St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Wandal Newsletter

15 June 2022

You never die of making a fool of yourself.

That piece of wisdom comes out of my own experience.  It flashed through my brain as I walked away after having done just that: made a fool of myself.  I wanted to impress someone and asked what I thought was a brilliant question.  As it came out my mouth, I realised how dumb it was.  But the lesson was a very good one and this piece of wisdom is something I try to live by.  It encourages me to have a go at things others might criticise.  This I need to do.  I see this as a way the Holy Spirit has taught me through life.  There are other pieces of wisdom I have learnt from experience.  This great procrastinator regularly says to herself, ‘You only get a thing done by doing it.’

These pieces of wisdom are applicable to me.  Yours would be different. I think everyone reading this has a few pieces of wisdom that they have learnt from life, and the Holy Spirit disguised within their lives.  Personally, I have found it very empowering to think of the things that life has taught me.  Not what I have got from books, or from others but from my own lived experience.  As I have done this, I have realised just how much the Holy Spirit was teaching me in the messy, mixed-up life I have had. I now realise that God is at work teaching us through life far more than we realise.

This is important for you as parents, guardians and teachers.  As you own your own wisdom, you realise that God is teaching and guiding those in your care, as much as God has guided you.  Owning your own unique wisdom could be one of the best lessons you can teach your children.   Life might be tough, we might have been pushed around badly, but if we learn from these tough, and often not so tough, or even funny times, we gain a degree of control and dignity in our lives, in our own experience.  We also give those in our care the ability to trust life, to believe that we can grow even in and through difficult circumstances.  Try to take some time to put into words what life, the Holy Spirit, has taught you.  Live by this wisdom, share this wisdom.  And encourage others to discover their own.

Come Holy Spirit, let me see where you have worked in my life and taught me.  Help me to acknowledge my own wisdom and teach my child/ren to do the same.  I ask this in Jesus’ name, confident that you will hear me.

Sr Kym Harris osb

From the Principal

The date has been confirmed for the annual Parents and Friends High Tea. This exciting event is a wonderful social gathering that will once again be held at the Gardens Tearooms on Saturday, 27 August. To book your table/seat, follow the trybooking link on the invitation.

We are seeking expressions of interest for players in the Friday night OzTag competition and Saturday morning Touch Football competition. If you are interested in your child playing in either or both fixtures, complete the EForms in Skoolbag. Early next term, we will determine teams and nominate them. These teams can only happen if we have people to coach and manage, so please consider contributing to help support a team.

 

This week a number of our students attended the Rockhampton Schools Athletics carnival at North Rockhampton State High School. Our students came away with a selection of ribbons, and James Douglas was the fastest 800m runner in the carnival. Congratulations, James and we wish him more good luck for the rest of the week as he competes in the State Titles for Under 12 Touch Football.

 

Late pick-ups have noticeably increased this term. If you cannot collect your children by 3:20 pm, they should be enrolled in After School Care, where they can be suitably engaged and supervised.

 

Next week I am taking Long Service Leave and will return for Week One Term 3. I thank Rheanna Starr and Janette McLennan for being available to support the school in my absence.

 

Have a great week and a restful holiday period.

Bernadette Brennan

SCHOOL PROCESSES

Medications at School

A reminder that as per our school policies, all medications which are sent to school to be administered by staff must meet the following requirements:

 

·         Medication is not to be sent to school with children and must be brought into the school office by an adult with the accompanying paperwork.

·         Medication cannot be sent home with students and must be collected from the school office by an adult.

·         A Request to Administer Medication form (found on the School Website under Forms and Policies) must be completed and accompany the medication. This form can be accessed here

·         All medication must be sent to school in the original container and have a pharmacy label. This label must include the following information: student name, dose, time the medication is to be taken and any other relevant directions (such as whether the medication is to be taken with food).

·         Parents/Guardians are required to advise the school in writing if there is a change in the dosage of medication. These instructions must be accompanied by a letter from a prescribing health practitioner or a change of label from a pharmacist.

·         Parents/Guardians must advise the school in writing when medication is no longer required to be administered at school and must collect any remaining medication.

·         Any medication not collected from the office by an adult by the end of the school year will be disposed of.

