St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School Clinton eNewsletter

From Our Principal...

Dear Families

I find it interesting to watch the rise of the Halloween phenomena in Australia. Historically, it has not been a significant part of Australian culture until the last 10 years. The cynical part of me would say it fits a marketing niche for businesses to get more money out of us before the lead up to the commercial giant that Christmas has become and we start seeing everything Christmas on sale once we get past the Melbourne Cup.

The thing I take out of this new reality is that all traditions and habits have to start somewhere. I mentioned to our new prep families last week that as educators we would be familiar with the concept that it takes 24 repetitions of any particular task to achieve 80% competency. Good habits don’t just occur they need to be communicated, modelled and expected.

We are a family of readers and our kids have grown up seeing both my wife and I value reading and model good reading habits. As an educator, I have always said that it is hard for any of our boys to value reading and see it as important if they don’t see the male figure in their lives doing the same. It can be anything, magazines, manuals, it doesn’t matter. As someone they see as important engages in that habit, they will see value in it.

Our kids are very good mimicking. They will watch their significant people and model what they do on the things that happen around them. Experience would tell me that most of us are not very good at doing something we are told to do if we can’t see it happening around us.

‘Do as I say, not as I do’ is very low return strategy for getting our kids to engage in anything. Regardless of the task or habit, they need to see that we as parents and educators value it as well.

Have a great week and hug your kids.

Jamie Emerick
Principal

APRE News...

"A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows."

St. Francis of Assisi

After a week full of activities for Socktober, I am sure St John's has been able to create a kaleidoscope of sunbeams somewhere in the world.

It was an amazing display of initiative, commitment and dedication within our school community to hopefully bring about positive change in our lives and the lives of others.

A huge thank you to the students who rallied friends and family to support the Trash and Treasure stall, 10 cent challenge, Soccer Shootout and Crazy Sock Day. All monies are being counted and will be donated to Catholic Mission to assist families in the Embidir region of Ethiopia.

Creating change does not have to be related to monetary donations. All of us can be instigators of change in our lives and those of others through our words and actions. The greatest commandment taught by Jesus was to love your God with all your heart and to love you neighbour. Let's look after those close to home as we have helped those in Ethiopia.

Here are some fabulous photos from a fabulous week.

10 Cent Challenge

Prep To Year 2 Swimming

Term 4 School Fee Accounts

TERM 4 SCHOOL FEE ACCOUNTS

Term 4 2022 School Fee Accounts were due last Friday 28 October 2022. Statements are available through our online Parent Lounge Site:

https://402sjg.rok.catholic.edu.au/parentlounge

Payments may be made by cash, cheque, direct debit, internet banking, EFTPOS or through Parent Lounge, either in full or in instalments.

The school office does not carry cash. If this is your preferred method of payment please endeavour to have the correct amount on hand. When making payments by internet banking, it is imperative to use your “School Fee Account Number” as the reference. This will ensure payments are allocated to the correct account.

If you are experiencing difficulties in making this payment, please contact Melissa in the office to discuss options.

School Office Hours:

Mon – Thurs 8.00 am – 4.00 pm

Fri 8.00am – 3.30 pm

Fun Run

Congratulations to Remington Hamelink in Prep Crocodiles. Remi was recognised today for raising the highest amount of funds for the school Fun Run. The title for the highest combined amount in a class belongs to Year 1 Possums. Here we have Hayden and Prisha representing their class at assembly today. The Possums will enjoy a class pizza party this term. Thank you to all of our students who made the fun run an overwhelming success in 2022.

Bookmarked School Readathon News

Welome to this week's Weekly Read Recommendations from Lilah, a memer of the Year 6 Ignite Learning Enrichment Team leading the school readathon, Bookmarked. This week's recommended reads are centered around the theme of grandparens in recognition of Australia's Grandparents' Day 2022, which took place on Sunday 30 October.

The lines on Nana's Face: In this heart-warming tale a little girl discovers her Grandmother's precious memories as the creases from old age become wonderful wrinkles in time.
No Hat Brigade: Lachlan and his Grandpa enjoy the tine they spend together, but one day Lachlan notices that Grandpa John never wears a hat in the sun. What a mystery! This book comes recommended as a touching story about honesty and friendship.
Thimble: A beautiful story about how a tiny thimble and an unfinished blanket can mend a heart.
Gangsta Granny: A classic David Williams tale with all the hilarity readers have come to expect from this renowned children's author.

Bookmarked Bonus

A Golden Bookworm is hidden inside each recommended book. A sweet surprise will be awaiting the first student to borrow, read, rate and return a recommended book.

Bookmarked Readathon concludes 25 November. Entry Forms available from the Library.

Families Leaving

As we have many students on our waiting list and our total enrolment drives many aspects of our school (staffing, budget, class sizes and structure) it is important that we try to be as accurate as possible in predicting the school enrolment for 2023. If you know that you will be leaving at the end of the year could you please notify the office as soon as possible? Your assistance with this matter is greatly appreciated.

Parents & Friends AGM

St John’s Parents and Friends (P & F) AGM is at 5:30pm on Monday 21st November in the School Library. All parents and friends are welcome to attend. Drinks and nibbles provided.