Term 2 Week 2

Dear Parents

Welcome back for what appears to be the closest to normal term we have had since the beginning of last year. Most Covid restrictions have been lifted and some normality has returned. I would ask that parents maintain social distancing when in or around the school. Staff and students have been reminded to maintain hygiene procedures such as hand washing and sanitizing.

Thanks for your anticipated co-operation in this matter.

This week we are celebrating Catholic Schools Week with the theme of Faith in the Future.

Our celebrations take on more significance this year as we celebrate 200 years of Catholic education in Australia.

Yesterday our year 6 students attended a mass at St Joseph's College attended by year 6 students from all Tweed Cluster Schools. Next Monday the whole school will attend mass in the Church to finalise our celebrations.

This week is Catholic Schools Week. 

The Theme of Catholic Schools Week is …’Faith In The Future’.

To celebrate Catholic Schools Week our Year 6 students attended a Year 6 Tweed Cluster Mass at St Joseph’s College on Wednesday 28th April. Students from 6 local Catholic primary schools participated in the workshop and Mass, led by Wildfire. A wonderful Faith experience was shared by all.  

Catholic Schools Week 2021 Student Reflections

I liked how we got to make new friends and listen to great music . I like how wildfire includes everyone in their games and songs . I really enjoyed the wildfire and the mass and the sausage sizzle . 

Wildfire was simply amazing! I enjoyed every part of this experience. I especially loved how the band were just pouring out with songs and positivity. I also loved the sausage sizzle and how we all made new friends, what a day to remember!

I loved Wildfire! I enjoyed the CSW day very much, I loved how we got to meet new people from different schools and also got to catch up with my friends that I haven't seen in a while. We got to watch an amazing band called Wildfire and did a mass with Father Wilber and after we got to have an amazing sausage sizzle. I loved this experience and I would love to do it again.

I really enjoyed the Catholic Schools Day mass. My favourite part was meeting new people and people I hadn't seen in a while. At the mass these are the things we did there, we sang and did actions to the band “Wildfire” songs, then we had a mass with Father Wilber, Then we had a sausage sizzle. Today was a spectacular experience and I definitely would love to do it again.

I really loved this experience and I loved how we were all invited into things like dancing and singing.

I enjoyed the band immensely (especially the drummer who did a magnificent job) and how we were pushed a little to interact with other people.

I enjoyed meeting new people I may meet next year.

I loved the band and the people there were so fun and kind. When I said my prayer it was a little nerve racking but since I knew Jesus was there with me I felt more comfortable.

I loved the idea of going to a special event to learn about Jesus and how much he loves us. I also loved how I always felt welcomed there. 

I liked it because we got to see the people we know already and we also got to meet new people we haven’t seen already. It was interesting I also liked the part where we got to play touch footy and the singing and dancing.

A special big thankyou to Paul Milner (Ethan and Jordan's Father), Russell Kemp (Lily Marsh's Grandfather) and Brad Armstrong (Kaitlyn and Sienna's Father) for giving up their time to help cook the sausages for yesterday's Tweed Cluster Catholic Schools Week mass at St Joseph's College. Your assistance was most appreciated!

On Wednesday May 12th a meeting will be held after the morning assembly (9am Approx) to discuss when is the best time to hold our monthly parent school forum meetings. We want to find a time where we can maximise parent attendance. If you are unable to attend the meeting on the 12th and are interested in being involved please call the school and let us know what time suits you best. The focus for the forum this year is to build community following the disruption of Covid so if you have any ideas please feel free to contribute.

SEASONS FOR GROWTH

Expressions of interest

Dear Parents/ Carers,

Change and loss are issues that affect all of us at some stage in our lives. At St Joseph’s we recognise that life can be difficult for a while when major changes occur in families through separation or divorce, or the death of a significant family member. (Parent, sibling, Grandparent, Aunty, Uncle, cousin).

We are offering a very successful program called Seasons for Growth that operates in our school and diocese. This program is an opportunity for your child to learn, with a small group of peers who have experienced similar issues, new skills to cope effectively with change and loss. The program is open to students in Year 1 through to Year 6 who have not done Seasons in the past.

