Battle of the Schools

Congratulations to Sienna, Bridie, Jenna, Abby, Levi, Matthew, Shaile and Caolan for their efforts when competing in Battle of the Schools. The team was successful in making it into the elimination rounds and demonstrated excellent sportsmanship. The students competed in the quiz competition against 20 other schools from the Bundaberg Region that tested them in all areas of the Year 6 Australian Curriculum. A big thank you to Hitz 93.9 and Stocklands for making this event possible for the students.

Are your address & contact details correct? You can access Parent Lounge by using this link: bit.ly/3hr5sc8 

Parent Lounge makes it easy for parents to update details at any time of the day.

We ask that parents check their email, mobile & address are correct on Parent Lounge to ensure no important information is missed.

Thank you to those families who are already using Parent Lounge, we hope that you have found it useful.

Should you have any issues accessing Parent Lounge, please phone the school on  4132 6888 or email school@stjohnsbundaberg.qld.edu.au during office hours for assistance.

Year 6 Market Day

In Term 3, as a part of their Business and Economics unit, the Year 6 students have had to recognise that the concept of opportunity cost involves choices about the alternative use of resources and the need to consider trade-offs; describe the effects of consumer and financial decisions on the individual, the broader community and the environment; and identify the reasons businesses exist and the different ways they provide goods and services.

Students have applied their knowledge and skills to develop their own business and product. As a part of this task students have had to design, cost and produce their product and will sell it at the Year 6 Market Day.

Year 6 Market Day Information

When:  Tuesday 17 November

Location: Mango Tree Area

Time: Each class has an allotted time during class

Price: See separate flyer for products and prices

Money: Please ensure your child has small change and it is a named zip lock bag or envelop

Profits: All profits raised will be donated to Red Collar Rescue and Leukaemia Foundation

Click the link to see our Market Day Flyers: Market Day 2020

We thank you in advance for your support!

 Year 6

This year our Annual Twilight Concert  will be replaced by the 2020  Christmas Concert.  It  will be held on November 26th during the school day.

The whole school will be entertained by the piano recital and the instrumental concert. We will then hear the bands and choir outside while we eat our lunch.

All children (performers and audience) are encouraged to wear Christmas attire. This could be something as simple as a Christmas T-shirt, a Santa hat or some reindeer ears. Parents are asked that children please wear shirts with sleeves, joggers – can be school or other, wide brimmed hat (no cap). Please ensure that children do not wear singlet tops or midriff tops, open toe shoes, thongs or fancy shoes with heels.

While we are unable to live stream out concert due to copyright laws, we will endeavour to send a video of the performers home to their individual families.

Bundaberg Lutheran Parish

Lead/School Pastor: Pastor Greg Graham
Parish Pastor: Pastor Ryan Norris

Phone: 4152 5900
Email: office@stjohnsbundaberg.org.au
www.stjohnsbundy.org.au

St John’s: 30 George Street | Service Times: 8.30am & 10.00am
Faith: Larson Street | Service Time: 7.30am
Redeemer: Tirroan Road, Gin Gin | Service Time: 8.00am
Rosedale: 10.30am | 1st/3rd Sunday of the month
Gracehaven Chapel: Dr May’s Road | Service Time: 10.30am

Uniform Shop Orders

Reminder to send your uniform order/s into the office. We ask that orders are returned as soon as possible so that we can prepare and send home orders prior to the conclusion of the term. Parents will receive a text message when their order is ready for collection, or if paid over the phone, can be sent home with your child.

2021 Book Lists

Book lists for 2021 were sent home with students earlier this term. If you are purchasing your book list through AASTAT, please note their due date of 21 December 2020. If you wish to collect your book list from St John’s Administration, please ensure your booklist is returned prior to the collection days of 14 – 18 December. Booklists can be returned to either the school office or directly to AASTAT. If you have any questions about your child’s booklist, please phone our office on 4132 6888.

