Dear Families

He is risen! Hoping this Easter season is filled with blessings to all within our wonderful community. 

Easter Raffle
Last Thursday afternoon we drew the raffle for the annual Easter prizes. This is always an exciting time for the children! Thank you to all families who donated prizes for the raffle and to the wonderful Parents and Friends for their work in wrapping and organising the gifts. 

Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of the School Board was held on Wednesday 20th March. I thank the parents and staff who attended for their presence and contribution to the meeting. The reports presented at the meeting are now available online via our school website.  

We congratulate the following parent members who were nominated on to the School Advisory Board. 

Sally Leonard 
Mark Davies 

They join existing members - Adam Keegan, Chris Flatman, Ace Lewis and Megan Kloeden as elected School Advisory Board members for the 2024 school year. 

Staffing News
Adriana Timpano will return from her leave at the beginning of Term 2. Adriana will work alongside Sharee Grimshaw in the Year 2 classroom. Adriana will work each Monday - Thursday and Sharee will continue in the class each Friday. We warmly welcome Adriana back to the school and thank Sharee for her full-time work in the Year 2 class during Term 1. 

We will also welcome back Gary Pascoe in 6P.  We thank Curtis Ding for his contribution to the 6P class during Gary's absence.  Curtis will still be seen around the school during Term 2 as he teaches in the 6RC classroom for Michael Cimarosti whilst he undertakes the Deputy Principal position for the first 5 weeks of next term.

Francis Schulz will be taking long service leave for the duration of Term 2 and into Term 3.  We wish her all the best for her time away.  Julia Roy is joining the administration team and will undertake many of the duties which Francis currently oversees.

Land Development
Work is continuing on the development of the land on Anzac Highway. Over the next fortnight we will see the resurfacing of the car park and the laying of the lawn in preparation for use next term. Very exciting! 

Winter Uniform
A reminder that the Winter Uniform is to be worn from the beginning of Term 2.  

Children in Years R-2 continue to wear the Sports Uniform. However, as the weather cools the children can wear the school sports jacket and tracksuit pants.  

Students in Years 3-6 are to wear the winter formal uniform when they are not involved in activities that require the sports uniform. Please find the formal uniform requirements outlined below.  

Girls  

• Tartan Skirt  
• Navy Trousers or shorts  
• Long Sleeved Blue Shirt  
• School Navy Blue Jumper or Sports Jacket  
• White crew socks or navy tights  
• Black Leather School Shoes (Not Sports Sneakers)  

Boys  

• Navy Shorts  
• Grey Trousers
• Long Sleeved Blue Shirt
• School Navy Blue Jumper or Sport Jacket
• Grey Socks / White Socks
• Black Leather School Shoes (Not Sports Sneakers)

As always, our uniform is available from our uniform shop, Brandmode, located at 83 Glen Osmond Road, Eastwood.

As this is the final newsletter for this term, we would like to thank everyone for their support during the term and wish everyone a safe term break.

Best Wishes

The Leadership Team

Happy Easter, we celebrate the new life that Christ brings through his resurrection! May this season of life and joy bring you and your family many blessings.

Project Compassion
We have had a meaningful year of Project Compassion, where our focus has been to stand in solidarity with vulnerable communities. Recently we held a special assembly led by Fr Denis, which was followed by our Walk for Water that took place on Friday, 22^nd March.

Thank you to everyone who supported Project Compassion this year. As always, your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Holy Week
Our Year 6 Justice & Mission Leaders, Max and Rayna, and Arts Leaders, Scarlett and Maddi have worked to produce silhouette scenes from Holy Week to prayerfully engage our school community. Classes have had a series of short prayer videos allowing them to contemplate Jesus’ last moments before his death.

A big thank you to our leaders who so wonderfully took part in creating these videos for the school.

Baptism
Congratulations to Harper Beerworth who celebrated her Baptism on Sunday, 24^th March at the 10am Mass in the St John the Baptist Church.

