Week 10 - Term 1 Newsletter 2023

Principal's Message

Dear Families and Friends,

Welcome to our final newsletter for Term 1 2023; what a term it has been! After many years of disruptions and restrictions, seeing so many families back at school events has been a pleasure. We began with our well supported (and well-catered!) Parent Information Night continued our social events with a Silent Disco, supported the learning and well-being of our students with Parent Interviews and concluded with our Art Show and Easter Liturgy, celebrating the most important event in our Catholic faith. One of the things I love most about our school is our community and how joyous it is when we come together. Thank you all for everything you contribute to making our school 'a peaceful and happy place to be'. 

Farewell

It is with a great deal of sadness that we farewell two families this term. We wish the Grivins family; Mitch, Eleasha, Ezra, Shiloh and Jasper, and the Steyn family; Mandie, Jeandre, Alexa and Lyra, all the very best as they head off on new adventures.

Anzac Day March

St Joey's will participate in the Maclean Anzac Day Parade on Tuesday, 25th April. We encourage as many children as possible to gather at 10.30 am outside The Boulevard in River Street to represent our school community on this important National Day. A full school uniform, including a hat, must be worn, and a drink bottle is highly recommended. A number of staff will be present and assisting on the day. 

Maclean Show Day

Wednesday 26th April (Week 1, Term 2) has been declared a half-day public holiday, and as in previous years, we have decided to keep the school open as normal. All classes will continue to operate as per their timetable; however, families who wish to take advantage of this holiday are encouraged to attend and support our local Maclean Show.

Return for Term 2

Students return for Term 2 on Wednesday, 26th of April. Staff begin the term on Monday, 24th April, with a Professional Learning Day, focusing on the priority area of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education in Iluka, supported by local Elders.

I wish all families a happy, safe and holy Easter and look forward to seeing you all in Term 2. 

Warmest regards

Deb

Upcoming School Dates & Events

Term 2 Dates:

• Pupil Free Day (Monday 24th April - Week 1)
  
• ANZAC Day (Tuesday 25th April - Week 1)
  
• Maclean Show Day - school remains open (Wednesday 26th April - Week 1)
• Clarence Zone Cross Country (Thursday 4th May - Week 2)
• Mother's Day Stall (Wednesday 10th May - Week 3)
• Mother's Day High Tea & Liturgy (Friday 12th May - Week 3)
  

Leader of Learning

Reading at home 

We know it can be hard to find the time (or energy!) to read with your child each day BUT it is really important. Reading can take a backseat over the holidays as we get busy with family, friends and celebrations however this lack of practice can make it more difficult for students to start the next term well. Holidays allow your child to ditch readers and choose books that spark interest and excitement.

Why not:

• Take a trip to our local library
• Bring a book with you to the park or the beach
• Read a chapter in the morning, when your child is used to learning and before other plans cause distraction
• Create a reward system for finishing books and/or chapters

and help your child be ready to learn they return for Term 2.

Mrs Bailey

Leader of Mission

Easter Liturgy

What a great way to finish off our term, sharing the story of Jesus’ life with our school community. Thank you to all the staff for their time and effort to prepare the students for their re-enactments of scripture and to the families and friends who were able to attend and share this special liturgical event with us.

Holy Week marks the end of the Lenten season. It begins on Palm Sunday and finishes when we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday.  The Season of Easter then commences and extends for 50 days, closing with Pentecost Sunday.

I wish all our families and friends a safe and happy Easter and hope you return in Term 2 feeling renewed and refreshed for the Season of Easter.

Sacramental Program

Year 3 - Confirmation 15th August 

In Term 3, any baptised students can participate in the Sacrament of Confirmation. The students have preparation lessons in Religious Education Classes at school and attend a Retreat before the sacrament. Confirmation is scheduled for 5:30 pm, Tuesday, 15th August, with Bishop Greg Homeing. More details will be shared next term with the families of Confirmation Candidates.  

Year 4 - First Holy Communion 

Students who have undertaken Baptism and Confirmation are eligible to receive the Sacrament of First Holy Communion. Further details will be shared at a later date.

Anzac March and School Service

I would like to invite our School Captains, students and families to participate in the Maclean RSL ANZAC Day March, which will be held on at 10:30 am on Tuesday, 25th April.  Students gather at Maclean Boulevard and walk to the Cenotaph near the Council Chambers.  Students are requested to wear full school uniforms, including hats and bring plenty of water as it has been extremely hot in previous years.

We will hold an ANZAC service at school on Wednesday, 26th April, at 10:30 am.

