Dear Families

As we come to the end of the year, we look back on 2020 as a year like no other. Our learning was different, our community, relationship and connections were different. This was an unexpected year but one that will never be forgotten! This year we were starkly reminded that our highest priority needs are for safety, connection and belonging (Maslow).

Despite the restrictions, changes, new practices, cancellations and setbacks, we made it through.  The way that we as a community have adapted because of COVID 19 has been nothing short of amazing. The levels of understanding, support, working together, adapting and accepting change throughout this year by our whole school community has ensured that we arrived at its closing together and just as strong as ever. I will always look back on this year with immense pride and gratitude. 

Now is the time to reflect on the year that was and acknowledge the learning, the joy, the sorrows and the challenges that the year has brought us. We know that we have much to be grateful for, to celebrate, to congratulate and to farewell with love, joy and fondness. Our lives have been enriched by many people and events of 2020.
As we prepare for the joy of Christmas and the wonderful gift of the birth of Jesus, we give thanks for the many gifts bestowed on St Joseph's throughout 2020:

Our amazing students  You, our parent community  Our teachers, teacher aides and  Mrs Feros.  Our Counsellor, cleaner and  groundsman  Fr Michael Hickey  Our Year 6 leaders and buddies  Our School and Vice Captains

Our Student Representative Council  Our Mini Vinnies  Our Sports House Captains  Our Events Management Leaders Our Parent Forum Mass Celebrations  Year 6 Graduation Dinner and Mass

A big thank you for all of our gifts from 2020.

Welcome to our new acting Assistant Principal 2021 

It is with much pleasure that I announce to our community that our Acting Assistant Principal for 2021 is Miss  Sophie Taylor.  Sophie returns to us with a wealth of experience and knowledge and a keen passion to continue and add to the teaching, learning and leadership of our wonderful school. Sophie is already a member of our Parish community and is currently the Instructional Leader and Leader of Pedagogy at St Joseph’s Coraki. I know that you will join with me in congratulating Sophie and we look forward to welcoming her next year.  

Leadership Speeches 

Last Monday morning the Year 5 students presented their Leadership speeches to the whole school assembly, successfully explaining why they will make great school leaders in 2021.

Congratulations on your courage and effort Year 5!

The elected School Captains and Vice Captains will be announced at the Assembly next Monday morning. 

Student Maths Assessment Interviews (MAI's) 2021

Our school is an EMU (Extended Mathematical Understanding) school and as part of that initiative, our teachers will again do Maths Assessment Interviews with each student individually for Years 1-6 over the first two days of the 2021 school year.

The students in Years 1-6 will be required to attend the school for a Maths Assessment Interview on one of the first two days of school: Thursday 28 January and Friday 29 January 2021. Each student assessment takes approximately 30 minutes. The Best Start Testing for 2021 Kindergarten students will occur during the
same time,  the MAI is included in that testing.
All student s Kinder-Year 6 will commence normal classes on Monday 1 February.

All parents have been sent an email with instructions on how to book the MAI assessment online. 

Once students are mapped on the Mathematical Assessment Interview, the staff
will have a better understanding of their ability, their individual needs and how to
make change through the Intervention process. This is a Diocesan initiative, for
which we are extremely grateful to be involved. Thank you for your co-operation and support of your child's Mathematical understanding and progress.

• Our Year 5 students for their Leadership speeches
• Mini Vinnies and Mrs Boyd for the organising and the whole school community for your kindness and generosity to others by adding to the Christmas Hamper baskets. 
• Our Sports Captains
• Mrs Barnes for organising and running our Swimming Carnival
• Our students' enthusiasm to be involved and 'have a go' in the School Swimming Carnival.

• 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:

Celebrating the Third Sunday of Advent

Gospel Reading

John 1:6-8,19-28
John gives testimony that he is preaching and baptising in order to prepare for the coming of another.

Today’s Gospel talks about John the Baptist and how he gave witness to Jesus.  We can recognise Jesus’ presence in our world because we have learned about Jesus from the Bible, from the Church, and through the words and example of others.

This Christmas we should bring the love of Jesus to others in practical ways through acts of kindness and prayer, so that joy and gladness prevail.

Thank you to our wonderful school community for your generous donations to the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal

Mr Paul Muldoon from the Evans Head St Vincent de Paul has extended his heartfelt gratitude to the school community for our continued support and generosity of the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal. He also messaged: "We pray that you all have a Happy and Holy Christmas."

Congratulations to all classes, and especially Stage One and your teachers for your mighty effort in filling two baskets to overflowing.

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

Strategies For Taming Teasing

These are the different strategies that can be used if someone is teasing you. It might be helpful during the holidays for when siblings start teasing each other!!

School Swimming Carnival

St Joseph's annual Swimming Carnival was held today at the Evans Head Aquatic Centre in some very unsettled weather. Our students were absolutely magnificent, with their swimming, their cheering, their sportsmanship and their general support and care of each other. we love that so many of them 'had a go' regardless of their swimming ability. Congratulations to all!

Due to the weather, it was necessary to cut the carnival a little short. The Junior and Senior Champions trophies, along with the Colour House Champions Trophy will be presented next Monday.

Due to the cancellation of our Community Fair this year, we have had to go virtual with our student art auction. All artworks have been created by the students (with a little bit of teacher help) and they are a wonderful memento of your child's class for 2020. 

You can access the auction through the top menu on our School Website   https://www.wdbplism.catholic.edu.au/

This site will be live from 8:00 am Saturday 12th December and will remain open for bidding until 3:00 pm Monday 14th December.

Winners will be notified on Monday 14th December and artworks can be collected from the School Office from Tuesday 15th December. 

Please contact the school on Monday if you are having any difficulties in taking part.

Happy Bidding!

Thank you!

CANTEEN ROSTER

Many thanks to the parents who have helped out in the canteen this Year. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas from the Students and Staff.

THANK YOU LADIES!