Term 1 Week 10 - April 2nd, 2024

From The Principals Desk

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope everyone had a pleasant Easter weekend, spending time with family and friends. It is a rarity when we get to celebrate during the school term and have time directly after the weekend to reflect on the true meaning of the events of Easter. We are an Easter people, a people of hope! I know that there is also plenty of hope around the school today as we await the massive Easter Raffle draw this afternoon! We thank everyone for their generous support of this student led fundraiser.

An Easter Reflection: ‘My Catholic Life’, April 2024.

‘It was true.  All they had hoped for came true.  They saw Jesus arrested.  They saw Him beaten.  They saw Him falsely accused.  They saw Him sentenced to death.  And they saw Him die.  Now for the miracle of miracles, they saw their Savior alive.  Every hope that they had came true. Everything came to fruition in that moment.  All that was lost was restored a hundredfold.

The Resurrection of Christ is not simply an event that took place long ago.  It’s an event that continues to take place when we patiently walk with our Lord through the trials, crosses and sufferings of life, with hope and trust in His power to do all good things.  Evil always loses in the end when we remain steadfast in our hope in Him.

As we celebrate the reality of the Resurrection of Christ, ponder the promise He has spoken to you. Have hope in Him and in His power to breathe new life into your heaviest cross. Do not doubt.  Do not be afraid.  Have hope and trust, and anticipate the moments when the power of the Resurrection brings forth the greatest joys you could ever imagine.’

We have our Easter Mass in the church tomorrow at 10am. All are welcome to join us for this celebration.

The final two weeks of term are very busy, as usual, please see the events listed in today’s newsletter to become involved where you can!

Parent Teacher interviews are tomorrow, thank you for your ongoing dedication to these important conversations about the academic and personal growth of your child at school. If you haven’t yet booked a time slot, bookings remain open in Compass.

Our Cross Country is this Thursday - The forecast looks a little bleak so we need everyone praying for fine weather this week!  

Don’t forget to let your friends know about our Open Day on Wednesday 10th April. While our annual open day is generally targeted toward new kindergarten enrolments, we currently have vacancies in most classes across the school, so all interested families are welcome!

I look forward to an exciting final two weeks of term!

Peace and blessings,

Jason Clarke

Principal

Teaching Attendance - Expect your child to be at school every day. 

Setting the expectation for your child to be at school every day is a fundamental aspect of fostering a positive attitude toward education and establishing good attendance habits. 

Clearly communicate to your child that attending school regularly is a top priority. If your child faces challenges related to attendance, such as reluctance or anxiety about going to school, address these issues promptly. Open communication with the school can help identify and resolve any underlying concerns.

You can seek advice free from NSW ParentLine 1300 1300 52.

Student Disciples News

ANZAC Day March

ANZAC Day March and Service - Thursday 25th April, 10.15am

Our school will be once again participating in the Murwillumbah RSL Sub Branch ANZAC Day March and Service on Thursday the 25th April (during the school holidays). We would like to see an enthusiastic representation from our school, as we usually do, for this important community event. We will assemble on Murwillumbah (Main) Street near the Post Office (keep an eye out for our school flag) at 10.15am for a 10.30am march. The march will proceed down Main street to the assembly area for the service. Students need to wear their full ‘day’ uniform. Don’t forget hats and water bottles.

St Joseph's Open Day

"You Can Do It!" Awards

WEEK 8

Kinder
Alice Walsh for Persistence and Giving Effort.
Jesse Bedser for Persistence and Working Tough.
Isabel McMahon for Confidence and Taking a Risk

Year 1
Zephyr Walker for Organisation and Planning My Time.
Leo Robinson for Confidence and "I Can Do It" Thinking.

Year 2
Sam Boss - Organisation and Planning My Time. 
Olivia Skarpona for Getting along and being Socially Responsible. 

Year 3
Linkin Macdonald for Persistence and Giving Effort.
Charlie Culnane for Confidence and Working Tough.

Year 4 
Oscar Skenner for Persistence and Giving Effort.
Daisy Westwood for Persistence and having a Growth Mindset.

Year 5
Isla Alley for displaying Persistence and "I Can Do It" Thinking.
Chayse McLeod for displaying Confidence and Planning My Time.

