Term 2, Week 4 2025

Sibling enrolments for 2027 Terms 1 and 3 are now URGENT.

If you have not yet submitted an enrolment form please do so as soon as possible.

If you have any questions, please contact our Front Office on 8218 3300.

Laudato Si Week
This week Australia celebrates Laudato Si Week from 16-24 May. 

As a school, we will embark on challenges to complete either at home or at school, encouraging lights out for a lesson, sustainable transportation when possible and no wrappers or packaging in the school yard.

You may like to look further into prayer resources for Laudato Si Week by accessing the link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MrUlwe7W6PuY_JnuGynJfswOSc1Zh02H/view

Year 5 Bake Sale
A group of girls from Year 5 have organised a bake sale. This took place during both recess times today. There was a variety of delicious goods on sale for a gold coin donation. It was a successful day, and all proceeds will go towards our Winter Appeal.

Thank you everyone for your support!

Sacramental Program
The next session for the children and families enrolled in the Sacramental Program is on June 11, Week 8 in John the Baptist Center (school hall) at 6.00pm. This will be the first preparation night for the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation.

Amanda Razon
APRIM

School fee statements were posted out recently to those who have a balance.  If you have not received yours, please let me know so I can check the address we have on file and resend one.  Thank you to the many people who have paid in full, set up regular payment plans or paid the first instalment in Term 1.  If you have not yet made your instalment for Term 1 please do so now along with Term 2’s payment, a friendly reminder was sent with your statement. If your account is in credit due to the 5% discount this will be carried forward until next year. I have posted out your account this term so you know you have a credit but will not post a credit account each term as this amount should not change. 

Statements are posted out each term so those with payment plans can see the payments allocated to your account and as a reminder that the current terms instalment is due soon for parents paying termly.  If you have had a direct debit payment rejected it will show on your statement, so please make an additional payment to catch this up either via Qkr! or Bpay.

Online School Card applications for low income families have now been processed and applied to all approved accounts.  If you still need to apply, please do so now via this link or come in and see me as it only takes a few minutes. 

Please remember School Card needs to be applied for every year:

Form A (Income Assessment)

https://online.forms.sa.edu.au/content/forms/af/public/application-for-school-card.html

Form B (hardship, change of circumstances or self-employed)

https://online.forms.sa.edu.au/content/forms/af/public/form-b-hardship-or-circumstance-or-self-employed.html

If accepted, this will allow us to reduce your tuition fees, so please apply and let me know you have done so ASAP.  If you need help applying please come in and see me.

As always if you have any queries or if you are having trouble making payments please email me on accounts@stjohnpl.catholic.edu.au, phone me on 8218 3304 or come in and see me Monday to Friday 8.00am to 4.00pm.

Jodie Veldhoen
Finance Officer

Dear St John’s Community,

I hope you are all having an excellent week and are enjoying the fresh mornings and patches of sunshine throughout the day.

On Tuesday 20^th May there was not a cloud in the sky, the weather was bliss, so we happily took 177 students from Years 3-6 to the 2025 SACPSSA Lacrosse Carnival. For the past 5 weeks we have all been working very hard on our Lacrosse Skills during PE lessons. It has been such a privilege, thanks to ‘Sporting Schools’ to be able to engage Lacrosse Coaches from Glenelg Lacrosse Club to really help our students fine tune their skills and overall awareness about the game. This hard work was certainly evident at the carnival as we played skilfully and with confidence against 3 other schools. The day could not have gone ahead without our committed team of parent volunteers and teaching staff who all so positively went about the day. Filling 25 teams with coaches was always going to be a tough task, but together we did it.

 

Last Monday the 12^th of May we took 27 dedicated runners to the 2025 SAPSASA Cross Country Day at Barrett Reserve, West Beach. The students all did a wonderful job representing the school in either the 2km or 3km races. From this day, we will have the following students: Olivia Sadler (4G), Will Keegan (5F) and Thomas McDonald (6W) representing our school at the 2025 SAPSASA Cross Country Championships which are set to take place on the 5^th of June at the Oakbank Racecourse. I’m predicting the conditions will be very fresh there in the Hills for our runners, but we wish them all the best on the day.

 

This week we are celebrating National Volunteer Week. We have so many dedicated volunteers in our community and I would just like to highlight how important you are to us and how much not only we appreciate your efforts, but the students do too. When we step back and look at the overall picture, we know we are doing it for all of the students, but gratitude and appreciation must go to our dedicated parents and volunteers, as without your tireless efforts, the depth of the opportunities just don’t exist. Volunteering creates lasting relationships that enrich lives and strengthen communities. You are all doing an amazing job, so please keep up the great work.

Our focus in the PE department now moves towards the upcoming SACPSSA Year 5/6 Basketball Carnival. There are quite a few students who are eager to try out for this, so we look forward to running trials for our students.

Keep enjoying the sunshine whilst it’s still present.

Yours in sport

Sam Putland
SPORTS COORDINATOR

This term, we have an exciting program planned, including sensory play, story time, art and craft, and music sessions. We will also continue building on our special intergenerational connections with visits from our older friends in the community.

