Week 7 Term 4 2023
Dear Families,
I came across the prayer recently and felt the need to share it this week.
God of all, we give thanks today
for all our students, staff and families and the contributions we have made to this school community.
May we be blessed for all that we do.
May we be encouraged to continue to share our gifts and talents.
Let us be supported as we risk, as we give, and as we grow. Amen.
As mentioned further in this newsletter, this Sunday we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King, the last Sunday of the Liturgical year. We then begin the Season of Advent where we as a community begin to prepare for the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas by reflecting and looking forward with hope, peace, love and joy.
As we enter into the last month of school for 2023 it's a fitting time to look back and be amazed at what a different year it has been and how we have all come together to make it through. We continue to value and appreciate your support as parents.
EMERGENCY PLANNING
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLANNING
The safety of our students, families and staff is our highest priority. In order to best ensure this, the St Joseph’s Primary School leadership and staff, supported by the Catholic Schools Office, plan for a number of possible incidents, emergencies or natural disasters that could take place at school or during the school term. The events of recent years have reinforced how important this planning is and we all have a role to play when it comes to emergency management, including families.
Our students participate in various safety drills and staff participate through training and safety drills. We’d like to share with you the role of parents and families in emergency management.
School Lockdown
A number of the situations we plan for include a school lockdown as one of the immediate safety actions to ensure the safety of our students and staff. We understand that some may understand the word ‘lockdown’ to mean there is an immediate safety risk to all students. It is important to understand that when a school initiates a lockdown this may not be the case.
Depending on the situation, the purpose of a school lockdown will differ. A school lockdown may be a preparation step for an evacuation, or a school lockdown may allow emergency services access to an area of the school without having to navigate past students. Regardless of the purpose of a school lockdown, no one can be admitted to the school grounds other than emergency services.
Should we initiate a school lockdown, parents and families will be informed via text message and Compass notification. We will also inform parents and families as soon as the school lockdown has been lifted or if there are any actions required of parents and families. It is important that you do not attempt to attend the school during a school lockdown. We understand that you may be concerned however attending the school may also add risk to a possible emergency situation, block emergency services or impede an evacuation.
Natural Disaster
In the event of a natural disaster, such as flood or bushfire, the school leadership, supported by the Catholic Schools Office, will determine if it is safe for the school to open. If there is a probability the school may have to close part way through the day, the school will not open for that day as it is extremely difficult to evacuate a school site and ensure all students are able to go directly home safely.
In a bush fire or flood event it is important that parents and families have a plan to get your child/ren home from school, or into your care, at short notice. Please be aware that school buses may not be running and the school can not allow your child/ren to go home to an empty house or home with another parent without your permission.
Family Preparedness
How can you help us prepare for emergency situations? Please ensure that:
- You have downloaded Compass and have allowed notifications.
- Any changes to your contact details or custodial arrangements have been updated with the school.
- [for schools in bush fire or flood prone regions] You have a bush fire/flood plan in place that all members of your family understand.
- In the event of a school lockdown or evacuation, directions in the parent notifications are
It is always our hope that these measures will never be needed but it is also our responsibility to ensure our school community is prepared and informed should the need arise. We thank you in advance for your support and cooperation.
Jeanette Wilkins, Principal and Nigel McIntyre, Work Health and Safety Manager, Catholic Schools Office
CALLUM ROBSON COMES TO JOEYS
OUR REGIONAL SERVICE LEADER JOHN WILSON
IS LEAVING.
Throughout the last couple of years, many of you have met and come into contact with our Regional Service Leader, Mr John Wilson. We have recently been informed that John has been offered and accepted a position as Director, School Services with Catholic Education, Tasmania commencing in the New Year.
We are sorry to see John leave. He has journeyed with us throughout the last couple of difficult years and has always been approachable, calm, keen to listen and very supportive. His wisdom and expertise have been valued and very much appreciated. We thank him for being with us and wish him all the very best in his new position.
