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

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.

Opening Hours

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:

1. 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.
2. 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?”
3. 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.

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

A friendly reminder that St Johns is a nut free school. Thank you.