PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
ASH WEDNESDAY AND LENT
Wednesday 22 February was 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.
Liturgies were held in the hall in three services across the day. The Liturgies were conducted by Fr Tiziano and all students attended one of these services to receive ashes. Ashes are received by the whole school regardless of religion. Thank you to Fr Tiziano for joining us and Mr Jack Lopez, Mr Mark Fuller and Mrs Valerie Lewis for the preparation of the liturgy services. I would also like to extend a special thank you to the Year 11 Ministry Leaders for assisting Father with distributing the ashes to the whole school community.
OPEN NIGHT
We are very excited to welcome visitors to our school on our Open Night being held on Wednesday 8 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 2024 then please let them know. We are taking bookings to the three sessions that are available on the night through trybooking on the following link: https://www.trybooking.com/
SWIMMING CARNIVAL
On Friday 17 February we were able to enjoy our school swimming carnival. This was the first time since 2019 that the whole school was able to attend and the carnival was not affected by adverse weather or Covid.
The day was a fantastic day and we were blessed with beautiful weather. The amount of students competing in races was amazing, with so much support shown by all students for their fellow peers. The school spirit that was displayed on the day in the way the students dressed up in their house colours and cheered for each other is what I have been told St John's is indicative off and what I look forward to seeing throughout the year.
YEAR 12 GIFT
On behalf of St John's I wish to extend a huge thank you to Year 12 2022 for their generous gift of new house flags to the school. The flags look terrific and were presented to the house captains at assembly on Thursday 16 February.
VISITING VIP
On Wednesday 15 February Daniel Delmage visited from CEO. Mr Delmage is the Head of Continuous Catholic School Improvement for the Wollongong Diocese. It was his first time at St John's so I gave him a tour of the school of which he thoroughly enjoyed. Mr Delmage will be back at the school on Monday 27 February to fill in for myself as Acting Principal.
