kym McAndrew

As well as my Assistant Principal – Curriculum role, I coordinate and work closely with Michelle Cook, our wonderful Indigenous Teacher Assistant to support of our Indigenous students within the school. 

Assistant Principal – Religious Education: Lisa O’Brien

Beyond the role of Religious Education within the school and parish, I coordinate support for students learning English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D). This may encompass working with teacher assistants and helping families, students and teachers in a variety of ways, including in-class support and intervention sessions for vocabulary and the Sounds-Write Literacy Program.    

Inclusive Education Teacher/Coordinator – Marcelle Bowden

In addition to coordinating our wonderful team of teacher assistants and battling administrative demands, I support half of our classes across P-6 working with teachers, parents and students in multiple ways, including providing some direct support for intervention groups (Sounds-Write Literacy and Mathematics).

Inclusive Education Teacher – Deanne Moller

A new addition to the Inclusive Education team this year, my role is also to support classes and teachers, as well as parents, in a variety of ways.  I have a passion for building the Social Emotional wellbeing of our students and provide targeted Social Emotional intervention across the school from Prep to Year 6. 

Inclusive Education Teacher– Melissa Glass

As part of the Inclusive Education team, my role is to manage and facilitate Sounds-Write Literacy Intervention for several students across a variety of year levels. In addition to this role, I am responsible for managing a team who are involved in the support and inclusion of a student requiring extensive support along with some key administration tasks.

Inclusive Education Teacher– Waneka Jannusch

I am passionate about providing students with opportunities to apply critical and creative thinking to real world learning that fosters personal and social capability and ethical and intercultural understanding. To that end, I facilitate our revamped Learning Enrichment Program, working with teams of students in Years 4 – 6 to progress student-led projects that not only extend student learning, but make a positive difference to our community.

Speech Pathologist – Kerith Roby

I am a Speech-Language Pathologist with over 20 years of experience working with children and young people. This year St John's have secured me to provide consultancy services to our school community for three days per week. I am passionate about helping children and young people to communicate effectively and supporting students and families to achieve the best learning outcomes possible. 

Inclusive Education Teacher Assistants Administration and Testing:  Belinda Hayes and Tennille Pimm are the "wind beneath our wings" attending to an enormous array of needs, from booking meetings, supporting with additional screeners, timetabling, file maintenance and so on. 

Indigenous Teacher Assistant – Michelle Cook is new to our team and her focus is to provide an indigenous perspective in supporting student needs across the school.

Waste Free Wednesday Winner

Congratulations to Roman Mastroianni, who was last week’s “Waste Free Wednesday” winner with no plastic in his lunch box and super healthy food as well.

Library News...

This week in our library we remember that is it Do it for Dolly Day on May 13^th where we embrace the colour blue.

St John's Art Club

After overwhelming feedback from the recent Student Survey, St John’s will start an Art Club. 

In Week 5, our Art Teacher Mrs Miller will begin an Art Club for students on a Wednesday @ 11am. The club will be organised into composite age groups, yr 1&2, 3&4, 5&6, with each age group taking turns to be a part of the club. Each age group will need to attend for 3 weeks in a row to create an art peice. The art peice will be built up over the 3 week period so it's important that Art Club members commit for the three weeks. At the end of the three weeks, a differrent age group will attend.

If any student is interested they must fill in an expression of interest form which they can collect from the office. This will help gauge numbers for planning purposes. Only students who complete a form will be allowed to attend due to restriction of numbers. All materials and equipment will be supplied.

Forms must be in before Friday the 13th of May. 

Port Curtis Trials 2022

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.

Walk Safely To School Day

St John's Way Awardees

Student Travel Rebates

Tuckshop Special

Volunteer Tuckshop Roster

Tuckshop Menu

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