In this issue

  • Welcome to our new Adopt-a-Cop
  • New Website – coming soon!
  • Taiko Drums & Flutes of Japan
  • Hot Chocolate Surprise!
  • A Day at Splitters Farm
  • Senior Athletics News
  • School Holiday Community News
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School News

Pizza Day – Wednesday 22 June We would like to thank all of the parents and staff who helped with the pizza day today. We would also like to thank all the students that ordered pizza and we hope that you thoroughly enjoyed it! The money raised will go towards …

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School News

Pizza Day – Wednesday 22 June

We would like to thank all of the parents and staff who helped with the pizza day today. We would also like to thank all the students that ordered pizza and we hope that you thoroughly enjoyed it! The money raised will go towards our Year 6 camp in Term 4.

Thank you again,

Year 6 students and staff


Friday Morning Hot Chocolate Surprise

On Friday 10 June, students arrived at school to be greeted with a warm hot chocolate as a surprise from Mrs Bakker and Mrs Carroll. With the recent cold mornings, they thought it would be a nice Friday morning treat! The students certainly did enjoyed it! Thank you Mrs Bakker and Mrs Carroll for your very generous treat!

 

Community News »
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Community News

Wide Bay Kids – What’s On These Winter School Holidays! This months edition is all about the Winter School Holidays – There are so many fun …

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Community News

Wide Bay Kids – What’s On These Winter School Holidays!

This months edition is all about the Winter School Holidays – There are so many fun family things coming up. We are most looking forward to;

June 25 – New Skate Park Opening
June 27 & 28 – Once Design Art Classes
June 28 to July 7 – Farm Kids at Terra Tribe
June 29 – Free Movie at Moncrieff
June 29 – Music Bingo at Spotted Dog
June 29 to July 7 – Gymfinity Gymnastics
June 30 – Family Flourish Fun Day
June 2 – A Woman’s Voice High Tea
July 4 – Shine & Glow Girl Workshops
July 6 – Sketch Art Workshop
July 9 – Junior Lock-In at Bundy Bowl

For more information, click on the following Wide Bay Kids link:

Wide Bay Kids Winter School Holiday Guide


Bundaberg Relay For Life!

Bundaberg Relay For Life Flyer 2022


Stepping into Bundaberg Sports – School Holiday Activities

June July – School Holidays

Ten Pin Bowling: 29 June & 6 July
Cricket: 4 July (Opening Soon)

For more details click on the link:

Stepping into Bundaberg Sports

For more information contact Matthew 0429266008 or email matthewa@stepsgroup.com.au

« School News Two Weeks at a Glance »
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Two Weeks at a Glance

Date Activity Venue Details Fri 24 Jun Year 3 Sea Life Excursion Payment due today Fri 24 Jun Coffee and Connect Afternoon Mango Tree Area …

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Two Weeks at a Glance

Date Activity Venue Details
Fri 24 Jun Year 3 Sea Life Excursion Payment due today
Fri 24 Jun Coffee and Connect Afternoon Mango Tree Area Join us for coffee from 1:00pm
Fri 24 Jun Closing Service and Semester Awards St John’s Church Service commences at 1:30pm
Fri 24 Jun Last Day of Term 2 Wishing everyone an enjoyable holiday break!
Mon 11 Jul Term 3 Commences School Welcome Back!
Fri 15 Jul Coffee and Connect Morning Mango Tree Area Join us for coffee from 8:00am
Fri 15 Jul Opening Chapel & Assembly Service St John’s Church Service commences at 8:45am
Fri 22 Jul Year 3 Sea Life Excursion Mooloolaba Depart St John’s at 6:10am

 

« Community News Sports News »
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Sports News

Senior Athletics Carnival St John’s Annual Senior Athletics Carnival was held on Thursday 16 and Friday 17 June. The two-day carnival saw our house teams compete …

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Sports News

Senior Athletics Carnival

St John’s Annual Senior Athletics Carnival was held on Thursday 16 and Friday 17 June. The two-day carnival saw our house teams compete for overall honours as the students also looked to take out their respective age champion award.

The participation in all events was outstanding, with students giving it their all from their first event to the last. This year’s house competition ended as one of the closest in recent memory as Biar claimed overall victory by 11 points, 661 to Reuther’s 650.

To those who were able to volunteer their time to assist in any way I would like to recognise your contribution. A lot of support is required to run our carnival and without you we would not be able to provide such an opportunity for our students. I greatly appreciate your time and effort.

