ASH WEDNESDAY AND LENT

Wednesday 2 March is Ash Wednesday. This is a day that we stop and prepare for the season of Lent. We mark the day with a liturgy in which ashes are distributed, usually in the form of a cross on the forehead. This signifies that we are engaging in a day of prayer, fasting and reflection as we enter the season of Lent. Lent continues for 40 days of prayer and reflection as we prepare for the season of celebration and hope that is Easter. This is a cycle of renewal and a time of growth.

OPEN NIGHT

We are very excited that we are able to welcome visitors to our school on Open Night next Wednesday 2 March. This is always a joyous night as we celebrate and showcase the school community. If you know someone who is planning to attend St John’s in 2023 then please let them know. We are taking bookings to the three sessions that are available on the night.

EVENTS

I visited the Year 7 camp last Wednesday afternoon and was welcomed by such a positive and engaging group of students. They had a wonderful 3 days and are such a friendly group of young people. It is exciting to see how they will make a difference in our community over the six years ahead. 

The Year 7 students were so well supported by our Year 10 Bushcraft students who led the activities and the Year 12 students who visited and inspired the Year 7 students at the bushdance and talent show.

The staff that attend should also be commended for developing and sharing their skills and time to present a camp that is purely St John’s. I would also like to thank the wonderful parents who volunteered to assist with transporting and assembling equipment and serving meals throughout the 3 days of camp. Without your help, this fantastic event simply would not be possible.

The school has been a busy place with so many activities underway. HSIE has taken students to Jamberoo and run in-school workshops in History and Geography, Science has taken groups to Mount Kiera and even the Careers advisor has been bringing university representatives into the school via ZOOM. It is impressive how the activities have continued in a COVID Smart manner.

COVID RESTRICTION CHANGES

Thanks so much to our community who have supported us to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the school environment by following the COVID guidelines. These are being lifted across many areas however we will continue to ensure that we adhere to best practice wherever possible. The new guidelines are;

• From Monday 28 February, we will move to symptomatic testing. Rapid Antigen Tests are to be used at your discretion such as if you are symptomatic or there are cases in your class. The school will provide each student and staff member with 8 tests per student and staff in schools. These will be distributed once received at the school.

• Beyond that, students and staff access PCR tests or buy their own rapid antigen tests.

• For Secondary Schools - From Monday 28 February, masks will no longer be mandatory for students in Year 7 and above and all staff. However, those who wish to continue to use them will be supported to do so.

• From Monday 28 February, visitors can be allowed back on school sites. Our school will consider activities such as assemblies, parent-teacher meetings and other gatherings. We will let you know if these can proceed in a COVID-safe way. All visitors are asked to follow our usual sign-in and sign-out process.
• Our school will continue to ensure our core COVID-smart layers are in place, including vaccinations, maximising natural ventilation in learning spaces, continued good hand hygiene practices and enhanced cleaning.

Further details are available in the correspondence sent to parents/carers on Wednesday 23 February. Click here to view this letter.