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- Cookie Dough Fundraiser
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- Children's Author Visiting St Johns
- Federal Government School Student Broadband Initiative - Deadline to Redeem Internet Vouchers
- Kindergarten Entry in The Royal Canberra Poultry Show
- Community Notices
- Nut Free School
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Spirit of wisdom and understanding, enlighten our minds to perceive the mysteries of the universe in relation to eternity.
Spirit of right judgment and courage, guide us and make us firm in our baptismal decision to follow Jesus' way of love.
Spirit of knowledge and reverence, help us to see the lasting value of justice and mercy in our everyday dealings with one another. May we respect life as we work to solve problems of family and nation, economy and ecology.
Spirit of God, spark our faith, hope and love into new action each day.
Fill our lives with wonder and awe in your presence, which penetrates all creation. Amen.
Dear Parents and Carers,
This weekend is a very special one in the lives many of our students in Year 6 and their families. After many hours of preparation, they will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation. Confirmation is one of the Initiation Sacraments of the Catholic Church and helps the candidates to be united more firmly with Christ. As they take this step in their lives, we pray they will be able to “hear” the Spirit speaking in their lives. Please keep all the Year 6 children in your prayers as they reflect and learn about the Holy Spirit.
Send your Holy Spirit upon them to be their helper and guide.
Give them a spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of right judgement and courage,
the spirit of knowledge and reverence.
Fill them with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen
This beautiful quilt was especially designed and donated to our school by
Colleen Reed,
an Alumni and Parishioner of St John the Apostle.
End of Official Enrolment Period
The official Catholic Education enrolment period ends, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to our Year 6 leaders who volunteered their time and energy to take interested families on tours of our school. They truly embodied the spirit of St John the Apostle, offering warm and welcoming insights into our school community. The feedback from the families they showed around has been overwhelmingly positive, with many
expressing their gratitude for our students' kindness and enthusiasm.
Well done Year 6 and their teachers!
It is not too late to enrol, with some spaces available in some grades for 2026. If you would like to tour, please contact the school office. A reminder that those students in the STA ELC need to complete a new enrolment form for Kinder 2026.
I hope you and your family enjoy a safe and happy long weekend ahead.
Blessings and best wishes
Jo Reed
The Resilience Project webinar – Thursday 25 June
Parents are invited to attend a ‘Discovering Resilience’ live webinar with Martin Heppell on 25 June from 6.30pm-7.30pm. Martin, who is also a parent of young children, will share engaging stories and practical strategies to support the mental wellbeing of the entire family. If you are unable to attend, a recorded version will be available. Further information about The Resilience Project can be found at https://theresilienceproject.com.au/about/. REGISTER HERE for the webinar.
What Students are Learning About
As part of our coaching I observed both Year 6 classes teach an explicit lesson. I was impressed at the capacity of the students to answer higher order questions. A testament to the planning and dedication of their teachers, the students were confident and clear in their responses.
Some of the questions they had to answer about their chosen Saint were…
Who is your Confirmation saint, and what is he/she known for?
- What virtues or qualities does your saint embody?
- Why do you think the Church recognizes this person as a saint?
- How do you hope to live like your saint in your daily life?
- What challenges did your saint face that inspire you today?
- How does your saint’s life reflect the teachings of Jesus or the Gospel?
- What does your saint teach us about the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives?
- "Can you link that to a teaching of Jesus or the Church?"
What Teachers Are Learning About
This week Mrs Stevenson (Yr 2), Mrs Stewart (Yr 1), Mr Seaman (Yr 6) and Ms E (Kinder) all participated in Communities of Collaboration this week. The process supports teachers to work collaboratively across the archdiocese to plan and prepare units for Religious Education. Having the guidance from a member of the RE team from the office, ensures that the curriculum is taught at an appropriate level for all students. Thanks to all those teachers who participated.
Catholic Life and Reflection
We drove home from the coast a little later than usual on Monday evening, so the obligatory loo break at Braidwood was just after dark. As we pulled up I could see a Muslim family praying together.
Keeping a respectful distance, I was drawn into the rhythm of the prayer. Bow, kneel, pray, bow, kneel, pray. An overwhelming sense of gratitude ensued as I noticed people give them space and quiet. How grateful I am to live in a community that values the right to express our religious beliefs. By no means do we have it all perfect but we value it. We know that all religions share the same basic tenant…treat others as you want to be treated…the golden rule.
https://www.scarboromissions.ca/golden-rule/the-golden-rule-poster-a-history
Matthew 7:12
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
The Golden Rule
12 “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.
