Term 4, Week 10, 18 December 2024

Principal's Message

As we begin to look ahead to the new school year, I am delighted to share the below news and staff allocations for 2025. We are blessed with a dedicated and talented team, and I’m confident these placements will strengthen our school community and support our students' learning journeys.

We are thrilled to announce that some of our valued team members will be transitioning to permanent roles in 2025.

Congratulations to Felicity Gruft and Riley O'Leary, who will take on full-time permanent positions, as well as Karla Chartres (two days a week) and Chloe Quinn (one day a week). We also celebrate Sarah Newson and Karyn Doust on their well-deserved permanent roles.

This milestone reflects their dedication and contributions to our school community. We are grateful for the passion, expertise, and care they bring to our students and families every day.

Please join us in congratulating Felicity, Riley, Karla, Chloe, Karyn & Sarah on this exciting next chapter in their journey with us!

Congratulations to Chloe Quinn, who has been seconded to St Joseph's, South Murwillumbah in a full-time classroom teaching position for Term 1 and Term 2 of 2025. We are so proud of Chloe for this exciting opportunity and know she will bring her passion and expertise to her new role.

A heartfelt thank you to Karla Chartres for her flexibility in taking on a specialist role during this time. Karla will be stepping in to teach CAPA for Term 1 and Term 2 in place of Chloe's PE. 

We also extend our sincere thanks to Chris Hosie for his dedicated work this year. Chris has been a valuable part of our team, and we appreciate his contributions to our school community. At this stage, Chris will be returning to St Francis Xavier Primary in Ballina for 2025. We wish him all the best and hope to see him again in the future.

I also want to take a moment to acknowledge and thank Molly Philips for stepping into the Support Teacher role, replacing Courtney Hyde’s support teacher time this term. Molly's dedication and care have greatly supported both our students and staff and as Molly moves on to new opportunities in 2025, we wish her all the very best for the future. Her contributions this term have made a meaningful impact, and I know you will join me in expressing our gratitude and well wishes.

I would like to thank the staff for their incredible dedication and support throughout this year. Their hard work and commitment are what make St John's a vibrant and caring learning environment for all students.

2025 Staffing

School Leaders

• Principal: Dave Bermingham
• Leader of Learning: Naomi O'Dwyer
• Leader of Mission: Ellie Bailey
• Leader of Pastoral Care (3 days/week): Greg Flint
• Leader of Sport: Laura McEvoy

Teaching Staff

• Kindergarten Teacher: Myree Loane
• Stage 1 Teacher: Felicity Gruft
• Stage 2 Teachers: Ellie Bailey (Monday-Thursday) and Riley O'Leary (Friday)
• Stage 3 Teacher: Laura McEvoy
• Specialist Teachers:
• Karla Chartres: Specialist Teacher CAPA (1 day/week for semester one)
• Riley O'Leary: Specialist Teacher STEM (2 days/week)
• Chloe Quinn: Specialist Teacher PE (1 day/week for semester two)

Support Teachers

• Karla Chartres: Support Teacher (2 days/week)
• Riley O'Leary: Support Teacher (2 days/week)
• Lisa Russell: Literacy Support Teacher (2 days/week)

Support Staff

• Classroom and Learning Support Assistants:
• Bernie Woodhouse (16hrs/week)
• Sarah Newson (18hrs/week)
• Aboriginal Education Worker: Aliya King (20hrs/week)
• Library: Sarah Newson (2hrs/week)
• Administration Assistants:
• Karyn Doust (3hrs/week)
• Tundra Snape
• Student Wellbeing Officer: Anne Nethery (2 days/week)
• School Counsellor: Sasha Kruse (2 days/week)

If you have any questions or concerns about these allocations, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

HOPE | First Sunday of Advent

The Season of Advent begins today - a Catholic tradition that marks the beginning of a new liturgical year and as a faith-filled community we celebrate this four-week period leading up to Christmas, signified each week by the lighting of a candle.

The first purple candle lit today represents Hope - how will you be preparing your heart & home for Christmas this Advent?

Discover ways to pray during this special time: https://bit.ly/3uE3SyQ

Ellie Bailey Leave

Ellie Bailey will be on Long Service Leave for the remainder of Term 4. We wish Ellie all the best during this time and hope she enjoys a well-deserved extended break.

During her leave, we are pleased to welcome Tahnae Andrews, who will be stepping into Ellie's classroom support role. Tahnae is familiar with our context, she brings a lot of enthusiasm, and I am confident she will be a great support to the team and our students.

