St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Wandal Newsletter

7 October 2020

Casting the Net - Weekly Prayer Reflection

Playing Footy in Life

Just recently, the local Yeppoon AFL team, the Swans, made history.  With their Grand Final win, they achieved the longest winning streak of any Australian rules team in history.  It was five years in the making.  That’s a lot of games, 89 in all. Even more training sessions, times away from family, times with family watching, support from family, friends and community, playing in all sorts of weather, training when one didn’t feel like it.  It took a lot of different people in diverse roles.  As they played their football, in games and in training, they weren’t really working for that record, they were enjoying their game, even when they didn’t feel like it.   And how often they must have felt like missing training.

This is like parenting.  There are so many little things that build our families, and quite often, they can seem unimportant in the big scheme of things, especially when we are out of sorts.  But they aren’t.  Good strong lifelong bonds are made of the small daily services.  And in the making of a family, it is never one person.  All sorts of people in all sorts of ways can and do contribute the ‘success’ of our family life.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus calls on us to take up our cross daily.  Our daily crosses are rarely big and dramatic, and are frequently boring.  But they are the way that leads to life.  In family life, we can sometimes feel that it is a long time between ‘wins’ and when we do get one, we need to savour it long.  And then get up the next day, pick up the cross and start again.

Loving Father, there are times when I find parenting tough.  Send me your wise Spirit to guide my heart and mind, that I might truly have the strength to build up my family in love.  I ask this in Jesus’ name confident that you will hear me.

Sr Kym Harris osb

From the Principal

Welcome back to the last term of the year. I hope that all of our families had the chance to spend some quality time together over the holiday break and that our students are back refreshed and enthused for another term of learning. Although this term is a relatively short one, being only nine weeks long, it will be a very busy one! Please keep a close eye on the newsletter and school app throughout the term for the most up to date information pertaining to class and school events and celebrations.

As the weather warms up this term, please ensure your child has their school hat each and every day. Remember, no hat = no play. Remember too, the cold-room in the hall is available to keep your child’s lunch cool, and to bring a water bottle to have in the classroom. 

Over the holiday break, Mr Douglas’ (Facilities Officer) new shed was constructed beside the Adventure Playground. Our Yarning Circle was also constructed and will be painted this week by a local Indigenous artist.

Outside School Hours Care News

 Thank you to the families who supported our Vacation Care Program over the holidays. The children in attendance seemed to be having lots of fun! Thanks also to the OSHC staff for organising such wonderful activities for the children in their care.

P and F and School Board Meetings

Our P and F will meet tomorrow at 5.15pm in the staffroom. All are welcome to this meeting – we love seeing new faces!

The school board will meet immediately afterwards at 6.15pm.

Reminder Photo Day

School Photo Day is Friday  23 October. Order envelopes were dispersed to students at the end of last term and must be returned on Photo Day.

MSP Photography has implemented new processes for the capturing and production of school photos while the COVID-19 health crisis continues At present, no sibling photos are being taken by MSP. Further, school photos have changed to a composite style. What is a Composite Style? A Composite product is when students are photographed individually, with the group created digitally using a composite template. This eliminates the need for students to be grouped together in close contact with either themselves, or staff.

 

For more information, you may like to visit MSP’s website, which is https://www.msp.com.au/

A reflection on Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop

I recently came across this article, written by secular journalist Samela Harris for the Southern Cross Newspaper (SA) in December 2018. As we acknowledge the 10th anniversary of the canonization of Australia’s first saint, and foundress of our school, Samela’s words reminded me of how Mary’s story has touched the hearts of many.

 

“Mary MacKillop, aka St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, is not just a saint, she is a feminist icon.

Mary was out there setting up women’s refuges a century before the #MeToo Movement.

She was a woman who stood up for women who were oppressed or victims of domestic violence.

She was a woman who educated girls when the system discriminated against them. She inculcated them in science as well as the Word of God.

She was a woman who stood up against pedophilia in the Church, a century before it was a public issue.

She was a woman who stood up against bullying patriarchy bishops and was excommunicated for it.

She was a woman who dared to go to Rome to put her cause to the Pope in person.

She was a woman who rounded up other women, be they educated or lost souls, and gave them a purpose.

