SUMMER KIDS CAMPS & FAMILY CAMPS – LUTHERAN YOUTH QLD

Lutheran Youth QLD are running a number of awesome camps over the summer holidays.

Camping is such a great way to escape the everyday, learn some new skills, make some great friends, create memories you can treasure forever and learn more about the secure hope that God offers. This summer should be a cracker with some great opportunities in December and January to celebrate the end of the year and start the next with a bang!

On offer are:

• Junior Blast       13-18 Dec 2020    Coolum Beach  for Grades 3-6 (in 2020)    https://lyq.org.au/juniorblast
• Senior Blast      13-18 Dec 2020    Coolum Beach for Grades 7-12 (in 2020)   https://lyq.org.au/seniorblast
• Kids Camp         11-15 Jan 2021     Coolum Beach for Grades 3-6 (in 2020)  http://www.lyq.org.au/summerkids
• Kids Camp         11-15 Jan 2021     Highfields, Toowoomba  for Grades 3-6 (in 2020)  http://www.lyq.org.au/summerkids
• Family Camp    12-18 Dec 2020 & Jan 2021  at Coolum Beach with 6 nights accommodation & meals    https://lyq.org.au/family-camp

Check the LYQ website for more information & closing dates for registrations.

Do you know a child who loves to perform? With these Moncrieff kids performing arts programs your child is the star. Performing arts programs are perfect for building self-esteem and confidence, uncovering talents, refining current abilities and best of all having fun with others who also love performing arts.

Find something for your child with upcoming performance workshops at the Moncrieff Entertainment Centre. Book now using the links below. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact the Moncrieff Entertainment Centre on 4130 4100.

Circus Skills Workshop | Cluster Arts

4th January 2021

https://www.whatsonbundaberg.com.au/events/event/1117/circus-skills-workshop-cluster-arts

Puppetry Workshop | Dead Puppet Society

11th January 2021

https://www.whatsonbundaberg.com.au/events/event/1118/puppetry-workshop-dead-puppet-society

Pass the Mic | Stand Up Comedy Workshop

23rd January 2021

https://www.whatsonbundaberg.com.au/events/event/1119/pass-the-mic-stand-up-comedy-workshop

Bundaberg Girls Indoor Cricket Holiday Program

Bundaberg Girls Indoor Cricket

St John’s Lutheran Community Kindergarten are currently taking enrolments for 2021.

Please see the attached flyer for more details.

Kindy Enrolment 2021

On Wednesday 18 November, the Year 5 Students presented their Leadership Speeches in response to the official Leadership positions for Year 6, 2021.

This was a culmination of all of Year 5’s hard work during English where the focus genre was persuasive texts, Media Arts where they designed and created their Leadership Posters and also from their Civics and Citizenship Inquiry Unit ‘Your Choice, Your Voice, Your Vote!’ – which encompassed Australia’s Democratic process and made connections to our school’s electoral processes.

Furthermore, following these Leadership Preparations, the Year 5 students nominated their preferences for official Leader positions of 2021. They then developed their speeches, refined, published and rehearsed so that their final Leadership Speech Performance to the Year 2 to Year 6 audience would undoubtedly ???? convince them to Vote #1!

Some of the catchy slogans were:

‘Everything will be a breeze once you vote for Elloise’ ~ Elloise Wooldridge

‘Vote #1 Cooper to make this school SUPER!’ ~ Cooper Croft

‘Imagine what will happen when you vote for Imogen!!!’ ~ Imogen Willes

‘If you don’t vote for Savannah, there WILL be an academic DILEMMA!’ ~ Savannah Watts

‘Don’t be lazy and vote #1 for Chacey!’ ~ Chace Montgomerie

‘If you want to march, vote for Arch!’ ~ Archer Kewley

‘It’s my honour, vote for Connor!’ ~ Connor Petts

‘Stop eating your tortilla and vote Aliyah!’ ~ Aliyah Boag

‘Vote for Peyton, be a Dayton!’ ~ Peyton Coulton

‘Be a STARLET and vote for Scarlett!’ ~ Scarlett Walker

‘Get off your deer and vote for Thea!’ ~ Thea Smits

‘Don’t be melting BUTTER, Vote #1 for HUNTER!’ ~ Hunter Heidke

The speeches challenged all nominating students to step out of their comfort zone but every one of them rose to the occasion with enthusiasm and vigour. Mr Mallett, Mrs Bakker, teachers and staff were SUPER impressed and proud of these students’ efforts!

