Informer - Term 1 Week 7

From Our Principal ...

Dear Families

The Zulu people of Africa have been known through history as fierce warriors who, at the peak of their empire, took on the might of the British army in Africa armed with cowhide shield and impressive spears.

In their culture, they have a customary greeting. When you come across someone you are meeting, the first greeting is Sawubona which means ‘I see you’. The traditional response is Ngikhona, which translates as ‘I am here’.

As people, we have an innate need to be social. What that looks like varies for all of us, but no one survives for long without contact from other human beings.

A great Saint of the 20th century was Mother Theresa of Calcutta. She dedicated her life to the poor and unwanted. Her ministry was giving dignity to the dying. She was often quoted as saying that the only truly poor person was the one without a friend. 

To look and see someone is to acknowledge their humanity and their worth as a person. Life and experience would tell me that we often treat those closest to us with the least respect and assume that they realise our love and attention. It is a challenge that I often fail at to make sure that people who are at the centre of my life know that they are.

Work and life usually take centre stage and, in all reality, need to be done. Our lives and families collapse if we don’t pay attention to these, but we should never just assume that because we do all of these mechanical things that they trump the need to be present in the lives of our friends and loved ones.

Have a great week and hug your kids.

Jamie Emerick
Principal

Children’s Gut Health and the Gut-Brain Connection

Research is only just starting to delve into the connections between the gut and the brain and is proving very interesting.

Current research strongly back the need for a healthy digestive system to support healthy neurological and mental health, both in adults and in children.

A perfect example is if a child (or adult) is worried or anxious about something, the first physical two physical responses are a stomach ache and a head ache. This shows the gut-brain axis at work.

Many of our brain chemicals, are produced in the gut by bacteria and of this essential bacteria is healthy, we will produce more feel-good neurotransmitters like serotonin, GABA and dopamine.

But if the gut is out of balance and the gut bacteria is not balanced or healthy the production of these essential hormones will decline. Low levels of these chemicals are linked to problems like depression, anxiety, behavioural issues, learning difficulties and more in children (and adults).

Gut health is essential for so many functions within the body and the nutrients consumed will either help or hinder this vital function.

Apple and Linseed Oats

Ingredients
½ cup Oats
2 apples, grated
½ tsp ground cinnamon
2 cups milk – (try almond or light coconut instead of cow’s milk)
2 tbs ground linseed
½ cup natural yogurt (please steer away from flavoured yoghurts!)
Drizzle honey

Get Going......

1. In a saucepan, mix the oats, apples, cinnamon and milk. Bring to the boil, stirring occasionally, then turn down the heat and cook for 4-5 mins, stirring constantly.
2. Stir in the ground linseeds, then divide into 4 breakfast bowls. Top each with a dollop of yogurt, a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle more of cinnamon.
3. Enjoy!

NAPLAN

Please be advised that the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) Online 2023 for Years 3 and 5 students will be held from Wednesday 15 March to Wednesday 22 March THIS TERM. In past years, the testing was conducted in Term 2.

NAPLAN tests assess student knowledge and skills in Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language (Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation) and Numeracy. As with previous years, the tests will be conducted online, apart from the Year 3 Writing task.

All students are expected to participate in the NAPLAN tests, during the test week.  Catch-up tests will be available for individual students who are absent on the test days. These students may undertake catch-up tests on the days in the test week after the scheduled test, up to and including Wednesday 22 March 2023.

Students may be withdrawn from NAPLAN by their parent or carer. This is a matter for consideration by parents and carers in consultation with Mr Emerick, myself or their child’s Class Teacher. If, after consultation, you decide to withdraw your child, you must sign a Student Withdrawal form as soon as possible which is available from your child’s Class Teacher.

In the coming weeks, students will participate in a number of NAPLAN Readiness Tests that will practice their skills as well as testing our online platform.

Parent Information Letters will also be sent home this week to students in Years 3 and 5. If you do not receive this note, please call the School Office and one can be reissued or emailed.

In conjunction with this, I will also be conducting three short Parent Information Sessions at 8:00am, 3:00pm or 5:00pm on Wednesday 8 March in the Library. 

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s class teacher or myself.

Kym McAndrew
Assistant to the Principal - Curriculum

Years 1 - 6 Term One Parent Teacher Interviews - Bookings Open

Bookings close 4 days from today!

In Week 9 (20 - 24 March) we will host our Term One, Parent Teacher Interviews for our Year 1 to Year 6 families.  Prep interviews have already been conducted.

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 and will CLOSE on Thursday 16 March (Week 8) at 3.00pm. (Special Note - Year 5 Kookaburras:  Mr Andrew Perrett will be absent for part of Week 9; therefore, his booking schedule is separate to all other teachers. Mr Perrett’s bookings will CLOSE: 3.00pm, Monday 13 March 2023).

All Year 1 to 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.

Interview times can be reserved by accessing your Parent Lounge account via https://402sjg.rok.catholic.edu.au/parentlounge.  Instructions were emailed to all parents last week.  They also appear on our App.

Lent

Marking the second week of Lent, the gospel teachings see us moving out of the desert to the mountain top. It is here that Jesus is transfigured before some of his disciples when God said, "This is my Son. Listen to him!"

