19 May 2022

Catholic Education South Australia
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Term 2 - 2022 - Week 3

 
 
 
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CONFIRMING OUR FAITH

During this Saturday’s Mass a number of our children will be Confirmed into our Church and receive Communion for the first time.  This special time enables the children and their families an opportunity to reflect on their faith and what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.

 

Meals occupy an important place in most cultures, even in our current busy lives where families are often battling with the competition of television and other digital technology.  In some families it is the only time that all members of the family are present at the same time due to work or sporting commitments. 

 

In Jesus time the meal was also a very important part of their culture.  In the Gospels there are many stories related to meals Jesus had with his friends.  He often used the meal to make a very important point. 

The Gospel of Luke describes the various meals which Jesus shared with his disciples during his public ministry and after his resurrection.  The meal for Luke was central to Jesus’ preaching of the Kingdom.  In fact, the opponents of Jesus denounce him as a “drunkard and glutton, a friend of tax collectors and sinners,” (Lk7:34) and take scandal at Jesus’ eating with them (Lk 15:2).  The Lucan parables of the prodigal son (Lk 15:11-32) and Lazarus and Dives (Lk16:19-31) demonstrate Jesus’ attitude toward the outcast and the sinner who repents. 

Meals simply encapsulated Jesus’ service.  The journey of Jesus from Galilee to Jerusalem and his paschal mystery (life, death and resurrection) are central in Luke’s gospel (Lk9:51, 19:48).  During this journey Jesus invites those along the way to follow him and to serve (Lk18) then they will have “treasure in Heaven”.  As the journey ends in Jerusalem, Jesus prepares himself to suffer and die on the cross.  In this Passover context Jesus “earnestly desired” to share this last meal with the disciples.  The words and actions of Jesus over the bread and wine make present his service and sacrifice for others.  No longer are the gifts simply bread and wine but the flesh and blood of the new covenant.  Those who share this new covenant meal participate in Jesus’ saving mystery and pledge themselves to serve as Jesus served.

Jesus commanded the disciples to continue to do what he had done in the meal “in remembrance of me”.  The disciples had to do what Jesus had done and he would be present among them to serve.  The Sunday Eucharist continues the encounter with the risen Jesus.  The community participates in the paschal mystery.  The community is able to be transformed through the power of the spirit of Jesus where we become the BODY OF CHRIST and as such are asked to serve and live the gospel.

I hope and pray our young people will be able to recognise the gifts of the Holy Spirit in their lives and develop the love, understanding and courage to become true disciples of Jesus.  As they grow and possibly encounter prejudice, hatred and misunderstanding they will be strong enough to stand up for the most vulnerable and isolated they may meet throughout their lives.

 

Isaac, Elena, Leo, Patreece, Isaac, Fritz, Guadelupe

 

 

PRINCIPALS MESSAGE

This week is National Families Week and National Volunteers Week and a timely opportunity to thank all those involved in our school, our student families, and the volunteers.  It has been challenging to invite people into our school in recent years, and I'm now pleased to say those restrictions are easing.  Please take some time to answer a very short survey about volunteering in our school in the future.  Volunteering can range from being on School Board, listening to reading, participating in art, craft, cooking, excursions and camps, daily canteen, and catering for special events.  We need a new team of Parents and Friends who are vital in supporting our teachers and students.  I'm a firm believer that we are definitely better together.


Please fill in the following (short) survey indicating your interest in volunteering at St Joseph's School via the link or the QRCode.

https://forms.office.com/r/7xETKC0uFj

 
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SCHOOL BOARD AGM

On Tuesday, May 17, we held the Annual General Meeting for the St Joseph's School Board.  We thank all those who were in attendance. 

You might be wondering, 'What do School Board Members Do?'

The faith community has a responsibility for maintaining and developing its Catholic school.  A practical way of accepting its responsibility is to appoint some of its members to use their gifts to work with the principal and staff in the School Board ministry.

