A message from Emily

Dear parents and carers,

It has been lovely seeing everyone return so excited for the new school year. I have particularly enjoyed seeing how settled and calm the hubs and break times have felt. Watching the children form new friendships and rekindle old ones has brought a lot of joy to our first few days.

It was a lovely afternoon for our first prayer gathering, beautifully led by our Year 6 children. At our first school assembly next week, we will officially present our School Captains and Leaders with their badges. Year 6 is a milestone year, and I can already see these children setting themselves up for a positive experience through the way they treat others, engaging in their learning and setting a great example for the younger children.

Urgent: Pedestrian Crossing Incident Unfortunately, at approximately 8:40 am this morning, we had a "near miss" incident when a taxi failed to stop at the school pedestrian crossing, narrowly missing our crossing officer and a mother and child. We have reported the incident to MACS; however, we are hoping a witness may have dashcam footage of the event. If you witnessed this or have footage, please let us know so we can report the details to the taxi company.

School Priorities and Wellbeing

Based on recommendations from our 2024 School Review, we will continue with our two priorities from 2025—Maths and Spelling—while introducing a new priority for 2026: Wellbeing.

Our Wellbeing goal focuses heavily on ensuring children feel safe at school. While our MACSSIS data shows that students feel a strong sense of belonging and have positive relationships with educators, it also identified "feeling safe" as an area for improvement. For this to happen we are focusing on our behaviour curriculum starting with clear and agreed expectations. We will be looking for parent input with the development of our behaviour matrix to compliment the children's and staff voice. Tomorrow's school closure allows us to begin our learning together as a staff as we work towards embedding evidence-based practices through Team Teach Training.

So what is Team Teach? Team Teach is an accredited, positive behaviour support approach that helps staff manage challenging situations with a focus on safety, respect, and de-escalation.

Key aspects of the training include:

• Focus on Prevention: 95% of the approach focuses on de-escalation techniques.
• Behaviour as Communication: Helping staff understand the "why" behind a child’s actions.
• Safety First: Building staff confidence to manage complex situations safely.
• Positive Support: Reducing risk and ensuring a calm environment for learning.

You may also notice a new page on our newsletter called - Child Safety Standards. This page will be dedicated to communicating information to parents about the 11 Child Safety Standards as part of MACS 11 Months, 11 Standards promotion.

Today I met with our parent group to discuss some exciting school events and fundraising opportunities for 2026. Look out for our table at the Welcome Picnic to find out more. In the coming newsletters I will create a page on this newsletter dedicated to information around what's happening and how you can be involved. 

Hall Update

Unfortunately there is not much to share at this stage and the process has been frustratingly slow. I have been in communication with the company working with Jemena to design the plan for our new main power source and they have been delayed due to a few challenges. They have informed me that I will hear back from them mid-March. Once we have a plan approved for the relocation of the mains power we can then proceed with the redevelopment of the hall. 

Community Notice: Footscray Hospital Move

The new Footscray Hospital (89 Ballarat Road) will open for patient care at 8:00 am on Wednesday, 18 February, at which time the Gordon Street site will close.

Please be aware that additional travel time may be needed in the streets around St John’s on this day.

• Patient Transfer: Transfers will occur between 7:30 am and 7:00 pm.
• Visitor Restrictions: To support the safe transfer of patients, they're asking that members of the public don’t visit either the original or new Footscray hospitals on this day, unless they need emergency care.  

• Exemptions: While they're restricting patient visitors on move day, exemptions are in place for compassionate or essential care provision. They will let immediate families and contacts of patients being transferred on the day know when they may visit.

   

2026 Sacramental Program

I invite families of children participating in this year's sacramental program to check out the Important Dates page for the dates of these Sacrament Celebrations. If you would like to have your child Baptised, please check out the Parish News page. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out to our Faith Leader, Taryn - tdarlow@sjfootscray.catholic.edu.au 

Welcome Picnic

Next Thursday we will host our annual Welcome Picnic. This is an opportunity for us to gather together as a community and meet new people or catch up with other families. Families are invited to bring a rug/chair and picnic dinner to share as a family while mingling with other members of our community.

To mark the beginning of our journey together this year, we will also hold an Aboriginal Smoking Ceremony at the Farm. This ancient and sacred custom, performed by a Traditional Owner, involves the burning of native leaves to create a fragrant, cleansing smoke.

