St John's School Newsletter

St John's Primary

School Advisory Council

School Advisory Council Report

The School Advisory Committee (SAC) continues to meet regularly with the most recent meeting held on 5 August, 2025. The forum provides essential connection, commitment and consensus to support St John’s Primary School and all its students.

Key messages and opportunities from our August meeting in 2025 included:

Our latest School Advisory Council- SAC meeting took place on Tuesday 5th August 2025  in the school staffroom. It was a fantastic opportunity to reconnect as a team, reflect on our shared goals, and reaffirm our commitment to supporting the school’s continued growth. These gatherings are always a valuable chance to align our focus and vision for the remainder of the year. Looking forward to the many initiatives and projects we will work on together, and we appreciate the ongoing dedication of all SAC members in making this year a continued success. 

Our SAC Team Members

A quick reminder of our SAC Team for 2025 – we’re grateful for their leadership and commitment to shaping the direction of our school. Their guidance continues to support our mission and values across all areas of school life.

  • Verona Gridley - School Principal
  • Father Dispin John - Parish Priest (Custodian of Mission)
  • Melinda Buscema - Deputy School Principal/RE Leader (Custodian of Mission)
  • Angela Maclean – Chairperson, Parent Representative
  • Samantha Solomons - Secretary, Parent Representative (Parishioner)
  • Anne Tyedin -Parent Representative
  • Kate Roberts- Parent Representative
  • May De Almeida- Parent Representative 
  • Rob Kruisheer - Parent Representative

 

Key messages and opportunities from our recent meeting include:

We continue to lead the way at St John’s, with exciting developments across leadership, learning, faith, and wellbeing. Here’s a look at what’s been happening in and around our vibrant school community:

 

Leadership and Management

This term, we welcomed several prospective families through seven school tours, resulting in three new enrolments this term. These tours continue to be an important avenue for showcasing the St John's community and the high-quality education we offer.

 

We wish Verona and Melinda all the best as they prepare for their upcoming overseas pilgrimages later this term. Their journeys will bring a rich spiritual dimension to our faith community.

 

The MACS Vision for Engagement was shared with staff and community leaders this term, supporting a clearer focus on building authentic partnerships and collaborative learning environments across the school.

 

Religious Dimension

Our students demonstrated a strong understanding of Saints and are well-prepared for the Sacrament of Confirmation—a testament to the strength of our Religious Education program.

 

In alignment with Verona and Melinda’s pilgrimages, the Prayer Box Initiative has been launched. Community members are invited to place their prayer intentions in boxes located in the school office and Parish office, which will be carried to Europe and offered during the pilgrimages. This is a beautiful way to spiritually connect our school and parish community across continents.

 

Learning and Teaching

Our school production was a resounding success, with wonderful performances that showcased student creativity, confidence, and teamwork.

 

We continue to keep Dierdre Cosgrave in our thoughts during her medical leave, with Beth Neason capably covering her role during this time.

 

Book Week will be celebrated in Week 5, with the main event now scheduled for Wednesday, to accommodate staff travel after the RUOK Day Awards in Sydney on the Monday of that week.

 

Student Wellbeing

The Cyber Safety Parent Evening was a valuable opportunity for families to learn more about digital safety and support their children in the online world. 

 

The BRAVE program has commenced for senior students, led by Tracey, supporting resilience and emotional wellbeing.

 

We are incredibly proud to announce that St John’s is the only primary school in Australia to be recognised in the RUOK Day Awards. This outstanding achievement highlights our unique commitment to student wellbeing. The awards ceremony will be held in Sydney on 18 August. A heartfelt congratulations to all staff and students involved.

 

School Community

Our grounds continue to thrive under the care of Jan the gardener, who is working closely with our team to enhance our outdoor spaces.

 

Tickets are now on sale for our upcoming Games Night—a fun community event that everyone is encouraged to support.

 

We have also ordered new outdoor furniture, further improving our playground and recreational areas.

 

This week saw a fun and educational excursion to the dental clinic for Prep to Grade 2 students, helping reinforce the importance of oral health.

 

Our Year 4 and 5 students recently attended Emmaus College’s production of Cinderella, returning with glowing reviews and inspiration.

 

NAPLAN Results Summary

We are pleased to report very strong academic outcomes across all NAPLAN domains in both Year 3 and Year 5.

 

Year 3: Results are above state and national averages in all areas. Approximately 15% of students are in the ‘Exceeding’ category, particularly in Numeracy and Reading.

 

Year 5: Strong and Exceeding results were observed in Writing, Reading, Grammar and Punctuation. Although Maths remains strong, this area continues to be a focus.

 

The implementation of OCHRE, a MACS-introduced Maths resource, has been consistent across all year levels and is showing promising impact.

 

Our five-year data trend (captured from 2023 onwards) is very positive:

 

  • Year 3 Reading and Numeracy have continued to rise, now exceeding national and state averages.
  • Year 5 Spelling shows steady annual growth.

 

SAC members were invited to reflect on the school’s academic and wellbeing achievements, which strongly reinforce the effectiveness of our whole-child approach to education. The connection between wellbeing and learning is evident, with our strong focus on social, emotional, and physical wellness clearly contributing to improved academic outcomes.

A local school NAPLAN comparison will be provided once results are made available later in the year.

Student Wellbeing Update: Cyber Safety & BRAVE Program

On Wednesday, 7 August, we hosted our “Inform and Empower” Cyber Safety session, aimed at supporting parents in navigating the challenges of digital life with their children. We were pleased to welcome around 30 attendees to the evening, where valuable insights were shared around online safety, social media use, and strategies for fostering healthy digital habits at home. A big thank you to all who attended and contributed to the discussion—your engagement helps strengthen the safe and supportive environment we strive for at St John’s.

We’re also excited to launch the BRAVE Program with our Grade 5 and 6 students. This initiative focuses on building confidence, resilience, and preparing students for the transition to secondary school. Developed in partnership with the University of Queensland, the BRAVE Program equips students with practical strategies to manage anxiety, build self-esteem, and face challenges with a positive mindset. It’s a fantastic addition to our wellbeing curriculum and one we know will make a lasting impact.

 

With Hope and Gratitude Column

 

Aligned with our school theme of “HOPE” for the year, the SAC explored the idea of introducing a Parent page in the newsletter called “With Hope and Gratitude Column” to express or show courage for things felt or observed in our community and invite your submissions to principal@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au

 

With hope and gratitude, we would like to sincerely thank Eileen Dalton for her incredible commitment and generosity throughout this term. Each Friday, Eileen has taken the time to organise and arrange donuts for sale, with all proceeds going towards fundraising for the Grade Six Graduation. Her efforts have not only helped raise important funds but have also brought smiles to students and staff alike. Eileen’s quiet dedication is a wonderful example of the spirit of community at St John’s, and we are truly grateful for the difference she is making in helping create a memorable send-off for our graduating class.

 

As always, please feel free to come and say hello if you see us around the school grounds. We value your thoughts, your feedback, and your presence in our community. Whether you have a question, a suggestion, or just want to share a moment—we’re here, and we’re listening.

 

Angela Maclean

Chairperson and Parent Representative