Term 2, Week 4, 23 May 2024

Principal Message

Dear St John's Community, 

We have had a fantastic couple of weeks at St John's. On Monday, I was lucky enough to join some of our Stage 3 students at a High Potential Learners STEM Day at St Ambrose School in Pottsville. This day, organised by the Technology officers at the Lismore Catholic Schools Office, saw the Catholic Primary Schools from Tweed Heads all the way down to Lennox Head, join together for learning in STEM. Students were introduced to different technologies before they had to use one of the Technologies to plan and solve a problem. It was a great day for our students and staff to be involved in. 

I invite all parents to provide feedback on their experience of our school using an online survey. The surveys are an important part of our whole school evaluation and planning process. It closes at 4:30pm Friday 24th May. 

The Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Partners in Learning survey. As we value the role of parents and carers within our school community we would greatly appreciate your feedback. The information you provide will be used to maintain our commitment to working together in partnership to further improve student learning and wellbeing at St John's.

The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. You can access the parent survey on your computer or mobile device by using the URL below:

http://tellthemfromme.com/mullum2024

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. 

New Anti-Bullying Policy

At the end of 2023, the Lismore Catholic Schools Office released an updated Anti-Bullying policy named Student Anti-Bullying Prevention and Response Procedures. Last Term, staff participated in a Twilight Professional Learning session to find out more. As part of this package, schools were provided with some posters, which I plan to share with the community through our newsletters. 

Kind Regards, 

Dave Bermingham

Week 4 Awards

Teaching & Learning @ St John's

National Simultaneous Story Time

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is an important campaign held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) that aims to encourage more young Australians to read and enjoy books. 

Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country.

The Simultaneous Storytime aims to:

• promote the value of reading and literacy;
• promote the value and fun of books;
• promote an Australian writer and publisher;
• promote storytime activities in public libraries and communities around the country;
• provide opportunities to involve parents, grandparents, the media and others to participate in and enjoy the occasion.

Today at St John’s, many classes participated in this event. I interviewed some S2 students to see how they enjoyed the story. 

Aura Parker is an award-winning illustrator, writer and designer. Her picture books are joyful with a playful sense of humour, brimming with details to explore. Aura Parker’s storytelling though words and pictures inspires imagination, courage and confidence in young readers as well as a love, curiosity and passion for nature.

Story Time at St John's

WELLBEING @ St John's

Is the word ‘bullying’ used too frequently in the modern world?

Understanding bullying helps students and parents distinguish between regular conflicts and actual bullying. 

This helps avoid confusion and ensures that the right help is given when needed. It can also empower you as parents to engage in prevention efforts proactively. By teaching your children about respectful behaviour, empathy, dignity, courage, and inclusion, parents can help prevent bullying from occurring in the first place. Bullying refers to the unwanted, repeated and intentional use of words or actions against a student or a group of students to cause distress and risk to their wellbeing. 

Watch video What is bullying?

 Bullying means behaviour that has three (3) key features: 

1. It involves the intentional misuse of power in a relationship; 
2. It is ongoing and repeated; and 
3. It involves behaviours that can cause harm. A student can acquire power through advantage, such as social status, popularity, an advantage in size and strength, number of allies, age, skill, or membership in a socially defined dominant group, which could be based, for example, on wealth or gender.

Behaviours that do not constitute bullying include: 

1. Mutual arguments and disagreements; 
2. Not liking someone or a single act of social rejection; 
3. A single episode of hurtful words or actions 
4. Isolated incidents of aggression, intimidation and/or violence Indirect bullying (also known as covert bullying) is not always immediately observable and acknowledged as bullying. Indirect bullying can be discreet and anonymous, and the person experiencing the bullying behaviour may not realise it until after it has occurred. 

Examples of indirect bullying include: 

• Spreading rumours: Sharing false or harmful information about someone to tarnish their reputation.

  Gossiping: Engaging in negative discussions about a person without their knowledge. 

