Principal's News

 Dear Families,

Welcome to the new term. The children returned last week excited, enthusiastic, and refreshed for the time ahead. There are still quite a few children unwell with many germs still circulating in the community. Thank you for keeping them at home to lessen the spread.  From time to time, children will let us know that they’re feeling unwell, and as always, we will contact families if this happens. Occasionally, some children make a speedy recovery once they get home! While we will always take a child’s concerns seriously, we encourage you to have a conversation with your child about recognising how they’re truly feeling and understanding when it is necessary to go home. This helps support their ability to self-regulate and builds resilience at school.

This term holds rich opportunities for growth, discovery and connection. With continued focus on deep learning, curiosity, and collaboration, we look forward to seeing our students challenge themselves, build confidence, and thrive. The staff of St John's have returned energised and committed to guiding each child through the term with care, encouragement and high expectations. Let’s embrace the weeks ahead with purpose and positivity as we work together to make this another successful and joyful term of learning.

In the final week of Term 2, we were delighted to welcome new Principal, Mr Sam Kerlin, for a visit to St John’s. Sam expressed his excitement about joining our school community and is very much looking forward to beginning his leadership at the start of Term 4. He comes to us very highly regarded and is a much-respected member of the St Joseph’s Benalla community and the Sandhurst Diocese community, where he has made a significant impact. I am extremely confident that St John’s will be in very good hands and delighted that Sam will be stepping into the role. Over the coming weeks, Sam will be working closely with me, the Leadership Team and Catholic Education Sandhurst School Improvement Leader, Jamie McDowell to ensure a smooth and thorough induction as he prepares to step into the role from the start of Term 4.

This is Sam on his visit to meet the children and staff last term.

It was a busy holiday with lots being done around the school.

We have new signage at the front of the school and in Bury St.

We have new custom-made Soccer Goals.  Now we can have two soccer games happening during the breaks as it is a very popular game at St John's at the moment.  The nets arrived yesterday and will be installed by Keith.

We also have new tables in Year 2.  All children are now able to sit at their tables and face the front where the focus of learning is.  Years 1- 6 all have rectangular tables in their classrooms.  If you or anyone you know would like a round table, please let us know and we will gladly gift one to you.  If you know of a school or Kinder who may like some round tables, they are welcome to have them.

This is the new fence around the garden.  We have a group of children who have worked diligently and enthusiastically in this space over the last 2 terms transforming it into a thriving space with more planting still to come.

Installation of our new fencing has been delayed due to weather.  We hope it will be installed next week!

ORIMA Surveys - you will notice these surveys coming into your inbox in the coming weeks.  These surveys are created and analysed by an independent supplier, ORIMA Research Pty Ltd and give schools the opportunity to see how staff, students and families are tracking. Families are encouraged to complete the ORIMA school surveys because your feedback is a vital part of helping us improve. These surveys provide valuable insights into how families view different aspects of our school — from communication and student wellbeing, to learning and engagement. By sharing your honest thoughts, you help us celebrate what we’re doing well and identify areas where we can grow. Your voice helps shape the future direction of the school and ensures we are meeting the needs of our students, families and community. We would really appreciate you finding some time to complete the survey to help us be the best we can be.  Last year we had all staff complete the survey, children in years 4-6 but only 9 families.  Thank you in advance for taking the time to do this!

We look forward to seeing our families for our Book Week celebrations.  Our Book Week Parade always invokes great excitement and anticipation with children already preparing their costumes.  This is the 80th anniversary of Bookweek with the theme this year 'Book an Adventure'.  The Parade is on Friday 15th August at 9am in the Mercy Centre followed by activities in classrooms that everyone is welcome to join in on.  See the flyer sent home to parents with all the details for Book Week at St John's 2025.

Fast approaching is our Father's Day Breakfast on Friday 5th September, with bacon and egg rolls ready at 7am.  Please mark the date in your diary as this is always a lovely celebration of dads sharing breakfast with their children and having the opportunity to catch up with each other.  More details to come closer to the date.

A reminder we have a pupil free day on Wednesday 13th August for a staff Spirituality Day.  This is a day that all schools across Sandhurst will participate in together.  This is the first time this has ever happened in the Diocese, we are looking forward to all the day will bring.

Until next fortnight.

Therese