Principal's News

A Prayer for Pilgrims

Heavenly Father

Whatever troubles may be before me, help me to accept them cheerfully, remembering who I am trying to follow.

Let me not be afraid.

May I have great love for other people and be patient with them and let charity guide me throughout my life.

Words based on St Mary Mackillop

Dear Families

Today, we celebrate the incredible dedication and commitment of the staff at St John's on World Teachers' Day. Our teachers consistently go above and beyond to inspire, nurture, and support all students in their learning journey. Their passion for education, unwavering care for each child, and willingness to continually grow as professionals are a true testament to their dedication. I feel incredibly fortunate to lead such a wonderful group of professionals who are deeply committed to shaping the future of our students. We are so grateful for the positive impact they have on our entire school community. Happy World Teachers' Day to our amazing team!

Prep 2025 Parent Information Night and Steps to Prep Sessions

Prep 2025 Parent Information Night

Last Thursday, the atmosphere was alive with excitement as we hosted our Steps to Prep 2025 Information Night. The buzz in the room was joyful, and I think many families would have happily chatted all night! This event was a significant milestone for both new and returning families as they begin their journey at St John's. The evening provided valuable insights into the transition process and highlighted vibrant aspects of our school community. 

Steps to Prep Session One

Yesterday, we welcomed our 2025 Prep children for their first of five Steps to Prep sessions at St John’s. It was a joyful and memorable occasion as the children began exploring their new surroundings. We thank the PIC team who hosted a lovely morning tea for the Prep 2025 parents, giving them a chance to connect and build relationships. We are so excited to have these new families on board and are looking forward for the year ahead! 

Reconciliation Candidates

This week we welcomed Fr Vinh and families to St John's for our Reconciliation Family Faith night. Fr Vinh spoke about the importance of the Sacrament and the enrichment forgiveness and reconciliation has on our lives. We thank Fr Vinh as he partners with our teachers and parents in the faith formation of our students. Please pray for our 3JC and 3H students on 31 October as they receive this special Sacrament. Thank you to Connie Bandiera, Krissy Hales, Tracey James and Laura Ciavarella for their many hours of preparation as students receive this important Sacrament.

Closure of Flexischools

To enhance and streamline our communication between school and home, we will be discontinuing the use of the Flexi Schools app as of Monday, 28 October 2024. Moving forward, all notifications will be sent exclusively via the new 'nForma for Parents' app. To ensure you stay up to date with important information, we kindly ask that you set up the 'nForma for Parents' app at your earliest convenience. Please see eLearning News for information on uploading the nForma app.

Class placements for 2025

We have received numerous requests from families regarding friendship-based class placements for next year. While we fully respect that you know your children in ways that only a parent can, we kindly ask that you trust in the professional insight of your child’s teacher. Teachers have a deep understanding of each student's academic, social, emotional, and behavioural needs, which may differ from what is observed at home. It is important to remember that it’s impossible to accommodate every request, and our goal is to create balanced, supportive learning environments that foster the growth and development of all students. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this process.

As we are going to have three Year 5 grades in 2025 we have some vacancies for 2025. Please let your friends know if they are thinking about moving to St John's now is a great time to do so.

Birthday celebrations:

A friendly reminder that, as per our school policy, families are kindly asked not to send edible high-sugar goodies in birthday bags. We encourage celebrating with non-edible treats to promote a healthy environment for all students. Thank you for your understanding and support in keeping our school community healthy and happy!

School Disco

Last Friday night, the Rosanna Cricket Club was rocking as our students took part in the St John's Student Disco. It was a wonderful night, made possible by the collective hard work and contributions of the PIC, particularly Melissa Boundy and her team of volunteers.  I would also like to thank our Security personnel - Stephen Grech and Andrew Petridis who battled the crazy weather and kept us all safe. On behalf of our students, thank you so much for putting on such a fun night.  Well done to all the families for getting out on the dance floor. I must admit my feet were sore from dancing!

School Master plan - it's time for you to have a say!

As we embark on the development of our school's Master Plan, we invite families to provide valuable input into shaping the future of St John’s. One way to begin the consultation process is by completing a quick survey, where you can share your thoughts on improvements you'd like to see. Your feedback is important to us, and together we can ensure that our school continues to grow as a vibrant, welcoming, and inspiring place for all. Here is the link to the survey:

Master Plan survey: https://u5ufbtvub9n.typeform.com/to/wSQNZm9N

Outstanding School Fees

A friendly reminder that any outstanding school fees are now due. We kindly ask that these be settled as soon as possible to ensure the smooth running of our programs and activities. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter!

Student Led Conferences

Student Led Conferences will take place on Tuesday 3 December from 3:45pm - 5:30pm. Booking details will be shared closer to the time.

Camino Reflection

Thanks you to everyone who has asked about my recent pilgrimage on the Camino. 

Walking the Camino was a profound journey, a time of great reflection and prayer.  Each day, I found myself shedding more of what I initially thought was essential. Excess clothing, abundance of food, my ipad and phone, and other materialistic objects. By the final day, I carried only the things that truly mattered, in my mind, heart and backpack. This process of letting go reminded me of leadership — it's about clarity of purpose, focusing on what is most important, and letting go of the unnecessary burdens that can weigh us down.

The Camino also deepened my understanding of gratitude and the power of connection. Along the path, I encountered people from all walks of life. Each person I met had a unique story and perspective, a strong faith and the will for deep connections, this consolidated the importance of welcoming everyone with openness and kindness.

Leadership is not just about the tasks we perform or the goals we set, but about how we value and interact with each individual we meet along the way. Being present, showing gratitude, and embracing those around us are the things that truly make the journey meaningful.

In leadership, as in life, it’s the relationships and the shared experiences that matter most. The Camino reminded me to be grateful for every step, every challenge, and every person who walks alongside us, even if only for a short while. By lightening my load, focusing on what’s essential, and welcoming others with open hearts, I hope to become better leader, wife, parent, friend and create a more connected, purposeful learning community.

Warm regards

Alison Dean

Principal