7th March, Week 6, Term 1

From Our Principal - Mr Brendan Moloney

Dear Families,

Lent is an important period of reflection, growth, and new beginnings in the Christian calendar. Christians use this special time to show their devotion to their faith, draw closer to God, and prepare for Easter.

The 40 days of Lent replicate the time that Jesus Christ spent in the desert and wilderness in solitude, prayer, and fasting. This time period is known as the Temptation of Christ where Jesus was tempted by Satan for 40 days and 40 nights. Jesus successfully refused each temptation and returned to Galilee to begin his ministry.

KIND HANDS, KIND FEET, KIND WORDS

Currently we have a rise in the amount of inappropriate words/hands/feet across the school. This has been discussed with students both individually where necessary and as a whole school at our school assemblies. Students have been reminded of our behaviour pillars, particularly our RESPECT and SAFETY pillars. To support our efforts to improve this across the school we have implemented our ‘Kind Hands, Kind Words, Kind Feet’ language to support the communication of our expectations to all students. These are displayed around the school and classrooms and are used in our classroom discussions and reminders to students.

St Joseph’s Day 19^th March

Our celebrations for St Joseph’s Day are approaching fast. This year we look forward to welcoming St Joseph’s Woodburn for these celebrations, we also invite our families to come along and join us for this day. Please add it to your diary and keep an eye for further details.

Principals Conference

This week I have spent Tuesday-Thursday in Coffs Harbour with principals from across our diocese, priests, CSO staff, board members and AP Missions. Our agenda has been focused on our system and school plans, strategies and priorties, in particular how we strengthen our relationships in support of our Mission as Catholic educators. This work was supported by a number of key speakers as this work continues across our diocese.

God Bless,

Brendan Moloney

Student Awards Week 7

Mission News

Lent

One of the ways which we prepare for Easter during the season of Lent is to participate in Almsgiving. One way we can do this is to donate money or goods or performing other acts of charity. As a school community we raise money to donate to Project Compassion. Through our learning in Stage Three Religion lessons the students have identified that lack of appropriate shoes can lead to many health and wellbeing issues. The students have proposed we hold a shoe drive.

I have been in contact with St Vincent de Paul and they have agreed that this is a definite area of need and would love to accept our donations. We are asking that parents go through the shoe cupboards at home and identify any shoes which are still clean and good quality but no longer fit anyone in the family. We will be accepting donations up until we break for Easter. We will then be delivering the donations to St Vinnies in week 10. 

If you don’t have appropriate footwear to donate remember that we are also collecting donations of money for Project Compassion this Lent. 

Gospel Reflection

The fourth Sunday of Lent is sometimes called Laetare Sunday. Laetare is a Latin word that means “rejoice.” Even as we observe our Lenten sacrifices, we rejoice in anticipation of the joy that will be ours at Easter. The Gospel this week contains one of the most common scriptural references “for God so loved the world that he gave his only son” (John 3:16).

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells Nicodemus that the Son of Man will be raised up so that those who believe in him will have eternal life.

Sacrament of Penance

We keep Jack, Blake, Sam, Chase and Maxx in our prayers as they prepare to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation on March 18th.

Incitare

Incitāre means to stir up, incite, urge, spur, egg on. This will be a one day retreat using various group processes and student led discussion. Paige and Maddy were chosen to represent St Joseph’s at the Incitare retreat for 2024.

Save the Date

 Monday March 18th Sacrament of Reconciliation

Tuesday March 19th St Joseph’s Day

Kinder News

During religion Kinder took part in a prayer about the Good Shepherd.  They learnt God loves us very much even if we make mistakes.
The shepherd looked after the sheep.  The shepherd loved the sheep and the sheep loved the shepherd.  The shepherd always slept in the gateway of the paddock.  Alia.
The shepherd found the lost sheep and said,   "don't go in the bad bushes again."  Tenchi
The wolf came to try and eat the lost sheep for lunch, but the shepherd took the lamb and the wolf didn't get him.  Tyler C
The good shepherd chased the wolf into the river.

Stage 1 Writing

Sports News

We wish Kyden Bolt and Macen Hickling, both in Year 5, the best of luck at the Diocesan U/11s Rugby League trial on Friday. Both boys will be representing Richmond Zone at the trials which are being held in Grafton. Approximately 60 boys will be trialing at this event to be selected in the Lismore Diocese team that will then attend Polding trials in Tamworth later in the year.

Save the Date, Cross Country Friday 5th April.

General Business

Happy Birthday to the following who have celebrated their birthday since our last newsletter: 

Philippa Maher, Miss Sly, Sapphira James

P&F & Canteen News

Canteen Volunteers we need you!!

Tuesday 19th March - St Joseph's Day  

Friday 5th April - Cross Country

We still have an ongoing  gap in the canteen roster on a Wednesday

Wednesday 27th March

Wednesday 22nd May

Wednesday 26th June

Wednesday 14th August

Wednesday 11th September

Wednesday 6th November

Wednesday 4th December 

If you are able to help out on any of these days please contact the school, 66 83 2248