St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Wandal Newsletter

I don’t know

I have found myself saying these words more and more in the last months.  When will the pandemic end? What restrictions are really necessary? How are we to respond to racism in our society?  Will we have jobs in the near future and what will they be like?  I could go on.  These issues are difficult and they are real.  A few minutes thinking about them unleashes all sorts of negative emotions within us and between us.   Negative emotions have their place but more often than not, they produce just more negativity.  So how can one break the cycle.

The simplest way to begin is to be kind to those around me.  I cannot control the world but I can control how I treat other people.  Simple acts of kindness, while not lauded by the world, have a ripple effect in our world.

The next simplest way is praise.  Yes, simply affirming what is positive and good in the world, in the people around you and within yourself.  We can only build on the good in our lives.  When we praise, we are making a profound recognition that life is holy and to be trusted in spite of bad or negative things that happen.

And the third simplest is to be grateful: to the world, to people, to yourself and to God.  Gratitude sums up all that is best in us.  It opens our minds and hearts to delight and to love. 

If we make these three ways of acting habits in our lives, we will find our way to making change for our world in the ‘big issues’ that threaten to overwhelm us.

Loving God, you know how easily I can feel overwhelmed by the challenges in our world.  Let me stop fretting about what I cannot control and let me be kind, full of praise and grateful.  Then let your Spirit lead me into the way of wise action.  I ask this in Jesus’ name confident that you will hear me.

Sr Kym Harris osb

It is hard to believe that we are at the half point in the school year. Who could have predicted, back in January when the semester commenced, that we would experience all of the changes that 2020 has brought so far? Although I am sure that there will continue to be some more challenges and ‘speed-bumps’ thrown our way in the second semester of the year, I have no doubt that as a school community we will continue to experience success due to the passion, flexibility and understanding exhibited by all.

 I must say very sincere ‘thank you’ to all of the parents and carers in our parent community who have worked so hard this term to support your child’s learning.  Please know that your messages of support and thanks are always appreciated by our staff.

Term Three resumes on Monday, 13th July.  Term Three will see a focus on uninterrupted curriculum delivery with 'extra' events remaining limited due to COVID-19, restrictions.

The following events are scheduled:

•  Tuesday 14 July – NAIDOC Mass (livestreamed from Holy Family Church)
• Friday 24 July - House Day (MacKillop)
•  Thursday 23 July – 2021 Prep Parent Information Session 5.30pm
•  Sunday 26 July – Catholic Education Week commences
• Friday 31 July - Under 8's SJW celebrations
• Friday 7 August - Hearing Tests for applicable students
• Friday 14 August - Rescheduled Show Holiday
• Friday 21 August - House Day (Tenison)
• Monday 31 August - Real Talk Parent Sessions for Year 5 & 6 parents
• Wednesday 2 September - Real Talk sessions for Year 5 & 6 students
• Thursday 3 September - Fathers' Day stall
• Friday 4 September - Pupil Free Day
• Monday 14 & Tuesday 15 September - Parent Teacher Interviews
• Thursday 17 September - Prep Vision Screening
• Friday 18 September - last day of Term 3 & House Day (Penola)

Next term we will have three House Days. Children will sit in mixed age, house groupings for their lunchtimes. There will be a ‘special’ lunchtime activity for the students to participate in, chosen by the House Captains e.g. lunchtime disco, or a staff vs students game.

We will also order in (optional) lunch on this day e.g. Red Rooster, or Pizza (individual orders). All students, no matter which house or year level they are in will be able participate in the fun and have the option to order the ‘special’ lunch.

So therefore, on the following Fridays, tuckshop will look a little different and the normal menu will not be available for purchase for first break.

Friday Week 2, 24/7 - MacKillop

Friday Week 6, 21/8 - Tenison

Friday Week 10, 18/9 - Penola

Orders will be placed and paid for via Flexischools as normal, but we will need to cut off the orders earlier so that we can place the orders from the food suppliers. Second break will operate as normal.

A sincere thank you to our PE teacher Miss Hinz (assisted by Mrs Walker), who organized some fun in our PE lessons this week. As the Cross Country was cancelled due to COVID-19, Miss Hinz set up a Ninja Obstacle Course for the classes as a fun way to finish the term and for some friendly competition between our three Houses, Penola, Tenison and MacKillop. Ribbons were awarded for place getters and all participants received points towards their Sport's Teams. Which team will be the overall champions? Find out this week, during our Friday morning Zoom!

