Dear St John's Community,

Staff News

It feels a bit strange when the staff news is about me! Well, not all about me!

In case you missed the letter from Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) Southern Region Manager, Deb Egan, yesterday. I have included it here for you as well. It is good to know the school will continue in the interim in good hands. Further information about the leadership structure for the foreseeable future will come out towards the end of term.

Impending changes to the Child Safe PROTECT Frameworks.

Some of you may be aware of the PROTECT laws that establish the mandatory Child Safe Standards and protocols for schools and other organisations to follow for identifying and reporting cases of child abuse.

The processes give schools and other organisations the guides to recognise physical, sexual and emotional abuse, as well as neglect and family violence.

Registered teachers have mandatory obligations to take action and report anything they believe may be related to any of these areas.

The PROTECT guidelines have recently changed, and while the reporting documents are now more extensive, so are the things teachers are required to report. It is important for parents to realise the sorts of things teachers are required to report because the types of behaviours they must report are being expanded to include things like:

Cases of bullying (including cyber)
Physical and/or verbal assaults
Cases of Racism
Cases of student v student sexualised behaviours

While we are still waiting for more clarification on the level of severity in these instances, it is important to note the sorts of things that may soon be considered cases of reportable abuse.

This has all been in line with the recent legislative shifts in Victoria around Family violence.

Prayer for First Communion Candidates

Please keep these children and their families in your prayers as they make their First Communion this weekend.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank you for loving these children and for the great gift of the Blessed Eucharist. As they prepare for their First Communion this weekend, please help their hearts to be a quiet, welcoming home for You.

Forgive them for the times they have made mistakes, and help them to grow closer to You every day.

Feed their souls and help them realise You will always be their friend. Bless their families, teachers, and friends who have helped them to be ready.

Amen.

New Catholic Schools Parents Victoria Website

Catholic School Parents Victoria (CSPV) is the statewide representative body for parents and carers of students in Catholic schools. As an advisory body to the Victorian Catholic Education Authority (VCEA), CSPV plays a key role in strengthening the partnership between families, schools and the Church by promoting parents as the first educators of their children and supporting their engagement in their child’s journey in Catholic education.

They have released a new website which can be accessed at: http://www.cspv.catholic.edu.au/

What a talent bunch of students we have!

Last week Mr Caine took our songbirds to the Festival and they sang their little hearts out! Well done everyone! So great to see those voices being heard!

Past Student Success

Good Afternoon St John's Primary,

John Paul College is pleased to share that one of your past students recently competed and placed 2nd in Division Cross Country.

Roxy has achieved an outstanding performance at the recent Southern Independent Schools (SIS) Cross Country event held at Casey Fields, proudly representing John Paul College.

Competing in the U13 Girls Division, Roxy placed 2nd on a challenging and windy 3km course against a strong field of runners.

Roxy’s performance was part of a highly successful day for John Paul College, with the team of 68 students delivering a range of impressive results and finishing as overall Division B champions.

Roxy’s achievement reflects her ongoing development and dedication to sport at John Paul College, and showcases the sporting pathways and opportunities for students to excel and achieve success.

Canteen

Thank you for all the well wishes for Jude's speedy recovery. Unfortunately, the canteen will continue to be closed next week as well (Week 9). There is a chance it won't reopen until next term, but we will continue to keep you updated.

The Jaguars are looking for new members, especially in the junior levels (Prep & Grade 1) and under 12s. If you're interested, contact them through this email: admin@stjohnsbasketball.com

Round 12 Results, Top 10!

What a close competition!

Ezndaz 83

Caleb5 83

AshFoudy 82

Dezzabr 82

HenryDR 82

Jessa1923 82

ToonAussie 82

Nanette-C 81

Dlefebvre 80

MasterONG2016 80

Have a good weekend! Remember, there's a long weekend coming up!

Kind regards,

Derek Bruitzman

Principal

Jokes of the week:

Q. If Friday or Saturday had a fight, who would win?

A. Saturday, because Friday is a 'weak' day!

Q: What do cows do on Friday nights?

A: Go to the mooooovies.

Q: What did Friday say to Saturday and Sunday when they were about to give up?

A: Come on! Weekend do it!

Fun facts of the week:

Water Bears, (Tartigrades) can survive in space, extreme radiation and boiling water! They are a micro-creature (phylum) that is only 0.5 to 1.2 millimeters in length. Teeny, tiny!

Flamingos eat with their heads upside down to use their tongues to filter their food!

Cats prefer to sleep on their left side...(I need to study my own cats to prove that one I think!)

Parents - St John's Facebook page

Search: Parents @ St. Johns

Note: You will be required to answer several questions to be allowed access to the page.

St John's Playground Fundraising

Latest total : $9018

Goal: $25000

Link to donate

NCCD Parent Information