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)

                                                                                           

 


Prayer Reflection

Jesus said: “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:15)

Jesus reminds us that whatever we do for people who are most in need, we do it to him. We are invited to share in God’s mission in our world; a mission of compassion, love, protection and honouring of the dignity of the human person.

God of Justness and Love,

Open our eyes to the needs of the people around us.

Open our ears to the call for justice and equality.

Open our minds to the reality of exclusion and disadvantage.

Open our hearts to love and mercy.

Amen

Religion Report Card Comments

Below are some words that you may come across in your child’s report card. I have included a brief description which may help you to understand more deeply some of the concepts that your child has explored this semester.

Year 5 Report Card Comments

Virtues of Mary

Year 5 students identified the virtues of Mary, the Blessed Mother. Virtues are our inner strengths, the content of character and the truest expression of ourselves. They are attitudes, dispositions, or character traits that enable us to be and to act in ways that develop this potential.  People reflect the image of God when using their virtues.

 

Litany

A litany is a prayer consisting of a series of petitions and responses. This prayer may be directed to our Lord-Jesus, his Blessed Mother-Mary and the saints.  Although they are traditionally used in church services, they can also be prayed in private devotions, and may be sung.

 

Year 6 Report Card Comments

Eucharist

The word Eucharist means thanksgiving: believers give thanks for all that God has given, particularly the gift that is Jesus.  The Catholic celebration of Eucharist is comprised of two main parts, the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.  The Catholic Church teaches that in the celebration of Eucharist, Jesus is sacramentally present in four ways: the people gathered, in the church’s minister, in the Word proclaimed, and most profoundly in the gifts of bread and wine which become the Body and Blood of Christ.

Prayer Celebration - Year 1

Please join both Year 1 classes in the Undercover Area as they lead prayer. 

 

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 of our student's 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 1 White and GoldPrayer Reflection17 June
Year 6Prayer Reflection24 June

NO TUCKSHOP in week 10

Year 6 Pizza Lunch Order Friday 24 June

As there is no tuck shop on Friday 24 June Year 6 will hold a Pizza Lunch Order to raise funds for their upcoming school camp.  Please ensure that all food orders are completed by 4pm on Wednesday 22 June, via Flexischools. All funds raised will go towards Year 6 Camp.  

School Camp

Liturgy of the Word

A reminder that Children’s Liturgy is held most Sundays at St Joseph’s Cathedral 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.

Sacrament of Confirmation and Eucharist

A reminder that on Friday 17 June, we celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation at St Joseph’s Cathedral. Please be seated in Mass by 5.45pm.  Children will then receive the Eucharist at your chosen Mass time.  I will be attending Mass to support students on Saturday evening, 18 June.  See you all at the practice this Saturday 11 June at 11am.

Thought of the Week

From the Assistant Principal Curriculum - APC

    Quote:  “It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers.” James Thurber (1894 – 1961)

    QFES visit Year 1

    Report Cards

    Report Cards:  Semester One academic reports will be sent out at the end of this term, and you will have read Miss Jeffcoat’s (our Diocesan Director) comments about this reporting period in last week’s newsletter.  This semester’s reports will look a little different, with an effort mark being added for each subject.  This mark is about your child’s diligence, behaviour and engagement in each learning area.  This semester we will not include a general comment, but will rather comment specifically on the areas of Religion, English and Mathematics. 

    COVID-19 UPDATE

    COVID

    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 a result of school-based contact.

    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.

    ·         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.

     

    SPORTS NEWS

    SCHOOL EVENTS

    Semester 1 Reporting

    PARENT INFORMATION

    Dear Parents/carers and staff,

     

    In partnership with Arup and Zwart Transport Planning, the Department of Transport and Main Roads is gathering insights from parents/ carers and staff about bicycle and scooter parking at schools across Queensland. The Queensland Department of Education and Catholic Education Diocese of Rockhampton has granted permission for schools to be involved in the research. If you would like to contribute your experiences and assist in improving bicycle/scooter parking at schools, we invite you to complete the following online survey by Friday, 24 June 2022.

    Bicycle and scooter parking at schools survey

    OSHC

    COMMUNITY EVENTS