Term 1 Week 8 Newsletter 2024

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

Our Centenary celebrations are well and truly taking shape. In the lead up to making decisions on how we would celebrate our centenary, the P & F Association, School Board and staff provided great sounding boards on which to bounce ideas off. Their feedback has been invaluable in determining the final format of our 100 year celebrations, which will take place during the weekend of 23 - 25 August. More information will be forthcoming once details have been finalised.

There are many exciting plans afoot for how we celebrate 100 years. Staff have nominated themselves for one of our sub committees and have recently met to brainstorm ideas. We have also been privileged to have the input of two members of our parent community whose shared knowledge in the events/marketing space is considerable, and who will have the support of our P & F to assist them in whatever way necessary. Our marketing department at Townsville Catholic Education has played, and will continue to play, a major role in promoting our celebrations. There will be a whole school photo taken on Wednesday 20th March where staff and students will form the shape of 100. This photo will feature in promoting our celebrations throughout the year, and will form part of our school’s memorabilia in years to come. We also have the excitement of our school Musical, ‘Centennial Chronicles: The St Joseph’s Story’. We have so much to be grateful for at St Joseph’s Mundingburra, and have such wonderful blessings in the form of staff, parents, caregivers and families. I have no doubt this will be reflected in the way our celebrations come together and are enjoyed during the weekend of 23 - 25 August. Please save this date!

On Monday evening the P & F Association held their Annual General Meeting. At this meeting the existing executive committee members stood down from their positions and a new executive committee was elected. Please join me in congratulating the 2024 P & F Executive Committee : 

President: Kerin Boyes

Vice President: Meagan Middleton

Treasurer: Amanda Murphy

Secretary: Jason Scaf

Thank you to Kerin, Meagan and Jason for nominating again for their existing positions, and to Amanda Murphy for taking on a new position and replacing Megan McBaron in the role of Treasurer. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Megan for all she has contributed to the P & F and our community in her role as Treasurer. Megan has identified opportunities for our school and been proactive in her attempts to make the most of these opportunities. She has used her initiative to put together grant applications and see these through until the end, regardless of the outcome. I know she will be a source of knowledge and a  wonderful support for our new Treasurer.

On Tuesday 19th March we will be celebrating St Joseph’s Feast Day. As this year is our centenary year, we are celebrating St Joseph’s Feast day a little differently this year. The day will commence with a Mass in our undercover area commencing at 9:00 am. All parents, caregivers and families are welcome to attend. After morning tea, students will participate in a variety of activities organised by staff. Following this, and to add more excitement to the day, the time capsule created during the school’s 75th anniversary celebrations will be retrieved. Students will then enjoy a lunch time Disco and sausage sizzle (sausages to be pre-ordered via flexi school), with treats and drinks available for sale at the tuckshop. All money raised from the sausage sizzle and sale of treats and drinks will be donated to Project Compassion. I would like to acknowledge the contribution of our hardworking P & F who will be assisting us with this event.

Friday is St Patrick’s Day and, for a coin donation, students can have a shamrock painted on their hand or cheek. All money raised will go to Project Compassion.

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

St Patrick’s Day - Friday March 17th

To celebrate St Patrick’s day, there will be shamrock face painting available on Friday 15th March. Students wishing to have a shamrock painted on their face need to bring along a 50c donation. Money raised will go to  Project Compassion.

St Joseph’s Day - March 19th

Saint Joseph was the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. Joseph was a just and compassionate man, and protected Mary from shame when he discovered that she was pregnant, even though he did not understand that her unborn child was the Son of God. We see evidence of Joseph's deep faith when he changed his plans in response to messages from God. (Saint Mary’s Press)

The spirituality of St Joseph’s Mundingburra is based on the spirit of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, the traditions of the Sisters of St Joseph and the faith of the community. Mary MacKillop and the Sisters of St Joseph responded to the needs and challenges of her time in ways that respected the human dignity of all by being deeply compassionate, reaching out to others and fostering resilience. 

On Monday, Tuesday 19th March, we will celebrate the Feast of St Joseph with a whole-school Mass in the Shelter Shed at 9:00am. All are welcome to join us.

Like Joseph, prayerfully seek to discover the will of God in the difficult situations you face.

This weeks Project Compassion story is about Leaia:

Samoa may be a country surrounded by water, but access to clean drinking water is scarce in some areas, with many families facing extreme hardship as a result.

Leaia lives with her five children, husband, brother and sister-in-law on the island of Upolu in Samoa. Not having access to a reliable source of clean water caused Leaia a lot of worry.

Their home is not connected to a piped water system, so they had to rely solely on rainwater collected in old fridges. When their water ran out, Leaia had to walk with her young children to collect water in buckets and containers from a neighbour down the street.

With the support of Caritas Australia's local partner, Caritas Samoa, a water tank was installed at Leaia's home. She and her family now have a steady supply of clean drinking water at home. Next year, they will also have a toilet built, with the support of Caritas Samoa, which will further improve their health and living conditions.

“We are very thankful and grateful for the water tank. It has helped us so much and made our daily life easier,” Leaia said.

Watch Leaia’s Story

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

You can donate through Project Compassion donation boxes, online by visiting caritas.org.au/project-compassion or by calling 1800 024 413.

Photo: Laura Womersley/Caritas Australia

Project Compassion Fundraising at Joeys

Christian Meditation

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, have a wonderful week. 

Peta.

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Parish

Our newly formed Parish is in need of a logo. If you are feeling creative you may wish to have a go at designing our new logo. Details can be found on the flyer below.

