Term 4, Week 2 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 back to our final term for the year. It is my hope you all enjoyed some quality time with family and friends over the school holiday break.

This week is Queensland Mental Health Week (7 - 15 October), which always takes place in the week of World Mental Health Day on 10th October. Queensland Mental Health Week is an annual awareness initiative that aims to promote individual and community mental health and wellbeing, boost awareness of mental illness, reduce stigma and discrimination, and celebrate the contribution of the mental health and community sectors. 

The theme of ‘Awareness, Belonging, Connection’ reflects the important factors that help people maintain positive mental health and wellbeing. It is all about connecting with the people in our lives and creating space for conversations about mental health and wellbeing.

Research shows there are six actions we can take to improve our moods, build resilience, and boost our mental wellbeing. The below building blocks of wellbeing are from the Queensland Government’s Dear Mind initiative and you can find examples of self care activities at https://mentalwellbeing.initiatives.qld.gov.au

• Get healthy— being active and eating well is good for your mind and body 
• Keep learning — learning new things can be fun and boost confidence 
• Show kindness — practising small acts of kindness, volunteering time, or simply helping a friend in need can help you feel more satisfied with life
• Connect — spending time with other people is important to everyone’s mental wellbeing and can be done while carefully observing social distancing 
• Take notice — paying more attention to the present and the world around you can help you relieve stress and enjoy the moment 
• Embrace nature — connecting with the outdoors and taking care of the planet is the best recipe for world wellbeing.

Good mental health affects every aspect of our lives. It is widely accepted that there is no health without mental health. Good mental health not only enables individuals to enjoy meaningful and productive lives, it also benefits communities and the economy. The benefits are felt across generations.

Our teachers have been provided with a variety of age appropriate resources to use with their students across this week.

Have a wonderful week.

God bless

Tracy

Farewell

It is with much sadness that our Rochel Clam, our School Officer Administration, will be leaving St Joseph's Mundingburra at the end of next week. Rochel has accepted a job at Townsville Catholic Education in the Student Support Services area. While she loves her job at St Joseph's, this job provides her with increased hours and a move away from only 'term time' work.
Rochel will be greatly missed in our office. She is a capable employee who has demonstrated intelligence, reliability and an ability to work hard. She uses her initiative at all times and has been instrumental in implementing a number of great initiatives which have benefited school procedures and processes.
Please join me in wishing Rochel all the best for her future role.

APRE News

Blessed to Serve

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

Congratulations to all of our students who completed the Sacramental Program last week. Thank you to their families for supporting them on this journey. Now that they have completed these sacraments they have become full members of the Church. A very big thank you also goes to Mrs Plant, Mars Cornish, Mrs Bortignon, Mrs Franklin, Mrs Stockham, Mrs Lazzaroni, Miss Dani and Mrs Diane for helping to prepare the students. 

This month (October) is Catholic Mission Month, a time where we raise awareness of the work of Catholic Missions. Our Mission Week celebrations will take place throughout the month with a variety of activities including Soctober and Mission Stalls. All money raised throughout the month will go to the programs run by Catholic Missions Australia to help restore dignity and end poverty. 

Friday 13th October

We will hold our annual water bomb the teachers event. If students would like to participate we ask that they bring in a donation on Friday. 

Friday 20th October

We will hold a coloured clothes day. We ask that students bring in a donation of the items required for their year level. If you would like to donate extra items it would be greatly appreciated. 

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: God Loves Me hosted by 3A

Week 4: 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!  

May God’s blessing be with you. 
Peta.

Mary MacKillop Parish News

Melbourne Cup Luncheon

Holy Family Parish will again be running their Melbourne Cup Luncheon on Cup day, 7th November at 12.00 noon in the Holy Family Parish Hall. This was a successful day last year and people are already enquiring if we are having one this year.) Sweeps, Race trivia, Best fascinator/decorated hat for the ladies and Best dressed for the men. More details will follow. This is a "Bring a Plate" function.

Art of Contemplative Practice 1 - 2024

The House of Prayer invites you to join us for a series of three, two-day workshops that explore the foundational principles of contemplation and their relevance to life, work and spiritual practice. The sessions will be run 16th-17th March, 13th-14th April, 18th-19th May 2024. To express your interest or for more information, please contact Brianne Falconieri at House of Prayer on 4728 9861 or more information can be found on the House of Prayer website under Formation Programs.

