St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Wandal Newsletter

The Hope of Change

Beginnings! They offer the hope of change. Now that the rush of organizing the new school year is over, pause before the new year’s rhythm sets is. “What do you want?” Jesus asked this question of his first disciples and it is a good one to let him ask us? “What do you hope for yourself in this coming year? What do you hope for your children?” Of course you want good things but they don’t come about by drifting. Real change needs a decision, some practical planning and the belief that God is on our side.

At times, our lives can be messy, confused and difficult and we can feel that God is remote or has abandoned us. But maybe our expectations for change may be unrealistic. God is not does not act like a fairy godmother using magic to take away our challenges but rather works through our situations with us. That is why it is important for us to think, to dream, to hope for change. When we are clearer about what we want, we can give God the room to move in our lives.

Loving God, your desire for us is the fullness of love and life. As we begin this year, may we hear Jesus ask us “What do you want?” Give us the wisdom of your Spirit as we sift the desires of our hearts. May the Spirit strengthen and guide us to changes. We ask this in Jesus name, confident that you will hear us.

Sr Kym Harris osb

My sincere thanks to the many parents and caregivers who have attended (or will be attending) our Parent Information Sessions this week. I hope you find the information dispersed by teachers, and the chance to have a brief ‘meet and greet’ chat useful. My thanks too, to the teachers for being so impressively organised and willing to share their professional knowledge and classroom expectations with the parent body.  

 If you ae not able to make it to your child’s session, please touch base with the teachers at your earliest convenience. Formal Parent Teacher Interviews to discuss academic progress will be held later in the term on Monday 30th March and Tuesday 31st March. More information regarding the booking of these sessions will follow in due course.

 Thank you also to Learning Support Teacher, Mrs Christine Gawne who has led a couple of parent sessions this week, sharing tips for helping children read at home. Mrs Gawne is holding one more session tomorrow, in the Be-Hive at 4.30pm. All are welcome.

If you missed the Volunteer Induction sessions and would like to volunteer in any capacity in the school this year, please see a member of the Leadership Team or the office staff. Parents do not need Blue Cards, however all other volunteers (including grandparents) must present their Blue Cards to office staff before assisting in our school. If you do not have a Blue Card and would like to apply for one, please see the school office staff or download forms from https://www.bluecard.qld.gov.au/applications/need-to-apply-for-card.html

I draw your attention to our school’s Social Media Guidelines document which can be accessed here: http://www.sjwlrok.catholic.edu.au/policies/SocialMediaGuidelines.pdf

The purpose of the document is to encourage acceptable use of social media by the St Joseph’s Wandal school community. The aim is to provide guidance to ensure appropriate use of social media and to ensure that the school community is aware that:  harassment, bullying and or discrimination, inappropriate or offensive comments and privacy breaches will not be tolerated.

It is the school’s recommendation that parents familiarise themselves with the ICT Code of Conduct and participate online in a respectful, relevant way that demonstrates the school’s values and ethos. The ONLY approved school social media page is the official St Joseph’s Wandal Facebook page. Year level Facebook pages are not encouraged, supported or monitored. Any use of the school’s logo, name, communications (i.e. copies of newsletter, teacher notes etc.) or images are not to be used without the written permission of the school Principal or delegate.

Please also be aware that some students in our school have media consent restrictions. Whilst you are welcome to photograph/video your own child at school-supported events such as assemblies and athletic carnivals, you may not take images of other children or post these to social media outlets. We thank you for your understanding, and for helping us to keep our kids safe online.

 Please join us for our first P and F Meeting of the year, tomorrow evening (Thursday) from 5pm- 6pm in the Staffroom. All parents are welcome to attend. The School Board will gather immediately afterwards at 6pm. 

Instruments for our Year 4 musicians have been delivered and lessons will next Thursday. Communications regarding instrumental lessons are distributed by the music staff at The Cathedral College; please ensure you are receiving the necessary emails from them and that your contact details are up to date.

School Fees have now been issued and are due on 14th February. Your fees can be managed by direct debit, BPay, Eftpos, cash, cheque or via Parent Lounge. If you need assistance, please make an appointment to chat with me. A reminder that a diocesan concession scheme is now in effect, and if you hold an approved pension or health card, you may be eligible for a reduction in your tuition fees. Please see Kathy Fishburn (finance secretary) or myself for further information.

Tuckshop days remain on Wednesday and Friday and we are always looking for volunteers to help out on tuckshop days. Please contact Gail Brady on (PH) 49362421 if you wish to offer your services. The only method of placing a tuckshop order is via ‘Flexischools’ (no cash is accepted).

http://www.flexischools.com.au/

 For bookings (including bookings for the upcoming Pupil Free Day on Friday, 21st February), please contact the OSHC staff on 0429316543.

