Dear St John's Community,

I guess you've already heard the news! The St John's Colour Run and House Challenge is only 2 weeks away! How did that happen so fast! We were only just talking about it last term. Of course, some of our students have been asking to do something like this for a while now and so here it is. Please encourage friends, extended friends, neighbours and even child-safe strangers to donate to the cause. This is our first major school fundraiser since I have been at St John's. The goal being to create some more welcoming spaces for parents to meet around the school and for the teachers and students to use as outdoor learning spaces. We are also hoping to squeeze in some planning for a covered waiting area near the drive-through if we can!

Everyone is welcome on the day itself to participate in the run. We are setting up a 1km jaunt which people will be able to do as many times as they like in the time allotted. We are planning for 11.30am - 1.30pm for the run to take place with a BBQ lunch for everyone after that. Exciting!

The way the House Challenge part works is that anyone who participates (even animals!) receives a ticket for each distance they travel. When you get to school, there will be House Bins set up where you can deposit your tickets.

We will tally up all the tickets to determine which House travelled the farthest and there will be a special surprise for all members of the winning House.

Kaboom Sports

A special reminder that this Monday 23rd, students can wear their sports uniform for Kaboom Sports which will take place in the morning. Parents are welcome to attend and watch but you must sign up in the office before going to the oval. It will run from 9.15am to 11am (in the hall if its wet).

Multicultural Mass & Cultural Parish Lunch

This Sunday - 22nd October at 10am - Multicultural Mass at St John's Church - Mass will run from 10am - 11.30am due to cultural dances etc. that will take place during the mass.

At 12pm, in the St John's School hall, families are invited to engage with the Cultural lunch provided by parish cultural community groups and families from across both parishes.

A special mention for Bobby G in Grade 4 who made it to the Regional Athletics event this week. While this is an exceptional achievement in itself, Bobby ran several heats and came second in his second heat. It wasn't enough to earn him a place moving forward, but was a huge accomplishment. Well done!

Girls - AFL Lightning Prem

A few weeks ago our senior girls AFL team travelled to Baxter to play against 10 other schools in our region in the AFL Lightning Prem.

The girls played seven rounds over the day convincingly beating every opposition team. The closest game was against Woodleigh with the schools remaining tied at 0 vs 0 with only a few minutes to go in the second half when Grace T picked up a grubber of a ball and booted it through the goals. The only score for the game and another win for the girls.

The team's overall sportsmanship and care for each other was a real testament to their result. Well done, girls!

Girls - Division Basketball

Girls are doing it again it seems! Just this week our St John's Girls team led by their magic coach Mrs Cotta, went through to the next round in a hard-fought win from behind in the dying seconds. I think we heard the cheering from here! Super effort girls! Looking forward to the next round!

Prayer

We remember our Grade 6 Confirmation Candidates - 2 weeks to go!

God of all ages,

You send out your Spirit to touch the hearts of all people,

Look kindly on our candidates for Confirmation as they seek to hear your voice.

As they begin their preparation, we pray that you send your Spirit to enlighten, guide, strengthen, console, and open their hearts as they continue to seek a closer relationship with you.

Help them to truly know the deep and abiding love you have for each of them and fill them with the joy of your presence.

As our community prepares these children for Confirmation, make us an instrument of your love,

Teach us to recognise what is holy in others and to be patient with what we do not understand.

Deepen our faith and help us to pass it on by our example.

We pray that you continue to guide, sustain and teach us the Way of Love.

We give you praise through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Shhh...it's finally happening! By popular request. November 3rd - be ready to run!!! More details coming soon!

Q. Why can't basketball players go on holiday?

A. They're not allowed to travel!

Q. Why was Cinderella no good at basketball?

A. She kept running away from the ball...

Q. Why did the fish refuse to play basketball?

A. He was afraid of the net...

Have a great weekend and remember, happiness is being weird every now and then!

Kind regards,

Derek Bruitzman

Principal

School Website

Uniform changes 2024

For those who missed it last time!

Agreement has been reached in adding an option for a St John's Beanie, a spray jacket (lightweight raincoat) and a heavier softshell jacket. These will not replace anything, they will just be available for those people who want them.

We've also agreed to remove the idea of a summer/winter uniform/sports uniform and simplified it to School Uniform / Sports Uniform. There are no 'changes' to the uniform beyond making the items above available to purchase.

Sunsmart school hats are still required for playtimes in Term 1 and 4 but beanies can be worn anytime outside those times.

This is what the structure will look like for 2024:

Cybersafety

St John's Online Safety Hub

Marty's Cybersafety: Parent Toolkit

St John's Playgroup