Playgroup is held every Friday of the school term in the St John the Baptist Centre. New families are always welcome – we would love for you to come along and join the fun!

Please note: Friday 6th June is a Pupil Free Day and there will be no Playgroup!

Words Grow Minds

Are you starting to run out of conversation topics? You’re in luck, because your little one loves to hear just about anything, as long as it comes from you!

You could try talking about: What’s in the trolley? 🛒🍎 Even narrating the most basic tasks is a chance to connect.

On your next trip to the supermarket, chat about the grocery list, name foods and describe colours and shapes. What do we need? What will we cook? Explore and engage together, making every aisle an adventure.Even if it feels like you’re talking to yourself, your baby is soaking up language all the time, so use this golden opportunity to teach them something new.

Learn more at wordsgrowminds.org.au.

 

Karina Overall
Playgroup Coordinator

• Father's Day Stall - 3rd & 4th September

All orders for both recess and lunch are to be ordered via our Qkr! app.   

Canteen orders close each canteen day (Monday, Wednesday & Friday) at 9.00am.

Healthy Canteen (Tuesday & Thursday) orders close on Mondays at 12pm.

Canteen Roster

Term 2

Friday 23rd May - Jo & Jo Rowett

Monday 26th May - Julie & Susan Morisset

Tuesday 27th May - Jo

Wednesday 28th May - Julie

Thursday 29th May - Jo

Friday 30th May - Jo & Liza Coombes

Monday 2nd June - Julie

Tuesday 3rd June - Jo

Wednesday 4th June - Julie & Maria Esteban

Thursday 5th June - Jo

Friday 6th June - Pupil Free Day

Monday 9th June - Kings Birthday Public Holiday

Tuesday 10th June - Jo

Wednesday 11th June - Julie

Thursday 12th June - Jo

Friday 13th June - Jo & Ashleigh Keegan

Canteen Feedback

We would love your feedback regarding the canteen.

Is there anything that you would like to see on the menu that we may be able to consider adding on?

Please send your feedback to jfitzgerald@stjohnpl.catholic.edu.au

New / Deleted Healthy Canteen Items
We have added Pumpkin Soup on Thursdays for lunch and a hot chocolate on Tuesdays for recess.

The Vietnamese Salads have been removed for winter and the Blueberry and Banana Smoothie has been removed from Tuesdays recess.

Julie Henschke & Jo Fitzgerald

We welcome Linh Doan, our new Piano tutor to St John the Baptist Catholic School!

Linh is an award-winning piano educator and accompanist. After five years of working as a freelance artist and piano accompanist in Salzburg, Austria, she returned to Adelaide in June 2024. Shortly after her return, she was invited to perform at the Chinese and Australian Film Festival opening ceremony held at the Botanic Garden – National Wine Centre. 

Linh holds a Master of Performance Teaching with distinction from the University of Melbourne and a Bachelor of Music Performance from AMPA Sydney, where she studied on a full scholarship. Her musical journey began at the age of four in Vietnam, studying at the Vietnam National Academy of Music for 13 years.

She taught and accompanied at the Vietnam National Academy of Music and the United Nations International School Hanoi. Linh also ran her own music studio, earning Trinity College Awards from 2015 to 2023 for student excellence.

In 2016, she was awarded a scholarship to study with Prof. Duffek Mihaly in Hungary, where her students went on to win prizes in international piano competitions in Rome, Vienna, and New York. From 2018 to 2023, she was recognized with a diploma for excellence in teaching by the American Protégé International Competition at Carnegie Hall.

Following her master’s degree, Linh received a prestigious OeAD scholarship for advanced performance training with Prof. Claudius Tanski in Salzburg. There, she performed in a celebrated Bach Project and guided students to win first prizes in competitions held in Salzburg, Barcelona, New York, Bonn, and Hanoi.

National Simultaneous Story Time
National Simultaneous Story Time is being enjoyed by many of our students this week.  It will be held this Wednesday 21st May at approximately 11.00am.

This event is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. Now in its 25th successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6.

This year's picture book is THE TRUCK CAT by Deborah Frenkel and Danny Snell.  The Truck Cat explores the themes of immigration, belonging, and the search for home.  It follows a truck driver, Yacoub, and this cat, Tinka, as they travel the road, facing the challenges of being a migrant and the longing for connection and a sense of belonging.

Two copies of the book will be available for students to borrow from Week 4.

Maria French

Parenting in a Digital World. Safe. Smart. Empowered.
This Parent Engagement Seminar features two compelling speakers with an important message for every parent.

Kirra Prendergast, founder of Ctrl+Shft, will present Children in the Metaverse: Protecting Young Minds in Immersive Digital Environments, offering key insights and tools, with a Q&A session.

Wayne Holdsworth, founder of SmackTalk, shares his personal journey after losing his 17-year-old son, Mac, to cyberbullying and youth suicide. His presentations aim to inspire action against digital threats. Trigger Warning: Discusses cyberbullying, sexual extortion, and youth suicide.

This is a presentation that needs to be seen, needs to be addressed, and has an important message.

