Week 11 Term 1 2025

It’s hard to believe that we are already in the last week of Term 1. I look forward to seeing you all at our Sports Day on Friday 11th April. Mr Zandona and Mr van Weenen have been working hard alongside our School Captains in preparing the children for the big day. The day promises to be full of fun and sunshine so please ensure sunscreen is applied before your child arrives at school and plenty of water is packed. Sports Day concludes at 1:00pm with an early dismissal for children. If you require care for your child/ren please contact Mirella to book your child in to OSHC from 1:00pm.

Learning Conversations

Thank you to all the families that came in to meet with their child’s teacher for Learning Conversations. It is always a fantastic opportunity for the teacher, child and parents to share successes and future growth points to work towards in the coming months. Teachers have endeavoured to contact families who have not had a Learning Conversation, if this is you, please make a time to meet your child’s teacher early next term.

Uniform

As we head into the cooler weather, I would like remind families that there is an option to add undergarments for warmth, skivvys or long-sleeved t-shirts available from Big W K-Mart, Target, etc. However, the skivvy or long-sleeved t-shirt must be in the same bottle green colour as our school uniform.

St John Bosco School has a school jacket available to purchase from Devon clothing. Children wearing colourful winter jackets to school will be asked to take their jacket off and place in their school bag. Late last year we also added a beanie to our uniform, this is available to purchase at Devon clothing, we ask families to purchase a school beanie if your child would like to keep their ears and head warm during Autumn and Winter.

Villi’s

We are pleased to be working with Villi’s to provide a variety of hot food options for our children and staff each week on a Wednesday, starting Week 1 of Term 2 on 30th April 2025. Families can place their child’s order through the QKR app before 9:00am each Wednesday morning. We will continue to have Subway available on a Tuesday and Friday, however orders for Subway close at 8:30am on the day of delivery.

Playground

We are over the moon with the efforts of our Parents and Friends in reaching their target to secure the funds to purchase a new playground for our older Year 3-6 children. The P & F have been working extremely hard for over five years to finally reach their target. On behalf of the school, I would like to thank all the P & F volunteers who have been relentless in raising funds for our new Playground titled, The Dynasty Combat. The Dynasty Combat includes monkey bars, combat ladder, cargo net, firefighters pole, ninga delta rings, horizontal and vertical jungle rope. It will be wonderful to have a playground for our Year 3-6 children who are ready to challenge themselves.

Parents and Friends 2025

With the busyness of life and many of parents having work commitments the Parents and Friends have refined the events they will be hosting this year for our children and families. The much-loved events will remain on the calendar with the addition of a Movie and PJ evening, a perfect opportunity for parents to go out to a quiet dinner without the kids! We anticipate and hope enough volunteers are available to assist with the following events throughout 2025:

• Mother’s Day Stall
• Movie and PJ Night
• School Disco
• Father’s Day Stall

If you are available to assist with any of these activities, please let the front office know.

Swimming Week

We have just completed our Swimming Week at Immanuel College. We have lots of tired children who have had an absolute ball throughout the week. It has been an absolute joy to witness the growth and confidence of many of our swimmers as the week progressed. Swimming is locked in, back at Immanuel College for 2026 in Week 8 of Term 1, 16th March to the 20th March. A big, big thank you to all the parents who volunteered their time throughout the week, the swimming program is simply not possible without our wonderful volunteers.

Volunteer Induction

At St John Bosco School we value our volunteers. If you would like to become a volunteer in our community we have two Volunteer Induction sessions next term to begin the process of been eligble to volunteer. Please let the Marisa in the Front Office know if you wish to come along to one of the sessions that will take no longer than 30 minutes of your time. Thursday 8th May, 9:00am or Tuesday 24th June, 2:30pm. marisa.condo@sjb.catholic.edu.au. 

Farewells

As Term 1 concludes, it is time to farewell two of our teachers as they begin their maternity leave. We wish Helena Pomeroy and Nicole Puopolo all the best as they await the arrival of their precious little ones. We look forward to meeting the two new additions to our community when Nicole and Helena visit, we all love a cuddle with a newborn. We welcome Stephanie McDonough as a Year 1 teacher and Lucy Pike as our new Year 3-4 teacher for the remainder of the year. I am sure you will all join me in welcoming Steph and Lucy warmly into our school community.  

