Term 4 Week 8 Newsletter
From the Principal
Dear Parents/Caregivers
What a fortnight of entertainment it has been at St Joseph’s. The Music and Drama shows last week showcased the talents of our students, and that of the staff who prepared them for these events. Last night was the Year 1 Space Night which saw our students and staff dressed as astronauts, planets and creatures from outer space. These young students were a credit to the staff who prepared them, performing confidently for a large audience. The most wonderful thing about these types of events is seeing the enthusiasm, pride and confidence exhibited by the students when performing. They look like they are enjoying themselves which makes it an enjoyable performance for all present. Thursday evening will see our Prep students on stage performing their Prep Nativity Play. Like our Prep families and friends, I am looking forward to being an audience member at this annual event.
Monday was a busy morning as we farewelled our first group of Year 6 campers. I will be visiting the Gumburu Environmental Centre today so as to spend time with both groups. The first group will leave today as the next arrives. It is a credit to our Year 6 teaching staff who have managed to organise a great camp despite the many ‘roadblocks’ experienced along the way.
Monday morning also saw the St Joseph’s school community celebrate the volunteers who contribute so generously to our school with a special Thank You Liturgy led by our Year 4 students. During the Liturgy our volunteers were invited to come up and receive a gift and a lovely song of blessing was sung by the school community. Following the Liturgy, volunteers enjoyed morning tea served by some of our Year 6 students. There is much research relating student success to parental engagement, and it is hoped that St Joseph’s culture of volunteering and serving others continues in 2022.
Next Wednesday students will have the opportunity to meet their 2022 teacher and classmates. This practice assists students and teachers to prepare for the year ahead. Class teachers have spent many hours reflecting on class lists. Creating class lists involves a balance of gender and needs of the learners. On many occasions, parents have commented that their child's teacher was not the teacher that they believed was the best 'fit' for their child, however, they were happy to admit that the teacher selected was indeed the 'best fit'.
Our annual Carols by Torchlight will take place Sunday evening from 5 pm in the school’s undercover area. We have had a record number of pizza sales this year, so the evening looks to be a well attended event. Even if you haven’t ordered pizza, come along with some snacks and enjoy listening to our students sing Christmas carols and catch up with friends before the school year is out . Kombi Keg will be providing a complimentary drink per person with any additional drinks BYO, but please ensure no glass is brought into the school grounds. Don’t forget chairs and/or a picnic rug.
Have a wonderful week.
God Bless
Tracy
APRE News
Welcome to Week 8...
Last Sunday, 21st November, was The Feast of Christ the King. It is the last Sunday in Ordinary time and the Sunday before the beginning of the Season of Advent, when we embark on our preparation for Christmas and Christ’s day of birth. We are invited and challenged to be like Christ in our world, concerned and caring for others, especially the unimportant ones, the marginalised, the sick and all those in need in some way. The Feast of Christ as Universal King is a reminder of a deep truth about our lives, about where true happiness is to be found in how we treat others and how we are treated.
As we prepare for the coming of Jesus during the four weeks of Advent let us remind ourselves of the importance of doing things for others. We can do this when we support the SVP Christmas Appeal. Thank you to all those parents who have so generously sent in donations to the Appeal. Donations can be sent in with your child and placed in their class SVP basket or left at the front office.
On Monday, 29th November, the Prep classes will present their Christmas Nativity Play to the school, this will be followed by a representative from SVP Society who will receive our Christmas hampers.
The Joey’s Way this week is Random Acts of Kindness...a timely reminder to think of the needs of others before ourselves.
It was lovely to see a small group of our school volunteers at the assembly on Monday. Without you...our volunteers, St. Joseph's School would not be the vibrant, community focused school that it is. Thank you for joining us in our morning liturgy, which was thoughtfully led by 4B children. Thank you 4B for leading this beautiful liturgy.
We are delighted to congratulate Astrid P and Lucy B on their recent Baptism. We hope you had a very special day.
On Friday, 26th November, Yr 5A will lead the school in an Advent Liturgy. Advent is the four weeks leading up to the birth of Jesus. It is a time of preparation. In the church’s year Advent is celebrated with beautiful liturgies and hymns. The colour of vestments and cloths changes to purple ...it is a waiting period.
Please join us on Sunday afternoon, 28th November, in the Covered Area at 5.00pm for our annual Christmas Carols celebration.. The children have been busily practicing their carols and are looking forward to your singing along with them.
At this busy time of the year, stop and take some time to think of the important things in your life and say a quiet prayer to God thanking Him for all that we have.
May God Bless you and care for you.
Clare
Thank You to our Volunteers
Save the Date
Information for Families
Sick and unwell students
As the term draws to a close we are noticing that there are a number of children coming to school feeling unwell. If your child is unwell before the start of the school day, please keep them at home. Home is the best place for children to rest and get well and to stop the spread of germs and illnesses.
School Fees are now overdue. Settlement of accounts would be appreciated by the end of the school term. Payment can be made via cash or eftpos at the office or via bank transfer.
The final day for our school Tuckshop will be Wednesday 1 December. The Tuckshop will be closed on Thursday 2nd December and Friday 3rd December.
Thank you to all of our helpers throughout the year. If you are able to assist in 2022, please contact Jeannine on 0407 578 105
LOST PROPERTY
This necklace was found at the school on Monday morning. If it belongs to you, it can be collected from the office.
Could families also please check outside the Tuckshop in the lost property for any items that may belong to your child.
Water Fun Day
In our classrooms
Year 6 Sushi Rolling
I've had the pleasure of teaching most of these students for 4 years; from Year 3 all the way up to the mighty Year 6's they have become. We rolled sushi (some of us for the first time) as a final activity before they head off to camp and then embark on their journey beyond St. Joseph's Mundingburra. We learned the verbs makimasu (to roll), nosemasu (to put on) and tsukurimasu (to make) as well as the vocabulary for the ingredients we used. We had a fantastic morning rolling and eating sushi and I was impressed how much they could eat!!!!!!
Year 6 Sushi
Library News
The library is moving closer to the wind up of the school year. This week the library has been closed during Week 8, for book preparation and resourcing. Library lessons have continued as usual, though in each student’s respective classroom this week.
RETURN OF ALL BOOKS TO THE LIBRARY
Please ensure all books are returned by students this week to the library. If parents have any concerns regarding overdue books, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Have a great week! Happy reading!!
P & F News
9 Days of Reindeers Raffle
Tickets will also be on sale at the Carols by Torchlight this Sunday. Don't miss your chance for some last minute tickets.
Congratulations to the winners of days 3 to 6
- Day 3 Mick Porta - Staff family member
- Day 4 Harrison P (Year 2)
- Day 5 Liz Vecchio (Year 6 parent)
- Day 6 Shane Laskey (Year 5 parent)
Year 6 Legacy Teatowels
Teatowels to help our Year 6 students with their legacy gift will also be on sale at our Carols by Torchlight this Sunday. These are available for purchase by cash only.