We now all keenly await the announcement of the successful candidates for School, Biar/Reuther House, Service and Cultural Leaders at our End of Term 4, School Closing Assembly/Service – Friday, 4 December 2020.

Welcome to our two new friends. These scarecrows were made by Prep Red and Prep Blue as part of their Inquiry Units for Term Four.

This term the Preps have been learning about living things and the importance of farms.  In Science they have also been learning about the properties of materials.

The scarecrows had to be made of materials that could be kept outside so they had to be strong and waterproof. Both classes had so much fun making the scarecrows.

Stay tuned for further scarecrow adventures…

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.

An email was sent home last Friday 20 November with an update regarding uniform orders. Please find below a copy of the letter should you have not received a copy.

Due to COVID-19, our suppliers have advised that some uniform items will be delayed.

School Hats – will not be arriving until January 2021
Sports Socks – some sizes may be delayed. An estimated time will be confirmed as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, this is beyond our control and we will contact you when these items arrive. We thank you in advance for your understanding in this matter.

20 Nov 2020 – 2021 Uniform Order Details

Library Books

We still have a number of library books that have been borrowed and have not been returned. Please note that this books are now OVERDUE.

It would be greatly appreciated if all students could please check at home to ensure that any books that they may have borrowed are returned to school before Friday 4 December, 2020.

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.

Music

Would you like to play music? If you are in Year 3 or above in 2021, you are welcome to play an instrument in our band.

Students will have the opportunity to play any of the band instruments which include flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone or drums.

Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Mac through the school office. We would love to have you join us!

Are your address and 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 and address are correct on Parent Lounge to ensure no important information is missed.

Semester Two School Reports will be available through Parent Lounge from Tuesday next week. 

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.

Student Awards

ONE DOOR SHUTS AND ANOTHER DOOR OPENS. Grace and peace to our school community from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ and ‘hi’ from me. An end is coming to 2020 and 2021 is not far away. We will all remember this year!

In the midst of all the challenges and difficulties I have personally faced there have also been many wonderful and joyful moments including my installation service, my first few school Chapel addresses, celebrating our only grandson’s first birthday and then his sister’s baptism both in Dubbo and settling back into ministry and life in Bundaberg.

For those who don’t know I came here with my family nearly 18 years ago and served here for seven years before moving to other parishes. In all my travels and all the challenges, I have had the sure and certain knowledge that God through His Son Jesus Christ has been with me and blessed me and my family. Without the Holy Spirit and the peace, joy and faith that He brings it would have been a dire struggle indeed.

Recently Ps 23 has been a blessing to me: The LORD is my Shepherd I shall not be in want. When we know Jesus as our Lord and Saviour we have enough. I continue to pray for you and look forward to another year with our Lord Jesus the Captain of the Chip!

Cheers and God bless you.

Pastor Greg Graham

CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS 2020 at ST JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH        

St John’s Lutheran Church Service Time Questionnaire

Please find below a questionnaire regarding Church service times. your feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Church Service Times Questionnaire – Nov 2020

This year has certainly flown by and I know I have been tremendously proud to see the growth in all students as learners and citizens throughout 2020. It has certainly been a year of challenge and change for us all!

As educators we are often asked by parents about how to keep up children’s learning over the holiday break.

Of course, first and foremost, please let your children have a break and play. Let them interact with yourself and others and be creative and imaginative, get active outdoors and spend some quality family time together.

