Term 1, Week 6, 13 March 2025
Principal's Message
Dear St John's Families,
The last couple of weeks have been a bit challenging, with the impact of Tropical Cyclone Alfred affecting our community. However, even amidst the disruptions, the resilience and spirit of the St John's community has shone brightly.
Last week and continuing into this week, we experienced significant weather events that caused disruptions to our usual routines. We acknowledge the difficulties many families faced, including power outages, road closures, and general uncertainty. We are thankful that our school community has remained safe during this time.
Despite the challenges, learning continued within our classrooms where possible. Stage 2 completed their Lego extravaganza (read the article below!) showcasing their research and creativity despite the disruptions. Our Kindergarten and stage 1 students have shown great flexibility with their learning routines and have adjusted beautifully back into school. It's truly a testament to the dedication of our teachers and students.
The impact of Tropical Cyclone Alfred has also highlighted the strength of our community, with teachers organising wellbeing-based activities to focus on this week to enable a smooth transition back into school for all students. A focus on well-being and reconnecting are crucial in re-establishing a strong sense of community and belonging.
I’d also like to acknowledge the exceptional kindness and support shown by our students towards each other during the disruptions as well as the the outstanding cooperation shown by families with the changes to school routines. It is much appreciated.
Looking ahead to next week we have out 3-way conferences, which are proceeding as scheduled. Please also keep your eye on our Facebook page for more strategies to support your children post-cyclone.
Thank you once again for your understanding and support during this challenging time. Together, we will continue to support each other and rebuild stronger.
Warm regards,
Dave
A Season of Celebration: St. Patrick's and St. Joseph's Days
As March unfolds, we find ourselves amidst a season of vibrant celebrations, marked by the beloved feast days of St. Patrick and St. Joseph. These observances, steeped in rich history and cultural tradition, offer opportunities for reflection, community, and joyful festivities.
St. Patrick's Day: A Global Celebration of Irish Heritage
On March 17th, the world will turn green as we honour St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. What began as a religious feast has evolved into a global celebration of Irish culture, heritage, and spirit.
St. Patrick, a 5th-century missionary, is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. His feast day has become synonymous with parades, traditional music, dancing, and, of course, the wearing of green.
St. Joseph's Day: A Special Significance for Josephite Schools such as St John's
Just a couple of days later, on March 19th, we celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph, the husband of Mary and the earthly father of Jesus. This day holds special significance, particularly in Catholic traditions, Italian communities, and especially for Josephite schools.
St. Joseph is recognized as the patron saint of workers, families, and the universal Church. Crucially, March 19th marks the day in 1866 when St. Mary MacKillop began the order of the Sisters of St. Joseph. This foundational link makes St. Joseph a vital patron for all Josephite schools. The qualities of St. Joseph—his humility, his dedication to family, and his role as a worker—are reflected in the Josephite charism.
A Time for Reflection and Community:
Both St. Patrick's Day and St. Joseph's Day offer opportunities to reflect on the values of faith, family, and community, whilst these celebrations also provide a chance to connect with our shared cultural heritage.
NAPLAN 2025 - looking to Outperform Local Schools again!
On 5th December 2024, we were acknowledged as the top-performing primary school in the Northern Rivers region based on the 2024 NAPLAN results (link to article here dailytelegraph.com.au). According to the recent report, alongside Summerland Christian College, St John's led the region in NAPLAN performance, underscoring its commitment to academic excellence.
In the 2024 assessments, St. John's students excelled in Reading, Writing, Language Conventions, and Numeracy, achieving results above both regional and state averages. Notably, their performance in Writing surpassed that of many local peers, with a significant number of students meeting or exceeding national proficiency standards.
When compared to other Northern Rivers schools, St. John's performance stands out. Summerland Christian College also achieved top-tier results, highlighting the region's educational strengths. However, St. John's consistent excellence positions it as a leader in the local educational landscape.
Beyond academics, we emphasise emotional and social development, integrating mindfulness practices and creative problem-solving activities. This holistic approach ensures students are well-prepared for both academic challenges and personal growth.
As the 2025 NAPLAN assessments approach, we are committed to building on our achievements - we are aiming to maintain our high standards and continue fostering a nurturing learning environment.
Please see the NAPLAN 2025 timetable below.
LEARNING
Stage 2's LEGO Extravaganza: Rides, Retail, and Riveting Designs!
On Tuesday, Stage 2 students embarked on an epic LEGO challenge that pushed their creativity, problem-solving skills, and teamwork to the absolute limit! The mission: to design and build an imaginative theme park, complete with moving parts, a gift shop, a spine-tingling scary ride, and a heart-pounding exciting ride.
