Principal's News

Dear Families

I hope you all enjoyed the extra-long weekend with family and friends. It was a wonderful opportunity to rest and prepare for the busy weeks ahead as we enter the final six weeks of the term.

Each Remembrance Day, we recognise the red poppy as a universal symbol of remembrance. This delicate flower reminds us of hope and of our shared commitment to building a more peaceful world.

As we honour this day, we pause to remember all who have served our country— the men and women who have shown courage in times of conflict, and those who continue to serve in the defence forces today. We give thanks for their bravery, dedication, and selflessness in working to protect peace and freedom.

We also remember the families of those who serve, whose strength and sacrifice often go unseen but are deeply felt.

On Monday, 11 November, St John’s students will gather to remember and pray for all who have served and sacrificed for our nation. Together, we will reflect on the gift of peace and the importance of gratitude, compassion, and unity in our world today.

As we pray together, we recall the words of St. Paul:

“May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all.” — 2 Thessalonians 3:16

And as we remember, we recite:

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning,We will remember them.

May we always carry forward the legacy of those who sacrificed for peace, honouring their service through our compassion, gratitude, and commitment to a more just and peaceful world.

Day for Daniel at St John's

On the Day for Daniel last week, students at St John’s engaged in learning about personal safety and awareness. The day encouraged discussions about how to recognise unsafe situations, make safe choices, and seek help from trusted adults. Through age-appropriate activities and conversations, students learned the importance of staying alert both online and in the community, and how small actions can help keep themselves and others safe. The focus on safety empowered students to understand their right to feel safe at all times and reinforced the vital message of speaking up if something doesn’t feel right. We encourage you to keep having these conversations at home and ask your children what they learnt.

Only One More Sleep Until Our Better Buddy Day and the Colour Run!

We’re so excited — the countdown is almost over! Our Colour Run is tomorrow, and we’re thrilled to announce that we’ve nearly reached our fundraising goal. A huge thank you to everyone who has supported the Fun Run by donating or helping with the organisation — your generosity and enthusiasm make this event so special.

Our staff are always eager to get involved, and the sliming sessions are a perfect example of their school spirit! Three cheers for Miss Goad, Miss Davis, and Mr Charlie for bravely taking part!

Let’s keep the momentum going as we work towards our final goal!

What to Wear and Bring for the Colour Run! 👟

Children are encouraged to wear a  hat, white T-shirt( not a singlet as we are a sunsmart school), comfortable coloured pants/skirt, a hat and runners that you don’t mind getting a little wet and colourful! They can also accessorise with headbands, sunglasses and any other fun, creative touches to make the day extra bright.

Please note that there will be sprinklers and water guns in use during the event, so students may get wet. We recommend packing a towel or bringing one for the car when you pick them up.

Running schedule

1. Sensory run for those students who do not want to be wet or have colour on them. Please email your child's teacher if your child does not want to get wet or coloured.

2. The class who raised the most money

3. Other classes year 2, Year 3, Year 4 , Year 5, 

    Year 6 Prep buddies - one lap

    Prep one lap by themselves

    Year 6 one lap themselves

4. Families run including siblings 

6. Staff run - Year 6 committee to help squirt the teachers

7. Slime Ms Alison 

Prizes: Prize ordering opens Friday morning 7th November and closes on Friday, 14th November at 11:59pm. 

Donations can continue to be made until prize ordering closes.

Assessment and Reporting

Throughout the term, teachers have gathered a range of assessment information to monitor student progress and inform future learning. This includes classroom observations, work samples, and formal assessment tasks across all learning areas.

Teachers are now preparing the Semester 2 Reports, which provide an overview of each child’s achievements, growth, and areas for future focus. These reports are an important part of our partnership with families, helping us to celebrate successes and guide ongoing learning both at school and at home. Reports will be sent out 15th December.

Student Led Conferences

To complement these reports, students will also have the opportunity to share their learning with their families at our Student-Led Conferences. Based on feedback, we have moved the timing of the conferences to Week 6, rather than later in the term. This change means families will see both finalised pieces of work as well as tasks students are still developing or continuing — a true reflection of the learning journey.

Year 1 - 6 -Wednesday 12 November (3:45pm to 6:00pm)

Prep -Thursday 27 November (3:40pm to 6:00pm)

 Event code:   6duzk

Online Booking Site OPENS Thursday 6 November 2025 at 10:00am 

This is just a reminder that all 2025 school fees need to be finalised ASAP. Thank you to those families who have settled their accounts for the year. If this is not the case please make your final payments to ensure that there is no outstanding debt, unless you already have a payment agreement in place.

At St John’s, we aim to make a Catholic education affordable and achievable for all families who seek it for their children. At the same time, we must manage the requirements and rising costs associated with running a school.

As part of our regular fee-setting process, we consider various factors, including the Commonwealth Department of Education’s annual assessment of our community’s Capacity to Contribute (CTC). This assessment helps determine the extent to which families can contribute to the operating costs of our school.

After consultation with MACS, our Business Manager, and the School Advisory Board, it has been determined that the family fees for 2026 will need to increase. For a family with one child, the fee will rise by $220, and for families with more than one child, the increase will be $275. We’re pleased to inform you, however, that the levies will remain unchanged, consistent with those set for 2024 and 2025.

Thank you for your understanding and ongoing support of our school community.

Further details about payment plans can be found in the School Information section.

School structure for 2026

Late last term, the School Advisory Council (SAC) and the Consultative Committee met to discuss the proposed class structure for 2026. The planned structure is as follows:

• Prep: 2 classes
• Year 1: 2 classes
• Year 2: 2 classes
• Year 3: 2 classes
• Year 4: 2 classes
• Year 5: 2 classes
• Year 6: 3 classes

This structure has been designed to best support the learning and wellbeing of all students. Further details, including teaching allocations, will be shared once finalised.

STEM Learning in Action

STEM provides a wonderful learning opportunity for our students. With the support of Mr Frank Cotela, the children get to explore, experiment, and engage in hands-on, innovative projects.

Congratulations to Sirat, Zoe M, Zoe G, and Lucinda (all in 5M) for winning the State Speed Trials as part of the Year 5/6 STEM Aviation Project. This achievement is a fantastic recognition of the creativity and problem-solving skills fostered through our STEM lessons.

See you all Friday at the  Colour Fun Run

Alison Dean