Term 1, Week 10 Newsletter, 2023

Acknowledgement of Country

We respectfully acknowledge the past and present traditional owners of this land on which we stand, the Wulgurukaba and neighbouring Bindal people who are the custodians. We pray that we can walk together to a better future.

From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers, Staff and Students

Welcome to Week 10 and the last week of Term 1. I am sure our students are looking forward to a break from the routine of school and hope they enjoy their time relaxing and unwinding after a busy term. I wish this for their parents and caregivers as well.

I would again like to express my thanks and gratitude to our school community for getting behind our ‘Soar to the Sky Sausage Sizzle and Cupcake’ fundraiser for the Zarate family today. A very big thank you to our new P & F president Kerin Boyes and tuckshop convenor Jeannine Williams for the organisation and work which went into this event. Much gratitude also to the Harper family for their donation of the sausages which will feed the students today. We also had our groundsmen, Dave and Jeff, as well as a number of parents/carers who volunteered to assist with cooking and serving the sausages and cupcakes. A sincere thank you to all involved.

Next term, we will be participating in the ANZAC DAY march along the Strand. A note was sent out on Wednesday to all students in Year 4-6 who were interested in representing our school. Please contact the office for this permission note if your child missed out. Like last year, we are limited to having only 50 students march in the parade this year. If we don’t fill this quota with our 4 - 6 students, we will offer our Year 3 students an opportunity to participate.

I hope your Easter Celebration during the school holidays will provide an opportunity for your family to relax and enjoy one another’s company as we remember the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. 

Sometimes Easter can be a very busy time in our lives with visiting friends, making special meals and travelling to different places for a holiday break, not to mention the ‘chocolate!’  Taking time and ‘calling to mind’ the Death and Resurrection of Jesus is central to our Catholic faith. 

Just as Jesus showed compassion to the outcasts of society and to those who suffered oppression and discrimination, it is also relevant for each of us to consider how we can meet these same challenges that we face in our daily lives.  Do I alienate others?  How do I relate to others? Am I forgiving?  Do I exclude others? Do I show compassion and kindness to others?   Am I the best person Jesus wants me to be?

On behalf of all the staff at St Joseph’s Catholic School Mundingburra, I wish you and your family a very happy and blessed Easter.

God bless

Tracy

APRE News

Blessed to Serve

Bear with one another, help one another, and ever strive to serve God in a generous spirit. ~Mary MacKillop

Holy Week Prayers

This week we have been celebrating Holy week with a prayer each morning. Thank you to the teachers and students of 3B, 4B, and 2B who have given up their time to practise and host these prayers for us. Thank you to all of the parents/carers who have joined us each morning.

Project Compassion is Caritas Australia’s annual fundraising appeal which is held during the six weeks of Lent each year.  The theme of Project Compassion 2023 is ‘For All Future Generations’.  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 Blessed to Serve 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. 
Each student has been provided with a project compassion box for donations or you can donate online via the Caritas Australia website at:  lent.caritas.org.au

This week through Project Compassion we learn about Thu. 

Thu’s Story

Thu lost his leg after stepping on a landmine in Vietnam. With your generosity, Thu can now earn extra income and support his wife as she recovers from a stroke.

Watch a short film about Thu’s story here

Assemblies

Our assembly is held on Monday morning at 8:45am in our Shelter Shed. Parents, families and friends are all welcome to join us.  Our next two assemblies will be: 

Week 1: Resurrection hosted by students from Years 5 and 6.

Week 2: Blessed to Serve hosted by 3B

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!  

Sacramental Program 2023
We will be running the Sacramental Program again this year. The program will be run throughout Term 3 with the Confirmation and Eucharist being held at the start of Term 2. We will be sending out enrollment forms for the program next term.

May God’s blessing be with you, have a wonderful week. 
Peta.

Mary MacKillop Parish News

St Mary Of The Cross SVDP Conference
St Vincent de Paul Society Chapter needs your help to make a difference in people’s lives. If you think you would like to be involved in our local St Vincent de Paul conference and are willing to commit to an hour a fortnight, please contact one of our parish Vincentians for more information. Thank you. Geraldine Feaver: 0448 472 891

History Photos Wanted
To celebrate the centenary of the parish, we want to find photos of two churches that were part of the parish in former years: 1. St Anthony's in Ireland Street Oonoonba, opened in 1929 and part of Mundingburra parish until 1954; and 2. the Church of the Immaculate Conception (aka St Mary's), in Wotton Street, Aitken- vale, which opened in 1931 and continued to be used until the 1950's. If you have a photo of either church among your treasures, kindly phone Maureen on 04 2749 8696. A photo of either church would be great!

Care and Concern Group
The Parish Council is seeking varied support to enable us to re-establish a Care & Concern Group. We are interested in hearing from parishioners who would become part of such a group with a focus on care for the sick including (i) Parish Welcome—looking out for new attendees &  Acknowledging regular attendees to our church, (ii) a Pastoral Pantry where we would stock 6 or so frozen meals that can be collected or given to families or individuals who need a meal; (iii) visits to parishioners no longer able to attend church services, (iv) ensure the sick and unwell are included in our collective prayer and we keep in touch with them, (v) arranging the distribution of holy communion where required, (vi) welcome to new arrivals including refugees, (vii) other matters to be decided. To register your interest please contact the Parish Office on 47757688.

