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,

Ash Wednesday was on the 14th February. Ash Wednesday is one of the most important holy days in the liturgical calendar. It opens Lent, a season of fasting, prayer and almsgiving. Lent is a time for repentance and preparation for the death and resurrection of Jesus at Easter.

Due to Mrs Taylor and myself being away, special liturgies were conducted in classrooms where students received a cross of ash on their forehead. The cross is a reminder of human mortality and the need for reconciliation with God.

Growing up as a Catholic, I have distinct memories of the season of Lent. It was a time when we were asked to ‘give up’ something we enjoyed and would really miss. Like most of the kids who gave up a sweet of some kind, I remember giving up chocolate. The weeks of Lent would seem to stretch on forever without the joy of eating chocolate. I also remember the Project Compassion box my siblings and I would try very hard to fill with the money saved from not buying various treats. Suffice to say, I don’t think I truly understood the spirit and significance of the season of Lent at this young age.

These days I believe that the season of Lent is a time of change, of preparation and of renewal. It is a time to focus on new beginnings and new life. A time to reflect on how we can become better people, to deepen our relationship with God and a time to grow out of our selfish ways, and to become more caring and thoughtful towards each other.

Pope Francis talks about Lent as a time to begin again: “…it is possible to realise something new within ourselves and around us simply because God is faithful, he continues to be rich in goodness and mercy, and he is always ready to forgive us and start all over.”

Lent gives us the opportunity to start over in our relationship with God. It also provides us with a wonderful opportunity to start over with those in our lives with whom there may be conflict or estrangement. How much of a burden could be lifted from our shoulders if we could forget about past issues we have had with others and move forward to a more positive future? It is possible through forgiveness and reconciliation. While Lent is certainly a time for fasting and going without, it is also a time to reconcile ourselves with others and with God.

During Lent we are asked to engage in prayer, fasting (self sacrifice) and almsgiving. Prayer centres on our need to ask for God’s forgiveness and mercy for not following the example Jesus set for us, and trying to become the best person we can be. Self sacrifice might involve forgoing something we enjoy. Instead, the money and time sacrificed is set aside to help those in need. We can also forgo behaviours which hurt others. Instead, we can embrace being kind and helpful to those around us. Giving our money or doing something good for others is a way to respond to God’s generosity and love. During Lent, people are encouraged to offer their time or treasure to the needy. For example, some people volunteer, while others donate the money they typically use to buy their morning coffee or treats at the tuckshop to charities.

Each year during Lent, Caritas Australia holds its appeal – Project Compassion in line with our Lenten practice of Almsgiving. Caritas Australia is a Catholic outreach and social justice organisation which is committed to working alongside the most vulnerable and addressing the imbalance of power by including the people affected in the decisions impacting their lives.

Students received their Project Compassion boxes this week to take home. I encourage you to reflect on how you may be able to support the vital work of Caritas in support of those with the greatest need in our world.

Wishing you all a wonderful week.

God Bless

Tracy

APRE News

2024 Prayer Theme: Blessed to Serve

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

This week 5B hosted our assembly prayer where we launched our annual Project Compassion Appeal. The theme of Project Compassion 2024 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.

On Monday each students was provided with a project compassion box for donations or you can donate online via the Caritas Australia website at: lent.caritas.org.au

This weeks Project Compassion story is about Ronita:

Ronita is 22. She lives with her husband and two children in a barangay (local district) in Quezon City, which is situated in Metro Manila in the Philippines.

Ronita left school when she became pregnant as a teenager. This could have had a life-long impact on her ability to find work and provide for her family but, thankfully, she heard about the Alternative Learning System (ALS) program run by the Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ), Caritas Australia’s local partner in the Philippines.

Through the FCJ, Ronita was able to re-enrol in her studies and continue learning in a safe and flexible environment – even with the arrival of her second child.

After completing her ALS classes, Ronita went on to earn her Grade 12 Senior High School Diploma. With her new diploma, Ronita has now secured a job at a call centre and is looking to a brighter future for her whole family.

“I have now graduated senior school and I am so proud of myself,” she said. “I feel hopeful for the future… Now it’s not impossible for me to achieve my dream… Thank you.”

Watch Ronita’s Story

Please donate to Project Compassion.

Together, we can help vulnerable communities face their challenges today and build a better tomorrow for all future generations.

Project Compassion Fundraising at Joeys

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!

Assemblies

Assemblies will take place fortnightly this year. Our next assemblies will be in:

Week 8: 5A St Patrick's Day

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

Peta.

Jacqui Francis Visit

It was lovely to welcome the Executive Director of Townsville Catholic Education, Jacqui Francis, to St Joseph's Mundingburra this morning. The wet weather did not interfere with her visit to the Year 5 Japanese lesson where she learnt the Japanese saying for 'hello'. We were both impressed with the students' engagement in their Japanese lesson, and their ability to speak the Japanese language. We also commented on the great energy Sensei (Mrs Hall) puts into her teaching of Japanese. We have a lot to celebrate at St Joseph's!

Tracy

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Parish

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.

The Joey's Way

Star Students

Annual School Improvement Plan - Parent/Carer Feedback & Suggestions

Parent/Carer suggestions or feedback are integral to informing the school's Annual School Improvement Plan. If you would like to express your ideas as to how St Joseph’s Catholic School Mundingburra can grow and improve, please complete this short survey (link below) by Wednesday 21st February. The Plan will be presented to our Service Team from Townsville Catholic Education on Friday 23rd February.

