Newsletter - 2nd February, 2023
Dear Parents and Friends of St John's,It gives me immense pleasure to welcome back students, families and staff for a far more uninterrupted start to the year than what has been experienced in previous years. I trust that your family enjoyed a joyous and holy festive period and that the new year has heralded good health.
St John’s theme for this year is ‘Let your light shine.’ The essence of this theme in 2023 means allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us to make a difference for others. Shining your light in darkness can be as simple as offering hope, a word of kindness or facilitating justice for others. Such simple gestures are a tangible way by which those around us might experience the loving presence of Jesus. I look forward to collaborating with our school community to encourage all to let their collective talents and attributes shine and benefit others.
To our new families and students, welcome to St John’s. I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting every one of our new students including the 75 Prep and 48 Years 1-11 students. I trust your time with us will be rewarding and fulfilling. To all our returning students and families, welcome back. I am looking forward to commencing a year full of learning and new experiences. At St John’s, there is a wonderful array of curricular, extracurricular and spiritual learning experiences on offer. I trust all learners will take full advantage of the opportunities afforded. St John’s School will commence 2023 with 811 students, which is an increase of 38 from the end of 2022.
We welcome the following new staff to St John’s for 2023:
Lainey McPhee – Year 1
Abbie Beard – Year 2
Grace Gibbs – Year 4
Sophie Tilbury – Year 5
Jodie May – Year 5
Jessica Morgan – Year 6
Phillip Wheaton – Years 8-12 Humanities/RE
Bethany Campbell – Years 8-10 Science/PE/RE
Rachael Thwaits – Years 8-12 Science/Mathematics
Tess Schiffmann – Year 7
Rechelle Chetty – Years 8-12 Science/Mathematics (from 27 February)
Hayley Strofeldt – School Officer
Leanne Nolan – School Counsellor (St John’s 0.6 / St George 0.4/ Mitchell 0.1)
Returning staff
Natalie Beattie – Middle Leader Early Years (P-2)
Sarah Flesser – Curriculum Leader (Humanities and Technology)
Sarah Clear – School Counsellor (0.6 St John’s)
Rachael Stanford – Welfare Coordinator Years 4-6
Each staff member is an excellent practitioner in their respective area/s, and we look forward to the contributions they will make both at St John’s and in the Roma community.
Student Achievements
As a school, we would like to acknowledge the achievements of all 2022 Year 12 students. Three of our students, Hannah Coffey (Year 12 Dux 2022), Briony Burns and Mackenzie Brider received the top three (between 95-98) ATAR results for the school. Multiple students received early offers from universities, whilst students also received later offers for Veterinary Science, Engineering, Teaching and Nursing. All our Year 12 students who undertook School Based Apprenticeships have transitioned into full time apprenticeships, whilst all Year 12 graduates (100%) achieved a Queensland Certificate of Education.
Their collective achievements are thoroughly deserved and are a clear demonstration of what can be achieved at St John’s when student diligence, supportive parents and skilled staff work together.
Congratulations to Prudence Johnstone (Year 12 2022) and Daniel Tucker who were both awarded Australia Day Young Achiever Awards for their respective communities of Mitchell and Roma. Both young people were recognised for their extensive contributions and we are delighted for their well-deserved recognition.
School Events
A highly successful Swimming Carnival was held last Monday for students in Years 4-12. The carnival was exceptionally well attended with excellent participation. Congratulations to Marian House who took out the carnival. A big thank you to Ms Meg Lyons who coordinated the carnival with wonderful assistance from staff, volunteer parents and student leaders.
The Opening School Mass involving the investiture of Year 12 and Student Council Leaders will be held on Friday 3rd February at All Saints Church. Students are to arrive at school at the usual time and staff will walk students to and from All Saints Church.
The Semester Two Academic, Veritas and Excellence Awards presentations will be held on Wednesday 8th February in the Parents and Friends Multi-Purpose Centre commencing at 11am. This year, we have implemented new criteria for Academic Awards in P-6 which are more consistent with Years 7-12. The new criteria has resulted in more students being acknowledged for academic performance. The Excellence Awards recognise students who have excelled in behaviour, effort, homework and attendance. These awards are not dependent on academic achievement.
Buildings and Enhancements
I am delighted to announce that St John’s has secured a 3.3 million-dollar grant which will be utilised to develop a new car park, secondary drop off and second undercover sporting facility adjacent to the current school site. Demolition of the old Pinaroo facilities and footings is well underway and work is scheduled to begin in Term Two with completion by the end of the year. Years 3-6 students are enjoying the newly established playground facilities. This landscaped area was made possible by a $100,000 donation from the St John’s Parents and Friends Association. Classrooms in Years 1, 6 and Music have been recarpeted to the value of $12,000 dollars, whilst the Hospitality kitchen has received new air conditioners ($4,000). Three new sets of laptop computers have been provided in the P-6 area at a value of $100,000. Finally, the main oval has been top dressed, fertilised, levelled and seeded at a cost of $35,000.
Over the Christmas break, extensive maintenance and cleaning has occurred within the school in preparation for the commencement of classes. Carpets in classrooms have been steamed cleaned, pest treated, whilst electrical and fire audits and servicing of air conditioners have been conducted. I thank Business Manager, Belinda Hayward, and our grounds and cleaning staff for the facilitation of these activities.
I wish everyone a successful start to the new school year.
God bless.
Jim Brennan
Uniform Shop Hours:
Mondays - 2pm to 4.30pm
Wednesdays - 8am to 10.30am
Online:
https://theschoollocker.com.au/schools/st-johns-catholic-school
