9 April 2024 (Week 11 Term 1 2024)
Principal's News
Dear St Joseph’s Community
This week, our final week of Term 1, our school joins with 45 schools across the Lismore Diocese and hundreds of Catholic Schools across Australia, to celebrate Catholic Education Week.
This year’s theme is “Innovation and Faith’. The transforming power of innovation and faith working in unison to ensure our students experience the fullness of life (John 10:10).
For many of the great innovators throughout history, their faith motivated them to explore and understand the wonders of the universe. Our Catholic schools walk alongside clergy, parishioners and families to prepare and nurture our future innovators and faith leaders on their journey. This week, particularly, we give thanks to those men and women religious who gave their lives in the vocation of Catholic education to ensure our Catholic Schools thrive. I would also like to acknowledge the parishioners and Parish Priests of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish over the century our school has been operating, whose generosity has allowed our school to flourish in the way it has. We are so very fortunate to stand on the shoulders of the giants who were here before us.
We wish all families a safe and restful Term 1 holiday and we look forward to welcoming your children back on Monday April 29.
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
Last Sunday was Divine Mercy Sunday, which deepens the Easter message of resurrection with a focus on God's immense mercy. It's a day to remember that His forgiveness and love are always within reach, urging us to offer the same compassion to those around us. Whether through acts of kindness, words of forgiveness, or moments of understanding, we have the power to make a real difference in our daily lives through small acts of kindness, love, and especially forgiveness.
You are invited to listen to Bishop Greg’s Homily from Sunday’s Mass.
BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT PROCESS FEEDBACK
A huge thank you to the parents who were able to join us to provide feedback on the changes we are planning for our behaviour support processes. We are seeking to align these more closely with Positive Behaviour for Learning principles and our four school values: Safety, Effort, Respect and Self-Responsibility. We are aiming to introduce these approaches more formally in Term 2 and will communicate these with families via the newsletter in Term 2.
KEEPING OUR KIDS SAFE ON SOCIAL MEDIA WITH KIRRA PENDERGAST FROM SAFE ON SOCIAL
Holy Family Primary in Skennars Head has Kirra Prendergast from Safe on Social presenting on supporting young people to navigate social media safely. We encourage parents and carers to attend this informative event. Please see the flyer below.
UNIFORM AND GROOMING REMINDER
As we approach the holidays and parents might be seeking new school shoes and haircuts. A reminder of the uniform expectations is provided below.
School shoes should be black soft polishable leather – not suede, canvas or skate shoes. Shoelaces will be done up correctly at all times. Jewellery is not allowed, however, students who have pierced ears may wear sleepers or studs. Students with multiple ear piercings must have clear studs worn in these holes. Children will be asked to remove all ‘excess’ jewellery and place this in their School bag. Please also note that ribbons, scrunchies, etc worn in the girls' hair should be in School colours: white, light blue, and navy blue. Students are asked not to wear coloured nail polish. Dyed hair is not permitted and shoulder-length hair should be tied back for health reasons. Hair that is shoulder length must be tied up. No hair should cover the eyes. We do not tolerate “trendy” hairstyles such as fades, undercuts, lines, mullets etc.
SCHOOL FEES REMINDER
School fees and annual levies for Term 1 are due by April 12 2024. If you pay by instalments, please continue during the holiday period and into Term 2. If you're facing financial difficulties, contact Caroline McInnes (alstp@lism.catholic.edu.au) to arrange a payment plan. Thank you.
Learning & Teaching News
WRITE ON COMPETITION 2024
WriteOn is an annual writing competition open to all NSW primary students in Years 1 to 6. The annual WriteOn competition allows students to become published authors and develop skills in writing to express their ideas. Students compose an imaginative text of up to 500 words, using the image as the stimulus.
This year the competition is held in association with the Art Gallery of NSW. The new stimulus image, courtesy of the Art Gallery of NSW is ‘The railway station, Redfern’ (1893) by Arthur Streeton.
Entries will be assessed on how well the text:
- makes connections to the stimulus image
- maintains the selected form, structure and text features appropriate to context, purpose and audience
- engages the audience in imaginative, interpretive, emotive or creative ways
- uses a range of language forms and features, vocabulary and punctuation.
Students can work on this competition at home and Mr Crosby will designate some time in term 2 during breaks and before school for those who would like some extra support and feedback. Entries can be forwarded to Mr Crosby. Each school can only select 3 entries for submission. We will announce these at an assembly later in term 2.
