28 July 2023

Principal’s Message – Kate Ferguson

Welcome to Term 3! It has been a fabulous start to the term and students have already started to tackle their learning goals from three-way interviews. Already in Term 3 students in Year 5 have been to the Great Aussie Bush Camp, classes have started to prepare for our Public Speaking event and Years 4 – 6 have visited the Civic Theatre to see Aspires ‘Pirate Code’ starring our Year 6 student Ava Whiting.

Last week as a whole school we recognised NAIDOC week. As well as in class activities we sat as a community in a gathering circle and heard the story of ‘Tiddalik'. This story inspired our students to create a whole school mural of the raindrops talked about in the story – doesn’t it look fabulous!

Each class teacher will be sending out their term overview over the next two weeks so you are able to follow the learning occurring in classrooms this term. It is bound to be a fabulous Term 3!

Assemblies

From Friday, 11^th August 2023 (Week 4, Term 3) St John the Baptist will be recommencing fortnightly assemblies. This is an opportunity for all students and staff to gather in prayer and recognition of student achievement from the previous fortnight. Assemblies will commence at approx. 9:00 on Friday (during even weeks) in our school hall. Families and friends are invited to attend, although please be aware that at times there may only be standing room.

Book week and Grandparents Day

In Week 6 we will recognise Book Week, with the 24^th August being recognised as Grandparents Day. On this day we will invite all grandparents and those that take on the role as Grandparent to a whole school liturgy and to a shared morning tea with their student. More information about this event will be following!

Playground and playing at St John the Baptist

This term we have made some changes to our playground spaces. Students in Year 4 – Year 6 have been welcomed to play at All Saints (St Mary’s) from Monday – Friday. I am incredibly grateful for Brian Lacey and the All Saints staff and students who have supported this. Our younger years also have the opportunity to use this space for sport on a Wednesday. Students are enjoying this space and the activities that the space allows.

To help build engagement with our sand and dirt pit, our P&F Association donated new digging tools and equipment. It is fabulous to see our students reengage with these spaces and use their imagination at playtimes. Thank you to the P&F for this donation!

As students play together, they learn to get along with one another, cooperate, communicate effectively, problem solve and resolve conflicts. The importance of play is recognised in the implementation of Success Foundations in Kindergarten and this term, is continuing to be implemented within our Year 1 classrooms. Mrs Collins and Mrs Baker have been working with Catholic School Office staff to build learning play spaces inside and outside of the classroom. To assist year 1 with these spaces, we are asking families to donate loose pieces for investigations. Please see their letter below if you have any items that you may be able to donate.

Annual School Visit

Next week St John the Baptist school will host representatives from Maitland Newcastle Diocese including Steve Lemos (Head of Catholic Schools), Lisa Tierny (Chief of Operation for the Maitland Newcastle Diocese), Trish Humble (Regional Service Advisor) for our Annual School Visit. This opportunity is for visitors to meet with staff and students and to gain a deeper understanding of the wonderful school that St John the Baptist is! I am looking forward to showcasing our students and staff and the amazing learning and growth that is happening here.

Assistant Principal’s Message – Stacey Whiting

New English and Mathematics Curriculum

From 2024, the new English and Mathematics Syllabus will be implemented in all NSW schools for Years 3-6.

According to the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) some of the key features of the new syllabus include:

• A stronger progression of learning across the early and middle years, building on the new English and Mathematics K–2 syllabuses.
• Prioritising essential knowledge, understanding and skills.
• In English, a continued focus on studying quality texts as well as a more explicit approach to teaching writing so students learn and regularly practise the skills needed to create written texts.
• In English, a greater focus on students reading regularly to enhance reading fluency and build vocabulary, contributing to improved writing and use of language.
• In Mathematics, a more explicit focus on ‘working mathematically’ where students communicate reasoning, understanding and fluency, and engage in problem solving.

Teachers will be taking part in professional learning modules through NESA focusing on the new English and Mathematics Syllabus in preparation for implementation in 2024.

For more general information on the NSW Curriculum, please visit:

Student Teachers

This term we welcome Ms Courtney Peters to 3B. Ms Peters is in her final year of Education at Curtain University and is completing her 10 Week Internship with Mrs Valerie Hassett.

In Week 4, we will welcome Mrs Melissa Taylor to KW. Mrs Taylor is completing her second practicum through the University of New England and will work with Mrs Kranias in Kinder Blue.

Thank you, Mrs Hassett and Mrs Kranias, for assisting our future teachers! Both Ms Taylor and Ms Peters are very lucky to be working alongside such amazing educators. We have no doubt they will love being a part of the St John's community!

