Term 4, Week 10, 15 December 2022

Principal Message

I would like to thank everyone for a wonderful year at St John’s this year. I love our school and the community we have and although I think we are looking forward to the holidays, I can’t wait to see what 2023 has in store for all of us here.

Thank you to our staff. What a fantastic group of people we have here making sure each and every day is filled with learning, laughter and friendship. 

Thank you parents. Our partnership is so important in supporting the growth and development of your children. We as a staff often remark to each other how wonderful the children are here and that is a reflection on the guidance they receive from their first educators… you…. Their parents. 

To the families who leave us today…. Thank you for the many contributions you have made to this community. I hope you will always look back fondly on your time here and remember that just because your children have moved on, you will always be part of this community and you are welcomed here any time into the future.

Thank you, students. We couldn’t be prouder of you for the way you come to school every day ready to learn. Sometimes you teach us, the adults a thing or two about being resilient, being consistent, trying your best and being happy that you have put in your best effort to everything you do each and every day. 

I want to wish all the best to our departing students, especially the Year 6 graduates and hope that your new schools provide you with challenges, joy and friendships as you move on to the next stage of your journey. Some may have completed their entire primary schooling here at St John’s and others have joined along the way, but you have made a formidable leadership group which will leave a lasting impression. 

As we move towards Christmas don’t forget the reason for the season. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus and the coming of our saviour all those years ago in a stable, remember it is not about where you go on holidays or what presents you get it’s about being together with family and sharing this time with those who are special to you.

Enjoy your holidays everyone, you all deserve a break and I hope it is filled with joy and happiness. Have a wonderful holiday and God Bless.

Start of Term 1 2023 Dates

• K-6 MAI's: Monday 30th & Tuesday 31st January
• Year 1-6 First day of school is Wednesday 1st February
• Kindy Best Start interviews: Wednesday 1st - Friday 3rd February
• Kindy First day of school is Monday 6th February

MAI and Best Start interview slots are now open for you to book on Compass!

2023 Class Parent Reps

Thank you to these parents who have nominated themselves to be class parent representatives (CPR's) for 2023. They will be in touch with you early in 2023 to organise some social events for your cohort. 

Kindy - Miranda Nelson (Mum of Charlie)

Stage 1 - Renee Creighton (Mum of Ayla)

Stage 2 - Jana Mangelson (Mum of Caleb)

Stage 3 - Karla Chartres (Mum of Vander)

Staffing 2023 Update

Leader of Mission

Last week we held interviews for the 2023 Leader of Mission position at St John's. I can announce that Ellie Bailey has been appointed to this position. Ellie is currently Kindy Teacher at St John's.
The Leader of Mission is a key member of the leadership team and is responsible for leading the school in the areas of Evangelisation and Catechesis. We congratulate Ellie on this appoinmentment!

Stage 2 Teacher

Last week we conducted interviews for the 2023 Stage 2 Teacher. We had 9 applicants for the role and a very high standard of applicants. 
I can announce that we have appointed Miss Riley O'Leary to the position. Riley is currently working at St John's Primary School in Cobar, NSW as Stage 2 Teacher. She has previously worked in Sydney but is moving up to Crabbes Creek to be closer to her family. 
Riley has had some experience leading initiatives at St John's, such as SRC Coordinator, Athletics Coordinator, and Grow Your Mind Wellbeing Coordinator. 
We know that Riley will be a great fit for us here at St John's and we congratulate her on her appointment. 

Support Teacher K-2

Congratulations to Felicity Guinea who will join us officially as a Teacher. Felicity will work with us as a support teacher for the equivalent of 2 days a week, as well as doing 10 hours a week as a teacher's aide - her time will be blended across a number of days. Felicity's teaching work will be mainly across K-2 in the English blocks, as well as planning and teaching a KLA in Stage 1 MacKillop. Her aide time will be spread across the school, based on student needs.