There are five elements of community responsibility that the School Board undertakes:

  • Policy Direction – to guide the school
  • Financial Management – to account for and administer all income
  • Planning & Development – for the present & future
  • Pastoral Care – is care for people (students, parents & staff)
  • Evaluation – of the effect of policy decisions
     

The School Board meets monthly, and meetings run for approximately an hour, at which discussion is based on reports from the Principal, Parish, Staff, Treasurer/Bursar and other key groups.

If you are interested in being a member of the 2022 -2023 St Joseph's School Board or require any further information, please contact me as soon as possible.

 

 

PUPIL FREE DAY

The school has two pupil free days remaining this Semester.  They are Friday, June 10, before the June Long Weekend and Friday, July 8, on the last day of Term 2.  Our staff will participate in Numeracy Professional Development and our annual Spiritual Formation and Reflection Day. 

 

 

FEDERAL ELECTION

Education is an essential topic in every election.  As we head toward the Federal Election on May 21, Catholics are asked to consider how their vote will benefit the whole community.  Everybody who cares about Catholic schools must understand the key issues.  In this newsletter, you will find a summary sheet outlining the major parties' positions.  Further resources are available at www.cesa.catholic.edu.au/federal- election.

Kind Regards

Ros Oates

Principal

 

 
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DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - Sonja Smith

Catholic Education Week is about celebrating the excellent teaching and learning across Catholic Education South Australia, and we said ‘thank you’ to the incredibly dedicated, hard-working, caring staff and students who make our school so special. Reflecting on this I found myself feeling extremely grateful for being able to each and every day interact with our students as they enter school in the morning, during recess and lunch, when I visit their learning spaces and say good afternoon at the end of the busy school day as they head home out through the gates.

This week while chatting with students, I asked them, ‘What makes our school so special’ and their responses reminded me of so many things we all have to be grateful for in being part of such a wonderful Catholic school community here at St Joseph’s School.

 
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NATIONAL WALK SAFELY TO SCHOOL DAY

This Friday, May 20, is National Walk to School Day.  This week we have encouraged students to walk to school on Friday with a responsible older student, parent or carer.  We also had a fun day with students being permitted to come to school in their activewear and not school uniform.

 

NAPLAN 2022

This week we completed our NAPLAN testing, and it ran very smoothly, which is a credit to our staff, students and families for your support and preparations.  We consistently encouraged the students to try their best throughout the past two weeks.  A note from the teachers' observations during testing will be sent home with students in Years 3, 5 and 7 next week, informing parents and carers of how their child participated during the testing period. 

 

YEAR 5 - Mr McLaren & Miss Angel

Year 5 have made a busy start to the 2022 year. Miss Angel and Mr McLaren’s (Miss Lane/Miss O’Brien) classes have settled in well to their new class environments and have been eagerly working towards and undertaking their first NAPLAN experience in Week 2 and 3 of Term 2. 

Over the course of Semester One, we have focused on Persuasive and Narrative Genre Writing in English, Number Concepts in Mathematics, Chemical and Physical Sciences, Coding in Technologies, Colonial Australia in History, and much more. 

 
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On the 17th of March, we celebrated St Patrick’s day with a Year Level Mass held in the Church, hosted by our new Parish Priest Father Philip Marshall. The students engaged with Father Philip as we reflected upon the season of Lent where we aim to become the best versions of ourselves.  

 
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In Week 10, the students were fortunate to participate in a series of Rugby League clinics, which focussed on rugby skills but also what personal skills are required to be a part of a high-performance sporting program. Several students were eager to represent the school in a regional Rugby Tackle competition, which was held at Unity College, where they represented the school with great enthusiasm.  

During that same week, the students also welcomed two members of SAPOL into the school to talk with the Year 5 cohort about Cyber-safety and the importance of remaining safe and responsible, whilst also enjoying ourselves online. They emphasised that the internet is a powerful learning tool. 

