Week 4- Term 1 - 2022
Dear Families
Yesterday you would have received the news that we can again welcome visitors into the school from Monday 28 February 2022. We look forward to holding our school assemblies with a parent audience, Parent Forum meetings, Parent Teacher Interview nights, Cross Country and the list continues.
We do ask that you remain vigilant in relation to COVID, keep the children at home if they have symptoms and test when necessary. Please continue to inform the school of any positive tests. It is imperative that we continue to work together to keep our students and staff safe and well.
Next Friday Stage 3 will present some of their current learning and their 2022 journey so far, to the School at an Assembly. Parents are welcome to join us. The assembly starts at 2.30 pm in the Library.
The Church Season of Lent
And just like that Lent is upon us!
Next week we begin the Church Season of LENT. Ash Wednesday, is the commencement of the Lenten Season (the six weeks in the lead up to Easter) and culminates in the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection.
Lent is about the preparation for Easter, which includes prayers, fasting and penance over forty days.
It is a time for personal reflection as we struggle with our bad habits or choices and find new opportunities to turn back to God. Lent is a wonderful opportunity to spring clean our lives and start anew.
Many of us will connect Lent with Project Compassion and donating money to help with projects around the world that impact greatly on the lives of others. We also connect Lent with giving up something we enjoy, like chocolate. Making sacrifices is also an important part of Lent, we are called to come from a place of selfishness towards caring about and appreciating others and hopefully our lives will take on a meaning that is more about others than ourselves.
At school, the children are encouraged to make sacrifices by making a commitment during Lent (Lenten Promise). The commitment could be anything from a promise to help mum every day during Lent, to a promise of a kind act each day, to one of their siblings or a classmate. You could encourage your children to do this by asking questions and complimenting them when they make a special effort.
We also have Project Compassion Boxes in the classroom where the children and staff are encouraged to give to those who are struggling in Australia and the world.
PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT via Zoom
On Monday night we held our Parent-Teacher Meetings for Kinder to Year 6, this year via Zoom due to the current COVID-19 Guidelines.
Despite a low number of parents joining us, I would like to sincerely thank those parents who took up the invitation to attend the meetings to find out about their child's learning for 2022. I appreciate that it is not always easy with young families to meet at night but we were hoping that this different opportunity would have made it a little easier for people to join us.
I hope for those parents who zoomed in that you found this opportunity to meet with your child's teacher/s and learn about the running of the class both informative and beneficial. For us, as a school, it was important that we worked to connect with parents in the only way currently allowed.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the teachers for their preparation and commitment in organising these meetings for you. The time, effort and work involved in preparing and running the meetings are a clear indication of their dedication and respect for you as parents and ultimately your children.
Soon you will have the opportunity to meet individually with teachers (hopefully face to face) to discuss any goals, concerns or queries you may have regarding your child's education and I urge you all, if possible, to avail yourself of this opportunity.
Correct uniform at St Joseph's
At St Joseph's all students are expected to have the correct full school uniform and to take pride in it. It is only early in the year but we currently have a considerable range of incorrect shoes, socks, jumpers and jewellery making their way to school. Please assist us by checking that your child/children are in the correct uniform. Respect and pride in our uniform are important.
BOYS' UNIFORM:
- Grey school shorts (not cargo shorts or long
shorts) - Light green shirt
- Black lace-up shoes (these may be a leather jogger that can be worn each day, including sports days. Please note: Dunlop Volleys or logo coloured shoes are not acceptable school shoes)are not acceptable school shoes) and grey socks (fold-down -not sport style).
Winter
- As for summer, plus optional:
- Bottle green sloppy joe jumper/ jacket
- Long grey school pants if required
- Bottle green track pants
Sport (worn on Tuesday and Thursday)
- Bottle green shorts with SJW embroidered on the left leg
- Bottle green polo shirt with gold inserts and logo embroidered on the top left
- White socks (fold-down – not sport style) and black joggers (No Volleys)
GIRLS UNIFORM
- School dress -green and white check
- Plain Black lace-up shoes (these may be a leather jogger that can be worn each day, including sports days. Please note: Dunlop Volleys or logo coloured shoes are not acceptable school shoes) and white socks (fold down style)
- Matching hair ribbons or hair bands- green or
white - Sports-style socks are not part of our school
uniform.
Winter
- As for summer, plus optional:
- Bottle green sloppy-joe, jumper/jacket Zippered jacket with School Logo
- Bottle green tracksuit pants
- Bottle green slacks
- Green sports shirt with tracksuit or slacks
- Girls are not to wear tracksuit pants under their school dress.
Sport (worn on Tuesday and Thursday)
- Bottle green shorts with SJW embroidered on the left leg
- Bottle green polo shirt with gold inserts and logo embroidered on the top left
- White socks (fold-down – not sport style) and Plain black joggers (No Volleys)
ACCESSORIES
Wearing of accessories should be kept to a minimum for both safety and security reasons. The following items ONLY are acceptable:
- watch
- studs or sleepers
- plain, flat ring (no stones).
- Hairband, clips and ribbons in school colours – green and white
HAIRSTYLES
Hair is to be worn in a tidy fashion with long hair being tied back (Both boys and girls). If hair is longer than collar length it is required to be tied back ( for health and safety reasons). Fringes are not to impede vision.
Parent Forum 2022 - 7 March
We are looking to have our first Parent Forum Meeting for 2022 on Monday 7 March (Week 6). This meeting will also include our Annual General Meeting and the appointment of the 2022 Parent Forum Executive. The meeting will start at 6 pm in the Library.
