NATIONAL APOLOGY DAY

National Apology Day is commemorated annually on 13th February and encourages remembrance of - and apology to – the Stolen Generations and those whose lives have been blighted by past government policies of forced child removal and assimilation.
This commemoration differs from Sorry Day which is held annually on 26th May, to mark the original tabling of the ‘Bringing them Home’ report.

On 13th February 2008, the first sitting of the new parliamentary year, then-Prime Minister Kevin Rudd formally acknowledged the immense suffering experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people due to past government policies of forced child removal and decades of mistreatment of Indigenous Australians.

The National Apology to the Stolen Generations remains a momentous turning point that demonstrates the importance of historical acceptance in paving the road to reconciliation.
On February 13th 2022, it is 14 years since this apology was offered.

National Apology Day is a day to remember and pray for the children who were taken away from their families and homes. It is a step on the path to reconciliation. It is a commitment to right the wrongs of past injustices and is about building a bridge of respect between all people.

God of Justice,
We come to seek your guidance, wisdom and compassion.
As we pray for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have been wronged in the past, may our hearts be open to receive your healing grace, so that we in turn bring healing to each other. We ask this prayer in the name of your Son Jesus Christ.

P&F MEETING

I would like to invite all parents to consider attending the P&F meetings. This group is advisory and not fund raising and aids me in understanding the needs of the school and be better able to implement initiatives and make changes. The first P&F meeting of 2024 is 6.00 – 7.00pm on Monday 18th March.

PROJECT COMPASSION

On the 13th of February, we went to John Therry, Campbelltown to participate in the launch of Caritas Project Compassion. Here we were joined by 40 other schools where we engaged in a short liturgy run by Bishop Brian before we collected our donation box. The people director of Caritas Australia was also present and shared some of the incredible stories and achievements of Caritas Australia assisting people in need, nationally and internationally. One of these stories featured Leaia, a young mother from Samoa, who has lived for years without access to clean, reliable drinking water. Through Project Compassion, Caritas Australia was able to install a water tank in their home, improving their health and living conditions. We would like to thank John Therry and everyone who contributed for making this amazing and important day possible. 

Deeya Shrestha & Isabelle Luke

FIRST FEW WEEKS

The first few weeks have flown by and officially we have completed three. The first week was the Staff Day and a few school days, so the last two weeks have been full and most exciting. I have attended the SRC leadership day at Culburra SLSC and the Year 7 Camp at Tapatalee. I have also met with the P&F committee and look forward to meeting more parents.

Our recognition Assembly of our high achieving students from the 2023 HSC group was also wonderful occasion. Again, I congratulate all of those who attended and also those who could not attend as they prepare for life after St John’s. Some have already moved interstate or to their University or work place to move forward with life.

We have also celebrated Shrove (pancake) Tuesday and Ash Wednesday and commenced the season of Lent. Ash Wednesday focusses our mind and heart on repentance, prayer and alms giving and is symbolised by the ‘ashing’ of a cross on our foreheads. The Priest will say ‘turn away from sin and stay faithful to the Gospels’ or ‘ from dust we come and from dust we will return’. We reply with ‘amen’ as a sign of entering into the agreement to try to improve ourselves.

Mr Wayne Marshall
Principal