Below are a few ideas for holiday activities that you could use with your children over the break to keep their minds active in terms of academic learning:

• Read every day – read to your child and have your child read to you. You can read anything at all that is of interest.
• For the younger students it is a great idea to keep up their sight word practise.
• Create a holiday journal – your child can place photographs, tickets, cut outs and journal entries in this book. This is a great way to help with motivation towards writing and to complete some practise at the same time.
• Number fact quizzes in the car are also great. You can ask your child some basic facts and they can quiz you also.
• Have your child pay for goods and services at the shops. They can speak to the teller and a learn about transactions.
• Start a project together – something that interests your child. It may be gardening, finding out about an interesting animal, a special recipe, something that they are ‘wondering’ about. You can research, make a poster, watch some clips from the internet, write a book or whatever takes your child’s fancy.
• Learn about the true meaning of Christmas. Read about the Christmas story, watch a movie or YouTube clip and discuss the message with your child.
• Check out any local events that may provide a new or interesting activity for your child to engage in.

I wish you all a truly blessed, safe and enjoyable holiday period and look forward to being part of your child’s school journey in 2021.

Jocelyn Bakker – Director of Learning and Teaching

Just be Kind

I love the word kindness. It evokes caring, gentleness and love. In fact, the word kindness means, ‘the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate’ encompassing and over lapping with such things as goodness, mercy, grace, compassion, and tenderness.

Have you ever received unexpected kindness? How did it make you feel? It can break into your day and change its direction and even put a smile on your face! It can cost nothing to give but it can have a ripple effect on a whole community.

Throughout this term our children have been encouraged to do ‘Random-Acts-of-Kindness’ for others. This encourages them to grow in care, compassion and empathy toward others, which hopefully will continue to develop life-long qualities and character. Random-Acts-of-Kindness are also included in our 6Rs.

One of the qualities and characteristics of God is loving kindness. God expressed His loving kindness in sending Jesus at that first Christmas as Titus 3:4-6 expresses:

“But when the kindness of God our Saviour and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, which He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.”

God’s kindness extends to the everyday areas of our life as well – when we are in trouble; or in need of understanding; when we cry out in prayer or when we are in need of comfort; God’s loving kindness is there. God’s loving kindness draws people to Him.

As Christians we don’t earn points for our deeds of kindness, but the deeds are a response to God’s great love and kindness towards us. Ephesians 4:32, states: “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Let our prayer be, “Each morning, dear Lord, let me learn more about your loving kindness because I trust you. I come to you in prayer, asking for your guidance.” Amen

It is hard to fathom that we are now so close to the end of the school year! That said, I wish to convey my sincere thanks to all in our community who graciously serve to provide the best opportunities for our young people. The year has flown by so quickly and has resulted in many successes – even under difficult and trying circumstances owing to Covid-19! I thank you for supporting our school. We feel truly blessed to walk this educational and spiritual journey with you and your children.

Below, is information regarding class and specialist teacher allocations for 2021. I am in the final stages of appointment regarding a couple of positions and will advise as soon as practicable of such.

Please note: A full staff list (including Teacher Assistants) will be issued to all in our community as part of the January mailout.

Staffing Updates

Mrs. Karen Stewart, who has for the past couple of years taught Japanese one day per week, will be finishing her contract with St John’s at the end of this year. I thank Karen for her time teaching Japanese at St John’s and wish her well for 2021. Mrs. Stewart will be continuing at St John’s as a Casual Relief Teacher. Sayonara and Ja Mata, Sensei Stewart.

Mrs. Rachel Johnson, who has taught Classroom Music for the past couple of years, will conclude her contract at the end of this year. Mrs. Johnson has done an amazing job teaching Music and has been a ‘pocket-rocket’ and will be sorely missed. Mrs. J, as she is warmly known, has advised that she would like to be available for Casual Relief Teaching and would like to volunteer within varying elements of the school life. We will be sure to see Mrs. J again in 2021!

Year 6 Graduation Dinner and Awards Presentation Evening (Invitation Only)

Monday, 30 November, commencing at 6.00pm sharp is the Year 6 Graduation Dinner and Year 6 Awards Presentation Evening. Children will be required to attend wearing formal attire and will be allocated seating. Please note that this year, owing to restrictions because of Covid, we are combining our traditional end-of-year Year 6 graduation service with the Year 6 graduation dinner. This event is by invitation only.

