A message from Emily

Dear parents and carers

It has been great connecting with families through Prep 2023 enrolment interviews that started this week and our Community Conversation held on Monday. Meeting new and exisiting families is one of the many joys working in leadership as well as hearing how we can best engage with families and strengthen the partnership between home and school. Dani has put together a snapshot of the conversation from Monday and responses to the parent survey that was sent out under the 'Family Engagement' page. It is great to hear and celebrate the things that are going well and where we might need to prioritise our thinking for the future. 

Lots of questions have been raised around the Farm, how it is being used and future access.  I would like to reassure the community that a continued agreement around the Farm is a high priority for St John's and I am hoping to secure a long term agreement moving forward. I am also exploring how this space could be used and by who. Other queries have been around offering support in maintaining or helping out at the Farm or not realising families can again access the Farm on the weekends. It was raised on Monday at the Community Conversation the possibility of a Parent Forum around the Farm but timing means this isn't a possibility this term. I will however make myself available during the Learning Conversation evenings to answer questions but also ask questions of the community around your vision, understanding of purpose and possibilities for the Farm. I will also pose these same questions to the Educators so we have a shared vision and purpose moving forward. During Term 3 I will look for an opportunity to feedback and share with the community, with the possibility of a Parent Forum on the Farm so everyone has an opportunity to hear what is happening and have input.

Currently Educators are preparing for Learning Conversations and Semester 1 Student Reports. It's an exciting time to see the growth that has already taken place in children's learning and what needs to be the focus moving forward. All parents who have registered an email address through the Community Portal should have received a personalised email from me with links and information for making a booking.  Please make sure you make a booking with the Educator listed for your child as they are the ones preparing the report and the information to be shared. If you didn't receive an email from me detailing the information, please contact the office as soon as possible. Some families may have also received an email from Ash to make a time for a PSG. If you are having a PSG for your child then you don't need to book a Learning Conversation as this will take place as part of the PSG.

Next week is a big week for our senior children. On Monday they head off to camp in Anglesea for three days and then Thursday night some of our Year 6 children celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation. Today Fr Gerald meet with Karen and the Year 6 Confirmation candidates as part of their preparation for the Sacrament. Bishop Martin will also meet with the candidates from both St John's and Christ the King prior to the celebration at 5pm on 9th June. We remind families of these candidates to Sunday Mass this weekend at 10am so your child can be presented to the Parish community and receive their pendant from Fr Gerald. We keep these children in our prayers as they continue to prepare for this special Sacrament.

If you have a child due to start Prep in 2023 please make sure you have submitted your enrolment application and made an interview time. At this stage we will have a waitlist and I don't want any of our families missing out on an offer because we didn't realise you have a child due to start school next year.

Warm wishes

Emily