Term 1, Week 4, 22 February 2024
Principal Message
Dear St John's Community,
We have had a fantastic couple of weeks at St John's. A highlight was the school swimming carnival which was organised by our Leader of Sport - Miss McEvoy who did a magnificent job running the day. We weren’t blessed with the most ideal conditions, but there were minimal hiccups or disruptions and the kids had a great day.
Over the next few weeks, we have parent-teacher interviews (week 5) and NAPLAN testing for years 3 & 5 (starting week 7).
We will also be having our first Parent Forum Meeting of 2024 with a date TBA, so please keep your eye out for this communication, as it would be great to have more parents supporting the school through this channel, especially this year, which is a Fete year.
Upcoming Dates
Please view the upcoming dates in this newsletter's left-hand column or via the calendar HERE on the school website, which is also synchronised with the Parent Compass Calendar.
Positive Behaviour 4 Learning
As mentioned in the previous newsletter, we are on a very exciting journey towards a Positive Behaviour 4 Learning approach to school behaviour management. We thank the amazing PB4L team for their dedication and for leading us in this initiative. Our HIKE Matrix (Explicit Behaviour Expectations) is starting to become embedded and there are a few new initiatives that have been developed to support this positive approach:
HIKE Award - Each class will award one student the HIKE Award each week at assembly. This is in recognition of someone who has been following the HIKE Behaviour Matrix or has shown improvement in following the HIKE Behaviour Matrix during the week.
HIKE Tickets - Any staff member or visiting relief staff can hand out a HIKE ticket to any student showing the expected behaviours that are in a particular area of the HIKE Behaviour Matrix. This gives instant and positive feedback to the student. Any student who receives a H, I, K or E ticket is to write their name on the back and place it in the appropriate box in their classroom or the office. Tickets will be compiled before assembly and one random ticket from each area of H, I, K or E box will be picked.
Students whose tickets are randomly drawn receive a sticker (Below) and a free ice block from the canteen on a Friday.
HIKE Sticker - awarded to each student whose name is drawn out of the HIKE ticket boxes at assembly each week.
Class Parent Representatives
We are searching for some Class Parent Representatives for Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3.
Being a Class Parent Representative (CPR) is a wonderful opportunity to be a part of your child’s education and the St John’s School community. As a Class Rep, you are a valued member of our school community, and your time and commitment are very much appreciated.
The purpose of the CPR is to help foster good communication in the school and to assist in the development of the school community. It provides another means of uniting the school community and enhances the quality of relationships within the school between teachers, parents, and children.
Each class from Kindergarten to Year 6 will have at least one CPR. The function of the CPR is not formally structured and is not meant to be an arduous task.
Time commitment
CPR's do not have to carry the entire load. Their role is to encourage all parents to get involved.
The Role
CPR's encourage awareness, participation and build a sense of community among their child’s class and year level.
The role can include:
Welcoming new families into the class at the start of the year and through the year
Liaise with the teacher to assist with communication, coordinate parent helpers, collect resources for class projects/crafts, etc.
Organising social class get-togethers so that parents and children can meet in an informal setting. E.g. plays at the Park, drinks or dinners at a local Hotel, bottle and plate night, parent morning/coffee and cake, etc.
Recruiting support and assistance for other community activities within the school, eg Reading, Sports day, Gardening, Library, Fundraising events, etc
Organising class parents to run one event per year.
Encouraging parents to read the school and class newsletters and visit the website to read the parent handbook for current information.
Be supportive of school staff and our whole school vision
Include all parents when possible in the life of the class
Acknowledge and support class community e.g. teacher birthday, casseroles for families in need. etc.
How do I become a Class Rep?
You can nominate to become a Class Rep by providing your name, contact email, and class to the school email sjpmull@lism.catholic.edu.au.
It would be great to have these little positions filled ASAP.
