Informer - Term 1 Week 8

From Our Principal ...

Dear Families

As part of the accreditation process that allows schools to operate, 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.

As part of this process, every five years, we undertake a survey referred to as Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI). The process of ESCI, gives us a broad overview of the perceptions and positions of our community as a whole. This process is undertaken by an external provider who specialises in the gathering and collation of data. Staff have commenced the surveys related to ESCI.

Information about the survey and a link will be emailed to you this week. There will be ongoing reminders and updates over the coming weeks. 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.

Can I encourage you all to complete the surveys. They are an important step in the self-appraisal process for our school. In the coming weeks there will be more information about some of the incentives that are attached to this anonymous survey.

Have a great week and hug your kids.

Jamie Emerick
Principal

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.

Behaviour Management at St John’s

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.

The Gut Health For Our Children Continued........

Seeding (probiotics) and Feeding (pre-biotics) the gut are essential for optimal health in our children. Without good bacteria, poor sleep, ongoing illness, poor behaviour and concentration and anxiety are often the outcome.

These outcomes are often “fixed” through medication, and these medications can in turn add to the poor bacteria in the gut; a rollercoaster that can be difficult to get off!

Building diversity in the microbiome in children’s gut can be achieve by the seeding and feeding approach.

The only way to grow the good bacteria in the gut is to put it in there in

the first place!

As a starting point, processed, high sugar, highly refined foods need to go and replaced as much as possible with whole, fresh foods.

Seeding the gut can be well supported through high quality probiotic supplements (gummie lollies off the shelf in a supermarket do not constitute a high quality probiotic!!).

Fermented foods should also be included in a child’s diet daily!

Yoghurt, miso soup, sourdough, sauerkraut, kombucha (homemade is best) are a good start.

Exposure to microbes early is also important for seeding the gut.

Playing with pets, playing out in the garden or in the dirt, at the park and in our Nature Playgrounds at school can help to seed good bugs.

Feeding with Prebiotics is imperative. Prebiotics are a type of fibre found in wholefoods, particularly vegetables and salads. Some of the best dietary sources of prebiotics are garlic, onion, leek, asparagus, oats, lentils, rye, cooked & cooled potatoes, rice and pasta.

Good luck seeding and feeding your child – they are just like a gorgeous little garden!

Below is a very simple leek and potato soup – great for feeding great gut bacteria. Yes, it is hot, but cold soups are lovely too and easy to pop in the lunchbox!

Leek and Potato Soup

Ingredients
2 tbs olive oil
2 leeks chopped
3 potatoes (skins on!), and cut into cubes
3 cups stock – bone broth is even better!
1 cup water (halve the water if your want a thicker soup)
Season with a good grind of sea salt (iodine is important for kids) and pepper
Add in 2 tbs of flaxseed oil when soup is cooked – a wonderful omega 3 which is wonderful for children.

Get Going

1. Heat oil in soup pot over a medium heat.
2. Add the leeks and cook, until soft (but not brown).
3. Stir in potatoes, stock/bone broth, water and sea salt, and bring to the boil then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Once cooled blender with a stick blender (I do it while still in pot)
5. Add flaxseed oil and enjoy!

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

Homework Club - Year 3, 4, 5

Whole School Beep Off

Our annual Whole School Beep-Off is on Tuesday 28 March (Week 10) @ 8.45am, straight after parade.

It is an event the students really look forward and it is always wonderful to see the whole school out on the oval showing their fitness and determination.

All things Cross Country..........

Our P-6 St John’s Cross Country is on Friday 31 March for all students, starting at 8.40am sharp.

General Information is as follows:

• Prep – Year 1 to meet teachers in their classroom from 8.20am
• Year 2-6 students are to put their school bags at their classrooms and move to their House Tents on oval from 8.20am. There will be NO Assembly.
• Students to wear their school polo or choose a sun safe shirt in house colour, sports shorts, runners, sunscreen, school hat and a large water bottle.
• The first race starts at 8.40am sharp (Year 1 Girls)
• Prep – Year 1 students complete the Fun Run Track course (approx. 600m)
• Year 2 and younger Year 3 students born in 2015 (only) compete the half course (approx. 1km).
• Students born in 2014 - 2011 compete in their year of birth and complete the full course (approx 1.6km).
• 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 can be 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.
• All parent volunteers are always welcome! Please email Jakki Graham at jakki_graham@rok.catholic.edu.au if you would like to help out.

Wednesday Morning Fitness

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.

St John's Way Awardees

Library News ...

Dia Daoibh [God to You]

I would like to celebrate Saint Patricks’ Day and mention some of the wonderful books written by Irish authors that we carry in our library.

C.S. Lewis Clive Staples Lewis (29 November 1898 – 22 November 1963) He is best known for his works of fiction, especially ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’.

Eoin Colfer (/ˈoʊ.ᵻn/; born 14 May 1965) is an Irish author of children’s books. He worked as a primary school teacher before he became a full-time writer. He is best known for being the author of the ‘Artemis Fowl’ series. 

Sam McBratney (born 1943) is a writer from Northern Ireland. He has written more than fifty books for children and young adults but is best known as the author of the best-selling children's book ‘Guess How Much I Love You’, which has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide, and been translated into 53 languages and ‘You are All My Favourites’.

Oliver Jeffers (born 1977) is a Northern Irish artist, illustrator and writer who now lives and works in America.  We carry ‘How to Catch a Star’, ‘The Heart and the Bottle’, ‘The way Back Home’ and ‘A Child of Books’, just to name a few.  You might best recognise his name as the Illustrator for ‘The Crayons’ Series by Drew Daywalt.  Jeffers' style of illustration uses mixed media and is recognised for its subtle narrative and use of space in composition.

Roddy Doyle (8 May 1958) is an Irish novelist and screenwriter. He was the author of ten novels for adults, eight books for children, seven plays and screenplays, and dozens of short stories.  His beautiful story ‘Her Mother’s Face’ (illustrated by Australian Freya Blackwood) is on our shelves.

Taitneamh a bhaint as do seachtain!  [Enjoy your week!]

Mrs Skelhorn
Librarian

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.

Volunteer Tuckshop Roster

Tuckshop Special

Tuckshop Increased Hours - Term 2

As of the start of Term 2, the tuckshop will be open both breaks on Wednesday and Thursday (Friday is already open both breaks).

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 ...

Community Notices