Annual School Improvement Plan - Feedback & Suggestions

From the Office

School Fees

School fees were issued last week and are due Wednesday, 20th March 2024.

Sibling Enrolments

We are currently taking sibling enrolments for Prep for 2025. Please ensure your application is sent to our office by close of business tomorrow, 29th February as interviews will commence shortly!

Enrolment applications can be found on our website or by visiting our office for a paper copy.

Diary Dates

Farwell Jeannine

It is with much sadness I inform our school community that Jeannine Williams has resigned from her position of Tuckshop Convenor at St Joseph's Mundingburra. Her last day will be Friday 15th March 2024.

Jeannine has put her heart and soul into the tuckshop convenor role over the past nine years, developing strong relationships with our staff, students and families and consistently providing wonderful service and food. Her food is not only delicious, but also beautifully presented. This has been evidenced by the number of events Jeannine has catered, whether that be for staff and families or invited guests at the school. Her efforts in preparing and presenting food have never gone unnoticed.

I know our community will miss Jeannine's approachability, flexibility and willingness to go the extra mile, whether that be organising late lunch orders for students (and staff) or making volunteers in the tuckshop feel welcome and appreciated. There have been times when Jeannine has single handedly fed the school without help, and has done so with little fuss.

Jeannine will be greatly missed, not just for her food but also for who she is - perpetually happy, accommodating and caring of others. Please join me in wishing Jeannine all the best in her future endeavours.

Farewell Lena

It is with a combination of sadness and joy I am informing the school community that our Guidance Counsellor, Lena Hewitt, is commencing her Maternity Leave from the end of next week.

Lena was appointed as the school's Guidance Counsellor at the beginning of last year, and very quickly fit into our school community. Those families who have had the benefit of Lena's guidance and care will attest to her approachability, kindness, compassion and genuine care of the students she works with. Nothing is too much trouble for Lena, and her knowledge and experience in the guidance space has provided much needed assistance to staff, students and families over the time she has been at the school.

We have all benefited from Lena's positive and cheerful attitude, and her presence in our school community will be greatly missed. Please join me in wishing Lena all the very best as she takes on the very special role of motherhood.

Library News

February ‘Library Lovers Month’ has been an exciting month encouraging children’s literature and reading, with many activities throughout the month in the library! Students continue to engage in the ‘Write a Book Review’, a fun and engaging way to share reading with other children and develop more confident readers and writers. These reviews will be entered into the Destiny Discover collection for other students to talk about their reviews. This week the library celebrates the annual Clean Up Australia Day held this week end and also the American writer and illustrator, Norman Bridwell, the creator of ‘Clifford, the Big Red Dog’ book series. Norman Bidwell has sold over 126 million copies all over the world in 13 languages. Young students were delighted to choose a Clifford book this week.

Our lovely Library Teacher Mrs Luton continues this week with specialist library teaching, developing comprehension and vocabulary, assisting students with literacy.

Next week, the library will celebrate the birthday of Dr Seuss, the much-loved American children’s author and cartoonist. Activities during the next week will include a ‘Wacky Wednesday’ with your favourite Dr Seuss book in the library.

Book Club Issue 1

Book Club orders have been sent out to students this week.

SORA EBOOK HUB

Thursday’s lunchtime eBook borrowing sessions continue for all students. Come join us every lunchtime at 1.10pm and learn to borrow books digitally.

Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.

Dr. Seuss

Happy Reading!

Inclusive Education Matters

Speech-Language Therapists (SLT), also known as a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), play a crucial role in supporting children's communication development and helping them achieve their full potential in speech, language, and social communication skills.

Speech-Language Pathologist, is a trained professional who specialises in assessing, diagnosing, and treating communication. SLPs use various techniques, exercises, and activities to help children improve their communication skills, including speech production, vocabulary development, grammar, comprehension, and social interaction. They work collaboratively with parents, caregivers, and other professionals to develop individualised treatment plans tailored to each child's unique needs.

If you have any concerns over your child’s speech and/or language development please contact your child’s classroom teacher.

Guidance Counsellors

Positive Parenting

Positive discipline is an approach to parenting that teaches children and guides their behaviour, while respecting their rights to healthy development, protection from violence and participation in their learning. Positive discipline is based in research on children’s healthy development and effective parenting, and founded on child rights principles.

Positive discipline is not permissive parenting and is not about punishment. It is about long-term solutions that develop children’s own self-discipline and their life-long skills. Positive discipline is about teaching non-violence, empathy, self-respect, human rights and respect for others. See how to incorporate this into your parenting style in this factsheet from the school’s School TV website.

https://sjmbtsv.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter-resource/14252/62

How to access School TV

You can access School TV via our website. Please click on the 'Parent' tab, then 'School TV' and the image of a TV with 'A Parent Resource STV Click Here'.

Whole School Christian Meditation

Clean Up Australia Day

The St Joseph's community is stepping up to help clean up our school grounds and the nearby soccer fields as part of Clean Up Australia Day 2024 ♻️

📆When: Friday March 1st.

🕐Time: After Whole School Christian Meditation. Approximately 2:10pm for a 2:15pm start.

📍Where: Please sign in at the covered area and join your child's class there.

Parents and students can bring a pair of gardening gloves from home to reduce the number of disposable gloves used.

Our Earth Warriors will be analysing a sample of the rubbish we collect to inform our sustainability initiatives and priorities for the rest of the year.