Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Last Thursday evening our Year Three students received the Sacrament of First Reconciliation. We congratulate the children for their reverence and preparedness in receiving this special Sacrament. We take this opportunity to thank Fr Christian in celebrating this Sacrament with the children, their families and staff.

In the lead up to this special day, the children learnt the importance of saying sorry when they have upset or offended others. They also learnt that holding a grudge or being upset with someone takes a lot of energy and the person who suffers is not the person they are angry with, but them! Forgiveness is hard!

To truly forgive means to let go of the anger and often bitterness we hold towards someone. It means we can get on with our lives and it gives us a sense of peace, because the anger is no longer crowding our minds. We can focus on moving forward without the weight of our anger dragging us down and affecting our mental health. As adults we need to model forgiveness in our homes so our children learn from us. When we apologise to a family member or friend for saying something unkind or we do something to make up for our unkindness or hurtful words, then we are truly making Jesus real in our lives.

All Saints Day
All Saints Day was celebrated on Tuesday with Mass with students from Pre-Primary to Year Six attending. The reverence and prayerfulness demonstrated by students was outstanding. This day is an opportunity for students to focus on a saint that they may be named after at their Baptism or Confirmation and to reflect on the values that this saint portrayed. Students may also reflect on Mary Mackillop one of our Australian Patron Saints. Mary Mackillop’s motto is “Never see a need without doing something about it”. Please discuss this motto with your child and what this might mean in their everyday actions.

World Teachers Day
Last Friday was World Teachers Day. We are so fortunate to have such a caring, enthusiastic, collaborative, staff at St John’s Primary School. Thank you to the P&F for organizing a scrumptious morning tea spread to thank and show appreciation for staff. This kind gesture was much appreciated.

School Hat Policy
Whilst we haven’t quite had the warm weather yet, it is coming. I would like to remind parents that the school has a policy that if a child does not have a hat they must remain in undercover areas during play times. All children must also have a water bottle at school that they can fill. This will become increasingly important as the weather warms up.

School Disco
Our Year 2 and Year 4 Parent Representatives are busily organising the P&F School Disco which will be held at school on Friday 18 November. As many of you will know a lot of hard work goes into planning and running such events and I hope that all families will support the P&F by having the children attend this event. I thank our P&F in advance for all their efforts: 2022 Final St Johns Disco Flyer

School Annual Community Meeting
Our School Annual Community Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 22 November 6.00pm. This is an opportunity to hear reports on the progress of the school in the past twelve months and to spend time together celebrating a successful school year. All parents, carers and friends are invited and welcome to attend. A reminder that the school is looking for new members for the School Advisory Council (CSAC). Attached is a nomination form which is also available through the school office: NOMINATION FORM

Christmas Concert
Preparation and rehearsals are in full swing for our upcoming Christmas Concert which will be held on FRIDAY 2 DECEMBER. This whole school event will commence at 6.00pm and will be held on the school grounds. All students from Kindy to Year 6 will be performing on the night. In the coming weeks, parents will receive information regarding the attendance to the concert.

St Vincent de Paul Society Christmas Food Hamper Appeal
Over the next five weeks, we are asking for donations of non-perishable food items that can be donated to the St Vincent De Paul Christmas Appeal. In the past, St John’s School Community has responded to this need very well indeed. Every class will have their own basket where donations can be placed. Thank you for your support

You can assist by donating these items into your classroom donation box:
KINDY & PRE-PRIMARY – Canned food such as tinned fruit, beans, vegetables, tuna, soup
YEAR 1 – UHT (long life) milk, juice or custard, cordial
YEAR 2 – Breakfast items such as cereal, milo, tea or coffee, spreads such as jam, honey or vegemite
YEAR 3 – Pasta sauces, stir through sauces, tomato or bbq sauce, mayonnaise, mustard
YEAR 4 – Pasta, rice or noodles, biscuits
YEAR 5 – Crackers, muesli bars, chips, Christmas cakes or biscuits
YEAR 6 – Christmas items such as bonbons, napkins, candy canes, lollies or chocolates

Year 6 Camp
Next Wednesday 9 November, our Year 6 students head to Fairbridge Campsite for their school camp. They are all getting very excited and ready to enjoy a couple of days of fun and adventure. Camps are an excellent opportunity to engage with the environment, to build relationships, form stronger teams and develop resilience skills.

Wishing you all a wonderful week.

God Bless

Velma Erskine
Principal

What’s happening….?

Interschool Swimming Carnival

On Monday, selected students from Years Three to Six took part in the Interschool Swimming Carnival. The boys and girls came up against some tough competition from the other schools but many of our swimmers enjoyed individual success receiving a ribbon for a top 4 finish as well as strong performances in each of the relays. The team finished 3rd in the Girls competition and 4th in the Boys resulting in a position of 3rd overall. The most pleasing aspect however was the exemplary sportsmanship extended to the students from other schools.

Congratulations to all the swimmers for their efforts during the event which they can be very proud of. A big thank you to the wonderful parents who came along to cheer from the stands along with Mr Alonzo and Miss Cream for preparing the students expertly in the bays and Mrs Singleton for taking up the timing duties.

Year 3 Reconciliation Retreat

Last Thursday our Year Three’s received the Sacrament of Reconciliation. They enjoyed a retreat day at St Joseph’s in Subiaco to help them prepare for their special occasion.

Year 6 Assembly

Last Friday our Year 6 students performed their final school performance assembly. This assembly delved into democracy through the ages. The students all looked marvellous in their costumes and had a lot of fun.

Year Two

Miss Joyce is so proud of her Year Two’s! Look how perfectly lined up they are all ready to come back into the classroom after lunch yesterday.  Even their bags are hanging neatly!

Jump Rope for Heart

Thank you to ALL the students who got involved with Jump Rope for Heart!

A huge thank you for the effort skipping and fundraising for the Jump Rope for Heart program this term. Together we raised an incredible $1772 and this money will all go towards vital heart research and education programs.
We’ve loved seeing so many smiling faces skipping undercover and in sports lessons, plus some keen skippers who are still going this term!

Congratulations to our top fundraisers who will receive their prizes soon! Keep up the skipping and thanks again for the hard work!

Volunteers Wanted to Cover New Books

Mrs Erneste would love some parent volunteers to help cover some new books in the Learning Hub. Details as follows:
When: Wednesday 9 November
Time: 8.50am or 9am start
Approximately 30-60 minutes
RSVP: sandra.erneste@cewa.edu.au

First Communion and Confirmation Photos

We have been advised by Kapture Photography that all sports and/or special team photos taken this year including Holy Communion & Confirmation photos are still available for purchase. These images will be removed from their website at the end of this term in readiness for next year’s photography.

This is your last chance to view and purchase these photographs. Please visit www.kapture.com.au using our school code; MYABUB

This code can also be used to purchase class or individual photographs should you have missed out earlier in the year.

Found – Earrings

If your child is missing a pair of earrings please ask them to call into the office as a pair was handed in this week.

Parish Playgroup