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Informer - Term 2 Week 2

From Our Principal ...

Dear Families

As I sit and read the news lately, I am feeling like we are drowning in bad news and the terrible things happening all around the world. War seems to be a constant threat and if I listen to the news, the environment is on the verge of collapse and all the ice is melting.

It made me stop, go back and read a book that I was given a few years ago. The title is “Where the Hell is God”. It was written by a Jesuit priest, Fr Richard Leonard.

In the book he basically says that ‘God does not send accidents to teach us things, though we can learn from them. We do not need to blame God directly for causing our suffering in order for us to turn it around and harness it for good.'

The human search for meaning is a powerful instinct but I think spiritual sanity rests in seeing that in every moment of every day, God does what he did on Good Friday: not allowing evil, death and destruction to have the last word, but ennobling humanity with an extraordinary resilience and, through the power of amazing grace, enabling us to make the most of even the worst situations and let light and life have the last word. Easter Sunday is God’s response to Good Friday: life out of death.

And to the questions about "What is God doing about all the suffering and brokenness in the world?"

He came into the world as the ‘Word made flesh’ – Jesus. That is what Christmas is all about.

Jesus bore in his own flesh the penalty of our sins so that we could be re-united with our loving Father. That is what Good Friday is all about.

He rose from the dead that we might one day rise again with him. That is what Easter Sunday is all about.

From the right hand of the Father he reigns forever and sends upon us the power of his Holy Spirit that we might even now experience a foretaste of what is promised and power to continue his mission. That is what Pentecost is all about.

And he is with us until the end of the world forgiving us, feeding us, healing us, and empowering us to bring his merciful Kingdom to every person on the face of the earth. That is what the Sacraments are all about. That is what the Church is all about. That is what being a Christian is all about! http://companionscross.org/articles-blogs/articles/where-god-all

Have a great week and hug your kids and remember that Easter is a five week celebration.

Jamie Emerick
Principal

Stop, Drop & Go

A reminder that all St John’s families using Stop, Drop and Go MUST abide by the following:

Laner Streeet Stop, Drop & Go:
Students in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 (and their younger siblings in Prep, Year 1 and 2) only.
J Hickey Avenue Stop, Drop & Go:
Prep, Year 1 and 2 only.

Thank you for ensuring the smooth and safe drop-off and collection of our wonderful students!

ANZAC Day Services

Gladstone Dawn Service - Tuesday 25 April

St John’s students are invited to attend the Dawn Service on ANZAC Day.

We will gather in the Valley Shopping Centre Precinct outside the Reject Shop at 5:00am with the aim to begin a silent walk to the cenotaph.

The school will be laying a wreath at this service.

Full school uniform is required.

Service begins at 5:45am.

Gladstone ANZAC Day Parade and Service - Tuesday 25 April.

St John’s students are invited to march during this parade.

We will gather as a school at the Westpac Bank in Goondoon St at 10am. We will follow Chanel College for the march.

The school leaders will be laying a wreath at the cenotaph.

Full school uniform is required. Water bottles, sunscreen and hat are essential.

Service begins at 10:30am.

ANZAC_Day_2023_Gladstone_Region.pdf

Nut Allergies

There are students at our school who are highly allergic (anaphylactic) to all forms of nuts. For this reason, peanut paste, Nutella, muesli bars (with nuts), satay and all forms of nuts are strongly discouraged in all foodstuffs brought to our school.

Port Curtis Selection

Congratulations to the following students who placed in the top 5 and were selected in the Port Curtis Cross Country Team:

Penny Hale – 1st
Amelia Mullins – 3rd
Harper Halliwell – 4th
Hudson Brown – 1st
Ethan Maitland – 4th
Kaylee Simpson – 1st
Colby Smith - 2nd
Liam Warrener – 4th
Lachlan Stoneley – 3rd
Cody Peachey – 4th

Congratulations also to the following boys who were selected in the 10-12 Years Boys Football team:

Lachlan Stoneley
Joshua Heit

Capricornia Touch Selection

Congratulations to Taylah Stokes for her selection in the 10-12 Years Girls Capricornia Touch Team.

St John's Way Awardees

Wednesday 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 and help prepare students to do their best at the Athletics Carnival (Friday, 2 June) as well as improve their own personal health benefits.

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

Volunteer Induction Tomorrow

We will be holding a Volunteer Induction on Wednesday 3 May from 8.15am in the Library.

"Do It For Dolly Day"

St John’s will be supporting the "Do It For Dolly Day" on Friday 12 May.

"Do It For Dolly Day" is a nation-wide day promoting inclusiveness and kindness, bringing our attention to making our world a kinder, brighter place.

This year, we will have a Free Dress Day on Friday 12 May and we encourage students to wear blue in support.

A variety of activities will occur within classrooms focusing on inclusiveness, kindness and making our world a kinder, brighter place through Week 4 of this Term.

Gold coin donations from students will be donated to the Dolly’s Dream Foundation.

Uniform Shop Update

Last term, our fabulous Uniform Shop convenor, Michelle Overend, secured a full-time position. Michelle was a much loved member of our St John’s community who ran the Uniform Shop (Weareco) for over 11 years with great dedication, professionalism and care. She will be greatly missed.

Sally Coall has replaced Michelle this term and is doing a great job.

Our Uniform Shop is not run by our school, but through Weareco.

Weareco are moving the Gladstone Catholic School Uniform Shops to one location as of the 22 May. A lease has been signed at 1/190 Goondoon Street, with shop fitouts occurring in early May ready for the 22 May opening.

At this stage we have been informed that the planned shop hours will be as follows:

Monday - 8.00 am - 11.00 am
Tuesday - 8.00 am - 11.00 am
Wednesday - 2.00 pm - 5.00 pm
Thursday - 2.00 pm - 5.00 pm
Friday - Closed

Further information will be communicated in the coming weeks via our newsletter, App and Facebook page.

Homework Club - Year 3, 4, 5

Year 7 for 2024 - Chanel College Tours & Information Evening - Thurs 27 April

College Tours: 4.00pm – 5.00pm
Information Session: 5.00pm – 5.30pm
College Tours: 5.30pm – 6.00pm

Have you ever wondered what it's like at Chanel College?

Attend their Information Evening and discover what they have to offer.

Take a tour, view their facilities, talk with current students and staff, meet their leadership team, and hear from their wonderful Principal, Dr Susan Bunkum.

We understand that choosing the right school for your child is an extremely important decision. At Chanel College they can make that transition a smooth process for your family.

Don't miss this great opportunity. All Welcome!