Volume 3

Thinking about fasting during Lent?

Pope Leo proposes “a very practical and frequently unappreciated form of abstinence: that of refraining from words that offend and hurt our neighbour.”

"Let us begin by disarming our language" the Holy Father writes, urging us to "strive to measure our words and cultivate kindness and respect in our families, among our friends, at work, on social media, in political debates, in the media and in Christian communities.”

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

It was wonderful to see so many families come together for our recent Parent Information Evening and Family Picnic. The event provided a lovely opportunity for families to meet their children’s teachers and then enjoy a relaxed evening on our school oval, sharing food, conversation, and community spirit under the shade of the trees. The atmosphere was made even more enjoyable with music and dancing led by the Mucky Duck Bush Band.

2027 Kindy Enrolments

Is your child turning 4 between 1st July 2026 and 30th June 2027? Make sure you have collected, completed and lodged an application form with the front office as soon as possible. Interviews for kindergarten positions next year have commenced.

Pre-Kindy

I am very excited to announce that commencing Term 2 we will be running a 3-Year-Old Kindy program. The Pre-Kindy program will be run for a full day on Tuesdays. The focus of the program is to create a smooth transition from home to the school environment, ensuring your child feels happy and safe in our care. There are limited places available for those who take up the offer. Please contact the school office if you are interested in a Pre-Kindy place for your child.

Easter Raffle

Our P&F will be running an Easter Raffle again this term with tickets being sent home with students shortly. We are asking that families donate Easter eggs, Easter toys such as rabbit ears, and Easter books for the prizes.

Harmony Day – Friday, 20 March

We will be celebrating Harmony Day at school on Friday, 20 March. Harmony Day is an opportunity to celebrate the rich cultural diversity within our community and to promote inclusivity and respect for all cultures.

Students are invited to come to school wearing traditional clothing from their culture or something orange. The colour orange has traditionally been associated with social communication, meaningful conversations, and unity—symbolising the coming together of different cultures.

We are also seeking students who would like to perform a song or dance that represents their culture. If your child is interested in performing, please see Mrs O’Brien in Pre‑Primary.

Before School Supervision

We are pleased to offer supervision for children in Year 1-6 starting from 8am each morning on the oval. Additionally, our popular Breakfast Club kicks off at 8am every day, providing a great start to the day!

To ensure the safety and well-being of all students, we kindly ask that children are not left unsupervised at school before these times. For families needing to drop off children earlier, our OSH service is available and ready to help.

For our youngest learners in Kindy and Pre-primary, we request that parents supervise them until they enter their classrooms. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our school community safe and happy!

Uniform Reminder

In our first newsletter for 2026, I reminded families that students are required to wear all‑black shoes and black socks as part of the school uniform.

When the weather becomes cooler, girls now have the option to wear black tights under their school dresses. We understand that dark green tights are increasingly difficult to source; therefore, during 2026 only, girls may wear either green or black tights.
From 2027 onwards, only black tights will be permitted.

Advanced Notice – 3 Week Semester Break in 2027

Catholic Education WA (CEWA) will be moving toward the implementation of a three-week mid-year break for its 150 schools from the 2027 school year.

The three-week mid-year break is part of CEWA’s ongoing commitment to the wellbeing of staff and students. Students will continue to have the same number of contact hours across a school year as they currently do. In 2027, children will commence school on Thursday January 28. Term 2 will conclude on Friday June 25, and Term 3 will commence on Monday July 19.

This decision follows engagement with principals and significant research into how this initiative will positively impact teaching, learning, and wellbeing.

In Harmony

Martin Tucker

Principal

SCHOOL TIMES

Start: 8:25am

Finish 3:00pm

Monday - Finish 2:00pm

KINDERGARTEN TIMES

Start 8:25am

Finish 2:45pm

Monday - Finish 2:00pm

BREAKFAST CLUB

Monday to Friday 8:00 - 8:20am

HUNGRY JPs CANTEEN

Thursday Recess & Lunch

MARCH

Fri 6 - Year 4/5P Class Assembly
Weds 11 - Fri 13 - NAPLAN Y3 & Y5
Mon 16 - Fri 20 - NAPLAN Y3 & Y5
Mon 23 - Collaborative Conferences
Weds 25 - Collaborative Conferences
Fri 27 - Merit Assembly

APRIL

Thurs 2 - Holy Thursday Mass & Last Day of Term 1
Mon 20 - First Day of Term 2

2026 SACRAMENTAL DATES

Sacrament of Confirmation - Key Dates

Sacrament of Confirmation - Sunday 24 May 9.30am
Parent & Child Workshop - Tuesday 28 April 5.00pm

Sacrament of Holy Communion - Key Dates

Sacrament of First Holy Communion - Sunday 7 June 9.30am
Parent & Child Workshop - Tuesday 12 May 5.00pm

Sacrament of Reconciliation - Key Dates

Sacrament of Reconciliation - Friday 20 November 8.45am
Parent & Child Workshop - Tuesday 3 November 5.00pm

If your child is not baptised and you would like them to receive the Sacraments please contact our Parish Office on 6300 3800.