Support Mass on television

Many people who are isolated, in prison, in hospital or don’t have the internet rely on Mass for You at Home. The Catholic Mass is broadcast free-to-air each Sunday morning on Channel 10 and WIN at 6am. Can you support the project, through prayers or financial support? Find out more at www.massforyou.com.au

Parish Scripture Group

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.

Diary Dates

The Joey's Way

Star Students

Uniform Information for Parents

Swimming - Prep, Year 3 and 5

Permission notes have been sent home for swimming lessons for our Prep, Year 3 and 5 students. Could you please complete these notes and return with payment as soon as possible.  Lessons commence this Friday 13th October.  Without the permission note and payment returned, students will not be able to attend.

Catholic Mission Month

This month is Catholic Mission Month.  The following events are scheduled:

Donations are required for Mission Day Stalls which will be held on Thursday 26th October - please bring in your donations to your child's classroom at your earliest convenience.

Water Bomb the Teacher - this Friday 13th October

Coloured Clothes Day - Friday 20th October

From the Office - reminders

Absent from school

Is your child absent from school?  The most efficient way to let us know is via the Compass app. 

Other ways to notify the office are:

• emailing absent@sjmbtsv.catholic.edu.au
• calling the office and leaving a message at the absent option
  

Carpark Reminder

A reminder....... please do not enter the car park via the exit lane when entering from Ross River Road.  There is only on way into the car park and we ask that everyone uses this lane.  We have had instances of cars correctly exiting via the exit lane and almost colliding with another car that is entering via the EXIT lane.  The speed limit in our car park is 5km per hour.

STOP DROP & GO Zone

This area is only to be used for children to be dropped to school and collected in the afternoons.  This is not a car parking area and parents are reminded not to exit their vehicle in this zone for safety reasons.  If you wish to assist your children with their bags etc, please use the allocated car parking spaces.

LOST PROPERTY

A reminder to regularly check the lost property rack outside the tuckshop for any items that may belong to your children.

SCHOOL FEES

Term 4 Fees will be issued in Week 3.  Please check your junk/spam folders if you do not see them in your inbox.

Inclusive Education Matters

National Carers Week is 15th to 21st October. Please see attached program if you are interested in attending the community event.

Guidance Counsellors

In this edition of SchoolTV - RAISING GIRLS

Raising girls in today’s modern world can be a difficult path for parents and carers to navigate. These days, girls are transitioning to puberty a lot earlier than they used to and the physical, psychological and emotional changes they experience are challenging. As a result, by mid-adolescence, girls are twice as likely to develop mood disorders more so than boys.

Some parents and carers may feel uncertain about how best to support their daughter through the ups and downs of adolescence and how to keep the lines of communication open. With the rise of social media and technology, mental health difficulties in girls are increasing as often they are faced with online images that make it difficult to see themselves as acceptable. Ensuring a daughter’s opinions are heard and her views listened to, will go a long way towards making her feel loved and supported as she tries to establish her own identity.

In this edition of SchoolTV, adult carers will attain a clearer picture of what girls are wanting from their adult carers and how best to support them through adolescence.

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 Raising Girls edition of SchoolTV
https://sjmbtsv.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/raising-girls

Julie and Lena

Earth Warriors

Containers for change

Do you know which drink containers you can recycle and donate to our Containers for Change scheme ID?
Most aluminium, glass, plastic, steel, poppers and liquid paperboard drink containers between 150ml and 3L are eligible. Check for the 10c mark on the container to see if it’s eligible.
Our school earns 10 cents for every container you recycle by donating our scheme ID C10021941.
Every one of us can lend a helping hand to clean up the planet by recycling right.
Find out more https://www.containersforchange.com.au/qld/

Music

Tuckshop

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.

Save the Date

P & F News and Events

More information regarding our Christmas Break Up can be found on facebook.

Our Pre-loved uniform shop is open on the following days for your uniform requirements.  You are welcome to leave any donations at the office.  If you have something in particular you are looking for, please contact one of the lovely ladies and they can arrange to leave your purchase at the office for collection.

ORDERING OPEN!!!

Ordering is now open for Crazy Camel.  Extra order forms can be collected from office reception if required.  Please note that all ordering is online and orders close SUNDAY 15th OCTOBER.  

Zooper Doopers

Student Travel Rebates

Community Notices