Week 5- Term 4 - 2021

Dear Families

We were pleased to announce changes to the COVID 19 restrictions this week (sent to parents in Compass). While life outside of school is gathering pace to move forward to some form of normality, changes to life within the school is tiny steps. However, we see any form of going forward as a positive. The latest information in regards to the COVID 19 guidelines was forwarded to parents earlier this week. We will keep you informed of any updates and changes as we receive them. I know that the ending of our 2021 School Year will be a different one again but we will do the best we can to enjoy some events within the safety guidelines.  There will be information coming next week in relation to our adapted swimming carnival.  

SPORT
Sport within an individual school:

•  School sport may proceed by cohort in outdoor settings as follows:
•  No more than 50 people, including participants and organisers.
•  Organisers must have a COVID-19 safety plan in place including plans to minimise mingling and mixing between cohorts entering and exiting the location where the sport is taking place.
• Schools can make use of school facilities or local outdoor facilities (e.g. parks, ovals) but must minimise contact with those outside of the school cohort.
• The school must maintain a list of all students and staff who participate and attend each session for contact tracing purposes.

School sports activities may proceed in indoor settings as follows:

•  Organisers must have a COVID-19 safety plan in place, as part of the usual risk assessment process, including plans to minimise mingling and mixing between cohorts entering and exiting the location where the sport is taking place.
• Maximum capacity limit of no more than 1 person per 4 square metres when using indoor spaces for sport or exercise.
• Schools may use indoor facilities on school sites or make use of public indoor recreation facilities in line with community settings. Indoor and outdoor pools are permitted to be used with the above requirements, including for swimming carnivals.

Inter-school sports activities:

•  Inter-school sports trials, training and competitions; Inter-school representative sport; and grade sport training and competitions; will not proceed during school hours in Term 4, 2021, so schools can focus on learning during the school day. Subsequently, all diocesan Term 4 representative
  sports trials will not proceed.

YEAR 6 Graduation Assemblies:

• Schools may hold a Year 6 assembly from 1 December 2021 to recognise the completion of primary school. Refreshments may be provided at the school for Stage 3 students and staff, only if students bring their own food or single-portion packaged food is provided. Disposable plates and cutlery should be used. Hand hygiene and social distancing guidelines apply.
• Farewells:
  Primary schools may also consider planning for Year 6 farewells in line with the Covid safe requirements.
  
  

 JUNIOR JOEYS COMPLETED FOR 2021

Our Junior Joeys joined us for their final week this week squeezing in as much as they possibly could  to learn about their new big school for 2022. This year we had to reduce the number of weeks in the program due to COVID 19 restrictions but feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to get to know our 2022 Kindergarten students for at least 4 weeks.

We are hopeful that a final parent meeting will be held later in the term if the restrictions permit. We thank the new and current  parents for choosing St Joseph's for their child, and for participating in the Junior Joeys Program. 

A big thank you to Mrs Barnes, Mrs White and Mrs George for the terrific job that they have done in ensuring that our Junior Joeys had the best experience and introduction to big school as possible. 

Thank you Stage 2 for such a beautiful Mass today, your participation,  reverence and message was wonderful. Thank you, Mrs Cronan, Mrs Reese and Miss Smith!

IN WEEK 5 OF TERM 4 WE ARE TRULY GRATEFUL FOR:

• Stage 2 for a beautiful Mass
• The fact that we are allowed to have Stage Masses again
• Our Events Management Leaders- Hayley and Lucca for the amazing events they set up for constantly.
• Our Junior Joeys for such a successful transition program. We can't wait for you to be back with us as part of the St Joseph's community next year!

Regards

SUNDAY GOSPEL REFLECTION 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Reading: Mark 12: 38-44
Jesus notices a poor widow’s offering and commends her great sacrifice. Generosity is a trait we wish to encourage and develop in ourselves and in our children. 

In this week’s Gospel Jesus acknowledges the generosity of the poor widow, even though she gave a lesser amount to the treasury. Her small coins required a greater sacrifice than the large amounts contributed by those who were rich.

We are called to be generous like the widow. Many of us can feel that we have little to give to a world that has so many problems. As he did with the widow, Jesus is telling us that what is most important to God is to give what we have with a generous heart.

Celebrating 200 Years of Catholic Education in Australia

Last term our Stage Two students wrote personal letters to a Sister of St Joseph, Patricia Snudden. She was deeply touched by the quality and honesty shared in the children's letters. This week all the children received a personal letter from Sister Patricia, Sister Frances or Sister Elaine as a reply and these individualised letters responded to the thoughts and sharing of the students. We thank her for her selfless act of kindness.

We have also received an inscribed copy of Sister Patricia's beautiful book called Imagining Mary MacKillop With Whisperings from Mary.

This beautiful book uses creative images and words to inspire prayer and reflection, Many of the quotes of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop guide our actions today, such as: Never see a need without doing something about it." and " With God all things are possible." Sister Patricia reflects in her book as a response to the quote,"The Unseen becomes visible, the unheard is heard, the darkness made light"

THE SPIRIT OF JESUS  - 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, while at home and out in the wider community.

The most amazing thing happens when we do something good for others - we shine the light of the spirit of Jesus out of our hearts and, when we see others doing good things, we see the spirit of Jesus in them. How do we show the Spirit of Jesus? Every time you smile at someone it is an action of love, A gift to that person, a beautiful thing.

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

If we have the spirit of Jesus in our hearts, then we are kind, compassionate, welcoming cheerful, giving, forgiving, encouraging, cheerful, friendly and thankful.

ROSTER

If anybody is able to help out in Canteen in Term 4 could you please call Gayl on 66822468.

THANK YOU LADIES!