2022 Week 3 Term 2
Mother Teresa – "Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless."
It is interesting that the word ‘kind’ comes from the Old English ‘cynd’ for kin or family. It is within the family unit that we first learn about acts of generosity and kindness, and where we develop a deep respect for others. Kindness is one of the most powerful ways we show that we love and care for others, ourselves and the world around us. Sometimes a simple act of kindness can be transformational.
Dear God
Thank you for all those who are sharing kindness in our community.
Help us to live in your goodness and kindness each day.
Remind us that our actions express who we are even more than our words.
Support us to see where kindness is needed and to
reach out in kindness to all we meet.
Let us be grateful for those who have shown us kindness.
Thank you, God, for inspiring
us to be kind through your love for the world.
Amen.
Dear Parents
We have had such a positive start to our Term with Catholic School Week activities which included spoiling our Mother's, Grandmothers and Mother figures for Mother's Day last week. We continue to build into the Term with many happenings included in our school calendar.
It has been wonderful to have our parents here at the school and we hope that you can find the time and opportunity to make it to our whole School Assemblies. Assemblies will return in Semester 2. I thank the parents who were able to make the Assembly consultations with Mr Nigel Toole - discussing the model of our Assemblies and to give new and different ideas to the way we may run them. Our next steps, will be to consult with our children and teachers and to have the assembly format ready for Term 3.
Term 1 - School Maintenance Completed
Over the Easter break, some areas of the school underwent a freshen up and clean. The Ogilvie Hall received an entire repaint. The stage area, of the Hall, was repainted black and the walls were given a much needed coat of paint. The Ogilvie Hall cola had a build up of dirt, spiderwebs and nesting material, these were washed down and cleaned away. The Staffroom pavement was resurfaced and painted with a non slip coating. The entire school had all fluro lights replaced with LED globes, through a Governmental Grant. All classrooms received a thorough vacuum and deep clean to begin Term 2. Mr Burke also had the grounds looking beautiful and we thank one of our grandfather's for his time working on the Administration garden.
Kiss & Drop Area
Our school has been notified by authorities that parents in the Kiss & Drop zones are using mobile phones while waiting in their vehicles. The use of the phone's functions including video calling, texting, emailing, social media, web browsing and photography are prohibited unless parked (with engine off).
This is recognised in NSW law with illegal mobile phone use attracting heavy penalties: $352 ($469 in a school zone) and 5 demerit points, or 10 demerit points during double demerit periods.
Using a mobile phone while driving is very dangerous, because, it may lead to: slower reaction times, wandering out of your lane, slower and less controlled braking, riskier decision making; it increases your chance of getting into an accident by four times. It is also important to model these correct behaviours of phone use to the one's we love and look after...our children. Please be aware our school has now been given a courtesy warning from the authorities to change phone use habits while in cars, before they begin issuing fines.
Communication
The school's method of communication out to our parents is on the platform - Operoo. This platform will have all the necessary information you require to understand what is happening at the school and when events and activities are taking place. Before contacting the school in regards to not knowing about a certain event or time, please make sure you have read the Newsletter, thoroughly or Operoo notifications for the information you require. In doing so, you will be freeing up our Office staff. Please check your emails in a timely manner to avoid the cut off date for each activity.
Uniforms
Thank you to the parents who continue to support the school in upholding our school's uniform policy. This is greatly appreciated, as we begin the transition over to our Winter Uniforms.
ONE MORE TRANSITION WEEK - SUMMER OR WINTER UNIFORM
Until Friday 20 May 2022
(Week 4, Term 2)
FULL WINTER UNIFORM
Monday 23 May 2022
Thursday 5 May 2022
Parents , Grandparents and Carers joined the children in Open Classroooms.
Our beautiful Mothers and Grandmothers joined the children on
Friday 6 May 2022 for Mother's Day activities!