Mothers Day Liturgy - Friday, Week 3, Term 2

In preparation for our Mother’s Day Celebration next term, I am asking once again for photos for our slideshow, which will be played during the liturgy. Photos can be of mums, children with their mums, grandparents, aunts etc…anyone that you want your child to acknowledge for Mother’s Day. From past experience, the slideshow (iMovie) is the highlight for our students; they love to see themselves with their loved ones on the big screen, and it is important that every child is featured as part of our school community.  

The process is fairly simple; just email me a digital photo with a caption of who is in the photo, so I have names to go with faces. Please send your photos to deborah.mullins@lism.catholic.edu.au as soon as possible.

Mercy In Action Award

This fortnight's Mercy Award goes to Reef Crofton in recognition of the value of compassion, which he demonstrates through exceptional kindness, empathy, and concern for others.  Reef makes a difference in the lives of those around him and inspires others to do the same.

Congratulations, Reef.

Mrs Mullins

Awards

Congratulations to the following students recognised at this fortnight's Awards Assembly:

Principal Awards

Our Class Award winners this week are: 

Pastoral Care - School Chaplain

Community Connect- LAP

Thank you to our wonderful volunteers, Sue, Colleen and Mike, for sharing your time with our lovely students. 

Our students have thoroughly enjoyed card games, handball, Japanese, Easter crafts and your conversations together this term. 

We hope you enjoy your Easter, and we can’t wait to see you next term. 

Social Justice

Caritas Australia- Project Compassion

Over the weeks, we have learnt about Priscilla, who is from Zimbabwe.

Priscilla's story;

Climate change continues to bring unprecedented challenges for people living in Zimbabwe's most vulnerable and remote communities. With the support of Caritas Hwange, Priscilla learnt conservation farming skills to grow drought-resistant crops and started poultry farming to support her family during the current food crisis. 

SRC Fun Day

The Easter Bunny himself couldn't deliver a more perfect Easter hunt than our Joey’s one! With over 1400 assorted eggs to be found, students hopped around throughout our school. 

A fun way to end our term, thanks to our wonderful SRC. 

Thanks to your generosity,  this will go to Caritas Australia to help people like Priscilla in need.

Mother's Day- save the date 

St Joseph’s will celebrate Mother's Day with all our significant women in our lives again with our Mother's Day High Tea on Friday, 12th May.

Invitations will be sent out via Compass in Term 2. 

We invite all mothers, grandmothers and significant women to join us. 

Ms Juana Mead - School Chaplain

School Sport

School Cross Country

Thankfully the weather cooled down slightly for the school Cross Country Carnival on Friday, the 31st of March. Seeing so many families there to support the students was amazing and make it a special day for everyone. Congratulations to all the students for their efforts and resilience during their events.

House winners on the day were Yuragir with 110 points, Gibraltar with 101 points and Bundjalung with 91 points. 

St Joseph’s Cross Country Carnival Results for 2023

Zone Team: 

Boys - Jai Agic, Zion Coulson, Byron Ellis, Isaak Bailey, Jesse Bennett, Hugo Simpson, Jimi Lennon, Jack Kirkland, Ash Hitchings, Owen Moss, Roo Coulson, Reece Bennett, Reef Crofton, Asheer Nichols, Harry Cook, Huon McLennan, Seth Hausler.

Girls - Sophia Wright, Alexia Dawes, Bella Camilleri, Emily Dahlenburg, Alexa Steyn, Penny Chapman, Jessika Dalton, Shiloh Grivins, Marlie Cook, Amelia Green, Georgia Salter, Avah Anderson, Meesha Ellis, Dayla Chapman.

Luke Hitchings - Sports Coordinator

Library News

Don’t forget our town libraries are wonderful places to be! There are some great activities during the school holidays, and they’re all free. Please see the flyers below for more information.

Mrs Waghorn

Parent Forum

Easter Raffle

Thank you so much to everyone who supported our Easter raffle! We raised over $1000. This is an absolute record! These funds will go towards the refurbishment of our canteen.

Change of Date- School Fete

Due to a clash with another local school's event, we have made the decision to change the date of our school fete. Please mark your calendars for Saturday, 9th September, for our Spring School Fete!

Parent Cafe

In Term 2, we will hold a Parent Cafe every Friday in the staffroom from 2:15 - 3:15 pm. We would love to invite all parents and carers to come inside for a complimentary afternoon tea and catch-up. Children (not yet at school) are welcome and will be catered for. Our aim is to provide an opportunity for connections, community and friendship. The Parent Assembly kindly supports our Parent Cafe initiative.

Wishing everyone a happy and safe Easter.

Lauren Kirkland - Chairperson of the Parent Forum

Community Notices