21 October 2020

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

‘Character is like a tree, reputation a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing’ Abraham Lincoln

Martin Luther King, Jr., wrote ‘the function of education is to teach one to think intensively, to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education.’ What is character? How can we teach it and to what extent? KIPP School in New York County, believes in the importance of explicitly teaching character. The school offers an explicit and planned approach to teaching character. They place equal importance on the teaching of character as academic skills. The approach is based on the research of Dr Martin Seligman and Dr Chris Peterson that identifies character strengths as leading to engaged, meaningful and purposeful lives.

They focus on seven highly predictive character strengths: zest, grit, self-control, optimism, gratitude, social intelligence and curiosity.

If my children develop and live out these character traits, the majority of the time in most of their interactions, have them front and centre in their thinking and influence their attitudes, I would be a very proud parent. If they did not succeed academically but had these character traits I would still be exceptionally proud.

The challenge of raising and educating children is as difficult as it has ever been. At the same time, it can be made more complex than it needs to be. Often as teachers and parents we feel helpless, unsupported or not sure how to go about the best strategies and approaches to support our young people. Perhaps rather than trying to find the ‘quick fix, perfect Facebook motto or approach’ we just focus on being better people focused on character. A focus to be a better person, better model and best version of ourselves.

If our young people see optimism from their parents, teachers and principal, if they see them live out social intelligence, social control and gratitude, this is as good a teaching as we can offer. St Francis of Assisi is attributed with the quote ‘preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary use words!’ Words are cheap, actions speak louder than any words no matter how much we shout them. Over the recent holiday period, it became clear that I need to recalibrate my leadership, my parenting back towards being a better model and example, rather than being so focused on what I want others around me (including my children) to live out and do. Personally I will be focusing on the character traits of: gratitude, curiosity and optimism.

Can you take a step, make an effort to ‘lead from within’ and teach character to your children through model and example?

COVID-19

We continue to maintain strict procedures around health, safety and hygiene across the school. As Principals we still meet monthly with the TCEO leadership team to revisit our action plans and ensure we are prepared if and when there is a second wave. WH&S features in each meeting to ensure we are keeping on top of any changes. Please let the school know if you have any concerns or questions.

Uniform Shop at Mackillop College

Our uniform shop has closed and stocktake completed thanks to Jacquie Mayne and Mel Aylett. This process took a considerable amount of time and effort and I would like to particularly pass on my appreciation for the additional hours spent ensuring the transition is a smooth one. Our new site at Goonyi Street, Mornington (beside MacKillop College) opens next week with delivery on Wednesdays for all St John’s families. The Qkr app should be up and running by the end of this week.

Initial opening hours in the new space will be:

Monday 8.00 am – 1.00 pm
Tuesday 11.00 am - 5.30 pm
Thursday 11.00 am – 5.30 pm
Saturday 9.00 am – 12.00 pm
(with additional opening hours in peak times)

Athletics Carnival 2020

Thanks to Mr. Justin Brasnja for our successful Athletics Carnival last Wednesday, many hours go into the training, preparation and planning to ensure maximum participation and enjoyment. Enjoying perfect weather, highlights and MJR moments ranging from students trying something new to a fall which meant two Grade 4 girls stopped to help and cross the finish line together. It was wonderful to see many participants from our Seedlings and Kinder Red groups. I also thank the volunteers from St. Virgils as well as a few past students who were invaluable on the day. A fantastic day was had by all!

Uniform Changeover - Grade 1/2 Classes

There has been some discussion in regards to Grade 1/2 students moving to a sports uniform full time next year. This is the policy in many other schools and is centred upon students being flexible and comfortable at school. However, many factors impact on a decision like this as people prepare early for next year, purchase second-hand pieces and hand uniforms down from siblings.

With this in mind, we wanted to let families know that next year in 2021, Grade 1/2 students will be in formal and sports uniform as they have been this year. In 2022 we will have a transition year, where students may wear sports uniforms all year or wear formal on formal uniform days. Then in 2023 all students from Kinder to Grade 2 will be wearing their sports uniform full time. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Hair and Uniform Policy

I have noticed an increase in extreme haircuts and styles over the holidays. I understand students would like to try new styles over the holidays however I do remind families that as stated in our Hair policy students should not have extreme shavings or haircuts. This includes shavings under a number two, patterns and mullets. Hair longer than collars must be cut or tied back as headlice can be an issue in primary schools. We will send home a slip as a reminder to students who do not follow uniform and hair guidelines. It is also important that hair accessories are school coloured - light blue, navy and maroon are acceptable. Thank you for your support as we take pride in our uniforms and presence in the community.

Thank you

A special thank you to Aimee Thorne for her donation of many Treehouse books which were left over from the recent promotion in one of our supermarkets. We love any new books for our library!

I would also like to thank some of the recent donations of school uniforms, we do have families in need and these also go to grateful homes. Donations included uniforms as well as new shoes, new underwear and new socks - perfect for accidents.

We have also had some private donations of vouchers for a few of our families in need. The have gone out to grateful families as we support each other through these difficult times. It certainly is in times like these that I feel grateful to be a part of our St John’s Community as we live out our motto of -’Love one another as I have loved you’.

Departures

If you know your son or daughter will not be returning to St John’s Catholic School in 2021 please let me know in writing as soon as possible as we have students on the waiting list for positions across every grade.

