Dear St John's Community,

Each year I love seeing the responses to both the Mother's Day Brekky and the Father's Day Arvo! This year was no exception. It was a wonderful turnout and I was especially very grateful to see that a large number of families were able to make the time to come to mass with us as well this year.

I want to also reiterate that these days can often leave other students feeling lonely or out of place which is why it's important that we keep reminding everyone that while the days are called Mother's Day or Father's Day we also need to recognise that if those people are missing there is often still be a maternal or paternal figure or family friend who can fill that positive role model relationship for those students.

I'd like to thank the staff and parents who helped set up for the brekky, helped cook, helped serve, helped tidy up afterwards, and those who ran the stall during the day. These things don't happen without a lot of people working together.

School Review

While everyone was enjoying Brekky and Mass for Mother's Day the Review was still underway. The analytical side of the Review is now complete and I received official notice today that we passed! YAY! It also means you're still stuck with me so I hope that's okay with everyone! (Don't answer that!!!)

The next stage occurs later this term when the Reviewer returns with their report indicating future directions and areas for improvement.

Before and after school safety reminders

Just a quick reminder as I have seen an increasing number of students being dropped at school between 7.55am and 8.15am, that there is no supervision before 8.30am in the morning. We highly recommend, for safety reasons, you drop your children off as close to supervision times as possible.

There are also no ball sports or running games allowed after school until 3.30pm and after that time, only if the activity is supervised by an adult.

VCEA Call for Action

The following request comes from Bruce Phillips, the Acting CEO of the Victorian Catholic Education Authority to the school community.

Recently the government announced that all students in state schools will receive a $400 school saving bonus, regardless of income, but it would only be provided to Health Care Card holders in Catholic or Independent schools.

The VCEA believes the payment should either be means tested for all students OR apply equally to all students. It should not be based on which school you attend.

Your school and the peak body, the Victorian Catholic Education Authority, are working hard to oppose this policy.

We need to show the Victorian Government that punishing families who choose a Catholic school is unacceptable.

We ask that parents consider contacting the local Member of Parliament to express your concerns about this unfair and educationally biased policy.

Labor Member Paul Edbrooke is the State Member of Parliament for the Frankston area should you wish to express your concerns on behalf of the children in your Catholic school.

A Prayer for our Communion Candidates

Please remember our candidates in your prayers this term.

Loving God,

You are the giver of all we possess, the source of all of our blessings. We thank and praise you. Thank you for the gift of our children. Help us to set boundaries for them, and yet encourage them to explore.

Give us the strength and courage to treat each day as a fresh start. May our children come to know you, the one true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

May your Holy Spirit help them to grow in faith, hope, and love, so they may know peace, truth, and goodness.

May their ears hear your voice.

May their eyes see your presence in all things. May their lips proclaim your word.

May their hearts be your dwelling place.

May their hands do works of charity.

May their feet walk in the way of Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord.

Amen

Production Update

The first rounds of auditions are now pretty much over and next week we move into the first round of Callback Auditions for the main roles. It has been absolutely wonderful to see the number of students trying out for the main roles. I wish we could give them all a main part but some would say 'That's showbiz'. Nevertheless, the goal is to give everyone who wants it an opportunity to shine.

Time to rug up, next week the nights will be much colder!

Kind regards,

Derek Bruitzman

Principal

Helping your child understand traumatic events in the media

Mr B's Fun Facts & Trivia

It's still an offence to fly a kite 'to the annoyance of another person' or sing an 'obscene song or ballad' in a public place in Victoria...
In South Australia there is a $250 fine for unlawfully ringing someone's doorbell
In WA you can be jailed for a year for clearing up bird or bat poop without a licence
Also in WA you can be fined thousands of dollars for being in possession of 50kg or more of potatoes (figure that one out???)

Something funny!

Q: Why do kangaroo mums hate it when it rains?

A: Because the joeys are stuck playing inside!

Q: What's a koala's favourite drink?

A: Coca Koala!

Q: What did the wombat say to his friend when he met a new wombat?

A: I've never met her'bivore

John Paul College Enrolment