Please note: Students may receive a Sacrament in a different year level if appropriate (e.g., a Year 5 student may celebrate First Eucharist, or a Year 6 student may prepare for Reconciliation).

We look forward to sharing this important moment of faith with you and your child.

PROJECT COMPASSION

This Lent, our school community is invited to be a part of something incredible. Once again, we are called to stand hand in hand with thousands of others across the country and Unite Against Poverty by supporting Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion.

Last year, our school was a part of a nationwide movement that raised over $10 million to bring opportunity and change to vulnerable communities across the world. This year, with your support, we hope to have an even greater impact.

By taking home a Project Compassion donation box this year, you’ll be answering the Gospels’ call to care for our global family and walk alongside the most vulnerable. Your generosity will enable Caritas Australia to provide life-changing support to communities facing poverty, food insecurity, lack of education and water shortages, while building resilience against future challenges.

Together, through faith and action, we can bring hope and opportunity to those most in need.

Please donate today.

You can support Project Compassion 2026 through the donation boxes or by scanning the QR code to donate online.

You can also donate:
Online at: projectcompassion.org.au
By phone at: 1800 024 413

Thank you for standing with us, as we Unite Against Poverty this Lent.

NAPLAN assessments will take place from 11 March until 20 March.

Assessments are given in reading, writing, spelling, grammar & punctuation and numeracy. Students will complete the assessments online, except for the Year 3 Writing assessment, which will be completed on paper. The NAPLAN brochure sent home at the beginning of the term, to the parents of Year 3 and 5 students, gives more information about NAPLAN.

The NAPLAN assessments are one of the methods that schools use to determine the achievement of our students and can support school improvement by enabling teachers to monitor their students’ progress over time against the national measure. It provides additional information to support teacher judgement about improvement in a child’s level of literacy and numeracy.

Teachers will be working with students to ensure they are familiar with the test format, but it is important not to overstate the importance of the tests or to build up anxiety in the children.

In week 8 we will be holding Collaborative Conferences. These Parent-Student-Teacher meetings provide an opportunity for parents, students and teachers to sit together and discuss your child’s progress to date this year; as well as bring up any questions, queries or concerns that either you, your child or the teacher may have.

These Collaborative Conferences are important occasions that help us work together to provide the best possible learning opportunities for your children.

Collaborative Conferences will be held on:

Monday, 23 March from 2:10pm to 6:00pm; and

Wednesday, 25 March from 3:00pm to 5:30pm

If you are unavailable to meet with your child’s teacher on these days and would like to do so, please make alternate arrangements by contacting them.

Bookings are currently open and will close on Friday 20 March at 3pm.

To book click on this link: https://www.schoolinterviews.com/au/code/sncya

or scan the QR code above.

MASS TIMES

Mon - Fri: 7:45am

Sat: 9:30am & 6:00pm

Sun: 9:30am

RECONCILIATION, BAPTISM & WEDDINGS

By appointment via the Parish Office at St John Paul II Catholic Church.

PARISH PRIEST

Fr Christo Okoro

PARISH OFFICE

PH: 6300 3800

Available on Thursdays

TERMLY SPECIALS

TERM 1 2026

12 MAR - Mac N Cheese
19 MAR - Lasagna
26 MAR - Satay Chicken (no nuts)

TERM 1

2 February - 2 April 2026

TERM 2

20 April - 3 July 2026

TERM 3

21 July - 25 September 2026

TERM 4

13 October - 11 December 2026

Dear Parents,

Please be advised from Term 1 2026, the service will now be open from 6.30am.

We will be trialling this new opening time in Term 1 to see if it is a viable permanent option so we'd love your support in this endeavour.

What's Been Happening:

"Everyone here at OSHclub has been getting right in to the Christmas spirit. Children have had a great time making Christmas ornaments and paper chains to decorate our Christmas Tree.

From everyone here at St John Paul II OSHClub, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!"