Education in Faith News 

Remembrance Day

11 November marks the anniversary of the Armistice that ended fighting with Germany in World War I.  Every year since 1919, many nations have paused on Remembrance Day (11 November) in memory of their fallen service people.  It’s a day for people to acknowledge the service personnel who have died while serving, including in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.   At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, people in Australia and many other countries pause for a minute of silent reflection in memory of those who died while in military service.  Whether you observe a minute’s silence at 11am, wear a poppy or attend a service, help keep the legacy of our service people alive on Remembrance Day. 

Please take the opportunity to discuss with your children the sacrifice made by many men, women and families. It is also an opportunity to pray for peace in our world, in our communities and in our own hearts.

“Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give

 you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and

 upset; do not be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I am leaving,

but I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be

glad that I am going to the Father; for he is greater than I. 

I have told you this now before it all happens, so that when it

does happen, you will believe. I cannot talk with you much

longer, because the ruler of this world is coming. He has no

power over me, but the world must know that I love the Father;

that is why I do everything as he commands me.”

John. (14: 27-31)

Putting Faith into Action: Year 5 Students Support Local Community

Throughout this semester, Year 5 students have been exploring the core concept of human dignity. To deepen their understanding, they were visited by students from the OLMC social justice group, who shared insights into charities making a difference locally and emphasised the vital importance of taking real action. Inspired by this visit, the Year 5 students worked together to devise a hands-on plan to assist community members in need.

Putting their ideas into action, the students organised and ran a series of market stalls, raising an impressive $1,400. Following their fundraising success, the Year 5 cohort re-met with the OLMC social justice team to discuss how best to direct their support.

Wanting to make a personal impact alongside financial assistance, the students created hand-drawn comic books and wordsearch books. These activity booklets will be shared with families during fortnightly Thursday night community meals hosted by the social justice group. As a final step in their campaign, the students used their raised funds to carefully select and purchase essential items for distribution.

Please see the photos below showcasing the items thoughtfully chosen for donation. Congratulations to all Year 5 students for their outstanding kindness, initiative, and generosity in supporting those in need within our local community.

Social Justice fundraiser.

Frozen fruit juice treats are back 2nd lunch on Fridays! 

Remember to please send along $1 to purchase an icy treat. All profits will be donated to St Vincent’s Christmas appeal later in the term. 

A Gift for Our Families: Free Access to Australian Catholics

At St John’s, we are always looking for meaningful ways to support you in nurturing your child's spiritual and moral growth. We know that in today’s busy world, finding time to discuss faith, justice, and values as a family can be challenging. 

To help cultivate faith in the home, our school provides all families with full, complimentary access to the Australian Catholics Subscription.

What this means for you:

• Digital Archive Access: Hundreds of family-focused articles, dynamic multi-media resources, and talking points to help answer your children’s big questions.
• Expert Contributions: Regular insights from celebrated Australian writers focusing on real-world family life.
• Access to quarterly Print Magazine: These will be made available to you upon request.

How to access:

Simply login to Australian Catholics (or on the image above) and use the following username and password:

• Username: parents@sjheidelberg.catholic.edu.au
• Password: acparents

We hope these resources provide a great spark for conversations around the dinner table.