7 September 2023

Principal’s Message – Kate Ferguson

St John the Baptist Staffing News 

A Joyful Announcement: Welcoming New Life 

We are delighted to share the exciting news of one of our staff members, Mrs. Laura Wells, who is expecting a baby later on in the year. Laura will finish the year at SJB before commencing maternity leave in 2024. Congratulation Laura, Daniel and soon to be big brother Riley! 

Honouring Years of Dedication: Retirement Announcement 

It is with a mix of joy and sadness that we announce the retirement of Mrs. Marion Campbell, one of our extraordinary Learning Support Assistants. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mrs. Campbell for her incredible contributions to our school community, especially supporting students across all year levels to achieve their best within the classroom. I know that Marion and her husband already have some extraordinary plans for the next chapter and as a school community we hope that her retirement is filled with happiness, relaxation, and much well-deserved family time.  

Transitions in Leadership 

After many years of devoted service in the role of Religious Education Coordinator (REC), Mr Christopher Sheridan has made the decided to step down from this position. His dedication to the spiritual growth of our students and staff has left a lasting impact on our school's faith formation. While he is stepping down from her REC role, Chris will continue to be an invaluable part of our school community as a classroom teacher, continuing to share his wisdom and faith. Chris will continue as REC at St John the Baptist until the end of 2023.

We are delighted to share the wonderful news that Mrs. Sarah Haines, has been selected as the Religious Education Coordinator (REC) at Our Lady of Lourdes, Tarro from January 2024. I know that Sarah will bring a wealth of ideas and knowledge to this role and that the community of Our Lady of Lourdes is blessed to have her guidance and leadership. While we will miss her presence, we extend our warmest congratulations and blessings as she embarks on this new and exciting journey.   

Long Service Leave 

For the remainder of the term, Stacey Whiting, Assistant Principal will be on Long Service Leave. Chris Sheridan will be acting Assistant Principal during this time and Sara Murdoch has taken on the acting Religious Education Coordinator. Congratulations to Michael Tobin (Year 6 White) who will be acting Primary Coordinator during this time. Thank you to these three staff members who have welcomed this role change and who are committed to the high standards of education, faith and community that define St John the Baptist School. Please join us in offering your support and cooperation as we navigate this temporary transition and please do not hesitate to contact any member of the leadership if we can be of any assistance.  

Student Representative Council 

Each Semester, students elect a new representative in their class to form the Student Representative Council. These students work closely with Ms Zoe Dean to bring about change based on the feedback from their students. After their recent meeting they created a video to share the ideas that they had been discussing with their fellow students. I have included this video below so you can see what is on our students minds and ideas that they are looking to implement this semester. 

Acting Assistant Principal’s Message – Chris Sheridan

Code of Conduct on Buses.

We are currently reviewing a Code of Conduct in regard to student travel on buses. This Code will be a reference point to help ensure our students travel safely to and from school while on buses and show respect for others.

The age-old adage of Remember your manners is an excellent starting point, however I am confident we all realise the need to articulate some of the ‘nitty gritty’.

Students must follow regulations when travelling between home and school using public transport. All students must behave in a manner that ensures both their comfort and safety, and that of other passengers.

In due course, St John’s will present a formal Code of Conduct on Buses policy, but in the meantime, I’d like to promote the following broad principles to parents, carers and of course, our students.

Expected Behaviour on buses     “Remember your manners”

• Use appropriate language (no offensive or loud language) as it is a shared space.
• No eating or drinking (other than water) - unless for medical reasons or the bus operator gives written permission.
• Do not push or shove other people.
• Do not bully or harass other passengers or the driver.
• Fighting, spitting, feet on seats, throwing things in or from the bus is not permitted.
• Avoid attracting the attention of the driver except in the case of emergency.

Safety on and near buses

• Obey reasonable directions from the driver (for example, where to sit or to remain in the bus)
• Allow other passengers to leave the bus before stepping onto the bus in a single line.
• Remain in your seat - do not move around the bus unnecessarily.
• If standing, remain behind the front passenger seat and always keep a secure hand hold.
• Keep bags and other items clear of the aisle.
• Do not allow any part of your body to protrude out of the bus at any time.
• Take care when crossing the road. Where and when it's safe to do so, use crossings/traffic lights where available.

