Term 1, Week 4 2025

Sacramental Programme
Enrolments for the Sacramental Programme have now closed. The children who will prepare for their Reconciliation, Holy Communion and Confirmation, will be presented at the 10am Mass on Sunday 23^rd February.

Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday
We approach the time in the year when we prepare for Easter through the season of Lent. Shrove Tuesday marks the beginning of Lent. Christians will abstain from certain indulgences like sweets, take more time for pray and donate to charities. This is all so that they can bring their hearts closer to God.

This is why we have pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, a tradition dating back to when people would use all their “indulgent” ingredients (i.e. sugar and butter) before Ash Wednesday.

We will observe Ash Wednesday with class liturgies and the Year 6s will attend the parish Mass. Children will have a cross of ash marked on their forehead to symbolise the beginning of the fasting period and to prepare their hearts for the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday.

Project Compassion
As mentioned, the Lenten season has a component of almsgiving or donating to charities. Project Compassion is an annual part of our Lenten observance, where we will raise money to give to less fortunate communities from around Oceania.

This year we will have several initiatives to fundraise for Project Compassion and we will also welcome any donations through Qkr!.

In previous years we would send home small boxes to collect donations however, to align with our Ecological Sustainability vision for our school, we will not be sending the boxes home to families. You can still make tax deductible donations online through the following link: https://www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion/

Plympton Parish Quiz Night
You are welcome to join the parish Catholic Quiz night on Friday 28^th February at 7:00pm. 

Entry is free. BYO Supper and Drinks. Please book through the Parish Office: 8293 6600 or through trybooking.com/CYHHN

By now you should have received your school fees statement in the post.  Many people are already making payments or setting up regular payment options – Thank you!  If you have not received your statement, please email me today and I will check the details we have on file and send one to you. 

If you wish pay in full, please do so by Friday 7^th March to qualify for the 5% discount and deduct that amount when making the payment.  It will be $164 off for 1 child, $296 if you have 2 children at school, $415.75 if you have 3 children here. If you need help to calculate the correct amount for the payment or for a payment plan amount please email me.

Don’t forget for those families, single parents, or businesses on a low income of around $74,189 last financial year 2023-24, School Card can be applied for via the following links.  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 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

Dear St John’s Community,

Week 4 is already upon us, thus meaning we are well and truly back into the groove for all school-based routines. The students have made a magnificent start during their PE lessons by demonstrating positive behaviours and an eagerness to learn. I have started my visits to After-School Sporting opportunities and have been very impressed with the way our students have been engaging in their chosen sports. It is so pleasing to see our supportive coaches and managers working together to assist our students with these wonderful opportunities.   

This week we took 51 eager swimmers to iSwim at Immanuel College to trial for the upcoming SACPSSA Swimming Carnival. Due to the school being promoted to Section 2 after our impressive overall win last year, all swimmers had to trial over a 50m distance. This was a huge effort by all, especially our Year 3 students who trialled for the very first time. Now that we have all of the times the team can be formed. Stay tuned for a team announcement in the coming weeks. The SACPSSA Carnival itself will take place at the Burnside Swimming Pool in Week 9, Tuesday 25^th March.

Many of our students here at SJBCS compete in Surf Life Saving on the weekends. Last weekend, Ethan Beresford (6M) was involved in a first-time event. This particular event entailed completing a written test compiling of 20 random questions about surf awareness and first aid. Once this had been achieved Ethan had to then complete a practical CPR exam on a mannequin, a sprint race, a board race and a surf swim race that was 400m in length. Congratulations to Ethan, we are very proud of your achievements, keep up the great work.  

Thank you to those parents that have emailed me their child/ren’s SAPSASA interest for 2025. I have a running document, which will allow me to be organised in getting information to the students in a timely manner. It is vital to give me enough notice of these events in order to ensure that our students don’t miss out on the registration process.

Keep safe and well everyone.

