WELCOME BACK TO TERM 2

Dear Parents and Carers,

I would like to welcome you all back to Term 2 and hope that you all had a nice and peaceful Easter. 

Before we look toward the term ahead, I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the recent passing of Pope Francis, a significant figure of spiritual and moral leadership for our Catholic community. We take a moment to honour his legacy and join Bishop Brian Mascord and the entire Catholic Church in mourning the passing of Pope Francis. We give thanks for his compassionate leadership, unwavering commitment to the Gospel and the message of peace and compassion that continue to inspire the mission of our Catholic schools here in the Diocese of Wollongong. Bishop Brian’s full statement can be found by clicking here.

In reflecting on the success of Term 1, I truly hope that we can continue to carry with us, the optimism and energy that marked an exciting and positive shift in the St John’s learning culture. The collaboration between staff, students, and families over the term laid an impressive foundation for the ongoing growth and success of our students, one we look forward to building upon.  

Thursday 1st May saw Mrs Julie Lawrence and Ms Sonia Diaz lead our school community in a very special commemoration for ANZAC day 2025. We were honoured to be led in prayer by Chaplain Nigel Porter who opened the word of the Gospel and reminded us of the highest form of Christian love and charity, Agape/Agapi, the love in service of others. He encouraged each and everyone of us to live agape/agapi in our daily lives, using our unique gifts to make the lives of others better. We were also extremely privileged to hear from Midshipman Bridgette Fairs, graduating student of 2024, who so eloquently articulated the true meaning of ANZAC day in that it is a glorification of war, but a solemn remembrance of those who came before and serve their country, our country, making the ultimate sacrifice to lay down their lives so that we may have all that we enjoy today.  

This term, we, as a staff continue to focus on developing the learning growth of all of our students, ensuring meaningful and deep learning occurs across the school community. I truly believe that our students should be leaving us better than when they arrived, whether this be at their graduation or simply at the end of the day. We continue to encourage students to be reflective learners who engage purposefully with their learning, take responsibility for their actions, and strive to be ready to learn each day.

We look forward to your continued support in this mission and ask that you reinforce these values at home, especially the shared language of engagement, responsibility, and being ready to learn (seen below). When students hear the same messages at school and in the home, it strengthens their sense of purpose, responsibility and aspiration to grow.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support and we look forward to another term of growth, achievement, and partnership.

Kind regards

Acting Principal