St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Wandal Newsletter

27 April 2022

Conquering Sin.

When Christians proclaim that Jesus has triumphed over sin, they could well be dismissed with cynicism.   “Where?”, “How?” can readily be asked.  After digesting the latest news feed, we have to say certainly not ‘out there’ in the world.  So where is the change in which we believe?  Primarily it is within our hearts. We know this not by sin being taken away but by the power we have been given to face sin.

First, we must realise what sin does:  it causes rupture, distress and disharmony in our relationships: between us, between God and us and even within our own selves.  The first triumph of Jesus is to make us dissatisfied with this disharmony.  We don’t like it and we hope for something better. The very desire to improve our ways of loving is a triumph.

The second triumph is to offer us the grace to do things differently.  The normal human reaction is to hit back when hurt.  With the example and power of Jesus, we can instead offer love and forgiveness, even when seriously wronged.

The third triumph is to take sin seriously, whether it is within us or between us. Jesus’ life and death show that easy solutions often do not work.  We need wisdom and patience for true change.  

Jesus’ triumph begins hidden in our hearts, grows slowly out into our lives and blossoms, offering light and love to the people God has given us in relationship.  

 

Loving Father, we suffer from the effects of sin in our relationships.  Send us the Spirit of Jesus that with grace, love and wisdom we may face and heal our own frailty and that of others.  We ask this in his name, confident that you will hear us.

Sr Kym Harris osb   

From the Principal

Parent-Teacher interviews commenced yesterday and continue again this afternoon. These are an opportunity to view a portfolio of work, engage with your child’s teacher to discuss their goals and foster ways to support your child in their learning. I thank all those families who have committed to building a strong partnership with the school through your attendance at these meetings. If you were unable to attend during these designated days, please contact your classroom teacher to arrange an alternative.

 

Last Friday we celebrated our first Prayer Assembly for the year. It was wonderful to see so many families join the Year 6 students as they allowed us to reflect on the events of Holy Week and Easter. The liturgical season of Easter continues for a period of fifty days leading us to Pentecost. Please check the Prayer Assembly roster which lists the classes and dates. We encourage all families to join us and share in this invitation to prayer.

 

This Friday, students in Years 4, 5 and 6 will continue 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. Team lists will be notified in Week 3. Friday sport commences in Week 4. Children playing Rugby League and Hockey must have their mouthguards to trial and train.

Rugby League players need to bring a change of clothes, mouthguards and football shoes (if they have them) this Friday to train as we will be tackling. Headgear is welcome but not essential.

 

We have seen a rise in student absences this week. As we near flu season and COVID-19 is still in our community, I urge you to ensure children do not come to school when experiencing symptoms and that families continue to commit to following the Queensland Health guidelines.

 

I have noticed some congestion in the carpark this term as Prep and Year 1 students are all finishing at 3:00 pm. This can be reduced by staggering pick-up. By 3:10 – 3:12 this car park has been cleared most days. Families might like to consider working towards turning up a little later when the main congestion has gone. Please be mindful that our children and their families are moving around through the carpark and Meade Street to access parked cars. Your tolerance and patience will contribute to keeping our community safe.

 

This week, I am thankful for the virtue of courage. Courage transforms fear into determination. When we reflect on the ANZACs, they embrace life fully and do what must be done, even when it is difficult or risky. They are an inspiration to not give up and take the next step.

I am thankful for the gift of courage. It helps me not hold back from my fears and welcome new challenges.

 

Bernadette Brennan

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

                                                                                                               Rheanna Starr

Prayer Reflection

When Jesus appears to the disciples, in the reading from John, he meets them where they are – in material reality. The experience of the divine is mediated through the familiar things of this world: Jesus shows them the marks of crucifixion on his body, and he breathes the Holy Spirit into them. This is a sensual experience. Thomas, however, is being too concrete and at first, he refuses to move beyond the sensual, so Jesus allows him a visual and tactile experience, but a leap of intuitive faith is expected of Thomas in the end.

What does Thomas’ experience say to 21st Century Christians?

How do you respond to disbelief and doubt – within yourself or others?

© Liturgy Help, Jenny Close Artwork

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 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)

 A reminder to those families participating in the Sacramental workshops, that next week there is a family workshop to attend.  Please note the location for these workshops will be at the Kevin Castles Centre.  Please see dates below for our next workshop:

Family Workshop: 3 Confirmation

Date

Location

Time

Tue 3 March

OR

Wed 4 March

Kevin Castles Centre

5.30pm – 6.30 pm

                                 

Thought of the Week

From the Assistant Principal Curriculum - APC


    Maths Team Challenge

    10 students from Year 5 and 6 will be representing the school at the annual Rockhampton Maths Teams Challenge on Thursday 28 April at Glenmore High School.  We wish Sofia, James, Imogen, Tyla, Declan, Sienna, Carlos, Rhiannon, Kayden, Elsie, Cohen, Lilliana, Kristen, Dia, Imogen, Amelia, Oliver Braxtyn, Laura and Ella every success.

    Volunteer Inductions

    We are very excited to welcome parents and grandparents back into our classroom and sporting teams as volunteers.  Parents do not require a blue card, but grandparents do (and this needs to be sighted before volunteering commences).  All volunteers must undergo an induction and we will be offering this at a few sessions in the upcoming weeks.  Other sessions may be added as needed.


    Friday 29 April (after morning assembly)

    Thursday 4 May 2:30 p.m.

    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


    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.

    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

    Mother Day Stall

    HOMEWORK CLUB

    PARISH BULLETIN

    Download

    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.