St Joseph's Catholic School - Mundingburra eNewsletter

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

I hope that you all enjoyed a break from school routines over the holidays, and the return to school was a good one. It was great to come back and see the improvements which had taken place in the school over the holidays, and also witness the excitement of our students when I visited the classrooms on the first day back. They all seemed particularly excited to be seeing their friends again after the two week break.

We are off to a very busy start this term with the P & F Disco and Trivia Night happening in the first week, Mulkadee this week and also a variety of other events and fundraisers taking place in the near future. These include Catholic Education Week, Challenge Games, the Parish and School 100 Year Fair, Amanda’s Swim for Rafael and Raffle fundraisers and the Vinnies Winter Appeal.

With regards to the Fair and fundraisers, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our school community in advance for any contribution which will be made to assist with these events, and for your past and ongoing support in this space. I know there is a lot being asked of you at present with all that is happening, and understand that it can become overwhelming. Please help out where you can, and only do what is possible for you at this time. There will soon be communication asking for donations and volunteers for the stall which your child’s class is facilitating at the Parish and School Fair, however contributions to other stalls including the Sustainable Clothing and Second Hand Book Stalls are welcome from all families. If you have any old blankets or doonas you no longer use, then please drop these off at the school office for the Vinnies Winter Appeal.

During the school holidays, the ceiling of the undercover area was washed down, trees around the school were trimmed and lopped, the front garden was revitalised and a significant amount of work was done on our Yarning Circle. Once the signage is done and a garden of native plants and shrubs created, then our Yarning Circle will be complete.

Finally, I would like to thank our P & F members for their hard work, dedication and organisation. They do a great deal to promote parent/carer engagement at our school, with so much going on behind the scenes. Without their continued hard work, many of the activities enjoyed by students and families alike would simply not happen. I would also like to thank Amanda, both for her courage at nominating herself to complete two ocean swims, and for her generosity in doing these swims to raise funds to support one of our families in need.

Have a wonderful week.

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

Catholic Education Week

Catholic Education Week will be celebrated in Catholic schools next week in Queensland from 23-29 July 2023. This annual event is held to promote the special ethos of Catholic schools and to highlight the great things that take place in Catholic schools every day.

The theme for this year’s celebrations is: Communities of Faith, Hope and Love.

Catholic education strives to make a difference in the lives of those in our schools and in the wider community by challenging young people to live out the message of Jesus and to reach their full potential as compassionate, contributing, life-giving members of society.

Year Level Masses

This Friday at 8:45am we will hold our first Combined Year Level Mass for the term. Our students in Year 6,4,2 & 1 will be attending. Parents, Carers, Family and friends are welcome to attend.

Our mass for our students in Years 5,3 & Prep will take place next week on Friday 28th July, 8:45am

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 assembly will be:

Week 3: Catholic Education Week - Some Year 6 students hosting

Week 4: 5A Friendship

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!

May God’s blessing be with you.
Peta.

Mary MacKillop Parish News

Mary MacKillop Centenary Celebrations

Sunday 6th August: St Mary MacKillop Feast Day celebration. 8.30am Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Timothy Harris, followed by the Mary MacKillop Fair in the school grounds and it is there that the Centenary Book will be officially launched. What a wonderful year ahead!

Sunday Morning Tea
Morning tea is held after each Sunday 7.30 am Mass. Come along and meet your fellow parishioners in an informal setting at the parish office. We also invite people to bring a plate to share when convenient.

Parish Scripture Group

Every Tuesday morning, a group of parishioners meet in the Parish Office to study and discuss the scripture for the following weekend’s mass. This is a wonderful way to enrich their understanding of the message of Jesus and the implications for daily living in a worshipping community. You are most welcome to join this band of dedicated people who experience much enjoyment amid the solemnity of their study. Meetings commence on Tuesdays at 10.00 am. You will be most welcome.

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

Parish and School Fair

Parish and School Fair Note

Diary Dates

The Joey's Way

Star Students

Uniform Information for Parents

Uniform Shop Times

From the Office

Term 3 school fees will be issued via email next week.

Payment will be due 19th August.

Please contact the office if you do not receive your fees (sometimes they can go to junk/spam).

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
Students arriving after 8.30am must come through the office for a late pass.

Guidance Counsellor

In this edition of SchoolTV - SLEEP

Students today have extremely busy schedules, with ever increasing responsibilities at school and at home. Many kids, especially adolescents, are going to bed later and later and are at risk of sleep deprivation. This affects three areas of a child’s development: psychological, physiological and psychosocial. All three are essential to a child's growth, learning ability and overall wellbeing. Sleep is vital to a child’s overall development and is as important as diet and exercise.

