Dear Families,

We have had another wonderful week at St Joseph's. This week we have continued our Book Fair but the main emphasis for us as a school has been on celebrating NAIDOC Week with the 2020 theme of, 'Always Was.  Always Will Be'.  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were Australia’s first explorers, first navigators, first engineers, first farmers, first botanists, first scientists, first diplomats, first astronomers and first artists.

REMEMBRANCE DAY:

On Wednesday 11 November,  we took the time as a school to reflect and pray for all those who have fought and died to keep us safe. The day was marked with a morning liturgy, a minutes silence at 11 am and the School Captains Lara and Jahli and Vice Captains Breanna and Bradley attended and laid a wreath at the Remembrance Day Service at Evans Head. LEST WE FORGET!

ST JOSEPH'S CORRECT SCHOOL UNIFORM:

All students are expected to have the correct full school uniform and to take pride in it. The uniform is a symbol of the school and what it stands for. When worn correctly it will help students identify with the school and develop a sense of pride in self and the school.

FAREWELL TO OUR PRAC TEACHERS

We have been very blessed over the last 5 weeks to have Prac Teachers, Maddie Smith, Shoni Reilly, Eboni Flaherty and Chantelle Adams working with the students and teachers in Kindergarten and Years 3 & 4. Today we bid them farewell. We thank them for their teaching, enthusiasm, professionalism, hard work and friendship during the time that they have been with us and wish them all the very best for their future study and teaching career. 

• NAIDOC WEEK and our Indigenous visitors Steve Trotter, Ashley Moran and Marcus Ferguson.
• Books, books, books
• Our Wonderful Prac Teachers- Miss Smith, Miss Reilly, Miss Flaherty and Miss Adams.
• All who have fought to keep us safe. 
• Our amazing Junior Joeys.
• All who supported the Book Fair.

• Staff and students exhibiting even mild COVID-19 symptoms are to be sent home and required to produce proof of a negative COVID-19 test before returning to school. 
• Non-essential adults are not be permitted to enter the school grounds. We ask that no parents enter the school past the front office. All inquiries to the front office, please. 
• Pick up and drop off will continue out the front of the school. 
• Canteen for lunches only is continued to be offered if we are able to get parent volunteers to assist.  
• It is paramount in these times, in particular,  that any child who is unwell is kept at home. We appreciate your understanding and consideration for the safety of the other students and the staff.
• Our bubblers will still not to be used and therefore the children require a water bottle.
• Our stringent hygiene practices for our new normal continue with: the washing of hands regularly; sanitiser after eating, no food or drinks to be shared; coughing and sneezing into elbows, tissues discarded immediately, cleaning of the desks between lunch and recess breaks and extra cleaning of the school by our cleaners.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Regards

This Sunday's Gospel Reading: 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Matthew 25:14-34

Jesus tells the parable of the talents, in which he teaches about the importance of using the gifts that God has given to us in service to the Kingdom of Heaven.

In this Gospel, Jesus talked about how our trustworthiness in small matters shows that we can also be trusted to share in the work of serving the Kingdom of Heaven.  We share in the work of serving the Kingdom of Heaven when we use our talents to help, love and serve others.

We all have particular skills and abilities, and each person’s combination of skills and abilities is unique. Our skills and abilities are among God’s many gifts to us, so we are called by our faith to use our gifts to build healthy relationships within our families, school and the local community.

Tuesday 24th November 2020   7-8 pm

The Catholic Schools Parent Assembly has organised a special Christmas treat for all the family - so save the date: 

Fr Rob Galea is an international renowned Maltese-Australian priest and a  Christian singer-songwriter. At present he is an assistant priest serving the Catholic community of Bendigo. He has devoted his time to his passion for Christian ministry and contemporary music.

Father Rob has even featured in national newspapers and magazines as well as on TV Channel 10's The Project. He was even a contestant on Australia's THE X Factor.

In light of the Covid-19 restrictions, our St Joseph’s NAIDOC Week Celebrations took on a slightly different flavour this year.

The week commenced with a Welcome to Country and Liturgy to highlight this year’s theme “Always Was, Always Will Be”. Our Year 4 students helped to recite an acrostic poem called RECONCILIATION - this poem was shared during the morning assembly on Monday and Tuesday.

To comply with the restrictions, class teachers in each stage were responsible for leaving the daily activities.  Firstly the students in each class viewed the National Indigenous Literacy Day video, which contained stories and songs performed in Indigenous Languages, by well-known authors and entertainers.  The Foundation supports the creation of Indigenous Literacy resources for communities all over Australia.  Our students were shown some of the examples of the work that the Indigenous Literacy Foundation has successfully achieved.  

To follow on from last week’s celebration of Book Week, the students were read a variety of Indigenous themed shortlisted books.  The classes created a mural for the library and this week they participated in a “Happening Session” organised by their class teachers.  Len Moran, organised guest speakers to share with the children local Indigenous stories and sacred sites.  We are grateful to Steve Trotter, Mark Ferguson and Ash Moran for sharing their time and knowledge with us.

Also as part of our celebrations, Nyah Roxburgh beautifully welcomed our school community to Country in the Bundjalung language during morning assemblies.

You are now able to access this and other important Parish information by clicking on the link below.

Richmond Zone Summer Sports Trials

School Swimming Carnival

We have had to change the School Swimming Carnival date due to unforeseen circumstances. The new date is 11 December 2020 (Week 9- Friday) at the Evans Head Aquatic Centre.  Unfortunately, our carnival will be held without spectators this year.  The nomination entry form will be issued today Friday the 13th November 2020. Notes will need to be returned by 20th November 2020.

School Water Awareness Program

Our water awareness program finished this week at the Woodburn Pool. Over the last three weeks, it was wonderful to watch the children’s enjoyment during this program.

Congratulations

CANTEEN ROSTER

Could you please give Gayl a call on 66822468 if you

are able to help out in the canteen during Term 4.

THANK YOU LADIES!