Week 9 Term 3 - 2022
Dear Families
As this will be the last Newsletter for Term 3 due to the short week next week I wanted to say a big thank you for your continued support throughout this term. Thank you to our wonderful students for your ongoing efforts in learning and friendship and thank you to our dedicated staff for all that you do to inspire the best.
VALE QUEEN ELIZABETH II 1926-2022
Many people have been taking the time this week to reflect on the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, as the days of mourning following her death, continue.
As a School, we call to mind the many values Her Majesty espoused and lived during her 70 years of reign. We can learn much from her example:
- The importance of service to others: as shown through Her Majesty’s dedication and selfless service up until her 96th year
- The importance of giving hope to others: as shown through her Majesty’s annual Christmas message and visits during important occasions and disasters.
- The importance of being there for others: Her Majesty’s presence with her people in times of trouble and need.
- Her unwavering faith, and
- Her calmness and integrity throughout.
The Student Representative Council have decided to hold a Royal Day in memory of the Queen for their SRC day this term. Therefore students are invited to wear the colours red, white, and blue on Wednesday 21 September (next Wednesday) or royal dress up on the day.
Thanks, Ma'am for everything!
Notice to Parents- National Day of Mourning
BOOK WEEK HAS BEEN TERRIFIC!
- Drumming with Mr. O'Dwyer
- Roald Dahl's Birthday
- Book Character parade, Rug Reading, and open classrooms
- Dot Day and
- Book giveaways
Thank you to the many parents who were able to join us. Thank you to all the students and staff who were truly involved in the spirit of the week.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION AND
THANKSGIVING PARISH SCHOOL MASS
Tomorrow 17 September 2022 our six Stage 2 students, Meluca Jett, Phillipa Swanson, Rose Quirk, Sunni Rese, Sophie Flanagan, and Ayla Stahl will be receiving their First Holy Communion. We are so looking forward to supporting them and their families on their very special day.
We would also like to invite our students and families to the Mass to acknowledge the Parish and parishioners for giving us the use of their Church and moving to the Anglican Church for their Masses.
WE ARE TRULY GRATEFUL TO FR MAX GOW, FR PETER JONES, AND THE ST JOHN'S CHURCH PARISHIONERS FOR ALLOWING US TO MOVE INTO THEIR CHURCH WHEN WE SO DESPERATELY NEEDED A PLACE TO GROW A SCHOOL FOLLOWING THE FLOODS.
We hope that you can join us to show our community thanks.
STUDENT MOBILE PHONES AT SCHOOL
As stated in the Parent Handbook, students are not permitted to bring mobile phones into school at any time. If there is a need for your child to bring a phone (eg for after-school use) please ensure that the phone is handed into the Office on arrival at school and collected at bus time in the afternoon.
Parents are also advised to monitor their child’s use of mobile phones outside of school hours to protect the children from potential harm. and to ensure that they are not being used as a means of communication to interact inappropriately. Thank you for your assistance and vigilance in this matter.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY
FRIDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2022
A reminder that Friday 23 September 2022 is a Staff Development Day.
As a staff, we will be learning about the new Kinder to Year 2 English and Maths Syllabus.
This is a Pupil Free Day, therefore the students' last day for this term will be Thursday 22 September 2022.
COVID 19 UPDATE
- Staying home if unwell or showing any symptoms, and not returning to school or work until fully recovered.
- Rapid antigen testing for any students or staff showing symptoms and for close contacts who are able to return to school.
- Maximising natural ventilation.
- Good hygiene practices for students and staff including regular hand washing with soap and water.
- Encouraging all students, staff and families to keep up to date with vaccinations, including COVID-19 booster shots when eligible and the flu vaccine.
- Identifying when schools need to implement additional COVID-smart measures if experiencing rapidly increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases.
- Strongly encouraging all staff, students and school visitors to wear a mask while indoors, particularly during the first four weeks from the beginning of term.
- Distributing RAT kits to all staff and students in schools (1 pack per person).
- Boosting day cleaning in schools, with a particular focus on high-touch areas.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend and holiday break. School resumes on Monday 10 October 2022
Regards
Principal
SUNDAY GOSPEL REFLECTION:
Year C - The 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Gospel Reading
Luke 16:1-13
In this Sunday's Gospel Jesus reminds his disciples that we show what we value most by our actions. If we are honest people, then we will be honest in all the things we do, large and small. Christians are challenged to act always in ways that demonstrate that we put God and love first in our lives.
EXURO DISCIPLESHIP RETREAT
Exuro is a retreat day for Year 5 students from parish primary schools based in regions of the Diocese to celebrate their faith at a diocesan level. Exuro is Latin for "on fire". All Year Five students have been given nomination forms, unfortunately, only two students will be able to attend. Our students will be advised next week if they have been successful.
This retreat will be a one-day opportunity to bring students together with like-minded peers, to share and build relationships that strengthen the practice of their Christian faith and to be leaders in building strong Catholic school communities. The activities will be a mixture of large and small sharing groups as well as celebrating a Liturgy together.
Important Dates:
Saturday 17th September the CELEBRATION OF FIRST EUCHARIST-FIRST HOLY COMMUNION for Sophie Flanagan, Meluca Jett, Rose Quirk, Sunni Reese, Ayla Stahl and Philippa Swanson at the ANGLICAN CHURCH Wattle Street Evans Head at 5 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.
18th October - EXURO DISCIPLE RETREAT For Year Five Students at the Tullera Hall Tullera.
SPOTLIGHT ON STAGE 3
This week at St Joseph’s we celebrated our love of reading by taking part in different book-related activities each day. On Tuesday it was Roald Dahl day and to celebrate the day we worked in groups to prepare a readers theatre performance to share with students in our school. We performed to kindergarten and Stage 2 and we had a lot of fun making them laugh.
On Thursday we celebrated Dot Day. The theme of this day is to make your mark and see where it takes you. We were encouraged by the teachers to be creative and we created our own dot masterpieces.
We have also been learning about slam poetry. We used our favourite book characters to create ‘I Am’ poems.
KINDERGARTEN | Archie Swanson and Tucker Farrell |
YEAR 1 | Zaylia Currie and Abaigeal Ashton |
YEAR 2 | Katie Hull, Maya Jensen, Isabella Salmi, Josephine Jensen and Brianna Bailey |
YEAR 3 | Amelia Hume and Amahli Harford |
YEAR 4 | Holly Barnes, Sophie Flanagan, and Ayla Stahl |
YEAR 5 | Madison Kirk and Alyssa Symonds |
YEAR 6 | Ariella Mangan |
Mini Vinnies Award | Huntah Edwards |