Principal's News

Dear Parents,

Frist Sunday of Advent.

Last Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent.  This is a time of preparation for the celebration of Christ's birth at Christmas   This is also the first day of the liturgical year in the Western Christian Churches and the start of the Advent season.   In classrooms children are talking about this period of waiting and the Christmas story.  A quote to share from one of our younger students 'I didn't know anything about this bloke called Jesus until I came to this school!'.  Job done!

Please find a letter below from Kate Fogarty, Executive Director of Catholic Education, Sandhurst in regard to the new platform Magnify which is being implemented in all school across the Sandhurst Diocese from 2025.

Dear Parents and Carers,

My name is Kate Fogarty, Executive Director of Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd, and I’m excited to introduce a new program, Magnify Sandhurst, which will begin in January 2025 across all CESL schools. This initiative is based on the latest research in educational practices and designed to create a learning environment where each child can thrive academically and grow personally within our Catholic values.

What is Magnify Sandhurst?

Magnify Sandhurst combines evidence-based practices in teaching and learning to support each student's unique needs, strengths, and goals. This program will focus on strengthening core areas like literacy and numeracy, building supportive classroom environments, and integrating Catholic values in daily learning.

Key Features of Magnify Sandhurst

Magnify Sandhurst aims to enhance learning outcomes through several key components:

• Structured and Evidence-based Learning: Using the latest neuroscience and a structured, knowledge-rich curriculum, we ensure students build deep understanding. A low-variance curriculum provides students with a consistent learning experience and reduces the amount of preparation and planning required by teachers, allowing teachers to focus on individual student needs.

• Amplifying Literacy and Numeracy: Providing targeted support and resources to improve reading, writing, and math skills at all levels. Special focus will be on Structured Literacy in F-2 and sequential programs from Years 3-10.

• Instructional Coaching for Teachers: Each teacher receives a dedicated coach and program to learn and practice the best techniques to meet students' learning needs.

• Calm Classrooms and Positive Learning Environments: Promoting calm, supportive, and positive learning environments through common practices, expectations, and social norms, our work includes a new program for student social and behavioural learning.

Key Changes for Your Child

Magnify Sandhurst, you will see:

• Expanded Literacy and Numeracy Blocks: Your child will have more intensively focused time on literacy and numeracy skills, especially in the early years. In older year levels (right up to Year 10), the curriculum will be sequenced to ensure all students continue to cover all components of the Victorian Curriculum. There will be targeted support for reading and mathematics at every level.

• Streamlined Curriculum: Teachers will implement a clear and structured curriculum that prioritises essential knowledge and skills to reduce unnecessary complexity.

• Personalised Learning Support: Every teacher will work with a coach to apply the latest techniques for meeting individual student needs, helping all students—whether they excel or need additional support.

How You Can Be Involved

Education is a partnership, and we encourage you to stay engaged in your child’s journey with us. Here’s how:

• Participate in Learning Conversations: Look forward to regular updates on your child’s learning milestones. We aim to keep you informed and involved every step of the way.

• Access Your Child’s Learning Data: Throughout the year, you will have opportunities to review your child’s progress, including assessment results, so you can stay connected to their academic growth.

Looking Ahead

Magnify Sandhurst will be introduced across 2025 to 2027, with each phase designed to bring measurable improvements in our learning environments. We are committed to making this journey meaningful for every child and every family, ensuring that learning is both challenging and supportive.

Thank you for your support as we embark on this exciting journey together! Peace and blessings,

Kate Fogarty

Executive Director, Catholic Education Sandhurst Limited.

director@ceosand.catholic.edu.au 03 5443 2377 120 Hargreaves St (PO Box 477) BENDIGO 3552

The staff of St John's are very excited for what lies ahead next year and for the the years to follow and the positive effect it will have on all our students.

Early Arrival at School

We have more and more children arriving early at school each morning.  Supervision is from 8:30am.  I applaud the children's enthusiasm!  I know some parents have to get to work and are dropping children early but that is why we have Before School Care.  Please be respectful of teachers and office staff who also have their work to do each morning.  I also ask parents to be punctual picking up children in the afternoon, if this is tricky for you we have After Care from 3:15.

Swimming

Swimming starts on Monday.  The children will participate in 5 sessions coordinated by Melinda Watson and her very capable instructors.  We thank Molly, Nick, Macey, Harrison and Max for their help with our program.  Fingers crossed for perfect weather for swimming.

Portable Classroom

The new portable is nearly finished!  After a great deal of hard work and coordination the space looks fabulous.  New guttering, new plumbing, new wiring, new networking, new paint, new furniture and the new Year 6 classroom for next year, the children are very excited.  Once the final work is done we will start to use it as the Year 5-6F classroom for the remainder of the year.  A big thank you to Keith who has been invaluable in getting the portable finished.  He is a gem!

Carol's Night

There is a buzz around the school as we start to hear Christmas songs being sung in classrooms and in the corridors in preparation for Carol's Night.  I am sure families are as excited as we are for this special night on the 16th December at 6pm.  Don't miss it.

Foundation 2025

Foundation 2025 have one more transition session left to attend on the Statewide Transition Day on Tuesday 10th December.  What a fabulous group, very settled and very excited to be attending school next year.  All children at St John's will spend the first hour of next Tuesday in their new classrooms with their teachers.

Community

Ray Thomas, a local environmentalist and genuinely good man has worked with the children of St John's over the last few years.  They have planted native plants together under his expert guidance and made nesting boxes for the local Phascogales and Sugar Gliders.  Ray also very kindly offered to help with the weeding and planting of native plants in our Memorial Garden with some of our senior students recently.  Thank you Ray for all you do for us and for the local environment.  The pictures below are the result of the children's and Rays work building and painting the nesting boxes which are now located in the local area.

Assembly

There is no Assembly this week due to the Colour Run taking place on Friday afternoon.  A flyer went home today to all families from the P&F, who have organised this for the children. There is no cost to families as the school are using the money raised by the P&F this year.

Our final Assembly for 2024 will be on Wednesday afternoon the 18th of December at 2:40.  At Assembly we will farewell our Year 6 Leaders and Mrs Mason and finish off the school year together before the guard of honour for our Yr 6 Leaders as the leave the school for the final time.

School Fees

Thank you very much to families who have finalised their fees for the year, we are very grateful.  If you haven't already done so, all fees should now be finalised unless you have made other arrangements in place.

Therese