Warmest regards,

Megan Richardson
Principal

5/6 Report - Upcoming School Musical

Every Tuesday afternoon grade five six students have been rehearsing for our school musical (The amazing adventures of Superstan) students have been working hard making props, backdrops & designing costumes. Due to Covid we couldn’t perform the musical so teachers had to move it to term four. Students have been trying their hardest to get the musical to its best. Both students and teachers are excited for the upcoming event in two weeks. Family members still have time to buy tickets but there are a limited number of tickets for the day time performances. On the nights there will be lollies sold outside of the entrance of the hall to raise money for people who are in need at Christmas time.

5/6 Competition Entries

Grade 5 student Archie Shering has submitted the below entry into the Science Teacher’s Association of Tasmania STEM competition. Read Archie’s STAT Deep Blue Project below. Grade 6 student Lia Makrogamvrakis submitted an entry to the ATOM Photographic competition and is a finalist, see the below link to Lia’s entry. Well done to both Archie and Lia!

STAT Deep Blue Project
(By Archie Shering, St John's Primary School, Richmond)

Introduction

A study showed that 130 million shipping containers were shipped around the world in the year 2016 on 50000 shipping container vessels. Another study showed that between 2008 and 2016 an average of 528 shipping containers were lost at sea each year. That average climbed to 1582 when they included the number lost to catastrophic events (such as hurricanes and ships running aground and sinking).

Once the containers fall off the ship they are very difficult to track down and recover. This means that they are left floating in the oceans. Sometimes they sink to the ocean floor, sometimes they float in the ocean semi-submerged and pose a risk to other boats and sometimes they break apart spilling their contents into the oceans. Many of those contents are dangerous chemicals or plastic goods that are left to pollute the oceans.

This project will look at trying to solve the problem of semi-submerged shipping containers that pose the greatest risk to other boats at sea. This is because when they are semi submerged they can’t be seen by other boats until they bump into them, often tearing a hole in their hull and damaging the boat and potentially causing the boat to sink.

Events in Compass App.

Please see the below instruction sheet on how to view and give permission for upcoming events and excursions on the Compass App. If you have not downloaded the Compass App or need help, please contact the school office.

CBA School Banking Co-ordinator

Thank you to our School Banking Co-ordinator.

We would like to thank Mrs Jill Lockley who has volunteered as our School Banking Co-ordinator for the last 6 years. Jill will be finishing as our Co-ordinator at the end of this year.

Our School Banking volunteers are vital in helping students practice saving regularly.

The program requires a volunteer School Banking Co-ordinator to facilitate the banking and distribution of School Banking rewards. This only takes a small amount of your time one day a week and the Commonwealth Bank will provide support on how to run the program. Your help with the program will greatly benefit students as they develop vital saving skills and also help our school with fundraising.

Currently, School Banking day is Monday. This day can be changed to suit the new volunteer

If you are interested in volunteering for this great program, please contact the school office.

SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB

Scholastic Book Club Issue 7 is available now. Due to the holidays, there is a shorter time to place orders for this issue.

Please order and pay online, via the link below LOOP by OCTOBER 29.

A huge thank you to those who have bought books this year. All orders earn vouchers for the school to spend on books for the library. Last issue earned $167.50.

Finance News

In following Catholic Education Guidelines due to Covid-19 to safely protect our staff, children and families, this is a friendly reminder that we are not taking any cash money at the moment.

This includes but not limited to:

• Canteen orders/payments
• School Fees
• Uniform orders
• Book club

Please continue to order and pay via Compass/Qkr!/Eftpos/BPAY or Loop website for bookclub. Thank you for your assistance.

Financial Assistance

We want to take this opportunity to assist any family that may need help or are experiencing financial difficulties. Please do not hesitate to call or email me on stjohns.finance@catholic.tas.edu.au for a confidential discussion on the ways we can ease the financial pressure.

We currently have 3 fee assistance options available for our families requiring support:

• Fee Assistance
• Covid-19 Fee Assistance
• Health Care Card Fee Assistance

Please contact me at the above email if you have any questions.

If you have not made a fees payment or lodged a fees assistance form please contact Mel at the office on 6260 2121 before 1pm each day, as soon as possible to confidentially discuss.

Mel Aylett
Finance

Tennis Coaching

Tennis coaching sessions are available at the Richmond Tennis Club. Coaching starts Thursday 29th October 2020 from 4.00pm - 4.45pm at the Richmond Tennis club courts. Cost is $10 per child, for more information please phone Simon Garth on 0400 127 710.

Flippa Ball

Flippa Ball 2020 Registration Guide

Registration for Flippa Ball in 2020 must be done through the Revolutionise Sports portal, which can be found at the link below.

Please note, if you are playing Club Water Polo currently (2020 season), you do not need to register for Flippa Ball as you are already in the system.

If you have previously played Flippa Ball only but not Water Polo, you will need to register as a new player.

How to register:

Select ‘REGISTER AS A MEMBER’

Select ‘REGISTER’

Enter your details, select ‘Flippa Ball’ under ‘Registration type’

Under ‘Age Group’, write either 3/4 or 5/6

Under ‘Team’ enter the name of your school team

If you have any issues with registration, please contact Water Polo Tasmania at secretarywptas@hotmail.com

We look forward to seeing you at the pool for another great Flippa Ball season!

Upcoming Dates

Pre Kinder Sessions Term 4

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