Week 1 Term 3 - 2021

Dear Families

Welcome to Term 3! I hope that you all had a relaxing and restful holiday with your children,  albeit a little different this time.  I know that some were impacted due to the restrictions and some last-minute changes and cancellations had to happen. Generally speaking, though we are very lucky to live in this beautiful region.  Our thoughts continue to be with all of the people currently impacted due to lockdowns and those ill with the virus. 

A reminder to all of our families, if you have visited a Covid hot spot during the holidays you need to have been tested before returning to school. If you are not sure about where these hotspots are please refer to the NSW Health Website.

• As mentioned in the email sent through Compass earlier this week, all visitors must sign in to both Service NSW COVID Safe Check-In and WOL (Who’s on Location). This allows us to meet child protection and emergency management legal requirements, AND the Service NSW COVID tracking QR system.

• Unfortunately, under the current guidelines parents are not permitted to visit classrooms or attend sporting events or assemblies. All group gatherings have been cancelled including parent-teacher interviews. Face masks are essential when entering the Office.   
• Unwell students, staff and visitors:
  If your child has cold or flu symptoms, please follow the health advice, get tested and stay at home while unwell. Students who are unwell and attend school will be sent home with the request to get tested. Visitors who have cold or flu symptoms will not be permitted to enter the school.

With the current guidelines in place, we are reluctantly postponing our Parent-Teacher interviews that were planned for Week 3. As soon as they permitted,  we still intend to hold those interviews. In the meantime, if you have any concerns in relation to your child's School Report or their learning, please contact the office to organise for your child's teacher to contact you.  Thank you for your understanding. 

The 2021 International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) will be held again this year at St Joseph's for students Year 2 - 6 in  English, Mathematics, Science, Digital Technologies, Writing and Spelling.  Information relating to these has been forwarded to parents via Compass. 

WELCOME RAMA

Last Tuesday we welcomed Rama Cullen, a new student to Year 4.  Rama is settling in well. We also welcome his parents Sean and Anni to the St Joseph's Community. 

IN  WEEK 1 WE ARE TRULY GRATEFUL FOR:

• Our wonderful students being back at school for Term 3.
• Our students for adapting so readily to our changes due to the current guidelines.
• To our amazing Mini Vinnies students and Mrs Boyd who are busily organising comfort packs to help those in the community who are experiencing hardship. 
• The wonderful holiday that we have had and our treasured time of rest and family. 
• Our Staff Development Day to further enhance teacher and student learning. 
• Our parents for your understanding and adherence to the current guidelines.
• For all at the Catholic Schools Office for keeping us up to date with the changing conditions and guidelines and ensuring the ongoing safety of our students, staff and families  

Have a wonderful weekend.  Stay safe and well.   

Regards

SUNDAY GOSPEL REFLECTION The 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Gospel Reading: - John 6:1-15
Jesus feeds the crowd of more than five thousand people with five barley loaves and two fish. 

In this week's Gospel, we read that Jesus gave thanks to God for the food that was given to him and fed more than 5,000 people. All the people ate and had their fill. Then what did Jesus tell his disciples to do? (collect the leftovers so that nothing would be wasted) Jesus accepted the contribution of food that was given to him, and this small offering became more than enough to feed the crowd. This miracle teaches us about the great gift we receive in the Eucharist, we receive the gifts of bread and wine, we offer ourselves, giving thanks to God for all that we have been given. We are reminded that God has given us many gifts to share and can do amazing things when we offer these gifts in service to others.

Mini Vinnies Winter Appeal

COMFORT PACKS

Each year, Vinnies provides shelter, food, clothing, financial support, friendship and care for tens of thousands of people in NSW. Since the coronavirus outbreak, their volunteers and staff have worked tirelessly and creatively to keep their doors open at a time of increasing need. Now, more than ever is the time for us to come together to support those experiencing hardship. By supporting the Vinnies Winter Appeal, it will make a difference for people whose lives have been turned upside down. Students, teachers and parents can contribute in several ways: by raising money, donating material goods, or performing simple acts of kindness. Last Year our Mini Vinnies and school community were praised for our mighty effort in creating comfort packs for the needy in our community. We were encouraged to continue this selfless initiative. 

Our Mini Vinnies are collecting toiletry items such as soap, hand sanitiser, toothbrushes, toothpaste, sunscreen, face washes, face masks, shampoo etc to create comfort packs for the needy in our community. Donations of items for our comfort packs will be welcome. Please send in items as soon as convenient or by Wednesday 4th August. Thank you!

MAKING JESUS REAL - (MJR)

At St Joseph’s Woodburn we encourage our students to “Make Jesus Real’” by the way they act in our school community and while at home and out in the community

MJR at St Joseph’s Woodburn encourages our students to be WEST people - that is WELCOMING, ENCOURAGING, SAY SORRY when needed and be THANKFUL.

IMPORTANT DATES:

SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION (Year 3 and other students) - All Saints Church Woodburn WEDNESDAY 20th October 2021 at 6 pm. Parents wanting their children to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation are asked to contact Megan Boyd or the school office. Children will need to have received the Sacrament of Baptism prior to the Confirmation date.

LISMORE MUSICAL FESTIVAL 2021       131st AUGUST - 3rd September

If any parent would like more information about the Lismore Musical Festival please see Gayl at the Parish Office,

Athletics

The Richmond Zone Athletics Carnival to be held in Riverview Park, South Lismore has been changed to 27 July 2021.  Parents will be advised of any further changes or postponements. 

Diocesan High Jump and Discuss Nominations

There are no trials at the school or Richmond Zone level for either of these events. Students wishing to compete at the Lismore Diocesan Carnival on Friday, 13th August, are required to self nominate. Please return the completed and signed form to John Cocciola at the mail or email address ( on the note) by Tuesday 27th July 2021. All nominations must be endorsed by your accredited athletics coach.

Richmond Zone 1500m

The 1500m is a new event that has been introduced as a representative pathway in Athletics. Participation in this event will be by nomination only. The Richmond Zone 1500m will be held at 4:00 pm on  Monday 26 July at Riverview Park. Only two students (boys and girls) in each age group  (Juniors, 11’s and Seniors) can be selected. Any change in these dates will be advised. 

CANTEEN ROSTER

If anybody is able to help out in Canteen in Term 3 could you please call Gayl on 66822468.

THANK YOU LADIES!