This week God tells us to listen to Jesus because his words are like signposts that show us the way to live. He wants to guide us, so we have directions of how to live a godly life and to live out His words. Jesus directs us to...

Live in peace,
Show forgiveness and compassion to others,
To be just in word and deed,
To show kindness to others,
To be tolerant and accepting of those around us and,
To be people of love.

Our school motto, True before God and True Before All encourages us to be guided by Jesus in our words and deeds. Take time to reflect on how you, with God's help, can bring these lessons to life each day.

God bless,
Lisa O'Brien
Assistant Principal - Religious Education

Stations of the Cross

This is celebrated throughout Lent each Friday evening. St John the Baptist will be leading this on Friday 10 March from 6:00pm. All families are welcome to attend and participate in this sacred remembrance.

Give Generously to Project Compassion

Spanning across the six weeks of Lent, Project Compassion brings thousands of schools, parishes and supporters together to raise funds for the most marginalised communities around the world.

This year's theme of Project Compassion is ‘For All Future Generations’, and reminds us that the good we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come. It is also a call for all of us to play our part in making the world a better place by working together as sisters and brothers in finding long-term solutions to global issues.

To learn how to make a real difference visit Caritas Australia website.

Sacramental Program

Enhancing Catholic School Identity Survey

Recently, all parents were emailed instructions explaining how to complete the Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI) survey. This anonymous survey is undertaken by an external provider who specialises in the gathering and collation of data.

This survey forms part of the accreditation process that allows schools to operate and we must show that there is a continuous process of reflection and improvement on our practice. Schools under the supervision of Catholic Education - Diocese of Rockhampton (CEDR) complete a range of reflective practices over each five year accreditation period. Our school will review not just our academic performance and standards, but will also look at financial and compliance processes to ensure our school is capable and fit to meet the needs of our families and students.

Staff have commenced the surveys and students in the upper classes will also be surveyed using an age appropriate survey tool. This task will be conducted and supervised by staff members at school.

Uniform - Shoes & Socks Reminder

A reminder that shoes must be plain black with no markings of any colour. Socks must be white and should be no shorter than in this photo.

Cross Country - Save The Date

• Friday 31 March starting at 8.40am sharp (at St John’s)

• Prep – Year 1 students complete the extended Fun Run Track course (approx. 700m)

• Yr 2 and younger Yr 3 students born in 2015 (only) race half Cross Country track (approx. 1km).

• Students born in 2014 - 2011 compete in their year of birth and race the full course (approx 1.8km).

• All students (P-6) receive a ribbon if they place 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, or 5^th

• Students born 2011 - 2014 receive points towards Athletics Age Champion if finish 1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd.

• Students born 2011, 2012 and 2013 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.

Wednesday Fitness Beginning!

Each Wednesday morning at 7.45am, Mrs. Graham will be running a 30 minute fitness session for any students who are keen. These sessions will help build on the fitness gains already made in HPE (from fitness card focus in Weeks 1-5) and help prepare students to do their best at the upcoming Cross Country (31 March) and Athletics Carnival (Term 2) as well as their own personal health benefits.

Fitness will begin on Wednesday 8 March and continue weekly until throughout Term 1 and Term 2.

All keen and committed students are most welcome!  Please meet Mrs. Graham on the oval.

Port Curtis Sport

We congratulate the following St John's students who have been selected in the 10-12 years Port Curtis Touch Football teams.  

• Nate Taylor
• Harry McAdam
• Ethan Royston
• Taylah Stokes
• Leila Reinhard

We wish them every success with their upcoming competition.

Music news ...

St John's Way Awardees

Donations Please ...

Cooking Utensils

Inclusive Education are requesting donations of the following items to support a specific school need.  They would be very grateful to receive used items in good condition if any families have a surplus.

Mixing bowls
Measuring cups 
Measuring spoons 
Frying Pan 
Baking tray  
Saucepan 
Cutting Knives (preferably safety knives) 
Mixing spoons 
Spatula 
Tongs  
Cutlery Peeler 
Grater 
Cutting boards 
Plastic containers for food storage ie flour 
Plates/bowls 
Aprons x 6 
Scales 
Cooling rack 
Electric fry pan 
Electric beater 

Woolworths Lego Bricks

If you don't have any use for Woolworths Lego Bricks, please donate them to St John's.  Donations may be left at the school office.

Woolworths Lego Bricks

If you don't have any use for Woolworths Lego Bricks, please donate them to St John's.  Donations may be left at the school office.

Prep Enrolments 2024

If you have a child who is eligible for Prep in 2024 could you please go to our website and complete an online enrolment application as soon as possible.  We have an increasing amount of interest for 2024 and places are limited.

In And Around OSHC ...

Casual Tuckshop Assistant Positions Available

As our tuckshop is getting busier each week, we are currently seeking 1-2 Casual Tuckshop Assistants to work each Friday morning for 2 hours. These hours may increase as the year progresses.

Please email an expression of interest to our school office by Friday 10 March via sjg_office@rok.catholic.edu.au.

Tuckshop Special

Volunteer Tuckshop Roster

Tuckshop Menu

Community Notices