 It focuses on developing strengths in areas such as self-esteem, managing feelings, problem solving, decision-making, communication and building support networks. Seasons for Growth is NOT counselling however, it is an educational program that uses a wide range of creative activities, including Peer tutoring, to help your child learn how to manage in times of major change.

Anastasia Scott, our Values and Missions Facilitator, will be the Companion who facilitates the program. Seasons for Growth runs for eight weeks, each weekly session is approximately 1 hour. This program will begin in Week 5, Term 2 and will recommence in Term 3.

If your child has recently experienced the death of a significant family member or separation or divorce and you would like them to join the program please email Anastasia on anastasia.scott@lism.catholic.edu.au   by Wednesday 5^th May  with the reason for your child participating.

Kind regards,

Anastasia Scott

The following children have received St Joseph's School Spirit awards for March. 

6M: Keira Everingham: For making her Christianity visible in assisting others in many situations, including raising over $3700 for the Leukaemia Foundation! 

5T: Amelie Ranke: For truly living the gospel values of humility, patience and respect. A wonderful example of MJR at St Joseph's. 

3W: Lucy Shambrook: for the way she always treats others with respect, patience and kindness. A willing participant to help anyone in need and a great example of MJR at St.Josephs. Well done Lucy.

The following children have received St Joseph's School Spirit awards for April. 

2Rob: Sinead Johnson: For always Making Jesus Real in your words and in your actions to all those around you. You are a wonderful role model for St. Joseph’s. 

4H: Charlie Woolfson: For his generosity of spirit and his demonstration of kindness and respect to all.

 5M: Pania Ackinclose: For her gentle ability to respond with empathy and concern for those around her.

Blake Millar (Year 5) competed at the Polding Under 11 Rugby League Trials in Bathurst last Friday. Blake was competing against students from the regional NSW Catholic Schools. The level of competition on the day was very high with many students displaying exceptional talents. Blake was one of these students, his performance on the day gaining him selection in the Polding Team, he will now compete at the NSW State Rugby League Carnival in Kiama in June. We wish Blake all the best.

Kindergarten enrolments are filling fast for 2022. If you have a child starting next year, please complete an online enrolment form as soon as possible.

Book Club News

 Welcome back to the new school term, parents and children.

The Scholastic Book Club catalogue for this term has recently been distributed to all classes. 

Book Club provides a fun and convenient way of bringing the best in children's literature into your home. It’s packed full of exciting books from best-selling authors, popular titles and series that kids love, as well as products and books that make perfect gifts for younger siblings who may not be at school yet. 

If you would like to order from it please do so on-line, by Monday 10th May.

When ordering from Book Club, you are not only helping your children, but you are also helping your school — 20% of what you spend goes back to our school in valuable Scholastic Rewards, which are used to buy classroom resources.  

 Happy reading, wishing us all a healthy and prosperous term.

Kind regards,

Rose Wilkins

Winter Jumpers available from $1 - $10

Sports Shirts Sizes 4 & 6

Blue Shirts Sizes 4-6-8-10-12

Sports Shorts 6-8-12-14 and larger sizes

Dresses 5-6-8-10-14 and larger sizes

Socks 50c pair

Blue shorts from 50c

Hats at various prices

Jackets Larger Sizes

Contact Cecelia 0403470631

Primary and Secondary School Parents/Carers of Children with Diverse Learning 

The NSW Council of Catholic School Parents/Carers (CCSP) recognises that families of children with differing abilities require targeted advocacy and support and has developed a valuable resource to assist parents of children with diverse learning needs. Please access this resource via the CCSP website.

https://www.ccsp.catholic.edu.au/students-with-diverse-learning-needs

From School to Work for Students with Disabilities

These free webinars for both students with disabilities and their parents to inspire and support students to develop a vision for employment after the completion of high school.

St Joseph's College year 7 enrolments for 2022 close today Thursday 29/4/21. Please use the link above to book an interview.