Informer - Term 2 Week 3

From Our Principal ...

Dear Families 

As I sat in Mass on Sunday, I read this reflection from Pope Francis. 

All families need God. Every single one.

We need His help, His strength, His blessing, His mercy and His forgiveness. It takes simplicity. To pray as a family, simplicity is needed….

As a family, you can pray the ‘Our Father’ around the dinner table. That’s not difficult to do, it’s easy.

Praying the rosary together, as a family is very beautiful and it gives strength.

Also praying for one another: A husband for his wife and a wife for her husband. Parents praying for their children and children for their parents and grandparents. Praying for one another.”

Pope Francis.

I am big believer that God is not found in the big moments of life. God is found around the kitchen table, pushing children on the swing or wrestling with your kids. God is an ever present part of our lives, the big trick is to able to avoid the distractions and be present to those who we love and let God fill those moments. Prayer is not about appeasing or keeping God happy, it is a moment of connection. How do we make the time to connect with those that are dear to us?

Have a great week and hug your kids.

Jamie Emerick
Principal

Zinc and Kids

Zinc is a very important mineral for children and is often deficient, and like any deficiency, this can cause health issues.

Zinc is essential for growth and development and because it is involved in hundreds of enzymes in the human body, it influences immunity, gut health, mood and behaviour in children.

Zinc and immunity are very closely tied, with zinc being critical in the development and function of immune cells. If zinc in children is deficient, generally children could be more susceptible to infections, have slower recovery times from illness, develop allergies more frequently and become more prone to respiratory infections such as croup or asthma.

As you know I am a huge advocate for gut health and there is a strong link between zinc and gut health.

Zinc is required for the function and structure of the mucus membranes in the gut, playing a critical role in healing the lining of the gut wall.

Zinc also aides in the production of stomach acid and digestive issues such as reflux and heartburn are often linked to low zinc levels.

We often don’t link zinc and the brain but is an essential nutrient for the brain. As children are still developing more zinc is required in their diets.

Zinc also plays a role in mood and behaviour and a zinc deficiency can lead to depression, anxiety and even frequent tantrums.

Zinc can be sourced through a well-balanced diet and consuming red meat, shellfish, fish, eggs, nuts and seeds (pumpkin seeds are great!), legumes (lentils, chickpeas and kidney beans are fantastic) and wholegrains (quinoa and oats are a good go to) will go a low way to having child a with adequate zinc.

It can however, be a bit tricky at times to get enough zinc in a child’s diet. If you are thinking of a zinc supplement for your child than an amino acid chelate form of zinc is recommended.

Parish News

Student Travel Rebates Close 31 May

"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’’, just as Jesus encouraged us to do through His model.

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.

In Our Library ...

This week we are celebrating:

• ‘International Harry Potter Day’ on May 2^nd
• ‘Star Wars Day’ on May 4^th.

Athletics Carnival Important Dates

St John’s Athletics Carnival - Friday 2 June (Week 7)

Pre-Carnival Events:

1500m Race Final:

• For 2011 – 2014 Students
• Students to nominate to Mrs Graham in Week 5
• Monday 22 May (Week 6) at 8.45am

High Jump Finals:

• For 2011 – 2014 Students
• 23 & 24 May (Week 6) in HPE

800m Race Final:

• For 2011 – 2014 Students (All students to participate)
• Thursday 25 May (Week 6) at 8.45am

Discuss Finals:

• During HPE Lessons

Capricornia Hockey Trials

The following St John's students attended recent Capricornia Hockey trials:

Alex Slean, Daisy Bryce, Stephanie Evangelista,
Morgan Wilkinson and Taylah Stokes

Congratulations to Alex Slean for gaining selection into the Capricornia 10-12 Years Boys Hockey Team. 

Volunteer Induction Tomorrow

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

Uniform Shop Update

Our Uniform Shop is not run by our school, but through Weareco.  As mentioned in our newsletter last week, Weareco are moving the Gladstone Catholic School Uniform Shops to one location at 1/190 Goondoon Street.  Their moving timeline is as follows:

Tuesday 2 May & Thursday 4 May:
- Limited sales (at St John's Block 1 - 7.45 am to 9.15 am)
If your child requires a jacket or hat, or any other uniform items, buy them this week.

Week Beginning Monday 8 May:
- NO SALES this week.  Unifom shop is moving.

Week Beginning Monday 15 May:
- Planned opening of Gladstone Catholic Schools Uniform Shop at 1/190 Goodoon Street, Gladstone.

At this stage we have been informed that the planned shop hours from Monday 15 May 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. 

St John's Way Awardees

In And Around OSHC...

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.

Homework Club - Year 3, 4, 5

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.

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!

Volunteer Tuckshop Roster

Tuckshop Special

Tuckshop Menu

Catholic Care Parenting Course