In this issue

2023 Uniform Orders 

Existing orders are currently being filled. A text message will be sent to you when your order is ready for payment and collection. Payment and collection can be made from the main office during normal hours. (Monday – Friday 8:30am – 3.00pm). It would be greatly appreciated if orders could be collected by the end of the school year (Friday 2 December, 2022).

Uniform Exchanges

Uniform exchanges will take place at school in January, 2023. Dates will be confirmed over the coming weeks. Please be aware that this will be by appointment only. This is an opportunity for parents to exchange any new uniforms that may not be the correct size.

We encourage parents to wait until closer to the start of the school year before washing uniforms in case exchanges need to be made.

It is important to note that exchanges can only be made to uniforms that are in their original packaging with all labels still intact.

Embroidery (optional)

Should you wish to have your child’s items embroidered with their name, please find below details for your consideration.

Shawline Embroidery – (backpacks, homework satchels, library bags. Hats will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, but due to the thickness of the brim may not be able to be done)

17 Walker Street, Bundaberg South / ph:07 4152 8139

Inn Style Mensland – (hats, backpacks, homework satchels, library bags)

23 Electra Street, Bundaberg / ph: 07 4151 6788

Please refer to Inn Style’s website / facebook page for trading hours. 

Many Thanks

The Uniform Shop Team

National World Teachers’ Day

I didn’t know that years of school and a college degree would be of little consolation when facing a room full of bright little eyes on the first day of school. I thought I was ready . . .

I didn’t know that five minutes can seem like five hours when there is idle time and a six-hour school day far too short for a well-planned day of teaching.

I didn’t know that teaching children was only a fraction of my job. No one tells you about the conferences and phone calls, meetings and committees, paperwork and more paperwork . . .

I didn’t know that it took so long to cut out letters, draw and colour pictures, laminate all for those bulletin boards that were always “just there” . . .

I didn’t know that I would become such a scavenger, and that teaching materials would feel like pure gold in my hands . . .

I didn’t know that the administration and co-workers that support and help you could make such a difference . . .

I didn’t know that I can’t always dry little tears and mend broken hearts. I thought I could always make a difference.

I didn’t know that the sound of children’s laughter could drown out the sound of all the world’s sadness . . .

I didn’t know that children could feel so profoundly. A broken heart knows no age.

I didn’t know that a single “yes, ma’am” from a disrespectful child or a note in my desk that says, “You’re the best!” could make me feel like I’m on top of a mountain and forget the valleys I forged to get there . . .

I never knew that after one year of teaching I would feel so much wiser, more tired, sadder and happier, all at once.

And that I would no longer call teaching my job, but my privilege.

Recently we celebrated World Teachers’ Day – a day where we recognise the contribution that teachers make to our society. Being a teacher is not as easy as is often perceived, but it is a wonderful profession and we know that it is good teachers who make good schools. UNESCO inaugurated World Teachers’ Day in 1994 to focus attention on the contributions and achievements of teachers. At St John’s, we value quality learning outcomes along with a Christian values-based education, pastoral care and building community. How well we achieve this depends so much on those who work in our classrooms.  Teachers are essential and indispensable for the effective working of our educational system. Teachers help in the development of a child not only academically, but also socially and emotionally. We are very fortunate to have an excellent group of teachers and support staff in our Junior School, who do a wonderful job each day.

Please take a moment to thank our teachers for the work they do!

In recent times there has been a movement to promote kindness as a value of great importance.  There are numerous programs focusing on developing this theme of kindness, such as “Random Acts of Kindness”; the Ripple Kindness Project; the Kindness Rocks Project; Kindness on Purpose. These programs seek to combat bullying and build empathy and care amongst people. For the next 3 weeks at school we will be encouraging students to take up the challenge of doing “Random Acts of Kindness” for each other.

So what is kindness and who needs it? 

Well, kindness is described as the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate toward others. It includes warm-heartedness, goodwill, affection, warmth, gentleness, concern and care; with a definition like this it is obvious to see that everyone needs kindness.  This is attested too, by the many people who have made statements about kindness. For example the following:

“Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” Mark Twain

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” Aesop

“Extend yourself in kindness to other human beings wherever you can.” Oprah Winfrey

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless.” Mother Teresa

“Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.” Barbara De Angelis

“Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day.” Sally Koch.

From these various quotes it can be seen that the value of kindness cannot be underestimated!  Actions of kindness echo on long after they are done!

Kindness is listed as one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.  It is something that reflects God’s character and highlights how God acts toward people. Many times in the Scriptures we read of the loving kindness of our God. And we often see the word kindness linked to love. What a powerful quality! A characteristic that expresses the genuine affection, warmth, compassion and love that God has for each of us. And it’s in abundance!