• Social manipulation: Encouraging others to exclude or reject a person from social groups. 
• Cyberbullying: Using digital platforms to harass, intimidate, or spread harmful content about a person. 
• Stealing: Discreetly and repeatedly stealing personal belongings 

When parents understand what bullying entails, they can effectively communicate with their child about their experiences at school, in the community and online. By using the correct terminology and understanding the dynamics of bullying, parents can encourage open dialogue and provide the necessary support. Watch Bullying and Conflict with your child.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Best regards, Greg

Mission @ St John's

School Song 

As part of our Annual School Improvement Process, a 2024 action is to develop a school song. We have employed Andrew Chin who is a classroom teacher turned full time ministry music composer. He has released 12 albums, 5 DVDs and 6 picture books, which are used widely by teachers and catechists in the faith development of children. Students and Staff will work with Andrew via Zoom on Wednesday the 12th of June to develop a school song. If you would like to have some input into our school song please use the link to fill in the Google form. 

https://forms.gle/XMoaSY7NAGhNeKkY8 

Mother's Day 

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to all the mothers, grandmothers and motherly figures who joined us for the Mother's Day celebrations. Your presence made the day truly special, and we are grateful for the love and warmth you brought to the event. It was a joy to see the smiles and hear the laughter as we came together to honor the incredible women in our lives.

A special thank you goes out to Mrs. Gruft and the Kindergarten students or their exceptional leadership and organisation of the Mother's Day liturgy. Your dedication and hard work ensured that the morning was a beautiful and memorable occasion for everyone involved. The thoughtful touches and heartfelt tributes were a testament to the care and commitment you bring to our community.

Thank you once again to all who participated and made this Mother's Day celebration a wonderful success. We look forward to creating more cherished memories together in the future.

Mother's Day at St John's

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Sacrament of Confirmation 

This Term, Students who are in year 3 or older students, will prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Please see below the important and compulsory dates. 

Twilight Session 3- Tuesday 28th of May 5:00 pm 

Twilight Session 4-  Tuesday 4th of June 5:00 pm 

Sacrament-  Thursday 6th of June 2024 5:00 pm 

Our Lady Help of Christians Feast Day                                                                                            On Friday, May 24th it is the Feast Day of Our Lady Help of Christians. This special day is dedicated to honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of "Help of Christians," a devotion with deep roots in Christian history and a profound impact on the faith lives of countless believers. Mary Help of Christians is the Patroness of Australia. 

On this feast day, we are called to reflect on Mary's maternal care and her powerful intercession for the Church and all Christians. It's a wonderful opportunity to deepen our own devotion and to teach our children about the important role that Mary plays in our spiritual lives.

Here are a few ways you and your family can celebrate this special day:

1. Attend Mass: Participating in the Eucharistic celebration is a beautiful way to honour Our Lady Help of Christians.
2. Family Prayer Time: Consider praying the Rosary together as a family, specifically invoking Mary’s help and protection.
3. Learn and Share: Take some time to read about the history and significance of this feast day. Sharing stories and traditions can enrich your family's faith journey.
4. Acts of Charity: In the spirit of Mary’s loving care for all, engage in acts of kindness and charity. Helping those in need is a practical way to emulate Mary's help and compassion.

May this feast day bring you and your family closer to Mary and, through her, to Jesus. Let us all seek her intercession with renewed faith and trust in her maternal care.

ENGAGEMENT @ St John's

Mathematics Extension Groups 

We are excited to announce that our Stage 2 and Stage 3 students will be participating in the prestigious Investigating Mathematics Competition organised by the Mathematical Association NSW Inc. This event is an excellent opportunity for our young mathematicians to showcase their problem-solving skills and creativity in a competitive yet supportive environment.

The Investigating Mathematics Competition is designed to challenge students and inspire a deeper interest in mathematics through engaging and thought-provoking problems. It encourages critical thinking, teamwork, and the application of mathematical concepts to real-world situations. Our students will compete against peers from other schools, gaining valuable experience and confidence along the way.

Students are currently in the planning and beginning investigating stage of their inquiry. They have been brainstorming, collecting data and writing letters to key stakeholders. 

We are incredibly proud of our students' enthusiasm and dedication. Participation in such events not only highlights their academic abilities but also encourages personal growth and teamwork. We look forward to seeing our students excel and make the most of this enriching experience.

Thank you for your continuous support in nurturing our young learners' talents. We will keep you updated on their progress and achievements in the competition.

Mathematics extension Groups

Let’s Hang it! 

We are thrilled to announce that our talented Stage 3 students have made a remarkable entry into the prestigious UNESAP "Let's Hang It!" competition. This annual event, organized by the University of New England Schools Acquisitive Art Prize (UNESAP), celebrates young artistic talent across Australia.

Our students put in countless hours of creativity and hard work to produce stunning artworks that reflect their unique perspectives and artistic skills. Each piece submitted showcased not only their technical abilities but also their imaginative flair and dedication to their craft.