In the light of Easter, we will also be celebrating another momentous occasion within our community. Matilda and Penelope Dennis will be baptised tomorrow morning, 5^th April at the 9:30am parish Mass. We will be sharing Easter joy for the family and our school/parish community.

Amanda Razon
APRIM

                        Our prayers are with those who have recently lost loved ones.

                                                     May God keep them close.

                                                             To the families of:

                                                   Maddie P in 3J for her Stepfather,

                                             Xavier F in 4W for his maternal grandfather

                                                                            and

                                      TJ & Lucas Brzezinski (past students) for their father, Peter

                                             "Eternal Rest grant unto them O'Lord,

                                            and let perpetual light shine upon them.

                                                       May they rest in peace."

Statement of Accounts – Instalments due now
This is just a friendly reminder that Term 1 instalments should now have been paid so please do so this week if you have not yet made a payment.  If you are having trouble making a payment or need help working out how much to pay, please phone or email me this week so we can work out a solution.  As I am new to the school, I may not know your situation or payment plan so please reach out to me as soon as possible.

Direct Debits
There is a change happening to our direct debit provider which will occur on the 15^th April.  This will mean direct debits will not be processed between 15^th – 17^th April but instead these will be processed on the 18^th April.  Please be mindful of this if your direct debit falls on the 15^th, 16^th or 17^th April to ensure the funds are available on the 18^th.

School Card
This is for families, single parents, or businesses on a low income of around $70,994 last financial year.  Please follow the links below to apply for the 2024 School Card Scheme. These must be completed each school year:

Form A (Income Assessment)

https://online.forms.sa.edu.au/content/forms/af/public/application-for-school-card.html

Form B (hardship, change of circumstances or self-employed)

https://online.forms.sa.edu.au/content/forms/af/public/form-b-hardship-or-circumstance-or-self-employed.html

If accepted, this will allow us to reduce your tuition fees to the lower-income fee, so please apply as soon as possible as it can take 4-6 weeks for approval. If you need help applying please bring your CRN details into the office and I can lodge it with as it only takes a few minutes online.

Qkr!

The Qkr! Team has advised us that they have now resolved the issues they were having with Android Phones and users can now download the App from the Google Play Store.

They apologise for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience.

If you have any queries or if you are having trouble making payments please email me on accounts@stjohnpl.catholic.edu.au , phone me on 8218 3304 or come in and see me Monday to Friday 8.00am to 4.00pm.

Jodie Veldhoen
Finance Officer 

Do you have a child who is due to start school in 2026 and have not yet submitted an enrolment form?  

Enrolment Forms can be collected from our school office or downloaded via our website www.stjohnpl.catholic.edu.au

If you have any queries, please contact our office on 8218 3300.

Dear St John’s Community,

We are closing in on the end of Term 1 very quickly, I have been very impressed with the levels of engagement for all things Sport. I see so many positive attitudes and high levels of enthusiasm from the students on a regular basis.

It is very pleasing to report that we had 71 students represent the school for After-School Sport. These teams don’t function without supportive parents and the Mentors and Team Managers that guide the teams each week. Thank you to all of you who have played a part in this, whether it is getting your child to the games or volunteering your time to be a Mentor or Team Manager.

In Term 2 we will offer Netball, Volleyball, Basketball and Soccer. If your child is interested in playing one of these great sports, please look to book them in through the QKR! App. We are currently just working through the Soccer information, so that will go live on QKR! very soon.

This week, 22 students from Years 3-6 competed at the SACPSSA Swimming Carnival. At the completion of the event, St John the Baptist School were crowned ‘Overall Champions’ for the day. This is an outstanding achievement and something that everyone should be extremely proud of. Every person in the team swam like superstars and it was so pleasing to see everyone encouraging and supporting one another. On top of this we were also awarded Year Level Champions for both Year 3 and Year 6. A special mention to our relay teams also, as we won the 3/4 Freestyle Relays. Next year we will be promoted to Section 2 and will compete at Burnside. Thank you to our volunteers who assisted on the day, it was great to see so many parents too supporting their children.

