A message from Emily

Dear parents and carers

What an exciting celebration we had on Monday 8th August recognising St Mary of the Southern Cross MacKillop's feast day and our Centenary Mass. After celebrating mass we all returned to school and gathered into our sport houses to complete different activities. To top off the day everyone enjoyed a Daniel's donut. Keep an eye out for the release of the bunting and crests each team has designed representing Alex, Flora, Irene and Malachi.

Last week MACS launched their strategic plan, 'Working Together in Mission and Introducing MACS 2030: Forming lives to Enrich the World'. Three amazing children featured in a video as part of the this launch. I think you will agree that the future is in safe hands when you hear what these young people share ideas about the world in 2030.

Last week I meet with our sales manager from RHUniforms to discuss changes to the companies they had sourced our St John's uniform from in the past. Due to changes in the industry some items are no longer available or the quality of the materials used are not to RHUniforms standards. This has meant that they are sourcing items from new manufacturers and a slight colour variation to the navy blue we currently receive. We have decided to go with a darker shade of blue, often referred to as ink navy, for items manufactured after current stocks have been sold. Over the next few years we will phase out the current navy blue and any new items purchased will be the ink navy colour. The ink navy is not as likely to fade like the current shade of navy. Families who source uniform items like shorts, track pants etc. from other retailers such as Best and Less or Target, we ask that you purchase these in the ink navy colour in the future. All current items of uniform that you have for your children to wear can continue to be worn until it's time to replace them. Please do not feel like you need to go and purchase a new uniform. This will be a slow transition. 

RHUniforms is also relocating from Tullamarine and will now be on Keilor Rd Niddrie. The new location will be: 445B (level 2) Keilor Road, Niddrie, 3042 (above fresh fruit world).

Timing around this is as follows: Tullamarine store will be closed on 31 August to 2 September to move stock. They will reopen on the 5 September in the new Niddrie location. Online orders will not be affected and once we are operational we will start processing these again. 

If you have any questions please email: econroy@sjfootscray.catholic.edu.au

MACSSIS 2022: Tomorrow every family will receive an email containing information on how to access the MACSSIS survey and a unique pin.

This survey provides the school with perceptive data that we use to measure our impact, successes and future priorities. Staff of St John's and children in Years 4-6 will also complete a MACSSIS survey. The combined feedback is highly valuable to us as a school and will be used to inform our planning for 2023. We would love for every family to have their say in what's next for our beautiful community. Please click on the video below if you would like to know more about the MACSSIS survey.

At assembly last week we presented our children in the St John's Choir their choir badge. These children have made a commitment to the choir, giving up their break times to come together with Helen to practice. They had their first experience of singing in front of an audience at our Centenary mass. They were amazing and received so many positive comments from special guests and parishioners who were in attendance. I look forward to hearing them sing at future events we have planned this year including the Sacrament of Eucharist in September.

This week we say 'see you soon' to Marty who is needing to give more time to his business 'Inform and Empower'. We already have Marty booked for days where he will be working alongside Bess and the children with some fun projects in Term 4. Please see message from Marty below.  

Thanks very much to the amazing St John's community (students, parents & teachers) for welcoming me back this year. I have made the difficult decision to step away from my regular Friday in the 3/4 & 5/6 hubs effective immediately. I will be committing more time to my own business that supports numerous schools (including St John's) in delivering digital safety and wellbeing. It's definitely not a final goodbye as I'm forever tied to this brilliant school community and look forward to finding ways to collaborate in the future.Marty

I would also like to welcome some new faces to the St John's community. Lauren has been working in the Year 1 Hub with Lien and Amy since Week 3 this term. Lauren comes to us from Ave Maria College where she worked with secondary-aged girls but wanted a change to a primary school setting. Already Lauren has formed great relationships with the children in Year 1. We welcomed Shona to the Prep Hub this week who is stepping in to replace Raquel while she is on leave for the remainder of the term. Shona recently relocated from Mildura so that her daughter could attend Maribyrnong Secondary College. Tomorrow we welcome Jessie to our community. Jessie will be taking over Marty's Fridays and working in the 3/4 and 5/6 Hubs. Jessie is easing her way back into teaching after having twins 18 months ago. We are very lucky to have these three amazing people join our school community.

There are a few school events that are coming up that I invite you to find out more about on the Learning page of this newsletter. These include; Book Week, Father's Day Stall and Breakfast, Footy Colours Day (children can come dressed in their favourite sporting team colours), and our Discovery Learning Walk and Community Conversation. Kelly has also organised exciting opportunities for our children through Sporting Schools. These include, Hockey Victoria working with the Prep Hub, Taekwondo for the 1, 2 and 3/4 Hubs and Melbourne United NBL Basketball for the 5/6 Hub. The 3/4 Hub also had representatives from the AFL schools program to teach football skills earlier this term. It is great that we are able to offer these wonderful experiences to our community again. 

We look forward to seeing you at our up coming community events.

Warm wishes

Emily