God bless,
Happy Birthday to Liam Pham, Harvey Irvine, Kelly Hwang, Brody Loricchiella, Harper Ollevou, Jackson Moulds, Allira Richardson, Alyssa Sammons, James Maddox, Rosie Tran, Rubi Shean, Evagelia Butler-Tomkins, Ryan Dixon, Xavier Bonny, William Miles, Sawyer Del Villar, Emmanuel Amrado, Kelden Tshering, Oskar El-Geddes, Sian Kim, Solomon Azzam, Ileana Rozario, Alex Sandrai, James Thurbon, Mateo Vallecilla Carbonell, Chloe Larkings, Amalie Hanna, Henry Jopling, Austin Patrzalek, Henry Larkin, Zara Fearne, Amara Byrne, Imogen Clark, Heidi Pearson and Katie Wedd who all celebrate a Birthday in June.
Congraultations to the following students who will receive a Brag Tag Award - presented on Friday 13th June.
Amber Kaur (40) | Japji Chohan (20) | Amalie Hanna (40) |
Aviana Jozwiak (20) | Adaline Jozwiak (20) | William Mullins (20) |
Sylvie Reni (20) | William Miles (40) | Aysha Zenha Mohamed Jabir (20) |
Kai Knight (20) | Lachlan Frankcom (20) | Dodrul Thukten (20) |
Martin Howes (20) | Isaac van der Ploeg (20) | Henry Wroe (20) |
Amara Remo (20) | Emily sheppard (20) | Evagelia Butler-Tomkins (20) |
Alex Bradbury (40) | Aarzah Singh (40) | Allegra Cockburn (40) |
Rihaan Salhotra (20) | Grace Sartor (20) | Shanaya Siraj (20) |
Tymon Amrado (20) | Ivy Juskevics (20) | Mila Dulgerov (20) |
Heidi Pearson (20) | Aria Wood (20) | Valentina Saldias Gomez (20) |
Heidi Pearson (20) | Jamyang Yenten Gyatsho (20) | Emmanuel Amrado (20) |
Gigi Amrado (20) | Rishaan Banerji Dash (20) | Hazel Chambers (60) |
Oliver White (40) |
Please go to our school calendar on the website or COMPASS for more details.
Please note that the following are pupil free days for professional learning for staff. Students do not attend school on this day. OSHClub will be available.
Term 2 - Friday 4 July
Term 3 - Monday 21 July & Friday 26 September
Term 4 - Monday 13 October & Friday 19 December
Term 2 Weeks 6 - 10
- Royal Canberra Poulty Show, June 7 & 8
- Kinder Assembly, 13 June (Week 7)
- Cross Country Ribbon Presentation, 12 June (week 7)
- ACT Cross Country Championships, 13 June (week 7)
- Brag Tag Award Ceremony, 13 June (week 7)
- Yrs 3-6 Tim Harris Author Visit, 18 June (week 8)
- Yr 3 First Communion Preparation, 19 June (week 8)
- Sacrament of Eucharist, 21 & 22 June (week 8)
- Sacred Heart Day, June 27 (week 9)
- Athletics Carnival Ribbon Presentation, 27 June (week 9)
- End of Term Awards, 3 July (week 10)
Opening Hours
The Uniform Shop will be open during the
following times:
Friday 13th June 8:30am - 9:30am
If you have any questions or concerns please email the uniform shop on stjohnsclothingpool@gmail.com
Teaching Our Kids Self Control
Written by Dr Justin Coulson
Self-control is one of the most important life skills our kids can develop. Whether it’s a toddler throwing a tantrum, a tween interrupting in class, or a teen glued to their phone instead of doing homework — self-control (or the lack of it) shows up in every stage of parenting.
Here’s some encouraging news: self-control is a learned skill. And just like learning to read, ride a bike, or play an instrument, our kids can improve their self-control with practice, guidance, and the right tools — no matter their age or temperament. (And so can we.)
What Is Self-Control (And Why Does It Matter So Much)?
At its core, self-control is our ability to manage our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours in ways that help us reach our goals. Note that the “goals” aspect matters here. Three-year-olds don’t have goals due to limited cognitive development, so they don’t think about whether to express or suppress their emotions. They just let it all out!
For kids, that might mean calming down instead of hitting, waiting their turn instead of pushing in, resisting a distraction rather than giving in and losing focus, or walking away from an argument rather than fighting back.
Research shows that strong self-control develops from about age three or four, and most kids are ok with it by around age 8-10. Self-control is linked to better relationships, improved wellbeing, greater academic success, and more positive life outcomes — even decades later. But it’s not just about long-term success. It’s also about helping our children live more peaceful, connected, and meaningful lives day-to-day.