Mr Aaron Beech will be replacing John for the 2024 year. Aaron is the current Principal of St John's College Woodlawn and brings with him a wealth of knowledge and skills. We look forward to working with Aaron.
DAVID YOUNGER MEETS WITH THE PARENT CONSULTATION GROUP AND STAFF
Yesterday we welcomed David Younger back to St Joseph's. David is a clinical psychologist and natural disaster and emergency recovery consultant.
Last night David met with the Parent Consultation Group. The session provided an opportunity for David to follow up with the group with a focus on reconnecting, creating a context and purpose for the evening, asking for their feedback and impressions regarding the announcement to return to the original site, identifying queries./questions they may have had, before moving into further discussion about next steps for the group.
Today David reconnected with the staff.
We thank David for his ongoing support and wisdom on Disaster Recovery and look forward to our future meetings and partnership.
NUT AWARE SCHOOL
Common food allergens include peanuts and tree nuts ( such as cashews and walnuts), sesame, egg, cows milk, shellfish, fish and soy.
At St Joseph's, we are a nut-aware school. This means we request that all nuts and any food containing nuts are not brought to school.
Thank you for your understanding and
compliance with this request.
UPCOMING DATES TO NOTE
| Friday 1 December | Stage 2 Mass |
| Monday 4 December | Advent Liturgy |
| Tuesday 5 December | Year 5 Leadership Speeches |
| Wednesday 6 December | Leaders Thank You afternoon |
| Thursday 7 December | Music Students Presentation 10am |
| Friday 8 December | St Joseph's Swimming Carnival |
| Monday 11 December |
St Joseph's end-of-year celebration Christmas Carols and Picnic |
| Tuesday 12 December | Step up Day |
| Thursday 14 December | Year 6 Graduation Dinner |
| Friday 16 December |
Year 6 Graduation Mass LAST DAY OF THE 2023 SCHOOL YEAR FOR ALL STUDENTS |
IN WEEK 7 OF TERM 4 WE ARE TRULY GRATEFUL FOR:
- Callum Robson for taking the time to be with us.
- Stage 3 for their terrific Assembly
- David Younger for continuing to support our Parent Consultation Group and staff.
- Our Award Winners for guiding the way in weeks 6 & 7
Have a wonderful weekend.
Jeanette Wilkins
Principal
GOSPEL REFLECTION:
The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King (Thirty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time)
Matthew 25:31-46 Jesus teaches that when the Son of Man comes in glory he will judge
Jesus knows us very well and will use this knowledge and understanding about us when he returns to judge all people. However, in this week's Gospel, Jesus teaches us that his judgment of us will be based on one thing. He says that whenever we show mercy to one of the least ones among us, we show mercy to Jesus himself. That is how much we have loved others in our lives.
ADVENT: The Lismore Diocese Parent Assembly has prepared resources for families as they prepare for Advent and Christmas the link below has many interesting suggestions you may like to try.
Mini-Vinnies Christmas Hamper Appeal
This year our school “Mini-Vinnies” members are helping coordinate this appeal.
Christmas can be a very lonely and difficult time financially for many people so we should remember that we all can make a difference by helping others and by showing we care.
Each class are encouraged to help a needy family by students and their teachers bringing along to school items to place in the empty Christmas Hamper baskets.
Suitable items for the Hampers would be non-perishable groceries such as pasta, rice, soft drinks, nuts, puddings, Christmas Cake, biscuits, tinned fruit, breakfast cereal, fruit juice etc.
Please check the use-by dates before donating any items.
The Mini-Vinnies Team thank you for your anticipated support and generosity.
St Joseph's SPIRIT OF JESUS AWARD
At St Joseph's we encourage our students to look for the goodness in others. Our school Vice Captains-Mission this year Charlotte Robinson and Beau Jubber have been given the responsibility of helping to acknowledge students who demonstrate the attitudes and gospel values that show the Spirit of Jesus.
If we have the spirit of Jesus in our hearts, then we are kind, compassionate, welcoming, cheerful, friendly, encouraging, giving, forgiving thankful, and respectful. This week the Spirit of Jesus Award was presented to Ben Moss and Rose Quirk at the school assembly.
