From the Principal
Welcome to Semester Two for 2023. I trust that your holiday break was a time of family, fun and relaxation. I particularly welcome new students to our school community. 3-6 ATHLETICS CARNIVAL Last week our Year 3 to Year 6 students participated in our Upper School Athletics Carnival and it …
From the Principal
Welcome to Semester Two for 2023. I trust that your holiday break was a time of family, fun and relaxation. I particularly welcome new students to our school community.
3-6 ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
Last week our Year 3 to Year 6 students participated in our Upper School Athletics Carnival and it was a joy to meet and greet many of our parents at the carnival. Our students’ gifts and talents were shining over the two days of athletic competition. Students shone with athletic ability, sportsmanship, grit, determination and resilience. The best part of these days is seeing students support one another and cheer and encourage all participants in the St John’s way.
A massive thank you to Mr Nathan Higgins for his overall organisation of the carnival and to all staff and parents for their contributions. These days take a lot of planning and organising to run smoothly and successfully – thank you.
MUSICAL
We are very excited about our upcoming performance of ‘The Prize’ at the Moncrieff Entertainment Centre. The School Musical is a great opportunity for all St John’s students to experience performing in front of an audience. All families will receive correspondence around costuming requirements in the coming week/s. Please note that we have deliberately tried to ensure costumes are both easy to source and not a big expense for families. Once you receive the costuming requirements, please reach out to your child/ren’s classroom teacher if you have any questions. We can’t wait to see our students on stage!
SOME TIPS FOR HELPING YOUR CHILD
Help your child get organised – Instead of doing everything for your child, encourage them to be active in the organisation process. Let your child experience the ease of being able to find things, the joy of being on time, and the sense of control that organisation will bring.
Plan ahead – So mornings go smoothly. There is an old saying, “well begun is half done,” and it certainly is true about getting off to school. Start your planning the night before by making sure your child gets enough rest. A slightly-earlier bedtime may make a big difference to your child’s ability to function in the morning. Have your child lay out clothes before bed, and put everything else needed for school in the backpack. It is a good idea to have your child put the backpack right on top of his/her shoes, so he/she can’t leave the house without it.
Help your child keep up with work – Share a tip from time-management experts: break tasks into manageable parts, and do one at a time until the job is finished.
Get a handle on homework – Provide a place for your child to do homework, and make sure your child has the necessary supplies. Keep things like pencils, paper, ruler and coloured makers all together in a pencil box or shoe box to save time looking around when doing homework. Set a time to do homework. Some families like to do homework right after school, while others prefer doing it after dinner. Whatever you decide, find one that works for everyone, then stick to it as often as possible. Don’t forget to read!
Keep track of important notes from school – Check emails from the school regularly and note when requests are due or functions are happening in your / our diary. If needed, print the emails and stick them on the fridge. By trying these strategies notes won’t succumb to the “out-of-sight, out-of-mind” syndrome either.
Try some offbeat ways to entice your child to read – Use a current film as a starting point to encourage your child to dip into the book it is based on. Or help your child to write a letter to the author of a favourite book. (Send it to the publisher – most authors are good about replying to letters from children.) Do all you can to foster your child’s love of reading. Video games are fun, but they don’t develop vocabulary and language skills the way reading does.
Take a critical look at your child’s activities – Be careful that technology does not take up lots of time – especially during the week. Ensure that there is a balance of inside and outside activity.
Remember the power of praise – Let it work its magic to motivate your child. Displaying a child’s best work is a form of praise. Add a special touch to an especially good paper by having it laminated. (You can do it yourself with clear contact paper).
Celebrate your child’s successes, no matter how small – Learning is not always easy for children, and sometimes their progress may be measured in very small steps. When your child does master a new skill, rejoice together.
Maintain consistent rules and approaches at home – Irrespective of what you believe to be important values in your home, maintaining a clear set of ‘expectations’ in line with your beliefs and values is important for stability in your child. Whilst this can be hard to stick to (my 2 children are very refined at pushing the patience levels!) it remains important to do so in order to send clear and consistent messages of expectations to your child.
DARE TO BE
When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully.
When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light.
When there is injustice, dare to be the first to condemn it.
When something seems difficult, dare to do it anyway.
When life seems to beat you down, dare to fight back.
