General Information
Information which you need to be aware of
NEW COMMUNICATION APP NOW OPEN
As mentioned in previous Newsletters, Operoo is no longer operational and we have moved to a new platform to communicate with parents, nForma For Parents. It is important that the email used to log in to your App is the email that is linked with the school. We are currently waiting for notification from nForma telling us that all data has been successfully transferred. Once this occurs families will receive a notification asking them to double check that all their details are correct. For those who do not have the App currently, please see the downloading instructions below:
2025 SCHOOL FEES REMINDER
Thank you to all the families who have finalised their 2025 school fees. This enables us to effectively run the school. A reminder to those families with outstanding balances, that these payments need to be finalised by Tuesday 30th November. Please contact the office and speak with Grace if you require any clarification.
2026 SCHOOL FEES
Below is an outline of the school fees for the 2026 school year. The increase in amounts has been unavoidable and reflects advice given to St John’s by MACS (Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools), our governing body. A reminder that the 2026 Direct Debit forms were sent home early this month. Families wishing to utilise this payment method are reminded that forms need to be returned this Friday, 28th November.
Student Levy - $420 per child
Capital Levy - $300
General School Fees - Expected to be $1940 per family (unlimited children)
Parish Support (Stewardship) $5 a week (which would be $260 annually)
CAMP QUALITY PUPPET SHOW
Yesterday all students attended one of our Camp Quality Puppet Shows. The program visits primary schools throughout Australia to provide age-appropriate cancer education through fun and interactive puppet performances. The show helps to demystify cancer, dispel myths, and support children who have a family member with cancer.
PREP ANIMAL INCURSION
On Friday 14th November the Preps participated in an incursion, where they got to have hands-on experience with a range of mammals, birds and reptiles. As you can see from the images below the students saw a range of wonderful animals.
CRICKET CLINICS
Our school was fortunate to participate in a cricket initiative run through Cricket Victoria. Cricket Blast is a fast, fun and active program that emphasises maximum participation as well as the development of basic motor and cricket skills. The fully funded Cricket Blast Program was sponsored by Cricket Australia and Woolworths.
YEAR 1 - 6 2026 ORIENTATION SESSION
On Monday 8th December we will be holding an Orientation Session for our 2026 Year 1 - 6 classes. At this session students will meet their teacher for next year and will have a chance to work with their 2026 classmates.
BUILDING UPDATE
As mentioned in previous Newsletters, we have been working with the Catholic Education Office, in an ongoing process to secure new portable classrooms. These modular rooms should arrive on site either late December or early January and will be the location of our 2026 Year 4 classes. These rooms will be fully air conditioned and will be connected to the school wifi.
SOCIAL MEDIA BAN
From December 10, 2025, Australia's new law will require age-restricted social media platforms to prevent users under 16 from creating or keeping accounts. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X are required to take "reasonable steps" to comply, facing large fines if they do not. The aim is to improve online safety for young Australians.
For further information and advice from our Cyber Safety Partners, Inform and Empower, please see the parent letter linked below.
CHILD SAFETY - SCREENTIME STEALING YOUR CHILD’S SLEEP
The Linewize platform helps schools, students and families to develop better digital habits, while also monitoring and tracking digital usages. With St John’s now working in partnership with Linewize, our parents have access to an Online Safety Parent Hub, via the school’s website. This Hub has a wealth of tips and information for families.
The link below takes parents to a timely article by Digital Wellbeing Content Creator, Michelle Manowski, on Screentime Stealing Your Child’s Sleep. The article explores how excessive screen use can lead to sleep deprivation, causing cognitive and behavioural issues. It also includes helpful tips for limiting evening screen time and promoting healthy ‘sleep hygiene’.
ASSEMBLY LIVE STREAM
Each Friday the students gather for a whole school assembly in the Hall. This event is usually streamed to our Vimeo channel. Families can view the assembly by clicking on the link which is emailed via email using your Operoo profile. The email only goes to those parents who have “receive correspondence” checked in their settings.