Newsletter - 10th May 2024
- Principal's Address
- Year One Science
- Year Two English
- Year Seven Mathematics
- Year Eight Science
- Year Nine Humanities
- Senior Chemistry
- FORMAL 2024
- ANZAC DAY 2024
- Volleyball
- Student Representative Council
- Enrichment Night
- Term Two Most Noteworthy Student
- Level Up Your Future
- Important Dates - Term Two
- Uniform Shop Opening Hours
- Tuckshop
- Tuckshop Roster Term 2 2024
“If we go in search of other people, other cultures, other ways of thinking, other religions, we come out of ourselves and begin that beautiful adventure that is called ‘dialogue’. Dialogue is very important for one’s maturity, because in relation with other people, relations with other cultures, also in healthy relations with other people and religions, one grows; grows, matures." - Pope Francis, 2013
Over the past two weeks, the Year Eight students at our school have visited different churches in the area, including our Parish Catholic Church, the local Heart Church, and the Church of Christ. The purpose of these visits is to learn about the similarities and differences between the rituals, core beliefs and tenets of these churches.
Australia is a diverse society that is enriched by the various cultures and religions that exist within it. These visits help to remind us that, at the end of the day, we are all human beings who deserve understanding and respect. The key to achieving this is through dialogue. Only by talking to each other and understanding our experiences can true dialogue take place.
Engaging in dialogue can be a transformative experience. It challenges us to step outside our comfort zones and understand others. This is not just about meeting people from other cultures and religions, but it's also about embracing diversity within our own community. While it may be easier to stick with those who share our interests, we encourage students to seize opportunities to work and socialise with those they don't already know. This may be challenging, but it ultimately leads to a more enriching and diverse school experience.
ANZAC DAY
I was deeply impressed by the quality of the ANZAC Day liturgy held at the school. Mrs Trish Parker orchestrated a wonderful liturgy, and I want to extend my thanks to Daniel Tucker and Henry Pollock who served as the Catafalque Party, Lucy Jury who delivered The Last Post, as well as to the school leaders who conducted the liturgy alongside Mrs Parker.
Additionally, I was heartened by the number of students and teachers who joined us for the March. These students took the time to march together as a school to the cenotaph, to pause, reflect and acknowledge the sacrifices of those who laid down their lives so that we may live in freedom. I would like to express my gratitude to Mrs Sarah Flesser for organising the March, to the school leaders for leading us, and to Grace Horn for delivering a wonderful and heartfelt speech at the Roma Historical Society's ceremony at the Cemetery.
UNIFORM
We are continuing to focus on ensuring that our students wear their uniforms appropriately. Unfortunately, a number of St John’s students regularly turn up inappropriately attired.
Specifically, we ask that all students wear a hat when moving around the school premises and during lunch breaks. Failure to comply with this rule will result in a referral to our detention room, which will be staffed during each break for the remainder of the term. Additionally, we would like to remind students that wearing inappropriate jewellery and sports uniforms on days when they do not have PE is not allowed. Thank you for your assistance in ensuring students attend school, meeting our uniform expectations.
Cheers,
Mark
This term, the Year One students have been actively engaged as young scientists in our Science unit, ‘Schoolyard Safari’. To date, we have explored the primary school campus on the lookout for small animals in their environment. Before embarking on our excursion, the students created a Code for Caring Poster. We have learnt about ants and worms, ‘What they look like,’ ‘What they eat,’ ‘Where they live’ and ‘How they protect themselves’. We are looking forward to designing and creating a model of a snail and writing an information report about what we have learnt about snails in our Science lessons.
Angela Brennan, Mark Brennan and Rhianna Maunder
Students have been investigating the two sides of ‘The Three Little Pigs’ story like secret agents. They have used their magnifying glasses and identity badges to be true detectives. They have explored how characters are described from both sides of the characters’ stories and will develop an opinion on who is telling the truth, the pigs or the wolf? Students are learning to write a persuasive text and will carefully select evidence from the stories to support their opinion.
In Year Seven, students have started the term learning about area, volume and how to determine the circumference of a circle. They are then applying their knowledge to calculate the capacity of their locker and use their creativity to design a new shaped locker. The students have had a great time showcasing their skills in finding answers to problems they have not been shown how to do before.
Soon, they will be moving onto classifying different triangles and the angles found within them. Towards the end of the term, they will be learning how to draw different 2-dimensional shapes with precision and neatness, in order to create nets.
This term in Year Nine Humanities, we have been looking at global interconnections between people, places and environments. We have enjoyed looking at the procedures and processes behind supply chains and all things production! We are currently working hard on our assessment task, where we are investigating a product, made by a multi-national corporation (MNC). We have enjoyed choosing a broad variety of products, such as Nike AlphaFly running shoes, Tiffany necklaces, Frank Green water bottles, CAT loaders, Honda motorbikes and more! We are looking at the social, economic and environmental impacts of our products, and how we can improve these processes. We are presenting our findings in an inquiry report!
