St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Wandal Newsletter

20 April 2022

Sin and Death have been conquered!...So?


“Alleluia! The Lord is risen! Sin and Death have been conquered.”  The people at the Atheists’ Conference, taking place in Melbourne as I write this, could well think we are barmy.  Sin is well and truly around, people are dying all the time – even amongst the Christians that acclaim Jesus’ victory.  So just what are we Christians proclaiming at this time?   

Let’s begin with death.  By his return at the resurrection, Jesus transformed death from being a ‘dead end’ into a path to eternal life.  In my experience of people, death holds a very tricky place in the understanding of life.  Most people fear it until a short time before they die yet it is an impetus for living a richer life.  How many have a bucket list of things to do before they die! Interestingly fostering new life is often high on their agenda.  There are also people for whom the fear of death warps their lives, stopping them from taking healthy risks. Also, in our society, there are too many for whom death is sadly preferable to living.  To all these differing groups of people, Jesus’ resurrection makes death relative. What seems an absolute, life defining moment becomes a doorway into something richer.  Grasping what the change is cannot be done in theory but only in personal relationship with Jesus.  He was “God with us” in his dying. Now he wants to be ‘with each of us’ as we face our dying. 

Loving God, you know how death brings confusion, grief and fear to our hearts.  Send us your Spirit that we may know that, in Jesus, you are with us in our dying, fill our hearts with the hope of his risen life.  We ask this in his name confident that you will hear us.

Sr Kym Harris osb

 

From the Principal

Welcome to Term 2. It was beautiful to see everyone returning to school yesterday, ready for a new term of learning and success. Term 2 will be busy as we start with three short weeks that include the Anzac Day March, Parent Teacher Interviews, RRC Waste Audit, Mothers Day, CQ Capras Challenge and the recommencement of Homework Club.

 

This term we are joined by three new staff. Miss Shannon Masters is the new Year 3 GOLD teacher. Miss Aidan Godbaz has taken over Year 2 GOLD, and Mrs Georgina Coonan has joined our Teacher Assistant staff. We are fortunate to have gained three experienced staff who will be significant assets to our team. I’m sure they will enjoy your prayerful support as they take up these positions.

 

Next Thursday, we welcome the Rockhampton Regional Council to complete a Waste Audit. During this time, the council will assess the current total weight of waste generated and quantify proportions recycled or landfilled. They will also assess if recycling is right & non-contaminated. Students involved will sub-sample analysis for specific material types, complete data sheets, use scales, identify materials, make calculations, and follow a scientific process.

 

This Friday, students in Years 4, 5 and 6 will start preparing for Season B Interschool sport. Team trials and training will be happening at school during the afternoons. Students are required to wear their PE uniforms on Fridays from this week. Team lists will be notified in Week 3. Friday sport commences in Week 4. Children playing Rugby League and Hockey must have their mouthguard to trial and train.

 

Homework Club recommences on Tuesday 10 May in Week 4. Homework Club is hosted by Year 10-12 students from TCC. They attend our school and offer support for students to complete their set homework tasks. The club runs each Tuesday in the Be-Hive from 3:20 - 4:20 pm. If you wish to use this service contact the office to register your child/ren. 


This week, I am thankful for the virtue of devotion. Devotion is a commitment to something we care about deeply. It is a passionate focus on our life’s purpose. I am grateful for the staff of St Joseph’s, who are entirely devoted to their purpose of providing teaching and learning for the students in our care. Our teachers are passionate and spend significant amounts of time preparing for engagement with students and parents, and families throughout the day at Parent Teacher Interviews.

I am thankful for the gift of devotion. It allows me to do what I love and love what I do.

 

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

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 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

Prayer Celebration

 Please join us at 8.35am on Friday 21 April as Year 6 lead a Holy Week and Eastertide prayer celebration. Eastertide is when we live in the renewed energy of Christ risen and present in this world!

CARITAS

Year 4 classes have once again sold their artworks to parents to raise money for CARITAS.

This year, students were able to raise $77.  Thank you, Year 4 students and parents, for your generosity

Our Journey in the Catholic Faith

 

Presentation of Candidates

On Saturday 23 April at 6.30pm and Sunday 24 April during 9.30am Mass many students from St Joseph’s Wandal will be celebrating the Ritual of Choosing.  Children preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation will choose a sponsor who will provide support and guidance to the child in preparing for Confirmation and model a good example in their own way of life.  Thank you for your ongoing commitment and enthusiasm as we progress more deeply in the life of the Church and our learning journey in the Catholic faith.

As families can attend different celebrations over the weekend, please fill in the attached form so that members of Sacraments Team can attend one of the masses.

Here is the direct link to the form you can send out. https://forms.gle/e7nWCKN6BRNNfX3m9

May the risen Jesus be with each of your families during this Easter season

 

Sat 23 April     

      OR

Sun 24 April

Family Ritual of Choosing

St Joseph’s Cathedral

Mass 6.00pm. Sat night or

Sunday Mass at 9.30am

Sunday Mass 6pm

 

Mass Times

Saturday:

4:00pm Sacred Heart, Mt Morgan

5:00pm Holy Family, Norman Gardens

6:00pm St Joseph’s Cathedral

6:30pm Our Lady Help of Christians, Park Avenue

Sunday:

6:30am St Joseph’s Cathedral

7:00am St Mary’s, North Rockhampton

8:00am St Paul’s, Gracemere

9:00am Holy Family, Norman Gardens

9:30am St Joseph’s Cathedral (livestream available on cposj.com)

6:00pm St Joseph’s Cathedral

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

    Term Newsletters

    Classroom teachers will send term newsletters this week via email.  Please read these valuable communications to find out about the exciting learning students will experience this term. 

    NAPLAN 2022

    This year, students in years three and five will participate in NAPLAN on the 10 - 12 May.  Information for parents/caregivers can be found at https://nap.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/naplan-information-brochure-for-parents-and-carers.pdf

    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 EVENTS

    ANZAC DAY MARCH

    We are participating in the annual ANZAC Day March next Monday, 25 April. Children are to gather alongside OzCare by 9:30 am. Staff will march with the students, and parents will meet us after The March along Quay Street opposite K&S Timber and Salvage or nearby. The students are required to wear the formal uniform, and the school hat is compulsory. If required, the mobile number for contacting the staff after the march is 0439310909.

    Our school will also have a representation at the Dawn Service under the supervision of Mrs Starr and Mrs Jones. The School Captains will be laying a wreath during this service.

     

    SPORTS NEWS

    ATHLETICS CARNIVAL

    The athletics carnival will be held over two days, June 1 and June 2. Wednesday 1 June will be field events for children born in 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009. These will be held on-site at school. Thursday 2 June is the track events for all students. This whole day will be held at Emmaus College. On the day, students will require private transport to and from Emmaus College. More information will be distributed closer to the date.