Religious Education – Chris Sheridan

World Youth Day

As I write this week’s newsletter, one of our Year 5 teachers, Miss Ellen Morgan is overseas on a three week pilgrimage and World Youth Day encounter with a group of other young people from around our diocese. They will meet up with thousands of young Catholics from around the globe as they meet with Pope Francis in Portugal, for an unforgettable week of prayer, worship and faith celebration.

At the moment Ellen and her WYD pilgrims are in Tiberias on the shores of Lake Galilee as they journey through the holy places in Israel, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Lake Galilee and Jerusalem which were at the centre of Jesus’ teachings, and which surrounded him in his last days with his disciples. This is very much a holy journey to the heart of our Christian story.

Please pray for Ellen and our Diocesan World Youth Day pilgrims that they will be inspired by this faith experience to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ with renewed commitment and that they will return safely home.

Ellen is pictured here outside the Church of St John the Baptist in Jerusalem, said to be the birthplace of St John himself.

Reflection

Every time you make free time for God, you clear up a bit
of the descending path, and you see where you can plant your feet on the way to love…what’s fascinating is that the first step invariably makes the second one easier. You begin to discover that love begets love, and step by-step you move further forward on the way to God. Gradually, you shed your misgivings about the way of love; you see that “in love there is no room for fear,” and you feel yourself drawn to descend deeper and deeper on the way that Jesus walked before you.

Henri Nouwen
(Henri Nouwen was a Dutch Catholic priest, professor, writer and theologian. His interests were rooted primarily in psychology, pastoral ministry, spirituality, social justice and community.)

First Holy Communion

During the school holidays, information has been distributed through our Mass centres for parents wishing to include their child in the preparations for First Holy Communion this August. If you did not receive this information, or did not attend the Compulsory Meeting, please contact me as a priority (or Chisholm Pastoral Region Office Ph 49338918).

I have sent out a Compass note today – First Holy Communion with those details.

Sports Report – Sara Murdoch

Congratulations to the following children who have progressed through to the Diocesan Athletics carnival at the Hunter Sport Centre, Glendale. 

Zavier Abbiss, Scarlett Clydesdale, Roxy Dorn, Matilda Forrester, Eadie Gollan, Lincoln Greentree, Jake Hansen, Halle Hill, Oliver Lyle, Max McCullum, Darcy Mead, Patrick O’Toole, Audrey Parnell, Ellie Prescott and Lachlan Shafer. 

Aspire Spotlight – Nicole Murphy

Congratulations to Ava Whiting for her upcoming solo vocal performance in the 2023 Aspire production, "The Pirate Code".

Ava and her fellow cast members have been in intensive rehearsals during school holiday breaks and weekends leading up to this extraordinary event.

Students in Years 4, 5 and 6 are excited to watch this production on Friday at the Civic Theatre, Newcastle.  

School Community Donations – Gemma Baker & Renee Collins

School Community Donations-  Please don’t throw me away! 

In Year One, we are always busy creating exciting things during our play. Please help us by bringing in any of these items instead of throwing them away. We love to be resourceful and use as many natural or recycled materials as possible. We just ask that you make sure items are clean before you bring them in. Thank you so much. We cannot wait to show you what we turn them into! 

A few tubs and containers have been placed in the drive-through area for a few weeks. Please place all items in these tubs. Thank you again for your support of the Early Learning opportunities in Year One.  

Year 5 Great Aussie Bush Camp 2023!

The Year 5 teachers could not be prouder of these intrepid explorers! The following are quotes from our campers. If you would like to see more photos and videos, ask your Year 5 child to log into their teams account.

“The bushcraft was so fun, because we don’t usually get to build with sticks and leaves!”

“The dual flying fox was horrifying at first. But, once you jumped it was the most thrilling experience!”

“Rock climbing was so much fun but so tiring! Lots of kids overcame their fear of heights!”

“The feeling of the shaking wire under my feet was a feeling I will never forget.”

“Canoeing was amazing! We made sure to stay clear of snake island and kept an eye out for Gummy.”

“It was enjoyable to shoot arrows at the target and try archery for the first time. One arrow plunged in the dead centre.”

“We are so proud of ourselves for stepping out of our comfort zones and conquering camp!”

Year 5

National Tree Day

Thank you to Maitland Toyota for celebrating National Tree Day with us at St John the Baptist.

Class Merit Awards

Canteen

P & F News

Welcome to a new term! We have some great opportunities coming up for parents and carers to be involved in school activities. Check the dates and events below and add them to your calendar. We look forward to welcoming as many people as possible.

Thompson's Pies

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 3

Meeting - Wednesday 9th August @ 9:30am (Week 4)
Thompson’s Pies - Wednesday 16th August (Week 5)
Father’s Day stall - Wednesday 30th   August (Week 7)
Father’s Day raffle - Friday 1st   September (Week 7)

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)