Term 1 Week 6 Newsletter, 2022

From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers, Staff and Students
Today marks the beginning of the season of Lent, a special time in our Church and school community where we think about the mystery of Jesus’ life and death. We also renew our commitment to the Lord and show this by our efforts to talk with Jesus in prayer, give up unhelpful habits in our lives, open our hearts to others and care for those in need. This is the time for change; to turn our hearts back to God. It was wonderful to spend time in prayer with some of our classes today. I took part in Ash Wednesday Liturgies in Year 1, 3 and 6. Thank you to those classes for their warm welcome and respectful participation in prayer. 
Over the last week I have been spending time visiting classrooms, and it has been great to see how settled the students are despite the very different start to the school year we have had. It has been particularly pleasing to see how well our Preppies have adapted to their new environment. Starting school is a big change for children. Not only do they have to cope with schoolwork and teachers, but they also have to get used to being part of a class and a whole school. A lot more is expected of children when they start school and there are lots more people to get on with. 
When children start school, it helps them to know that there are people at school who will look after them and care for them. Children have their teachers and teachers’ aides, and they also have the school ‘Safe Persons’. Posters of these staff members are being sent to staff this week for display in their classrooms and around the school. All children need to feel that their world is a safe place where people will care about them, where their needs for support, respect and friendship will be met, and where they will be able to get help to work out any problems. When these needs are met children develop a sense of belonging. A sense of belonging has been found to help protect children against mental health problems and improve their learning. Children who feel that they belong are happier, more relaxed and have fewer behavioural problems than others. They are also more motivated and more successful learners. 
This Saturday, members of the School Board will be gathering in our Library for the School Board Formation Day which is being facilitated via zoom. Bishop Tim will share insights from the Townsville Diocesan Assembly (Belong, Believe, Become) and Australia’s Fifth Plenary Council, while Prof Br David Hall will present Our Church: A Call for Change and Our Future: A Vigorous and Engaging Church. The morning will conclude with Louise Vella-Cox speaking about directions and activities in our Diocesan schools and lunch. 
We sadly farewell two of our board members who have completed their three year term on the School Board. A big thank you to Debbie Keighran and Helen Hobbs for their participation and contribution to our board over the past three years. You will both be missed. With Debbie and Helen leaving, opportunities exist to welcome a few more members to our board. If this is something you would be interested in, please contact me for more information.
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

Don’t forget to do good
and to share what you have 
because God is pleased 
with these kinds of sacrifices.
HEBREWS 13:16

Ash Wednesday
Today is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the season of  Lent, which lasts for six weeks. Classes participated in prayers in their classrooms, where the children received a sprinkling of Ashes on their heads. This sprinkling of ashes reminds us  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 and Open Our Hearts to others.

Ash Wednesday

Shrove Tuesday

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Assemblies will commence next week in the Shelter Shed on Monday mornings at 8:40am. All are welcome to attend.  Week 7 - Year 6  Week 8 - 5A

Christian Meditation will take place each Thursday morning at 8:00am in the Library.  Meditation is a form of sacred and silent prayer, known as prayer of the heart.  It is  a lovely way to start the day! COVID restrictions remain in place for this week and we are only permitted to have students and staff participate this week. As of next week we look forward to welcoming parents to join us.  

Project Compassion

Project Compassion is Caritas Australia’s annual fundraising appeal which is held during the six weeks of Lent each year.  The definition of caritas is Latin and means love for all. Project Compassion raises awareness and funds for people in our world who live in poverty. The theme of Project Compassion 2022 is ‘For All Future Generations’. It is an expression of hope and reminds us that the good that we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come.   It invites us to make the world a better place by working together now and finding long term solutions to global issues. With our theme of Open Our Hearts, we are encouraging students to reach out to others in need and to find ways to enrich the lives of those around them. Project Compassion is a wonderful way to do this. Throughout the year we will participate in a variety of activities that will go towards supporting Project Compassion. 

 First Week of Lent  
(Week beginning Monday 7th March)
We begin our annual Lenten Project Compassion journey by learning about Anatercia, a 12-year-old girl living in a small village in southern Mozambique. She began to take on more and more adult responsibilities as her mother has chronic health issues. She did most of the household chores and had to travel up to five hours every day to collect clean water. Water scarcity also meant that harvests were poor and there was never enough to eat.    Photo:  Emidio Josine/Caritas Australia

With your support, Caritas Australia’s local partner, Caritas Regional Chokwe, was able to help Anatercia’s family to irrigate their farm to improve their food security. They also improved water access for households in the village, delivered sustainable farming training, and provided Anatercia with essential school supplies.
Anatercia’s health, education and quality of life have improved, along with the outlook of her whole community for all future generations.
Watch a short film about Anatercia’s story here.
Please support Project Compassion: lent.caritas.org.au

May God's blessing be with you all, Peta

Joey's Way

Diary Dates

School Fees and Instrumental Music

School fees were issued via email on the 17th February.  If you have not received your invoice, please check your junk/spam and contact the office.  Your payment is due 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 Ignatius 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.