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday break with plenty of rest and fun. School resumes on Monday 28th April at 8:45am.

Take care

Kate Turner

Harmony Day 

On Friday 21st March, the SJB community celebrated Harmony Day. The children were encouraged to wear cultural dress, or the colour orange. Families donated cultural dishes, for the children to taste. The children engaged in Harmony Day activities in their classrooms, and taste-tested foods from different cultures at lunch time. 3/4S led the school in a beautiful liturgy at the end of the day. It was lovely to see the children sharing experiences from their cultures. We sincerely thank all the families who generously donated food.  

Sacramental Program 

Five children from St John Bosco School celebrated the sacrament of Reconciliation on Tuesday 25th March at St John Bosco Church, with Fr Long Hai. They will begin their preparation sessions for the sacrament of Confirmation on Tuesday, 10th June. 

Project Compassion 

St John Bosco is continuing to support Caritas Australia’s annual appeal, Project Compassion. This initiative helps communities in need by providing access to education, healthcare, and essential resources. The children at St John Bosco are encouraged to contribute through fundraising and acts of kindness, making a real difference in the lives of others. We took part in The Big Water Walk to walk in solidarity for those who have to walk more than 30 minutes to collect safe, celan water. So far, we’ve raised a total of $369.00 through this fundraiser. The children are continuing to explore the stories of Project Compassion in their classrooms. Donations can still be made through individual Project Compassion donation boxes, the QR code or by visiting https://fundraise.projectcompassion.org.au/st-john-bosco-school.  

Holy Week  

Although Holy Week falls in the April school holidays this year, we will take time during Week 11 to reflect on the most important week in the Christian calendar. Each day will help us journey with Jesus through the events leading up to Easter. We begin with Palm Sunday, remembering how Jesus was welcomed into Jerusalem with cheers and palm branches. On Holy Thursday, we reflect on the Last Supper and Jesus' message of love and service. Good Friday reminds us of Jesus' great sacrifice on the cross. Through prayer, storytelling, and classroom activities, children will deepen their understanding of Jesus’ love and the true meaning of Easter. We will commemorate Holy Week with three liturgies that will take place in the SJB Hall. Our whole-school Easter Mass will be celebrated when we return in Term 2, rejoicing in the good news that Jesus is risen! 

Lent - Archbishop’s Pastoral Letter to us for Lent 2025 

Archbishop Patrick O’Regan has a Pastoral Letter for us for Lent 2025, Pilgrims of Hope: A Lenten Journey in Light of the Synod and Jubilee Year. In his letter, he addresses the following: Lent: A Call to Life & Renewal, A Call to Synodality: Walking Together in Lent, Lent: A Season of Conversion and Renewal, The Catechumens: A Living Sign of Hope, Pilgrims of Hope: Living the Jubilee Spirit, Synodality & Lenten Conversion, A Journey Towards Easter Joy and Lifting Up Our Hearts: Preparing for Easter Joy. You can access this letter via the following link: https://adelaide.catholic.org.au/__files/f/253279/(FINAL)20250226-AB%20Lenten%20Pastoral%20Letter-CAoA.pdf 

Halogen Young Leaders Day  

On Monday, 31st March, the House Captains attended the Halogen Young Leaders Day. This is a dynamic event designed to empower and inspire young people to become effective leaders in their communities. The children heard from four keynote speakers: Olympian, Jessica Trengove, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Port Adelaide star, Tom Jonas, and multi-award-winning screenwriter and author, Thomas Duncan-Watt. Here are a few words from one of our House Captains. - Poppy

“Last Monday the St John Bosco House Captains travelled to the Adelaide Convention Centre to take part in a special event held all around Australia to teach children about being leaders. Whilst we were there, we had the opportunity to listen to a few special leaders from all around Australia. Listening to these amazing people helped me pick up a few tips. “Every master was once a disaster” was a quote that really stood out to me because it reminded me that you can never have success without failure. I also learnt about the amazing benefits being a leader comes with, and how you should always take opportunities no matter how small they are. I think National Young Leaders Day was a great chance to see what it’s like to be a good leader, and I think the things I picked up on will help me throughout my life.” 