Closing Chapel Service and Semester Awards (Students and Staff Only)

Friday, 4 December, (last day of school for 2020) is our scheduled Closing Chapel and Semester Awards ceremony (Prep – Year 5 awards) commencing at 11.30am.

This year we will be holding this function in our Multi-Purpose Hall. Unfortunately, although some Covid-19 restrictions have lifted, we are still bound by limitations in terms of the number of people we can host in either our Church or School Multi-Purpose Hall. To that end, we advise that this end-of-year event will have to remain as a staff and student only event. Students are to wear their formal uniform on this last day of school.

Please note: A separate letter will be sent home soon regarding ‘live streaming’ of this event so as to enable parents to access such (we have a zoom licensed limit of 300). An email and SMS link to ‘zoom’ will be sent, soon. This is a closed-circuit platform and has been chosen so as to protect the privacy of all involved. Owing to licensing limits and privacy matters we respectfully ask that this link is not shared, please. 

2021 – Leaders Announcement

Year 6 Leaders for 2021 will be announced during the final Closing Chapel Service and Semester Awards ceremony. All of the Year 5 children who presented speeches did a fantastic job! As is the case each year, students in Years 2 – 6, voted. These votes were then counted and heavily scrutinized. Badges for the elected positions as well as the general Year 6 Leaders’ positions will be presented at the commencement of the 2021 school year.

Class End-of-Year Celebration Day

On Thursday, 3 December, each class will be having their own ‘celebration day’. Children are permitted to wear ‘free-dress’ on this day (including enclosed shoes). That said, please pack separate wet-play, sun-safe clothing for a short wet-play session at school.

Please note: We will limit the amount of wet-play time owing to water restrictions and drought conditions.

Christmas (Twilight) Concert

This year, owing to Covid restrictions, we will undertake a different format for Twilight Concert in 2020. The concert will be held Thursday 26 November, but this will occur during the school day rather than the evening. We have secured appropriate licensing approvals in order that we will ‘video’ each performer/performance group so that parents are able to watch their child/ren perform (this will be issued to relevant families after the event). This event will be a Christmas themed event.

Parents and Friends Association End-of-Year Lunch

The Parents and Friends Association have graciously offered to provide pizza, popper and zooper dooper as a final lunch for all children on the last day of school (Friday, 4 December). Should your child NOT be able to eat such foods, please pack a normal lunch on the day. Morning Tea is the responsibility of each child, as normal.  

Reports

Reports will be electronically available on Tuesday 1 December via Parent Lounge. Please review carefully. Should you have any specific queries regarding such, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s class teacher. Should you have any issues accessing your child’s report, please contact our office as a matter of priority.

21 Bell Street – Vacant Land 

Over the Christmas holidays further works will be undertaken at the 21 Bell Street property that we now own. Specifically, irrigation and new turf will be laid in readiness for use in early 2021. A new fence has recently been erected along the boundary between 21 and 19 Bell Street. Earlier this year a new fence was erected along the front boundary of the property. We look forward to this space being available for our children next year.

 School Office Dates

The school office will remain open until Friday, 18 December 2020. We close down for the Christmas vacation period and re-open on Monday, 11 January 2021.

2021 Term Dates

Next year’s calendar dates have been issued. Specifically, please note that the start of school for next year is Wednesday 27 January 2021. The only exception to this is the staggered start dates for Prep children – all of whom will be advised shortly. All families will receive a school calendar at the beginning of the new school year. We know that the school calendar is popular among families and, as such, we look forward to gifting each family one, soon.

School Magazine

Owing to matters beyond our control, we will be issuing the 2020 School Magazine in early 2021. For those students graduating from our school, we will post a copy to your family in January. Deepest apologies for any inconvenience caused in relation to this matter, which again, is beyond our control. Thank you for your understanding.

Finally

On behalf of the entire St John’s Lutheran Primary School team I thank you for your continued support throughout 2020 and look forward with excitement to the 2021 school year. I pray that the warmth of Christmas brings peace of mind and joy of heart to your home. May you find happiness, love, grace, and peace this festive and Holy Season.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.”

Colossians 3:15

Rich blessings to you all.

Grace and Peace

Chris Mallett

PRINCIPAL