The teachers and staff always want what is best for your children, and that is for them to be happy, healthy, and feeling safe coming to and from school.

Acting Religious Education – Sara Murdoch

Kindergarten Class Mass

Our next Mass will be held on Thursday the 14th of September at 10am with Kindergarten and their Year 6 Buddies. Parents and grandparents are most welcome to attend.

Year 6 Religious Education Literacy Test

This diocesan wide online literacy test or Knowledge Test was conducted on Monday the 4th of September. It assessed the student’s knowledge and understanding of key concepts and content that is taught in Years 5 & 6. It also assessed their ability to apply this knowledge and their understanding about the Catholic tradition.

Staff Formation Day Friday 8^th September

A reminder that this Friday, all our staff will spend a day in Formation. This means, we take time away from the business of a normal school day and give our attention to developing deeper understandings about scripture.

The program will extend staff’s knowledge of sacred Scripture and place importance on biblical scholarship. It will explore and examine how Scripture invites us to enter a personal relationship with God and how the bible is a means of God’s self-revelation to us.

“It follows that all preaching of the Church, as indeed the entire Christian religion, should be nourished and ruled by sacred Scripture.” (Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, 21). 

Just as we are required to keep ourselves informed about current curriculum topics to better prepare our students to learn well, we need to also keep informed about our core subject – Religon.

This Formation Day supports the goal of a systematic, intentional, and purposeful delivery of formation to build spiritual capital of our staff. This formation day will equip and enable staff to take a more active approach in their own interpretation of Scripture, as well as provide further techniques/strategies to examine Scripture with our students.

Congratulations to the following students who recently received their ‘First Holy Communion’

Madeline Finucane, Ethan Berman, Pennie Visser, James Banister, and Penelope Stanwell.

Acting Primary Co-ordinator – Michael Tobin

Dear Families, I am excited about working in the role of Acting Primary Coordinator for the remainder of the term while Mrs Murdoch is working in the role of Acting Religious Education Coordinator. Please see some of the exciting things we’ve been doing at St John the Baptist and some upcoming events for the rest of the term.

Bravehearts Day

On Wednesday the 30^th of August we acknowledged Bravehearts Day (formally known as White Balloon Day). Bravehearts Day is a day to have fun with friends and talk about how important kids are and what we can all do to help keep them safe. It’s important that all kids know that their body belongs to them and if they ever feel unsafe or unsure, about anything, they should run and tell an adult that they trust. ​​Bravehearts is a day that helps us all to remember how important children are and how we all need to work together to keep children safe!

​Mrs Murdoch ran an informative morning assembly which taught students about important things that help us with our safety including:

• Recognising our personal safety network
• Early warning signs of danger
• That we all have the right to feel safe all of the time
• That nothing is so awful that we can’t tell someone

Teachers worked with students throughout the day and discussed the importance of Bravehearts Day, the themes of ‘My Underpants Rule’ and identified key people that children can trust in their personal safety network.

Thanks for all your support in keeping our kids safe!

Interrelate

A reminder that Year 5 and 6 will be taking part in the Interrelate program, 'Moving into the Teen Years' on Thursday the 14^th of September, Wednesday the 20^th of September and Thursday the 21^st of September.

This will be done at school, face to face with an Interrelate Educator. This three-part program consolidates our learning within our PDHPE curriculum. This program is designed to enhance self-esteem, consolidate previous lessons regarding physical changes to their bodies and relationship education and help develop communication and decision-making skills. Exploring a range of adolescent issues, this comprehensive program is designed for this important time in the lives of senior primary school students.

Please contact your child's teacher if you have any questions regarding the program.

Soccer Gala Days

We’ve recently had 19 Stage 2 students and 25 Stage 3 students attend the Regional Soccer Gala Day at Speers Point. The students demonstrated amazing sportsmanship, displayed excellent behaviour and the way they all played together was very impressive. All teams came away with plenty of goals and wins! It was an absolute pleasure spending the day with you all. A big thank you to our parent supporters too.

Mrs Collins and Mrs Kranias.

