Principal's News

Dear Families

Last Sunday’s Gospel, Luke 21:5–19, offers the St John’s community a powerful message of trust, hope, and unwavering perseverance. Jesus speaks to the disciples about the challenges and uncertainties they will face, reassuring them—and us—that no matter what lies ahead, we are held in God’s loving presence. His promise, “I will give you words and wisdom,” reminds us that God equips us with the strength, clarity, and courage we need.

May this Gospel stir our hearts to see every challenge as an invitation to deepen our faith, lift one another up, and recognise God’s gentle guidance in each step we take. May we move forward with confidence, knowing that we do not journey alone.

Colour Fun Run- What a great afternoon!!

A huge thank you to our students, staff, and families who supported what was a wonderful Colour Run! Special thanks to Eddie and Audrey for getting slimed with me – what a fun moment.

As you can imagine, a lot of effort goes into events like this, and we could not do it without the enthusiasm and dedication of the PIC team. A special thanks to Lisa (Mia 1D) and Megan (Kate 2JC) for purchasing the streamers balloons etc and setting up the profiles. 

I would also like to acknowledge our Year 6 students for designing and setting up the course, as well as the volunteers who helped squirt water and powder throughout the day. Your energy and commitment made this event truly memorable!

St John’s Leadership -Planning Day

Over the past few weeks, the St John’s Leadership Team has been working collaboratively to review our 2025 action goals and achievements. Drawing on a range of evidence,including student assessment data, MACSSIS feedback, and insights from our recent review we have developed our 2026–2029 School Improvement Plan and refined St John’s Strategic Intent.

Our Strategic Intent reaffirms our commitment to using evidence-informed pedagogical practices to optimise student outcomes and strengthen partnerships within our school community, while remaining grounded in our Catholic Identity and school priorities.

2026–2029 School Improvement Plan 

Priority 1 - To improve student achievement in mathematics, particularly, in number fluency and number sense in years F-2.

Priority 2 - To improve student achievement in reading comprehension across all learning areas in Year 3-6.

Priority 3 -To improve instructional leadership practices for staff.

Priority 4 -To strengthen and deepen the Catholic faith and tradition in our school community - staff, students and families.

Priority 5 - To improve student behaviour and engagement in Year F-6.

Thank you to the 2025 leadership team for their thoughtful contributions and shared commitment to continuous improvement.

At St John’s, we are very fortunate to have such committed and dedicated staff who continually support the growth and learning of our students. In 2026, we are excited to welcome two new staff members to our community:

• Nicole Federico, who will take on the role of Vision for Engagement – Learning Diversity Leader.

• Angélique Barbuto, who will join us as Vision for Instruction – Maths Leader and classroom teacher.

   

We look forward to the expertise that Nicole and Angélique will bring to our school, supporting both staff and students as we continue to pursue excellence in learning and teaching.

I am very pleased to announce the leadership team for 2026.

• Principal - Alison Dean
• Deputy Principal and Learning and Teaching leader - Elizabeth Whiting,  
• Education in Faith leader- Connie Bandiera, 
• Vision for Instruction-Literacy leader, P-2 Tracey James, Yr 3-6 Elizabeth Whiting
• Vision for Instruction - Mathematics Leader -Angelique Barbuto,
• Student Engagement -Learning Diversity Leader-Nicole Federico, 
• Student Engagement -Wellbeing leaders- Brooke Davis, 

• eLearning Leader- Frank Cotela.

   

After many years of dedicated service at St John’s, Marguerite Ryan, Virgina Hales and Leanne Bradley have decided it is time to retire. We extend our heartfelt thanks to  Marg, Virginia and Leanne for all that they have contributed to our school. Their enthusiasm, care, and expertise have made a significant impact on countless staff, students, and families over the years.

We are deeply grateful for their commitment and wish them every blessing as they enter this next chapter next year. We will show our appreciation and celebrate Marg, Virginia and Leanne's time at St John’s at the last assembly.

Intervention and extension/acceleration leaders for 2026:

Literacy: Connie Bandiera and Liza  Hyland

Maths: Paul Tarabay, Sally Tan and Judy Doupe

Year Five Student Leadership Speeches: It was with great pleasure that I listened to the speeches of our Year Five students this week, as they nominated for leadership opportunities in Year Six, 2025. Each student spoke with confidence, maturity, and a strong sense of responsibility as they shared the areas in which they hope to lead. I sincerely thank our Year Five students for the thought and effort they put into preparing and presenting their speeches, and for demonstrating such enthusiasm for contributing to our school community.

As outlined in our school’s Student Leadership Policy, the essential criteria for all student leadership positions are:

• Consistently exhibits our school faith based values (ie. caring for others, friendliness, respect, valuing difference, including others and responsibility).
• Demonstrates exemplary behaviour by upholding the school’s rights and responsibilities.
• Displays organisational skills.
• Works well in teams.
• Demonstrates confidence in public speaking.
• Demonstrates interest and willingness to be involved in all types of school activities. 

Congratulations to those students who nominated themselves for the various leadership positions and to students and staff for their votes. I look forward to announcing the successful applicants shortly.

PIC AGM

On Tuesday 18 November, St John’s parents came together for the St John’s PIC AGM. This was a most successful meeting as parents nominated, as members, for the 2026 PIC team and planned forward for 2026 events. The PIC is a most important and significant group in our community as parents work to provide opportunities for community building and raise valuable funds for our school. I thank this year's PIC executive committee members Megan, Mary, Mel, Margaret and Denise for the many successful events over the past year.

