St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Wandal Newsletter

30 March 2022

Rising with Christ.

School closes this week for the first holidays of the year and when it reopens, Easter will have been and, one could be tempted to think, gone without making a difference. We easily get into a rut with our faith, not realising just how deeply the presence of Jesus Christ has gone down into our being and transformed us to a new way of engaging with other people and our world. ‘Me, changed?’ I can hear you asking. Yes, let us look at the ways.

As Christians we believe:

That good can come out of bad. The power Jesus gave in defeating death is given to us. We are not defined or confined by the bad things that happen to us. We can turn them to good.

That prayer really makes a difference. The good desires I have for others can be offered to God and sent to surround and care for them – even if they are on the other side of the world.

That forgiveness is not only possible but desirable. When we hear stories of people who have forgiven those who have wronged them, we understand, we get it – even if we feel it might be beyond us.

That virtue is something for which we should work and strive. Yes, we want to be better because we believe we have been made for that.

These are the subtle ways, Jesus Christ is alive in you. Let yourself be surprised this Easter by recognising and appreciating the new divine life that is rising in your hearts.

Loving God, my faith can seem so ordinary at times that I think it has little effect on me. Let me realise how the Holy Spirit is alive within me allowing the life of Jesus to rise in my heart and in my life. I ask this in Jesus’ name confident that you will hear me.

Sr Kym Harris osb

From the Principal

Today’s Cross Country was a wonderful event for the entire school community. Every child had the opportunity to participate and earn points for their house. While not everyone can run the entire distance, everyone had a go and we witnessed great sportsmanship along the way.

 

As the term draws to a close tomorrow, I would like to thank Mrs Anne Standen for her generous commitment that she took up at short notice to teach Year 3 for the term. Anne has once again, shown her passion for learning and dedication to the wellbeing and safety of our students. Thank you Anne and we look forward to having you back to help out soon.

 

Tomorrow we also farewell Mrs Melissa Zahnleiter from Year 2. Melissa and her family are moving as she is taking up another teaching position in the diocese. From her first days this year, Melissa was committed to our community and has successfully engaged the students in their learning experiences. We wish Melissa well in her new position.

 

The process of filling these positions is underway and families will be notified once the teachers are confirmed.

 

As we enter the holidays, we are still in the season of Lent. This is a continued time of fasting, almsgiving and prayer. I pray that all our families remain safe during the holiday period and our students return happy and healthy after the Easter holidays on Tuesday 19 April. During the holidays I invite you to continue to keep praying for peace and justice in Ukraine and to offer prayers of support for those who have been impacted by the floods in our country.

 

Bernadette Brennan

PREP 2023

We are now accepting enrolments for Prep 2023. If you have a child who is eligible to commence Prep next year or know of others who may be interested in enrolling at St. Joseph’s, please visit the ‘Enrol Now’ section of the website to complete the application form. https://www.sjwlrok.catholic.edu.au/enrol

Siblings of existing students NEED to apply also and will be required to attend an interview.

From the Assistant to the Principal: Religious Education (APRE)

                                                                                                               Rheanna Starr

Prayer Reflection

Dear Lord, may I realise afresh today what Your death and resurrection mean for me. Forgiveness, freedom, and the ability to walk with You through this fallen world into eternity. May I always find my satisfaction in You and Your willingness to offer Yourself to me.

In Jesus' Name, Amen

Mass

Mass of Chrism

A reminder that a small group of our Year Four to Year Six students will be transported by bus to attend the Mass of Chrism at St Joseph’s Cathedral, 31 March at 9.30am. Students will return to school by bus after mass. At Mass, Bishop Michael McCarthy will bless the oils which will be used in the administration of the Sacraments throughout the diocese for the year.

Prayer Assembly and Roster

Each week as a community of believers we celebrate through prayer and ritual what it means to be a Catholic. Prayers and rituals will be led by a whole class year level and the purpose is not to perform but to foster the development for our students spiritual and faith journey. This may mean that not every child will speak or take an active part in leading the prayer assembly. The scripture reference from Matthew highlights and reminds us of the importance and purpose of our school Prayer Assemblies. Jesus said “Where two or three gather in my name, I am there with them” Matthew 18:20.

Year Level Prayer FocusDate
Year 6 ClassesHoly Week and Easter Reflection22 April
Year 5 WhitePrayer Reflection29 April 
Prep White and GoldMother’s Day6 May
Year 5 GoldPrayer Reflection13 May
Year 4 WhitePrayer Reflection20 May
Year 4 GoldNational Reconciliation Week27 May
Year 3 White and GoldPrayer Reflection3 June
Year 2 White and GoldPrayer Reflection10 June
Year 1 White and GoldPrayer Reflection17 June
Year 6Prayer Reflection24 June

Our Journey in the Catholic Faith (Sacramental workshop dates)

Our Journey in the Catholic Faith (Sacramental workshop dates) A reminder to those families participating in the Sacramental workshops, that upon returning to school next term, there is a family workshop to attend. Please see dates below for our next workshop:

Tue 19 April OR Wed 20 April

Family Workshop: 3

Confirmation Kevin Castles Centre West Street5.30pm -6.30pm

Year 1 Disco

We hope you loved our disco last week. We are very excited to announce that we raised $141.25. Everyone was well behaved and looked happy at the disco. We hope you enjoyed playing the games. Thank you for donating your money to us so that we could collect it for Caritas. Please continue thinking of ways to help others during Lent. Thank you for coming to our disco so that we could help others.

Written by Year 1

Thought of the Week

From the Assistant Principal Curriculum - APC

    “Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up your right to be wrong, because then you will lose the ability to learn new things and move forward with your life. Remember that fear always lurks behind perfectionism.” 

    David M. Burns

    Premier's Coding Challenge #digitalfuturesqld

    The Premier's Coding Challenge is an annual state-wide initiative for all Queensland students in Year 3 to Year 10. The Premier's Coding Challenge aims to encourage an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in Queensland students.

    education.qld.gov.au

    Follow this link for more information.

    Premier's Coding Challenge

    STEM

    COVID-19 UPDATE

    COVID Positive Cases

    We wish to advise you that, during the past week, we have been notified of positive cases of COVID-19 in our school community. 

    St Joseph’s regularly consults with the Catholic Education Office and relevant authorities and continues to follow the advice of Queensland Health regarding cleaning requirements.

    Queensland Health has advised that no quarantine of students or staff is required.

    As COVID-19 remains active in our community, we ask you to continue to monitor your child’s/children’s health and if they develop any flu-like symptoms:

    • Keep your child/children at home
    • Seek a PCR or Rapid Antigen test where it is recommended and notify the school of positive results. Please be aware, a negative COVID test does not change the requirement to be symptom free to attend school.
    • Follow the advice of Queensland Health

    As we continue to navigate the pandemic, please remind your child/ren to: 

    • maintain good hand hygiene at all times
    • cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of their elbow and dispose of tissues in the bin immediately.
    • practice social distancing from others where possible
    • wear masks when required

    We will continue to work closely with health authorities to keep our school community informed of any developments and advice. Thank you once again for your ongoing support.

    SCHOOL PROCESSES

    School Fees

    School Fees for Term 1 were due Friday, 4 March 2022. If you wish to set up or edit a direct debit for the payment of school fees, please contact our Finance Secretaries on 49948230 or email sjwl_finance@rok.catholic.edu.au If you wish to have a conversation about outstanding fees, please don't hesitate to contact the office and arrange an appointment with Mrs. Brennan.

    SPORTS NEWS

    Representative Teams

    Brothers AFL