The Joey's Way

Star Students

From the Office

School Fees

School fees are due Wednesday, 20th March 2024. Could you please ensure payment is made on or before this date. Thank you! 

Sibling Enrolments

We are currently taking sibling enrolments for Prep for 2025. Applications are now overdue. Please ensure you return your applications as soon as possible to our office. 

Diary Dates

Library News

In March, we continue to celebrate reading in the library, with the wonderful wacky American author, Dr Seuss. Children all over the world love the nonsensical and silly rhyming books written by Dr Seuss! The continual repetition and rhyming of words throughout his books help children to anticipate words, which are so beneficial to early emerging readers.

Our lovely Library Teacher Mrs. Luton has been busy engaging students in storytelling the magic of Dr Seuss and our famous Australian author Mem Fox, famed for her book ‘Possum Magic’. As well as discussing, ‘What is Harmony Day?’, a special day next week, with upper primary students, Mrs Luton looked at different text structures, identifying cognitive verbs and predicting what might happen in a story by looking at the title, illustrations and the type of text, to enable students to make smart guesses about upcoming narrative.

Students have continued to enter book reviews on their ‘favourite books’ at the library and for the Wacky Wednesday Competition ‘Design your own Dr Seuss ‘Wacky Wednesday’ Socks!’, students have been enthusiastically designing their own illustrated socks. Entries are still open until this Thursday!

eBook Hub in the Library

Join our eBook Sora Hub Thursday lunchtime 1.20 – 1.30pm to have fun and learn how to borrow digital books!

Scholastic Book Club

Issue 2 will need to be finalized by Wednesday, 13^th March, so place your favourite book choices on the LOOP ordering system before it closes today!

You can find magic, wherever you look,

Sit back and relax, all you need is a book!

Dr Seuss.

Happy reading everyone!

Inclusive Education Matters

Occupational Therapists for children play a crucial role in promoting independence, building confidence, and supporting the overall well-being of children as they navigate daily life activities and develop essential skills for future success.

An Occupational Therapist (OT) for children is a specialised professional who focuses on helping children develop the skills they need to participate in daily activities, both at home and at school. OTs work with children who may have challenges with a range of tasks, including self-care activities like dressing, feeding, and grooming, as well as play skills, fine motor skills (such as handwriting and using scissors), sensory processing, and social interaction.

The role of an OT involves assessing each child's individual strengths, challenges, and goals, and developing personalised treatment plans to address their specific needs. This may include using play-based activities, therapeutic exercises, sensory integration therapy, and providing adaptive equipment or assistive devices as needed.

Guidance Counsellors

Mindfulness

Recent studies have shown that one in seven primary school children have significant mental health disorders, and one in four secondary school students have psychological problems. Every year, in the last five years, that number has increased.

Mindfulness, is the practice of being in the moment, being present and being open to what you're focusing on. Mindfulness is all about building resilience. It is not a replacement for therapy or medication for mental health issues, but will hopefully reduce the need for it later on.

Research has proven that mindfulness has endless benefits for children. Read more about mindfulness on the St Joseph’s Mundingburra School TV webpage here https://sjmbtsv.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/mindfulness

Earth Warriors

Music

Students of St Josephs are proud to present... Centennial Chronicles: The St. Joseph's Story. 

Please watch the video below which will provide you with all the information necessary to register your child/children for auditions. These will be taking place on Friday, 22nd March. Registration is necessary for students to be considered for casting.

Please complete the google form linked below no later than Wednesdsay, 20 March. 

Friendology

Tuckshop

My First Year 2024

The My First Year 2024  magazine will be published on Wednesday, March 27 in the Townsville Bulletin newspaper as a special keepsake to mark an important milestone in each prep students life.

School Disco

All funds raised from the sausage sizzle and the sale of lollies and drinks at the Tuckshop will go to  Project Compassion. 

Sausage sizzle orders must be placed on Flexischool.

Orders will close Friday, 15 March at 1.00PM.

If your child is gluten free or vegetarian, please contact Kerin on 0401  100 757 to place your order. 

Digital Technologies

P & F News

 Tickets alert! Tickets to the annual St Joseph’s Mundingburra Mother’s Day Soiree will be up for grabs starting Tuesday, 26th March.  They will only be available for a limited time or until they’re all snapped up! 
We've got the details ready to help you be prepared! 

  When: Saturday, 25th May

 Where: HeyDays, 482-484 Flinders Street

75 per ticket 

 Time: Kick off at 5pm with a welcome drink in hand, followed by a lavish canapé package to enjoy throughout the evening.  

Positive Parenting Seminar

Free Parent Presentation by The HopeFull Institute's Glen Gerreyn: March 21 6:00-7:00pm

Good afternoon families
We are excited to welcome Glen Gerreyn from The HopeFull Institute to talk on the topic of
Positive Parenting. Glen is the director and co-founder of The HopeFull Institute. Glen has
written several books and spoken to parents, young people, and organisations nationally
spreading the message about the power of hope in directing your life purpose, inspiring action,
and motivating change.

When: Thursday, March 21. 
Time:  6:00 pm - 7:00 pm.
Location:  St Margaret Mary’s College - Benedictine Place.
 
During his one-hour Positive Parenting seminar to parents, “Glen will share the five fundamental
positive parenting tools, based on positive psychology research."
 
Topics covered include:
- How to help your child find a vision
- The rules of encouragement
- How to be where you are
- Teaching your children how to fail
- How to say you’re sorry
- Making the home a refuge

To register to come, please click HERE

We hope to see you there!

Mass Times

Parish Mass Times

Wednesday 7.00am

Friday 7.00am

Saturday 5.00pm

Sunday 7.30am