Term 4, Week 8, 25 November 2021
Principal's Message
Well it is with mixed emotions I sit here and write my final newsletter piece at St John's. I am thoroughly blessed to have worked with the wonderful students here. One of the highlights of my job is when you are in the thick of paperwork or having a tough day, I can go to a classroom and spend time with the kids. It always puts a smile back on your face and reminds me why I am here. They are just delightful.
I have been fortunate to work with an amazing staff. This team of people are inspiringly dedicated to your children. They are ever evolving in their pedagogies and approaches to increase engagement and allow for student voice so each child feels more connected to the learning. They go above and beyond for the pastoral needs of your child. I have worked at many schools and I know that this team go the extra mile. So much so I worry for their own work/life balance. Thank you team you are amazing!!!
It has been an absolute delight to get the know the families here at St John's. Families that are supportive of staff and are willing to copartner in the growth and development of their child. It is a priviledge and an honour to have been a part of your lives over the past four years on your child's educational journey. Sometimes my role in that journey is when things get difficult and it gets pretty raw at times. Parenting is a challenge and I have seen many of you rise during these difficult times and support your child to reach their potential. These ae moments I won't forget. I hear about some of the tough times families go through and my heart breaks for what some of you have experienced. But I also get opportunities to laugh and share some highlights with you too. It is a very broad role as principal and I am grateful everyday to have the opportunity to work with families and their children. Thank you for having me and I wish each and every family every success for the future.
So in September when an opportunity arose to head back to Queensland it was by no means an easy decision but I had to put my family first and as such I accepted my new role as Principal at St Mary's Primary, Beaudesert. I look forward to embarking on a new journey with new families but will never forget my experiences at St John's. Thank you and I sincerely wish you a very merry Christmas. May the special time of Christmas be filled with the love of family and many special moments.
Reports Please note reports for this Semester will be published on Compass in week 10. Please ensure you have downloaded the Compass App to access your child's report. These will not be printed.
The reports are also modified due to the long period of time spent in blended learning. The teachers have spent a great deal of time trying to detail their comments to describe your child's progress.
Fees You are able to check your balance on the Compass App. Thank you to those families who have paid and those who have committed to a plan. If you have not paid your fees please attend to this as soon as possible. If you need assistance please call the office.
Playground As previously mentioned we have a new playground coming. Unfortunately installation has been delayed due to the border and weather. The new installation date is 6th December. The kids cannot wait!
Farewell, thank you and God bless each and every one fo you!
Renay Condon
Principal Awards
FAREWELL MRS CONDON
Tanesa
Mrs Condon when you arrived at St John’s I was 8 years old and in stage 2. I’ll admit I was skeptical at first about having a new, I thought to myself, who was this new principal. Now in year 6 I can barely remember school life without you. You were a great role model as well as teacher. These 4 years of primary school have been amazing.
My earliest memories of you are when we got a note telling us we are getting a new principal in year 2 although I liked Mr Bleakley. You definitely didn't disappoint nor back down from the challenge when being principal. Thank you for inspiring me to be a leader and a more courageous person.
I remember in your first year at this school you really made a colourful impact, literally. The colour fun run is one of my most treasured memories at this school and put a fun spin on cross country. You never seemed to run out of ideas to spice up life at this wonderful small school from the quail eggs to the treehouse you were a very imaginative fun principal
Omar
You have helped me grow in all areas of learning and when I first came to this school in year 3 you showed me around confidently even though you were new as well, your welcoming spirit helped me to settle in. You are a friendly face to see on the playground and all students at St Johns are going to miss you.
The things that I will remember most about you are that even though you made sure that everyone tried their very best (and you could be pretty strict), you were also a very nice and relaxed Principal. For example when we were coming back from a trip to the 200 years of celebration mass after heaps of pestering and bribing ahem I mean bargaining we got our happy meals (sorry we broke our promise of not telling) I still have the wonder woman toy from the box.
Thank you Mrs Condon for all the memories and laughs and great ideas you've brought to us in your 4 years at St Johns. We had a laugh writing this and reflecting over these amazing memories. I'd like to think that as a school leader I made a big impact at this school and will be remembered forever but I think that you were definitely a more memorable leader and that if I could be half the leader you were I would be happy. Once again thank you Mrs Condon for being the best principle anyone could ask for.
