Informer - Term 3 Week 8

From Our Principal

Dear Families

As humans we are driven to connect with others. The relationships we have with those close to us are the defining moments of our lives. There are numerous Internet articles about the nurse who worked in palliative care. She spoke very clearly of what she would have seen as a common thread that was voiced by those who were dying. If there was one wish I had, it would be for everyone to read these five points and reflect on them in their own lives.

1.  I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

"This was the most common regret of all. When people realise that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people had not honoured even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made. Health brings a freedom very few realise, until they no longer have it."

2.  I wish I hadn't worked so hard.

"This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children's youth and their partner's companionship. Women also spoke of this regret, but as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence."

3.  I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.

"Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result."

4.  I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

"Often they would not truly realise the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved. Everyone misses their friends when they are dying."

5.  I wish that I had let myself be happier.

"This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realise until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called 'comfort' of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content, when deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again." (Bronnie Ware)

These thoughts have stayed with me for many years and have influenced me immensely. I can’t always say I have followed them explicitly, but I have tried to make them part of my life. If I could give people and families one piece of advice to think about, it would be: Take time to reconnect with family and friends, and above all, take the time to hug your kids.

Have a great week

Jamie Emerick
Princpal

Father's Day Stall HELPERS Required

We require helpers for the father's Day Stall on Tuesday 30th 9:00am to 3:00pm and Wednesday 31st 9:00am to 1:00pm. 

If you can spare some time to help please see Dani Whelan in the Shed on these days.

Any help you can give would be very much appreciated. 

Seeking Parent Volunteers – Supporting Student Reading

Are you available from 9:00am – 9:30am on any week day mornings? Would you be keen to listen to and support our students with their reading development in Year 1 and 2 in Term 4?

If so, please email Mrs McAndrew at kym_mcandrew@rok.catholic.edu.au to register your interest.

Thank you!

Library News...

Books in our library to celebrate our wonderful dads!!

Last weeks ‘What country am I?’ was Nigeria.

With only a few weeks left of this term, please keep an eye out for library books hiding away under mattresses and behind bookshelves at home.  This week is the final week for borrowing for Prep – Year Three.

Celebrating Our Dad's

Book Week Prize Winners

Book Week

A big thank you to our students and families for their support and involvement during 
“Book Week – 2022”.  Everyone looked amazing in their costumes and loved reading with their buddies last Friday.

Book Week Fun

P & F Meeting TODAY

Parent Teacher Interviews

Prep – Year 6 – Semester Two - Parent Teachers Interviews

Week 9 (Monday 5 September – Friday 9 September)

In Week 9 (5-9 September) we will host our Semester Two, Parent Teacher Interviews for our Prep to Year 6 families. 

Parent Teacher Interviews are imperative to ensure strong home and school relationships as well as providing a wonderful opportunity to discuss the progress of your child, celebrate successes and set goals for the coming year.

Interview times are OPEN for parents to book as of Monday 29 August (TODAY) at 8.00am and will close on Friday 2 August (Week 8) at 3.30pm. 

All Prep – Year 6 Parent Teacher Interviews MUST be booked via Parent Lounge within this timeframe.  No bookings will be made from the office or via your child’s teacher.

If your child will be on school site during your Parent Teacher Interview, please ensure they are waiting quietly outside the room where your interview is taking place. Duty of Care and safety requirements, require NO students to be on play equipment (including the oval), during Parent Teacher Interviews.

Interview times can be reserved by accessing your Parent Lounge account via https://402sjg.rok.catholic.edu.au/parentlounge.

STEM Symphony Workshop

Cricket Success

Congratulations to our School Cricket Team who won the final of the Gladstone School’s Cricket Competition last week. The St John’s team is off to Rockhampton in November to play in the regional finals. We wish the team and Mr Langdon the coach all the best.

2022 Fun Run

Fun Run – Friday 16 September – Last Day of Term 3!

Our annual Fun Run is on Friday 16 September (last day of this term) starting at 2.00pm.  As always it is a well-loved event for our students.  The Year 6 students lead off the Fun Run with their Prep Buddies and the Year 6 students dress-up in a theme of their choice.

All students (and parents and teachers) get an opportunity to stretch their legs, listen to music and watch the tally marks on their arms fill up!  What more could you want on a Friday afternoon!

Sponsorship forms will go home with your child this week; please check the bottom depths of their school bags! Please refer to the form for fundraising details.

All fundraising can be done online or via cash and form. The online fundraising is now live and ready to go.

All funds raised go back into the school to purchase items that benefit all students. In the past we have raised money to purchase the new seating at Year 4-6 and prep eating areas, computer-based Robotics equipment, student seating, Nature Playgrounds, and cold water bubblers.  As always, we will brainstorm with our 2022 students to get the best ideas on what to spend the raised funds on. Watch this space!

Please have all fundraising and prize selection completed and returned no later than Thursday 15 September.

2022 Swimming Carnival

2022 St John’s Year 3-6 Swimming Carnival

Our St John’s Swimming Carnival is on Friday 7 October – Week 1, Term 4.

To prepare for the Swimming Carnival program, all students in Years 4-6 will self-nominate for their races via the student landing page with their teacher. Please discuss with your child this week, what events they could/should nominate for.

Year 3 students will receive a hard-copy nomination form this week. As this is their first carnival, parents may wish to guide their nomination a little closer (some of our Year 3 students do not have a concept of how long a 50m pool is!).  This form is due back to class teachers no later than Monday 5 September. They will use this nomination form to upload their ‘guided’ nominations with their teacher.

Students can nominate in:

□  100m freestyle   

□  50m freestyle or  25m freestyle

□  50m breaststroke or 25m breaststroke

□  50m butterfly or 25m butterfly

□  50m backstroke or 25m backstroke

Please note the following:

• Students need to nominate in 50m races (and 100m Freestyle) if they wish to be eligible for Age Champion.
• Students can only nominate for a 25m race or 50m in the same stroke; not both (i.e. if they nominate for 50m free they can’t nominate for 25m free as well)

New Cap Record

Congratulations Tofunmi!  1st in 100m sprint and set a new Cap Record 13.67!! Well Done!

Congratulations Harley

Harley came 2nd at National titles for cross country!! Well Done Harley.

Eisteddfod Achievements

Here are some of our students who achieved great results in the Gladstone Eisteddfod.

St John's Way Awardees

In And Around OSHC

OSHC Fun

Tuckshop Special

Volunteer Tuckshop Roster

Tuckshop Menu

Social Justice Statement

Feast Day - Star Of The Sea