I shall make mention of the loving kindnesses of the LORD, the praises of the LORD, According to all that the LORD has granted us, ………… according to His compassion and according to the abundance of His loving kindnesses. Isaiah 63:7

God has expressed this best in sending Jesus as the Saviour for all people – giving each person the way to have their sin forgiven and have the hope of heaven.

So, let’s celebrate this quality, build it in our children and take every opportunity to show it to others!

Thank you for working in partnership with us.

Grace and Peace

Chris Mallett

PRINCIPAL

STOP SCROLLING and START READING

The same advice applies for our children – LESS SCREEN TIME and MORE READING (and playing outside, cooking, craft and other exciting activities).

Again, during our last school holidays I had set myself a goal to read more (more reading – not school related). This was partly due to the fact I needed to switch my brain off, but also because I had realized I was again starting to use my screen more and more – a habit that I knew was not good me, especially before bed!

By the end of the first chapter, I was deeply immersed into the narrative – yes, it was a great book! I instantly reflected on how good I felt after some ‘reading’ time.

I really felt like the reason I was struggling to “read’’ was because I had let myself fall too far into the realm of ‘scrolling’. I firmly believe this is the same for our children. Research is full of information around the impact screen time has on our brain, mental and emotional well-being.

Some of the benefits linked to reading verse screen time include:

• Mental stimulation having your brain engaged in a test helps to exercise your brain.
• Immersing yourself in a great story assists with stress-reduction as it helps your brain to stop and be in the present whilst reading.
• Knowledge – reading brings knowledge!
• Vocabulary Development – the more we read the more words we are exposed to which helps assist us with developing our vocabulary.
• As we read, we need to use our memory as we remember the characters, plots, sub-plots etc.
• Focus and Concentration – when we read all of our focus is on the story/text. This is a time when we do not need to multi-task.

Reading is also free entertainment that unlocks all areas of learning for all of us – young or old. I challenge you this term to support yourself and your child to take on the challenge of less screen time and more reading time.

ICAS

We are continuing to wait for our ICAS mathematics certificates. Again, we will notify parents as soon as we receive these and they will be presented at Friday assembly.

P&F Annual Election Meeting

On 26^th October 2022, the P&F Committee held our Annual Election Meeting (AEM). As a result of that meeting, we would like to introduce you to your new P&F Executive Committee for 2022/2023:

President – Christine Ewald

Secretary – Alysha Mutton

Finance Officer – Bernadette Latimer

Executive Members – Kelly Austin, Kathy Gordan, Hannah Heidke and Shelley Thornton.

This year has seen Allison Stallan and Gillian Croft step down from the Executive Committee. Allison has been part of St John’s P&F Committee for almost 17 years, while Gillian has served the P&F for 4 years, we are all very thankful for all their hard work and commitment over this time. We as a P&F, would not be where we are today without the help of both Allison and Gillian, thank you once again.

If you have any ideas or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact us via email at pandf@stjohnsbundaberg.qld.edu.au

We look forward to seeing you around the school.

Grace and Peace

Alysha Mutton

P&F Secretary

World Teachers Day

Friday 28 October marked the occasion of World Teachers’ Day. The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) promoted the day with the motto “Hats off to Teachers”.

St John’s Lutheran Primary School staff celebrated this day and gave thanks and appreciation, to our teaching staff with a morning tea. Staff were invited to wear a fancy hat and celebrate the wonderful work of our teachers at St John’s.

Thankyou to our teacher assistants and ancillary staff who provided a beautiful morning tea.

SSRC students were tasked with the job to interview students and determine what words they would use to describe each of the students. It was wonderful to see how kind and thoughtful our students were in describing our teachers at St John’s. A testament to the strong relationships that exist in our community.

SSRC students were able to show a little golden gratitude also in a gift to teachers, potted at their last SSRC meeting. Wonderful work Team!

Thank you to our children and school community for the appreciation shown to our teachers in recognition for all that they do, not only on this day, but on every day in the lives of our children.

We invite you to join us for our annual Twilight Concert on Thursday 24 November 2022 in our Multi-Purpose Hall. This is a wonderful opportunity that is given to the instrumental music students at St John’s to perform for the school community. Come and listen to these talented students as they perform orchestral, solo and ensemble items. This is always a great evening of entertainment for all the family. Come dressed for the occasion in your best Christmas outfit.

5.00pm – Piano Recital

7.00pm – Instrumental Concert

5.00pm – Sausage Sizzle commences

Concert performances include:

• Piano Solos
• Senior Concert Band
• Junior Concert Band
• Ensembles and many solo performances
• Choir (Prep-6 students)

Please note we will be commencing our Sausage Sizzle from 5.00pm and all pre-orders for sausages must be placed by Friday 18 November.  Drinks will be available on the night to purchase. Order Form can be found here.

We look forward to celebrating our musicians and look forward to welcoming you join us together as a community.

Mrs Diane MacDonald

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TUTOR