Details
Wednesday 4 June 2025
6:00 pm – 7:30pm (in person or online)
Nazareth Catholic Community, Kidman Park Campus. 344 Findon Road, Kidman Park.
Register via the CESA Registration Page.
Cost: Free

St John the Baptist School provides a safe environment for all while valuing the partnership between school and home.

As a Catholic community, we welcome and value volunteers. To be able to volunteer, and/or attend at other times throughout the school year, we ask that you hold a current Catholic Police Check (parents/caregivers attending excursions, reading in class, helping in class, attending community events), a current Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect in Education and Care for Volunteers certificate and have completed the volunteers application package.

A Catholic Police Check for volunteers is free for our current parents and caregivers. Application Forms are available in our school office.

This process ensures we maintain a child safe environment. To avoid disappointment, we encourage you to apply for a Catholic Police Check through the school office as soon as possible.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at the school office on 8218 3300 or email Julia Roy on jroy@stjohnpl.catholic.edu.au .

                                               

Insights may be discussed at future School Advisory Board meetings or you may be contacted personally for further follow up!

Please find link here for your suggestions.

We are having a community shared lunch on Sunday 22nd June from 11.30am in the John the Baptist Centre.

Everyone is invited as we bring together families from the many diverse cultures that make up our parish & school community.

It will be a BYO shared lunch, and we ask you to bring a plate of food to share from your own cultural background or a family favourite.

Tea, coffee, soft drinks, plates, serviettes and cutlery will be provided.

EVERYONE WELCOME!

Australian of the Year Luncheon

Friday, 20th June 2025 | 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Adelaide Convention Centre

Join us for an inspiring afternoon at the Australian of the Year Luncheon, as we celebrate the remarkable achievements of Neale Daniher AO, 2025 Australian of the Year. A true testament to resilience and leadership, Neale is co-founder of FightMND, a charity that has raised and invested over $115 million into medical research to find a cure for motor neurone disease (MND).

Diagnosed with MND in 2013, Neale has faced this relentless disease with extraordinary courage, using his platform to raise awareness, fund vital research, and inspire hope. The annual Big Freeze event at the MCG has become a national symbol of unity in the fight against MND, embodying Neale’s unwavering belief in transforming adversity into an opportunity for action.

Beyond his advocacy, Neale’s legacy is deeply rooted in his leadership both on and off the field. A former AFL player with Essendon FC and coach of the Melbourne Demons, Neale has harnessed the power of teamwork to mobilise an entire nation in the battle against MND. Now 64 years old, Neale has defied the odds, outliving the average life expectancy of just 27 months post-diagnosis, demonstrating an unbreakable spirit dedicated to preventing future suffering.

Please note: Neale’s attendance will be dependent on his health at the time of the event.

In Conversation

As part of this special luncheon, we are honoured to host an In Conversation Panel featuring some of South Australia’s most distinguished Australians. Each of these individuals has made an extraordinary impact in their respective fields, embodying resilience, leadership, and service to the community:

• Professor Leah Bromfield: Child Protection expert and SA Australian of the Year 

• Charles Jackson OAM: Indigenous advocate and knowledge holder, SA Australian Senior of the Year 

• Amber Brock-Fabel: Founder of the South Australian Youth Forum and SA Young Australian of the Year 

• Irfan and Sobia Hashmi: Pharmacists and migrant community leaders, SA Local Heroes 

Event Details

Date: Friday, 20th June 2025
Time: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Venue: Adelaide Convention Centre

Ticket Prices

• Full: $195 + Booking fee
• Concession: $135 + Booking fee
• Members: $135 + Booking fee
• Student: $110 + Booking fee

This event promises to be an unforgettable gathering of community leaders and changemakers who continue to champion the causes that shape a better future for all Australians.

We acknowledge the invaluable assistance from the Australian Government through the National Australia Day Council and support from the Government of South Australia: and supporting partners FightMND, Maras Group and Community Bridging Services.

Secure your place today and be part of this momentous occasion.
To book tickets, CLICK HERE 

If you require assistance booking or require a different method of invoicing, feel free to respond to this email.

Australia Day Council of South Australia
Office 18, 240 Currie St, Adelaide SA 5000

t: 08 8212 3999

w: http://www.australiadaysa.com.au

Held over 3 days, the CBC+Tottenham Hotspur Holiday Soccer Clinics will be jam-packed with tactical knowledge and soccer skills, as part of the THFC Philosophy which reflects the club’s dynamic approach to playing exciting, attacking football. 

These soccer clinics are open to ANY student in Reception to Year 7, and will be held during the first week of the Term 2 holidays (7 – 9 July). Led by Tottenham Hotspur Development Coach, Matthew Sharman and assisted by qualified CBC coaches.  For more information or to reserve your place visit: https://www.cbc.sa.edu.au/holiday-soccer-clinics/

The links and information that are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only.  They do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by St John the Baptist Catholic School of any of the products, services or opinions of the corporation or organisation or individual.  St John the Baptist Catholic School bears no responsibility for the accuracy legality or contact of the external site or for that of subsequent links.  Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.