At the end of Week Two, the Year 12s experienced a once in a lifetime event, where dressing up as princes and princesses represented a childhood dream come true. The St Johns’ Formal Committee consisting of 11 hard working students and 3 unbelievably dedicated teachers, meticulously planned the evening to become a true winter wonderland. As for the evening of the grand event, students definitely dressed to impress – gracing the red carpet in style for their moment of fame. The dinner service became an added highlight of the evening, where a buffet of amazing foods was served by the Roma Explorers Inn team – incredible service by a wonderful staff! For most of the night, photos were snapped; it was time for students to capture their favourite moments that will last as memories in their hearts forever. Eight former students enjoyed the night with the current cohort, revisiting past moments enjoyed and cherished at St John’s, which most could fondly recall. Our new Principal, Mr Watson experienced his first formal with the students as well, followed by a speech that stole the show and an address by Mrs Henning. Our student captains were the last to address the audience, a rendition that delved back on past experiences and which highlighted the fact that our cohort was truly ‘Better Together’. On behalf of the Year 12 students, we thank all who made our night one to remember, as we carry on our journey through our last year at St John’s.
Many thanks,
Tayla Doig
St John’s School observed ANZAC Day this year with a solemn liturgy held at school and participation in the community march and service. Students, ranging from Prep to secondary, crafted wreaths for use in the liturgy and to adorn our adopted school trees along Heroes Avenue.
On ANZAC Day, over 140 students and approximately 35 staff members marched through the streets of Roma, converging at the Cenotaph. Notably, students from neighbouring towns, including Mitchell and Muckadilla, proudly represented St John’s in uniform during their marches. St John’s was represented also at the cemetery ceremony in Roma by Grace Horn, who gave a speech and Lily and Ruby Ferrier who laid wreaths.
The liturgy and the march provided a powerful opportunity for our students to connect with the significance of ANZAC Day. Special recognition goes to Lucy Jury, who played the Last Post beautifully, and to Henry Pollock and Daniel Tucker, who served as the catafalque party during the liturgy. The reverence demonstrated by our school community underscores the profound importance of this day to our nation. It instils pride and confidence that our students will continue to honour the sacrifices of past and present armed forces. “Lest we Forget.
"
Students who marched in Mitchell, representing St John's.
On Friday in Week Two, the St John’s Volleyball teams set out on their first volleyball competition for the year in Chinchilla. All team members played extremely well, considering it was the first competition playing together. The boys team came up short with five players, having girls from the Junior teams fill in for some of the games. The boys played a total of five games and came 4th out of their pool. Both of the girls teams competed for 1st, coming very close to victory, but both finishing in 2nd.
We are very proud of the way everyone played and are very excited to travel to other competitions in the future. Our Years 9/10 girls’ team will be heading away for a three-day competition on the Gold Coast in Week Seven, and our Senior Years 11/12 teams will be heading to the Gold Coast in August for their volleyball competition.
The Student Representative Council serves as a student organisation that represents and works on behalf of the school's student body. Students who are elected as Student Councillors, act as the ‘voice of students’ and participate in decision-making processes within the school. The SRC finds out what students think of existing policies, practices, teachings and learnings and help to make the school a better place for everyone.
This year’s applicants were able to demonstrate the values of St John’s school daily. They continually represent the school in extracurricular activities, uphold attendance, and wear their uniform with pride. They have demonstrated the ability to work as part of a team and apply themselves to all tasks in the classroom, sporting field and wider community.
Your 2024 Student Representative Councsellors
Back row left to right : Kade Lee, Brydee Williams, Rosie Bere-Streeter, Yasmin Bond, Daniel Pienaar, Daniel Tucker, Elsie Irwin
Front row left to right: Faith Iseppi, Phoebe McKee, Annalise Ey, Kianzie Cruz, Eden Rhodes, Sophia Parker, Tilly Wells
Bella Witt is a quiet achiever in Year Nine who balances a busy academic load at school while competing at Equestrian events across Southern Queensland. Bella competes in jumping, combined training and dressage. Recently, Bella travelled to the Taroom Show achieving the title of 2024 Queensland State Country Children’s Champion with her horse Twidale Chantilly. Bella works hard at her sport and has overcome several challenges. Sometimes, Bella will arrive home with her horses late on a Sunday night. She still gets up on a Monday morning and come to school, even being driven to school after missing the bus. Bella has also had a couple of minor injuries that she has overcome over the past few months. Soon Bella will compete for St John’s in the Equestrian Interschool competition to be held in June in 2024. Bella is keen to continue her equestrian career eventually getting a spot in the 2032 Olympics.
Year Eight students are set to experience “Level Up Your Future”, brought to you by CUC Maranoa!
We've designed something special to help our younger students discover paths you might not even know exist. Keep your eyes peeled for the main event of the year in Term Two: Level Up Your Future Expo, a jam-packed day at Jubilee Hall, trying out all sorts of career tasters from universities, TAFE and our local businesses. This will be the first of its kind in the Maranoa.
Our mission isn't just about fun, we want students to discover what lights you up, uncover new passions, and see what subjects are necessary to keep attending school. Remember, work takes up a big chunk of our lives, so let's help your teens figure out what they love and what they're awesome at. Because trust us, everyone's got something special to offer!
Uniform Shop Hours:
Monday 2:00 - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:00 - 10:30 am
Online:
https://theschoollocker.com.au/schools/st-johns-catholic-school
