Principal's Page
'A Welcoming Community Leading the Future of Learning with Faith and Love'
Principal's Updates
Welcome back to Term 2. I hope you all enjoyed a restful break and had the opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends. As we return to school, we are greeted by the crisp air and changing colours of autumn—a season that reminds us of growth, reflection and new beginnings. Term 2 is always a busy and rewarding time in our school calendar. Classrooms will be filled with purposeful learning and students will have many opportunities to challenge themselves, build confidence and strengthen their skills. It is also a time when we continue to nurture our strong sense of community and belonging.
As we begin the term, I would like to reaffirm our shared expectations:
- Engagement: Active participation in lessons and school activities is essential for success and growth.
- Respect: We treat each other with kindness, empathy and consideration at all times.
- Responsibility: Students are expected to take ownership of their learning, come prepared each day and strive to do their best.
Safety: We all play a role in ensuring our school remains a safe and supportive environment for everyone.
Families play a vital role in supporting these expectations and we value your ongoing partnership in your child’s education. I encourage all students to set personal goals for the term and to approach each day with a positive mindset. With commitment and perseverance, Term 2 will be a productive and fulfilling time for all.
School Review and Closure Days
This Term our school staff will commence the Review process for School Improvement, which occurs every 4 years. This requires staff to collect data and evidence of the school practices and policies in 5 spheres of improvement. These include:
- Leadership and Management
- Teaching and Learning
- Religious Dimension
- Student Wellbeing
- School Community
The five spheres demonstrated in the School Improvement Framework (SIF) are the core drivers that support student growth and development and continuous school improvement. Each sphere independently enhances school improvement; integrated for the full flourishing of each student within an effective school.
Each sphere is composed of evidenced-based capabilities and indicators, that St John's Staff will use to track our improvement and planning processes. By analysing each of the sphere capabilities to demonstrate continuous progress, we will clearly articulate the areas for development, celebrate progress and plan our future goals.
To complete the bulk of this process our staff will collaborate over two School Closure days on 18 - 19 May, lead by staff from MACS.
We will also engage the wider school community in the process to seek your feedback and input.
Easter Raffle Result
Congratulations to all of our winners and special thanks to the PA for organising this exciting fundraising event. We raised an incredible $1,500, which will go towards our new Wellbeing Hub resources and furnishings. Thankyou to everyone for your support!
Uniform Transition to Winter
As the weather is still warm the students will be able to wear their Summer Uniform or Winter Uniform over the next two weeks to help with the transition to the Winter Uniform in Term 2. Students may also wear navy blue tracksuit pants for their PE lessons. Coloured runners may only be worn on PE days.
Mother's Day Breakfast and Stall
All Mothers are Invited to our Special St John's Mother's Day Breakfast on Friday 8 May. It will be held in the Coghlan Centre at 7.30pm. Children are welcome to attend also. Please register via CDF Pay - $10 per adult, $5 per child or $20 for a Family (Mother and 2+ children).
The Mother's Day Stall will be held on Friday, 8 May also. No cash will be accepted on the day and all students will need to have tokens, which may be purchased for $5 on CDF Pay. All gifts will be priced at $5 or $10. We recommend that students have around $10 in tokens and a maximum of $20 in tokens to ensure everyone has an opportunity to pick something special.
Grandparents and Special Visitors Day
All Grandparents and Special Visitors are invited to our school on Wednesday, 6 May at 9am-11am. The Day will commence with a special Mass in the Church and will be followed by activities in the classrooms and then a special morning tea. We hope that every student can invite a special visitor to join them on this day. Parents or Aunties and Uncles are very welcome as Special visitors also.
Term 2 Snack Bar
This Term we will continue the Snack Bar on Friday and will be serving cinnamon donuts. Students may buy them for the whole term via CDF pay.
Snack Bar will begin in Week 2 on Friday, 1 May.
Student Challenge
This weeks challenge is to find the Autumn Leaf on a different page. Can you find it? When you do, let me know where you spotted it and collect your reward.
Good luck and happy searching!
Joke of the Week
Why did the tree worry about going back to school in autumn?
Because it was afraid it might leaf something behind! 🍂
It is great to be back for an exciting Term 2 ahead. Thank you for your continued support of our school community and I look forward to seeing the achievements and growth that this term will bring. Please let me know if there is anything that I can do to further support you and your family.
Verona Gridley
St John's Primary School Principal