General Information

NEW PLAYGROUND SAILS

Over the holidays several shade sails were erected over the playground. This is a very timely addition to our yard with the warmer weather approaching. 

YEAR 5 & 6 URBAN CAMP 

Last week our Year 5 & 6s went on an overnight Urban Camp.  They had the full city experience travelling to camp with their luggage on a train and then doing a range of city activities including touring the MCG, going to St Patrick’s Cathedral and taking a boat trip along the Yarra River.  Thank you to all the staff who attended the camp and were away from their own families for the two days.  Scroll through the pictures below to see some highlights from the camp.

BUNNINGS SAUSAGE SIZZLE

Last Saturday our Parents and Friends ran a very successful BBQ at Bunnings.  Thanks to all the families who supported this by either buying a sausage or helping out on the day.  The money raised from this endeavor will be added to the funds already raised by the Parents and Friends and will go towards eventually extending the playground equipment.

YEAR 6 SMASH HIT BIZARRE BAZAAR

In the final week of last term, the Year 6s held their Bizarre Bazaar.  Each class visited the stalls and had an opportunity to purchase some unique homemade products, ranging from candles and jewellery to play dough, collectable cards and lots of yummy edible treats.  Congratulations to the Year 6s for their hard work in designing and preparing all the products they sold.  The day raised $1529.33 which will be donated to Sacred Heart Mission.  This Catholic organisation builds the capacity of those in our community who are deeply disadvantaged or affected by homelessness.  Below are images of some very happy customers:

YEAR 2 EXCURSION

On Tuesday 16th September our Year 2s went on an excursion to see the best-selling children's book 'Imagine' by Alison Lester come to life on stage.  The students were lucky enough to meet some of the cast after the show.  Below are some pictures from the day:

HOT DOG SPECIAL LUNCH DAY

Many thanks to the parents and grandparents who worked throughout the day on Thursday 18th September, to serve over 200 delicious Hot Dogs.  What an incredible effort!  As you can see from the pictures beow the students who ordered loved their special lunch:

SPORT COLOURS DAY

In conjunction with the Hot Dog special lunch order day last term, students were able to wear their favourite sports colours to school.  We had people wearing their AFL team, their cricket colours, their basketball teams and many other sports, as you can see from the images below:

PROPOSED FEES 2026

Below is an outline of the proposed school fees for the 2026 school year.  The increase in amounts has been unavoidable and reflects advice given to St John’s by MACS (Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools), our governing body. 

Student Levy - $420 per child 

Capital Levy - $300

General School Fees - Expected to be $1940 per family (unlimited children)

Parish Support (Stewardship) $5 a week  (which would be $260 annually)

CHILD SAFETY - DIGITAL SAFETY

Term 4 Digital Safety Programs & Parent Tip Sheets

At St John’s our students participate in a digital safety program at the beginning of each term.  These programs have been designed by the team at Inform and Empower.  Below is an outline of the different focus areas throughout the school:

Year 1 & Year 2

The junior classes are looking at the online advertisements that appear when watching videos and playing online games.   The students will explore how these Ads are there to try and sell us something.  The program will reinforce with students that being kind online means being friendly, helpful or fair to others.

Year 3 & 4

Students in the middle school are looking at the idea that personal information about ourselves shouldn’t be shared online.  This includes our full name, address, school, photos and passwords.  The program will reinforce with students that some people online will use tricks or lies to take something from you, like your money or personal information. 

Year 5 & 6

The senior students are looking at ways to think critically when online, by asking questions such as:

• Who made this and why?
• Could it be AI generated?
• Is this misinformation or disinformation?
• Is it trying to sell me something?

They will explore online scams, which are tricks or lies that people use on the internet to take something from you, including your money or personal information.  

Parent Tip Sheets can be accessed via the links below:

ASSEMBLY LIVE STREAM  

Each Friday the students gather for a whole school assembly in the Hall.  This event is usually streamed to our Vimeo channel.  Families can view the assembly by clicking on the link which is emailed via email using your Operoo profile. The email only goes to those parents who have “receive correspondence” checked in their settings.