A message from Emily

Dear parents and carers

Today I met with Taylah who is the new co-ordinator for OSHClub, to ensure we are in partnership in providing an outstanding out of hours care option for our families. I am excited by Taylah's ideas and the preparation she is already doing to ensure a fun, organised and safe environment for our children. Earlier this term I met with Dan, our previous co-ordinator to discuss the viability of a holiday program being offered over the Christmas break. Dan was really keen for this to happen and I was happy to support as long as the team would be able to provide a suitable long day program. After assessing this, Dan and the OSHClub team decided that this would not be possible with the current restrictions we have around space, supervision and safety. We are all really disappointed that this is the case but are pleased that local schools are able to cater for the needs of our families during this time. All families who currently access OSHClub received an email last week from Taylah sharing this update. The holiday program will finish on 30th January and begins at St John's on 31st January. On behalf of OSCHClub and St John's, I really thank you for your patience and understanding. 

Since our last newsletter we held our St John's Trivia Night and raised $1,111.53.  This money will go towards purchasing new yard game materials for the children to access during their break times. Thank you again to all the businesses who made donations for prizes for this event. I have listed them again so our community can also support them in return.

Silent Auction Items

• Signed footy from the AFLW Western Bulldogs team
• 2x $300 vouchers to Poytons - donated by Normark (Danny Ferns and Enny Erawati)

Raffle Door Prizes

• 5x $20 Vouchers from Dumbo Cafe
• 1x $20 Voucher from Migrant Coffee
• 1x $50 Voucher from West Footscray Wine Bar
• 1x $50 Voucher from West 48
• 3x $30 Vouchers from Chestnut Tree Bookshop
• 10 session pass from Athena Gym
• 5 session pass from Corner Studio
• 10 day pass from Recovery Lab - donated by Alycia and Mus Mustafa

Last Thursday, Luna came to school for possibly her last time for a while. She had the most amazing day with lots of children spending time with her getting all the attention she

could possibly ask for. She has been spoiled by some children choosing to do projects that have centred around her. Check out the photos below show her wearing some of these items. 

Next week we welcome Fr Gerald and Bishop Martin Ashe to St John's as part of a Parish and Parish Schools visit. Bishop Martin will spend time with leaders, go on a school tour and enjoy a light lunch during his time at St John's. I look forward to showing Bishop Martin all the wonderful things that are happening at St John's, as well as works required around the school hall. Next Sunday, 8th December, is a big day for the Parish of Holy Family as Fr Gerald is officially installed as the Parish Priest at Our Lady's Church at 10am.

As I move into sharing plans for 2025, I would like to acknowledge to amazing staff members who won't be with us next year, our wonderful co-educators from the 1 Hub, Milly and Toula. Both will be continuing their studies in early childhood education and speech pathology respectively . They have both shown a deep commitment to the children they work with at St John's over the last few years and we hope that one day we are able to welcome them back. On behalf of the St John's community we thank you for your dedication and care.

In preparation for next year we will be relocating some of the hubs. We have developed a plan for this and have booked a moving company for Thursday 12th December. Educators may put out a call for support to help move smaller items or even cleaning of furniture. We would also love support with the culling and movement of the library books prior to the 12th December. Helpers must have a valid Working With Childrens Check to volunteer. If you are able to support please email me and we can organise a time that works for you and the school -  econroy@sjfootscray.catholic.edu.au 

2025 Hub locations - please note the blue shaded areas are not relocating and will remain in their current location. We have decided to make these changes so any future changes to do with the hall won't impact the children's hubs directly. 

2025 Staffing

The Leadership Team

Principal: Emily Conroy

Deputy Principal/Wellbeing: Karen Dodemaide

Deputy Principal/Learning & Teaching Prep: Lauren Davis (Tuesdays & Wednesdays)

Leaders

Prep Learning and Teaching Leader: Lauren Davis

1 - 2 Learning and Teaching Leader: Jenna Gladman

3-6 Learning and Teaching Leader: Amy Littley

Numeracy Leader:  Mairead Doherty

Learning Diversity Leader:  Kate Thompson

eLearning Leader: Bess Naughtin

Lead Educators

Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS): Jenna Gladman

Faith Lead Educator: Taryn Darlow

Enhancement and Extension Educator: Michele Hayes

Hub Educators and Co-Educators

Prep Hub: Maddy Flynn, Trisha Wheeler, Eva Bartram (Fridays) and Shona Pantazopoulos

1 Hub: Patrick O'Loughlin, Lien Barnabas and Sylwia Przybyla

2 Hub: Molly Argus, Charlotte Turner and Vita Mullane

3/4 Hub: Alicia Hambleton, Jordan Fry, Kelly Edgar and Thushari Senarath

5/6 Hub: Greg Lane, Rosie Williams, Mairead Doherty, Taryn Darlow and Lauren Maynard

Specialist Educators and Co-Educators

Farm: Mish Daly and Eileen Winduss

Innovation:  Bess Naughtin (Specialist Lead) and Jessie Knott

The Arts:  Melissa Murphy

Physical Education: Michelle Graham

LOTE - Auslan: Eva Bertram

Library Technician: Eileen Winduss

Administration Staff

Mondays - Thursdays: Leonie Kirk

Tuesdays - Fridays:  Melinda McNaught

2025 Captains and Leaders

Congratulations to all the children who expressed an interest and presented their speeches to their peers in Year 4 and 5. The educators and leaders were highly impressed by the preparation and quality of the speeches made by the Year 5 children. The below children were successfully voted in by their peers and the staff of St John's. I look forward to seeing what each of them bring to these roles in 2025.

School Captains

Harry, Eva and Isla

Sports Captains

Enzo, Freya, Matilda and Alana

Social Justice Leaders

Elijah T, Elijah S, Leila, Willow and Liam

Sustainability Leaders

Jackson, Violet and Caitlin

Step Up Day

On Tuesday 10th December we will run our 'Step Up' morning where the children will meet their 2025 educators in their new hub locations. This will allow the first steps to building relationships with their educator and find out their specialist groups. Educators have begun looking at groupings for next year and have received the children's requests. We always endeavour to have at least one person on each child's list in their specialist group, however this can be challenging trying to meet everyone's preference as well as consider the academic, social and emotional needs of each cohort. We take parent requests into consideration to ensure every decision made is always in the best interest of the children to ensure the best possible outcomes for engagement and learning.

See below important dates for 2025. Please note some of these are TBC and we will continue to update the Important Dates page of our newsletter for the most up to date information throughout the year. 

2025 Specialist Days

• Tuesdays - 1 Hub and 2 Hub
• Wednesdays - Prep Hub and 5/6 Hub
• Thursdays - 3/4Hub

This Sunday marks the first week of Advent and we light the first purple candle. 

As we go forth let us pray that we are bringers of hope, bringers of faith and bringers of love. May the Holy Spirit direct our words and deeds and fill them with justice, compassion and mercy, so that, through us, each person we meet is touched with the hand and heart of God. 

Warm wishes

Emily