Leah Bellifemini

In Religion this term the Year 2 children have been learning about who is God and Lent as we prepare for Easter. Our classes hosted the Ash Wednesday Mass in week 6 and children created some prayers they would like to share.

Dear God, thank you for animals and my home- Julieta.

Dear God, thank you for being kind and for my family. Thank you for love -Lia.

Dear God, please forgive us for our sins. Thanks for sacrificing your only son. If you hadn’t, we wouldn’t be alive. Thank you for making people on Earth, if you hadn’t it would be boring, and we wouldn’t have made friends. Thank you for everything you have done, you are a great God- Chisom.

Dear God, thank you for the food, water and shelter. Please help the people that are poor and give them money for socks, shoes and clothes. Pease help them to be faithful. - Sathvik

Sorry God for all the ins I have done. Please help the people that are sick to make them better. Thank you for the kind people around us. - Naima

Dear God, please protect the people in war and forgive the bad stuff that people have done. I appreciate the good things you do; you are my best saviour in the world. - Crystal

Dear God, forgive me for my sins that I have done. Thanks for keeping me with you. - Juanes

Dear God, you spread love to everyone. I am sorry for the times I have sinned. I am brave and can never let down the father who loves and respects all people. - Amelia

Dear God, sorry for my sins this year, please forgive the bad stuff and please help the people without homes.  – Ayok

In our health lessons this term children have been participating in Grow Your Mind lessons. These lessons focus on building resilience, supporting positive relationships and regulating our emotions. Children have created some artwork about one character from Grow your Mind and how they use that character in their lives.  

I use my Sensitive Octopus when I feel sad so that I can be a good friend. - Jaisikh

I use my Guard Dog when I feel angry. - Darcy

I use my Elephant to remember maths. - Alaia

I use my Guard Dog when I feel cross. - Luciano

I use my Sensitive Octopus to be a good friend. - Gabriel

I use my Guard Dog when people make me feel angry. - Thanasi

I use my Elephant when I want to help people. - Sophie

I use my Wise Owl to make good choices on my work. - Lena

Scholastic Book Club is offered once per term for St John Bosco School families. We are looking for two volunteers to help coordinate Book Club. This involves setting up the online platform for class groups at the start of the school year, dating and allocating catalogues to classes, online processing of orders and sorting and distributing books. Time commitment for this role is approximately 3-4 hrs per term. 

If you are a registered school volunteer and are interested in helping out, please contact the school office. 

Now in its 25th year, National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) has grown and grown, and in 2024 attracted over TWO MILLION registered participants!

NSS is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) with the aims of encouraging young children to read and enjoy books as well as teach them the value of literacy.

Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country.

ALIA and Hardie Grant Children's Publishing are thrilled to announce that The Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel and Danny Snell is the NSS title for 2025.

The school has registered to participate, and this will take place on Wednesday 21st May 2025 in their classes on the day.

The Truck Cat is a story about cats and humans, immigration and identity, and homes lost and found. 

With illustrations by multi-award-winning artist Danny Snell and words by acclaimed new writer Deborah Frenkel, The Truck Cat is the perfect book to inspire kindness and compassion in young children everywhere.

Head to www.alia.org.au/nss for more information.

Last Wednesday our school participated in the annual South Australian Catholic Primary School Sports Association (SACPSSA) Swimming Carnival at the SA Aquatic Centre.

I was very proud in the way the children went about their work and commitment on the day and the way they demonstrated true sportspersonship with their fellow competitors, their peers and officials. The support and encouragement within our team was a highlight of the day. Competition and participation are vehicles which provide children the opportunity to grow, learn and lead. This event provided the opportunity for the children to face challenges, disappointment and being a member of a supportive team. Well done to the swim team: Sebastian, Michael, Archer, Poppy, Ruby, Alexis, Matt, Chris, Gia, Kesiena, Nate and Sophia.

I would like to extend my thanks Jane Mc Kerlie, Dennis Brien and all the families who came to support the children and be official marshals.

Congratulations to all the 2025 SJB Swimming Team.

Dino Zandona