Yours in sport

Sam Putland
SPORTS COORDINATOR

Premier's Reading Challenge (PRC)

This year is the 22nd year of the PRC.

The forms for this year have gone to classes this week and if the challenge is completed each student will receive a certificate or medal.

The challenge is to read 12 books at the appropriate level - R-2, 3-5 & 6-9.  The Junior Primary students complete the challenge in class with their teachers reading PRC books to them but all students are encouraged to be 'have a go' on their own, with family support.

Our finish date at St John's is on Friday 29^th August (not the official date 5th September).  

The books must be read for the first time this year.

Eight of the books chosen must be on the PRC Booklists.  These can be found at https://premiersreadingchallenge.s.edu.au/book-list/ 

On the website you can change the Year Level to suit your child's age limit.

We ask that students read no more than two books by the same author, and no more than two books in the same series.  

The other 4 books can be a student's free choice but they must still be at a level appropriate to their reading age.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

Maria French & Lauren Farinola

I'd like to introduce myself to all of the new families who have joined St John's this year and a warm 'hello again' to families who have heard from me in the past. My name is Sarah Byrnes and I am the School Counsellor. I am here on Thursdays. This is my 4^th year here and it's been delightful working with so many amazing children, and teachers. 

Counselling covers many different areas including anxiety, depression, friendship issues, trauma, parent separation, self-harm, grief and loss, and many other mental health concerns. Children require a referral to be able to come to counselling, and it is important to talk to your child's teacher or leadership about your request. In some cases, issues can be supported and resolved within the classroom. Teachers and leadership can also make referrals for a child to come to see me, and they will talk to you about this. Year 5 and 6 students are able to self-refer as well.

Counselling is a collaborative approach to support the mental health and wellbeing of every child who needs it. In some cases, a recommendation may be made to seek external support for a longer term approach and this will be discussed with you. All sessions are confidential and children are given a safe place to share their thoughts and feelings. After establishing a trusting relationship, strategies can be implemented and are often shared with parents and teachers to ensure a consistent approach is taken. If you have any questions about the school counselling program please don't hesitate to contact me by email sbyrnes@stjohnpl.catholic.edu.au, or speak to your child's teacher.

Here is some information on how to help your child challenge their negative thoughts....

Most people have what is called "Automatic Negative Thoughts". These thoughts could include: 

• I'm a loser
• Nobody likes me
• I hate myself
• My life is terrible
• I can't do this

Here are some questions you can use to challenge your child's negative thinking:

• What is a more helpful thought?
• Can I be 100% sure that this is true?
• What would the people who care about me say?
• If my friend had this thought, what would I tell them?
• If the worst really did happen, what could I do to deal with it and who could help me?
• What is the best possible outcome?

By challenging these thoughts, it helps a child to look at things from different perspectives. It is also helpful for adults to think about these questions. After all, everyone has automatic negative thoughts, we just need to learn how to manage them. 

Sarah Byrnes
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 21st February - Jo & Sarah Dennis

Monday 24th February - Julie

Tuesday 25th February - Jo

Wednesday 26th February - Julie 

Thursday 27th February - Jo

Friday 28th February - Jo & Cara Finneran

Monday 3rd March - Julie

Tuesday 4th March - Jo

Wednesday 5th March - Julie & Julian Thompson

Thursday 6th March - Jo

Friday 7th March - Jo & Libby Graham

Monday 10th March - Public Holiday

Tuesday 11th March - Jo

Wednesday 12th March - Julie

Thursday 13th March - Jo

Friday 14th March - Jo & Melisa Gorgone

Canteen Feedback

We would love your feedback regarding the canteen.

Is there anything that you would like to see on the menu that we may be able to consider adding on?

Please send your feedback to jfitzgerald@stjohnpl.catholic.edu.au

Julie Henschke & Jo Fitzgerald

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 Julia Roy on jroy@stjohnpl.catholic.edu.au .

                                               

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

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