At the conclusion of the day, 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

Scarlett Porter

9yrs Boys

Lennox Higgins

10yrs Girls

Abbey-Rose Gaston

10yrs Boys

Jackson Harm

11yrs Girls

Savannah Ewald

11yrs Boys

Knox Kewley

12yrs Girls

Indianna Boardman

12yrs Boys

Andrew Cleaver

This year also saw several new records set. We congratulate the following students for their achievements in setting new benchmarks.

Abbey-Rose Gaston: 10yrs Girls 800m – 3min 27sec; 10yrs Girls Shot Put – 5.89m

Jackson Harm: 10yrs Boys Shot Put – 8.39m

Lennox Higgins: 9yrs Boys 80m – 13.75sec

Nikith Tarigopula: 9yrs Boys 800m – 3min 21sec

Grace and Peace

Nathan Higgins

PE TEACHER

« Two Weeks at a Glance Prep Excursion - Splitters Farm »
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Prep Excursion – Splitters Farm

On Friday 3 June, the Prep classes were excited to visit Splitters Farm. The excursion was to complement our inquiry unit “Why are Farms Important?” We …

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Prep Excursion – Splitters Farm

On Friday 3 June, the Prep classes were excited to visit Splitters Farm. The excursion was to complement our inquiry unit “Why are Farms Important?” We have been exploring living and non-living things, the needs of animals and plants, natural and built features of places and how plants and animals are grown for clothing, shelter and food.

The Preps were excited as we rode on the bus (some of us for the first time) and travelled out to Splitters Farm. Farmer Shay and Farmer Carly took us on a guided tour of the farm and introduced us to all of the animals. Splitters Farm is a working cattle farm, but they also provide new homes to a variety of rescued farm animals.

After our tour, we broke into small groups and revisited the animals at a leisurely pace. We were able to handle, pat and hand feed the animals. This was very exciting. We saw lots of different animals including cows, horses, alpacas, goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks, geese, a camel, a turkey, the farm dogs and guinea pigs. Jo Jo (the baby lamb) was certainly a favourite and got lots of cuddles.

During the day we had picnics on the grassy area and we played on the adventure playground. A big thank you to our parent helpers on the day.

We had a fantastic day with lots of learning and fun.

Mrs Higgins and Mrs Burt

PREP RED & PREP BLUE TEACHERS

« Sports News Student Awards »
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Student Awards

Student Awards Congratulations to this fortnight’s award recipients Prep Red Miley Duggan, Olivia Suzgun, Oliver Sweeney, Rohan Turnbull, Louis Hill, Nathaniel Chase Prep Blue Arlo …

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Student Awards

Student Awards

Congratulations to this fortnight’s award recipients
Prep Red Miley Duggan, Olivia Suzgun, Oliver Sweeney, Rohan Turnbull, Louis Hill, Nathaniel Chase
Prep Blue Arlo Watt, Charlotte Thornton, Maileah Mayfield, Isla Quinn
Year 1 Red To be announced on Friday 24 June
Year 1 Blue To be announced on Friday 24 June
Year 2 Red Phoebe Hill, George Carter
Year 2 Blue Thomas Thornton, Maverick Robertson, Tanatswa Bere
Year 3 Aleeyah Forman-Ikstrums, Kelsie Norris
Year 3/4 Nikith Tarigopula, Maddison Bluff
Year 4 Lachlan Ewald, Logan Quinn
Year 5 Abbey-Rose Gaston, Olivia Kronk
Year 6 Ella Park, Summa Midgley

 

« Prep Excursion - Splitters Farm Pastoral Care & Wellbeing »
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Pastoral Care & Wellbeing

ThinkUKnow Sessions This week, our students participated in the ThinkUKnow Australia Program Presentations delivered by District Crime Prevention Co-ordinator – Senior Constable Brittany, and Senior …

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Pastoral Care & Wellbeing

ThinkUKnow Sessions

This week, our students participated in the ThinkUKnow Australia Program Presentations delivered by District Crime Prevention Co-ordinator – Senior Constable Brittany, and Senior Constable Dave from the Bundaberg Police Service.  The ThinkUKnow Australia Program supports positive, proactive engagement between children and police. These presentations aim to help students understand the benefits and challenges of technology and develop critical thinking skills to identify harmful situations and how to get help.

Students across year levels engaged in varying discussions based on year level aligned content including:

What is the internet?

What games do you play?

How secure is your Username/Password?