We had our Year 4’s, Year 5’s and Year 6’s compete in the Glenelg Lacrosse Carnival. It was great to see all students putting the skills that they have been learning in their PE lessons into practice. We nominated 17 teams for this carnival and were very impressed with each and every student. Thank you again to all the teachers and parents who mentored a team and made the day possible for all of the students.

I look forward to a busy, productive and engaging term of Sport again in Term 2.

Yours in Sport,

Sam Putland
SPORT COORDINATOR

• 1st Prize - Evie A (REC BR)
• 2nd Prize - Violet E (1SM)
• 3rd Prize - Zach N (1M)
• 4th Prize - Ella W (6P)
• 5th Prize - Archie S's Dad (1SM)
• 6th Prize - Harry S (5G)

SJBCS P&F Team                

Playgroup will be changing days as of next term. We will be running playgroup on Friday mornings from 9am – 10.30am each week of the school term. We look forward to reading, playing, singing, and seeing you there.

Karina Overall
Playgroup Coordinator

Premier's Reading Challenge
Please continue to support your child's reading for the Premier's Reading Challenge this year, especially those in Year 2 - Year 6.  The children are also reminded to only enter two books by the same author on the PRC Record Sheet.  

Lost Books
If your child has overdue books please help them to look for them at home.  They usually turn up and come back into the library system for others to enjoy.

Autumn holidays are the perfect time to snuggle up and read a book or two.  Enjoy.

Thank you

Maria French
Library Coordinator

If you ask parents what they most want for their child, many will say something like this:  “I just want my child to be happy”.  Whilst most of us know, at a logical level, that we can’t make this happen, seeing our children frequently or deeply sad, is very confronting. (Developing Minds)

The following link has some helpful tips on how to support your child when they are experiencing regular sadness.

Help, my child is always sad: tearfulness, sadness and depression in young people — Developing Minds

Sarah
Centacare School Counsellor 

All orders for both recess and lunch are to be ordered via our Qkr! app.   

Canteen orders close each canteen day (Monday, Wednesday & Friday) at 9.00am.

Healthy Canteen (Tuesday & Thursday) orders close on Mondays at 12pm.

Canteen Roster

Term 1

Friday 5th Apr - Jo & Cara Finneran

Monday 8th Apr - Julie

Tuesday 9th Apr - Jo

Wednesday 10th Apr - Julie

Thursday 11th Apr - Jo

Friday 12th Apr - Jo & Stacey Arnold

Thank you to everyone who volunteered this term - your help is much appreciated!

Julie Henschke & Jo Fitzgerald

'Thrive' on Thursday
"Thrive" offers a safe and welcoming space for families. It is a space for children to enjoy some activities such as tic tac toe where children can play and parents are free to chat with our School Chaplain and connect with each other. 

St John the Baptist School provides a safe environment for all while valuing the partnership between school and home.

As a Catholic community, we welcome and value volunteers. To be able to volunteer, and/or attend at other times throughout the school year, we ask that you hold a current Catholic Police Check (parents/caregivers attending excursions, reading in class, helping in class, attending community events), a current Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect in Education and Care for Volunteers certificate and have completed the volunteers application package.

A Catholic Police Check for volunteers is free for our current parents and caregivers. Application Forms are available in our school office.

This process ensures we maintain a child safe environment. To avoid disappointment, we encourage you to apply for a Catholic Police Check through the school office as soon as possible.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at the school office on 8218 3300 or email Francis Schulz on fschulz@stjohnpl.catholic.edu.au .

                                               

Insights may be discussed at future School Advisory Board meetings or you may be contacted personally for further follow up!

Please find link here for your suggestions.

Year 7, 2026 Intake

For any families that may be considering enrolment at Cabra Dominican College in Year 7, 2026, a reminder that enrolment applications will close on Friday 12 April 2024 (end of Term 1).  Please note that siblings of current students are required to complete an application form.  

