Newsletter - 4th April 2025
- Principal's Address
- Reporting Information for Parents
- Saint John's Houses - Term Update
- Revamping the Student Representative Council (SRC) for Years 7-10
- What's on this Fortnight
- National Family Reading Month
- Mosquito Bite Prevention
- Sculptures Out Back
- Good News Story?
- Employment Opportunities at St John's School
- School Crossing Supervisor
- Uniform Shop Opening Hours
Promoting Positive Student Behaviour at St John’s
At St John’s, fostering positive student behaviour is integral to our school community. We are deeply committed to promoting values such as Respect, Compassion, and Justice, which form the cornerstone of our ethos.
However, we understand that navigating school life is a journey, and students may sometimes make choices that disrupt the social or learning environment. These moments provide valuable opportunities for growth and reflection, and our response is consistently supportive and structured.
When a behavioural incident occurs, it is either observed by staff or reported to us. Following this, our dedicated teachers and welfare team thoroughly investigate the matter. This may involve speaking to witnesses, discussing the incident with the student(s) involved, and reviewing any relevant footage captured by our school camera system.
We then engage with the student to help them reflect on their actions. Through meaningful conversations, we explain why their behaviour was a poor choice and how it falls short of our school values. Consequences are assigned based on the severity of the incident, always with an emphasis on learning and growth. Restorative conversations are conducted, when necessary, to help students understand the impact of their behaviour on others, fostering accountability and empathy.
Importantly, we separate the behaviour from the individual. We want our students to know that while certain behaviours are not acceptable, they do not define their character. Once the consequence has been completed, the student is given a clean slate—a fresh start to continue their schooling positively.
Occasionally, discrepancies may arise between the narrative established at school and the version shared by the student with their parents or caregivers. It is not uncommon for students to adjust their stories to downplay their involvement or shift responsibility. This is a natural response, often motivated by a desire to avoid disappointing their loved ones.
Typical responses include:
- Minimising their role: “I was just standing there when _____ misbehaved, and we all got in trouble.”
- Spreading the blame: “Everyone was doing it, but I got in trouble for ____.”
- Denial: “It wasn’t me; that teacher always picks on me.”
As adults, we might find ourselves in similar situations— “No officer, I’m sure I wasn’t going over the speed limit”—so it’s no surprise that children sometimes act in this way. At St John’s, we strive to gain a complete understanding of each incident before assigning a consequence, ensuring fairness and clarity. As a staff, we uphold an unconditional positive regard for our students, recognising their potential and growth beyond individual moments of poor judgment.
We value respectful and open communication with families. If you have concerns about a behavioural incident or its consequences, we encourage you to engage constructively with the teacher involved.
Thank you for your continued support in reinforcing our school values and helping our students grow as compassionate, respectful individuals.
Uniform policy changes
Please see the revised uniform policy attached. After consulting with staff, the P&F, and the School Advisory Council, the proposed changes to the P-6 uniform have received strong support from a majority of stakeholders.
The key changes are as follows:
- Simplification of the policy to ensure consistent uniform requirements from Prep to Year Six. A full-button shirt will be made available for all students in P-6. The three-button shirt will continue to be permitted during the transition period. I am not setting a date for phasing out the three-button version; rather, we’ll wait until students outgrow them or they are worn out.
- In winter, for students in P-6, wearing stockings for girls and trousers for boys will be optional.
Please note that no changes have been made to the uniform requirements for students in years 7–12.
Cheers,
Mark
Report Cards
- Teachers of classes/subject areas make a judgment on student work based on evidence of their learning. At St John’s School, parents/legal guardians are provided with the following reports:
|
Prep – Year 6 |
|
|
Year 7 |
|
|
Year 8 - 12 |
|
*Please note there will be no Term 3 Interim Reports in 2025. These will be replaced with an opportunity for a parent-teacher interview early in Term 4).
- Teachers provide a judgement against the relevant Achievement Standard in the Australian Curriculum using the five-point A-E achievement scale for all Prep to Year 10 students based on evidence collected during the reporting period.
Key to Achievement Rating Scales:
|
Achievement |
Definition |
|
A |
Evidence in the student's work typically demonstrates that the student has the targeted knowledge, a sophistication of conceptual understanding, an excellent application of skills, and the ability to transfer the above to new situations. |
|
B |
Evidence in the student's work typically demonstrates that the student has the targeted knowledge, a developing sophistication of conceptual understanding, a strong application of skills, and they are beginning to transfer the above to new situations. |
|
C |
Evidence in the student's work typically demonstrates that the student has the targeted knowledge, expected conceptual understanding, expected application of skills, and they are able to transfer the above to familiar situations. |
|
D |
Evidence in the student's work typically demonstrates that the student is developing the targeted knowledge and conceptual understanding, developing the application of skills, and is beginning to transfer the above to familiar situations. |
|
E |
Evidence in the student's work typically demonstrates that the student has an emerging knowledge and conceptual understanding, has an emerging application of skills, and can apply the above in scaffolded situations. |
Other key scales:
|
M |
Student is working on a modified program |
|
NR |
Not Rated |
|
Above Expected |
Student has completed set tasks above the expected standard at this point in the course. |
|
Below Expected |
Student has completed set tasks below the expected standard at this point in the course. |
- Teachers provide a formal report of student progress and achievement in Years 11 and 12 that meets the requirements set by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA).
