Principals Message

Dear Families

This weekend we look forward to joining together to celebrate our students  Charlotte, Madison, Seleste, Sylvie, Ruby, Sasha and Zoey, who will be making their First Holy Communion. 

These students and their parents have committed to working together over the last month, attending Saturday meetings followed by Mass as a way of preparing for this exciting day. The preparation is important and is a wonderful journey together as a group of students with their parents. It builds knowledge on the learnings of classwork and allows for discussion and sharing between parent and child on each other's experiences and understandings.  It is a commitment that highlights the priority and importance that each of us places on the preparation for these very special Sacraments. It also signals the importance to your child. 

My Communion Prayer

Dear God, I know that You give me many gifts.The gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ in Holy Communion is the greatest of all.

How can I ever thank You
enough for this special gift?
At Mass we are called to be like Jesus, by loving and serving one another in the world.

As I become more like Him, please continue to
help me. Show me the places and ways that

I can bring Your love, kindness, and peace
to others....
in my family,
in my neighbourhood,                          
in my community,
with my friends.
I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

The Sacrament of First Holy Communion

The word Eucharist comes from the Greek word meaning ‘thanksgiving’.  During the Sacrament of Eucharist program students explore his or her own interaction in their family and in the Church.  They further explore the themes of inclusion, ritual, celebration, thanksgiving and meals.  They learn that the celebration of the Mass includes the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.  They learn that those who receive Holy Communion are called to be agents of change and teach others about God through their actions towards others.  The celebration of the Eucharist nourishes and nurtures us so that we are enabled to act and live with courage and commitment as disciples of Jesus in our world.

Our Catholic School and Parish are here to help support our students' Faith formation and also your vocation as parents.

We become full members of the Catholic Church when we have received the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion. These Sacraments are the beginning of a life-long journey as Christians. Information about the Sacraments is available at the school. Please contact the school if you require any further information. 

A reminder of the following upcoming Staff Development Days (PUPIL FREE), as communicated in an early Term 1 newsletter. 

Friday 25 June 2021 ( Friday Week 10 Term 2)-

Spirituality Module, Data Walls (The Learning  Collaborative)

Monday 12 July 2021 (Monday Week 1 Term 3)

Spirituality Module, Curriculum- Compliance and Quality Assurance, The Learning Collaborative. 

What did Week 8 hold?

• BFF Groups- Mindfulness
• Parent Forum Meeting- Thank you to those parents who were able to attend  
• Fitness Activities
• SRC Meeting - Preparations for Fundraiser at the end of term
• Staff Meeting - Evangelisation
• St Joseph's Athletics Carnival- Thanks to the staff and parents for your help
• Student Support Officer Bel in classrooms and running activities during lunch and recess. 
• Whole School Mass led by Stage 3- Friday
• First Holy Communion- Saturday 12 June
• Farewell to Fr Jim

Goodbye Fr Jim- we wish you well

It is with sadness that we say goodbye this week to Fr Jim Carty and wish him all the best for the future. Fr Jim has been our priest this year. He continued to celebrate school Masses for us, he attended school events wherever possible and has been an amazing support to our Sacramental students and families. 

Fr Jim is returning to Sydney for health reasons. We thank him for all that he has been for us and wish him well. He will be sadly missed by our staff, students and parishioners. We hope that he comes back to visit at some stage. 

SCHOOL PHOTOS

A reminder that our School Photos are scheduled for Wednesday 23 June 2021 (Week 10).

KINDERGARTEN 2022

A reminder to our current families who would like to enrol siblings for next year, we are enrolling students now. You can collect your enrolment pack from the office or let us know if you would like one sent home. The enrolment forms are live on our website to complete. I am hoping to commence enrolment interviews in the last couple of weeks this term, so letters can be sent out in early Term 3.

Please make sure that you spread the word to friends and relatives who are looking to start their child in Kindergarten in 2022.

PARENT FORUM MEETING

Agenda items from the Parent Forum meeting held last Monday 7 June. 

• The money raised from the St Joseph's Community Fair is approx $5000 (Art Auction money still to come in.) We are very appreciative and plan to use the money raised to begin to purchase contemporary furniture for the Stage 2 Flexible Learning Space.  
• Reflection and review of the Community Fair- considerations for 2022
• Discussion around the current staff review of the Child Protection Policy and the Road Safety Policy available on the  School website. 
• Enrolments 2022
• Compass- Feedback sought- positives, concerns or issues. 
• The Athletics Carnival - the ordering of food etc for the Canteen. Thanks, Helen for your work with this.
• First Holy Communion - Preparation for the supper following the Sacrament- Thank you, Mel, for your volunteering to prepare the food. 
• Class Parents- we have had trouble getting a Class Parent for each class this year. 
• School Disco- 22 October 2021- further discuss next meeting. 
• Pupil Free Days and upcoming dates for Term 3. 

eSafety's Guide to Parental Controls Free Webinar

This eSafety free webinar will look at how parents and carers can set up devices and apps to help kids and young people stay safe online. It is designed for parents and carers of children aged 4-13.

It will cover:

• the benefits and limitations of parental controls
• how to set up iOS and Android devices for safety
• how to set up popular games and apps like YouTube and Roblox for safety
• using family tech agreements and other parenting strategies to manage online risks
• how eSafety can help when things go wrong.

This webinar will include practical tips, demonstrations and advice.

Choose from one of the following dates/ times:

• Wednesday 16 June 7.30 to 8.30 pm

Parents/carers can register at 

https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/9188680659348918543 https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/9188680659348918543

CURRENT COVID GUIDELINES 

• Students and staff with even mild symptoms of COVID 19 are not to attend school. Parents of symptomatic children should provide evidence of a negative result prior to returning to school. In circumstances where children have other medical reasons for recurrent symptoms, a letter from the GP is sufficient to negate the requirement for a negative test.

• We will continue our regular COVID safe practices of student's hand sanitising on entry to the classrooms and after mealtimes and during the day.  

WEEK 8 HIGHLIGHTS THAT WE ARE TRULY GRATEFUL FOR

• Our SRC and their efforts to seek student voice and raise money for those in need. 
• Our Parent's who continually support the school through the Parent Forum, volunteering to work at or run canteen events, Class Parents. 
• Mrs Barnes for all her work with organising and running the Athletics Carnival.
• The parents of our students making the Sacrament of Holy Communion- thank you for supporting your child in their journey by attending the preparation classes and Mass. 
• Our students for their willingness to have a go and achieve their best at the Athletics Carnival
• Our staff, who continue to seek ways to improve and grow their teaching. 
• Our Stage 3 students for leading us in Mass. 
• Fr Jim- thank you for all that you have done and been while you have been with us.

Have a wonderful weekend!  

Regards