A message from Emily

Dear parents and carers,

In our last newsletter, I shared our 2026 school priorities, which focuses heavily on student wellbeing and our "Vision of Engagement". To support this, our staff have already participated in a Team Teach Training day and dedicated meeting times to ensure a safer, more predictable school environment.

A key part of this work is the development of a School Behaviour Matrix and a Behaviour Curriculum. Just as we explicitly teach reading and numeracy, we must explicitly teach pro-social behaviours. We are currently gathering staff input and look forward to involving both parents and students soon so that everyone has a sense of ownership over these standards.

Addressing Current Challenges 

Since returning to school, our incident data has shown a concerning rise in "physicality," interrupting the play of others, and inappropriate language. These behaviours impact the play and wellbeing of others and are unacceptable at St John’s.

Yesterday, I gathered the children for a special assembly to address this. We have worked hard over the years to ensure these behaviours are not the norm in our community, and it is disappointing to see them resurface.

Our Philosophy on Behaviour 

We believe that every behaviour has a "function"—a reason behind the choice. While we must have firm consequences for poor choices, we also view these moments as opportunities for learning and growth. We do not "brand" children by their mistakes. Instead:

• We seek to understand: We work with trust and openness to find out why a child made a poor choice.
• We provide intervention: If a child struggles with behaviour, we develop Safety, Behaviour, or Wellbeing Plans—just as we would provide an intervention plan for a child struggling with literacy.

• We partner with families: Collaboration is key to ensuring positive outcomes and a sense of belonging for every child.

   

Given the recent increase in physical incidents across various year levels, I believe it is timely to reshare our formal process for managing these situations below.

'First-time' offence:

Repeated Physicality:

Should physicality become a repeated offence, the school will follow established procedures in partnership with MACS (Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools) and the family. This may include:

• In-school or out-of-school suspension.
• Structured return-to-school transitions.
• Formal referral to the MACS Behaviour Team for specialist support and advice.
• Development of intensive Safety, Behaviour, or Wellbeing plans.
• Documentation of an Anti Bullying Pathway (MACS Behaviour and Wellbeing Support Process) in the instance of repeated, persistent and daily physicality or verbal/non-verbal adverse interactions towards the same child, where the school has assessed the behaviour as targeted and ongoing and where it meets the MACS defined criteria to constitute the behaviour as Bullying Behaviour. Consultation with families is central to this process.

Please bear in mind that addressing student behaviour is rarely a "one-size-fits-all" process. As a school, we must consider a variety of complex factors, including the age of the child and any specific adjustments outlined in their individual safety or behaviour plans.

To ensure transparency in our processes, I have linked the MACS (Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools) Guidelines below for your reference. Our full suite of school policies can also be found on our school website - link .

Welcome Picnic

It was wonderful to see so many families join us for our 2026 Welcome Picnic. There was plenty of catching up, lots of new connections being made, and a lovely sense of community as we enjoyed the beautiful sunny afternoon together.  I would like to thank Thom and Janice from ABC Music Group for providing us with beautiful music and singing as we enjoyed this time together as a community. Thom is a music teacher for ABC Music Group who attends St John's every Monday to teach children to play musical instruments. If this is something you would like your child to be involved in this year their information can be found on the Community Connection page.

At the Welcome Picnic, we also turned our attention to the treasures beneath our feet. Using fallen Flame Tree seed pods and eucalyptus leaves, students participated in a nature-based art activity that celebrated our school’s environment. The results were stunning—showing that with a little imagination and some bright colours, even a seed pod can become a canvas. Check out some of the brilliant designs our young artists created!

Our Parents and Friends (P&F) Association hosted a table at our Welcome Picnic to promote the exciting events and fundraising opportunities planned for the year. We are eager to grow this team and would love to hear from more parents!

If you are interested in joining the group or can donate your time, expertise, or items toward our upcoming projects, please see the flyers attached below. You can scan the QR code or click on the QR code to access the link for our sign-up form.

If you are interest in volunteering on a regular basis, we are looking for parents or grandparents who would like to support our 'Engaging with Place' specialist subject at the farm. Volunteers would need a current Working With Children Card. Please email econroy@sjfootscray.catholic.edu.au if this is something you'd like to know more about.

A special thank you to Viv and Amy for designing these wonderful flyers. We look forward to hearing from you and working together this year!

Whole School Dance Curriculum workshops - Friday 20th February

We're excited to share that tomorrow all children from Prep to Six will be participating in short dance workshops with Dean from Dance Curriculum. Dance Curriculum provides a world class dance program to primary schools around the world, led by positive male role models. Dean will be joining us to facilitate the day fostering a love of learning through movement. The workshops will conclude with a whole school performance! Please send your child to school dressed in their sports uniform tomorrow to ensure they are able to move around without restriction.

