Informer - Term 2 Week 10

From Our Principal...

Dear Families

Change is something I don’t always do well with. I like my routines and structures.  The past few weeks in the regional director role have been interesting from a professional perspective; but if one thing has become apparent, it is never a surprise if the day changes very rapidly on you.

I was thinking about a few things that happened over the past few weeks as I drove home on Friday. Much of my concern was about the change from what I was used to, rather than the consequences of something new. I often use Google to give me an answer or a different point of view to my thinking. I read this article on Sunday morning and found it very helpful.

How often do we put our problems into perspective before we get caught up in the ‘worry’ of situations? One of my favourite saints, Padre Pio, used to be known for saying ‘pray, hope and don’t worry’. It is a wonderful mantra, but one I often struggle with as I try to take control of the things around me. As the list below says, this may not always be possible. The greatest learning I have made as I have grown older is that I don’t have to do it alone. Our God is always with us and we are surrounded by friends and family who are only waiting to be asked.

Stay safe on the roads if you are travelling over the holidays.

Have a great week and hug your kids.

Regards
Jamie Emerick

7 Tips for Dealing With Change

Dealing with change isn't always easy. It can be uncomfortable, stressful or even scary at times, but the good news is, there are things we can all do to make coping with life changes a little easier.

Recognise the worst
Understanding a change is the important first step to managing it. We're usually scared of change because we’re afraid of the unknown. Try to figure out if the worst that can happen, is actually as bad as what you think can happen? Learning about the details of the change can help things feel easier. Remember how scary the idea of starting high school or learning to drive once was? Sometimes it's not as bad as it may seem at first, and it just takes a little time to get used to.

Ask yourself how much you can control
When a big change happens, figure out how if it's something you have control over, and how much control you have. Understanding your role and how much you can change, can sometimes help you to put things in perspective. For example, if you've just moved out of home, there are many things you can do to make it an easier process. Other changes like unexpected sickness are harder to control.

Celebrate the positives
Focusing on the positives can help you feel better about the change overall. They might not be completely obvious to begin with, and it might also take some time, but it’s worth it. For example, if you’ve moved recently, you might be away from your friends, but it's also a great way to learn how to be more independent. In time, you might also find a new group of friends to keep you company.

Take action
If the unwanted change is within your control, taking an active approach to coping has been shown to be useful. Try engaging in problem solving or goal setting to proactively address unwanted developments. Focusing on the problem at hand, developing a plan of action, and asking for advice are useful active strategies.

Accept and reframe
If the unwanted change is beyond your control, taking a reflective approach may be the way to go. Accepting that there are things beyond your control and choosing to be comfortable with this is likely to bring greater calm than playing the blame game or waging unwinnable wars. Viewing change as an opportunity to learn and grow, rather than a setback, might also help you to turn that frown upside down!

Manage your stress
Improving your ability to handle stress will go a long way to helping you deal with change. Try practicing mindfulness or meditation, or engaging in other relaxation techniques.

Seek support
Changes come in all different sizes. It’s perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed if there is too much happening at once. This is when your best approach is to start by seeking support. Consider talking to friends or family for advice or emotional support, or by investigating options for professional help. Whether you’re coping with a Game of Thrones season ending or dealing with something more serious, there are always others in similar situations and professionals available to help!

(http://au.reachout.com/7-tips-for-dealing-with-change)

School Report Cards

Semester One Report Cards will be available via Parent Lounge from 9.00am on Thursday 22 June.

Library News ...

This term’s ‘Book in a Bottle’ Pig the Fibber and was won by Charlotte R in 6G.
Congratulations Charlotte!

Pig the pug is a bit of a fibber and tells lies so that he can get his own way. Pig blames his friend Trevor, the sausage dog, for all his own naughty behaviour! Poor Trevor gets blamed for messing up the house, breaking the vase and ripping a lovely old dress. Until one day, Pig’s sneakiest (and stinkiest) plan backfires big time! Will Pig learn his lesson? Children will relate to the story where the wrong person gets blamed for naughty behaviour and will be delighted when Pig finally learns his lesson.