Please take the time over the upcoming school holiday break to ensure that your children have the correct uniform for the commencement of Term Three. This includes correct school hats, jumpers, socks, shoes, hair accessories and jewellery. If unsure about whether the choice of new uniform items are acceptable, we are only too happy to assist. Alternatively, the Uniform Policy is available on the school website or from the school office.

Semester One Report Cards will be available via Parent Lounge on Friday  of Week 1, Term 3 (17 July). It is the responsibility of all parents to ensure that you have access (including your parent code and password) to Parent Lounge before this time. As always, school computers are available for parent use upon request. Paper copies of Report Cards will not be distributed.

Our Outside School Hours Care staff have been busily preparing some wonderful experiences for our students for the upcoming block of Vacation Care. If you are wishing to book your child in Vacation Care please do so as soon as possible so that numbers can be finalised. 

As you are aware, there are currently many Federal and State Government requirements that are designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (or any contagious condition). Once such requirement that is relevant to Outside School Hours Care(OSHC) Services is the School and Early Childhood Service Exclusion Direction. To meet this directive, children displaying symptoms such fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose or shortness of breath, are not permitted to attend OSHC.

In order to assist us in meeting this requirement, we request that all parents find alternative care for their children if they are unwell or displaying symptoms. Your child cannot return to OSHC while they are still displaying symptoms. The only exception is if a child is displaying symptoms due to a non-contagious medical condition, for example,  asthma, croup or hay fever. If that is the case written confirmation that your child is displaying symptoms due to this medical condition and is not contagious will be required.   In order to meet this Public Health Directive, the OSHC is required to call parents to collect children who are displaying symptoms. 

Term Two fees were due Monday, 15 June.  It would be appreciated if any outstanding accounts could be finalised before the end of the week. If your payment commitment cannot be met please make an appointment to see me.

Friday's messages and awards will be delivered to all classes in the school by Zoom. If you would like to link in with us please email the school office and request the Zoom link and password.

The Sacramental Journey has been postponed until 2021.

I look forward to recommencing with the children and their families in 2021 to celebrate their First Holy Communion and Confirmation.

As previously advised, this semester we will be distributing report cards at the end of the first week in Term Three.  Due to the 'learning from home' period, a reduced number of learning areas will be included in the report.  For more information, please see previous newsletters.

We are all looking forward to the holidays.  It will be great to take a break and recharge after a long and unique term.  To keep you entertained and learning over the holidays, try these boredom busters:

• ABC Splash games
• ABC Education TV schedule
• Don't forget to read (and fill in your Premier's Reading Challenge form)
• Plant something in the garden
• Cook with a grown-up at home
• Do you have any other ideas?

All classes will undertake their Child Safety Curriculum studies next term.

 The Child Safety Curriculum became mandatory for all Diocesan Catholic Education Office schools from 2015.

 The curriculum is based on principles of best practice in child safety education and centres around three key messages: Recognise, React and Report. Through a series of lessons, students will learn how to recognise, react and report when they are unsafe or find themselves in situations that can have a significant detrimental effect on their physical, psychological or emotional wellbeing.

The content included in the Child Safety Curriculum aligns with what has been included in the Personal Development Education in our schools over the past 15 years. All content has been approved by our Bishop Michael McCarthy and by our Diocesan Director, Miss Leesa Jeffcoat.

Please follow the link for a detailed overview of the concepts and terminology your children will have exposure to. Research has told us that the correct use of anatomical names is important in preventing child sex abuse www.education.qld.gov.au/child-safety-curricu. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please see your child’s teacher.

Have you seen the videos on facebook from our house captains?  The Premier's reading challenge is on.  We want to see as many forms completed as possible.  Let's all get reading and may the best house win!

Students will take part in The Tackle6 program in Term Three from week 1-6 (years 3-6) and the Indigenous Games is coming from Week 3-6 (Prep-2).  Please complete the attached eForm in order for your child to participate in the program.  Thank you, Miss Hinz.

E-Form - Yimba Bira School Registration eForm