Please join me in thanking Ellie for her significant contributions this year and extending a warm welcome to Tahnae as she transitions into this role for the remainder of term 4.

Awards

Awards week 9

LEARNING

WELL BEING @ ST JOHN'S

What do we Celebrate at St John’s?

At the end of each year we give some awards out at the end of year mass. The awards are intended to reflect what we hold dear and value at our school. That’s why we have the growth awards; one child from each class is chosen by the class teacher on account of the effort they have put ito class life and learning over the year, and the growth that has come (no matter where they started the journey or where they finished) as a result of that consistently strong effort.

In effect we are celebrating effort and growth over and above simply celebrating the highest achievers we are intentionally sending a strong message that effort is highly valued at St John’s. The ‘growth mindset’ guru Carol Dweck’s research tells us that mindset is crucial. If we have a growth mindset and can put in effort no matter how challenbging the learning journey we will make progress. 

So we congratulate this years’ ‘Growth Award’ recipients;

Kindy - Archie Egglington

Year 1 - Dorthea Ambrose

Year 2 - Harry Kenny

Year 3 - Cynthia Warren

Year 4 - Georgia Harrington 

Year 5 - Samara Lyons

Year 6 - Alana Underwood

I also like to congratulate Mia Andrews the recipient of the 2024 St John’s Award. This prize is awarded to the student in Year 6 who best demonstrates the values of the school through their words and actions as a leader over the course of the year.

This year we also had two exciting, brand new awards. The Aunty Doreen Flanders Deadly award for Indigenous leadership shown by an Indigenous student. This prize was awarded to Phoenix Turner Mann.

As well as the Aunty Doreen Flanders Deadly award for a non-indigenous student who demonstrated through their words and actions strong, positive leadership in all things relating to Indigenous cultural learning. This award was presented to Chase Eckert.

In summation I’d like to thank all of the children for their efforts across the year, the parent community for your support of our many and varied endeavours here at school and last but not least the staff who work tirelessly to make the school what it is: a belonging place where learning and wellbeing outcomes intermingle and children can be… and become their very best version of themselves.

I wish you all a peaceful and happy Christmas filled with blessings and safe and restful Summer holiday.

Kind regards, Greg

MISSION

Mission News | Sing On Our School Song - “St. John’s Family”

We’re excited to share that Andrew Chinn has been collaborating with St. John’s Catholic Primary School, Mullumbimby, to create our very own school song: St. John’s Family!

While parents and guardians of students who have expressed their interest in contributing their vocals have already been contacted, everyone is welcome to be part of this wonderful opportunity to leave a lasting mark on our school.

If your child would like to participate, please follow the instructions provided here: https://sites.google.com/lism.catholic.edu.au/st-johns-family-song/home
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask.

Kind regards,

Chris Hosie                                                                                                                                                                                                      Acting Leader of Mission

Thank You and Farewell 

As the term draws to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to share my heartfelt gratitude with the entire St. John’s community as I conclude my time as Acting Leader of Learning and Acting Leader of Mission and Engagement 3-6.

It has been a privilege to serve in these roles and I feel truly blessed to have worked alongside such a dedicated staff, engaged students and supportive families. The collaboration, passion and commitment I have witnessed in this community have been both inspiring and rewarding.

To the staff, thank you for your hard work, professionalism and shared vision for delivering excellence in teaching and learning. Your care for each student and the way you live out the mission of St. John’s each day has been truly inspiring.

To the students, you are the heart of this school. Thank you for your enthusiasm, curiosity and joy for learning. Watching you grow and thrive has been one of the greatest rewards of my time here.

To our families, thank you for your trust, support and the partnership you bring to this community. Your involvement plays a key role in the success of your children and the school as a whole.

While I now step away from St. John’s, I leave with many cherished memories and a deep sense of gratitude for all I have learned and experienced. It has been an honour to serve this community and I look forward to seeing St. John’s continue to flourish in its mission of learning, faith and community.

Thank you for your kindness, encouragement and support.

With gratitude,

Chris Hosie                                                                                                                                                                                                      Acting Leader of Learning                                                                                                                                                                                     Acting Leader of Mission and Engagement 3-6

SCHOOL INFORMATION

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU"

Our Birthday people:-  

People who will celebrate during the Summer Holidays 

Sybella, Theo, Oki & Joseph

COMMUNITY NOTICES