 

 
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Several Year 5 students have put their hand up to further their personal musical interests by becoming a part of this years Catholic Schools Music Festival, where they attend training two afternoons per week throughout the year preparing for their state-wide performance at the Entertainment Centre. Students who chose not to participate in Festival Choir have undertaken personal interest projects focussing on a person they admire. 

Students will undertake road-crossing training in the upcoming weeks, which will prepare them for the important voluntary role, which enables them to contribute to their school community and develop their personal responsibility.  

We are looking forward to another productive, collaborative and successful term.  

Caitlin & James 

 

ONLINE COMMUNICATIONS

St Joseph's School uses two leading online platforms for teachers and parents to communicate.   These are Seesaw and Microsoft Teams

Facebook has minimal use due to cybersafety considerations and is only utilised for information and celebration events.  For Administrative purposes, we also use email and distribute the fortnightly newsletter through SchoolStream. 
In preparation for any extraordinary circumstances and essential information, parents must inform classroom teachers if they cannot access Seesaw or are not receiving the school newsletter fortnightly via email or SchoolStream.

 
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SAETA STATE CONFERENCE

Congratulations Naomi Pearce

She was invited to attend as part of the prize for receiving Outstanding Graduate (Secondary English) at the end of last year upon completing a Masters of Secondary Teaching at Unisa. The conference was informative and inspiring, and her favourite sessions were about how to use drama instruction to provide embodied learning of texts and new and innovative ways to teach engaging poetry across all secondary year levels.

 

 
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MURRAYLANDS DISTRICT SPORT REPRESENTATION

Recently, several students have been successful in being selected to represent the Murraylands District for State Carnivals coming up this term. 

Congratulations Charlotte Ireland for selection in the Girls Football Team. 

Congratulations Kaden Meers, Mason Rowland, Ashton Smith, Kane Fiegert and Zavier O’Hara for selection in the Boys Football Team. 

Congratulations Leo Sobels, Zavier Leckie, Dana Aldyni, Katya El-Kraidi and Kaden Chamberlain for selection in the Cross Country Team. 

Good luck to the girls currently trialling for selection in the Murraylands Netball try outs. 

 
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CAR PARKING AT ST JOSEPH'S SCHOOL

Kiss and drop of students in cars remains on McHenry Street ONLY.  Florence Street school entrance is open, and we are waiting for the Murray Bridge Council to change the parking signs on both sides of the road.  There is no longer a kiss and drop.  Parents are permitted to park cars on both sides of the road and utilise the road crossing to enter the school.  Please be careful walking on the path nearest the front entrance door to the administration building.  A new retaining wall and the completion of the paving are happening over the coming weeks. 

 
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COVID-19 TERM 2 UPDATES

Attached to the newsletter is a letter to the community outlining the management of COVID-19 in our school community.  Please read this carefully.

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This Weeks News

Hello friends and families,

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Mid Year 2022 and Term 1 2023 Enrolment Process Will Begin This Term

 

CANTEEN VOLUNTEERS

At St Joseph's School, we are fortunate to have our experienced and employed Canteen manager, Wilma O'Sullivan.  Now that our restrictions have eased, we are asking for parent volunteers to ensure the successful daily distribution of orders in the canteen.  Volunteers supporting Wilma, allow us to provide a quality service at very reasonable prices.

Being a Canteen volunteer is not at all hard work, but a great way to meet other parents in the school. 
 

All volunteers at St Joseph's School Canteen need to have completed the following:

▪ Working with Children Check (Free through the school)

▪ Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect – Education and Care (2 hrs online - Free)
https://www.plink.sa.edu.au/pages/externaldashboard.jsf?menuId=1104&locale=enGB&showbundlekeys=false#/?dashboardId=6
▪ Watch Food Handling Clip (Bug Busters) https://youtu.be/6WJXSy4o1tc

 

 
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