St John's School Roma eNewsletter

Principal's Address

Over the coming four months, our school will undergo some significant changes as we commence construction on the long-awaited extension to our administration building. While this project will inevitably bring a degree of disruption to our daily routines, the improvements it will deliver are well worth the temporary inconvenience.

The extension will modernise and expand our current facilities to better meet the growing needs of our school community. Once complete, the project will provide additional office spaces, a refurbished kitchen and dining area, and – most notably – a dedicated office for our welfare staff. These upgrades will also improve access to staff amenities, ensuring that our teachers are not delayed during their breaks.

During this construction period, most of our secondary teachers have been temporarily relocated to alternate workspaces to allow the work to proceed. Additionally, our school reception will be located in Room 1 until the project is completed. Please also be aware that the carpark adjacent to the administration building will be closed throughout construction.

We recognise that these changes may cause some inconvenience and appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to improve our facilities for the long-term benefit of our students, staff, and families. Thank you for your continued support.

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Our recent school musical, The Little Mermaid Jr., was a stunning showcase of the talent, creativity, and commitment of both our students and staff. I was absolutely blown away by the quality of the performance – it was nothing short of outstanding.

What made the experience particularly special was the way our students, from Year 4 through to Year 12, collaborated so seamlessly. Their dedication, enthusiasm, and teamwork were a wonderful reminder of the unique opportunities a P–12 setting offers. The show truly captured the spirit of our school community, highlighting the confidence, joy, and friendships that can flourish through the performing arts.

This production was also a testament to the extraordinary efforts of our staff, many of whom went far beyond their usual roles, giving up lunch breaks, evenings, and weekends to support our students and bring the show to life. Their commitment to creating rich, memorable learning experiences is something I’m incredibly proud of.

Congratulations to all involved – you’ve made our school community proud. 

Cheers,

Mark

Ensuring Road Safety: A Reminder for Our School Community

At St John’s School, the safety of our students is always our top priority. With busy streets surrounding our school, it's essential that everyone—students, parents, and caregivers alike—follow the safest procedures when arriving and departing each day.

We kindly remind all parents to emphasise with their children the importance of using designated crossings when traveling to and from school. These crossings are strategically placed and manned by supervisors to ensure the safest passage across the road. Please encourage your children to avoid crossing at any other points, as doing so poses unnecessary risks in areas without supervision. By instilling these habits early, we can ensure a culture of safety among our students.

Additionally, we ask all parents to use the Duke Street pick-up and drop-off zone responsibly. This area has been designed to ensure an efficient and safe flow of traffic. Please remain in the queue and avoid crossing the solid white line to exit prematurely, as this can lead to congestion and unsafe conditions for both drivers and pedestrians. Following these guidelines will make drop-offs and pick-ups smoother for everyone.

Finally, regarding the pick-up and drop-off zone at the Macaulay Precinct Shed on Bowen Street, please remember that this is the safest and preferred zone for collecting or dropping off our Secondary students. Please access the shed using the appropriate entrances and exits to allow for the free flow of traffic and in keeping with road safety regulations.

We appreciate your cooperation in keeping our school community safe. With the support of parents and staff, we can ensure that our students continue to travel safely every day.

Thank you for your commitment to the well-being of our students!

Mr Doig

2026 Prep and Year 7 Enrolments Now Open!

We are excited to announce that enrolments for Prep and Year 7 in 2026 at St John's School are now open!

Due to a significant increase in applications, Prep and Year 7 enrolments will be closed by COB Monday, 14 July.

We invite you to submit your application using the QR Code or the following link: ENROL HERE

Early applications are encouraged as places are limited.

For more information, please contact our office on (07) 4622 1842 or roma@twb.catholic.edu.au or visit our school website www.roma.catholic.edu.au to learn more.

What's on this Fortnight

St John’s School Winter Ball for Secondary students

Introducing a New Event on the St John’s Calendar – Winter Ball 2025

We’re excited to announce the very first St John’s Winter Ball, a new event created especially for students in Years 7 to 12. It’s a chance to dress up, dance and enjoy a night out with friends.

Date: Thursday, 5th June 2025

Where: Roma Cultural Centre

Time: Arrive from 6:30 PM | Event runs 7:00–10:00 PM

Tickets: $10 via the Qkr! app. Purchase your tickets before 30th May.

Includes entry, light supper, and a lucky door prize

Hot and cold drinks are available for purchase on the night

Semi-formal dress code: For example, boys can wear long pants, button-up shirt and tie and girls can wear dresses or pantsuits.

We’re looking forward to making this a memorable new tradition. Tickets are available now on the Qkr! App.”

From the Library: National Simultaneous Storytime

This year, our library celebrated National Simultaneous Storytime with the wonderful book "The Truck Cat" by Deborah Frenkel. This engaging story follows the adventures of a curious cat who loves to explore the world from the back of a truck. As the truck travels through bustling cities, serene countryside, and along winding roads, the Truck Cat makes new friends and discovers exciting places.

In our library lessons, we've been exploring the themes of adventure and friendship that 'The Truck Cat' beautifully illustrates. By using our library dashboard and borrowing books from our special display, we've been learning all about trucks and cats.

National Simultaneous Storytime is a fantastic event that brings together children and communities to share the joy of reading. We're excited to have participated and eagerly anticipate more literary adventures ahead!

Two Blue participating in NSS

St John’s Sport Update

Sport (SWSS, R&D and St John’s) is a crucial part of our school community, promoting teamwork, discipline, and school spirit. However, we've observed a concerning trend—students signing up for sports but withdrawing without informing anyone. This can create challenges for teams, teachers, coaches, and organisers who work diligently to ensure a seamless sporting experience for everyone.

The Impact of Unnotified Withdrawals

When students pull out without notice, it affects:

Team Formation: Coaches struggle to finalise teams, leading to last-minute adjustments.
Opportunities for Others: Some students miss out because spots are reserved but left empty.
Event Planning: Resources like uniforms, equipment, and schedules often become challenging to manage.

Encouraging Responsibility

We ask students to be mindful of their commitment to ensure fair play.

Think Before Signing Up – Consider availability and dedication before registering.
Inform Teachers or the office promptly – If circumstances change, notify the coach or team coordinator.
Support Your Peers – Every player matters. A whole team means a stronger, more competitive season.

If you have questions regarding St John’s School sport, please contact Margaret Lyons- Margaret.lyons@twb.catholic.edu.au (P-6 Sports Coordinator) or Matthew Creeley- Matthew. Creeley@twb.catholic.edu.au (7-12 Sports Coordinator).

Senior Years (11-12) Assessment Policy

Senior_Years_Assessment_Policy_Parent_Student_Information.pdf

Confirmation at All Saints

On Sunday, 25 May, 14 students took an important step in their faith journey as they received the Sacrament of Confirmation at All Saints Church. We are proud of these students for committing to the lessons leading up to the day and for taking the time to prepare for this special moment.

We would like to thank Bishop Ken Howell for travelling all the way to Roma to lead such a meaningful Mass. His words and presence were greatly appreciated.

These students will continue their spiritual journey when they make their First Communion later this year.

May the Holy Spirit continue to guide and bless these young hearts always.

Toni Densley and Nicole Southee – All Saints Sacramental Team.