Principal's Page
A Message from the Principal
Wominjeka!
Welcome back to the new 2023 school year and a big welcome to our new families who are reading the newsletter for the first time. The staff and I have all had a restful break and are looking forward to supporting you and your family throughout the year.
The student assessment days at the beginning of the week were very productive, enabling our staff to get to know their students, prepare for their planning and programming, catering for their individual needs.
There was great excitement as our students and families ventured back for the start of school today. It is wonderful to welcome our new prep Students and their families. The welcome back morning tea was well attended as parents reconnected for the start of the year. The Preps have all settled in beautifully today, working and playing throughout the day with great enthusiasm and confidence.
We are blessed with new students and families at St John's this year across different year levels.
Welcome to our new students and their families across the school!
Year 1 - William and George
Year 3 - Harshul
Year 6 - Mahyeshaa
Gratitude
This Year we will focus on 'Gratitude' in 2023, as our whole school concept and theme! Every class has a gratitude jar that they will fill each week, with all that they are grateful for in their lives. Across the school Gratitude will be integrated into all of our teaching, learning, assemblies and celebrations.
Year 6 Jumpers
The Year 6 students were very excited to receive their new school jumpers today. The new rugby style jumper looks great and they all wore them very proudly.
Camp Australia -Before and After School Care
Camp Australia, our Before and After School Care provider, will now be running permanently from the STEM room at the front of the school. You can access this service from Whitehorse Rd in the Service Lane. All students are welcome to attend. Bookings can be made by using the link on the Camp Australia page in this newsletter.
School Closure Day
Our First school closure day for this year will be on Wednesday, 8 March. The staff will be doing their First Aid training and learning about the new online portal - SIMON.
District Swimming
The Interschool District Swimming day is on Wednesday 1 March at the Aquarena Swimming Pool, Doncaster. Events are for 10 year old's, 11 year old's and 12-13 years in freestyle, backstroke, butterfly and breaststroke. If your child is aged 10 - 13 years and is a competent swimmer, please contact Rhett Masters (Year 5/6 B) for a permission form. rmasters@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au
Parent/Teacher 'Meet & Greet'
In a couple of weeks you will be asked to book in a time to meet your child's new class teacher. This will be on Tuesday afternoon or evening, 14 February. All meetings will be for 10 minutes. This is an opportunity for you to share any relevant information with the class teacher which will help support your child to have a successful year. Booking details will be sent out soon.
St John's Staffing for 2023
Principal Verona Gridley
Deputy Principal Melinda Buscema
Class Teachers
Prep Nicole Webb
Year 1/2 x 2 - Tyler Boyd and Lisa Read
Year 3/4 x 3 - Clorinda Maio, Marisa Box/Naomi Ryan, Rhett Masters/Naomi Ryan
Year 5/6 x 3 - Allison Bayliss, Esther Wallis, Tracey Farrar (Claire Lambert - Wednesday)
Specialist Teachers
Performing Arts - Amanda Hill(Thurs/Fri)
Visual Arts - Deirdre Cosgrave (Thurs/Fri)
Languages - Chinese - Elina Li (Tues/Fri)
Physical Education - Rhett Masters (Tues/Thur)
Leadership Roles
Religious Education/Learning&Teaching Leader - Melinda Buscema
Student Wellbeing Leader - Tracey Farrar
Maths Leader - Rhett Masters
Literacy Leader/Learning Diversity Leader - Ange Crowe
Education Support
Digi Tech - Allison Bayliss
Administration - Jenny Macleod
Administration/Library - Maria Wallis
Library - Sue Walmsley (Tuesday)
LSO/Intervention - Melinda Kerwin
Learning Support Officer - Kristin Sardellis
Learning Support Officer - Julie Carroll
Learning Support Officer - Sarah Gole
Learning Support Officer - Connie Pearse
Learning Support Officer - Kim Wilson-Hartrick
Learning Support Officer - Sherie Robertson
Learning Support Officer - Ruby Schneider
Learning Support Officer - Lipo Li
Learning Support Officer - Melissa Dominguez
School Counsellor - Rosa Slaviero
Prep and New Families Dinner
Our Prep and New Families Dinner will be on Wednesday 15 February. This is a positive way for families to gather after school in a relaxed setting. It is a great tradition at St John's, supported by our Community Association and the Year 1 Families. Invitations will be sent out this week to all Prep and New School Families. We will also be asking for support from the Year 1 families to help serve the food and provide the desserts.
Waste Wise
This year at St John's we are planning on being more Waste Wise.
We will be working with our Environment Leaders and the Future Leaders to come up with strategies on how we can reduce our rubbish at school.
One thing that we will be encouraging is that the students limit the packaging in their lunchboxes and take home any rubbish that they bring to school.
We hope that you will be able to support us with this initiative.
School Photos
Our School photos are on Monday, 20 February. Information regarding the ordering of photos will be sent home soon. All photos will be taken with students in Summer Uniform.
Assembly
On Monday afternoon, 6 February, we will be holding our assembly in the Mary MacKillop Space, presenting our Leadership badges to our Year Six Students and welcoming our new Preps to our community. All parents and families are welcome to attend this assembly at 2.45pm.
Opening School Mass
You are all invited to join us for the Opening School Mass at 9.00am this Friday 3 February in St John's Church. All classes will be participating.
Joke of the Week
What did the pencil sharpener say to the pencil?
Stop going in circles and get to the point!
Please do not hesitate to contact me or the class teachers, if you have any questions or concerns. Have a Wonderful Week!
Verona Gridley
Principal