Term 2 Week 2 2023
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Welcome Back to Term 2. I hope everyone enjoyed the break with family and friends. It is great to have the students back safe and sound and enthusiastic for the Term ahead.
ANZAC Day
Thank you to all the families who joined our staff to honour those men and women who have served in the forces to ensure our safety and freedom. We had a great turnout considering the weather and it was greatly appreciated.
Parent Forum
On Monday we held our Parent Forum meeting which was facilitated by our Parent Partnerships CSO representative Janita Thompson. This meeting was to provide information to our parent body about the 2 new models we need to choose from moving forward. A survey will be sent out in Week 4 for Parents to read some information and make a choice on which format would best suit our parent community.
Moving forward it was also decided we would move these meetings from the first Monday of each month to Mondays in Week 2 and Week 6 of each term in the school Library starting at 5.30 pm. Please make note of these changes. We would love to see as many parents come along as possible. The parent forum is not about fundraising, it is an opportunity for parents to have a voice, be involved in information sharing with an educational focus. Next meeting in Week 6 we have one of our parents presenting so come along and support each other.
Disco Feedback
Last term's disco was a great success and congratulations to all the parents who organised and helped on the night to make this event a wonderful family event. We will definitely run the disco again in 2024 and have discussed the following changes
- Have one disco for all families to attend at the same time.
- Disco needs to finish before it gets dark.
- Parents need to supervise their children as many students were running around in areas of the school grounds that were not supervised making it difficult to ensure students' safety.
If anyone has further feedback please email me.
Sport Uniform
Please remember to send your child in their sport's uniform every Wednesday and Friday. This is a permanent change.
Camps
Camps will be returning to Year 4 and Year 5, details of where and when these will occur will be sent through Compass later this year.
Tell Them From Me Survey
Thank you to those parents who have already completed this survey. If you haven’t had the opportunity yet could you please do so by the close of business Friday as that is when the survey will end. We encourage everyone to have a say as this information directs our Strategic Plan for 2024.
Uniform
Staff have noticed many students not adhering to the uniform policy. Could all parents please ensure that students;
- are wearing the correct footwear-black polishable shoes (no coloured markings) - no mesh type shoes.
- no bangles, bracelets, rings, or necklaces.
- one earring in each ear-gold silver studs or gold or silver small sleepers only
- no acrylic nails, or nail polish
- hair must be clean, neat, and tidy. Long hair must be tied back. No hair in hanging over eyes. No Mullets or shaven parts of the hair allowed.
These requirements have not changed. Staff are now just following up on those students who are not following our policy. We are currently reviewing the policy and will circulate the updated version later this term, however, the above elements will not change.
Regards
Tracey
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL - MISSION
Dear St Joseph's Community,
At our assembly this week, we celebrated Catholic Schools Week. This is an annual spotlight on what makes our Catholic Schools in NSW special places for our students, staff and families. It was delightful listening to students share their responses to the question of, 'What makes St Joseph's special?'. Answers included an appreciation of a quality education; 'I like reading, and writing and learning', 'I can learn and do lots of cool things to help make me smarter' or 'We get to learn about God and how to treat people'. Students appreciated the grounds and access to opportunities and the activities we do throughout the year, with the Easter Bonnet Parade getting a special mention. What resonated through each response was the recognition of the people. 'I love skipping with all of my new friends'. 'The teachers here are all so lovely and caring, and I'm not the only one that thinks this'. 'I like the environment of our school. It is not something I have to worry about and I look forward to coming each day'. Personally, I had a moment of what I love about our school during our liturgy. When I stood out the front to teach people actions to a beautiful song we were singing, all I could see was a sea of smiling faces. All I could see was joy. Students, staff, parents and grandparents were enjoying being together and being a part of our wonderful community and that connection perfectly matched the lyrics of our song;
Together we grow, together we are... Families from near, families from far. We're different but one, with Christ in our hearts.
Father Wilbur did share with us that he is hoping to one up the dance moves next time so I look forward to that too. This morning was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate what makes us special and reinforce why we all chose St Joseph's - a very wise choice indeed.
We were also able to celebrate at assembly our most recent School Spirit Awards. Thank you to Vivienne, Skylar and Isla for filling our school with love, and to Mr Holt for your ongoing support and encouragement.
Next week, we celebrate those special superheroes in our lives; our mothers! As well as the wonderful craft activities that are being prepared in class, we will hold two special events to gather together to honour our Mums. On Thursday morning (11th May), we will gather for a special liturgy and then treat all mothers and grandmothers to a lovely Devonshire tea. On Saturday the 13th May, Kindergarten students will lead our second Family Mass of the year at St Joseph's Parish Church. Please join us for both of these special events as we continue to build this incredible community of ours.
God bless,
Ryan O'Connor
Mother's Day Invitation
SPORT NEWS
Polding Winter Sport Trials
Year 5 students Zeke Bishop, Bowie West and Noah Kotek attended the Polding Rugby League and Soccer Trials in Tamworth last Friday. All three boys showed great skills and sportsmanship against some very strong competition and should be very proud of their effort. Zeke and Noah were selected in the Polding Rugby League and Soccer Teams and will compete at the NSW Carnivals later this term. We wish them both the best of luck.
NSW State Swimming Championships
Willow Millar travelled to Sydney at the end of last term to compete at the NSW State Swimming Trials. Willow competed in the 10 year old girls 50m backstroke, placing 14th in the state. Congratulations to Willow on representing St Joseph's and the Lismore Diocese at such a high level.
NATIONAL WALK SAFELY TO SCHOOL DAY
National Walk Safely to School Day will be held on Friday the 19th of May. Tweed Heads Police Services are coordinating this event. Any students and Parent Helpers that would like to walk to school on that day are to meet on the grass area at our local PCYC at 8.00am. Police will monitor the roads between PCYC and the school to ensure the children's safety.
IMPORTANT DATES
Fri 5/5/23 Zone Cross Country (selected students only)
Sat 13/5/23 Kindergarten Family Mass
Fri 19/5/23 National Walk Safely to School Day
Mon 29/5/23 PUPIL FREE DAY
Parish Sacramental Progam
The Sacramental Program for students in Years 3 and above that wish to make their First Holy Communion (EUCHARIST) and Confirmation this year is beginning soon. Classes to prepare for Holy Communion commence from the 14th May.
Please contact the Parish Office on (07) 5536 7522 if you are yet to register your child and would like to join this special and important program.
CANTEEN NEWS
Cecelia is having a 'flash sale' on used jumpers for winter. Various sizes are available for $1 or $2.
Please contact the office (075536 2519) to arrange a time to purchase if you are interested.
LIVE LIFE WELL@SCHOOL PROGRAM
