Term 1 Week 4 Newsletter, 2022

From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers, Staff and Students

I hope this communication finds everyone as well and healthy as can be, given the steadily increasing number of COVID positive cases we are experiencing in our school community. At this stage the numbers are manageable with regards to our workforce and it is good to see many classes have close to full attendance. Thank you to all in our St Joseph’s school community who are continuing to follow our COVID safe procedures as communicated via Compass and/or our school newsletter.
At the end of last week, eight students were elected to be members on our Student Representative Council for 2022. Congratulations to Angus McBaron (5A), Chelsea Willis (5A), James Demopoulos (5B), Indiana Hughes (5B), Alessandra Parliaros (6A), Marco Tropea (6A), Ned Lyons (6B) and Brooke McDougall (6B). A Badge Ceremony will be held this Friday 18th February for staff and students in Year 6 and the parents/carers of those students elected to the Student Council. It will be live streamed for all in our school community to view. Our normal Mass/Liturgy to formally induct our school leaders and welcome everyone to a new school year will take place at a later date this term. As we will no longer be required to adhere to COVID restrictions, all in our school community will be invited to attend.
I look forward to working with our 2022 Year 6 seniors and Student Representative Council this year in ensuring we follow the example of Jesus and demonstrate true servant leadership to all in our school community. Servant Leadership is about serving others before yourself. Strong leadership can be demonstrated through selfless actions and without the need of a title or the wearing of a badge. 
As role models, our student leaders are expected to follow The Joey's Way at all times by being respectful, responsible, safe and proud. They demonstrate living out our ‘Love is Service’ Motto by being aware of the needs of others, showing empathy and compassion towards them and acting as good friends would. It is expected they would model care, courtesy and reliability by using manners and basic good grace when dealing with other students and adults; treating others fairly and honestly and showing self discipline by being in control of their feelings and actions. 
Importantly, leadership is not only for our elected leaders, it can be demonstrated at any time by any student. I think Pope Francis puts it well:
“Be leaders wherever it behooves you to be. Leaders of thought, leaders of action, leaders of joy, leaders of hope, leaders of the construction of a better world.” Pope Francis, Video Conference by CNN, 17th September 2015
Wishing you all a wonderful week.
God bless
Tracy

APRE News

Open Your Heart

Be a Gift of Love and Compassion for One Another Mary MacKillop

I pray that the eyes of your heart 

may be enlightened in order that you may 

know the hope to which he has called you.

Ephesians 1:18

The season of Lent is fast approaching with Shrove Tuesday on Tuesday 1st March and Ash Wednesday on 2nd March. This year due to COVID restrictions we will be unable to hold our normal Ash Wednesday prayer service. Instead classes will hold their own prayer services. 

Shrove Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday is the last day before Lent. Shrove Tuesday always falls 47 days before Easter Sunday. In the old days there were many foods that Christians would not eat during Lent: meat, fish, fats, eggs,milky foods. So no food was wasted, families would have a feast on Shrove Tuesday, and eat up all the food that wouldn't last the forty days of Lent without going off. Pancakes were made on Shrove Tuesday as they were a dish that used up eggs, fats and milk in the house by just adding flour.

Some teachers may wish to make Pancakes for Shrove Tuesday. If your child has any food allergies please send along pancakes that they can eat in their lunchbox.

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday  marks the beginning of Lent, which lasts for six weeks. We call it Ash Wednesday because many, many Christians around the world receive a cross of ashes on their foreheads. God’s people have used this sign for hundreds of years. This cross of ashes tells friends and neighbours that we are not perfect, and that we know we are not perfect. With God’s help we can try to be faithful followers of Jesus who show by our words and actions what is really important to us. Even when we feel hopeless, God is there, loving us and giving us strength and courage.

Gracious God - bless us with hearts that expand in generous response

Minds that are willing to explore greater justice

Hands that are giving to those in need

Food that nourishes us in body and soul.