True happiness here below depends on ourselves not on those around us.

Saint Mary MacKillop 1907

Over the course of the year, the colours of the priest’s vestments and altar decorations change. The different colours symbolise the different meanings at the celebration.  The colour of the liturgical cloth in classrooms now would be green.

Purple: Penance for Advent and Lent 

Red: Fire and blood for Pentecost and martyrs' feasts. 

White: Joy, purity and glory for Easter 

Green: Life for ordinary time 

Last night a small group of students from St Joseph's Wandal gathered at the Kevin Castles Centre to learn about the Sacrament of Penance.  It was wonderful to see many children from our school attend.  A reminder for those families who were unable to attend the workshop last night that the same workshop will be held tonight from 5.30pm - 6.30 pm.

I learnt that it's good to be yourself and to be grateful for the little things in your life. Summer Year 3

I enjoyed the Gem activity.  We used a gem card and wrote down two virtues that our parents modeled well. For kids there are 50 Virtues.  Gaby Year 3

I wondered how I can improve my knowledge of the Catholic Faith? Ronan Year 4         

This week Samara Thompson from St Vincent de Paul visited Year Three. During her visit, Samara used a variety of games to unpack the school mission statement. The children had a blast!

A reminder that Children’s Liturgy is held most Sundays at St Joseph’s Cathedral at 9.30am during the school term. It is wonderful to see our students attend. All students (particularly those preparing for sacraments) are encouraged to attend. Thank you to our dedicated teachers who assist with this important ministry. 

Thank you to the staff members who have worked so diligently to present their parent information sessions this week.  Thanks also to the parents who have joined us.  The following sessions will take place today and tomorrow:

• Year Two - Wednesday 5 February 5:00 p.m.
• Year Four - Wednesday 5 February 5:45 p.m.
• Year Five - Thursday 6 February 5:45 p.m. (including Chromebook Session)

If you missed the session, please make contact with your child's teacher so you don't miss out on what was shared.

The updated ICT code of practice forms are now available as eforms on the skoolbag app.  There are 3 forms, a parent form (for parents of students in Year 3 to 6), a Year 3 to 6 student form, and a Prep to Year 2 student form.  We need these completed asap so your child can access technology.

Year Six students will receive their chromebooks as ICT code of practice forms are completed and as updates are finalised.

Year Five students will receive their chromebooks after the parent session is conducted, ICT code of practice forms are completed, enrollment of the devices on the school network is conducted and completed contracts are returned.  Parents will need to find the form on the skoolbag app, print this document, sign and return this to the class teachers.

Information Evening The College will be hosting an Information Evening in Our Lady’s Hall on Monday 2 March 2020 at 5.30pm. All intending Year 7 2021 families should attend as important information will be presented. ENROLMENTS CLOSE WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2020 ***Enrolment packs can be collected from the offices of The Cathedral College, St Peter’s, St Paul’s and St Joseph’s (Wandal) Catholic Primary Schools or downloaded from the College website www.tccr.com.au **

St Joseph’s Wandal is excited to offer the Commonwealth Bank School Banking program to all students.

School Banking is a fun, interactive and engaging way for young Australians to learn about money and develop good savings habits.  Children who deposit money into their Youthsaver account through School Banking earn Dollarmites tokens, which they can save up and redeem for exciting rewards.

 School Banking is also a great fundraiser for our school. Our school receives a Regular Savers Contribution of $5 for every 10 deposits processed per student as well as an Annual Contribution which is based on the number of students who made at least one School Banking deposit in the prior year.

Getting involved in School Banking is easy!

 All you need to get involved in the School Banking program is a Commonwealth Bank Youthsaver account. You can open an account for your child in one of two ways: 

 1. Online

Visit commbank.com.au/schoolbanking and click on the link to open a Youthsaver account.

2. In branch

Visit a Commonwealth Bank branch with identification for yourself and your child, like a driver’s licence and birth certificate.

 If your child has an existing Commonwealth Bank Youthsaver account they can start banking straight away. They just need to bring their deposit in every week on School Banking day using their Dollarmites deposit wallet. School banking day is Thursday.

 If you would like to know more about School Banking, please ask for a 2019 School Banking program information pack from the school office or visit commbank.com.au/schoolbanking.

5 February    5.00pm     Parent Information Session Year 2

                        5.45pm    Parent Information Session Year 4

6 February    4.30pm    Volunteer Induction

                        5.00pm P & F Meeting

                        5.45pm    Parent Information Session Year 5

                        6.00pm    School Board Meeting

11 February    3pm Homework Club Commences (Years 3-6)

12 February    Year 6 Leadership Day

13 February    Instrumental Music Commences (Years 4 and up)