Term 1, Week 8 2023

Dear Families

The Leadership Team
Todd LaForgia, Jo Livingstone, Amanda Razon & Michael Cimarosti

Presentation Mass
Last Saturday and Sunday the children in the Sacramental Program were presented to the parish community. Please pray for the candidates as they journey through the year in preparation for their Reconciliation, Holy Communion and Confirmation.

Commissioning Mass
Alongside of the children being presented on Sunday, the St John the Baptist staff were sent forth in mission to support the school community. It was lovely to have both the staff and children from our school community at the Sunday Mass.

Feast Days
The Church calendar is filled with various important occasions, which include feast days. These are opportunities to look at the ways these individuals have shaped the life of the Church through the way they lived their life in the mission to share God’s love with others.

Last Friday and this Monday we celebrated two Saints feast days: St Patrick and St Joseph. The children participated in class liturgies and individual activities to explore their stories and why both were important figures of faith.

Harmony Day
Although we should always honor our cultural diversity in Australia, this week has placed a strong focus on the richness this brings to our country and community. On Tuesday we gathered for communal prayer as a school community. Our Year 6 leaders alongside other students, staff and parents lead the school in a liturgy to mark the celebration of Harmony Day. Students and staff were encouraged to wear a touch of orange to commemorate the occasion. Individual classes have continued to celebrate Harmony Day with class activities.

Project Compassion
In last week's Project Compassion story, we heard about Priscilla from Zimbabwe. The country is currently experiencing drought and food supplies are low. One project that Priscilla has supported is the rearing of chickens to aid families in her community, particularly as a source of food. In response to her story, our Year 6 Social Justice leaders, have created this year's Project Compassion fundraising focus to be: Which class can fundraise for the most chickens?

Every $7 raised = 1 chicken for a family to raise in Zimbabwe. A chart will be displayed in the school to track and show the progress of each class.

Amanda Razon
APRIM

Name:  Mary Aquilina

Role at St John's & Years of Service: ESO/Chaplain - started last year

Favourite Colour:  Purple

Favourite Food:  Lasagna

Sporting Team:  Adelaide Crows

Hobbies & Interests:  Painting

Primary School:  St Josephs, Payneham

High School:  Our Lady of the Sacred Heart

Pets: None currently

3 Words to describe yourself:  Joyful, Bubbly, Optimistic

Best advice you have been given:  Making mistakes is how you learn

Favourite holiday spot:  Italy

Favourite season:  Spring

School Card
Please follow the link below to apply for the 2023 School Card Scheme. Once we have received the eligibility report from School Card the remission will be applied to your account.

The School Card scheme provides low-income families attending a non-government school with financial assistance for school fees (materials and services charges). 

Eligibility 

School Card is available to: 

• families with children aged four years and over who attend a school full-time 
• independent full-time students studying year 10, 11 or 12 

• adult re-entry students undertaking subjects to complete their SAC 

https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/education-and-learning/financial-help-scholarships-and-grants/school-card-scheme 

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries regarding the above.

Qkr! School Sport Payments
A gentle reminder to those with outstanding sport fees to organise payment and complete the permission form as soon as possible.

Change of Circumstance
We ask those families whose circumstances may have changed or are experiencing difficulties to please contact Todd LaForgia or myself at your earliest convenience via email: pmarks@stjohnpl.catholic.edu.au

Pam Marks 
Bursar/Finance Officer 

Airport District Softball Team
Congratulations to Alex T (6C) and Mitchell McC (6GR) on being selected in the Airport Boys softball team to compete at the Softball State SAPSASA Carnival.

The carnival is run by School Sport SA (Department for Education) for the 40 SAPSASA districts across South Australia, with a focus on students developing skills and learning through sport in a safe and supportive environment. District teams compete in a round robin style competition over 3 days.

Date: 3^rd April, 4^th April, 5^th April.
Venue: West Beach Softball Grounds, Barrett Reserve.

Term 1 Sport Carnivals

SAPSASA 2023 Glenelg Lacrosse Carnival Years 4-6  held Thursday 9^th March (Week 6)

On Thursday 9th March 2023 Saint John the Baptist Catholic School sent 4 teams to compete in the 2023 Glenelg Lacrosse Lightning Carnival.

The carnival was held at the Glenelg Lacrosse Club grounds – Barratt Reserve.

• Year 4/5 Boys’ team
• Year 4/5 Girls’ team
• Year 6 Boys’ team
• Year 6 Girls’ team  

The St John’s teams had a very successful day. Three teams made the Grand Final, while the other team played off for 3^rd spot.

Results:

• Grand Final: Year 4/5 Boys v Immanuel College – 1st
• Grand Final:  Year 4/5 Girls v Immanuel College – 1st
• Grand Final:  Year 6 Girls v Immanuel College – 2nd
• Semi Final:  Year 6 Boys v Immanuel College – 3rd

A big congratulations to all the students who competed and a big thank you to the parents who helped on the day.

SACPSSA Swimming trials Years 3-6 held Friday 10^th March (Week 6)
There were 47 children trying out for a place in the St John the Baptist Catholic School Swimming team that will be competing in the upcoming SACPSSA Swimming Carnival being held at SA Aquatic Centre. Thank you to all the parents who helped at Immanuel College.

SACPSSA Swimming Carnival Years 3–6 to be held Wednesday 29^th March (Week 9)
Congratulations to the following students who have been selected to represent St John the Baptist Catholic School at the SACPSSA Section 3 Swimming Carnival being held at the SA Aquatic Centre on Wednesday 29^th March.

Crows Cup Years 5/6 Girls to be held Friday 31st March (Week 9)
On Friday 31^st March two teams of Saint John the Baptist Catholic School Year 5 & 6 girls will be participating in the Western Area Crows Cup at West Beach Playing Field (opposite AFL MAX). We will be fielding a Year 5 team and a Year 6 team. This carnival will be held in conjunction with the West Adelaide Football Club.

Paul O'Dea
PE & Co-curricular Sport Co-ordinator
podea@stjohnpl.catholic.edu.au

Has your child borrowed from our emergency clothing pool?

If they have could you please launder and return the clothing as soon as possible as we have run out of many of the frequently used sizes.

We are excited to be holding our annual Easter Raffle.  We invite families to donate an item towards the Easter raffle.  These could include an Easter egg, Easter items, children’s books, Easter craft items or a gold coin donation. These donations will be gathered into prizes and drawn on Tuesday 4^th April.  Raffle books will be sent home with each family.  If you can sell more tickets, please ask at the front office.

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 24th Mar - Kate Piasente

Monday 27th Mar - Julie

Tuesday 28th Mar - Jo

Wednesday 29th Mar - Julie

Thursday 30th Mar - Victoria Thurston & Jo

Friday 31st Mar - Stacy Arnold & Jo

Monday 3rd Apr - Julie

Tuesday 4th Apr - Jo

Wednesday 5th Apr - Maria Esteban, Neeta Saldanha & Julie

Thursday 6th Apr - Jo

Friday 7th Apr - Good Friday Public Holiday

Monday 10th Apr - Easter Monday Public Holiday

Tuesday 11th Apr - Jo

Wednesday 12th Apr - Toni Stevens, Julian Thompson & Julie

Thursday 13th Apr - Jo

Friday 14th Apr - Zoe Seiffert & Jo

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, have completed the volunteers application package and your COVID vaccination certificate.

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 .

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.