In this issue

As a significant leader in Christian co-education, St John’s Lutheran Primary School offers an educational environment where Christ is central, excellence is pursued, and relationships are valued. The world of education and vocation has transformed over the past many years, but the underlying principles and values are as important in a modern world as they have ever been. At St John’s we continue to rest on the strong foundations of faith, education and formation of the whole person. We aim to prepare students for the future: a continued commitment to quality and collaborative learning and partnering with families and the broader community to foster lifelong learning.

 

At St John’s Lutheran Primary School, we aim to develop learners who are curious, creative, communicative, collaborative, critical-thinkers and competent. At the forefront of our educational practice we aim to prepare our students for further learning, future opportunities and active citizenship. We encourage all students to achieve as whole people as they develop their intellectual, social, physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

 

2024 will see us double stream from Prep – Year 6 with 2 classes per year level. This is a very exciting milestone for our school and will allow us to continue to provide additional opportunities for our students. 

 

CLASS ALLOCATIONS 

As an integral part of creating positive learning environments, we are striving to achieve the best possible class placement for all children. With this in mind, we will be determining class compositions for 2024 to ensure classes are balanced. It is no longer the intention to:  

• Move a whole class cohort to the next year level where all of the students remain in the same class group allocation  
• Place all new students in one class 

• Weight the classes unevenly, except where appropriate to curriculum initiatives or programs of the school.  

Learning and Teaching staff will  be working together to determine the most appropriate class placements for all students prior to 2024. Staff will take into consideration a variety of factors when working on class placements.  Please note, that once class placements are finalised no changes will be made unless an extenuating circumstance presents and then the final decision remains with the school. 

 

STAFFING 

Firstly, I want to announce the departures of two members of our School Community, Natasha Higgins and Samantha Jones. Natasha and Samantha’s employment with us will finalise at the end of 2023. Both Natasha and Samantha have played valuable roles in our school’s success, and their contributions will be deeply missed. We thank both Natasha and Samantha for their service and  wish them every blessing on their new journeys.

 

In addition to Natasha and Samantha’s departures, Caitlin Mader will be talking maternity leave at the conclusion of the 2023 school year. We want to extend our warmest congratulations to Caitlin and Scott as they begin their journey as a family of three, and we will eagerly await Caitlin’s return to our St. John’s family in the future.

 

As you may be aware, we have recently advertised for teaching positions for the 2024 school year. We have been very fortunate to receive applications from several quality candidates. Staffing considerations are still underway for 2024, however, I am delighted to introduce new staff members who will be joining our St. John’s Teaching Staff.

Brayden Rewald 

Brayden has been a part of the St John’s community both as a student, and now in his role as a Teacher Assistant. Brayden has completed his final Practicum this year, and we look forward to welcoming Brayden as a Teacher in 2024.

 

Roselyn Hunting 

Roselyn has accepted a full-time teaching position for 2024. We thank Roselyn for her time in Prep Red this Semester and we are excited to welcome Ros back into our school community.

 

Sascha Steinbeck 

Sascha comes to St John’s with a wealth of knowledge and over 15 years’ experience as a teacher and leader in a variety of schools in Australia and overseas. Sascha has graciously travelled from the Sunshine Coast to take part in our  Prep Transition program and are honoured to have Sascha joining our staff in 2024.

 

I will communicate with our community in due time on additional staffing appointments as we move towards 2024.  

  

REPORT CARDS 

As you are aware St John’s Lutheran Primary School has carefully elected to introduce all subjects across version 9.0 of the Australian Curriculum this year. This has been a rigorous and carefully executed process ensuring that students’ academic learning is well supported. With this in mind, we have made changes to our previous report card to reflect version 9.0 requirements, subjects and strands.

 

Whilst the Australian Education Regulation 2013 (section 59) states schools are not required to report on subject strands or provide comments, we have made a school-based decision to continue reporting in strands to add to the level of information communicated to parents. In each subject students will receive a grade for subject strands and an overall on-balance judgement for each subject. Students will now receive an overall mark for effort in every subject area and an overall mark for Values and Spirit in alignment with our St John’s 6Rs. Teachers will provide a short overall general comment for each student at the conclusion of the report card.  

 

JUNIOR SPORTS CARNIVAL 

It was a delight to see our Prep – Year 2 students (and parents) enjoying the Junior events offered at our recent carnival. The new venue certainly enabled greater breadth of events for our juniors and also a comfortable space for all to enjoy. Thank you to Mr Higgins and his team for your preparation and running of such a smooth and fun day!

 

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

 

Thank you for your continued support of all things St John’s Lutheran Primary School. 

 

Grace and Peace  

Jocelyn Bakker  

ACTING PRINCIPAL  

 

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