Polding Rugby

Ruby Sweeney played in the Girl’s Polding Rugby 7s team in Mudgee on Tuesday the 4^th of September. She had an amazing experience and played among elite competition. Making the Polding team is an incredible achievement for Ruby and we are all very proud of her.

Touch Gala Day

We have a massive turnout of 55 students across Year 5 and 6 participating in a Touch Football Gala Day at Maitland Park on Thursday the 7^th of September. The day is totally non-competitive and purely a day of fun and participation. We have 3 boys teams and 3 girls teams attending and the students are excited about enjoying a wonderful day of Touch Football!

Rugby Gala

We have 30 students from Stage 2 and Stage 3 attending a Rugby Union Gala Day (the Digby Rayward Shield) at Hunter Valley Grammar School on Thursday the 14^th of September. A massive thank you to our amazing parents Martin McCullum, Chris Badior, Alison O’Toole and Nick O’Toole who gave up their valuable time to train and coach our teams. The boys and girls had a fantastic training session on Monday and we really appreciate helping our students get ready for the day. We all look forward to this great day playing Rugby!

Class Merit Awards

Canteen

Year 1 and Kinder Speech Finalists

Year 1 and Kinder speeches were presented Tuesday. The children delivered very entertaining speeches on My Family and we heard about holidays, pets, yummy meals and how much love the children have for their family. We were impressed with how the children spoke clearly and fluently, maintained eye contact with the audience and used interesting descriptive language. 

Year 1 

Kindergarten

Year One Maitland Library Visit – Book Week

Year One recently enjoyed a visit to Maitland Library to celebrate Book Week 2023.

We listened to three stories, sang songs, and enjoyed the walk to and from school. Our teachers said we were beautiful representatives of St John the Baptist!

Thank you to the Maitland Library staff especially Meg for the visit. Thank you also to Mrs Campbell, Mrs Rhodes, Miss McBlane, Mrs Collins and Mrs Baker for taking us.

Fun fact- Did you know the Maitland Library has a Lego Club every Wednesday afternoon starting at 3:30pm? It’s free to join.

My favourite part was listening to the stories. By Tenley

I liked being with my friends when we had a lunch break. By Parks

Did you know that birds protect their nests, so the babies don’t get hurt? By Arlo

I enjoyed the beautiful view of the Hunter River. By Patrick

We saw the big giraffe toy at the library. By Halle

I liked singing the songs. By River

My favourite part was listening to the book ‘Bev and Kev’ because it was funny. By Victoria

I learnt that if there is an emergency at the library, you walk to the fountain. By Kailen

I enjoyed listening to the story ‘Frank’s Red Hat’. By Delilah

We saw the giraffe and the bird. By Alexander

I liked the information books at the library. By Bella

My favourite part was when the story ‘Bev and Kev’ was read to us. By Jory

I learnt that the character Frank made hats and scarves. By Vincent

Did you know that we sang ‘Kookaburra sits in the old gumtree’ and my nan sings that too. By Georgie

I enjoyed listening to the stories. By Ruby

We saw lots of books at Maitland Library. By Charlie

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SRC Talent Show

The SRC are hosting the St John the Baptist Talent Show! Students are invited to showcase their talents to the St John's community on Wednesday 21^st September 2023 (Week 10) at 2pm in the school hall. 

Auditions will be held in each classroom, at the teacher's choice of timeslot, during Week 8 & 9. Talents will then be selected to be showcased to the school community, parents of the students selected will be invited to attend. Shine like a star! 

P & F News

Our Father's day celebrations were great fun. Our stall raised $600 for the school community. Well done and thank you for your continued support.

Uniform Shop

Open Monday 8:30-9am in school hall.

We are asking for donations of approved uniform items in good, clean quality condition (no rips, stains etc).

We thank our dedicated uniform shop volunteers for their time and efforts in sorting and washing donations ready to sell.

Contacting the P & F Committee

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need any assistance via executive@pandf-maitlandsj.com

We welcome any suggestions, feedback, offers to volunteer with events or general enquiries.

Dates for the Diary

Term 4

Meeting & 2024 AGM - Wednesday 8 November @ 9:30 am (Week 7)

Christmas Family Night - Tuesday 5th December (Week 9)

Christmas Fun Day - Friday 8th December (Week 9)