May God’s blessing be with you all, Peta

Covid Information for Families

Please find information below taken from the Qld Government website regarding isolation for COVID.

Ending isolation - coronavirus (COVID-19)
If you have COVID-19, most people can end isolation 7 full days after taking the test that gave you the positive COVID-19 result. You must not have a fever, sore throat, runny nose, or a cough that is bad or getting worse, on day 7 of your isolation.

If you do have a fever, sore throat, runny nose, or a cough that is bad or getting worse, on day 7 of your isolation, you will need to remain in isolation until those symptoms have gone away.

The link below also has up to date information relating to COVID-19

Upcoming Events

As of this week, our newsletter will be moving to a fortnightly publication.  Our next newsletter will be on Wednesday 2nd March.  Important information regarding school news and events will be sent out via Compass and posted on Facebook.

If you require your Compass details, please contact the office.  Please also join our school Facebook page to stay up to date.

The Joey's Way

School Fees

Term 1 school fees will be issued on Thursday 17th February via email to all debtors.  Please check your spam/junk folder if you have not received an email.  Due date for fees will be Friday 25th March.  

If you have a current Health Care Card you may be eligible for a concession.  We will also require a copy of your new card if it has expired.  If you have a student attending another Catholic high school (*except St Patricks College and Ignutius Park College) you may also be eligible for a Multi School Discount.  Please have the high school office sign the form and return it to St Joseph's for processing.  This form is attached below for your convenience.

We ask if all overdue accounts from Term 4, 2021 could be settled at your earliest convenience.  Payment can be made via cash or eftpos at the office or by bank deposit (noting the students name and class and SCHOOL FEES).

Student Council Representatives

Congratulations to the following student who were elected by their peers to be our 2022 Student Council Representatives:

5A Angus McBaron and Chelsea Willis                           5B James Demopoulos and Indiana Hughes

6A Alessandra Parliaros and Marco Tropea                 6B Ned Lyons and Brooke McDougall

Tuckshop

Library

‘February is Library Lovers’ Month’ and ‘Love the Library’ our theme for the library this month.  Students were enthusiastic and engaged in choosing books from our wonderful library this week, delighted to be back to their books!!

Mrs Luton our wonderful Library Teacher continued with class lessons discussing book care, parts of books, authors and illustrators with Prep students.  Grade 5’s have been learning reviewing and gathering information from other sources, for their history theme ‘Convicts in Van Diemen’s Land’, learning how to take notes and find important words for topics and assessments. 

Swimming Programme

A reminder to parents that our swimming programme has commenced for years 3 to 6. Permission notes along with payment were required back at school on Friday 11th February.  Could you please return these as soon as possible.  A copy of the note that was sent out via Compass is below.

School Uniforms

Our Second Hand uniform shop will be open on Tuesday 22 February from 8.10am to 9am for any unform requirements.  The P&F uniform shop is located behind the tuckshop.  Payment is accepted via cash.  For further enquiries please contact Kim Hogan on 0413 220 868.

Compass Portal

Please contact the office if you require username and passwords to access Compass.

Townsville School Sports Trials

Choir

Parish Mass Times

Parish Mass Times are

Saturday 5pm

Sunday 7.30am

Welcome to all.

Triple P - Positive Parenting Program

HELP FOR PARENTS TO SUPPORT KIDS’ BACK-TO-SCHOOL EMOTIONS IN 2022

Ongoing upheaval from the pandemic continues to impact families, and going back to school adds another layer of stress during a time where there’s already a lot of change. Children and young people may have mixed emotions but being able to cope with uncertainty is a key life skill, and with the right support and strategies, parents can help their children develop ways to tackle change more confidently, manage their emotions, and build resilience in the long term.

Practical Triple P – Positive Parenting Program tips and ideas are FREE, thanks to Queensland Government funding! Do Fear-Less Triple P Online, Triple P Online, or Teen Triple P Online.  For more on free Triple P programs, go to: www.triplep-parenting.net.

With thanks,    The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program team