- Teachers provide a general/pastoral comment for each student within the Semester reports.
- Teachers provide a judgement on each student’s effort towards learning. This rating scale is used for Social Learnings in Years P – 6 and Academic Effort/Behaviour/Homework in Years 7 – 12.
|
VG |
Very Good |
|
G |
Good |
|
S |
Satisfactory |
|
IN |
Improvement Needed |
|
N/A |
Not Applicable |
- Semester reports will provide information on students’ attendance at school.
- All reports are uploaded to the Sentral Parent App. Please ensure you download this app to your computer or phone. Please contact the school office for further information.
Parent Teacher Interviews
St John’s School provides two formal opportunities for parents to discuss their child’s learning with their teachers. Parent/Teacher Interviews occur in Week 2, Term 2 and Week 2, Term 4 (Please note the change from Term 3 to Term 4 in 2025)
If you have any further questions regarding reporting, please contact Melissa Irwin (Assistant Principal Teaching and Learning) through the school office.
Dear Students, Parents and Staff,
As we reflect on this term, we are filled with pride and gratitude for the incredible spirit and enthusiasm shown by our students. The swimming carnival was a standout event, featuring the loudest and proudest war cries we've ever heard echoing across the pool. The exceptional level of participation and sportsmanship remained a highlight of the day.
This term, we introduced a new tradition during our House Assembly celebrations. We welcomed our prep students to their Houses with the presentation of a prep badge, a symbol of their belonging and commitment to their respective Houses, Xaverian, Theresian and Marian. It was heartwarming to see our Year 11 and 12 students pin these badges on the preps - a visual representation of the young men and women our students will become.
We were also delighted to celebrate the achievements of our students through the House awards. These awards recognise the hard work, dedication, and accomplishments of our students aligning with our school values of excellence, justice, compassion and respect.
Thank you once again for your continued support and participation. Let's keep up the fantastic spirit and make the next term even more remarkable!
Warm regards,
Pastoral Leaders, Student Leadership Team.
Dear Students, Parents, and Teachers,
The Student Representative Council (SRC) has long been a vital platform for fostering student leadership and amplifying the voices of our school community. However, with declining applications for SRC positions, it is clear that the current model needs a fresh approach to better engage and inspire our students. To address this, we propose a new model that emphasizes flexible, interest-driven leadership opportunities, allowing students to step up in areas they are passionate about and contribute meaningfully to our school community.
Why the Change?
In its current format, the SRC relies on an election process to select representatives who serve as the voice of their peers. While this has worked in the past, many students now seek more dynamic and personalized leadership roles. By shifting our focus to an interest-based model, we aim to ignite students’ enthusiasm, create more inclusive leadership pathways, and empower them to make tangible contributions in areas that matter to them.
The New Model
The revamped SRC will prioritize leadership through action. Instead of electing representatives for fixed terms, students will have the opportunity to join specific projects, committees, or initiatives aligned with their interests. Examples include:
- Assisting at house assemblies
- Leading games and activities during PC lessons (including buddies)
- Leading small groups in an area of interest (art, reading, gardening)
Students can step into leadership roles for as long as they wish to commit, providing flexibility and ensuring ongoing engagement. Pastoral Leaders and Pastoral Care Teachers and senior students will offer guidance and mentorship, while the wider school community will be invited to collaborate on projects.
Benefits
This interest-based approach fosters inclusivity, allows more students to participate in leadership roles, and equips them with practical skills. It also ensures that the SRC remains an impactful and responsive platform that reflects the needs of our school community.
We are excited to embark on this journey of transformation and welcome your feedback and ideas to make it a success!
|
|
Mosquito-borne diseases
|
If your child has achieved something extraordinary, and you would like to share it with our school community, please submit your story to roma@twb.catholic.edu.au
St John's School Roma is seeking dedicated Relief Teachers and Relief School Officers to join our vibrant community.
We are looking for individuals who are:
- committed to supporting our students' learning and growth
- have flexibility and reliability
- adaptable to different classroom environments
If you are interested in becoming a part of our supportive and dynamic team, please reach out to us! We would love to hear from you.
Contact the St John’s School Office on 4622 1842 or email roma@twb.catholic.edu.au
Uniform Shop Hours:
Monday 2:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday 8:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Online:
https://theschoollocker.com.au/schools/st-johns-catholic-school
The uniform shop will be open on Tuesday, 22nd April (Pubil Free Day) from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Please note that the uniform shop is only open during the school term and closed on school holidays.