St John's School Roma eNewsletter

Principal's Address

Dear Parents and Friends of St John's,

Last week, I was fortunate to attend a session of Tea and Talk at the school. This Service group brings St John’s students and staff together with some of our All Saints Parishioners. The act of giving your time with some good old-fashioned hospitality reinforces the value of bringing generations together. The highlight of the session was celebrating Rita Brennan’s birthday with a game of Pass the Parcel. There were plenty of laughs and, importantly, students now have a tangible understanding of how we can all learn from each other no matter what our age.

This week, Year 12 students have travelled to Perseverance Dam near Toowoomba to engage in their Retreat Program. This faith formation exercise immerses students in a highly personal journey where they explore their relationship with Jesus, through a series of life-related contexts, facilitated by school staff. Whilst the three days focuses on formation, it is a strong bonding session for students, as they start to come towards the end of their time at St John's.

Our Year Six students have been having a wonderful time in Canberra visiting Parliament House and many other attractions. This is the first Year Six Camp to Canberra in several years due to COVID restrictions. We look forward to hearing about their adventures upon their return.

This week, we welcomed two new staff members to St John’s School, Emma Williamson and Melody Carrol. Emma joins the Administration Team in the front office whilst Melody commences the new role of Communications and Media Officer. Both ladies have strong connections to St John's and bring high level skills to their respective roles.

Congratulations to Year 12 students Chelsea Cranston and Nathan Fawke who were recently offered early entry in Bachelor of Law and Business and Law respectively. Both students have a developed an interest in Law through their learnings in Legal Studies at St John’s School with their teacher, Miss Rogers.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Year Eight and Nine students participated in the Queensland Mineral and Energy Academy Rockin' Reaction Geology activities at school. Under the guidance of experienced STEM professionals from Senex Energy, students discovered the intricacies of drilling for natural gas, simulating the process by using straws and irrigation tubing to bring hidden minerals to the surface of a conceptual exploration site. A big thank you is extended to QMEA and Senex for this wonderful opportunity.

The school wishes all our touch football teams the best as they travel to the Gold Coast during week one of term four to participate in the All-Schools Touch Competition. I take this opportunity to thank all staff, parents and sponsors who have supported this wonderful opportunity.

Finally, I wish all families a safe and joyous time over the Term Three holidays. Please be reminded that school recommences on Tuesday 3^rd October 2023.

God bless – Jim Brennan

All Saints Sacramental Program

Our Parish Sacramental Program is about to commence, offering an opportunity for children in Year Three or older to begin preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This will then lead into the celebration of Confirmation and First Communion next year. It is essential the children complete Reconciliation so that they can receive Confirmation and First Eucharist in 2024. Letters have been sent home with information about this program. If your child did not get a letter and you would like them to participate or you would like more information, please email Toni Densley at Toni.Densley@twb.catholic.edu.au

The first session for Reconciliation will be on Wednesday 18^th October.

Year One

Throughout the term, the Year One students have been consolidating their counting to and from 100. They demonstrated their knowledge and understanding of this essential skill by adding the missing numbers to a mixed up 100 Board, then created a tape measure to identify objects in the classroom that were half their height. They estimated which objects might meet this criteria then in pairs commenced measuring. The students particularly enjoyed our Book Week activity in Week Seven, which was an interactive data collection and data display activity titled 'Where’s Wally'. The students collected their data set and were then required to show this date via a graph with appropriate labelling. In Week Nine, they completed a capacity investigation task where they were required to firstly estimate how many cups small, medium and large, were required to fill a 2-litre ice-cream container and test their estimate. They were then required to again display their data and explain their findings.

In Term Four, the students will be using the language of location and direction, left, right, past, across, under etc to move from place to place around our school campus. The students will be asked to identify where they walked by drawing and writing directions to show that they can navigate from Point A to Point B.

The students have really enjoyed their year so far as they have immersed themselves into the Mathematics curriculum and have all demonstrated their interest and passion for the subject.

Mr Brennan, Mrs Brennan and Miss McPhee
Year One Teachers

Year Two

Year Eight

Year Nine

Theresian House

Theresian House

Primary Performing Arts

All Primary students have a 50 minute lesson every week with their Performing Arts teachers. Mrs Catherine Vaughan teaches Prep and Year One, while Mrs Carmel Treasure works with Year Two to Six.

PREP/ONE PERFORMING ARTS

In Term Three Prep/One Performing Arts, our focus has been Drama. Students have been working very hard on their Eisteddfod performances. They have explored various dramatic elements which help to convey meaning when performing. Students practised displaying these elements through performing known Nursery Rhymes both individually and as a whole group. We have had lots of fun and we look forward to focusing on Dance in Term Four!

DRAMA

There has been a focus on Drama for Year 4, 5 and 6 students with their poetry presentations over the last term. All students prepared a poem and presented it to their classmates. This followed preparation lessons where we explored communication techniques – looking at how we use our voice, face, and body to connect with each other and to tell a story. Many of these students are now preparing to perform solos at the upcoming Roma and District Eisteddfod. We are pleased that the skills learnt at school lessons can build the confidence enabling students to perform on the ‘big stage’ for the larger community.

DANCING

Old Time Dancing has created lots of conversation and some nerves with the Year Five and Six students. We have been focusing on the formal manners involved in this type of dancing. It’s important to treat others with respect and consideration. We practise doing this in the way we ask each other to dance, accept the invitation to dance, and by making small talk with our partner. “The Gypsy Tap” is the first dance we have learnt, and we will be covering “The Pride of Erin”, “The Maxina” and the “Progressive Jive” over the next term.

Younger years will be learning a variety of Bush Dances during Term Four as we prepare for our Christmas Dance at the end of the year.

MUSIC

Each lesson starts with the singing of songs and hymns, encouraging students to use their voices and to listen to each other as they work to sing in tune. Many games are played to help students learn the musical concepts of Beat, Rhythm, Melody – as well as dynamics and tempo. Year Four, Five and Six students also learn the recorder, using their knowledge of these musical concepts as they read and play music.

Tea and Talk

First Communion at All Saints

Congratulations to our students who made their First Communion at All Saints Church on Sunday, 3^rd October. The students prepared for this day by attending lessons led by Father Tom. First Communion is a Catholic Sacrament of initiation. Now that these students have made their First Communion, they can receive the Eucharist at Mass. Many thanks to Father Tom for his guidance and leadership throughout the year.

Congratulations go to Bridget Carter, Parker Densley, Anica Fernandez, Alara Grantham, Slade Grantham, Callan Harvey, Joelan Harvey, Roman House, Abby Lee, Tessa Lee, Digby McAuley, Chloe Parker, Sophia Parker, Thuduthudu Rapatsa, Brae Schuss, Cassidy Schuss, Addalyn Thorne, Tilly Wells, Noah Proctor and Amelia Wilson.

All Saints Sacramental Team – Toni Densley, Melissa Irwin and Nicole Southee.

CLOSED Monday October 2^nd (Public Holiday)

Online orders placed over the school holidays prior to Friday 29^th Sept will be available for collection from the office at 8am Tuesday 3^rd October.

Wednesday 4^th October 8am-10.30am

Normal opening hours from week 2 of Term.

Mondays - 2pm to 4.30pm

Wednesdays - 8am to 10.30am

Online:

https://theschoollocker.com.au/schools/st-johns-catholic-school

Newsletter - 15th September 2023