26 November 2024 (Week 7 Term 4 2024)

Dear St Joseph’s Community

As we move into Week 7, some important notices below as we rapidly approach the end of the school year. 

CHRISTMAS HAMPER APPEAL

Thank you to those families who have already been generous in sending in items for the hamper appeal. Any donations are greatly appreciated. Service is an important aspect of our Catholic faith and we reach out to those in need and offer the fruits of our own labour in generosity.

GOLD AWARD AFTERNOON TEA

On Thursday last week, we held another Gold Award Afternoon Tea for students who have received four silver awards. It was wonderful to share a snack with these students who have worked so incredibly hard to demonstrate our school values. We will have one more Gold Award Afternoon Tea this year. 

Gold Award Afternoon Tea

SCHOOL REPORTS

School Reports will be made available on Compass on Friday, 13th December.

SCHOOL FEES

A reminder for families to please finalise 2024 school fees. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me to discuss. 

You will also have, or soon will, receive an email from the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools, asking for you to nominate a payment schedule for 2025 school fees. 

KINDERGARTEN FAMILY MASS

This weekend, we have our final Stage Family Mass for the year, with Kindergarten leading our Mass on Sunday morning at 8:30 am at the Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Alstonville. The students have worked so hard to prepare for the singing! Mrs Wraight will be leading Children’s Liturgy during the Mass, and we encourage families to stay for a while after Mass to catch up while they let their children play. Families with children in other year groups, of course, are welcome and encouraged to attend also!

STUDENTS NOT RETURNING

If you are not intending to continue your child's enrolment with us next year, would you please advise us as soon as possible by emailing the school (alstp@lism.catholic.edu.au). We have waiting lists in some classes and would like to offer placements to families as soon as we are made aware of an opening.

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION 

This week’s Gospel (John 18:33-37) shares a powerful message about leadership and values. When Pilate questions Jesus about being a king, He speaks of a kingdom built on truth, not power—a vision shaped by compassion, fairness, and service to others.

As parents, we model these qualities in the way we guide our children. Through our everyday actions—showing kindness, standing up for what’s right, and helping others—we teach them the importance of living with purpose and integrity.

This week, let’s reflect on how we can nurture these values in our families, creating a home where love and respect guide our decisions.

You are invited to listen to Bishop Greg’s Homily from Sunday’s Mass. 

TERM 1 2025 COMMENCEMENT DATES

For your calendars for the start of 2025, please see the commencement dates below.

FAMILY MASS THIS SUNDAY LED BY KINDY

All families are warmly invited to join us for Mass this Sunday at 8.30am. We look forward to celebrating the first Sunday of Advent as a parish-school community. 

Mrs Wraight will be leading the children’s liturgy this Sunday during the Mass and all children are invited to attend. 

CHOIR

This Saturday afternoon, our school choirs will be singing at the CASPA Lismore Christmas Carnival. Our choirs take to the stage at 4.30pm. All choir members are asked to arrive at 3.30pm in preparation. Students can wear Christmas-colored clothes. We warmly invite all our school family to come along and cheer our choirs on!

Please continue practising our songs at home:

• Who would imagine a king (Seniors)
• Jingle bell rock (Seniors)
• Our God is a great big God (Juniors)
• I want a hippopotamus for Christmas (Juniors)
• Christmas where the gumtrees grow (combined choirs)
• Santa Claus is coming (combined choirs)
  

VINNIES CHRISTMAS APPEAL

We look forward to supporting our local community this Friday with our ‘Christmas Colours’ casual clothes day. Please remember to bring a gold coin or hamper donation. 

STRUCTURED PLAY ROSTER

The structured play roster is below for parents to have conversations with their children about the exciting sporting and cultural activities we have on offer at break times this term. 

FINAL BOOKCLUB ORDER FOR 2024

The final Book Club catalogues for 2024 were sent home a few weeks ago with students. All orders must be received by 9am Thursday 5 December. We recommend ordering through Scholastic LOOP. This is a great way to purchase books as Christmas gifts, as the school library  receives rewards for every purchase. Scholastic offers the option for ”Gift Orders”, simply tick the “Gift Order” box on the left of the screen and your order will be held at administration for collection, not sent home with students. Thank you to the families who have supported Book Club throughout 2024.

LIBRARY BORROWING

This is the final week for student library lessons and borrowing. Next week all student loans will be due back.

UNIFORM SHOP

The Uniform Shop will be operating under different hours this Friday, 29th of November.  It will be open from 1pm-2pm.

BUS TRAVEL IN 2025 

The School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) information and application portal can be found at transportnsw.info to help families find all their travel information in the one place.

 APPLICATIONS 2025 ARE NOW OPEN:

Parents are asked to plan ahead and make sure their child has a valid School Travel Pass from the start of the 2025 school year.

* A new application will need to be submitted if students are applying for a school travel pass for the first time or if they are requesting an additional travel entitlement as a result of a new shared parental responsibility situation (e.g. joint custody). Students who need a school travel pass for 2025 can apply now.

* Students who change address, school, or who will repeat a Year, should update or renew their details before the end of Term 4, (e.g. progressing to Year 7). This will ensure that schools can endorse applications, and current entitlements are updated and remain valid. All students in Kindergarten to Year 2 are eligible for free bus travel. If a student’s distance eligibility has changed based on their Year, (e.g. progressing to Year 3), the system will automatically update their entitlement if they meet the new criteria. If they do not meet the eligibility criteria, they will receive an expiry notification via email.

* Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition that is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply.

* Students living in rural and regional areas should receive their travel pass at the start of the new school year from their nominated transport operator. Note: some R&R operators do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.

* For some families last minute changes to school enrolments mean they may not have a Travel Pass for the start of term. In this instance, parents should contact their local bus operator to discuss their travel needs. Bus operators are flexible and understanding, particularly at the start of the school year, and will ensure students can travel safely to and from school. But to best support bus operators we encourage all students to have a valid travel pass, as early as possible, from the start of the school year.