Max
Mrs Condon when you arrived at St Johns I was excited for a new change but also a bit nervous about what the new principal would be like. You were very confident as a principal and had lots of new ideas for the school. You did change some rules which I personally found hard to get used to, but I knew whatever you were doing it was to make the school a better place.
The things I remember most are when you introduced the quails to the school. This made the playground more interesting for all of us, especially for the younger children. I also remember you being very strong on us kids showing respect to the teachers and other students, such as asking us to make sure we use teachers names’ when we say good morning.
We are going to miss you as you now head off on a new journey at your supposed “new school” but we all know you are heading off to the circus to chase your dreams of dressing up as a clowns or an owls.
Nina
You gave us all the opportunity to participate in multiple extracurricular activities such as art exhibitions, drama shows, music performances and Maths Olympiad. In my case I had the opportunity to do a lot of things with music, with my band and by myself. One of the highlights was getting to perform with my band at the Mullum Music Festival.
Some of the things that I will miss most about you is your amazing attitude towards improving and making everything better. I will also miss your creative ideas of things for me and the fellow students of St. John's
I, like you, will also be moving on. I am both excited and nervous about going to high school and I’m sure you are experiencing similar emotions.Thank you for everything you have done for us and the school, have a great journey at your new school taking on new challenges and helping new school community to grow and learn.
Assistant Principal Message
On behalf of the staff and the entire school community, I would like to start by extending our thanks and heartfelt gratitude to Mrs Condon for four years of unwavering and dedicated educational leadership here at St John’s.
As Assistant Principal I’ve worked very closely with Renay during the past four years. I have been consistently impressed by and many times in awe of her passion and commitment to the well being and learning of the children at St John’s. Renay went to great lengths to ensure that each and every child was in the first instance loved, cared for and experienced a sense of belonging. Beyond the pastoral dimension Renay was all about learning and children achieving their full potential.
She embraced our school community from day one and worked tirelessly to build on its strengths whilst striving to improve the school. Endeavouring to create a platform for the school to flourish in the years ahead. The Building Cultural Capacity program (whole school change and development) and ‘investigations or play based learning’ in the early years are just two examples during Renay’s tenure that are indicative of her outstanding educational leadership.
Both of these programs were focussed on achieving the best possible outcomes for our students. The change and growth that has occurred due to these programs in our school has been driven by all of the staff working collectively. Whilst the success of each of the programs is due to the efforts of the entire staff group it was Renay’s insightful guidance and wisdom that helped us unite as a staff team and identify exactly what needed to change then work diligently to achieve it.
Renay is a hands-on principal, always prepared to put her shoulder to the wheel, to work alongside her staff before, during and after school. She was forever searching for ways to innovate and engage the children in school life and learning at the same time building connections with the parent and wider community (which has of course been very difficult during the pandemic).
Renay has made, in a relatively short space of time, an enormous positive impact at St John’s. First and foremost she has helped build both the pastoral and learning cultures of the school. She has challenged and encouraged the staff group to grow into a more effective and aligned team of educators, the school is now very well equipped to thrive well into the future. What a wonderful legacy to pass onto the community and David Bermingham, the incoming principal.
Whilst I know the community will embrace and welcome David with open arms in 2022. Today, right now, I say farewell to Renay, with a heavy heart. She has been an inspiring and gifted leader whose skill set and work ethic will be both sorely missed and long remembered in the hearts and minds of St John’s Mullumbimby. In conclusion, I would like to offer Renay our very best wishes and every success for the next chapter in her career.
Below
Mrs Condon holding her gift voucher for Woolloongabba Art Gallery in Brisbane. This is her farewell from the parent community. She is excted about choosing an artwork for her new home. She has promised to send a photo next year.