When there seems to be no hope, dare to find some.
When you’re feeling tired, dare to keep going.
When times are tough, dare to be tougher.
When love hurts you, dare to love again.
When someone is hurting, dare to help them heal.
When another is lost, dare to help them find the way.
When a friend falls, dare to be the first to extend a hand.
When you cross paths with another, dare to make them smile.
When you feel great, dare to help someone else feel great too.
When the day has ended, dare to feel as you’ve done your best.
Dare to be the best you can.
At all times, Dare to Be!
Steve Maraboli
Semester Two will present many wonderful opportunities for our students to strive for their personal best in a variety of pursuits. We ask that you continue to work with us as educators, so that together we can encourage our students to always give their best effort.
Grace and Peace
Chris Mallett
PRINCIPAL
Curriculum Connections
CONNECTING WITH YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER At St John’s, our teaching staff value the relationships they have with parents. If you have questions or would like …
Curriculum Connections
CONNECTING WITH YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER
At St John’s, our teaching staff value the relationships they have with parents. If you have questions or would like to hear about the progress your child is making at school, please reach out to your child’s teacher anytime. You can contact your child’s teacher via email, Seesaw or the front administration office to make an appointment time to meet with them.
ICAS
A letter was sent to families in Year 2 – Year 6 last week. If you would like your child/ren to participate in ICAS this year, please follow the instructions on the letter to register your child. At St John’s we offer ICAS in English and Mathematics and this is an additional opportunity for those students who wish to participate.
NAPLAN
The 2023 NAPLAN schools reports have been released to schools. These reports are for school and planning purposes and are not passed on to parents.
Individual Student Reports
The QCAA prints individual student reports (ISRs) for students who participate in NAPLAN tests. These reports are sent directly to schools for distribution to parents/carers in Term 3. When we receive these reports, they will be sent home to families with information on how to interpret these reports.
100 DAYS OF PREP
Our amazing Prep students celebrated 100 Days of Learning at Prep this week. The students had a wonderful day as they engaged in activities, learning all about the number 100! Thank you to Mrs Higgins and Mrs Jones for the beautifully decorated classrooms, fun learning activities and the yummy celebration cupcakes. Thank you also to Mrs Johns, Ms Maddern and Mr Russell for their support in our Prep classrooms.
Director of Pastoral Care & Wellbeing
A warm welcome to our school families for the commencement of Term 3. We pray you had a wonderfully relaxing and blessed school holiday and …
Director of Pastoral Care & Wellbeing
A warm welcome to our school families for the commencement of Term 3. We pray you had a wonderfully relaxing and blessed school holiday and we look forward to partnering with you again for a strong and connected school term.
COMMUNITY SUNDAY 13 August
Our Term 3 Community Sunday Worship Service will take place on Sunday 13 August 2023 commencing at 9:00 a.m.
We invite all families to join with us in Worship at St John’s Lutheran Church. Students from ALL YEAR LEVELS will be directly involved in the service, and we encourage students and families to attend this school event. We are seeking students to be involved in Bible Reading, Singing and Reading of Prayers. Please see correspondence sent home last week and return participation forms by this FRIDAY 21 July. Worshipping at our Community Sunday Service is a great way to praise God, nurture our faith in Him, encourage one another and bring our school and church families together. Please bring along a plate to share and join us for a shared morning tea under the mango tree, at the conclusion of the service. Please feel free to contact Mrs Carroll should you have any further questions.
SSRC
Term 3 SSRC Meeting Dates
Week 2 – 20/07
Week 5 – 10/08
Week 8 – 07/09
COMPASSION CHILD – BRAYAN
“Compassion is a Christian international holistic child development organisation. Through our Child Sponsorship Program, more than 2 million children are currently being released from poverty in Jesus’ name. With over six decades of experience, Compassion’s unique approach to solving poverty works: research proves it.” As part of our support of our Compassion Child – Brayan, each week an offering is collected at out Chapel Service. Year Six students are responsible for collecting the offering in support of Brayan’s access to better education and health. We encourage students and families to consider bringing along an offering as part of our Chapel Services – every amount makes a difference, no matter how big or small.
STUDENT ATTENDANCE/ABSENCE MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES
As part of our commitment to Student Wellbeing, our goal is to support student attendance at St John’s Lutheran Primary School. In the improvement of student learning and student wellbeing, we expect that each child is at school learning every school day.