Year 6
Violet Williams for Confidence and "I Can Do It" thinking. 
Amelia Alley for Resilience, Bouncing Back and Being Independence. 

Sharing the Gospel

ROSARY

This week, I had the privilege of visiting all classes from Kindergarten to Year 6, where I introduced them to the beautiful tradition of praying the Rosary. Together, we explored the significance of each bead and deepened our understanding of Holy Week through the Sorrowful Mysteries. Looking ahead, our plan for next term is to unite in prayer by reciting a progressive Rosary, with each class taking a turn to lead a decade, reflecting on the four mysteries of the Rosary.

The Rosary serves as a pathway to God, suitable for all ages. It nourishes the soul like candy and is a powerful form of prayer. By meditating on the Mysteries of the Rosary, we recall the life of Jesus Christ and center our hearts on Him and His mother Mary.

We take this opportunity to thank Mrs Zambelli and Mrs Wallace for giving their time to make Rosary beads each Monday at afternoon tea time. Many students in the school have already made many Rosary beads for others in our community and the poor. We appreciate you and all you do!
Mrs Hughes

Upcoming Events

Catholic Education Week 2024 

Dear Families,

Our school will join with more than 45 schools across the Lismore Diocese to celebrate Catholic Education Week (CEW). This will take place in Week 11, Term 1 from April 8-12.

This year’s theme is “Innovation and Faith’. The transforming power of innovation and faith working in unison to ensure our students experience the fullness of life (John 10:10). 

For many of the great innovators throughout history, their faith motivated them to explore and understand the wonders of the universe. Our Catholic schools walk alongside clergy, parishioners and families to prepare and nurture our future innovators and faith leaders on their journey. 

I would like to extend a warm invitation for you to participate in our Catholic Education Week events and faith celebrations. Please take the opportunity with members of our parish and wider community, to experience innovation and faith in our Catholic school. 

Above is a schedule of events for the week that you are invited to attend.

Thank you for your ongoing support. I look forward to seeing you during our celebrations for Catholic Education Week in 2024.

Peace and blessings,

Jason Clarke - Principal

Easter Raffle News

Easter Raffle Thank you

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the success of our Easter raffle. Your support has made a significant difference and will benefit the lives of our students. The SRC have been overwhelmed with gratitude for the incredible support and generosity that has been displayed by our school community towards the annual St Joseph’s Monster Easter Egg raffle.

A special thank you is extended to the wonderful team at IGA Tweed Valley Way for their incredibly generous donation of $150 worth of Easter eggs towards our St. Joseph's Monster Easter Egg raffle. Their kindness and community spirit have humbled us all.  We are immensely grateful for their kind contribution.

We are equally grateful for the overwhelming support shown by the families within our school community. Your enthusiastic participation in purchasing raffle tickets and donating eggs has been remarkable.  This has played a vital role in the success of our fundraising efforts.

In addition to celebrating our collective achievements, we are thrilled to announce that the Student Representative Council (SRC) will now assemble to decide how the funds raised from the raffle will be utilised. This exciting opportunity empowers our students to have a voice and make meaningful contributions to initiatives that benefit our school community.

We would like to commend our Year 6 students and SRC representatives for their outstanding leadership and dedication throughout the organisation of the raffle. Their enthusiasm and willingness to assist, demonstrate true leadership qualities, and we are incredibly proud of their efforts.

As we eagerly await the outcome of the raffle and the decisions made by the SRC, let us continue to celebrate the spirit of generosity, community, and student leadership that defines St. Joseph's School.

(See raffle winners below.)

Some of our lucky winners!

Curriculum News

                 Stage 3: FARMING FOR THE FUTURE 

Today, Stage 3 had the pleasure of hosting Mr. Adam Bedser, Micah's dad, to delve into regenerative farming and sustainable agriculture. Adam shared captivating farm photos, discussed sustainable practices, and sparked our curiosity about the future of farming. We discovered how regenerative agriculture enhances productivity while preserving our land and resources.

           Thank you, Adam for enlightening us on the importance of sustainability!

The Big Veggie Crunch!

