Principal's Message

Dear St John's Community,

In recent months, Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools has released their new Vision for Instruction for all Catholic Schools in the diocese. The new Vision for Instructionhas been designed to guide all schools in delivering high-quality teaching and learning experiences that ensure every student is engaged, challenged, and empowered to reach their full potential.

At its heart, this vision emphasises the importance of evidence-based teaching, fostering a culture of collaboration, and nurturing the holistic development of each child. It aligns with our shared mission of inspiring students to become active contributors to their communities and faith-filled individuals.

This vision is important for our school community because it reinforces our commitment to excellence in education, ensuring that all students experience a learning environment that supports their growth academically, socially, and spiritually. It is a roadmap for how we continue to work together to create a dynamic and inclusive learning culture for every child.

I have included here a copy of the Parent Guide for you to review. There are also some useful parent resource links as well.

Production

IS ALMOST HERE!!! ARRRRGH!!!!!

So much to do and so little time!

Please note the Operoo that went home yesterday. I am sorry about the length but I tried to put in there anything and everything people might want or need to know! 

While we are still in the final stages of polishing performances we are starting to see some nerves appearing as we get to the final days. Please make sure kids are getting lots of good nights of sleep this week, lots of water and lots of positive encouragement.

.

Advent

Such a wonderful time of year for the Church and for us, as families in the Church.

May the Lord be generous in increasing your love... (1 Thessalonians 3:12)

These words from Paul from the first reading of Advent suggest that we should be doers rather than simply being. What I mean by that is rather than saying 'I am not patient' or 'I do not have courage' which are both statements of being, we say, 'I am not patient...yet' or 'I do not have courage..yet'. This shifts the emphasis to what we can become rather than a finished product, unable to be changed.

During Advent, we need to see ourselves as doers, as becoming more, as living a life that is still unfolding and changing rather than being stagnant and unchangeable. Advent is being hopeful about peace and goodwill and bringing joy to others. That joy we provide others then rejuvenates us and helps us to become more.

This is an important message. We can't put ourselves nor let others put us into a box and say this is all you can do, or impose limited perceptions. We can be more than who we are, we may not be there yet...

Remember that the only box Jesus was ever put into was a feeding box in a stable. All the other boxes people tried to put him into he rejected.

Paul's reading concludes with:

Finally, we urge you and appeal to you in the Lord Jesus to make you more and more progress in the kind of life that you were meant to live... (1 Thessalonians 4:1-2)

 Jesus, walk with me in this time and give me the courage to grow in love, that the dawn of each new day will help me be more, a human becoming, moving steadfastly towards knowing, doing and loving more.

Glory be to God and on earth peace to all.

Amen

(Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart)

Keep cool this weekend,

Kind regards,

Derek Bruitzman

Principal

Jokes of the week: 

Why didn't the sun have to go to university?

A. It already has a million degrees!

Q: What kind of flower grows on the sun?

A: Ultra violets

Q: What is the sun's favourite chocolate bar?

A: The milky way! No silly...a Mars bar!

Fun facts of the week:

In 1932 Australian soldiers went to war against Emus in Australia for destroying food crops with machine guns...and lost. A soldier famously said 'We have lost. The emus have proved that they are not as stupid as they are usually thought to be'. 

The world's oldest fossil, Stromatolites, was found in Australia. It is 3.4 billion years old.

Kangaroos and Emus cannot walk backwards. This is why they are on the Australian Coat of Arms. Australia should always be moving forwards!

Federal Government’s School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI)

Having access to the internet is an essential part of receiving a quality education. Students without access to the internet at home are at risk of missing out and falling behind in their education.

The Federal Government recognises the barriers posed to students who do not have access to the internet at home and have invested $8.8 million through the SSBI to provideup to 30,000 eligible families without internet free NBN service until 31 December 2025.

To qualify for this initiative, families and carers must:

• Have a school-aged student (Prep to Year 12) enrolled at an Australian school;
• Not have an active NBN network internet service currently, nor have had one in the last 14 days;
• Live in a premise that can access the NBN network through a standard connection

 Families can apply for services until 31 December 2024.

 Further information on this initiative can be found on the SSBI’s website here.