A message from Emily

Dear parents and carers

l cannot believe that we have come to our last newsletter for 2022. What are year it has been and tonight we continue to celebrate as a community with our Christmas event in the backyard with gates opening at 5:30pm. 

I am very proud of everything we have achieved this year. It has been an amazing year with lots of exciting things happen with our Centenary Celebrations and overcoming the challenges that 2020 and 2021 threw at us. We are all feeling tired and ready for a break but oh what a fortnight it has been with our Swimming Program, Yr 6 Big Day Out to Funfields, the final Prep 2023 Transition sessions and practising our singing for tonight's carols. 

Last week we had the privilege of hosting a visit from the Acting Executive Director, Dr Ed Simons. He was very impressed with St John's and our beautiful school environment. Ed was also impressed with our Farm and was very supportive of us continuing to access this space into the future. I am hoping to be able to lock in long term plans around the Farm and convent in 2023. Thank you to everyone who has shared their passion and ideas for this space. We are very excited about the possibilities. 

Lots happening next week:

• Student Reports will be available on the Parent Portal.
• Specialist program has finished to allow for educators to work in their 2023 teams.
• Educators will be available for any families wanting to talk about their child's Semester 2 achievements. Please contact your child's educator to set up a time for Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon.
• Tuesday is "Step Up" day where children will work with their 2023 educators for a transition session.
• Wednesday 10am will be our End of Year Liturgy.
• Thursday we will celebrate our Year 6 children with their Graduation liturgy and morning tea.
• Thursday 2:15pm Prayer Gathering - Year 1 hosting
• Friday is the last day of the year for the children. Dismissal will be at our normal time.

Next week we also say our final goodbyes to some special people, Mitch, Ash, and Dani. We will miss them greatly as they take on new and exciting adventures away from the St John's community. We thank them for all they have contributed to our community and wish them nothing but good fortune. I would also like to mention Rosie, who has decided to live, work and travel in 2023 but we are lucky enough to still have Rosie in our community for Term 1 next year. So we will save our final goodbyes to Rosie until then. 

This coming Sunday marks the 3rd Week of Advent. We light the pink candle, the candle of joy. It is a great reminder to stop and pause amongst all the busyness and remember that this season is about being together, showing acts of kindness, being present rather than giving presents and reflect on the words of St Francis of Assisi, 

"For it is in the giving that we receive". 

I would like to take the opportunity to thank each and every one of you for making me feel so welcomed this year as I leap into principalship for the first time. I have loved my first year at St John's and I am very excited to see what 2023 brings. I would also like to make special mention to the teams of parents who supported, volunteered and donated to our events throughout the year including the School Advisory Council. I wish all our families a very happy and safe Christmas and New Year. I hope you all have a wonderful break and return with renewed energy to take on a new year of learning and coming together.

Warm wishes

Emily