Principal's News

Dear Families,

Reconciliation Week.

This week is Reconciliation Week across Australia.  The theme this year is “Now More Than Ever!”  This is a time when we celebrate indigenous culture and history in Australia and where we continue to foster and continue the journey and dialogue for reconciliation.  The children will be speaking about this in their classrooms.  On Friday, teacher Rachel Timperley and two of our year 6 students, Leila Thompson and Piper Clarke will visit the Arboretum for a special celebration and immersion in the Taungurung Indigenous Culture.

Pupil Free Day Cancellation

On Friday the 7th June we were to have a pupil free day for staff professional learning.  Due to unforeseen circumstances this day will NOT go ahead and will NOT be a pupil free day.  I apologise to all families for the disruption this may cause.  

Close of Year 7 Enrolments at FCJ College Benalla.

Friday 31st May sees enrolments close for Year 7, 2025 at FCJ College.   If it is your intention to send your child to FCJ College, whether they are a new enrolment or a sibling of a current enrolment you will need to have your enrolment form to the College by this Friday.

Building Resilience.

Once again our MHiPS Leader Denise Hall has an informative and valuable piece on the Mental Health page of the newsletter about the gifts we can give our children to foster Resilience.  It is easy to read and very very valuable as parents navigate this very important, often confusing, slightly terrifying but joyful role.

Regional Sports

Congratulations to Logan Schwartzkopff, Sophie Lamont and Cooper Harper who will represent St John's at the next stage of interschool sports.  A great achievement and we wish you all the very best.

Tennis Courts.

As parents will know our Tennis Courts have been out of action since the start of the year due to the storm damage that happened over the holidays.  We have been waiting on the insurance company to approve our claim which took quite a long time.  Due to the size of the job we also had to source four quotes.  The process of replacing the courts started about 4 weeks ago.  I had a check in with the company last week and they hope to have it completed by the end of June.  At the moment the new surface is being manufactured.

New Mural

Aimee McCartney will return on Sunday for the next part of the creation of our new mural. We are very excited to see it continue to take shape.

Feast of the Sacred Heart

All grades will celebrate Mass together next Friday 7th June in the Church at 12:30pm. Everyone is very welcome to join us.  At part of the feast of the Sacred Heart the children will also be shopping at Burtons over the coming days, as we collect food for those in need in Euroa and surrounding areas.  We thank you for your donation of $5 which the children will use to purchase goods to be given to St Vincent De Paul for distribution.

Assembly.

Year 1-2 K will be presenting at Assembly this week, everyone is very welcome to join with us to celebrate student learning and achievement.

Nic Asquith.

Our LSO Nic Asquith starts his first teacher placement at Euroa Primary School tomorrow. We wish Nic all the very best and know he will be a great asset to the school over the next 4 weeks.  Due to University regulations Nic is unable to do his placement at St John's.

Holidays

If your family is going to be taking holidays during school time it is important that the school is notified, both the principal and classroom teacher/s in writing.  This is then kept in your children's file.

Second Hand Uniform Donations.

The school is happy to accept any donations of second hand uniforms that are no longer required at your house.  Can we ask that you send them to the school office washed and ready for a new home.  Many thanks!

Once again I apologise for the change to arrangements in regard to the cancellation of our pupil free day next Friday and any inconvenience this may have caused.

I will leave you with this prayer for Reconciliation.

Holy Father, God of Love, 

You are the Creator of all things. 

We acknowledge the pain and shame of our history and the sufferings of Our peoples, and we ask your forgiveness.   We thank you for the survival of Indigenous cultures. 

Our hope is in you because you gave your Son Jesus to reconcile the world to you. 

We pray for your strength and grace to forgive, accept and love one another, as you love us and forgive and accept us in the sacrifice of your Son. 

Give us the courage to accept the realities of our history so that we may build a better future for our Nation.   Teach us to respect all cultures. Teach us to care for our land and waters. 

Help us to share justly the resources of this land. Help us to bring about spiritual and social change to improve the quality of life for all groups in our communities, especially the disadvantaged.   Help young people to find true dignity and self-esteem by your Spirit. 

May your power and love be the foundations on which we build our families, our communities and our Nation, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Until next fortnight

Therese