26th September, Week 10, Term 3

From Our Principal - Mr Brendan Moloney

Dear Families,

It is wonderful to be back after my leave and to see the smiling faces of all our students. I had a fantastic trip exploring our wonderful landscape. We travelled over 18,000km of which it is difficult to be able to pick a highlight. The map shown is the track that we travelled.

Thank you to Mr Irvine who stepped in during my absence, it is not an easy job to step into an unfamilar school. Mr Irvine did an oustanding job and I would like to thank him on behalf of myself and our school community. Also, thank you to all our staff who continue to provide a wonderfully supportive educational environment for all our students, they truly go above and beyond.

School Holiday’s

It is hard to believe that we are now at the end of Term 3, each year seems to go faster! I pray that you all enjoy spending quality time with family and have lots of fun. During the holiday’s ‘Riverfest’ will be on, see the flyer for more details. As part of the Riverfest events we will be joining in the activities as a school on Friday 18^th October, more details will be provided early next term.

A reminder that Vacation Care will also be available throughout the holiday break should families wish to access the service.

TERM 4 Start Date/SDD

Students will return for Term 4 on Tuesday the 15^th October. Monday the 14^th will be a staff development day with all staff being off site. Should parents require our OSHC we ask that you please contact Mel to book them in for this day.

Demountable

I am sure that you will have noticed the building that has appeared in the school playground recently, this building will serve as a space for our OSHC service and also be a meeting space for our community. We are fortunate to receive this resource which has been made possible by the generous donation of funds from VERO, through their Young Broker of the Year Program. As part of this donation the VERO team visited our area last week, looking around the school and also taking the time to lend a hand with some working bees in Woodburn and Coraki. We appreciate the support they have provided and look forward to the opening of the demountable early next term.

God Bless,

Brendan Moloney

Student Awards - Week 9

Mission News

Gospel Reflection for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

 In this week’s Gospel, the disciple John questions Jesus about an unknown exorcist who was driving out demons in Jesus’ name. John’s question might have been motivated by jealousy. Previously in Mark's Gospel, Jesus healed a boy whom the disciples had been unable to heal. John’s question is further evidence that the disciples have not yet grasped Jesus’ words to them. They continue to compare themselves to others who seem to have greater healing powers, and they do not want to share the power of Jesus’ name with others.

https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/sunday-connection/26h-sunday-in-ordinary-time-b-sunday-connection/

Exuro

Exuro is a retreat day for selected Year 5 students from parish primary schools based in regions of the Diocese to celebrate their faith at a diocesan level. This retreat will be an opportunity to bring students together with like-minded peers, to share and build relationships that strengthen the practice of their Christian faith and to be leaders in building strong Catholic school communities.

Congratulations

Congratulations Blake, Chase, Jack, Maxx, Riley & Sam on completing their initiation into the Catholic Church when they received the Sacrament First Eucharist on Sunday September 15. 

Socktober 2024

What is Socktober?

Socktober for Mission Month cultivates the passion of students to rise up, engage their local community, and take action against poverty through the world game of soccer. It provides young people in Australia with the opportunity to lead in mission, encouraging them to think not only of what they will do to help, but why they will do it.

Join students from schools across Australia as they raise awareness and funds for children in need around the world, like Otgonbayar* from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Otgonbayar is one of many young children on Mongolia who have faced abandonment and homelessness.

We hope you will join us as we journey together to make a positive impact for children in need.

St Joey’s Socktober Activities for 2024 will include: Crazy Sock Day, Sock it at the Goalie- penalty shoot out competition, 5 on 5 sock-er competition. 

Stage three has begun to engage with the CSYMI program which will be delivered by Eliza and Oliver, our Regional Ministry Assistants. 

CSYMI Junior is a program designed for upper primary school students, which aims to deepen their faith through a four-phase process.  The students started with a game based approach to get them up and engaged.

Save the date

Thursday October 31 Socktober Day

Monday November 11 Remembrance Day Liturgy

Friday November 22/ Monday November 25 Whole School Mass- Feast of Christ the King

Monday December 2 First Week in Advent Wreath Liturgy

Monday December 9 End of Year Mass

Thursday December 12 Nativity and Carols

Monday December 16 Third Week in Advent Wreath Liturgy

Monday December 16 Year 6 Graduation Mass

Sports News

Throughout Term 3 we have welcomed Chelsie from Zing Active to our school on Thursday mornings to work with our students on a dance program. The students have worked enthusiastically throughout the term with Chelsie's fantastic support. On Thursday of Week 9 we held a small showcase of the routines and skills that we had learned. Thank you to the family members who became our audience and also joined in on the fun. We will hope to invite Zing back in the future to build further on the fantastic skills that the children learnt this term.

Library News

 Thank you again for reminding children to return their library books. A library bag is always appreciated, as it helps books stay in good shape for longer.  Thanks Mrs Verrall

                Have a wonderful holiday and see you next term!

Stage 2 Lake Ainsworth Camp

On Stage 2 camp we went to Lake Ainsworth and we did a lot of activities. The activities included  kayaking, beach games, rock climbing and night games. My favourite thing was kayaking, because we went all around the lake.

Katie Eastwood

Stage 2 went on camp to Lake Ainsworth at Lennox Head. We did kayaking, beach games and rock climbing. We were able to do one night of games because we only stayed there for 1 night and 2 days. The bus ride was one hour. My favourite thing to do was kayaking, because we went all around the lake and went in the middle of the lake where there were some small waves. It was really fun! 

Lolly Allan

General Business

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

Maxx Mercer, Charlee O'Rourke

P&F & Canteen News

Please note no Canteen, Friday 27th November 

Term 4 Canteen Roster is shown below, we are still searching for Volunteers on a Wednesday, if you are available to help out from 9am - 11:30am could you please contact the school office 66832248.