The research shows that in Queensland, higher student attendance at school is associated, on average, with higher student achievement.’
You may be questioning – Why is regular attendance at school important? It is simple really – Regular school attendance will mean that your child gets a better chance at life. Your child will achieve better when they go to school all day, every school day:
- they learn better
- they make friends
- they are happier
- they have a brighter future.
Under Queensland law and relevant school policy, you must make sure your child of school age is enrolled and attends school all day, every school day unless they have a reasonable excuse.
Illness, competing in a school sporting event or going on a school excursion are reasonable excuses for being absent from school. We ask respectfully, that parents/caregivers, avoid keeping their child away from school for birthdays, shopping, visiting family and friends, if they sleep in, looking after other children, or haircuts.
Please note also that it is preferable that parents/caregivers note any absences on Parent Lounge. Please contact the office should you require support in the use of Parent Lounge.
As part of our obligation and revised procedures in monitoring student attendance, you can expect:
- Procedures to monitor student attendance
- An SMS any day your child is not at school as expected. Please assist us to support attendance by responding to this attendance alert
- Further correspondence via Parent Lounge, following-up any unexplained absences as per our records.
- Continued effective teaching strategies to engage your child in learning
- Strategies to help you, to encourage your child to go to school. Please contact your child’s teacher or the DPCW for assistance and support, should this be the case.
DID YOU KNOW THAT MISSING JUST A SMALL AMOUNT OF SCHOOL CAN AMOUNT TO A LOT?
| If your child is missing … | That equals … | Which is … | In over 13 years of schooling, that equates to… |
| 10 mins per day | 50 mins per week | Nearly 1.5 weeks per year | Nearly ½ year |
| 20 mins per day | 1 hour 40 mins per week | Over 2.5 weeks per year | Nearly 1 year |
| 30 mins per day | ½ day per week | 4 weeks per year | Nearly 1 ½ years |
| 60 mins per day | 1 full day | 8 weeks per year | Over 2 ½ years |
ESAFETY COMMISSIONER PARENT/CAREGIVER WEBINARS
Uniform Shop
Uniform Shop – NOW OPEN We are pleased to announce that the Uniform Shop is now open every week for packing and processing orders. The …
Uniform Shop
Uniform Shop – NOW OPEN
We are pleased to announce that the Uniform Shop is now open every week for packing and processing orders. The Uniform Shop’s opening hours are:
Tuesday – 2.30pm – 4.00pm
Friday – 7.45am – 9.15am
Please be aware that fittings are by appointment only and spaces are limited. If your child requires a fitting, please book using the Uniform Fitting Booking Link
Winter Uniforms
With the cooler months now on us, please check the sizing and requirements below of all of your winter uniform items.
Prep students require a Prep Pullover (Jumper) and Prep Track Pants. Please note: Tights are not part of the Prep Uniform.
Years 1 – 6 require the following:
| Girls | Boys |
| Formal Uniform | Formal Uniform |
| Knit Jumper | Knit Jumper |
| Cotton Tights (optional) | Trousers (optional) |
| Sports Uniform | Sports Uniform |
| Sports Jacket | Sports Jacket |
| Sports Track Pants | Sports Track Pants |
If you know your sizing, please feel free to fill out and return the following forms to the school office: school@stjohnsbundaberg.qld.edu.au these will be packed during the Uniform Shops opening hours and we will advise when your order is ready to collect.
Prep Uniforms: Order Form
Boys Uniforms: Order Form
Girls Uniforms: Order Form
Please remember to label all items (especially jumpers and jackets) so that if they do make it to Lost Property we can ensure that it is returned promptly.
School News – Sporting Updates
Senior Athletics Carnival The Bundaberg Athletics Club played host to our annual St John’s Athletics Carnival on Thursday and Friday the 13th and 14th July. …
School News – Sporting Updates
Senior Athletics Carnival
The Bundaberg Athletics Club played host to our annual St John’s Athletics Carnival on Thursday and Friday the 13th and 14th July. Throughout the day the participation from all students in their respective age groups was outstanding and it was wonderful to see amazing sportsmanship in all events. At the conclusion of the events Biar claimed overall victory by 674 points to Reuther’s 633 points.