Pig the Fibber is an enjoyable read. Through lots of humour, it teaches children about what might happen when we tell lies. The rhyming text and expressive illustrations keep children engaged until the very end.

Enjoy your holidays!

Capricornia School Sport

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected in the Capricornia team for Cross Country 10-19 years.

   Penny Hale
   Kaylee Simpson
   Colby Smith
   Harley Stokes

Congratulations Carter

Congratulations to Carter Grother on his remarkable achievement at Round 3 of the Australian Kart Championship in Newcastle. Carter demonstrated exceptional talent and skill on the track, securing second place during the championship round.

School Therapy Dogs

St John's Way Awards

Homework Club - Year 3, 4, 5

Aussie Bread Tags for Wheelchairs

Here at St. John’s, we pride ourselves on being sustainable and recycling what we can to help God’s creation. Aussie Bread Tags for Wheelchairs is an Australian company that is collecting and sorting bread tags nation-wide. They are creating new products with recycled bread tags that include wheelchairs and reusable food bowls. As of May 2023, they have recycled over 10,000kg of Aussie bread tags (that’s over 10 tonnes of plastic waste)!

How can you help? Please collect any plastic bread clips from home and bring them into your classroom to put into your class’ collection container. There is also a collection container at the front office. Once a fortnight, Year 4 will collect the containers and empty them into our main bin. Once this is full, we will take it to the collection depot in town, where they will be sent away for recycling.

Thank you for helping us to be kinder to our world and for looking after God’s creation.

Grandparents' Day

We celebrate Grandparent’s Day annually with a morning tea provided by the school. Grandparents are invited to come to school for our Friday assembly. This year it will be the Prep Owls on stage.

The morning will run as follows:

• Assembly at 8:39am
• Class visits 8:50am-9:20am.
• Students take their grandparents to visit their classrooms as well as to other classrooms to see loved ones.  At 9.20am students will return their grandparents to Nazarene Place for morning tea.  Morning tea is only for grandparents.  Students will return to class.
• Morning tea provided (sandwiches, scones, tea and coffee) 9:25am-10:15am

Tuckshop Special

Volunteer Tuckshop Roster

Tuckshop Menu

Uniform Shop

The Uniform Shop in Goondoon Street will be opning one additional day during the school holidays:  Friday, 7^th of July, between 2.00pm and 5.00pm for new students arriving and parents needing to top up uniforms for Term 3.

Parish News

Please see below the latest readings from Laurie Woods.

OSHC June/July Vacation Program

If you require St John’s OSHC Vacation Care during the June/July school holidays, please book NOW.  Places are filling up quickly.  PLEASE NOTE: For Vacation Care, preference is NOT given to regular term time bookings.

OSHC Easter Vacation Program

GLADSTONE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS MUSIC ASSOC. WORKSHOP CONCERT

School families are invited to attend the GISMA workshop concert this Thursday 22nd June 2023 at 4.30pm at Gladstone Marina stage.  Please bring a chair or blanket if you are attending the event.  GISMA would love to see you there.

I Do – I Do – I Do – I Do

For more than 50 years, World Wide Marriage Encounter has helped over 3.5 million couples unlock the power of their relationships with new ways to do the "I Do." The Marriage Encounter experience helps a couple listen, share and connect. There’s no group disscussion. It’s just about two people learning to be the best, most loving and thriving couple possible. Our weekend, is a live out weekend at Chanel College going home on Friday night  18^th and Saturday 19th August and finishing with Mass on Sunday 20^th August 2023 at approximately 4pm. For more info contact Liesha and Joseph on 0481 307 821 or qldbookings@wwme.org.au  Watch Archbishop Mark Coleridge support video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4o_wp6qGB44 or for more information go to the website:   www.wwme.org.auad  BOOK NOW!

St Brendan's College - Yeppoon School Musical - Thursday 13 July