A message from Emily

Dear parents and carers

As mentioned in our last newsletter, I'm on a pilgrimage following the Footsteps of St. Paul, an amazing journey through Greece and a small part of Turkey. We'll soon be spending more time in Turkey, but I wanted to share my experience in Patmos, a significant Christian pilgrimage site in the Aegean's Dodecanese island group. We visited the Cave of the Apocalypse, where John of Patmos (St. John the Theologian/Evangelist, after whom our school is named) is believed to have written the Book of Revelation. The fortresslike, 11th-century Monastery of St. John overlooks the whitewashed houses of the hilltop capital, Hora (also known as Chora). I have purchased a book about The Book of Revelation and and icon of St John on behalf of the school. 

Exiled to Patmos around 95 AD under Emperor Domitian, Saint John sought refuge in this cave with his disciple and scribe, Prochorus. Legend holds that the cave's rocks cracked, creating three fissures symbolic of the Holy Trinity, through which God dictated Saint John's visions of the world's final days and the new Earth. I had included a photo for you to see where the roof of the cave spilt in three ways.

Saint Christodoulos Latrinos transformed the miraculous cave into a place of worship in the 11th century, and a chapel was added in the 17th. Today, the Holy Cave is part of a religious complex including chapels, storehouses, and the earliest buildings of the Patmian Ecclesiastic School.

The walls are adorned with rare icons, many from the 1600s, and an ornately carved wooden altarpiece. Pilgrims can touch the fissures, see the niche where Saint John rested, and the rocky protrusions he used for support. Prochorus's lectern is also displayed. I have also included some photos of these as well. You will also see some photos of the structure that has been built over the cave and the beautiful scenery of the area surrounding it. 

I will also share more about my whole experience next term but it was a surprise to learn so much more about our St John while travelling in St Paul’s footsteps.

Since our last newsletter we have had children involved in many exciting things. See below for more information:

Sacrament of Reconciliation

We had a wonderful evening on Thursday 20th March.  We witnessed and supported children from St John's, Christ the King and the Holy Family Parish make their First Reconciliation. While there were some nerves, all the children were well prepared and prayerful. We thank the families and the educators of these children for their ongoing support. Congratulations Felix, Annie, Jalen, Hendrix, Thomas, Mateo, Bostin, Will, Henry, Maxdeep, Toby and Isaac.

District Cross Country

 We had a number of children who participated in the District Cross Country event on Friday 21st March with some children who are progressing to the next stage. Congratulations to all the children who participated: Yel, Maddie, Alex, Enzo, Eva, Finn, Marcus, Willow, Millie, Tilly, Arlo, Oscar, Jayden, Gigi, Freya, Regan, Taylan, Fionn, Harry, Sid, Otto, Tex, Toby, Hugo, Lola, Evie, Elijah, Freya, Evelyn, Ivy, Isaac, Eloise and Evelyn.

St Patrick's Feast Day and Catholic Education Week

Last Friday, some of our St. John’s leadership group went to St. Patrick’s Cathedral with our principal, Emily, to attend a special Mass for Catholic Education Week.

It was an important experience where we joined students and teachers from other Catholic schools to celebrate our faith and the sacred role it plays in our education.

The Mass reminded us of the values we play as part of our faith like kindness, leadership, and working together as a community.

We were also very grateful to have received a blessing from the Archbishop as well as the Bishops in such a sacred place with all of the other Catholic schools that were very nice to be around to celebrate our Catholic religion as one.

We also got to witness all the different Catholic schools of Melbourne walk down the aisle with flags representing their schools as well as to the sound of the beautiful bagpipe instruments throughout our time at the Church.

A special moment was when a new icon of St. Patrick was revealed. The icon showed him as a strong and faithful leader, reminding us of his dedication to spreading God’s message. Seeing this made us think about how we, too, can live by his example - helping others and being kind.

As the icon was unveiled, the whole cathedral was filled with a sense of appreciation and respect. It was a great reminder of how important our faith is in shaping who we are.

Written and presented to you by Leila, Isla & Elijah T.

Prep 2026 Enrolment Applications are due

If you have a child due to start school next year, please ensure you have submitted an application. I will begin interviews during Term 2. Once your application has been submitted, you will receive an invitation to book at time for you and your child to meet with me as part of their transition into Primary School.

Families wishing to access out of school care in Term 2 need to ensure they have enrolled with our new provider MACSeye. If you need any support, please contact them directly by phoning 1300 501 029 or emailing contact@macseye.vic.edu.au. See linked documents below for more information.

Easter Prayer

Gracious God, as we celebrate the resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ, 

we pause to give thanks for the gift of eternal life and the hope that He has given us. 

May the joy of this Easter day fill our hearts and minds, and may we be reminded of the transformative power of your love. 

We pray that we may live our lives in a way that honours your name and reflects the light of Christ. 

Amen

Warm wishes for the school holidays and Easter celebrations

Emily

Reminders:

• Friday 4 April - Holy Week Prayer Gathering, Last Day of Term with 1pm finish (wear house colours)
• Monday 21 April - Easter Monday : Public Holiday
• Tuesday 22 April - Term 2 begins
• Friday 25 April - ANZAC Day : Public Holiday
• Monday 28 April - SJ Athletics Day at Aberfeldie Park