Three Self-Control Strategies That Work — At Any Age
Whether you’re parenting a four-year-old or a fourteen-year-old, here are three practical, research-backed strategies that help children build better self-control:
- Distraction and Attention-Shifting
Temptation thrives on attention. The more kids focus on the thing they want (the lolly, the device, the comeback in an argument), the harder it is to resist. Help your child shift their focus. Younger children might need a change of scenery or a new activity. Older children can be encouraged to engage their minds elsewhere — a different task, music, movement, even humour. Shifting attention isn’t avoidance. It’s smart regulation. Look at the cloud. Go for a walk. Sing a song. Pray or meditate. Shift focus and increase control. - Reframing the Situation
The way we think about something changes how we feel about it. If a child is obsessing over not being allowed something, help them see it differently. For little ones, this might sound playful: “Imagine that biscuit is actually a piece of broccoli.” For older children, it might mean encouraging them to look at the bigger picture: “Will this still matter tomorrow?” or “What’s the most helpful way to handle this?” - Using a Role Model — The ‘Batman Effect’
A powerful technique, especially for younger children, is to have them imagine what someone they admire would do. “What would Batman do?” “What would Wonder Woman say?” For teens, this evolves into a question of identity and values: “Who do you want to be right now?” “What would someone you respect do here?” Stepping outside ourselves, even momentarily, gives us clarity and control.
What About Kids Who Struggle More Than Others?
Some kids — including those with ADHD, anxiety, or other challenges — may find self-control especially hard. The research tells us that the same strategies still work, and in fact, they often benefit these children even more. With consistency, support, and understanding, they can absolutely grow in this area. Your biggest challenge here will be that it takes a bit of extra work. But that’s the case for most things where these challenges exist.
And What About Us?
Let’s not forget — self-control isn’t just a challenge for kids. As parents, we’re often running low on patience, energy, and calm. When you feel like you’re about to snap, try these quick self-control strategies for yourself:
- Use your name in self-talk: “Jess, take a breath. You can handle this.”
- Zoom out: Ask, “Will this still matter next week?”
- Get into nature: A few minutes outside can reset your whole nervous system.
Our kids catch our calm (or our chaos). The better we regulate ourselves, the easier it is for them to learn to do the same.
Final Thoughts
We’re not aiming for perfection. We’re raising humans, not robots. Our children will still have meltdowns, make impulsive decisions, or act before they think — just like we do sometimes. But every time we coach them through those moments, we’re giving them tools they’ll use for life.
So next time your child is about to lose it — or you are — remember: this is not a character flaw. It’s a learning moment. And with time, support, and the right tools, self-control can be learned.
And your calm, consistent presence? That’s the best teaching tool of all.
Children's Author Visiting St Johns
We are so looking forward to Tim Harris visiting our school! Tim will be running an author talk with Kindergarten to Year Two which will include the stories behind his ideas, audience participation, readings, photos and videos, brainstorming and much more. His writing workshops challenge and inspire young writers to find original ideas and improve the mechanics of their work.
Years 3 to 6 will have a writing workshop which will challenge and inspire young writers to find original ideas and improve the mechanics of their work. Each workshop is highly interactive and the students are presented with opportunities to practise and refine their writing.
Emma Alcock
Teacher Librarian

Federal Government School Student Broadband Initiative - Deadline to Redeem Internet Vouchers
We’d like to remind all families that the deadline to redeem your internet voucher is 11:59 PM on Monday, 30 June. Please make sure to use your voucher with a participating internet provider before this time.
If you have any questions or need help with the program, contact the National Referral Centre at 1800 954 610 or visit the Student Internet Program – Anglicare Victoria website. You can also find more information by clicking on this link School Student Broadband Initiative
Kindergarten Entry in The Royal Canberra Poultry Show
St John’s Kindergarten Students Project Overview: We are excited to announce that our Kindergarten students have entered the 2025 Royal Canberra Poultry Show Schools Group Artwork Competition. This initiative aims to showcase the creativity of young artists and celebrate the fascinating world of poultry through various artistic expressions.
Theme: The overarching theme for the 2025 artworks is "Fluffy and Silky."
Curriculum content. As part of a 5 week Visual Arts program, Kindergarten were encouraged to explore the beauty, diversity, and uniqueness of poultry through drawing lessons and using multimedia tools for their creations. Their artwork explores the age-old story of Chicken Little, a chicken who after seeing an acorn fall from the sky, exclaims to her poultry friends, that the "The Sky is falling!!"
Event Overview: The Royal Canberra Poultry Show 2025 is Canberra’s only chook show, that takes place in the Fitzroy Pavilion in Exhibition Park in Canberra showground over the long weekend in June and runs from Saturday 7th – Sunday 8th June in 2025.
Kinder’s entries are in and the Winners will be announced on Friday 6th June.
Website: www.royalcanberrapoultryshow.com.au
Join us at this 45-minute webinar to find out about:
- the types of parental controls available and how to set them for your child’s safety including smart devices, in apps, gaming platforms and computers
- using parental controls with other online safety strategies to help your child build digital and critical skills to have safer experiences online.
- 3 June, 3.30pm