3 December 2024 (Week 8 Term 4 2024)
Dear St Joseph’s Community
A huge thank you to our families for their support of the casual clothes day on Friday. We had a huge number of donations stream into school, which will all go to St Vincent de Paul to support those in need to have a nice Christmas.
We will officially hand the hampers over to Vinnies at our Christmas concert, so if you are able to continue bringing items in, they will be very well received.
This Wednesday, we are excited to celebrate our Term 4 Celebration Day. We have an inflatable slide for the playground and a Christmas movie in the hall, and we know the students will have a lot of fun!
On Sunday, we held our final Family Mass in the parish for 2024, hosted by Kindergarten. Our kindergartners were amazing! They sang a number of hymns, engaged in the prayers and read, completed a craft activity at Children’s Liturgy and gifted a paper Advent Wreath to a parishioner in the pews. It was a lovely Mass and a beautiful way to begin the Advent Season as we await with joyful hope the coming of Jesus Christ at Christmas. One parishioner before Mass told me she was so excited to have the kindergarten students hosting Mass, saying she couldn't wait to see them singing. A number of parishioners spoke to me after Mass and said they were so impressed with the singing, the respectful way the students engaged in the Mass, their beautiful reading, and the way they gave away their craft to make someone in the pews happy. It was a truly lovely Mass, and I thank Mrs Jones, Mrs Wraight and Mrs Lewis for all their work to prepare the kinder students and a huge thank you for the kindergarten families (and families of other students) who brought their children Mass.
The last day of the canteen will be Friday the 13th of December. The canteen won’t be open on Wednesday 18th of December.
FAREWELL MS KINGSFORD
After twenty years of dedicated service to the St Joseph’s School community, Ms Kingsford has made the heartfelt decision to relocate to Brisbane to be closer to her family. With her loved ones moving north over the past two years and the joyful arrival of a grandchild, this move presents the perfect opportunity for Ms Kingsford to embrace an exciting new chapter.
Ms Kingsford has been an invaluable member of our staff, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of countless St Joseph’s students. Her passion for reading and books has inspired generations, and she created a welcoming sanctuary in the library—a place where students could feel safe, curious, and engaged.
In recent years, Ms Kingsford generously shared her expertise across our Diocese, mentoring library staff in 45 schools and helping them develop vibrant and resourceful libraries. Her commitment to fostering a love of learning extended far beyond our own community.
As Ms Kingsford transitions to her new role as a librarian at St Joseph’s Nudgee College in Brisbane, we are confident she will continue to inspire and support others with her remarkable gifts.
We will formally farewell Ms Kingsford at our end-of-year Mass and awards ceremony. She will be deeply missed at St Joseph’s, but we are filled with gratitude for her many contributions and excitement for the new opportunities that await her.
Thank you, Ms Kingsford, and every blessing as you embark on this new journey!
FAREWELL MR FIVAZ
Since 2015, Mr. Fivaz has been a dedicated member of the St Joseph’s Primary School Alstonville community, serving as our Uniform Shop Coordinator. Over the past nine years, he has ensured that our students were always well-prepared and presented, managing the uniform shop with care and commitment.
Mr. Fivaz has decided to embrace full retirement. While we will miss his presence and the support he has provided to our school community, we are delighted for him as he steps into this exciting new phase of life.
We thank Mr. Fivaz for his many contributions and wish him every joy and blessing in retirement!
AWARDS CHECK IN
Earlier this year, we made some important changes to our Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards system. These updates were designed to create a smoother and more reliable way to track and monitor awards, as the previous system had some challenges.
If you think your child might have missed receiving an award they’ve earned, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me via email. I’d be happy to look into it and confirm your child’s awards progress.
ADVENT REFLECTION
As we enter the season of Advent, we begin a journey of hope and expectation. Advent invites us to pause and reflect, preparing our hearts for the greatest gift of all—the coming of Jesus, God’s Son, into our world.
The Incarnation, when Jesus was born into humanity, is at the heart of the Christian message. It’s a reminder that God is not distant but chooses to be with us in every part of our lives. The promise of Advent is Emmanuel—God with us—a love so great that it changes everything.