Catholic Schools Week
Sacrament Reflection Evening - Tuesday 17 May 22
A reminder for families whose children are preparing to make either the Sacrament of Penance, Eucharist or Confirmation the Reflection Evening is scheduled for, Tuesday 17 May 2022 at 6.00 pm in the Ogilvie Hall. The evening will provide families with an opportunity to know about prayer. The evening is part of their journey towards the Sacrament as well as an opportunity for questions to be answered regarding each celebration.
PBS Focus
The Positive Behaviour Structures in place at St Joseph's School are constantly being reviewed to ensure we meet the diverse needs of students. Our approach is always focused on the inherent dignity and well-being of each student.
Led by the Mission Team, the school staff are reviewing ways in which interactions between individuals at St Joseph's model Christ-like behaviours as expressed in the Gospels. Throughout this review, a big focus will be on what happens when relationships break down and what restorative practices are used to resolve conflict.
The team will be facilitating the discussion factoring in well-being and problem-solving strategies. The aim of these strategies is to restore positive relationships by providing a whole school environment which encourages re-integration through supportive, relational school practices.
We look forward to keeping you up-to-date with the changes. We give high priority to building and maintaining positive and caring relationships between staff, students and parents.
Sunday, 15 May |
Term 2 Week 4 |
Tuesday, 17 May 2022 | Combined Confirmation Reconciliation and Eucharist Reflection Evening in the school Hall |
Tuesday, 17 May 2022 | Fr Felix Visit to Year 3 - Before Reconciliation |
Thursday, 19 May 2022 | P & F Meeting |
Sunday, 22 May |
Term 2 Week 5 |
Tuesday, 24 May 2022 | Diocesan Primary Cross Country - Grafton |
Tuesday, 24 May 2022 | Fr Felix - Visit Kindergarten |
Thursday, 26 May 2022 | National Sorry Day |
Friday, 27 May 2022 | National Reconciliation Week |
Saturday, 28 May 2022 | Combined Inscription Mass - Stage 1 |
Sunday, 29 May |
Term 2 Week 6 |
Tuesday, 31 May 2022 | Fr Felix - Stage 1 Classroom Visit |
Wednesday, 1 June 2022 | Sacrament of Reconciliation |
Friday, 3 June 2022 | Mass of the Saints |
Sunday, 5 June |
Term 2 Week 7 |
Tuesday, 7 June 2022 | Fr Felix - Visit to Stage 3 Before Eucharist |
Friday, 10 June 2022 | Athletics Carnival |
Sunday, 12 June |
Term 2 Week 8 |
Monday, 13 June 2022 | Queen's Birthday (Public Holiday) |
Tuesday, 14 June 2022 | Year 3 - Reconciliation before Eucharist |
Thursday, 16 June 2022 | P & F Meeting |
Friday, 17 June 2022 | Confirmation |
Friday, 17 June 2022 | Confirmation Rehearsal |
Sunday, 19 June |
Term 2 Week 9 |
Friday, 24 June 2022 | Rehearsal - Eucharist |
Sunday, 26 June |
Term 2 Week 10 |
Sunday, 26 June 2022 | First Eucharist Mass |
Postponed
The La Nina rain event has certainly had an impact on our sporting calendar. Unfortunately the Zone Cross Country, due to take place on Wednesday 4 May 2022 at Bowraville, has had to be postponed due to saturation of the ground and concern for the safety of the running competitors. Fingers crossed that the new date Wednesday 18 May 2022 will have sunny skies and a dry course. We wish those students who will represent St Joseph's good luck and an enjoyable day. More news regarding the Zone Cross Country will come to light after the weekend and up-to-date weather forcasts.
It was wonderful to see so many parents come together as part of our special Mother's Day celebration.
Thank you to the Canteen mums and dads who helped provide a beautifully presented lunch of assorted Wraps, Salads, Quiches and Sweets.
Can you help in the Canteen?
Please obtain your Working With Children Number for a volunteer:
https://wwccheck.ocg.nsw.gov.au/Apply
Please read the Busways letter regarding the changes starting 23 May 2022.