In this issue

Dear members of the St. John’s community, 

It was with great joy I accepted the offer extended to me for the position of “Director of Learning and Teaching” at St John’s Lutheran Primary School. My name is Debi Bosch, and I’m a South African immigrant. I moved to Bundaberg in April 2017, when my husband was invited to become the minister of the Bundaberg Uniting Church, where he continues to serve. I have three children, who completed their schooling here in Bundaberg and are now studying various degrees in Brisbane. 

I qualified as a Primary school teacher just as the new millennium started and have gone on to have many different educational roles. Some of these roles include teaching, lecturing, writing textbooks, developing courses for teacher training and running curriculum workshops for in service teachers. Most recently, I have been back in the classroom teaching grade 6 at a local Bundaberg school. 

As I step into my new role at St John’s Lutheran Primary School, I would like to acknowledge the incredible work that has been done in the curriculum development space by Mrs Jocelyn Bakker, who has led the way for St John’s teachers to implement the Australian Curriculum through a design thinking, inquiry-based approach, while encouraging students to “develop their God given talents so they can shape and enrich their world” (as is the aim of Lutheran Schools Australia). I would also like to acknowledge Mrs Natasha Higgins who, over just a few short months, did a mammoth amount of work in helping teachers rewrite their teaching units to align with the revised v9 Australian Curriculum.  

Over the last week, I have had the privilege of reading through the various planning documents created by our teachers to be used this year, and I am so looking forward to seeing their many wonderful ideas for engaging students in meaningful learning come to fruition. I am sure as parents and carers you will be amazed at all the learning opportunities your children will have in 2024! 

St John’s truly is a remarkable school, with passionate, caring staff and friendly, happy students. Thank you so much for welcoming me to St John’s! I am excited to serve the St John’s community and play my role, with God’s help, in shaping the heads, hearts and hands of our students. 

God bless, 

Debi Bosch 

WELCOME 

Welcome everyone to a new school year. What a privilege it has been to greet the students and families (both new and existing) thus far. For those existing families, and also to those who are new to St John’s, we welcome you and hope that you feel the warm sense of community and level of care that is all things St John’s. Respect and Relationships can be noted as the bookends of our framework for Building Positive Behaviours. 

ST JOHN’S VALUES AND SPIRIT – 6 RS  

Respect – ‘for self and others’ 

Rigour – ‘work hard, work tough’ 

Responsibility – ‘for learning and actions’ 

Resilience – Keep on keeping on 

Random Acts of Kindness – ‘It’s cool to be kind’ 

Relationships – ‘the reason’  

Whilst our Values and Spirit remain unchanged, we have ‘value added’ to help bring our 6 R’s alive this year. You will notice NEW FRIENDS OF THE 6 R’s. What a wonderful way for our students to make connections to the strong sense of character we encourage and foster in our community. 

We will continue to reinforce our Values and Spirit in everything that we do, promoting a safe and supportive learning and teaching environment for all.  

LIFE EDUCATION 

Students will be involved in a complementary educational program run by Life Education Queensland in Weeks 4 and 5 of this term. The Primary Program aligns to the Australian Curriculum Learning Area of Health and Physical Education and will be delivered by an experienced Life Education Consultant. These sessions include interactive learning opportunities for students from Prep to Year 6. Each grade will engage in age-appropriate modules focusing on physical and emotional growth, nutrition, safety, and respectful relationships. There will also be a Parent webinar on offer entitled – ‘Raising Resilient Children.’

SSRC (STUDENT SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL) ELECTIONS 

Nominations and elections for SSRC in Grades 3-6 will take place this week during class time.  Students who have not served two years consecutively on the SSRC are invited to nominate for these positions. This year, SSRC members will serve on the council for one semester, rather than one year, allowing more opportunity for students to serve the school and wider community.  

ESAFETY COMISSIONER ONLINE PARENT WEBINARS FOR TERM 1 

Please follow the link Webinars for parents and carers | eSafety Commissioner

Mainly Music 2024 – St John’s Church 

Mainly Music returns on February 7th!

Join us every Wednesday morning in the Church Hall for playtime starting at 9 am, followed by the music program kicking off at 9:30 am.

Parents, grandparents, and caregivers are all invited to partake in this lively session filled with singing, dancing, arts, crafts, and heaps of fun!

Whether you’re a familiar face or a first-timer, everyone is welcome to attend.

Please contact the Church Office for more information 4152 5900.

Find information below regarding the 2024 Junior Table Tennis Come & Try Night:

Find information below regarding registration for the Bargara Football Club:

Find information below regarding the Touch Football Showcase:

Find information below regarding the Give Hockey a Go program:

Find information below regarding the Bundaberg Junior Gold Club Come and Try Day: