Key Dates & Reminders
CALENDAR DATES
Below are a list of some of the main dates for Family Calendars:
November Dates
Monday 17th November - Prep 2026 Transition Day 3 9:30am - 11am
Parents remain for Meeting
Friday 21st November - SCHOOL CLOSURE for Staff Professional Development
Saturday 22nd November - St Andrew’s Parish Fair
Wednesday 26th November - School Mass
Friday 28th November - Year 5 & 6 Water Safety Session @ Altona Beach
December Dates
Tuesday 2nd December - Year 6 Graduation Bike Ride
Thursday 4th December - Nativity Performances @ 2:30, 6:00 & 7:00
Monday 8th December - 2026 Year 1 - 6 Orientation Session
Thursday 11th December - Year 6 Graduation @ 7:00 in the Hall
Tuesday 16th December - End of Term 12:30 Students finish
SCHOOL CLOSURE
A reminder to parents that next week we have a school closure day on Friday 21st November.
PREP 2026 FINAL TRANSITION DAY
On Monday, 17th November, we’ll hold our third and final Prep 2026 Transition Session from 9:30am – 11am. Parents are asked to drop off their child in the Hall, where children will then be guided to classrooms.
PLEASE NOTE: Parents MUST stay to attend an Information Session. During this session, families will meet the school nurse, who will visit your child next year, and can chat with staff from our before and after school care program. Each parent will also receive a ‘showbag’ filled with helpful items to support their child’s smooth start to school next year.
REMEMBRANCE DAY
Australians commemorate Remembrance Day every year on November 11, as this day marks the anniversary of the end of World War I. We observe one minute of silence at 11 a.m. to honour and remember all those who have died or suffered in all wars throughout the world. Every November the RSL (Returned & Services League of Australia) hold their annual Poppy Appeal, to raise funds to support veterans and their families. St John’s have made a donation to our local RSL Branch for the poppies the students received today.
The symbol of the poppy stems from the First World War, when the flowers famously bloomed across the battlefields of northern France and Belgium, and were a striking symbol of life in the midst of destruction. Inspired by this, Canadian doctor John McCrae wrote the poem, "In Flanders Fields," and the poppy became a powerful and enduring symbol of the sacrifice made by those who died in the conflict. The red poppy we wore today, honours the memory of all who have served in our Armed Forces.
In Flanders Fields
By John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Below is a picture taken during today’s Remembrance Day celebration:
NATIVITY PERFORMANCE TICKETS
On Thursday 4th December, some members of our St John’s School Choir in conjunction with our Year 2s will be presenting the Nativity Story. Parents are invited to attend one of 3 Nativity Performances @ 2:30, 6:00 & 7:00. The first performance will occur during school time, with the other two performances occurring later in the day. All parents will be sent a booking form link in the week prior to these presentations, so they can secure up to 6 seats. We are very excited to gather as a school community to celebrate the festive season and recall the meaning behind Christmas, which is to remember the birth of our Saviour, Christ. Year 2 students and the Nativity Choir members, will receive a notification with the details of the three Nativity Performances, in the next few weeks, outlining the requirements for the day.
FAMILY HOLIDAYS DURING SCHOOL TIME
Families wishing to end the year early to commence family holidays are asked to contact the office to complete documentation which outlines your expected return dates to school. This is vital also for families who may not be back for the commencement of the 2026 school year. Clear communication enables us to ensure all enrolment placements can be held with confidence.
Families should also be aware that the first weeks of the school year are an important time whereby your child becomes familiar with their new classmates, teacher and the routines of the new class. Families should think carefully about these impacts before booking extended holidays.
GRADUATION SAVE THE DATE
Our families are asked to ‘Save the Date’ for our 2025 Year 6 Graduation, which will be held on Thursday 11th December @ 7:00pm in the School Hall.
LUNCH ORDERS
Our Parents and Friends have organised two lunch order options for students to access. Below are the details for which option is available on what day. Please note that each option requires a separate App:
Mondays: Students can order a Subway lunch order via the Canteen Hub App
Fridays: Students can order a lunch order from TK Tuckshop via the Spriggy School App
