St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Wandal Newsletter

5 June 2019

Casting the Net - Weekly Prayer Reflection

Passion with the Spirit

 

What makes us change, change for good, that is? Passion. People change when they love someone or something intensely.  Tim Winton, the novelist recounted his transformation from virtual redneck to ardent conservationist.  It surprised many, including himself but he simply couldn’t let his beloved coastline of Western Australia be trashed for the sake of one dubious resort.  The threatened area is now World Heritage.  Winton has made friends and powerful enemies but he is at peace with himself. 

 

This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, remembering the transformation that came over Jesus’ fearful cowering disciples when the Holy Spirit changed them into people ready to proclaim to the world the love of God they had experienced in Jesus.  On this feast we also often celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation when we pray that the Holy Spirit might come upon those receiving the Sacrament, filling them with life, love and passion.  As parents and caregivers, we have the responsibility not only to pray for these children but to foster in them the passions that will give them rich and meaningful lives.  God’s Spirit desires to unite with our spirit giving us the wisdom, energy, patience and fortitude to foster what we most deeply love.  Too much of our society advises us to tone down, to conform to some sanitised ideal.  On this feast we are encouraged to do the opposite: to claim the passion that is in our hearts and to ask God’s Spirit to fan it into a flame that we may burn brightly with love.  

 

Loving God, send your Spirit into the hearts of our children.  May we guide their minds and hearts to discern what they truly love, to work with passion for its fulfilment and to have joy as they grow into your life and love.  We ask this in Jesus’ name confident that you will hear us.

 

Sr Kym Harris osb

Principal's Lego Master STEM Challenge

We have been feeling inspired by the recent TV series, LEGO Masters. All students are challenged to use their LEGO to design and make something which they think our school needs. Entries are due by Friday 14 June and will be displayed in the Be-Hive. Students may use the school's LEGO in the Lunch Club, or their own from home. Mrs Jenkinson encourages everyone to get creating!

Reconciliation Week

Last  week was National Reconciliation Week and our classes acknowledged and celebrated this very significant week in various ways. The week invites all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. This week, we have added a very important Acknowledgment of Country to our school’s web page, along with a delightful photo of our students engaging in traditional Islander culture. Visit www.sjwlrok.catholic.edu.au to check it out.


Staff Absences and Contacts

Last week, our Learning Support teacher, Mrs Christine Gawne attended the Learning Support Teachers’ Biennial In-service at the Catholic Education Office. We thank Christine for all she does in our school, working in partnership with teachers and parents to support our learners.

This week, Teacher Assistant, Mrs Kennedy takes a week's long service leave. Mr Stuart Douglas will replace Mrs Kennedy as classroom support during this time. 

As you read this newsletter, Miss Janette McLennan and I will be on our way to the National EduTECH conference. EduTECH is an annual event where the entire education and training sector gather together to learn, debate, exchange ideas and be inspired by the very latest in education thought leadership. We will be joined by Mrs Rheanna Starr on Monday and Tuesday for professional development on the Art and Science of Teaching framework which will focus on the most alterable effect on student achievement, quality instruction. The leadership team of St Joseph’s Wandal looks forward to sharing our learnings with the staff when we return.

 In my absence, please address any queries of concerns to Mrs Starr. Mrs Christine Gawne will be available next week to address any urgent enquiries. 

Child Safety Concerns - does your child know their home address?

As you know, this term all classes are participating in the mandatory Child Safety Curriculum lessons. In a recent lesson in Prep, the students learnt about calling triple zero and the importance of knowing their home addresses. The teachers were astounded at the number of students who were not aware of their house number or the name of their street.  You might like to query your children and check out whether they know this information or not.   If not, regular practices of this information, as well as other important facts, such as their parents’ ‘real’ names and phone numbers are useful for small children to know.

 

Sporting News

A big thank you to Shaun, Ben and Jaamal from the Rockhampton Rockets who have spent the last four weeks teaching our Prep to Year 6 students basketball skills. 

Thank you to the P & F for the generous donations of the new netball uniforms. Our three Year 5 and 6 teams look very snazzy competing on Fridays. As our school grows, so does our number of netball teams. This year we have been able to nominate 5 teams with students from Year 4 - 6 participating.

The draw for the Friday 7 June of Season B Sport can be found by clicking on this link.

Phone calls will not be permitted for students who have forgotten their uniforms or equipment (including water bottles and school hats) and instead, these students will remain at school to work. We love to see our SJW parents and grandparents at the games to support our students.

Parent Lounge and Report Cards - *2nd reminder*

Semester One Report Cards will be available via Parent Lounge on Wednesday  of Week 10 (Wednesday 26 June). It is the responsibility of all parents to ensure that you have access (including your parent code and password) to Parent Lounge before this time. As always, school computers are available for parent use upon request. Paper copies of Report Cards will not be distributed. 

Prep Interviews for siblings of existing students

By now, all existing families will have received communication from the school with regards to booking an interview time. Time slots are limited, so please make contact with either Kathy or Suzanne in the office to book a suitable time, at your earliest convenience.

School Photos

Thank you for having your children presented so neatly for our School Photo Day last week. Here is a sneak peak of one of the promo shots taken by our friends at MSP Photography! Photos will be delivered in Week 1 of  Term Three. Photo queries are to be made directly to MSP Photography by calling 49213355.

July School Vacation Care Bookings

Below is the SJW July Vacation Care Program. Our Vacation Care proved so popular last holidays, that we had children on waiting lists and on some days, missing out on spots. Please book as soon as you can, to avoid disappointment by emailing sjwl_oshc@rok.catholic.edu.au or by calling 0429316543. Please take particular note of the newly adjusted cut-off times and procedures for cancellations.

July School Vacation Timetable

Download

Have a great week,

Kellie Jenkinson.

From the APRE

Join us Sunday 9 June 9.30am for Mass at St Joseph's Cathedral

This Sunday join us for 9.30 am Mass at St Joseph's Cathedral.  Children singing in the choir are to meet Mrs Clark at 9 am for a practise.   Please bring along a plate of food to share for Morning Tea after Mass.

Prayer Assembly

Please join us this Friday in the Hall at 8.35 am for a small prayer meditation led by Staff.

 Year 6 will lead Prayer next Friday 14 June in the Undercover Area.

Parenting Insights - Creating healthy digital habits

Please click on the link for further information

Children's Liturgy of the Word

A reminder that Children’s Liturgy is held most Sundays at St Joseph’s Cathedral at 9.30am during the school term.   Please click on the link to access Mass times.

With gratitude,

Rheanna Starr.

From the APC

Farm safety calendar competition

Show off your drawing skills, learn more about farm safety and win some great prizes!

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland's Farm safety calendar competition is open until 28 June 2019.

Twelve winning drawings will be published in the 2020 Farm safety calendar.  Find out how to enter at worksafe.qld.gov.au

Billionaire Boy

Students in Years 3 to 6 will be travelling to the Pilbeam Theatre on Tuesday 18 June to see 'Billionaire Boy', based on the novel by David Walliams. 

Twelve year old Joe has everything a boy could ever want, from a golden underwater Ferrari to his very own cinema. Joe and his Dad have more money than you could imagine, but what Joe really needs is a friend.  Joe is about to learn that money might buy you a lot in Raj’s shop, but it can’t buy you everything.

This has been included on school fees.

Weekly Awards

Congratulations to our Award Winners. Follow this link for details 

Calendar Dates

Please follow this link for term dates.

Thanks,

Janette