Bell Street Pick Up

For the safety of all students and families, we respectfully ask that parents ensure they are pulling into a designated car park before stopping their car for children to enter.  We know 3pm can be a busy time of the day, and parks are not always easy to come by, however, we do ask that children are not called into cars that are not appropriately parked. Not only it is unsafe, but it also blocks parked cars from exiting promptly. We thank you for your assistance with this.

Lost Property

Our lost property box is overflowing! If your child has misplaced a drink bottle, goggles, a jumper or any items pictured below, please be sure to check the box located in our Administration office.

Student Awards

NAIDOC Week

The Australian Curriculum outlines the need for Australian schools to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures across the curriculum. This priority is designed for all students to engage in reconciliation, respect and recognition of the world’s oldest continuous living creatures. Part of this education at St John’s is participating in NAIDOC week celebrations.

NAIDOC Week celebrations are normally held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life. This year due to COVID – 19 NAIDOC Week was postponed until this week. The week is a great opportunity to participate in a range of activities and to support your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

NAIDOC originally stood for ‘National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee’. This committee was once responsible for organising national activities during NAIDOC Week and its acronym has since become the name of the week itself.

Part taken from: https://www.naidoc.org.au/about/naidoc-week

Jocelyn Bakker

Director of Learning and Teaching

I Didn’t Know

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, faculty 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 there would be children that I loved and cared for and stayed up late worrying about, who, one day, would simply not show up. And that I would never see them again . . .

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.

National World Teachers’ Day

Last Friday we celebrated World Teachers’ Day which recognises 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. 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 solid Christian 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. They 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 school, who do a wonderful job each day. Please take a moment to thank them for the work they do!

 Staffing – 2021

I know a number of you are eager to know the class teacher allocations for next year. I can confirm that I’m in the final stages of appointment and should be in a position to advise of such in the next week or two. One of the points of great celebration for me at St John’s is that we have a wonderfully professional team of people whose core purpose and focus squarely points to the nurture and growth of the children in our care. I remain to have full faith in the abilities and capacity of each of our team in being able to deliver quality care, love and grace to all and look forward with excitement to 2021.

 Swimming

Weekly swimming lessons continue to occur each Monday. Thank you to Mr. Higgins and the teaching staff for organising our swimming program. Please remind your child/ren to bring their appropriate swimming equipment each week in readiness for their lesson. Please note that we have taken the decision (based on advice) not to undertake our swimming carnival event this year chiefly owing to covid-related concerns. That said, we have built into the swimming program opportunities for our students as a quasi replacement to the carnival. Also, we are investigating the possibility of dates for Term 1, 2021 and will advise accordingly as to whether or not we are successful in securing such.

Head Lice

It has come to our attention that some students in our school may have head lice. I seek your cooperation in checking your child’s hair and scalp today and every two days for ten days after this date due to the varying stages of eggs hatching. This is an ongoing problem that can only be contained by constant monitoring. Head lice occur regardless of how clean the hair is. This is why a child’s head and hair needs to be inspected regularly. If your child has contracted head lice do not be alarmed. Although the condition is unpleasant, it is easily treated with specialised treatments from your local pharmacist. When lice are found, fast and thorough treatment is required. If you are unsure as to how to treat head lice – please see your local pharmacist who will assist you.

If we all take action at the same time, it will help enormously to stop the spread of head lice.

Head lice information sheets can be obtained from: http://www.jcu.edu.au/school/’phtm/PHTM/hlice/hlinfo1.htm or http://www.nitpickers.com.au

Thank you for your understanding and assistance in regard to this matter.

End of Year Assessment

As you know, Term 4 is a very short term. Assessment is occurring across year levels in various subject areas and across Units of Inquiry, ready for reports. Please support your child in this by ensuring they arrive at school on time, have had a good breakfast and are ready for their day with all necessary equipment, especially writing implements. 

Thank you for working in partnership with us.

Grace and Peace

Chris Mallett

PRINCIPAL