Week 4- Term 3 - 2021

Dear Families

This Sunday 8th August, we celebrate the Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. 

While most Australians know Mary MacKillop's name, many are unaware of exactly what this compassionate, devout and determined young woman achieved in her lifetime or why she remains such an inspiration, not only to Australians but to men and women worldwide.

• The co-founder of the Josephites, the Sisters of St Joseph she was a tireless advocate of education and schools.
• Mary's unwavering commitment to those on the margins of society constantly met with opposition. But with her strength of faith in God and her vision of a better world for all, St Mary refused to be daunted.
• Travelling extensively throughout Australasia, St Mary founded convents, charitable institutions and free schools for children in Queensland, NSW, Victoria and SA as well as New Zealand, at a time when most families had to pay to educate their children and only the wealthy could afford to send their children to school.
• Filled with affection and a deep love of children, St Mary radiated warmth and kindness matched with boundless energy. Charismatic, she literally could light up a room and she became an inspiration to almost everyone she met with her piety, humility and love of life.

In remembering our first Australian Saint: Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, we can learn much from her incredible vision, courage and leadership. Today we celebrated her Feast Day with a Mass attended by Years 3,4 & 6.

Now more than ever, her sayings provide a guide for us to live by:

During Catholic Schools Week 2021 Kindergarten created cards for the Sisters of Saint Joseph’s at North Sydney and sent a photo of Kindergarten with their succulent plants for the Woodburn community. This week we received ‘thank you’ cards from the sisters. 

Sister Patte Snudden said, “ We have been quite moved by the kindness and care of your little school at Woodburn. I believe it is a place of joyful learning, fun and lots of interesting projects. I appreciate the time and effort it would take to get in action the beautiful letters of thanks you sent to our sisters and wonderful drawings.”

Mrs Barnes said that Kindergarten was impressed and grateful for the kind words and individual cards from the sisters.

The Catholic Schools Office has updated our current COVID-19 guidelines and unfortunately, our Junior Joeys Transition Program has been put on hold and will be postponed until further notice. 

We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause and appreciate your understanding in this matter. It is important that we continue to ensure the safety of all under the current circumstances. 

We will contact you when we are informed that Junior Joeys can commence at the school. In the meantime, we are working to set up a website to introduce transition activities online. You will receive an email in the coming weeks with a link to access the site. 

CURRENT COVID 19 GUIDELINES 

A big thank you to our parent community for your adherence to the current Covid guidelines. We continue to keep those people in our prayers who are in lockdown situations and those who are ill because of the virus. Some reminders from those guidelines include 

• 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.

TERM 3 SCHOOL FEES

The Term 3 School Fees have now been billed. Term 1 and Term 2 Fees are overdue and payment is requested. 

Please contact the school to discuss any outstanding balance or to arrange a payment plan. 

IN WEEK 4 OF TERM 3 WE ARE TRULY GRATEFUL FOR:

• Our Mini Vinnie Presidents Charlotte and Lean for the amazing job in encouraging our school community to donate to the 'care packs' to help people in our community.
• Our parents and students for their kindness in rising to the challenge of helping others through their much-appreciated donations to the 'care packs'. The response has been amazing. 
• Stage 2 for leading us in Mass today.
• Year 4 for their enthusiasm,  involvement and appreciation of their Accendere Retreat.
• Mrs Reese and Mrs Boyd for planning, resourcing and leading an amazing retreat experience for Year 4.

Have a wonderful weekend! Stay safe and well.   

Regards

SUNDAY GOSPEL REFLECTION The Feast of St Mary of the Cross Mackillop
Gospel Reading: Matthew 6: 25-34 -Do not worry about tomorrow as tomorrow will worry about itself - 

This weekend at Mass we celebrate St Mary of The Cross MacKillop the Patron of Australia, and our first Australian Saint. She was the founder of the religious order that started St Joseph's Catholic School Woodburn.

Mini Vinnies Winter Appeal

COMFORT PACKS - Thank you

Our Mini Vinnies have been collecting toiletry items such as soap, hand sanitiser, toothbrushes, toothpaste, sunscreen, face washes, shampoo etc to create comfort packs for the needy in our local community.

Thank you for the generous donations that have come from our school families and staff. Congratulations to all for a mighty effort.

Surely the Spirit of Jesus is alive and present within our school community.

STUDENT PROCLAIM DISCIPLESHIP RETREAT – ACCENDERE 2021

Year Four and teachers had a fun and enjoyable Accendere retreat today. Accendere means to ‘switch on, kindle to catch fire, light to strike, to produce/spark the flame. The theme of the retreat is FRIENDSHIP. Our students participated in a variety of activities to explore the concept of friendship, and the importance of having healthy relationships.  The Accendere program supports students on their faith journey and allows them to be immersed in a day that focuses on the themes of friendship and Gospel values.

Jesus said: I have loved you, so you must love one another. If you have a love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples.’ John 13: 34-35

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 students) - All Saints Church Woodburn WEDNESDAY 20th October 2021 at 6 pm. 

Parish Sacramental Program Family Meeting preparation dates are:  

1st Meeting: Saturday 11th September at 4:15 pm

2nd Meeting: Saturday 18th September at 4:15 pm

3rd  Meeting: Saturday 9th October at 4:15 pm

4th  Meeting: Saturday 16th October at 4:15 pm

Celebration of the Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop - Sunday 8th August

Celebration of the Feast of the bASSUMPTION - Sunday 15th August

LISMORE MUSICAL FESTIVAL 2021       31st 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 has been postponed indefinitely. We will keep you updated via Compass and the school Facebook.

Richmond Zone 1500m

This has been postponed indefinitely due to the current COVID-19 guidelines. 

CONGRATULATIONS!

CANTEEN ROSTER

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

THANK YOU LADIES!