Dear St John's Community,

Welcome back to another exciting school year for those who are returning, and a great big smiley-faced welcome to all our new families and students!

I hope everyone managed to have some downtime with family and friends over Christmas and the New Year and were able to enjoy some special moments. I know I made sure these hols not to spend all my time renovating my house. I was partially successful on that!

2026 by all accounts, is shaping up to be a brighter year than the last couple. Although, it's an election year in Victoria this year, so that could mean anything goes!

I want to welcome the new families and all the new preps this year, as well as the new teaching staff as well, Mr Peters, Mr Pope, Mrs Atkins and Miss Saddington.

I ask our current families to look out for our new ones and help them out if they are looking lost of direct them to us!

It has been the most settled start I've seen since I started at St John's. The school this week has had a really positive hum about it and we hope we can continue that as long as we possibly can!

I am looking forward to a fantastic year ahead and can’t wait to journey together in faith, learning, and love.

nForma App & Communication

As you are aware, Operoo is no longer operational for communication and medical information. Hopefully, by now everyone has transferred across to nForma.

We are also having some teething problems on our end as well and while it can be frustrating. I do ask for your patience as we make this transition.

Almost all communications are going to come through nForma moving forward, so if you are chatting with other parents and they don't know about it, please point them towards the app and ask them to get on board. We can't see who is or isn't getting our messages at this stage.

We will endeavour to send home hard copies of important information over the next few weeks, where we feel it is appropriate, until we are confident everyone is on nForma.

Family Movie Night

The biggest news right now is that our Family Movie Night on the school oval is on and coming up sooner than expected! February 28th is the date! The link to purchase tickets is on the flyer!

Emergency Drills

Each year we must undertake mandatory emergency drills. Our first one for this year will take place on Wednesday 11th February. Teachers will advise students about the drill ad what must happen during the drill. I like to let parents know, in an effort to reduce anxiety and concerns, as no matter how much warning and preparation you give, students will sometimes come home with fabulous stories about things that apparently happened (but they never really did...).

Prayer

Dear Lord,

As our students begin a new school year,

we pray that you will keep them in your care.

Send your Spirit to open their minds to all that is true and beautiful and good. Help them to see the gifts and talents you have given them and to use them well.

Help them to grow in knowledge and wisdom. Help them to be kind to others and lead others to be kind to them. Give their teachers patience and understanding and help them teach what is just and true.

Send your angels to guide and guard our children and to keep them from all harm. Open their young hearts to your presence and enfold them in your peace and protection.

Hold them in the palm of your hand and bring them home safely every day of their lives.

Amen

Time to knuckle down and do some work! Have a great weekend!

Kind regards,

Derek Bruitzman

Principal

Jokes of the week:

Why did the echo get detention on the first day of school?

A. It kept answering back!

Q: What did the mummy buffalo say to her son at school drop-off?

A: Bi-son!

Q: Why did the child cross the playground?

A: To get to the other slide!

Fun facts of the week:

A Blue Whale's tongue weighs more than an elephant

A bolt of lightning is 5 times hotter than the surface of the sun...ouch!

Human bone is 4 times stronger than concrete...really?

Social Media Ban Support for parents

St John's Primary School Newsletter

Term 1, Week 3 2026 · 30 Jan 2026

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