Principal's Page

A Message from the Acting Principal

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We’re almost at the finish line for Term 3 and what a term it’s been! The shorter the term, the busier it seems, and this week is no exception with Year 5 camp, Year 6 Mini-boss incursions, P-2 excursions, STEM Week, and Footy Day. The staff are ready to keep our best energy until last to finish the term well!

This is also our last week with our wonderful pre-service teachers Chelsea, Jack, Tom, and Sebastian. We thank our teachers Mrs Bayliss, Mrs Ryan, Mrs Farrar and Marisa for guiding them so generously. It’s a gift to share our profession with future educators.

A reminder that our students will finish at 1pm straight after our 'End of term' assembly which will be at 12:15pm in the Mary MacKillop Space.

I would also like to acknowledge the large amount of parents who came to our History Expo last Wednesday. The school was flooded with your support for our students' learning about how our past history can be a message of 'Hope' for how we shape our future. Our children's generation is the key!

School Fees

This is just a reminder that all school fees need to be finalised by the end of this term. Please make your final payments to ensure that there is no outstanding debt, unless you already have a payment agreement in place. Please reach out to Verona if you are having difficulty making your final payment.

District Athletic Finals

Last week, students from Years 3 to 6 were invited to participate in the District Athletics. It’s always great to see our students stepping out of their comfort zones and giving new activities a go!

We’re proud to share that our students returned with big smiles and a positive experience. Even more exciting, we’ve received the fantastic news that several of our students have qualified for the next level!

Congratulations to Trinity, Jasper, Nate, Abbie, and Cain, who have made it through to the Division Athletics on October 14th. 

We’re so proud of their efforts and wish them all the best as they prepare to compete!

Footy Day Fundraiser

A reminder that this Friday September 19, our student may dress up in their AFL team footy colours or clothes, for our footy parade after meditation. All we ask is that our students donate a gold coin which will be collected by their classroom teacher. This money will be donated to the Victoria Police Legacy in support of Police lives lost in Porepunkah recently and their families.

We thank our Future Leaders for their ideas in making our school and world a better place and particularly Abbie who has driven this initiative.

MACSSIS Data surveys icy poles

We are very grateful to those families who have already completed the MACSSIS survey — thank you for taking the time to share your feedback!

It’s not too late to participate. The survey can still be completed via the link that was sent out several weeks ago. The valuable data we collect from this survey helps guide our decisions and planning, particularly as we shape our Annual Action Plan for the year ahead.

If you haven’t received the survey link or are having trouble accessing it, please let us know. Sheree has sent the link to families, and we’d be happy to assist in setting it up for you if needed.

Your input truly makes a difference!

Your feedback is anonymous, and we truly value it and it’s a gift to help us grow as a school community.

As a fun incentive, students from families who complete the survey will receive a free icy pole! Please email office@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au when you have completed the survey to treat your kids!

Uniform Changeover

In Term 4 the students will transition into their summer uniform. This will be phased back in over 2 weeks to allow for cooler weather. Please note the uniform requirements below.

SUMMER UNIFORM

• Polo shirt with logo, short sleeved
• Navy school shorts 
• Summer Dress or new logo skort
• School windcheater
• Navy socks
• Black school shoes
• School hat      

SPORT UNIFORM  

• St John's sports top 
• Navy sport shorts/logo skort
• School windcheater
• White socks
• Runners

Children should only wear sport uniforms for Physical Education lessons and on nominated sport days only. These days vary between classes and will be advised by the classroom teacher.

Housekeeping - Student Absences

Illness, holidays, late starts, early departures

Please do not email student absences to classroom teachers or the Principal.

It is important that all student absences are entered as soon as possible via the PAM app, and before 10am on the day of absence. If you are having difficulties with the PAM app, please see one of our office team to assist, Sheree or Maria.

For one-off instances, if you are unable to use the PAM app, please phone the school on (03) 9874 1575 or email the absence details to office@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au

Lost Property

A number of personal items have been lost around the school including lunch boxes and food containers, water bottles, school hats and jumpers, and some personal clothing items. While named items are able to be given back to their owner, many are not identifiable.

Please note that any containers and bottles left at the end of term 3 will be disposed of for sanitary reasons.

Any unclaimed school uniform items will be donated to the second hand uniform shop.

Lost property items can be located outside the staff room, next to the stairs.

Outreach - Can you help a fellow family?

We are continually inspired by the generosity of our St John’s community. At this time, we are reaching out to ask for donations of non-perishable food items or frozen meals to support fellow families in need. Donations can be brought to the school office. Ideas include boxes of cereal, long-life milk, dried rice and pasta, frozen vegetables, frozen ready-meals, frozen meat products (e.g. schnitzels, fish), canned foods, curry and pasta sauce jars.

If you are able, please consider contributing – every little bit helps to ease the load for someone within our own community.  Thank you for the kindness and care that make St John’s such a special place.

Joke of the Week 

Have a lovely week ahead and I look forward to seeing you at assembly on Friday.

Melinda Buscema

St John's Primary School Acting Principal

principal@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au