Dear Families

Enrolments for siblings to start in 2025 are now urgently overdue.  

Please contact the front office on 8218 3300 or download a copy of the enrolment form here.

ReLAT Assessment
On Thursday, the Year 4 students participated in the ReLAT along with all other Year 4 students across South Australia in Catholic Schools. This is an online multiple-choice test with thirty-five questions which cover content from the Religious Curriculum, Crossways Redesigned. The school uses this tool to inform whole-of-school professional learning needs and the continuous improvement of teaching in Religious Education.

Staff Reflection Day
This week on Monday 11^th September, the staff at St John’s had a Reflection Day in Belair. Staff engaged in an opportunity to further develop their knowledge on ecology and theology. We were thankful to have Julian Kluge, the Manager of the Catholic Identity Section at Catholic Education SA who presented the first session on ecology and Laudato Si, the encyclical written by Pope Francis. Overall, it was an enriching day for the staff to contemplate and appreciate the gift of our Common Home.

Scroll into Spring
As we feel the warmth of this lovely Spring season, we are encouraged to spring into action by supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged communities. As a Catholic community, we will be focusing our contributions on the Catholic Charities appeal.

For a fundraising initiative, Jo Fitzgerald will be making her delicious savoury scrolls. We will have a selection of pizza $2.50, cheese $2 or cheese & vegemite $2, available to order for recess only. This will be given to your child at their allocated recess timeslot on Thursday 28^th September, Week 10. 

You can purchase these scrolls on the QKR app. Orders close on Wednesday 20^th September at 23:59. Please note there will be no late orders.
For each scroll purchased, 50c will be donated in support of Catholic Charities. Alternatively, if you would like to donate to Catholic Charities, you can do this through the QKR app also.

We thank you kindly for your generosity. 

Amanda Razon
APRIM

Statement of Accounts
A statement of accounts was sent home to all families.  Can you please ensure your current method of payment will see your account paid in full by 24th November, unless previously arranged.  If you have changed your address, please advise the office as soon as possible on info@stjohnpl.catholic.edu.au

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

School Fees for 2024
We are pleased to inform our school families that there will be no increase in school fees for the 2024 school year.

In addition to the fee-freeze, further fee remissions are available to any family who is struggling to pay school fees due to financial difficulties. Families should contact Pam Marks, Finance Officer for more information.

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.

Pam Marks 
Bursar/Finance Officer 

Grief
Explaining grief to children in the aftermath of the loss of a loved one is really challenging. Not only are we dealing with our own feelings, we have to then try to help our children navigate the changes that are happening and what the future might look like.

Grief isn't just about losing a loved one though, grief can be related to the loss of a friendship, a home, parent separation, moving interstate or overseas, changing schools. Any situation that involves loss of some kind can cause grief. Grief is a normal part of life, during times of loss, and it needs to be acknowledged and supported. 

A short story, written by Doris Stickney in the late 1970's uses Waterbugs and Dragonflies as a metaphor for explaining what happens after death in a child friendly way. Elements of this story can also be used to assist children in understanding the concept of loss and big changes in their life.

Waterbugs-and-Dragonflies-word-doc.pdf (rachels-eulogies.co.uk)

Sarah Byrnes
Centacare Counsellor

Sport Carnivals

• SACPSSA Touch Carnival  -  All Years 4 - 6  held Friday 8^th September

The SACPSSA Touch Carnival was played in trying conditions. All teams played to the best of their abilities in howling winds, rain and freezing cold conditions. A special thank you to all the adults who helped on the day.

The following carnivals / trials will occur this term –

• Sports Day time trials - All Years 3 – 6  - Thursday 14th September

• Westies Cup - Year 5 & 6 Boys - Tuesday 19^th September

• SACPSSA Cricket Carnival - All Year  5 & 6 - Thursday 21^st September

Basketball

Basketball has finished for the season, well done to all.

Basketball tops:

• If your child has nominated to play basketball in Term 4, please hang on to the top.
• If your child is NOT playing basketball in Term 4, could you please return the cleaned top to school.

Soccer

Soccer has finished for the season, well done to all.

Soccer Tops

Could all school soccer tops please be washed and returned.

Netball

Netball has one more week for the season, well done to all.

Thank You
A special thank you to all parents who have given up their time and volunteered to coach a team over the past season.  It is greatly appreciated.

Term 4 Sports Registration

The Term 4 Registration form for School Sports Teams is now available.

We encourage children to take part in out of hours school sport.

You only need to register your child once! You can register for multiple sports if you wish.

As always, every team will require an adult coach / manager. You must have completed the appropriate Catholic Police Clearance and Volunteer paperwork. This is available from the school Front Office.

Click here to access the Term 4 Registration form.
 
For the children who wish to continue on in their preferred sport (from Term 3) –  Basketball and Netball. You will need to register again for Term 4.

Congratulations Kobe

Congratulations to Kobe Ryan, an old scholar of St John the Baptist Catholic School and sister to Amarli in Year 6 GR.

Kobe received 17 votes in the 2023 Magarey Medal count for the best and fairest in the SANFL playing for West Adelaide.

Well done Kobe!

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 3

Friday 15th September - Jo & Sarah Dennis

Monday 18th September - Julie

Tuesday 19th September - Jo

Wednesday 20th September - Julie & Neeta Saldanha

Thursday 21st September - Jo

Friday 22nd September - Jo & Belinda Steindorf

Monday 25th September - Julie

Tueday 26th September - Jo

Wednesday 27th September - Julie

Thursday 28th September - Jo

Friday 29th September - Jo & Zoe Seiffert

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 .

Volleyball SA is happy to announce that nominations for October School Holidays Clinics are now open! All details are available on our website.

The sessions cater to kids of all ages and skill levels, i.e. everyone is encouraged to come along!

Following are the available clinics:

These clinics are offered in 3-hour sessions, with two run on each day! The nomination fee for this is $50.

The morning 9am-12pm session is for Ages 11-18, while 12:30-3:30pm is for Ages 5-11.

Registrations are easily processed on our website, but for any enquiries please contact 8363 1265 or email us at madeeha.s@volleyballsa.com.au.

VACSWIM enrolments have officially opened to the general public. This is your chance to equip your child with essential water safety skills while riding the waves of fun this summer. Our program isn't just about swimming – it's about building confidence, making waves with new friends, and creating sea-worthy memories.

Don't just dip your toes in, plunge into this season – enrol in VACSWIM now and make this summer one for the books!   Please enrol here.

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.