Term 3, Week 4, August 15, 2024
Principal Message
Dear St John's Community,
As we progress through Week 4 of Term 3, I am thrilled to see the continuous growth and enthusiasm among our students. The energy in our classrooms is palpable, and it is clear that our students are embracing the HIKE learning behaviours with great dedication.
This term, we’ve seen outstanding examples of our students embodying our core HIKE behaviours—Have Respect, Inspiring Others, Keep Safe, and Effort Always. These behaviours are not just words on a page but actions that our students demonstrate daily. Whether it’s through showing kindness to a peer, taking on a leadership role in group activities, or consistently giving their best effort in every task, our students are truly shining.
I would also like to highlight the progress our students are making with the Learning Progression Framework. This framework is designed to help our students assess their own learning journey, celebrate their successes, and identify areas for growth. Of course, learning is not always a straight path, and sometimes our students experience a slip or a trip. These moments are opportunities for reflection and growth, and I am proud of how our students are using these experiences to further develop their resilience and determination.
I would also like to extend a warm thank you to all the parents and community members who continue to support our school. Whether you’re volunteering, attending events, or simply offering encouragement, your involvement is greatly appreciated and makes a significant difference in our school’s vibrant community.
Looking ahead, we have several exciting events planned for the remainder of the term. Please keep an eye on the school calendar for details, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need further information.
Thank you for your continued support and for being such an integral part of our St John’s family. Together, we are fostering a community where every student is encouraged to grow, learn, and thrive.
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.
Student Behaviour Support @ St John's
I invite all parents to please read the St John's updated behaviour support plan - link below.
Student Behaviour Support Plan
This plan outlines our behaviour interventions which are data-informed. Targeted evidence-based interventions play a key role in supporting students at risk of academic and social problems and may prevent the need for more intensive interventions. These students consistently have trouble with low-level but disruptive behaviours that interfere with instruction and hinder student learning.
Targeted inventions should be timely and responsive and use similar strategies and social curriculum across a group of students. Students are identified proactively, using academic, behaviour and attendance data accompanied by teacher nomination or through a screening process.
Our targeted supports have systems in place to monitor student progress, make modifications, and gradually decrease support as student behaviour and engagement improves. The evidence-based targeted supports currently available for students in the school include: The Behaviour Education Program (BEP) (Check in- Check out). This evidence-based Tier 2 support builds on the school-wide expectations by providing students with frequent feedback and reinforcement from their teacher/s, a respected facilitator, and the student’s parents for demonstrating appropriate behaviour and academic engagement. The goal is to move the student to self-management.
If your child is identified as requiring this support, you will be asked to meet with the classroom teacher (with your child included in the meeting) and discuss the Behaviour Education Program (BEP).
St John's Spring Fair
As you are aware the St John's Spring Fair is just around the corner! Mark your calendars for Friday, 27th September, as we prepare for a evening filled with fun, laughter, and community spirit.
The Spring Fair will be one of the highlights of our school year, bringing together students, families, and staff for an afternoon of celebration and fundraising. This event plays a crucial role in supporting various school initiatives, providing valuable resources and experiences for our children.
How You Can Help:
- Volunteer Your Time: We need volunteers to help with setting up stalls, supervising activities, and tidying up after the event. Even a couple of hours of your time can make a huge difference. Our classroom teachers and classroom parent reps will be setting up a timetable.
- Donate Items: We are seeking donations for our various stalls, including baked goods, auction and raffle prizes. If you have any items to contribute, please drop them off at the school office by Friday, 13th September. We also have a letter that can be taken to local businesses asking for donations.
- Spread the Word: The more, the merrier! Please invite your family, friends, and neighbours to join us on the day. Let’s make this year’s Spring Fair the best one yet! We also have some corflute signs that need to be hung on fences in the local area. If you can help, please let me know.
Your support is vital in ensuring the success of the Spring Fair. Together, we can create a memorable day for our children while raising important funds for our school.
Thank you in advance for your generosity and involvement. We look forward to seeing you there!
Kind Regards,
Dave Bermingham
Week 3 Awards
Week 4 Awards & Hikers
Teaching & Learning @ St John's
Celebrating 100 Days of Kindergarten We are thrilled to share an exciting milestone with you—our Kindergarten students reached their 100th day of school on Wednesday! This is a significant achievement, and we couldn’t be prouder of how much your children have grown, learned, and accomplished in these first 100 days.
What Makes the 100th Day Special? The 100th day of Kindergarten is more than just a number on the calendar; it’s a celebration of your children's journey since the first day of school. In these 100 days, they have learned to adapt to new routines, make new friends, explore new concepts, and build the foundation for a lifelong love of learning. This day also serves as a reminder of how much progress each child has made in their reading, writing, maths, and social skills.
How We Celebrated To mark this special occasion, Mrs Gruft organised a variety of fun and educational activities centred around the number 100. The children participated in counting tasks, created art projects with 100 items, made fairy bread with hundreds of sprinkles, wrote about what it would be like to be 100 and some dressed up as if they were 100 years old! Many teachers also dressed up and Mr Bermingham and Mrs G seemed to age significantly overnight. In the afternoon, we had a visit from a local centenarian, Mrs Gordon who visited the classroom so the students could interview her about what it’s like to be 100! Check out the photos and videos of our staff and students.