Sleep also strengthens a child’s immune systems and supports their ability to function properly on a daily basis. Children who do not get enough sleep show increased levels of aggressive behaviour, are less attentive and are much less active. Trying to catch up on sleep on weekends is not the answer and can still lead to severe sleep deprivation.

In this edition of SchoolTV, parents will learn about the importance of sleep and how sleep deprivation can have adverse effects on a child’s health and wellbeing.

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 Sleep edition of SchoolTV
https://sjmbtsv.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/sleep

Inclusive Education Matters

Anxiety - taken from Health Direct

Anxiety is a normal part of life and can affect anyone, including children. But as parents and carers, it’s sometimes hard to know the difference between normal worries and something more serious.

In most cases, anxiety in children is short-lived. Some examples of normal worries are:

being shy or worrying about being liked

being upset for a short while when being left at childcare

worrying about schoolwork or sport

Some children experience anxiety more intensely and more often than other children. This stops them from getting the most out of life.

Your child may have an anxiety disorder if:

their anxious feelings don’t go away

their anxiety seems to be out of proportion to the situation

they are starting to avoid places or people

Anxiety disorders are not just a matter of feeling too anxious. Children with anxiety disorders have fears and worries that cause distress. There are several anxiety conditions, or disorders, which can affect children including:

phobias

generalised anxiety disorder

separation anxiety disorder

social anxiety disorder

The BRAVE Program is an interactive, online program for the prevention and treatment of childhood and adolescent anxiety. The programs are free, and provide ways for children and teenagers to better cope with their worries. There are also programs for parents.

Parents can access the BRAVE Program here https://brave4you.psy.uq.edu.au/

Other resources for parents include

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/anxiety-in-children

https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/anxiety-primary-aged/

https://healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au/age-6-12/mental-health-conditions-in-children/anxiety

If you feel your child is displaying more worries or anxiety than their peers, please reach out to your child’s classroom teacher or the Inclusive Practice Teachers, Diane Engert and Therese Lane.

Bimbi Wadja - NAIDOC WEEK

St Joey's had many activities on offer during NAIDOC Week last week.
Monday- NAIDOC Liturgy and Morning tea with Bimbi Wadja families. Activity- NAIDOC bookmarks.
Tuesday- Bracelet making.
Wednesday- Gabul snakes.
Thursday- Biscuit decorating.
Friday-assorted activities, snakes, biscuits, sand symbols, Indigenous puzzles and games.A big Thankyou to the staff who assisted in the running of the activities and the year 4 students who helped with the biscuit activity.

Library News

Welcome back to Term 3 at St Joseph’s Library with celebrations of NAIDOC Week and this week Catholic Education Week. This term we have the most awaited event on the school library calendar! BOOK WEEK 2023 and the theme this year is ‘READ GROW INSPIRE’. Famous Australian illustrator Matt Ottley, has created many amazing CBCA illustrations, as well as a flying seahorse hero to take readers on a journey of unlimited scope for growth and imagination!

The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) is the climax for the ultimate accolade for the best Shortlisted Australian Authors and Illustrators for 2023. Why do we celebrate Book Week? We celebrate the opportunity to promote fantastic literature to young Australians and Australian authors and illustrators! Not only does it promote and encourage children around Australia to read more quality literature, it also gives them lifelong enjoyment with reading!

There are currently six categories in the CBCA Book of the Year Awards.

CBCA Book of the Year for Older Readers

CBCA Book of the Year for Younger Readers

CBCA Book of the Year for Early Childhood

CBCA Book of the Year for Picture Book of the Year

Eve Pownall Award

CBCA Award for New Illustrator

These coveted Awards are spotlighted by Library Teachers explaining the amazing literature which inspire students to read and love books. During the run up to the Book Week Parade from 19-25 August 2023, which culminates with our exciting Parade, we hope to have inspired students to grow and love literature more.

Next newsletter we will delve into costume ideas focusing on students’ favourite books they have read!

SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB ORDERS ISSUE 5 – closes 24 July 2023

Please order via this Loop Link

Parents are reminded to contact the tuckshop if your child is absent or leaves school due to illnes. If food hasn't been prepared it can be ordered for a different day. If food is prepared due to not being notified of absence or if food is prepared and student goes home sick, we are unable to provide food on an alternative day. Please let the office know if you are collecting a sick child who has tuckshop and if it is prepared, you can collect to take home. Thank you for your assistance and understanding in this matter.

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.

Volunteer Induction Process for Parents and Carers

Flexischools

Zarate Family

Please support Amanda in her efforts to raise funds for the Zarate family. Amanda will be doing two ocean swims in an attempt to raise this money. One of these swims, the Magnetic Island to Townsville Swim, is taking place this Saturday 22nd July. The second swim, the Ship to Shore Swim, is happening on Sunday 27th August. The Go Fund Me page can be accessed by scanning the QR Code on the attached flyer.