Important Dates
STAGE TWO MASS - Friday 1st December at 9:30 am - All Welcome
ADVENT LITURGY - Monday 4th December at 9:05 am in the school library
SCHOOL LEADERS THANK YOU AFTERNOON - Wednesday 6th December - 2:00 pm - 3 pm
Christmas Carols and Picnic at school - Monday 11th December at 6 pm - All Welcome
Year 6 Graduation Dinner -Thursday 14th December 6 pm
Year 6 Graduation Mass - Friday 15th December 9:30 am - ALL WELCOME
Woodburn Christmas Carols - Saturday 16th December
A St Joseph's Woodburn Good News Story Shared with the Diocese of Lismore
After visiting St Joseph's and seeing the wonderful work happening in our Kinder and Stage 1 classrooms our Education Officer Debbie Dwyer has written the following article to be shared with the Diocese of Lismore school staff.
Good News From Around the Grounds
St Joseph’s Woodburn
We are excited to share a positive Good News story about the success of using the MulitiLit Storybook program and the DoE Units of Work at St Joseph’s, Woodburn.
Students at St Joseph’s have been thriving with the MultiLit Storybook approach, fostering routine and a sense of creativity through modelled and explicit instruction. Teachers are flexible in leveraging their knowledge and understanding of the new English Curriculum in crafting lessons to encompass all curriculum components using Storybook and the DoE units of work as valuable resources. By designing five-day units, selecting books aligned to the DoE Scope and Sequence, and tailoring grammar-level lessons, teachers have ensured rich and flexible learning experiences for their students.
MulitiLit Storybook is more than just literature; it’s a gateway to the joy of reading and storytelling. This approach exposes the students to diverse topics, introducing them to words and language beyond everyday conversations and instilling a deep understanding of how reading functions. Students are captivated throughout the lessons as they move seamlessly across the English Focus areas.
A critical feature of the success is the dedicated planning days offered to teachers each term. These sessions have equipped them with a sound understanding of the syllabus and its underlying core concepts. Their approach supports them as educators in implementing the curriculum in a way that ensures students gain a depth of understanding.
As the teachers continue to learn and adapt, the insights gained this year will undoubtedly shape their planning for the future, ensuring an even more tailored and impactful learning experience for the students.
LEGO CLUB
AWARDS - WEEK 6
| Kindergarten | Oscar Piccini and Oliver St Vincent Welch |
| YEAR 1 | Harper Marsden |
| YEAR 2 | Logan Riddle |
| YEAR 3 | Isabella Salmi |
| YEAR 4 | Tom Bailey and Amahli Harford |
| YEAR 5 | Huntah Edwards |
| YEAR 6 | Zoey Campbell |
| Spirit of Jesus | Rose Quirk and Ben Moss |
AWARDS - WEEK 7
| Kindergarten | Jordie Johns and Lester Moran |
| YEAR 1 | Archie Swanson |
| YEAR 2 | Archie Martin |
| YEAR 3 | Katy Hull |
| YEAR 4 | Thomas Walsh |
| YEAR 5 | Cooper Bailey |
| YEAR 6 | Ben Moss and Stage 3 Rugby Girls |
| Spirit of Jesus | Amy Bolkum |
PIE DAY FRIDAY CONTINUES -
Spinach and Fetta Rolls available
Spinach and Fetta Rolls - $4.50 from Wardell Pies will now be available on Pie Day Fridays. All orders need to be on paper bags with the child's name, class and what they would like to order clearly written on them with the money enclosed.
|
Large Pies |
$3.50 |
| Mini Pies | $2.50 |
| Sausage Rolls | $2.50 |
| Spinach and Fetta Rolls | $4.50 |
| Big M Chocolate Milk | $1.50 |
| Apple Blackcurrant Popper | $1.50 |
ORDERS ARE TO BE IN BY THURSDAY - THANK YOU