The Importance of Your Support We also want to take a moment to acknowledge you, the parents and caregivers, for your continued support throughout these 100 days. Your involvement in your child’s education—whether through helping with home reading, attending school events, or simply encouraging your child to do their best—has been invaluable. Together, we’ve created a nurturing environment where each child feels safe, supported, and motivated to learn.
Looking Ahead As we move beyond the 100th day, we are excited to see what the rest of the school year holds. We will continue to focus on fostering your child’s curiosity, creativity, and confidence as they prepare for the next steps in their educational journey. There’s so much more to explore, learn, and achieve, and we are grateful to have you with us every step of the way.
Thank you for being a part of this special milestone. Here’s to the next 100 days and beyond!
WELLBEING @ St John's
The school pastoral care and wellbeing committee have created a PARENT HUB of helpful resources for parents. To access this, please click below
PARENT RESOURCE HUB
NAIDOC Week 2024
Keep the fire burning: Blak, Loud and Proud
Last week we celebrated Indigenous Culture with NAIDOC Week at St John’s!\
Celebrations commenced with an opening ceremony started by Ella Browning with a heartfelt and moving Acknowledgement of Country! During her acknowledgment, Ella spoke of her pride in and the strength she gained from the powerful cultural heritage passed onto her from her Father and Grandfather.
The ceremony continued with a Yabu Bula dance performed by the St John’s Koorie kids and a member of their friendship group. Students, staff, and parents enjoyed this beautifully performed dance. It was great to see Koorie students sharing the culture and teaching their peers who then performed with them.
Credit must be given to Aliya King our wonderful Aboriginal Education Assistant (AEA) who taught the children the dance and prepared all the NAIDOC week activities for the children and the staff. Other NAIDOC activities included a stunning mural masterminded by Aliya, added to by every student in the school (photos coming soon), artwork: K - rain sticks, ST 1 - Animal Stand, ST 2 - Keyrings, ST 3 - Rock painting, and stories in classrooms. Plus a fun dance for everyone to learn. See link here if you’d like to have a try at home. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-MucVWo-Pw
The theme for this years’ NAIDOC is outlined below on the NAIDOC website:
This year's theme celebrates the unyielding spirit of our communities and invites all to stand in solidarity, amplifying the voices that have long been silenced.
The fire represents the enduring strength and vitality of Indigenous cultures, passed down through generations despite the challenges faced. It is a symbol of connection to the land, to each other, and to the rich tapestry of traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. As we honour this flame, we kindle the sparks of pride and unity, igniting a renewed commitment to acknowledging, preserving, and sharing the cultural heritage that enriches our nation.
"Blak, Loud and Proud" encapsulates the unapologetic celebration of Indigenous identity, empowering us to stand tall in our heritage and assert our place in the modern world. This theme calls for a reclamation of narratives, an amplification of voices, and an unwavering commitment to justice and equality. It invites all Australians to listen, learn, and engage in meaningful dialogue, fostering a society where the wisdom and contributions of Indigenous peoples are fully valued and respected.
Through our collective efforts, we can forge a future where the stories, traditions, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are cherished and celebrated, enriching the fabric of the nation with the oldest living culture in the world.
Best regards,
Greg Flint
Naidoc Week
Mission
Sacrament of First Holy Communion
Students who have already received the Sacrament of Confirmation and First Reconciliation can receive the Sacrament of First Holy Communion this term. Please see below for important dates.
Twilight Session 1- Tuesday 20th of August 5:00 pm
Twilight Session 2- Tuesday 27th of August 5:00 pm
Twilight Session 3- Tuesday 3rd of September 5:00 pm
Twilight Session 4- Tuesday 10th of September 5:00 pm
Sacrament: 15th of Spetember 8am
Celebration of the Feast of Mary of the Cross MacKillop
We are delighted to inform you about our upcoming celebration of the Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop on August 22nd. This day holds special significance for us as a Josephite school, honoring the legacy of St Mary MacKillop and the Sisters of St Joseph, who were instrumental in founding our beloved school.
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia's first canonised saint, dedicated her life to the service of others, particularly in the field of education. Her unwavering commitment to providing quality education for all, regardless of their circumstances, continues to inspire our school community today.
Our celebration will include various formation activities centred around the life and virtues of Mary MacKillop. These activities will provide our students with a deeper understanding of her profound impact on education and her enduring legacy.
In addition to the formation activities, we are thrilled to present a special production of the "Young Mary" play. This performance will bring to life the early years of Mary MacKillop, highlighting her journey and the challenges she overcame to establish the Sisters of St Joseph.
The day's festivities will culminate in a liturgy in the afternoon, where we will come together as a community to honour and give thanks for the remarkable contributions of St Mary MacKillop and the Sisters of St Joseph.
We warmly invite all parents and guardians to join us in this celebration. Your presence and support will greatly enrich the experience for our students and reinforce the values that St Mary MacKillop exemplified.
Thank you for your continued partnership in nurturing the spiritual and educational growth of our children.
