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. 

Principal 3R Award Recipients

Term 2 - Week 3

Early Stage 1:   Hayne Baird and Archie Sheppard

Stage 1:   Pippa Foster, Forest Hancock and Aria Tonkin

Stage 2:   Coen Purcell, Kiera McCarthy and Isabel Thompson

Stage 3:   Emily Saunders, Henry Warren and Evie Cook  

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.