Specialist Teacher and Leader of Mission Release

Congratulations to Karla Chartres who will join us as a part-time teacher for 2 days a week. Karla will teach CAPA/PE for Kindy and Stage 1 on Thursdays and provide Leader of Mission release to Ellie Bailey on a Friday. Karla was part of the Junior Johnnies program this year supporting our 2023 Kindy students, so knows them very well. 

Congratulations to both teachers, we feel extremely lucky to have them on board with us in this capacity next year and I'm sure that you will make them feel very welcome in their new positions. 

2023 Staffing

Admin

• Tundra Snape
• Karyn Doust (Thur 12-3pm - Tundra Finance release)

Learning Support Aides

• Bernie Woodhouse
• Pauline East 
• Felicitiy Guinea
• Karyn Doust (Thur 9am-12noon)
  
• Indigenous Education Worker - TBA  (currently advertised)

Teachers

• Kindergarten - Ellie Bailey (Mon-Thurs), Karla Chartres (Fri)
• Stage 1 Carthage - Myree Loane
• Stage 1 MacKillop - Louie McEvoy
• Stage 2 - Riley O'Leary
• Stage 3 - Amanda Bottle
• Specialist (Tue, Wed, Thurs) - Lisa Russell
• Specialist (Thurs) - Karla Chartres
• Support Teacher K-2 - Felicity Guinea

Auxillery

• Grounds - Josef Kaufmann
• Tuckshop - Nicole Boshoff

Leadership

• Principal - Dave Bermingham
• Assistant Principal (Teaching and Learning) - Naomi O'Dwyer
• Leader of Mission - Ellie Bailey
• Leader of Pastoral Care and Student Wellbeing - Greg Flint
• Leader of Sport - Louie McEvoy

Stage 1 2023 Arrangement

Due to Student numbers across K-2 growing in 2023, Stage 1 will comprise of two separate pastoral care groups (classes), to provide the best education possible for the children in these grades. These pastoral care groups will have their own learning areas (classrooms); however, will be in adjoining rooms with flexibility for students to move in and out of both areas, dependent on the subject being taught and the groupings.

The Pastoral care teacher will be a point of contact for the students, parents and some core content will be delivered by the pastoral care teachers to their own class. However, there will be times where the whole Stage 1 cohort will be taught by one teacher or both teachers, similar to the 2022 arrangement.

The 2023 Pastoral Care groups have been developed in consultation with all 2022 K-2 teachers, as well as the leadership team, across a number of weeks and meetings. After many versions and discussions, I am very positive that the groups that have been developed are the best possible groups for each student to strive in the learning environment.

A letter was sent out to stage 1 2023 parents last week outlining this arrangement and the name of your child’s Pastoral Care Teacher (PC Teacher) for 2023. If you havent seen it, please check your childs bag. 

Student Leadership in 2023

Congratulations to the following Student Leaders who were voted in by their peers and staff. We know they will do a wonderful job leading our school in 2023.

School Captains: Seb Ryan & Katie Bartz

School Vice-Captains: Colt Facchino & Aliza Mavay

School Sports Captains: Marley Daniels & Joey Dufty

NSW Back to School Vouchers

St John's is now a registered business for back-to-school vouchers. The vouchers can be used towards the cost of school supplies from 1 January 2023 to 30 June 2023 (parents can apply for vouchers as of December 2022).
Eligibility for NSW Back to School vouchers

You can apply for the vouchers if you're a caregiver of a student, who is:

• A NSW resident enrolled to attend school in 2023 (from kindergarten to year 12), including students who are:home-schooled
• Enrolled in year 10 or year 12 equivalent qualifications at TAFE NSW. Students can apply on their own behalf if they meet the eligibility criteria and have their own Medicare card.

To redeem your voucher for your kids school year in 2023, click here

Kind Regards, 

Dave Bermingham

AROUND THE STAGES -

SCHOOL INFORMATION

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU"

Our birthday people

Charleen 

Happy birthday to those who will celebrate during the summer holidays

Sybella, Aliza, Joseph & Mia

Piano Lessons

Piano lessons will start again in 2023  at St John’s, during school hours and after school.
Enquiries please call Daniel Holland 0401 071 667