Children’s Liturgy
Children's liturgy takes place every Sunday mass at 7:30 am (during the school term) Members of our parish take the children out and complete activities related to the weekly gospel. This is a wonderful opportunity for children to engage with and understand the meaning of the gospel. All children are welcome.

Parish Mass Times

Tuesday 7.00am

Friday 7.00am

Saturday 5.00pm

Sunday 7.30am

Enhancing Catholic School Identity Surveys

2023 Enhancing Catholic Identity Surveys - Request for Parents and Caregivers to complete
Dear Parents and Caregivers

St Joseph's Catholic School Mundingburra is one of a number of diocesan schools who are due to complete the next round of Enhancing Catholic School Identity Surveys in 2023. Parents/Caregivers, Staff and Year 5 and 6 students are being asked to complete these surveys. We ask that you make time to participate in this very important survey research, as high participation rates will yield results of greater validity.

The purpose of this survey research is to gain meaningful insights into how your son or daughter’s school views its Catholic identity today and how such identity might be shaped for tomorrow. Everyone’s input is important, and only you will be able to view your individual results, and this can be done once you’ve completed the questionnaires.

Please find attached all the information you will need to complete these surveys. Thank you in anticipation of your engagement in this process. It will be much appreciated.

Once you have completed the survey, please bring in the record of completion which you will receive to the office and go in the draw to win a $100 and $50 Tuckshop Voucher.

Kind regards
Tracy Nuttall

The Joey's Way

Information for Parents

School Photos

School photo day is Monday 8th May.  Envelopes have been sent home.  Sibling envelopes are available from the school office.

From the Office

School fees are now overdue.  Please settle your accounts as soon as possible.

There are various payment options available.

Our preferred payment method is via Bpay.  Payment details can be found on your statement.  

Parents are reminded to use our enquiries email for correspondance to the office.  Email enquiries@sjmbtsv.catholic.edu.au

Absent notifications can be sent to absent@sjmbtsv.catholic.edu

These email accounts are monitored by multiple office staff and by using them ensures timely replies to your enquiries.

If you have something you would like in the school newsletter (subject to approval) please email newsletter@sjmbtsv.catholic.edu.au  

Is your child absent from school?  Please notify the office via

• emailing absent@sjmbtsv.catholic.edu.au
• calling the office and leaving a message at the absent option
• parent/guardian can note the absence through Compass
  

A text message will go out at 9.30am to any parents whose child is marked absent without an explanation.  Please reply to this text using one of the above methods.  If your child arrives after 8.30am, they must pass through the office for a late pass so that if the role has been marked at the classroom, office staff can make the ammendment for the arrival.  We thank parents for assisting with this. Roles are marked promptly at 8.30am on Mondays due to assembly - students are required to collect a late pass before moving to assembly if they are late.

Enrolments - Prep 2024

We are currently taking sibling enrolments for Prep for 2024.  Enrolment application forms can be found on our website or by visiting our office for a paper copy.  Please return to the office as soon as possible as interviews commence later this term.  APPLICATIONS CLOSE 31ST MARCH.

Families will be contacted to book interview appointments.

Mulkadee

Guidance Counsellor

In this edition of SchoolTV - MINDFULNESS

Over the last decade, mindfulness has been slowly rising in popularity with many individuals practising it on a regular basis. Evidence based research has found that there are many benefits to mindfulness which has prompted schools across the nation to implement this practice into their daily routines.

Mindfulness can be described as attention training for your brain, enabling you to focus on something without judgement and to stimulate curiosity. Mindfulness can be practised in a number of ways and is something that can be done by everyone - no matter what your age! It has been practised by many cultures around the world, but it is not exclusively affiliated to any particular philosophy or religion.

Mindfulness helps improve memory, engagement and performance. Its positive effect on the brain can improve immunity, mental wellbeing, learning ability, emotional health and even time management. It is especially important in this era of information overload as our attention is constantly being pulled in many directions making us more distracted.

In this edition of SchoolTV, parents can learn the best way to introduce this mindfulness to their children, implementing into their daily lives to have an overall positive impact on family relationships.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the school counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to the Mindfulness edition of SchoolTV
https://sjmbtsv.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/mindfulness

Julie and Lena

Inclusive Education Matters

Thank you to the parents who have volunteered to be on our School’s Inclusive Education Committee.  If you are interested in sharing your wisdom, strategies and ideas in supporting all students in our community it is not too late.  We would love to hear from you.  Please contact Diane Engert or Therese Lane  (Email:   dengert@sjmbtsv.catholic.edu.au   or    tlane1@sjmbtsv.catholic.edu.au) to join our Committee.  

Where can I go for help?