This time of year often feels busy, but Advent is an invitation to slow down and focus on what truly matters. Just as Mary trusted in God’s plan with an open heart, we too can take these weeks to reflect on the joy and hope that Christ brings to our families and our world.
May this Advent season be one of peace and anticipation as we prepare to celebrate the gift of Jesus.
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.
AMAZING CHOIR PERFORMANCE!
Congratulations to our combined choir who sung at the CASPA Lismore Christmas Carnival. You were absolutely incredible!
We can’t wait to see you perform at Carols on the Plateau. The choir brings so much joy to everyone who sees them perform. Thank you to all our families who braved the inclement weather to bring their children along. You’re amazing!
CASPA Christmas Carnival
COMMUNITY DAY THIS WEDNESDAY
We are all delighted to be celebrating our Community Day this Wednesday with a water slide and movie day. Our students have worked so hard this year in all aspects of school life. Our school motto is ‘Growth through love’ and as a school staff we are immensely proud of our students.
This Wednesday is a casual clothes day. Please remember to wear sun safe clothing to school, including tops with sleeves, longer shorts/skirts, covered shoes and their school hat. Please pack:
- Swimmers, including board shorts and rash shirt
- Slides/thongs to walk to the water slide in
- Towel
ADVENT RETREAT
We can’t wait for our Advent retreat on Wednesday, 11th December from 12 - 3pm. Our Mission Team has been preparing some reflective and creative experiences for our students to deepen their understanding of Advent and consider how they live the Advent message of joy and giving with their families and friends.
Students will wear their usual school clothes and recess will be at the normal time.
THIS WEEK'S VALUE FOCUS: SAFETY
WEEK 8 VALUE VAULT WINNER
Congratulations to Landy whose name was drawn out of our Value Vault at assembly for demonstrating last week’s positive behaviour focus.
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.
SWIMMING CARNIVAL
On Thursday next week, all children from K-6 will be walking to the Alstonville pool for our school swimming carnival. All information for the day, including the program of events can be found on Compass. Consent and payment for students will close on Tuesday, 10th December. Please ensure that nominations for competitive events are returned to school this week; if you require a new nomination form, please contact admin.
At this stage, our jobs for the day will be covered by staff and students, though we always welcome anyone popping by to check when at the pool.
NATIONAL ATHLETICS
Last week, Jonty Allen from Year 5, represented NSW at the Nationals 12 years and under Track and Field Championships. Jonty placed 6th in his long jump event; we are extremely proud of his growth and achievement in long jump. Well done Jonty!
ALL LIBRARY BOOKS MUST BE RETURNED
All student library books are now due back to the library. Borrowing for 2024 has now finished, thank you to all of the families who have supported their students in their reading. Students can return their books by dropping them into the library. The library will remain open before school and at lunch times for students.
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.
SCHOOL FEES REMINDER
Bringing your attention to your School Fee account which was due to be finalised by November 30, 2024. Please check your Compass ‘School Fees’ tab, and if you still have a balance then your account is overdue. Unless you have a current payment plan arrangement approved by Mr Challinor, all School Fee account balances must be paid ASAP. If you are experiencing financial difficulties and have not discussed this with Caroline McInnes (in the first instance), please contact her urgently at alstp@lism.catholic.edu.au.
YEAR 6 WOODLAWN TRANSITION DAY
Parents of Year 6 students attending the Woodlawn Year 7 Transition Day on Friday 6 December, will still receive an SMS asking them to explain their child's absence. Parents are asked to please respond to the SMS confirming that their child is attending or otherwise (e.g. sick). All Year 6 students not attending are expected to be at school on this day.
YEAR 6 2025 SHIRTS
Year 5 parents are reminded that orders will close on Sunday 8 December. Please refer to your Newsfeed in Compass for further details including a link to the ordering website.
REMINDER CANDY CANES & LOLLIES
As we enter the Christmas season and we begin to give Christmas cards to our friends, it's important to remember that candy canes and lollies are not to be handed out at school. We have students who are allergic to certain foods, therefore, our blanket rule is no candy canes at school. We thank you for supporting this in the final weeks of school.