The buzz in the classrooms was electric as students brainstormed themes, discussed designs, and collaborated in their cooperative learning teams. The challenge wasn’t just about building; it was about planning, communicating, and working together to bring their ideas to life.
One of the most exciting aspects of the challenge was the inclusion of moving parts. Students explored simple mechanisms, using gears, pulleys, and levers to animate their rides and attractions. Witnessing the intricate details and the ingenious ways they made things move was truly inspiring.
No theme park is complete without a gift shop! Stage 2 students designed and built miniature shops, including a lolly shop! And of course, the rides! The scary rides were a testament to their imaginations, with spooky details and thrilling designs, while the exciting rides showcased speed, height, and adventure.
Learning Through Play:
This LEGO challenge wasn’t just fun; it was a powerful learning experience. Through hands-on building, students developed:
- Problem-solving skills: Figuring out how to make things work and overcome obstacles.
- Creative thinking: Imagining and designing unique attractions and themes.
- Teamwork and communication: Collaborating with peers to achieve a common goal.
- Spatial reasoning: Understanding how to build and arrange objects in three dimensions.
- Engineering skills: Exploring basic mechanics and structural design.
Gallery Walk and Judging Panel:
The final phase was a "gallery walk," where staff and students were invited to admire the impressive theme parks. Students proudly presented their designs, explaining their creative processes and the thinking behind their creations to their peers. This was a fantastic opportunity for them to articulate their ideas and receive feedback.
A distinguished panel of judges, including Mr. Bermingham, Mrs. O, Tundra, Mrs. Bailey, and Mrs. Heyen, carefully evaluated each team's theme park. Each team received a prize under these different categories:
- most creative theme
- best ride
- best moving parts
- most imaginative gift shop
- scariest ride
The Stage 2 LEGO challenge was a resounding success, demonstrating the power of hands-on learning and the incredible potential of our students. It was a testament to the fact that learning can be both educational and incredibly fun!
NAPLAN update (ALL TWEED SCHOOLS)
Given the complexity that many of our schools are facing in being prepared to undertake the assessments and given our limited preparation time, we will commence assessments on Monday 17th March. Please see the Parent Information in the flyer below.
Our school timetable is as follows:
Week 7 | Monday 17/3/25 | Tuesday 18/3/25 | Wednesday 19/3/25 | Thursday 20/3/25 |
Years 3 & 5 in S3 room | NAPLAN Writing | NAPLAN Reading | NAPLAN Conventions of Language | NAPLAN Numeracy |
WELL BEING @ ST JOHN'S
The Calm after the Storm!
It has been so lovely to welcome the children back to school after the Cyclone Alfred episode!
Please be aware that the staff is putting in place a number of wellbeing initiatives this week to assist the children process the disruption and make a smooth transition back to regular routines and learning patterns at school. In fact, the literature tells us that predictable patterns and routines help children manage and refind their equilibrium after adversity.
If you have any concerns about the impact the weather event has had on your child/children please reach out and let the Pastoral Care and Wellbeing team at school know, as we may be able to provide some assistance.
The information below is an example of the support the Catholic Schools Office has provided to schools before, during and after the cyclone.
Best regards, Greg
Mission News
Project Compassion: Supporting Caritas Australia
As we journey through the Lenten season, our school community focuses on raising funds for Caritas Australia's Project Compassion program. This important initiative helps vulnerable communities around the world overcome poverty and injustice. We're proud to announce that our Shrove Tuesday pancake day was a tremendous success, raising $130 to kick off our fundraising efforts!
We're excited to announce our next fundraiser, which will have a St. Patrick's Day theme. Please watch for further details about how your family can participate in this event to support those in need through Project Compassion.
Please email your child's class teacher if you would like a little donation box sent home to put in your home so your whole family can get involved in raising money for Caritas Australia.
Ash Wednesday Liturgy
Our Ash Wednesday liturgy was a beautiful start to the Lenten season. The Stage 2 students did an outstanding job leading the service, reading the Scripture passages with confidence and reverence.
Lent is a 40-day period of preparation before Easter, focusing on prayer, fasting, and giving to others. Ask your child what they learned during our liturgy, and discuss one small habit you might change or add during this special time of reflection and renewal as a family.
SCHOOL INFORMATION
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU"
Our Birthday people:-
Lyla, Louis, Sasha & Miss McEvoy ????
COMMUNITY NOTICES