‘The railway station, Redfern’ (1893) by Arthur Streeton
Mission News
We are excited to be celebrating Catholic Education Week
this week with so many events.
TUESDAY: COMMUNITY DAY (MOVED TO SCHOOL)
Our community day celebration will now be held at school after the cross country as Geoff Watt grounds are still very damp. Our students will enjoy games and a movie afternoon with an icy pole. Please email your child’s class teacher if you do not wish your child to receive one.
THURSDAY MORNING: INTERGENERATIONAL GROUP
Parishioners, Parents, and Grandparents are invited to join us as we start our intergenerational parish-school community group. The purpose of this group is to strengthen our parish-school community by growing in understanding, friendship and care of one another.
Please bring your own knitting needles and wool (if you have any spare!) to begin our ‘wrapped with love’ blankets for the Vinnies Winter Appeal. If you have any spare needles or wool to show an older student how to knit, we would be very grateful!
Even if you don’t knit, we would still love you to come along! Our youngest students, who may not yet be ready for knitting, will undoubtedly be eager to chat and play a card or board game.
We hope you can join us.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON: YEAR 6 VISITING PRESCHOOLS
On Thursday afternoon, our Year 6 students will be visiting Alstonville Preschool, Possum Place and Alstonville Early Learning to read stories to younger students and play some games. We look forward to seeing our leaders being of service to the community.
FRIDAY AFTERNOON: SPECIAL ASSEMBLY
We have an assembly this Friday starting at 2.20pm. Class, Gold, Sport and Quota Kindness awards will be presented and we will have a few special items, including a beautiful song from Kindy and some class learning.
Please join us for this lovely end to Catholic Schools Week and Term 1.
Library News
ANZAC WRITING COMPETITION
Any late entries into the writing competition can be sent through to me until Thursday (11 April) afternoon. Please email rosalind.kingsford@lism.catholic.edu.au or drop them into the library.
Sport News
CROSS COUNTRY
Finally, after many changes of plans due to the weather, our school cross country was run today. Competitive students from ages 12-8 ran a modified course through the playground. Everyone tried their very best. Congratulations to everyone for participating. Our place getters for each age group are listed below. Those going through to Zone will receive information soon.
THANKS MISS MACDONALD FOR ORGANISING A GREAT CROSS COUNTRY!
Stage News
YEAR 1 WRITING
This term Year 1 students have been writing Super Sentences in InitiaLit. This task required them to describe the dragon. I’m sure you’ll agree that they all did a fantastic job!
Attendance Matters
IF YOUR CHILD IS AVOIDING SCHOOL, CONTACT YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER, SO TOGETHER YOU CAN EXPLORE WHAT IS HAPPENING FOR YOUR CHILD.
If your child is avoiding school, it's crucial to proactively address the issue by contacting your child's teacher. Teachers play a key role in observing and understanding students' behaviours and can collaborate with you to identify and address any challenges your child may be facing.
Share your observations about your child's behaviour and express any concerns you may have. Be open and honest about the challenges your child is facing in attending school regularly.
Collaboratively work with the school and your child to explore possible causes for your child's avoidance of school. This could include academic challenges or social issues. Work together to develop and monitor strategies to address the identified issues.
You can seek advice free from NSW ParentLine 1300 1300 52.
Watch Help! My kid doesn't want to go to school by Maggie Dent.
Celebrations
Happy birthday to these students who have celebrated their birthday since the last newsletter:
- Lulu Barnes
- Scarlett Elmsly
- Levi Towns
- Ruby Vickrage
- Myf Richardson
Coming Events
ANZAC DAY 2024
Please mark your calendars for ther ANZAC Day March and Main Service at Alstonville on Thursday 25th April 2024. Even though this falls in the school holidays our school will be marching and participating in the service.
The March will start from the Paddy Bugden VC Memorial in Bugden Avenue at 9.40 am (Form-up at 9.15am) and then proceed to Elizabeth Ann Brown Park for the Main Service which will begin at 10am. Students will need to wear full school uniform including hats. Please make sure to bring a drink bottle.
There will also be a Dawn Service at Elizabeth Ann Brown Park commencing at 5.30am.
Our school commenoration service will be held on Monday 29 April starting at 2:20 in McCarthy Hall, all are welcome to join us.
Parish News
Community News