It was a joy to see parents and friends out in support of our students. Your attendance is so important in promoting the enjoyable atmosphere that we aim to provide for our children.
A very special thankyou to the amazing St John’s staff who worked tirelessly over both days to ensure the events ran smoothly. To those who were able to volunteer their time to assist in any way, I would like to recognise your contribution. I greatly appreciate your time and effort.
At the conclusion of the carnival, Age Champion medallions were awarded for those who achieved highly in their age group. We congratulate the students who achieved this award as follows:
| AGE CHAMPIONS | |
| 9yrs Girls Abigail O’Brien |
9yrs Boys Link Gibson |
| 10yrs Girls Scarlett Porter |
10yrs Boys Eamon D’Albret |
| 11yrs Girls Abbey-Rose Gaston |
11yrs Boys Jackson Harm |
| 12yrs Girls Madison Barrett |
12yrs Boys Knox Kewley |
Congratulations to the following students who set NEW RECORDS during the carnival:
Eamon D’Albret – Boys 10 Years 200m – 33.44sec
Joshua Stedman – Boys 11 Years Shot Put – 8.82m
Abbey-Rose Gaston – Girls 11 Years Shot Put – 7.35m
Charlotte Hood – Girls 10 Years Shot Put – 8.35m
Jackson Harm – Boys 11 Years 200m – 32.66sec
Charlie McDonald – Boys 11 Years 200m – 32.66sec
Layla Hinschen – Girls 8/9 Years 80m – 13.94sec
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- Age Champions 9 years
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- Age Champions 10 years
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- Age Champions 11 & 12 years
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- Age Champions 2023
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- 2023 winners – BIAR
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- Reuther Leaders 2023
Learn n Play Tennis Sessions
Join Bundaberg Tennis Academy’s Tennis Australia Club Professional Coach, Kevin Banner & become a Tennis Hot Shot. He is conducting Learn n Play Tennis Sessions with lots of fun & games at school for Grades 3 – 6 every Tuesday from 7.40 – 8.25am commencing 18th July and will run for 8 weeks. Cost $96.00 approx.
Loan racquets are available and racquets are available for purchase.
Limited vacancies with minimum of 6 players.
Please Register with Kevin before attending on 0409 520 753
If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind Regards
Kevin Banner
Tennis Australia Club Professional Tennis Coach
Bundaberg Tennis Academy
Bundaberg Junior Tennis Assoc Inc
Ph 0409 520 753
Year 6 Fundraising – Upcoming Events
As part of the upcoming educational Year 6 Camp to Luther Heights, the students are fundraising throughout the year to assist with their trip. Year …
Year 6 Fundraising – Upcoming Events
As part of the upcoming educational Year 6 Camp to Luther Heights, the students are fundraising throughout the year to assist with their trip.
Year 6 are involved in the following events:
Shalom College BBQ – Sunday 23 July, 6:30am – 11:30am (approx)
The Shalom Markets are on every Sunday morning from 6am to 12pm. Why not visit the markets early and grab a delicious hot steak burger or sausage sandwich from the BBQ supporting the Year 6 Camp Fundraising efforts. While you are there, shop for all your fresh fruit and veg, visit the craft, jewellery and plant stalls just to mention a few.
Thank you
Thank you to everyone who has supported the Year 6 Fundraising Events to date. It is very much appreciated. Our last event for the year will be our Father’s Day Raffle with more details to come, if you have a business or know of one that might like to donate a prize for this raffle, please contact the school office.
We thank everyone for their support so far.
Year 6 Fundraising Committee
Two Weeks at a Glance
Date Activity Venue Details Fri 21 July Chapel & Assembly St John’s Church 8.45am – All Welcome. Come and join us for Coffee & Connect …
Two Weeks at a Glance
| Date | Activity | Venue | Details |
| Fri 21 July | Chapel & Assembly | St John’s Church | 8.45am – All Welcome. Come and join us for Coffee & Connect from 8am. |
| Sun 23 July | Shalom Markets Breakfast BBQ | Shalom College | 6:30am – 11:30am – See Year 6 Fundraising for further information |
| Fri 28 July | Chapel & Assembly | St John’s Church | 8.45am – All Welcome. Come and join us for Coffee & Connect from 8am. |