Classes enjoying their Veggie Crunch Platter

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Library News

Many students have been calling into the library on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings before school starts to either return or borrow books, to read with a friend, to do jigsaw puzzles, to just chill in the Book Nook, to do displays in our library or to do craft activities.

                              Everyone is welcome!

Morning Library Time

Friends of Ten

FRIENDS OF TEN 

On Wednesday, Mrs Walker held "Friends of Ten". This allows students to passively play, allowing students to play in a small group or gather with friends. These areas are intended for social-emotional development and learning and provide students opportunities for socialisation, relaxation and observation. 

So many students engaged in our 'Friends of Ten' activities today and were playing board games, cars, barbies, drawing, reading and happily staying out of the rain upstairs with their mates. ‼️ Friends of Ten is on every Monday and Wednesday at Afternoon Tea. They were lucky enough to have it today as well. 

Thank you Mrs Walker. 

"Friends of Ten" Fun

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Wellbeing News

STUDENT WELLBEING OFFICER

I am Bronwyn Parry, I have joined the St Joseph’s community this year as the Student Wellbeing Officer. You will see me around the school in the mornings and during lunch running the garden club, and in the coming term I will be organising a working bee to get the gardens up and running!
I am also working towards our Eat Pray Love a Cuppa in the hopes of getting our school community together where we can connect, talk about upcoming events, and take little time to slow down and check in on our own wellbeing. 

In term two I will begin running a program called Seasons for Growth to help students move through different stages of loss and grief. 

I am so excited that I get to be a part of the St Joseph’s community and look forward to getting to know everyone!

St Joseph's Face Book Page

St Joseph now has a new Facebook page. Just scan the QR code below to follow us.

Please notify the school if you do not want your children's photo or information to be posted on our new Facebook social media page. During enrolment, parents/carers provide consent for us to do so (or not), but it is your right to change this at any time. Please inform us at your earliest convenience if you do not wish them to be involved in future posts.

General News

A huge thank you to the Walker family; James, Georgia, Scarlett, Zephyr and Caia for spending time over the Easter long weekend to prune, weed and tidy up our front garden.

And of course Poppy Wayne was there weeding and mowing as usual!

Canteen News

Cancelling a canteen order

If you need to cancel a canteen order you can do this through Compass up to 8:00am on the day of canteen. Your refund will go to your Compass Wallet as a credit. You can then use the credit in your Compass Wallet any time to pay for a canteen order, school fees, or a school event. Access these funds through the payment method drop down menu.

* Special note - Friday 5 April is a special canteen Subway day. Orders will not be placed through Compass but through a separate online link to be provided. 

Enrolment Changes

Dear Parents,

Our school is moving from paper-based enrolment applications to online enrolments using Compass.  As an existing user of Compass, you will find a new tile in the Compass app called Family and Enrolments, found under the “More” icon in the Compass app or under the Cog icon in your preferred browser. The family and enrolments module went live on Monday, March 4th 2024 and as a parent, you can update your contact details at any time. We strongly encourage you to log in to confirm your details. If you update your details, they will update across all schools where you have a child enroled.

New student applications for 2025 can be completed from Monday, 4th March 2024. If you have already applied via our old system, rest assured we have your application; there is no need to reapply.  

See our website (see Link below) for more details on how to enrol and where to get assistance if you need it.

Compass Help for Parents

                                                    Compass absence notes

The Compass attendance note feature is now up and running again.
Parents can let the school know of student absences in advance through the Compass app using the shortcuts icon on their homepage. 

Alternatively you can still respond the SMS sent to your phone on the day of the absence, or email / phone the school office prior to or on the day of absence.

Parish News

 Tuesday 2 April                       5:30 pm - Mass
Wednesday 3 April                  5:30 pm - Mass
Thursday 4 April                     5:30 pm - Mass
Friday 5 April                            9:30 am - Legion of Mary|Parish Meeting Centre
                                                        11:00 am - Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
                                                        12:00 pm - Mass
Saturday 6 April                      6:00 pm - Vigil Mass
Sunday 7 April                         9:00 am - Mass
                                                       10:00 am - Cuppa after Mass
                                                       10:30 am - Baptism                            

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