St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Wandal Newsletter

In praise of whistling.

‘You can’t think bad thoughts while you whistle,’ said the Gippsland dairy farmer and his daughter, recalling this later, added, ‘Dad always went around the farm whistling.’  We had been talking about prayer at the time and she realised that in a real way, whistling was her father’s way of praying through his day.  He chose to do something that made him happy, whatever the challenges that his work day would bring.

I recalled this the other listening to a boy whistling as he cycled past.  It was so cheerful.  I also remembered it last Sunday when I lay soaking up the winter sun, reading and relaxing. We can choose to do things that make us happy.  Often, they are such small things, like whistling or enjoying the sun, that we can fail to appreciate what a big difference they can make. They make us happy within ourselves, they make us feel better towards other people (and stop the flow of bad thoughts) and they make us more open to God. 

When we are in trouble, we turn to God out of our pain and need. In a real sense then, we come as beggars before him.  But when we ‘pray’ in those happy moments, (and the prayer can be little more than the quickest ‘thank you’ while we enjoy our happiness) we are being friends with God.  We are taking pleasure a loving gift from a friend…and that is what God, our truest friend enjoys in us.

Loving God, let me recognise the little things in life that give me joy and happiness. Let me make time for them in my day, and as I do, may I give thanks to you.  I ask this in Jesus’ name, confident that you will hear me.

Sr Kym Harris osb

Welcome back to Term Three! I hope that our students have had an enjoyable two-week winter break and are back refreshed and ready to go for the second semester of the school year! 

This term we welcome three new students to our school. A warm welcome to Ally Walker (Year 5) and Dai (2M) and Imogene Frohloff (3R). I have no doubt these students, and their families will be made to feel most welcome.

We also welcome Rockhampton Grammar School student, Grace Hansen to our school this week. Grace will be undertaking work experience in Mrs Egan's  Year One classroom. 

Thank you to those parents who took the two week holiday period to sort their children's uniforms. Unfortunately the first couple of days have seen a number of students in incorrect jumpers, shoes, socks, earrings, hair accessories and a number without hats. Students without hats on PE days will not participate in lessons this term, thereby possibly affecting their overall achievement results.  I request that all students have the correct uniform components by the end of this week.  As always, if you are unsure, please check with school staff or refer to the policy: http://www.sjwlrok.catholic.edu.au/documents/uniforms.html

Yesterday, Mrs Starr, Mrs Priestley and our Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander students from Prep – Year 6 attended the annual NAIDOC Week Mass at The Holy Family Church in Feez Street. NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Although NAIDOC Week was officially last week, many of our classes will be learning about and celebrating this special date in the calendar throughout this week. 

We wish our Rugby League and Netball teams the best of luck as they represent St Joseph’s Wandal over three days of competition at the annual Challenge Cup at St Brendan's Yeppoon this week. Mrs Clark, Mrs Riley, Mr Lemeki and Mrs Pitt will be supervising and coaching our teams and I thank all involved for their energy and commitment. Play hard, play fair but most of all have lots of fun!

Letters have been distributed inviting prospective families to attend our Prep Parent Information Session on Thursday 25 July at 5.15pm. Children are not required at this Parent information Session and supervision will not be provided.

Jamie Simpson from Darumbal Community Youth Services Inc (DCYSI) will be visiting St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School to deliver a 5 week “Yimba Bira” Traditional Indigenous Games Program. from Tuesday 16th July – 13th August. During these 40 minute weekly sessions your child will receive a brief introduction of the Darumbal Language as well as participate in learning different traditional games. DCYSI require a permission form to be completed for each child in Prep - Year 2. We have set this up as e-from on our school app - please complete.

 Friday afternoon school-based sport, Rugby League, Netball and Hockey will recommence next Friday, Week Two.

 School photos were on Monday to those who had placed orders. If you have any queries please contact MSP Photography directly on PH 49213355.

Week 1 Friday 19 July NAIDOC Assembly – Year 5

Week 2 Friday 26 July – Prep

Week 3 Monday 29 July Catholic Education Week – Year 2B

Week 4 Thursday 8 August St Mary of the Cross Feast Day Mass Heritage Village – Year 4S

Week 5 Friday 16 August Assumption of Mary – Year 2M

Week 6 Friday 23 August – Year 1E

Week 7 Friday 30 August Father’s Day – Year 3

Week 8 Friday 6 September - Year 1M

Week 9 Friday 13 September – Year 6

Week 10 Friday 20th September – Year 4C

A reminder that Children’s Liturgy is held most Sundays at St Joseph’s Cathedral at 9.30am during the school term.   Please click on the link to access Mass times.

