eNews Term 1, Week 7, 2023

SAINT JOSEPH ~ MAN OF FAITH
On Sunday, March 19^th our school will celebrate the feast day of our school’s patron, St Joseph husband of Mary.  We have moved the day of celebration for this special man to Tuesday, March 21^st.  This is a day we plan carefully as we believe, like St Mary MacKillop who named her schools after this special saint that St Joseph is a man worthy of celebrating.

“I will not be a complainer today.  Instead, I will be a patient listener to those who are truly troubled. Amen”

This anonymous quote may be the best way to sum up St Joseph’s outlook on his life and responsibilities towards those in his care.  Having very few references in the Gospels, not one of them records a single word he spoke.

Joseph totally lived by faith – not because of his words but because of his actions.  He listened in silence…he accepted his obligations readily...he persevered in his supporting role with unrelenting commitment…he nurtured and loved unconditionally…he carried out his vocation with complete loyalty…he knew difficulty, danger, hard work and fatigue.

Given what the world has gone through over the past few years you can understand people asking the question, “Where is God when pandemics, natural disasters strike or wars and other tragedies?” We probably all ask this question when things go wrong in our lives.  As we celebrate the feast of our patron, St Joseph I am sure there were times when he also wondered about the things that were happening in his life.  Instead of bemoaning and wondering, “Why me?” he trusted in God and knew he would be able to get through the difficult times.

Please join us on Tuesday, March 21^st at 9:30 for our school Mass led by Years 7, 8 & 9 in the school Auditorium. March 21^st is also Harmony Day, a day when we recognise and celebrate our diversity of cultures, disabilities, and the way we do things.  Australia and our school are a very multi-cultural community, and we work very hard to include and show respect for these many cultures.  As a way of acknowledging our diversity and the examples we have of St Joseph and St Patrick (whose feast day is on March 17^th) the students can wear green, blue or orange to school instead of school uniform.  Teachers have organised activities for the students to do during the day as well.

Dear parents, carers, teachers and students,
As we head towards the halfway mark of the first term, seeing so many children settled into school routines and enjoying their learning spaces has been pleasing.  We look forward to the many exciting events and activities for the remainder of the term and year.   

CONGRATULATIONS!
This weekend we received the wonderful news that Mrs Sarsha Pearson, a permanent teacher at St Joseph's School, and her husband Craig, welcomed their second child, Leo James Pearson, into their family. Both mum and Leo are doing very well. We look forward to a visit from Mrs Pearson towards the end of the term.

MANNUM BUS SERVICE
As of this week, St Joesph's School will run a bus to and from Mannum daily to pick up and drop off students. This service is possible due to Catholic Education South Australia lobbying to receive a state government grant to support children's access to bus services in rural and regional areas to take them to a Catholic School. This funding doesn't cover all expenses but does enable our families from Mannum to access the bus at a lower cost. For more information or to book your child/ren a seat on our bus, please contact the administration office on 85342000 and speak to Mrs Carol Rowland. 

MID-TERM ENROLMENTS
In 2023, St. Joseph's School will continue to offer mid-year enrolments. If your child turns 5 before 31 October 2023, they can start school at St. Joseph's in Term 3, 2023, and the school fees are free. Children starting in Reception mid-year will have a minimum of 6 terms in Reception. Enrolments are also open for the beginning of 2024. Please contact the school administration to register your interest and book a Principal's tour. Children who turn 5 on or before 30 April can begin school in Term 1 of 2024. Please let friends and family know that enrolments are open for Mid Year 2023 and the beginning of 2024.

SCHOOL BOARD ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The School Board AGM is scheduled for Monday, 27 March, at 6.30 pm. All parents are warmly invited and encouraged to attend the AGM. This is an opportunity to learn more about what happens in our school and contribute to our community consultation, which will direct our future school improvement plans. Board members are elected for two years, with an option for re-election for two further tenures with a maximum of six years. 

If you have any questions about being on the St Joseph's School Board, please feel free to speak to continuing Board members;  

• Mrs Ros Oates (Executive Officer)
• Fr Philip Marshall (President)
• Mrs Deb Holland (Parish Representative)
• Mrs Kelly Gravestocks (Treasurer)
• Mrs Amy Sobels (Parent Representative)
• Ms Megan Olive (Parent Representative)
• Mrs Nicki Clifford (Staff)
• Mrs Lisa Angove (Board Secretary)

Fortunately, we have received several School Board nominations from new community members, which is exciting. There are still vacant positions, and if you wish to apply before the AGM, please get in touch with Mrs Leesa Angove on 85342000. 

NAPLAN
Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 will undertake NAPLAN in Weeks 7 and 8 of this term.  We keep them and their families in our prayers as they complete this testing.  The schedule of testing is as below:

Wednesday 15 March – Writing
Thursday 16 March – Reading
Friday 17 March – Conventions of Language
Wednesday 22 March – Numeracy

Make-up tests for absent students will be completed across the week until Friday, 24 March.

Mrs Ros Oates
Principal