The "Let's Hang It!" competition provides a fantastic platform for young artists to gain recognition and confidence in their artistic endeavours. By participating, our Stage 3  students have had the opportunity to share their artwork with a broader audience, receive valuable feedback, and potentially see their work displayed in a professional setting.

We are incredibly proud of all the students who participated and commend them for their enthusiasm and commitment. Their participation in such a reputable competition is a testament to their talent and the high-quality art education provided at our school.

We wish our budding artists Finn, Nahla, Sybella, Mia, Alana, Evan and Ella the best of luck in the competition and look forward to celebrating their achievements. Keep an eye out for updates on their progress and, hopefully, some exciting news about their successes!

Let'sHang It Artworks

Premier Reading Challenge 

This year we are involved in the Premiers Reading Challenge. The Challenge aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely. The Premier's Reading Challenge (PRC) is open to all NSW students in Kindergarten to Year 10, in government, independent, Catholic and home schools. 

 How many books do students need to read?

Students in Kindergarten to Year 2 are challenged to read or experience 30 books. 20 of these books must be from the relevant Challenge booklists, and up to 10 books can be personal choice books. Books can be read with a parent, carer, teacher or another student.

Students in Year 3 to Year 10 are challenged to read 20 books independently. At least 10 of these books must be from the relevant Challenge booklists, and up to 10 books can be personal choice books.

If a book is from an approved PRC series, students can enter up to 5 books as Challenge books, and can read up to 10 other books from the same series as Personal Choice books. More information on the rules of the Challenge can be found on the PRC website.

Books must be added to a student’s online reading record by Friday 23 August 2024 in order for their reading record to be validated and receive a certificate.

All students have been set up with a username and password. If you have not received it yet and your child would like to enter the challenge please contact courtney.wells@lism.catholic.edu.au

SPORTS

ZONE CROSS COUNTRY                                                                                                                                                          On Friday the 10th of May, Miss McEvoy, Miss Quinn and Mrs Andrews took 22 St John's students to Murwillumbah to compete in the Tweed Zone Cross Country Carnival. 
Our St. John's Primary School team showcased not only their athletic abilities but also their sportsmanship and school spirit. The children cheered on one another, represented the school with pride and HIKE-d the whole day. The weather was perfect for running, with a cool breeze and clear skies providing an ideal backdrop for the day's events (as well as a little mud to keep things interesting)!
Congratulations to all of the students who attend the Zone Carnival!

A special mention goes out to Savannah Browning who participated in the Diosecan Carnival on Thursday in Grafton representing the Tweed Zone. Well done, Savannah!

Tweed Zone Cross Country

SCHOOL INFORMATION

SCHOOL PHOTO DAY - Monday 27 May 2024

Please make sure your child is in full school uniform.

Group and portrait photographs can be purchased by following the link below or by returning the order envelope with your payment to our photographer on school photo day.

2 easy ways to purchase:

1. Visa, MasterCard or PayPal
2. Cash – complete the envelope supplied and return it to our photographer on photo day

Or visit: www.advancedlife.com.au
And enter online order code: M18 RFW CN1

School photography information:

• Online orders - do not require an envelope returned to your school
• Sibling Photos - Don’t forget to pre-order your sibling photos online up to 24 hours before photo day. We provide your school with a list of sibling orders right up to the day of photography, so no one misses out. If you miss the online order deadline, you can submit a completed sibling order envelope first thing in the morning of the day of photography, so your school is aware you want the photo taken and can bring your children together in time for it. Sibling photographs only apply to children enrolled at your school. Please note not all schools offer sibling photos
• Late fees - a late fee will be applied to each package purchased after photo day due to the additional cost of producing these packages separately
• Package delivery - School photographs will be returned approximately 6 weeks after the day of photography. Please note this delivery timeframe is dependent on proofing and additional photography days at your school.
• Previous Years’ photos - Past years’ photographs including sports, co-curricular and representative groups are also available to order under the “previous years or group photo” tabs at your school’s advancedorder site when you click on the “Order School Photos Here” button above. You can also order past packages, portrait images and gifts from your child’s unique, individual and secure advancedyou image archive site using the unique 9 digit image code found on packages you have ordered in the past

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU"

Our Birthday people:-  

Penny,  Nhyri & Josie 

COMMUNITY NOTICES