We are seeking someone with a finance or accounting background to join the PIC team as Treasurer. This person will be responsible for maintaining accurate financial records and providing a finance report at each PIC meeting, including updates on all fundraising activities. If you are interested in this role, please let me know.

Thank You – 2025 St John’s SAC

I would like to formally thank our St John’s parents, staff, and parish leadership for their commitment and engagement as members of the School Advisory Council (SAC) throughout 2025. Their contributions have played an important role in strengthening our school community.

A special thank you to those members who attended their final SAC meeting in November- Silvana and Kate. I am particularly grateful to Laurette, our SAC Chairperson, for her ongoing support and to Silvana for ensuring our minutes and agendas were consistently prepared and shared each meeting.

We look forward to welcoming new members to the SAC next year, with nominations to be advertised early in the new year.

Student-Led Conferences

Congratulations to all St John’s students who came together in their classrooms with their parents and carers to share their Semester Two learning in their Student-Led Conferences. Student-Led Conferences provided a wonderful opportunity for students to express their voice and articulate their learning goals, achievements and areas for growth to their families. Thank you to everyone who attended.

 Prep families will have the chance to participate in this meaningful experience on Thursday 27 November (3:40pm to 6:00pm).

 Event code:   6duzk            Online Booking Site 

Christmas Carols

Our students are excitedly preparing for the Christmas Carols on Tuesday, 2 December. Gates will open at 4:30 pm, and families are welcome to arrive early to enjoy a picnic or purchase sausages from the PIC BBQ. Stalls will also be open for families to explore before the carols.

At 5:30 pm, students will be asked to join their class and teachers on the basketball court to participate in the carols. 

Students are able to wear hats and Christmas outfits - For example - santa hats, tinsel in hair, red or green clothing. Please no sporting tops.

The BBQ and stalls will cease while the Carols are on so all can enjoy the carols

A huge thank you to Mrs Maria Buttifant for preparing the students in performing arts for this memorable event.

If there is inclement weather forecast for the day a decision to cancel the carols will be made the day before. 

We are asking for some volunteers to help set up the stage and add decorations at 8am on Tuesday, 2 December. Please let Elizabeth know if you can help.

We look forward to celebrating this festive evening together as a school community!

3 December- Student free day

On Wednesday, 3 December St John’s staff will come together for a Planning Day. Teachers and staff undertake work in preparing for learning in 2026. I thank each and every staff member for their dedication and commitment in providing high quality learning experiences for our students at St John’s.  

MACSEYE will be open on this day. If you require care please contact them directly to book in.

School Commencement 2026 

The 2026 school year for St John’s staff will commence on Tuesday, 27 January. Staff will participate in Professional Learning Days on 27 and 28 January.

Student testing days for Years 1–6 will be as follows:

• Thursday, 29 January: Students with surnames A–L

• Friday, 30 January: Students with surnames M–Z

   

Prep students will have their testing on Wednesday, 4, 11, 18 and 25 February (Dates and times will be provided shortly). Further details regarding testing days for Prep to Year 6 students will be communicated by the 2025 classroom teachers on their transition day.

All students, including Prep, will commence on Monday 2 February.

MACSEYE Summer holiday program 

We’re pleased to advise that MACSEYE will offer a holiday program during the January school holidays at Mary Immaculate Ivanhoe for St John's families.

Theme: Summer Explorers

Program dates: 12-23 January

MACSEYE Christmas shutdown period: offices will be closed from 20 December and reopen on 5 January. Please contact MACSEYE if you would like to book your child/children into this service.

HAND WRITING PROJECT KEEPSAKE FOR OUR PARISH175TH CELEBRATION – 2026

Exciting information form the Parish

AIM: To have a unique handwritten bound book of St. John’s Gospel as a

treasure to keep forever in our parish.

This exciting project (part of our 175th Celebrations) is a way for us to get to know the Gospelof St. John more closely. The Gospel of St John has been put into sections/pages and we areasking for 120 individual parishioners or families to take a section. We will give you the section to write, the paper and the pen to be used.The project will commence in December 2025 and all writings need to be back to the parishoffice by St. Patricks Day 17th March. After we have collected all the writings we will get them bound in a special 175th folder withcontributor’s names at the rear of the book. We will then present it to the Archbishop for aspecial blessing when he visits us for the Thanksgiving Mass on Sunday 3rd May. After that the book will be displayed in the church with different passages open on different days untilDecember 2026.

Instructions:

• Put you name forward – name and phone number on clipboard at the back of the church or phone or email the parish office.

• You can pick up your section of the Gospel to be written, as well as the special penand paper to be used, from the parish office from Tuesday 9th December.

• Return your writings to the parish office anytime before 17th March 2026.

• Writing can be printing, flowing writing or any style that is legible and neat. The writings must be on the lined paper provided and kept within the margins.

• If you need more than the paper provided then please call in for more paper (or ifyou have made errors).

• It is a good idea to have a practice first perhaps and see how much of your writings fit on a similar page before you start on the paper given.

The writings must be exactly as given to you – please do not change the Word of God!

God’s Blessings and happy writings,

Fr Vinh, Fr Geo & the 175th Anniversary Committee*

Any further information, concerns or questions please ring Michelle 0499891101 or Elizabeth Williams on 0447195553

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.

I would like to inform the community that I will be taking two weeks’ leave starting next week. During my absence, the school will be in capable hands with Elizabeth Whiting as Acting Principal and Connie Bandiera as Deputy Principal. Please reach out to Elizabeth and Connie if you have any questions or concerns during this time.

I look forward to seeing you all upon my return.

Alison Dean