TEACHING AND LEARNING
Leading Learning- Mrs Renay Condon
In teaching there’s a belief that the principal should be the ‘lead learner’. When we consider the notion of ‘leading’ it is usually understood as being ‘in front of’ or ‘above’ others. However, research has shown that leaders who “attend, participate and are ‘present’ when learning with staff have a greater impact. This model of accompaniment with her staff, leads to better outcomes for our students. Mrs Renay Condon has certainly worked alongside teachers and students in our school in the last four years. She definitely engages in any professional learning we undertake, collaborating with staff in planning and supporting staff to achieve their best for the students.
Behind the scenes, Renay regularly teaches classes to allow time for teachers to collaborate and plan together. She has taught many things over the years including History, Peer Support, Maths and interventions. On several occasions she has stated that being with the students and watching them learn and grow, is the highlight of her week. Whether it is taking Kindergarten to the library, pushing her Stage 2 students with their maths, working with S3 Maths Olympiad on Fridays, leading fun filled games for Peer Support or just popping into classes, Mrs Condon has certainly never forgotten the joy of teaching.
We thank her for her contributions and wish her well at her new school.
Mrs Condon
RE NEWS
Advent
Advent is the period leading up to Christmas. It starts on the Sunday nearest to 30 November and ends on the fourth Sunday before 25 December. The word 'advent' means 'coming'. It is a time of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus.The Advent season is a time to pray to God, seek his forgiveness, and work for peace. We can strive to help other people see God’s love during Advent. In this time of Advent, let us remember that mercy comes hand in hand with love and solidarity. Let us go out and heed those in need of our help and lead them to the mercy of God in Heaven.
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal On Friday students will dress in their best Christmas themed attire to raise money for the St Vincent de Paul Christmas appeal. The donations received will go directly to those families in our community who will struggle to provide food for themselves and who are going through crisis this time of year. All St John’s students are encouraged to dig deep this Christmas so that we can help those people in need.
Mini Vinnies The Mini Vinnies Team are looking for donations of covered chocolates or lollies such as favourites or Ferrero rocher so we can add them to our painted pots for donations to the Neighbourhood centre. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Please send them to the office.
AROUND THE STAGES - Stage 3
Welcome to the future Earth.
Despite repeated warnings, the environment has become polluted to such an extent that many areas of the globe have become uninhabitable, and wildlife is now extinct.
From the ashes, a new style of Wildlife and ocean life is created.
Wildlife and Ocean life that will not remain harnessed by humankind.
Welcome to the world of Mechanica.
Mechanica world
Catholic Social Teaching Childrens posters
SCHOOL NEWS
SCHOOL FEES
2021 School Fees are now overdue. Please arrange to finalise your account before the end of Term. This can be done via Bpay or Compass pay. Please use your compass app to access balances. If you have any concerns or queries please contact the school direct.
IMPORTANT DATES
Year 6 Last day, Tuesday 14 December
Last day for k-5 Students, Wednesday 15th December
2022
Best Start/MAI, Tuesday 1st & Wednesday 2nd February
First day Term 1 all students, Thursday 3rd February
YEAR 6 GRADUATION CELEBRATION
Reminder to RSVP to the Year 6 Dinner- Kids With Class:
Tuesday 14 December at 6pm. The Year 6 Celebration Dinner is being held at the Mullumbimby Leagues Club25 Manns Rd, Mullumbimby. RSVP by December 7
Your child’s name:
- number of parents/carers:
- any special dietary requirements:
CANTEEN
The canteen will be open on Monday 6th December for a vegetarian or bolognese nacho's lunch. Please pre order by 3pm Thursday 2nd December either via the office or the Compass app. There will also be other items for sale at recess, i.e. baked goods, chips etc.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU"
Our birthday people
Orion, Sam, Evan & Tanesa
Mt St Patrick's YEAR 7 2022
New computer purchase system for Year 6 students 2021 going into Year 7 in 2022
Most parents of the 2021 Year 6 cohort will now be aware of our new laptop purchasing portal system, which replaces payment of laptops via school fees at Mt St Patrick College. This is just a friendly reminder for parents that the portal is now open for purchasing. Ideally payment should be made before December 8th, 2021 so that the school can have the devices imaged and ready to roll out for the first day of school in 2022. The latest date for up front payment or a payment plan to be enacted is January 26th. The links and instructions for purchase are below. Feel free to contact me on natalie.webster@lism.catholic.
Payment portal parent instructions