How do I engage safely with other people online?

What should I do when I feel unsafe?

Who can I go to for help?

If you would like to know more about this program, please visit https://www.thinkuknow.org.au

There are a wealth of parent resources available on varying relevant topics.

Students from St John’s Lutheran Primary School conducted themselves responsibly and respectfully throughout these presentations and were able to reflect critically on their learning and ask valuable and discerning questions. We thank Senior Constable Brittany, and Senior Constable Dave for partnering with us to help ensure our children remain safe online.


Hamper Drive

Throughout this term, the students of the Student Services Representative Council (SSRC) have been discussing, what it means to serve the community. In doing so, students have committed to facilitating a ‘Hamper Drive’ in conjunction with Angels Community Group. This drive will assist the homeless and ‘at risk’ with much needed supplies during the cooler weather. Our students see this is a very important cause. On average, Angels Community Group provide between 150-200 Emergency hampers per week.

If you would like to assist, we encourage you to please consider donating the following items:

  • Prep – Year One Classes: Rice, Pasta, Cereal, Long-life Milk
  • Year Two – Three Classes: Rice Cakes, Cup-a-soup, Noodle Cups/Bowls, Spreads (Please no nut-based spreads) Toilet Paper
  • Year Four, Five & Six Classes: Tinned Soup (Ring-pull tops) Tinned Spaghetti/Baked Beans (Ring-pull tops) Soap, Insect Repellant (Non-aerosol please)

Items can be brought to school, within the first three weeks of Term 3 (inclusive of 4-21 July 2022). The final date for collections will be Thursday 21 July. If you know of any other members of the school or local community, who may be interested in supporting this cause, please feel free to pass on this information.

We thank you graciously in anticipation of your support in this matter.


Compassion Child – Brayan

As part of their Leadership role in assisting with the coordination of Weekly Chapel Services and Assembly, Year six students are responsible for collecting the offering in support of our Compassion Child Brayan. Our Year six students are considering ways in which we can encourage our school community to support Brayan each week, by bringing along an offering. Students have been working upon posters to display within classrooms and also around the school grounds – every amount makes a difference, no matter how big or small.


Holiday Well Wishes

As Term Two draws to a close, we would like to say thank you to our school community for working in partnership with us to support the personal development of our students and the emotional and social welfare of each other. We are all valuable contributors in this important role, and together as a school community we are strong! Have a safe and enjoyable holiday with your family and friends and take some time to share in the be thankful, be kind, be gracious, be loving, and give the gift of time.

Grace and Peace

Tamara Carroll

DIRECTOR OF PASTORAL CARE AND WELLBEING

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Curriculum Connections

ICAS Please see the letter sent home this week with information regarding ICAS for Year 2 – Year 6 students. A reminder to parents that …

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Curriculum Connections

ICAS

Please see the letter sent home this week with information regarding ICAS for Year 2 – Year 6 students. A reminder to parents that you need to sign your child/ren up using the Parent Payment System – please find the link in the letter sent home.


Showcase Events

Thank you to those classes who have been participating in Showcase events this week. It has been wonderful to see parents coming along and joining in the celebration of learning with our students. We hope you enjoy a selection of photos below.


MS Readathon

Register here –  https://www.msreadathon.org.au/


Taiko Drums and Flutes of Japan

Last Tuesday afternoon the whole school was excited to be able to attend a performance of Taiko Drums and Flutes of Japan. Performers Toshi Sakamoto and Anne Newman who are both highly acclaimed musicians enthralled students as they played a variety of Japanese instruments including the shakuhachi and fue flutes and taiko drums or various sizes.

Students gained a better understanding of Japan both culturally and historically with the performance incorporating aspects from across the curriculum. The show complimented the teaching and learning that has been occurring throughout the Semester in both Classroom Music and Japanese. Students were able to apply their knowledge of musical elements as they listened to and performed beats and rhythm patterns. The use of Japanese language throughout the performance provided students with a real-life application to the in-class language learning.

The Year Two students were able to wear the school’s collection of Happi coats to the show. These are traditional coats and sashes worn for festivals.

The performance was highly energetic, entertaining and exciting with students joining in the performance as both audience members and performers. As one student said afterwards “I could feel the vibrations in my soul”.

As follow up to the performance the students in Years 3 – 6 were introduced to bucket drumming in their follow up music lessons. The P – 2 students used small drums and clapping sticks to play beat and rhythms during their lessons.