Instrumental Music Fees are due for payment by Friday 11 March.  Your prompt payment for these fees is requested as our Tutors are external staff who also require payment.

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).

2023 Enrolments

Absent Notifications

Please call the office on 4779 1651 and select absent from the list to record student absences as our reception is quite busy first thing in the morning.  Absences can also be recorded on Compass or our absent email:  absent@sjmbtsv.catholic.edu.au

Feast Day and Leader's Induction Liturgy

Library Borrowing Days

Library News

March is an exciting time in the library, with celebrations this week of the extraordinary life and books of the loved American author, Theodor Seuss Geisel, known by his pen name, Dr Seuss!  A study  
is being held this week in the library, where students can complete a survey to find out which is their favourite Dr Seuss book! We will keep you apprised of the winner! 
‘The more that you read,
the more things you will know,
the more that you learn,
the more places you’ll go!’
Dr Seuss

Our amazing Library Teacher, Mrs Luton has been engaging students in all classes this week, with fantastic information and knowledge on skills needed to find resources in the library.  This week navigating the Dewey decimal system and becoming more familiar with our library catalogue, Destiny Discover!

**Mrs Luton with Year 4 classes and Prep enjoying 'Grandpa and Thomas' - their InitiaLit story for the week. ** Cat in the Hat  **New books to the Library

‘Let’s Talk About Books’ with Mrs H.
The enjoyable book club where students can learn more about ‘new books’ coming to the library or discuss their own favourite choices, has commenced …every Wednesday at lunchtime 1.10pm.  See you there!! 

e Book Hub
Students are invited to join their friends, Thursday at lunchtime 1.10pm, come and learn more about our Sora e book program in our amazing library. 

Issue 1 - Orders are on their way and will be here soon!

Issue 2 – Book Club brochures will be given out next week!
Orders for issue 2 will need to be in by 17 March, remember to order through Scholastic LOOP. 
 Oh, The Places You’ll Go!  Dr Seuss
Happy Reading!!

Bimbi Wadja

My name is Miss Cindy Collinson and I am the Indigenous Education worker at St Joseph's Mundingburra. I support all the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students within our school.
I would first like to welcome our newest students Sophia in Prep and Braydon in year 2 to our Bimbi Wadja group.

Fun Fact: Bimbi Wadja is the Biri Gubba word meaning " Strong, good talk"

Miss Lyrech Mara supported me in my role and sadly left our school to pursue her dreams in football. She moved to Brisbane in 2021 to join the BHP Wynnum Manly Seagull women's team. She is enjoying the intense competition and enjoying her new team. We will keep you posted on her journey.

This term we are learning about the Gabul Creation story. The Aboriginal people of this area are placed in their country through the creation story of Gabul, the carpet snake. Here in the Townsville region, the Wulgurukaba story of the journey of Gabul explains the shape of the coast, its islands and its rivers.

Our first Bimbi Wadja gathering we made our own Gabul snakes and spoke of how he slithered his way down the Hinchinbrook channel.

We will be learning about Gabul and doing activities each Thursday at lunchtime for all students in the school.

Duldhina (Take care)
Cindy

Bimbi Wadja Gathering

Townsville School Sports Trials

Joey's Choir and Trebles

Tuckshop

Well Being Tips

Through 2022 Newsletters, I’d like to share some valuable information from School TV that will hopefully help you support your family’s well-being.

Signs of School Refusal developing:  It is normal to have challenges at times of transition, such as starting school or beginning a new year level after such a long break. COVID has added additional complications to an already stressful time for children and thus you as parents and carers. It is important to be able to recognise signs of School Refusal early, know how to support your child and ask for help from the school through your child’s teacher. The following School TV links will take you to information and/or videos on the following key topics:

So what is school refusal exactly?

How should a parent handle school refusal?

Guidance Counsellor Barbara Salisbury

Uniform Shop

Parish Mass

Mass Times

Saturday  5pm

Sunday 7.30am

Everybody welcome

From the Bishop

Catholic Youth Commission, Townsville Diocese - Expanding Membership

The Catholic Youth Commission commenced in 2021, assisting the Bishop in planning and strategising to grow youth ministry in the Diocese. Bishop Tim is now looking to expand its membership for 2022 and is inviting expressions of interest in joining the Commission. Bishop is looking for a senior high school student, 2 young adults and 2 adults over 30. Express your interest by Friday 4 March 2022 through emailing youth@tsv.catholic.org.au for an EOI pack. Contact our youth office for more information - 07 4726 3262.