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Today (15th of August) we celebrated the Feast of Mary's Assumption into heaven. It is a Holy Days of Obligation for Catholics in the Australia. The assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven has long been held as an important Catholic belief. The belief was not defined as dogma, however, until 1950 by Pope Pius XII. The dogma teaches that Mary, who was without sin, was taken, body and soul, into the glory of heaven.
The Gospel for this holy day recalls Mary's actions after the announcement of Jesus' birth by the Angel Gabriel. Mary goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth who is also with child. Elizabeth greets Mary with full recognition of the roles they and their unborn children will play in God's plan for salvation. Mary responds to Elizabeth's greeting with her song of praise, the Magnificat. Both women recall and echo God's history of showing favor upon the people of Israel. Mary's Magnificat, in particular, echoes the song of praise offered by Hannah, the mother of Samuel.
The Gospel for this day reminds us that Mary's Assumption into heaven is best understood with regard for the full spectrum of Catholic beliefs about the person of Christ and the person of Mary. Only Mary, who was born without stain of original sin—the Immaculate Conception—could give birth to Christ, who is fully God and fully human. This is called the Immaculate Conception. Because of Mary's role in God's plan of salvation, she does not suffer from the effects of sin, which are death and decay. Mary is the first to receive the fullness of the redemption that her son has won for all of humanity. The Church, therefore, recognizes Mary as the sign of the salvation promised to all.
Today's Gospel highlights Mary's faith. Mary's faith enabled her to recognize the work of God in her people's history and in her own life. Her openness to God allowed God to work through her so that salvation might come to all. Mary is a model and symbol of the Church. May we be like Mary, open and cooperative in God's plan of salvation.
Liturgy for the Assumption of Mary
SPORT
On August 2nd, students from St. John’s Primary School in Mullumbimby showcased their athletic skills at the Tweed Zone Athletics Carnival held at Cudgen. The event saw our talented young athletes competing across various track events, long jump, and shot put, demonstrating both skill and sportsmanship.
Among the standout performances, special congratulations go to Alariah and Savannah Browning, who not only excelled in their events but also earned their place at the upcoming Diocesan Carnival. Their dedication and hard work are truly commendable, and we wish them the best of luck as they advance to this next exciting stage of competition.
A big thank you to all the students who represented St. John’s with such enthusiasm and determination. Your efforts and sportsmanship make us proud! A special thank you to the parents who spectated, assisted and encouraged our students on the day.
Laura McEvoy
Leader of Sport
SCHOOL INFORMATION
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU"
Our Birthday people:-
Ainslie & Anne
BOOK FAIR -
We are holding our annual Book Fair from the 19th - 23rd August.
Activities throughout the week have been planned. The students will get to their complete their wish list this week. Students can then purchase books at lunch time or parents are welcome to come in on the Monday after assembly and Friday after the parade and picnic. Other times please talk to Tundra or Sarah to arrange a visit.
Looking forward to the book parade ( 9.00am) and picnic (1.20pm) on Friday 23rd. Children are welcome to come as a character from a book.
Please bring gold coin donation to support Story Dogs visiting our school.
Please see flyers below
Parents, grandparents and friends all welcome. (Don't forget your picnic blanket)
Head Lice (Nits)
Head lice are most common among primary school-aged children. They cannot fly, jump or swim and are spread by direct contact with the hair of the infested individual. A head lice infestation is not the result of dirty hair or poor hygiene and it can affect all types of hair regardless of its condition or length. Head lice are rarely transferred through clothing, hats, furniture or bedding. Infestations appear to be on the increase, due to factors such as:
- resistance to the common chemicals used in head lice products
- inappropriate use of the treatments
- changing social and school practices.
Head lice infestation is a common problem throughout the world in all socioeconomic groups. Considerable myth and misinformation surrounds head lice and their management. Studies have shown that around one in four primary school-aged children in Australia have head lice.
NSW Health does not recommend excluding children with head lice from school due to the following reasons:
- Head lice are not known to transmit diseases.
- Exclusion from school or childcare is not an effective way of breaking the cycle of head lice infestations.
- Head lice eradication is most effective if the whole school community works together to treat the infestation.
At St John's we have specific protocols to manage cases of head lice. The response includes the following steps:
Notification: If a student is found to have head lice, the school notifies the parents or guardians. A letter or note is sent home to inform them of the situation and to request that they treat their child's hair accordingly.
Confidentiality: The school maintains confidentiality to avoid stigmatizing the affected student. Names of students with head lice are not disclosed to other parents or students.
Treatment and Prevention: Parents are advised to treat their child's hair with an appropriate head lice treatment. Please see NSW HEALTH HEAD LICE TREATMENT for information on how to best treat head lice.
Re-admittance: Students are allowed to return to school once they have been treated.
Monitoring: We may conduct periodic checks to monitor the situation and ensure that head lice are being effectively managed. This can include visual inspections by school staff. St John's also notifies parents to request that they monitor their child's hair if there has been a positive case in the class.
These measures are designed to manage and prevent the spread of head lice in a manner that minimizes disruption to students' education and maintains their dignity and privacy.
COMMUNITY NOTICES
