A Message from the Principal

Celebrating the Lifelong Benefits of Catholic Education

I am proud to share these inspiring outcomes from new research from Victoria University’s Centre for International Research on Education Systems (CIRES), highlighting the lifelong benefits of Catholic education. Using data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, the study found that students who attend Catholic schools are more likely to experience positive outcomes in employment, health and life satisfaction.

The research shows that Catholic school graduates are more likely to be employed, earn higher wages (between 4% to 11% more than government school graduates) and contribute to their communities through public service and charitable giving.

Additionally, Catholic schooling has a positive impact on general health and overall life satisfaction.

These findings reinforce what we know to be true – Catholic education supports the development of well-rounded individuals who thrive both during and beyond their schooling years.

Twilight Sports - Thankyou

Thankyou to all of the families and students who came along last Monday to the 2025 St John's Twilight Sports. The students had fun while also experiencing the track and field events at the Bill Sewart Reserve. The weather was perfect, the BBQ sausages were delicious and the community spirit filled the air. Congratulations to Blue Team, Dillon, as the overall winners. A special congratulations to Charlize and Jasper for winning the 400 metres Championship Race.

Thank-you to our many volunteers. The night couldn't go ahead without the team of parents who volunteered on the various events and helped to teach the students the skills at each activity. Thankyou to the BBQ team - especially Julie Tauali for coordinating and to her big team of helpers. A massive thank-you to Mr Van Rooy for preparing the students and organising the whole event. It all came together beautifully. Special thanks to all of the staff who came along, giving their support and joining in the fun too. This will be a very special memory for all of our students.

School Photos - Thursday, 13 March

Please ensure you have ordered online for this year's school photos.

Online orders for school photos are now available. Family grouping orders must be placed before 4:30pm on Wednesday, 12 March for scheduling purposes.

School Photos will take place on Thursday, 13 March.

Orders can be made via www.leadingimage.com.au using the access code: 2D5QUJ44

For more information, please refer to the adjacent flyer, or contact the school office. Please note that late orders are at an increased price and will be subject to an additional postage fee.

All students need to wear their full summer uniform with black shoes (no PE uniform or sport runners). If your child has PE on Thursday, please ensure they have sport socks and runners in their bag to change into.

Enrol now for 2026

Do you have a child who is ready to start school next year? Please complete your enrolment form and send it to the office. Enrolments are steadily coming in for next year. I will start arranging interviews for all of our new Prep 2026 students in May and June. Please let your neighbours, family and friends know.

Twilight Working Bee - 14 March

This Friday, 14 March at 4.00pm - 6.00pm, we will be having our first Working Bee for the Year. At 6pm we will be providing a sausage sizzle to say thank-you.

If you can come along for one or two hours to lend a hand that would be greatly appreciated.

Please bring a shovel, wheel-barrow, rake or blower vac if you can.

Some of the tasks will include:

Spreading soft-fall mulch under the playground equipment
Spreading mulch on the garden beds
Weeding
Sweeping
General tidy-up

All families who support the working bee will receive a $50 discount on their school fees.

We hope that you can join us!

Marathon Club

Our Marathon Club will begin again this week. This year we will only be having marathon club on Wednesday morning. This term will be free for everyone to have a trial and come along to see what happens. Please meet in the school foyer at 7.40am on Wednesday morning.

Free School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI)

To boost education opportunities and narrow the digital divide, the Australian Government is providing up to 30,000 qualifying families with school age children a free NBN service. The Initiative has been extended meaning:

Families can continue to sign up to access the initiative in 2025, until all available 30,000 places have been filled.
All families, existing and new, will receive free internet until 30 June 2028.

The Government has invested $13.7 million to implement the Initiative in partnership with NBN Co.

How to apply?

To check if you qualify, contact the National Referral Centre, on 1800 954 610 (Mon–Fri, 10am–6pm AEDT), www.anglicarevic.org.au/student-internet. Callback, webchat and interpreting services also available.

Joke of the Week

I told my colleague I went skydiving on the labour day weekend and she asked how many feet I was diving from. I looked down and replied, "Just these two".

Have a great week and please reach out if I can support you and your family in any way.

Verona Gridley

St John's Primary School Principal

principal@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au

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