Feedback from students was unanimously positive. In particular they loved being able to participate in the performance. We also received feedback from Toshi and Anne at the end saying that they were very impressed with St John’s student’s behaviour and participation. They also commented that our students’ musicality was above expectation.

Quotes from some of our students:

I like the big drums – Year 3

The different instruments were interesting – Year 3

It was great that some people got to go up on the stage to play – Year 3

We knew the Japanese words!! Year 3

I loved it and loved everything about it – Year 4

It was fun – Year 4

It was loud – Year 4

The bamboo flute was relaxing – I could imagine the animals – Year 4

I want to learn the drums – Year 3/4

It was funny and entertaining – Year 5

It was humorous and unique – Year 5

It shook my insides – Year 5

I was so pleased I could participate – Year 6

I loved learning about Japanese instruments and practising language. – Year 6

The taiko flute made me feel so relaxed – Year 6

We wish you a blessed and safe holiday period and look forward to welcoming you all back next term.

Jocelyn Bakker – Director of Learning and Teaching

Jenny Linderberg – Music and Japanese Teacher

« Pastoral Care & Wellbeing From the Principal »
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From the Principal

Arrival Time and Supervision We have noticed a number of children arriving late to school. Please be aware that students are to be on campus …

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From the Principal

Arrival Time and Supervision

We have noticed a number of children arriving late to school.

Please be aware that students are to be on campus no later than to 8.30am.

Being late to school disrupts the routines and procedures the children need in order to settle in well to the day ahead.

It is expected that students arrive at school on time.

  • Supervision for students (Year 1 to Year 6) is offered under the mango tree adjacent to the tuckshop from 8.00am.
  • Prep children are supervised under the veranda adjacent to the Prep classrooms.
  • Children will be supervised until they are collected by their class teacher at 8.25am – 8.30am. The roll is marked at 8.35am sharp.

Thank you for supporting us in regard to these important procedures.


Introducing our School Adopt-a-Cop (Constable Sarah Vella)

We are fortunate to have been assigned a Queensland Police Service, Adopt-a-Cop – Constable Sarah Vella. Below is her introduction to our community. Constable Sez has recently visited our school Chapel and Assembly Service and is looking very forward to being a positive presence in our school community. Welcome, Constable Sez!

My name is Constable Sarah Vella, but the kids can call me Sez for short.

I grew up in Bundaberg before travelling on many different paths until I found what I was meant to do -policing. I’ve been in the QPS for a almost two years, starting my career off in Gin Gin and then landed in Bundaberg. I love engaging with the community and giving a helping hand when it’s needed. During my time in Gin Gin, I learnt that the power behind the QPS is the support of the community they work in and the confidence the public have with their local officers. From this, I strive to ensure I can give back to the community that has trust in me and my colleagues.


Resilience in Children

Dr. Justin Coulson is a prominent psychologist, author and speaker. Below, I share with you some insights from his presentations and published materials.

After a successful radio career Justin returned to school in his late 20’s where he earned his psychology degree from the University of Queensland and his PhD in psychology from the University of Wollongong.

Since then he has written multiple peer-reviewed journal articles and scholarly book chapters, as well as several books and ebooks about parenting, including the 21 Days to a Happier Family (Harper Collins, 2016) and 9 Ways to a Resilient Child (Harper Collins, 2017).

Justin and his wife Kylie have their six daughters (yes six!) and live in Queensland. Together they have successfully taught their children to sleep in their own beds, wear clothing even when it’s hot, use the bathroom, and eat at least some of the food on their plate most of the time.

In education, we hear the resilience word all the time. We hear it from parents who want to raise resilient children. We hear it from teachers who are growing and educating children. We hear it from universities who want students who are confident, competent and resilient. We hear it from the world which needs courageous and resilient adults to create change and overcome challenges.

But what is resilience and how can we actually do something about growing this in our young people?

Resilience is the ability to cope with life’s inevitable challenges. As we know—now in the age of COVID, even more so—life is full of hard stuff. Yet humans are actually created to do hard things. Think about a 9-month-old baby attempting to walk—that is hard. Think about triathlons, marathons and Olympics—they are hard. Think about people surviving in famine-ravished countries—that is hard. Think about Christ, the trials he endured and the ultimate sacrifice he made to bring the promise of eternal life to humanity—that was a level of hard beyond our comprehension.

Our children are going to face tough times during their lives; our job as educators and parents is to equip them with the belief that they can triumph over challenges; to help them recognise that it is through adversity that we become stronger, wiser and kinder.

