15 October 2024 (Week 1 Term 4 2024)
15 October 2024 (Week 1 Term 4 2024)
Dear St Joseph’s Community
A huge welcome back to our last term of the 2024 academic year. We hope all families enjoyed a restful break and some time to rest before we enter into the busyness of our term.
A huge thank you to all those families who were able to support our Colour Run at the end of the term. This was a lovely way to conclude Term 3, and I know the students had a lovely time.
This week, we look forward to welcoming our kindergarten 2025 class to Junior Joeys on Thursday morning. They will join us for the next seven weeks as a part of our transition program. We look forward to getting to know our new students and their families! On Friday, we look forward to the official unveiling of our new Indigenous mural and book, which explains the story of how the birds got their colours. Supported by author Indigenous author Aunty Trudy Roberts, our Indigenous students and extension writers have composed the story of the book and created the illustrations. Indigenous artist Uncle Oral Laurie, supported by his father, has painted the accompanying mural. We look forward to the official unveiling of the mural and launching of the book on Friday afternoon with the parents of the students involved. A huge thank you to Mrs Kingsford and Mr Murgha for their leadership of this initiative.
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
In Mark 10:17-30, we read about a rich young man who asks Jesus how he can inherit eternal life. While the young man has faithfully followed the commandments, Jesus challenges him to go further—to sell his possessions, give to the poor, and follow Him. The man’s sadness highlights how difficult it can be to let go of the things we are attached to.
As parents, this story prompts us to think about the attachments in our own lives. Often, we become weighed down by the pressures of providing for our families, managing responsibilities, and keeping up with daily demands. While these things may seem essential, they can sometimes distract us from what truly matters—our relationship with God and our presence with our loved ones.
By unburdening ourselves of these distractions, we create space for what is truly important: our family, our faith, and our connection to God. Unfortunately, this is easier to say than it is to put it into action. But, as parents, we have the opportunity to attempt to model this for our children, showing them that life’s true riches are found in love, generosity, and trust in God’s plan.
You are invited to listen to Bishop Greg’s Homily from Sunday’s Mass.
SCHOOL COMMUNITY GROUP TERM 4 MEETING SAVE THE DATE
Our Term 4 School Community Group meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 5th of November from 6:30 - 7:45 pm. Parents are welcome to join in person or to join via Zoom.
At this stage, the school would like to present on:
- School Improvement Planning for 2024
- Student Reading and Writing Growth 2024
We agreed at our last meeting that we would seek feedback from parents as to the learning focus for parents. Please share your thoughts below on what the learning focus should be for this meeting. We have some learning options below for parents and carers to select from:
- How is Mathematics taught at St Joseph's?
- How can I support my child with reading at home?
- How can I support my child with Maths at home?
There is also a space to provide the school with a feedback focus.
Here is the link to RSVP and contribute to the agenda. We hope to see you there!
FAREWELL MRS WAGNER
On our last day of term, we farewelled Mrs Wagner after 23 years of service to our school community. As I mentioned on the day, Mrs Wagner is a strong woman of immense faith and a wonderful teacher. She is also someone who is 'grace-filled'; someone who has been so filled with the light and life of Jesus Christ that it can't help but spill over to fill those around her. We wish Mrs Wagner much rest, travel, and time with her husband, Scott and her boys as she enters retirement. Mrs Wagner's warm presence will be missed.
UNIFORM REMINDER
As we return from the holidays, 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 wear clear studs 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. All smartwatches and phones are to be left in the box in the office.
GARDINER CHESS TERM 4
The Gardiner Chess Tournament will be held on Thursday, 31st October 2024, hosted by our school.
Registration is from 8.30 am to 9.15 am. Start at 9.30 am and finish around 2.30 pm. This Tournament is open to students in Stages 1, 2 and Stage 3. To be eligible to attend, students should know the rules of chess and be able to play confidently.
The cost of the Tournament will be approx $22 (TBC). Expressions of interest are due by Monday, 21st of October.
Please complete this form to indicate your child's interest in this event.
SCHOOL FRONT GATE
We have installed a new pedestrian gate at the front of the school next to the large roller gate, in font of the bench seat. This will allow us to keep the larger rolling gate closed during school hours, with visitors using the smaller pedestrian gate to enter the school. This will help us to ensure we can better enact our traffic management plans and ensure keep students safe. The larger roller gate will remain open before 9 and will open again at 3:15. We thank parents for their patience while we transition into this new process.
TERM 4 STAFF CHANGES
As we move into Term 4, Mrs Lewis will change her Kindergarten days so she can continue the kinder learning while Junior Joeys is running with Mrs Waright for our 2025 Kindergartners. She will now be in on Mondays and Thursdays.
Mrs Kingsford will be taking some long service leave from Week 2 of this term until the end of term so she can travel and spend time with her family. We hope you enjoy a well-earned rest, Mrs Kingsford! While she is on leave, Mrs Emery and Mrs McInnes will share the library duties.
CANTEEN HELPERS
We are in need of helpers in the canteen. If you have any time on a Wednesday or Friday, Emma would love the extra support. If you’re free, she would love you to email her at emma.thrum@lism.catholic.edu.au
TERM 1 2025 COMMENCEMENT DATES
For your calendars for the start of 2025, please see the commencement dates below.
TERM 3 COMMUNITY REWARD DAY: SCHOOL COLOUR RUN AND MRS WAGNER'S FARWELL
This was a lovely community celebration to mark the last day of our term. Thanks to our families, who helped out with the setup and packing for the day. We wish you well in your retirement, Mrs Wagner!
Colour Run Fun and Mrs Wagner's Farewell!
CHILD SAFE HANDBOOK
We urge all parents and carers to download this latest edition of the Child Safe Handbook and discuss the safety content with your children as appropriate. Prepared by Police Legacy, in conjunction with the NSW Government, the handbook is designed to support parents in ensuring their children are safe. Here is the link.
SULLY MITCHELL REPRESENTING NSW!!
We wish Sully Mitchell the best of luck this week as he represents NSW in Western Australia for the National Under 12 Championships!
ALSTONVILLE SOCCER CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS
During the holidays, some of our students competed at the Champions of Champions carnival in Coffs Harbour. This is a 3-day tournament comprising those teams from the region who won their respective competitions. The Alstonville under-12s team, which included Henry Buchanan and Dannon Pucci-McDermott, won their division! Well done boys!
Help your child to have a positive start to the term by building the habit of good attendance.
Building the habit of good attendance is crucial for a positive and successful school year. Here are some tips to help your child develop this habit:
- Establish a Routine. Set a consistent daily routine for your child, including wake-up times, breakfast, and a specific time to leave for school.
- Having a predictable schedule helps your child understand the importance of punctuality.
- Create a Positive Morning Environment. Make mornings enjoyable by creating a positive atmosphere at home. Encourage open communication and express your enthusiasm for the day ahead.
- Establish Clear Expectations. Clearly communicate your expectations regarding attendance and emphasise the importance of being present at school every day unless there's a valid reason for absence.
Help your child establish a positive and consistent attendance habit, setting the foundation for a successful conclusion to the 2024 school year.
Watch this clip by Michael Hawker for strategies to help an anxious child return to school.