Please check out this video with your child if you would like to find out a little more https://youtu.be/JvjM4Jul7_8

District Swimming

Last Friday, 13th February, our St John’s Swimming team had a wonderful morning competing at the Footscray District Swimming Carnival against 7 other schools at MAC.  

The St Johns’ team spirit was shown with our strong swimming, personal best efforts, great team work in relay events, and our loud cheering and support for all.  

A big thank you to the parents and families who were able to come to help with running the event and to support our children.

From this event the following students have progressed into the Divisional event  at Brimbank Aquatic and Leisure Centre on Tuesday 10 March. 

12 Yrs Boys Relay team:  Jayden, Benjamin, Xavier & Isaac

12 Yrs Girls Medley Relay team:  Regan, Rhoda, Billie &  Jubilee

Individual event swimmers:  

Regan: Freestyle & Backstroke 

Jayden:      Breaststroke & Butterfly

Evelyn:  Freestyle  & Butterfly

Jubilee: Freestyle & Breaststroke

Rhoda:  Breaststroke

Lachlan:     Backstroke

This is a wonderful achievement and the St. John's community wishes them all the best for their events.

Cross Country Trials

During week 6 students in Years 3, 4, 5 & 6 will trial for the St John’s cross country team during the Physical Education sessions 8:45am - 10:45am. Students will walk to and from Johnson Reserve with staff.

Tues 3 March: Year 3 & 4’s will run 2km 

Thurs 5 March: Year 5 & 6’s will run 3km  

Shrove Tuesday 

On Tuesday, our school community celebrated Shrove Tuesday with a delicious pancake treat! This event wouldn't have been possible without the generous support of our parent volunteers.

A heartfelt thank you to Mary Psaila, Mikkel Hansen, Starr Reyes, Amy Martin, and Lisa Tamburrelli. We truly appreciate you sharing your time and culinary skills to ensure every child could enjoy a freshly cooked pancake.

We also want to recognise our Social Justice Leaders—Ava, Marcus, and Frankie—who did a fantastic job supporting our parents and delivering the pancakes to the hubs. Thank you all for making the day so special!

What is Shrove Tuesday?

• Shrove Tuesday is a Christian tradition that is celebrated by many communities, religions and cultures
• Is the day before Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent
• It is also called Pancake Day!
• A day to have a feast before Lent begins.

Why is it called Shrove Tuesday?

• The name comes from the word 'shriving,' which means confessing sins.
• Christians would confess their sins so they can be forgiven by God.
• It is a time to reflect before Lent starts.

What is Lent?

• Lent is a time when Christians prepare for Easter.
• It lasts for 40 days.
• Many people give up certain foods or treats during Lent or promise to give more, like giving to others

Why Pancakes?

• Long ago, during Lent people fasted from certain foods. 
• People gave up foods like eggs, milk, and fats for Lent because they would expire before Lent finished. 
• They made pancakes to use up these ingredients before Lent started.
• Sometimes you might also hear Shrove Tuesday being called Pancake Day!

Ash Wednesday and Opening School Mass

This past Wednesday, we visited Our Lady’s Church to celebrate our Start of Year Mass and Ash Wednesday. We are very proud of the reverence and respect shown by all children during this sacred time. We also extend our gratitude to Taryn and the Year 6 Leaders for their wonderful leadership during the liturgy.

As we begin the season of Lent, we are reminded that this is a time for reflection and returning to God. The ashes we received are a sign of our commitment to follow Jesus more closely.

During the mass, Fr. Gerald challenged us to make this a year of "community spirit". By practicing compassion, empathy, and courage, we can ensure our school remains a place where everyone belongs and is cared for, just as Jesus taught us.

What happens on Ash Wednesday?

• On Ash Wednesday, we received ashes on our forehead
• The ashes are burned palms from last Easter (Palm Sunday)
• The ashes are an old tradition of the Catholic faith and the cross on our forehead is a visible sign of our Catholic identity
• Father Gerald wore Purple vestments.  Purple is a symbol of penance, repentance, sorrow and preparation in the Catholic Faith.  

Prayer for Lent

None of us are perfect but during Lent, God asks us to look at our lives to see if we can grow closer to Him. 

Sometimes we may think or act in ways that stop us from being the people that God wants us to be. 

Let us now pray quietly to God as we ask Him to try to remove

these feelings and actions from our lives during Lent.

Lord God, hear our words and listen to our hearts.  

Be with us now as we pray in silence to you.  Let our hearts be

free of thoughts and actions, which hurt ourselves and others. 

We ask this through Christ the Lord. Amen

God Bless,

Emily

What's coming up:

• No Prayer Gathering this Friday due to our whole school Mass on Wednesday
• Friday 20th Feb: Whole School Dance Incursion (wear sports uniform)
• Tuesday 24th Feb : School Photo Day (place order online 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.