Justin Coulson through his website Happy Families, provides some practical tips on how to grow your child’s resilience:

FOUR WAYS TO A RESILIENT CHILD

  1. A strong parent-child relationship
    The single most important factor contributing to having resilient children is a stable, committed relationship with a supportive parent or caregiver. The more you spend time with your children, the more loved and supported they will feel and the more resilience they will build.
  2. Develop their strengths
    One of the best things for promoting resilience is having the belief that we are competent and able to face challenges. We can help our children develop these skills by helping them find their strengths. Sometimes our children’s strengths aren’t immediately obvious. We might need to cast a wide net, spending time (and maybe even money) to find the passion that really lights them up.
  3. Develop autonomy
    Controlling our children makes them anxious. Constantly, making decisions for our children or ‘fixing’ things undermines their decision-making skills, their confidence and their resilience.
  4. Teach hope
    Hope is having a goal, the belief that you can create a route to that goal and the belief that you can navigate that pathway to reach that goal. Teaching your child to be hope-ful gives them resilience. When hopeful people experience failure, they develop new pathways to pursue and alternative routes to their goals. Hope-less people just give up. We can teach our children to be hope-ful. Help them find a goal and develop the plans and routes to achieve that goal. When they get stuck, teach them to tap into their resourcefulness and initiative by brainstorming new ideas and seeking new skills.

Below are some helpful ways of supporting children’s emotional development:

  1. Helping your child develop emotionally

Children’s abilities for recognising, understanding and managing their emotions are influenced by the ways the adults who care for them acknowledge and respond to their feelings. When children learn to manage their emotions they are also better able to manage their behaviour.

  1. Listen and validate the child’s emotional experience

Listen to what children say and acknowledge their feelings. This helps children to identify emotions and understand how they work.

  1. View emotions as an opportunity for connecting and teaching

Children’s emotional reactions provide ‘teachable’ moments for helping them understand emotions and learn effective ways to manage them. You might say, “I can see you’re really frustrated about having to wait for what you want. Why don’t we read a story while we’re waiting?”

  1. Encourage problem-solving to manage emotions

Help children develop their skills for managing emotions by helping them to think of different ways they could respond. You might say, “What would help you feel brave?” or “How else could you look at this?”

  1. Set limits in a supportive way

Set limits on inappropriate behaviour so that children understand that having feelings is okay but acting inappropriately is not. You might say, “I know you’re upset that your friend couldn’t make it over, but that does not make it okay to yell a me.”

For more information and tips about childhood development you could visit www.kidsmatter.edu.au

Cited – St Peters Lutheran College; Dr Justin Coulson; KidsMatter


End of Semester One

I’m sure you’d agree that this semester has been tremendously busy! That said we have reached the end of Semester One – boy time flies! I wish to convey my thanks and congratulations to the students, staff and parents of our school for all that has been achieved. End-of-Semester Reports are available electronically and I encourage you to reflect upon your child’s successes, and areas for growth, and have meaningful conversations together about such.

This Friday we will host our End-of-Semester Awards and Closing Chapel Service. In advance, I congratulate those children who will be awarded, on merit, for achievements throughout the semester. We acknowledge all children who have demonstrated strong efforts and achievements this semester. The name of the game is to keep growing, keep developing. In the words of Cliff Young – famous ultra-marathon runner, “The race is not to the swift, but to those who keep on running”.


New Website

It is with great excitement that I announce the launch of our new school website. The redevelopment of our website has been the culmination of many months of planning and refining. Whilst our essence remains the same, this new website provides for a freshen-up in our look and feel and is representative of our progressive yet purpose-driven approach to education. I particularly commend this website to you all and know it will serve to be a ‘window into our operations’ well into the future. We are hopeful that the new website will be ‘live’ by the end of the week. (www.stjohnsbundaberg.qld.edu.au)

Our Commitment and Drive – Community. Character. Courage.


Holiday Best-Wishes

I pray that you are able to rest, refresh and recuperate in readiness for Term 3. This semester has presented ongoing challenges particularly in reference to Influenza and Covid. I hope you are all able to recover well from illness and we look forward to you all returning ready to learn next semester.

Every good action and every perfect gift is from God. These good gifts come down from the Creator of the sun, moon, and stars, who does not change like their shifting shadows. James 1:17(NCV)

Grace and Peace

Chris Mallett

PRINCIPAL

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