We rely heavily on the work and funding support from the Parent Forum to assist our students learning and well-being and their input for school decision making. Therefore it is important, in our small community, that as many people as possible are involved. WE NEED YOU!
Come along and get to know the current and new parents in our school. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE!
COVID19 GUIDELINES
2022 STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAYS 2022
(PUPIL FREE)
The following days have been set down as Staff Development Days for St Joseph's for 2022. We thank you for supporting us in our Professional Development/Learning
opportunities.
Students do not attend school on these days
Term 1 - Friday 8 April 2022 (Week 10)
Term 2 - Friday 1 July 2022 (Week 10)
Term 3 - Friday 23 September (Week 10)
IN WEEK 4 OF TERM WE ARE TRULY GRATEFUL FOR:
- Being able to have parents and visitors in our school again.
- Our parents for supporting the information evenings.
- Our teachers for their efforts to support and inform our parents.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Regards
SUNDAY GOSPEL REFLECTION:
8th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Gospel Reading: Luke 6:39-45
In this week’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us how to be a good disciple
If we are loving and forgiving towards others how much happier our lives and relationships would be.
Jesus reminds us that if we regularly display patience, goodness, honesty and courage we are using our store of goodness that lies within our hearts.
Sometimes our parents ask: What do Catholics believe and do?
This year I am sharing with you what Catholics believe by focussing on current Catholic Social teachings. Catholic Social Teachings are founded on the messages of Jesus, the prophets and our church leaders. This week I will write about:
Preferential Option for the Poor
What is justice for the poor?
From Caritas -
Caring for those who are less well off is everyone’s responsibility.
Preferential care should be shown to vulnerable and marginalised people, whose needs and rights are given special attention in God’s eyes.
The Catholic social justice agency Caritas Australia aims to reach the poorest and most marginalised people, especially those living in remote areas where there are few resources.
At St Joseph’s our students explore choices that result in a more just and compassionate world. During Lent, students are encouraged to support the initiatives and fundraisers that support Project Compassion. When natural disasters occur around the world our students respond with prayer and fundraising.
For more information and to gain a deeper understanding of the Catholic Social Teaching of Preferential Option for the Poor for you and your family I encourage you to take a look at the following short video.
SHROVE TUESDAY – PANCAKE DAY
Tuesday 1st March - Pancakes 50 cents
Traditionally Shrove Tuesday is the Celebration before ASH WEDNESDAY the first day of the Church’s Liturgical Season of Lent. As some families traditionally fasted during Lent on Shrove Tuesday they used all their eggs, milk and flour to make pancakes
This year to help raise money for our Project Compassion Mission Appeal:
At lunchtime on Shrove Tuesday, the 1st March students will be able to purchase plain, jam, or jam and cream pikelets for 50 cents each.Thank you to the families who will be supporting this fundraising – your generosity is most appreciated.
ASH WEDNESDAY – 2nd March
Ash Wednesday is one of the important holy days in the liturgical calendar. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, a season of fasting, generosity and prayer. Ash Wednesday comes from the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting. The practise includes the wearing of ashes on the head. The ashes symbolize the dust from which God made us. Priests administer ashes during Mass and all are invited to accept the ashes as a visible symbol of penance. The ashes are made from blessed palm branches, taken from the previous year's Palm Sunday Mass.
On Wednesday 2nd March our students will participate in a Distribution of the Ashes Mass (Years 3-6) or a Liturgy (Kindergarten - Year 2).
The theme of Project Compassion 2022 is
‘For All Future Generations’
We hope that you may be able to encourage your child to fill their Mission box with coins - perhaps by doing helpful deeds and chores around the home.
We ask that the mission boxes be returned to school by:
Monday 4th April 2022.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Shrove Tuesday - Pancake Day 1st March -Pancakes 50 cents
and the CSO Student Discipleship Retreat Incitare - Year 6
Ash Wednesday - 2nd March
St Joseph's Day celebrated with St Joseph's Coraki and the
WILDFIRE Team on Thursday 17th March
Sacrament of Confirmation -
Confirmation Preparation Family Meetings:
Saturday 5th March, Saturday 12th, Saturday 19th March, and Saturday 26th March in the St Joseph’s Woodburn School Library at 4:15 pm
Sacrament of Confirmation
Thursday 31st March 2022 at 6 pm - All welcome.
Winter Sports Trials
The Richmond Zone Winter Sports Trials were held last week in Lismore. The selected students will now represent the Richmond Zone in Grafton on 11 March 2022.
Congratulations to:
- Leila Bailey and Jasmine Hayden - Girls Soccer
- Jed Duignan - Rugby Union
- Miles Parkinson - Boys Hockey
Cross Country
Cross Country
Our school cross country will be held on the school grounds on Tuesday 22nd March 2022 (backup date of Thursday 24th March 2022). All students in K-6 will participate in this event. More information will be shared closer to the cross country.
| Kindergarten | Odyn Wimbus |
| Year 1 | Archie Martin |
| Year 2 | Josephine Jensen |
| Year 3 | Amelia Hume |
| Year 4 | Isabella Riddle |
| Year 5 | Cherish Cook |
| Year 6 | Zoey Campbell |
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Happy Birthday wishes from the school community to Ms Nicole Walsh and Mrs Sheree George who are celebrating a birthday this week.
ROSTER
| Monday 28th February | Tess Gadsby |
| Wednesday 2nd March | Amanda Hume |
| Monday 7th March | Melissa Handford |
| Wednesday 9th March | HELP NEEDED! |
Please contact the school if you are able to assist in the Canteen on Mondays or Wednesdays 9:15 am - 11:15 am.
THANK YOU!