Teddy Bears' Picnic with the SA Police Band

Head to the Museum these school holidays for hands-on workshops, programs, and family friendly fun.

Beehive Hangs at the Museum (Ages 4-7) | 22 April 2024, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Beehive Hangs at the Museum (Ages 8-12) | 23 April 2024, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Make a bee-line to the South Australian Museum these school holidays for a hands-on workshop all about North Terrace’s buzziest residents.

Learn all about one of nature’s hard-working pollinators: the humble bee! Join Xandra from Xannie’s Bees in the Discovery Centre where you'll create your own bee-themed plant pot to take home and encourage pollination in your own backyard.

Have a sticky-beak at the Museum's 90-year-old bee colony living in our observation beehive, try on some beekeeping gear, and grab a taste of honey straight from the hive!

Fun with Fossils (Ages 5-11) | 15 April 2024, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Fun with Fossils (Ages 12 -17) | 16 April 2024, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Dig into the fossilised past these school holidays with a hands-on workshop exploring the ancient oceans that once covered our own backyard.

Join palaeontologist and artist Riley in the Learning Space, level 2, and explore fascinating fossil specimens that lived, died, and sunk to the ocean floor at different stages of the distant past, from ammonites and crinoids to corals.

You will assemble your own unique aquatic fossil creature which will then be cast in plaster for you to take home!

Brainy Games | 18 - 20 April 2024, 10.00am – 5.00pm

Where: South Australian Museum, Learning Space, Level 2

Ever wondered about your amazing brain and how it helps you to understand the world?  Ever wanted to see what a research scientist does? Adelaide University School of Psychology is at the South Australian Museum these school holidays with fun, interactive games that are part of their scientific research. Children and adults are invited to play games which cover a wide range of topics including understanding how we use logic to think, how we show our emotions, how we recognise other people (even when they look different), and how we use someone's appearance to make decisions about them.

This is a free activity, no bookings required.

More Than Sport - Tennis and Soccer Holiday Clinics 🎾⚽

More Than Sport's most awaited events are coming up this school break! Tennis and Soccer holiday clinics registrations are open and it's the best way to keep your child active, learning and having a blast during the holidays!

Spots are limited and sell out fast, so don't miss out! Find more information and register through their website.

Register Here👉: https://morethansport.com.au/holiday-clinic/

*Please note both clinics are held in the same location but are separe events. Choose the sport that best suits your child.

Holiday clinic info:

🗓️Days & Dates: 15th to 18th April (Monday to Thursday)

⏰Time: 9:30am - 12:00pm

📍Location: 33 Kingston Terrace E, North Adelaide

Further details and registrations can be found here on our website: https://simplysports.com.au/football/keswick/ 

Hamra Library currently offer the following drop-in activities:

• A monthly writers' group (4:30-5:30pm every second Wednesday of the month)
• A monthly book club with no set text, just a place to come and talk about books! (4:30-5:30pm last Wednesday of every month)
• Homework club for all-ages study assistance every Monday during term, 4pm-6pm.
• 24/7 access to Studiosity for additional support if they have a West Torrens library card!
• The Australian Refugee Association offers homework support to students from refugee backgrounds who have been in Australia for 5 years or less every Thursday of term - 4pm-6pm
• Lego Club (every 2^nd Monday during term time, 3:30-5pm)
• "Sign Squad" for 12-25 year olds to learn Auslan from a Deaf tutor (Friday 5-6pm in weeks 1, 4, and 8 of each term)

None of these activities require bookings but further information is available via the Hamra Library website on the Activities and Events webpage:

https://www.westtorrens.sa.gov.au/Hamra-Centre-Library/Activities-and-event

The links and information that are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only.  They do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by St John the Baptist Catholic School of any of the products, services or opinions of the corporation or organisation or individual.  St John the Baptist Catholic School bears no responsibility for the accuracy legality or contact of the external site or for that of subsequent links.  Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.