The Year Five class will be attending the final rehearsal of Emmaus' 2019 Musical, 'Cats' on Thursday 25th July (9:30am -12:30pm). The cost of this has been added to school fees.  

Both Prep classes will be visiting the Rockhampton Art Gallery to participate in the ‘Darumbal Storytime’ session on Wednesday, 24th July at 10.00 am. Prep students will listen to a story and participate in craft activities. Students will be travelling via the Art Gallery Bus.  There will be no cost to families for this excursion. Please see your child’s teacher if you do not wish for your child to attend.

We have been invited to be part of  the Mini Bayton Award. The Bayton Award and exhibition highlights the creativity and variety of artistic endeavour in our region.

The theme or subject content for the Mini Bayton can be anything your students would like! 

The Mini Bayton is an opportunity for young people to not only have their works hung in The Rockhampton Art Gallery but also be judged by the winner of The Bayton Award 2019. The Mini Bayton will be separated into two categories (primary: ages 4-11 and secondary: ages 12-18) with the prizes being a 1 hour workshop at the Gallery for 25 students for the primary category. The secondary category will be awarded a $250 program voucher to be used on programs and events at the Gallery. 

Artworks must be delivered to the front desk of the Gallery, 62 Victoria Pde, between Thursday 20th June - Friday 26 July 2019. All artworks will be displayed on a rotational basis throughout the exhibition timeframe until the 4th August. Please note, unfortunately no artworks are able to be returned. 

All artworks must be on A4 size paper and include the following details written clearly on the back: Name (first name, last initial), age, contact email and phone number, and name of school.

 The winning works will be judged throughout the exhibition timeframe and winners notified by the Gallery in a timely manner. 

Please encourage your students to work on their submissions, we would love to be able to showcase the work of young regional artists alongside our selected The Bayton Award 2019 finalists. 

Contact the gallery for additional details.

Congratulations to our Award Winners. Follow this link details 

Please follow this link for term dates.

Jump Rope for Heart is a great way to keep our hearts healthy while learning lots of cool skipping tricks, but it’s also a way for us to help the Heart Foundation save lives. 

Students will each receive a sponsorship form. This form has details on how to sign up online and and has space for you to get offline donations. To sign up online visit www.jumprope.org.au to set up your very own fundraising page! Once you have it set up you can share it with friends and family asking them to sponsor you. To say thank you for all your hard work and fundraising, the Heart Foundation is giving away some very cool prizes. 

At the end of next term, students will be participating in Jump Rope for Heart with the Jump Off in Week 10. 

More information about the Jump Off will be sent home closer to the date. 

The main focus will be on the skills the students can learn and the fun that we can have together, not the fundraising aspect. Please do not feel obliged to source donations if you do not want to.

Looking forward to learning some cool skipping tricks,

Andrea Rutherford

PE Teacher.

This year's Saturday junior touch football season starts 10 August. If you are interested in coaching a team could you please complete the eform by this Friday 19 July. 

Once we confirm coach numbers we will be able to start organising teams. This is a sport that only runs because of the generosity of parents . We require coaches for the following teams:

U6 - mixed

U8 - boys, girls and mixed

U10 - boys, girls and mixed

U12 - boys, girls and mixed

Team nominations are due by 2nd August.

Players please complete the eform.  Teams offered will depend on the availability of coaches.

Thie winter Vacation Care break was jam-packed full of activities and excitement! The children loved catching up with one another over the school holidays and being a part of all the exciting activities offered by OSHC. The highlight was definitely our excursion to the Koorana Crocodile Farm in week 1, where the children learned about the different types of crocodiles and how they are important for both farming and the ecosystem. We had a tour around the crocodile farm, watched the crocodile feeding and even got to meet two huge crocodiles (one almost being a record breaking size) that were caught in the Fitzroy River! We are already planning our next Vacation Care so if you have any ideas or suggestions, please contact OSHC staff as we would love your input!

If your child attended Vacation Care and you are not receiving rebate, please ensure you have re-confirmed your child’s enrolment with us at OSHC on your MyGov account. Even if you have done this previously, enrolments are ceased after eight weeks of non-attendance and are required to be reconfirmed.

Please be advised that due to some difficulties with the new CCS/rebate system, as of next week statements will no longer be sent out on a Friday with payments processed on a Monday. Instead, statements will be sent out on a Monday and payments processed on a Tuesday. This will not change anything with your chosen payment schedules, the date you receive your statement is all that will differ.

If you require any assistance or clarification in regards to the above information, please do not hesitate to contact OSHC staff as we are more than happy to help. 

 For booking or enquiries please contact the OSHC staff  on 0429316543.