She was a woman who wished to leave no child without an education.

She was the real deal so far as cultural pin-ups, a national treasure.”

 

Important Dates Term 4 *edited version


Week

Date

 

1

6/10

Term 4 commences

1

8/10

P and F Meeting 5.15pm

Board Meeting 6.15pm

 

1

9/10

Prayer Assembly Year 5M

Pumped Sports Ninja Dash after school

2

12/10

Term 4 fees emailed out


16/10Prayer Assembly 5

3

 

21/10

Book Week

Dress up as your favourite Book Character Day and Parade- Wednesday

3

23/10

MSP School Photo Day

4

29/10

Year 3 (2021) instrument testing

4

29/10-30/10

Year 6 ‘Camp Days’

430/10Prayer Assembly Year 4E
56/11*Prayer Assembly Year 4C (incorrect date in last newsletter)

5

5/11

Last lessons for strings students

Instrumental Music Performance on assembly

6

10/11

Year 6 half day visit to TCC

Prep 2021 Orientation Sessions

6

11/11

Remembrance Day

613/11Prayer Assembly Year 3R
720/11Prayer Assembly Year 3H

8

25/11

Year 6 graduation Mass at St Joseph’s Cathedral 5:00pm

8

27/11

Christmas Concert* – pending COVID-19 restrictions (to be confirmed at P and F Meeting)

9

30/11

2021 School Captain Speeches

9

1/12

2021 House Captain Speeches

Wandal’s Got Talent (upper school)

9

2/12

Wandal’s Got Talent (lower school)

9

3/12

Whole School Spelling Bee Final

Report Cards distributed via Parent Lounge

9

4/12

Year 6 Liturgy and presentation of Graduation Certificates

Last Day of Term 4!

 

Have a great week,

Kellie Jenkinson

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

A prayer for the beginning of the term

As we begin a new school term, God of all creation, guide us to build our lives on you. Help us to make you the cornerstone upon which all the rest of our lives lean for support. God of our salvation, guide us to build our lives on you, so that we may live gracefully as a reflection of what you have given us. God of the Spirit, guide us to build our lives on you, fan the flames of our faith so that we may passionately share your love with those with whom we live and work and play. May the love of God, the grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us throughout the living of this day. We pray in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

St Joseph, pray for us.

Amen.

October - The month of the Holy Rosary

Every year, the month of October is dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary. This is primarily due to the fact that the liturgical feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated annually on October 7. Like many Marian feasts, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary celebrates the protection of Christians through the intercession of the Mother of God. 

Over the next couple of weeks all classes will spend some time in the morning in our school Rosary Garden reflecting on the mysteries of the Rosary.

Catholic Mission Month

This year, students across Australia are encouraged to not only learn about Cambodia and the work of the Church there, but to do something extraordinary for Mission through fundraising, advocacy and prayers. As part of Catholic Mission Month, each week students will learn about and pray for those at the Arrupe Centre in Cambodia, which provides vital care for those who would otherwise have limited opportunities or support to lead a fulfilling life.  To assist Catholic Mission with vital fundraising for this project, students are able to wear crazy socks (with their normal full school uniform) on Friday 6 November for a gold coin donation.  Ice blocks will be sold on this day too for 50c, with all proceeds going to Catholic Mission.  

Prayer Assembly

Prayer Assembly dates for Term 4

Next term, we will continue to celebrate prayer in the Hall with alternating year levels attending each Friday.  To assist with the number of adults gathering, and adhering to social distance requirements, we have made the decision that classes will lead prayer separately rather than combining as we have done previously.  Thank you for your ongoing support as we continue to ensure the safety of all. 

 

Year 5M                   Friday 9 October          Prayer

Year 5J                      Friday 16 October        Prayer

School Photo Day   Friday 23 October       No Assembly            

4E                               Friday 30 October        World Teachers Day

4C                               Friday 6 November      All Saints 

3R                               Friday 13 November    Remembrance Day 

3H                               Friday 20 November    Advent

2B                               Friday 27 November    Christmas Nativity

Year 6                        Friday 4 December       Year 6 Graduation Liturgy   

Continuing the Journey in the Catholic Faith 2020-2021 Cathedral Parish of St Joseph

All families with children who have reached seven years of age, are invited to join the preparation journey towards the reception of the sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and Eucharist 2021. We are mindful that in planning, it is necessary to adhere to the COVID social distancing advice regarding gatherings and that this may continue into 2021.  This will impact on the design and presentation of the face to face workshops to keep everyone safe.  We are prepared for this and will plan accordingly; however, it is necessary to have accurate numbers regarding children who are considering this preparation in order to move forward with COVID safe planning.  Please call the Parish Office (49276744) with your child’s name and leave your contact details.  Your prompt consideration of this request is truly appreciated.