Kind Regards,
Dave Bermingham
Teaching & Learning @ St John's
COMPASS BOOKINGS NOW OPEN 2024 Term 1 Three Way Conferences
On Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th February, staff will make themselves available for a three-way conference with you AND your child. The primary purpose of the Term 1 conference is to discuss how your child has settled into the year, talk to you regarding their initial observations and gather information from you, and your child, about what will help them achieve their learning goals. These conferences ensure that clear communication channels are established early in the year and a partnership for learning is established.
Please make a booking for your child's conference. All conferences will be conducted in the hall. If you need to see more than one teacher, please book consecutive timeslots. Timeslots will be 15 mins each. Your child attends the meeting with you.
Celebration of Learning Wall
Each week at assembly different students have their work selected to go on our new “Celebration of Learning Wall”. The wall is growing steadily and we now have selections from across the school. Teachers can select examples of work that meet the success criteria or learning goal; show creativity or initiative or highlight a student who is striving for the ‘peak’ through perseverance and effort. Sometimes students can nominate a work sample that they are proud of or an impressive effort from a peer. Please take a look at the wall at our next asessmbly if you are free. Thanks to all the parents who joined us for our meet and greet last week.
Mission @ St John's
Ash Wednesday and Lent This year, the Season of Lent begins on Wednesday 14th of February. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of a season of repentance, fasting and awaiting Christ's Resurrection. It is a solemn reminder of our need for reconciliation with God.
On Ash Wednesday in Week 3 we joined together as a school community to mark the beginning of Lent with a Liturgy. Thank you to Miss O’Leary, Ms Charters and Stage 2 for leading a beautiful Liturgy.
Project Compassion Lent also marks the beginning of Project Compassion. The theme for Project Compassion this year is ‘For all Future Generation’. We will be sharing stories and raising much needed donations for Caritas Australia through our support of Project Compassion this year. A Project Compassion box is on each class prayer space during Lent for any families who wish to make donations over the coming weeks.
Shrove Tuesday The first fundraising event for the year began with Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Tuesday). A big thank you to those families who donated pancake mix and who also bought pancakes on the day. We raised $99.60.
First Reconciliation The Sacrament of Reconciliation is open to students in Year 4 and above and have completed the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Please note the following dates in preparation for the Sacrament
Twilight Session 1- Tuesday 27th of February 5:00 pm Twilight Session 2- Tuesday 5th of March 5:00 pm Twilight Session 3- Tuesday 12th of March 5:00 pm Twilight Session 4- Tuesday 19th of March 5:00 pm Sacrament- Sunday 24th of March, 8 am (After Mass)
Shrove Tuesday
Ash Wednesday Liturgy
SPORT NEWS
Tweed Zone Swimming Carnival 
Our students who attended the Tweed Zone Swimming Carnival today in Murwillumbah represented St John’s with pride. They cheered on and encouraged each other and gave 100% effort in the races. Congratulations to all! 
Well done to Nahla who came third in backstroke. She will be representing the Tweed Zone at the Diocesan Carnival in March 
Zone Swiming
SCHOOL INFORMATION
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU"
Our Birthday people:-
Tiana, Ryder, Dylan, Dorothea, Louis & Jet
Road Safety
As children return to school, it is essential to keep safety in mind. Talk with your children about safely getting to and from school.
- Keep children safe getting in and out of the car. Always use the door closest to the kerb.
- Keep children safe by walking distraction-free. Expect your child to take off their headphones while walking.
- Keep children safe getting on and off the bus. Wait at the bus stop and stand at least one step back from the road's edge. Always meet your child at the bus stop. Never meet them on the opposite side of the road and call them across. Wait until the bus has gone before crossing the road.
- Keep children safe while using wheeled transport. Children must wear a helmet when riding a bike in any public place – it is the law. Foot scooter, skateboard and rollerblade riders should wear helmets and protective equipment.
Be a positive role model when you are a pedestrian, passenger and driver. Children learn from what they see, as well as what we say.
Never sacrifice safety for convenience.
Source: https://roadsafety.
COMMUNITY NOTICES
