Term 4, Week 4 2023

Dear Families

Plympton Parish & School Community Lunch
Last Sunday, 5^th November, the community hosted a shared lunch in the St John the Baptist Centre following the 10am Mass. The community brought in a variety of food from their cultural heritage. It was a wonderful occasion enjoyed by all who attended.

Sacramental Program 2024
If your child has received their Sacrament of Baptism and is eight years or older, they can receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Communion. The Sacraments are sacred actions of the Church which bring about encounters with God in people’s lives. They are wonderful celebrations that bring individuals closer to God and to the community. The parish has opened enrolments (please see further infomation below) and you may contact the parish office plymptonparish@stjohnpl.catholic.edu.au or 8293 6600 for more details.

Reception & Year 1 Mass
Next Wednesday, the Reception and Year 1 community will host their Open Morning, inviting parents into the classrooms. Afterwards, families are welcome to join the parish for Mass at 9:30am followed by a shared morning tea.

Amanda Razon
APRIM

The Parish are now accepting enrolments for the 2024 Sacramental program. If your child or children are aged 8 years or over, or will be turning 8 before August next year, and you believe them to be ready to be involved in the program, please complete the registration form here and return to the Parish Office by 5th February 2024, for the attention of Pastoral Associates.

For further information, please see a letter from Fr Denis Ssemuju here.

They shall grow not old,
as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun
and in the morning
We will remember them.

Lest we forget

Statement of Accounts
A statement of accounts has been posted to your billing address last week. 

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

School Fees 2024
Please note School Fees for 2024 will remain the same at $3280 or $1795 for lower income (conditions apply).  If you are eligible for School Card or Fee Remission, you will need to reapply.  School Card 2024 will be available approximately late January.

Qkr! After School Sport Payments
Please ensure that all after school sport payments are finalised by Friday, 24th November 2023.  

Each term has a fee for every sport that your child is participating in.  Can you ensure that this fee is paid termly.  Thanks for your anticipated support.

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

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

Pam Marks 
Bursar/Finance Officer 

2023 has been a busy year in the Counselling space. A very common theme this year has been parent separation, divorce and conflict. Being separated parents can be very hard work and takes an emotional toll on all parties, especially children. 'Because it's for the kids' is a booklet offering support, ideas and wisdom to help you help your child/ren cope through the changes.

Please find a copy of the booklet here.

There are many other helpful resources available at https://www.familyrelationships.gov.au/documents and www.relationshipsaustralia.org.au 

Sport Carnivals

SACPSSA Athletics Carnival                                

St John the Baptist Catholic School enjoyed a successful day at the SA Athletics Stadium competing in Section 3 of the SACPSSA Athletics Carnival.

Competing against larger schools we achieved the following:

• 2^nd overall in Section 3 Boys
• 3^rd overall in Section 3 Girls
• Section 3 -  Year 6 Girls overall Champions
• Xavier F (3BM) won Section 3 Year 3 Boys Champion

A big thank you to all the parents who volunteered to be officials at the carnival.

Upcoming Carnivals

SACPSSA Come & Try Day - Year 2 - Tuesday 14^th November

Term 4 After School Sport Teams

Basketball      

Year 3/4 Boys STJB Bulls - Coach - Megan Spokes

Year 3/4 Boys STJB Wizards - Coach -  Jeff Balkwill

Year 5/6 Boys STJB Warriors - Coach - Filomena Francis

Year 5/6 Girls STJB Clippers - Coach - Simon Croxton

        Year 2/3 Open STJB Lakers - Coach - Grant Evans

Year 2/3 Open STJB Magic - Coach - Michelle Politis

Year 2/3 Open Jazz - Coach - Hilary Sadler

Rec/1/2 Tee Ball         

Seagulls - Coach - Hayley Harris

Hayley has shared some photos of our Rec/1/2 Seagulls Tee Ball team who play at Adelaide “Angels” Baseball club on Saturday mornings.

Year 5/6 Volleyball        

       STJB Storm  - Coaches - Jo Rowett & Beth Tamm

Netball              

Year 3/4 STJB Allstars - Coach - Michelle Politis

PE Lessons - Basketball
The Sturt Sabres Basketball Club will be conducting 4 basketball clinics with the Year 2 to Year 6 students over the course of Term 4 in their Physical Education lesson.

Moana Triathlon
Congratulations to Riley T (4A) and Ethan B (4PR) for the completing the Moana Triathlon last Sunday. The triathlon consisted of a

• 100m swim
• 5km cycling
• 1km running

Soccer Tops / Basketball Tops

Reminder: Could all school soccer tops please be returned.

Reminder: Could all school basketball tops that are not being used in Term 4 please be returned ASAP.

Kind regards,

Paul O'Dea
PE & Co-curricular Sport Co-ordinator

sport@stjohnpl.catholic.edu.au

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 4

Friday 10th November - Sarah Dennis & Jo

Monday 13th November - Julie

Tuesday 14th November - Jo

Wednesday 15th November - Julie

Thursday 16th November - Jo

Friday 17th November - Kate Piasente & Jo

Monday 20th November - Julie

Tuesday 21st November - Jo

Wednesday 22nd November - Julie

Thursday 23rd November - Jo

Friday 24th November - Melisa Gorgone & Jo

Monday 27th November - Julie

Tueday 28th November - Jo

Wednesday 29th November - Julie

Thursday 30th November - Jo

Friday 1st December - 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 .

Children’s oral health is important. Unfortunately, dental decay is still a significant problem for many South Australian children. Dental decay can affect a child’s wellbeing and quality of life.

It can lead to pain and many lost hours at school – however it is also a preventable disease.

All children from 0-18 are welcome to attend SA Dental and there are no out-of-pocket costs for most families. However, we know that only around 45% of eligible children are accessing dental care and many families are unaware that SA Dental is available to them.

The Commissioner for Children and Young People Annual Report 2022/2023.

A link to the report can be found 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.