Upcoming Workshops for the Celebration of Confirmation and Eucharist

A reminder to the families who have opted to complete the preparation workshops for the Celebration of Confirmation and Eucharist in 2021.  The workshops will be held at Kevin Castles Centre and are scheduled on the following dates:

·      October 6 and 7 Confirmation Workshop #2

·      October 19 Sacrament of Penance at 6pm at the Cathedral.

·      October 27 and 28 October Eucharist Workshop #1

·      November 17 and 18 Eucharist Workshop #2  

The Cathedral Parish of St Joseph's new website

Please visit https://www.cposj.com/ to view The Cathedral Parish of St Joseph’s new website

Have a great week,

Rheanna Starr

Curriculum Update

Gearing Up for Parent Engagement in Student Learning

We know that transitioning from Kindy to Prep, or to High school is sometimes challenging.  

The Gearing up for Parent Engagement in Student Learning toolkit supports parents and caregivers to foster meaningful partnership between home and school geared towards improving the learning and wellbeing of students.

Access the resource here.

Spelling and Word Study in Term Four

Our very professional staff have been engaged in professional learning this year on a variety of topics, but one that has been a significant focus has been the teaching of spelling and word study.  

 Our focus has been on the key spelling strategies: sound, visual, meaning, connecting and checking, and how to present that in an engaging and inquiry focussed way. We hope that by developing students’ thinking about how they attempt to record unknown words or approach learning new words can improve their spelling accuracy and awareness. We want to support each learner's disposition for solving words when writing, teaching them HOW to spell, not just WHAT to spell. 

Next term, teachers will be trialling a variety of approaches in their classrooms.  This may mean that homework might look a little different in each class.  Some word sorts will still be used in some classes, but other classes might use a different approach. 

We are hoping that trialling approaches in Term Four will mean that we are not only able to provide quality learning experiences this term, but are also able to develop a whole school approach for 2021 and beyond.

Book Week 2020

This year, the CBCA Book Week 2020 will be held during the week of October 17-23 2020.  Teachers are currently preparing various awesome activities to help celebrate this important week.  The theme for this week is 'Curious creatures, wild minds'.

Our fabulous book character parade will take place on Wednesday, 21 October at 8:40 a.m.

We would remind parents and caregivers that there is no expectation for expensive costumes to be bought, but rather love to see the creative and interesting ideas that can be created with very little expense.  We do encourage everyone to dress up on the day.  Students with elaborate and difficult to move in costumes may wish to get changed throughout the day.  When creating a costume, students and parents are reminded that it is a way of celebrating book week, and so we love to see book characters (and not movie characters) represented.  We also love to see those students who bring along their book - and enjoy sharing excerpts in class.

Class Letters

Term Four is here, and teachers have been busily creating wonderful, engaging learning experiences for your children.  Class letters will be distributed this week, outlining the learning experiences your child will enjoy this term.  Please take this opportunity to remain informed.

Have a great week,

Janette McLennan

Awards

Congratulations to the following students (link).

Touch Football - Under 6 Stingers and Under 8 Vipers

The weekly draw can be found at https://rockhamptontouch.com/juniors/junior-draw/.  

8:00 am Field 1    (6 years)  (A)  SJW Stingers  v  RGS Broncos

8:40 am Field 1    (8 years)  (A)  RGS Cowboys  v  SJW Vipers

Community Announcements

Pumped Sport’s new Ninja Dash event is coming to St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Wandal on Friday the 9 October starting at 3.15pm and runs for 75 minutes. Cash or credit card payments can be made on the day. Children kindy aged and older are $15 and toddlers are $10. For more information and to register head to https://pumpedsport.com.au/special-events/ninja-dash/