Why a Smoking Ceremony? In First Nations culture, the smoke is used to ward off negative energy and "cleanse" the area and its people. By walking through the smoke, we are invited to leave behind any past worries and start the year with a fresh, positive mindset. It is a beautiful way to ask for the blessing and protection of the ancestors of the land—the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people—on whose Country we learn and play.

As I shared earlier, a major focus for St John’s this year is Wellbeing, specifically ensuring every child feels safe, settled, and a sense of belonging. 

The Smoking Ceremony is a powerful, sensory way to:

• Symbolise Safety: Just as we are training in Team Teach to support our students, the ceremony creates a "spiritually safe" environment for our community.
• Foster Belonging: It reminds us that we are part of a long history of people caring for this land.
• Promote Healing: The ritual offers a moment of reflection and calm for both staff and students.

When participating in a smoking ceremony, the atmosphere is generally one of quiet reverence and reflection. It’s helpful to think of it similarly to how one might behave during a prayer service or a moment of silence. We encourage the children to enter the space with 'quiet feet and open hearts,' ready to listen to the stories of the land.

Here is a guide on what to expect:

• Observe a Respectful Silence: The most important expectation is silence. This allows everyone to hear the crackle of the leaves and the words of the Elder or Traditional Owner. It is a time to listen—not just to the speaker, but to the surroundings.
• Listen to the "Welcome": Before the smoking begins, the Elder will usually provide a Welcome to Country and explain the specific significance of the ceremony. It’s important to give them your full attention as they share their culture and history.
• Walking Through the Smoke: When invited to participate, people usually walk through the smoke one by one or in small groups.
  • The Action: Most people use their hands to gently "fan" or "waft" the smoke over their face, head, or body.
  • The Intent: As you do this, you might think about letting go of worries or "cleansing" your mind for the new year.
  • Pace: Walk slowly; there is no need to rush through.
• Respect the Sacred Fire: The fire and the smoke are considered sacred.
  • Don't touch: Never touch the fire pit, the leaves, or the coolamon (the wooden vessel) unless specifically invited to by the Elder.
  • Don't add items: Never throw rubbish or other materials into the smoking fire.

We look forward to sharing this experience together as we settle into a year of growth, safety, and connection.

What's happening at the Welcome Picnic?

• Gates will open at 4:30pm so children can give parents a tour of their hub as well as introduce you to their educators. 
• At 4:50pm, you will be invited to join us at the Farm for our Smoking Ceremony.
• Return to Joan's Yard at approximately 5:20pm to eat your picnic dinner while listening to Thom from ABC Music Group playing guitar and singing. 
• There will be a community art activity to contribute to as well as Parent Group table where will would love to hear from you so make sure you check it out.
• 6:30pm Finish

We look forward to seeing you for this special community event.

God Bless,

Emily

What's coming up:

• School Closure Day TOMORROW Friday 6 February
• Thursday 12th Feb : Welcome Picnic starting at 4:30pm
• Friday 13th Feb : 2:45pm Assembly
• Tuesday 17th Feb : Shrove 'Pancake' Tuesday
• Wednesday 18th Feb : Opening School Mass and Ash Wednesday at Our Lady's Church at 10:30am
• Tuesday 24th Feb : School Photo Day (orders can be placed now)
• Wednesday 25th Feb : Reconciliation Family Night 

Reminders:

• Log into PAM an review and update all areas including Connect Fields and Connect Surveys

• School photos - order now. More details on the Important Dates pages

   

   

🧢 Hats

We have a small supply of spare hats for children who forget theirs. However, we are finding that more children are missing their hats than we have spares available to loan. Please check with your child to ensure they have their hat so their play isn't limited to shaded areas.

OUR IMAGE OF THE CHILD

‘At St. John’s, we strongly believe that children are at the centre when given authentic and meaningful experiences. They flourish when their passions and interests are acknowledged and valued. Children are empowered when they take ownership for their learning. They have a right to develop autonomy through discovery.’

(St. John’s Staff, 2018)

We respectfully acknowledge the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation as the owners of the land on which we live, play and learn at St John's Primary School, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

All students attending St. John's Primary School have the right to feel safe. The care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people is a fundamental responsibility of all within our school.