Uniting Care is the NDIS partner for early childhood supporting young children and their families to access early intervention and support for children aged under 5 with developmental delays or under 7 with a diagnosed disability. If you have any concerns about your child’s social skills and interactions, their movement both during indoor and outdoor play experiences, how they are developing their skills to care for themselves and communicate their needs and wants - then Uniting Care can help.  Parents can contact Uniting Care for a free confidential discussion and assist you in accessing early intervention and support for your child.  Your child does not need a formal diagnosis of a disability to seek support from Uniting Care.  You can contact Uniting Care on 1800 543 354.

Child Development Service - Townsville Hospital and Health Service

Child Development Services (CDS) provides support and services to children aged 0-8 years with developmental delays or disabilities.  They work in partnership with families to facilitate and provide early intervention services/supports available in the community.  Children can be referred to CDS by their parent/carer, doctor, child health nurse, child care educator or school. Referral forms are available from Child Health Reception, Kirwan Health Campus or can be downloaded.

https://www.townsville.health.qld.gov.au/services/community-health/child-youth-and-family-health-service/ 

For more information phone 4433 9000 or email tsv-kirwan-child-health-bookings@health.qld.gov.au

Bimbi Wadja

Over the last 2 weeks we have been looking at plants and seeds. During one activity we got out hands dirty rolling out clay into little bowls and decorating them with flowers, seeds, berries etc.
We also made cute little bracelets out of masking tape and decorated them using natural items.

Reef Guardians

This term our Reef Guardians have been investigating the use of single use plastics at school. After Clean Up Australia Day, we explored the types of rubbish collected and realised that single use plastics accounted for a large amount of the waste collected.
The Reef Guardians' brainstormed different ways in which we could reduce the amount of single use plastics in our lunchboxes. Students suggested using containers or wax wraps instead of cling wrap, buying in bulk for yoghurt and biscuits rather than individual pouches and packets and using a bento-style lunchbox with compartments for the different types of food.
To encourage our students' commitment and enthusiasm to reduce the amount of waste in their lunchboxes, families are encouraged to pack a nude-food lunchbox on Tuesdays (or everyday).
See the attached images for more information.

Junior Engineers

On Monday, 27th March, some of our Year 5 students attended the Townsville Junior Engineering competition at Townsville Grammar School. Students listened to local engineers speak to them about their careers and what their job entails ranging from building bridges to using artificial intelligence in underwater drones to detect different sea life. 

Students were presented with a task to design a roller coaster that could work smoothly. Judges were looking for creativity, teamwork skills and a design that would ensure the marble’s speed stayed under control in addition to taking the longest duration to arrive at the end of the track. 

Students worked collaboratively to build their structure using columns and beams. They also problem solved tricks and techniques to attach the track to the framework which included some wide and sharp curves and various funnels. Congratulations to our students who represented St Joseph’s proudly and also to Townsville Grammar School who placed first. 

Speech and Drama Famous Faces

Lots of fun and excitement was had this term with students doing some very creative things in their Speech and Drama lessons. In term 1 we focused on understanding narrative structures and storytelling through strong facial expression and mime. Older students learnt to use poems as a basis to build dramas, while younger students worked on sound formation and letter pronunciation. Just a reminder that Speech and Drama will begin for Prep students in Term 2. If you are interested in enrolling your child, please visit the libretto.com.au for more information.

Library News

The Easter School Holidays are nearly here and a fantastic opportunity for students to relax and enjoy at leisure, the joy of reading. Students have enthusiastically borrowed their favourite books from our fabulous collection for the school holidays. Mrs Luton, our Specialist Library Teacher has continued with her library lessons, as well as ongoing lessons with students in the InitiaLit Programme, teaching informative and imaginative text.

The library has celebrated Harmony Week and this week we culminate with Holy Week observances.    

Things to do over the school holiday break:

Looking for an eBook or audio book over the school holidays?

Don't forget to use our Sora eBook App.

or our Story Box Library App.

Check out other venues for reading activities for leisure at our local CityLibraries, where children can enjoy reading activities over the holidays.

https://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation/libraries

BOOK CLUB

As at this moment, we have not received our Issue 2 order however as soon as it arrives, we will distribute to students.

Have a special Easter holiday break and never be without a book!

Happy Reading!

Tuckshop

Flexischools offers a convenient way to order school lunches online. Please update your child's class to their 2023 class so that orders go to the correct place and children are not delayed in receiving their order.

Our Tuckshop list is also available on our school website.

Jeannine is our Tuckshop Convenor and is always appreciative of volunteers.  If you can spare even an hour of your time, please contact her on M:  0407 578 105

Volunteers are required to complete our Induction process.  This includes the Online Modules, Supporting Documents and Quiz.  Please follow the link below and follow the instructions.

School Sport Trials

Uniform Shop

P & F News

Community News

TCC Easter School Holiday Guide 
Council is once again putting together their School Holiday Guide - Easter Edition, filled with fun low/no cost activities to keep the kids happily entertained over the Easter break. 

The guide will be a free downloadable digital booklet available on Council's website from Monday 27 March.