St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Wandal Newsletter

28 October 2020

Casting the Net - Weekly Prayer Reflection

Our Friends, the Saints

Friendship is one of the deepest joys we can know.  The love and support of friends comes in many ways – from spouses, in our family and from the people who know to whom we come close.  They give us joy and pleasure in good times and help us face pain and sorrow that could cripple us.  Our experience of friendship is not confined to those here with us on earth.  Those who have died continue to love us still.  I experienced this somewhat dramatically a few years ago.  Without realising it, I had developed a serious heart condition.  The local medicos were wonderful…but nothing was showing up on tests.  I felt worse and worse till I prayed to Sr Joan, a member of my community, who had passed away the previous year.  We had lived together for 12 years and developed a deep friendship.  From the bottom of my heart, I asked, ‘O Joan, please sort this out.’ Within 24 hours I was in Brisbane, a few hours later having an angiogram.  During this, I felt I was dying but I was calm:  Joan was with me, more real than if she had been sitting there.  I lived.  The relief of the stent was that dramatic but more dramatic was the loving presence that had been with me.  Thank you, Joan.

Sr Joan is one of my personal saints.  Last year, I added my youngest brother to the company of saints who care for me.  A consolation I have in my grief is that he is now full of joy, free of pain, and caring for his family, with even more love than he showed here on earth.  Love and friendship only have their beginnings here.  They will continue in heaven…and I look forward to that.  You all have your own personal saints who continue to care for you.  They are the people who have known and loved you over the years – your grandparents and friends, work colleagues and, perhaps even especially a child, who have died.  They watch over us, caring and loving us.  They are with us and we need to take the time to sit and bask in their love.  Next Sunday, the Church celebrates the Feast of All Saints.  This is our time to delight in our friends, our saints.

Loving God, I thank you for the people who have loved me through my life.  Let me appreciate how much care my departed loved ones have for me and let me delight in speaking to them of our love and of my need. I ask this in Jesus’ name, confident that you will hear me.

Sr Kym Harris osb

 

From the Principal


Principal's Pizza Party

Last Friday, I was lucky enough to be joined by Riley, Flynn, Indie, Imogen, Declan and Kaitlyn for the most recent Principal's Pizza Party. These students were nominated by school staff for working hard and being fantastic role models for others. Well done to all, and thank you for joining me in the office for lunch!

World Teachers’ Day

 Celebrated in more than 100 countries worldwide, World Teachers' Day was established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 1994 to recognise the role of teachers in society. World Teachers' Day will be celebrated this Friday and if there has ever been a year to show our appreciation to our hardworking teachers, then this is it! I continue, even after 20 years in education, to be inspired by the enthusiasm and passion exhibited by my colleagues, as both a teacher myself and a mum of three school-aged children. Thank you, teachers! I wish you a day of 'light-bulb' moments from your students, an uninterrupted coffee break, enough energy at the end of the day for your own families and minimal interruptions to your lessons!

(Meme retrieved from boredpanda.com)

Children's Week 24 October - 1 November

Children’s Week is a national celebration of children’s rights, talents and citizenship held on the fourth Wednesday of October in Australia to coincide with Universal Children’s Day. Each year the theme of Children’s Week highlights a particular Children’s Right.

The Theme for 2020 is Article 15 – ‘Children have the right to meet together and to join groups and organisations, as long as this does not stop other people from enjoying their rights.”

This includes being free to:

  • meet individual people and groups of friends
  • set up an organisation
  • join an organisation
  • take part in peaceful protest
  • come together to discuss the issues that affect their lives.

 

Children’s Week 2020 is a wonderful opportunity to promote the rights of children and young people, and to celebrate their capacity to actively contribute to the world around them.

The theme works well with our 2020 Whole School Mission Goal which is "The voice of the student body will inform well-being initiatives and practices."

 

League Stars - afterschool program

League Stars is a non-tackle program designed to teach the core skills of Rugby League in a fun and safe environment. The program will run over three weeks, here at St Joseph’s Wandal, with a total of six sessions including many fun and exciting skill games.

 The dates and times can be found below. For more information, please check out the League Stars website: https://www.playrugbyleague.com/league-stars/

 

Monday - 16/11 – 3:30pm to 4:30pm

Wednesday - 18/11 – 3:30pm to 4:30pm

 

Monday - 23/11 – 3:30pm to 4:30pm

Wednesday - 25/11 – 3:30pm to 4:30pm

 

Monday - 30/11 – 3:30pm to 4:30pm

Wednesday - 02/12 – 3:30pm to 4:30pm

Year 6 Families…some reminders!

· Have you booked your attendance at the Year Six Rite of Passage Mass (via Trybooking)?

· Have you paid for the Year 6 Camp Days?

· Have you indicated whether you are returning or keeping (after paying payout cost) your child’s allocated Chromebook at the end of the year?

· Have you booked your attendance at the Graduation Prayer Assembly at school (via Trybooking) on the final day of school for the year?

School Fees

Our Term Four fees have now been distributed via email and are due for full payment by 7 November. EVERY FAMILY in this school should have received an invoice by email. If you have not, please notify the office staff. If you are unable to meet your payment obligations, then please contact the office to make a time to arrange to discuss this with me. 


2021 Class arrangements

Teachers have commenced, in conjunction with the Learning Support staff and Leadership team of the school, the complex preparations for class groupings for the 2021 school year. If you feel you have information that teachers may not be already aware of (and which may be useful for this process) please ensure you notify your class teachers at your earliest convenience.

The teaching staff list is not yet finalised for the 2021 year. This will be published in the newsletter once all contracts and other associated arrangements are completed towards the end of the school year. A gentle reminder that this school does not take requests for particular teachers (they are ALL wonderful).

Important Dates Term 4

4

29/10

Year 3 (2021) instrument testing

4

29/10-30/10

Year 6 ‘Camp Days’

4

30/10

Prayer Assembly Year 4E

5

6/11*

Prayer Assembly Year 4C

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

6

13/11

Prayer Assembly Year 3R

7

20/11

Prayer Assembly Year 3H

8

25/11

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

8

27/11

Christmas Concert – cancelled

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)

Prayer Reflection - Jesus was a very good Teacher

The New Testament suggests that Jesus was a very good teacher.

He taught words of life, the Word of God. He was the teacher of teachers. Jesus taught the words that His heavenly Father gave Him to speak. 

Sometimes the things that Jesus taught offended people because they revealed the depth of wrong thinking in their hearts. Some people turned back from following Him because they found His sayings hard.

 Jesus often said, “Let him who has ears hear.” This spoke of the inner understanding. We can have ears but not hear what Jesus is saying.

 He also taught often in parables, relating truth to the people’s way of life or tradition.  Sometimes He explained the parables. Other times He did not explain.

 

A Reading From Mark 6:30-34

30 The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. 34 As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

Prayer Assembly

Please join Year 4E to celebrate World Teacher's Day on Friday 30th October in the Under Cover Area at 8.35am.  Year Four have created a portrait to give to the wonderful teachers at Wandal. Can you guess who these teachers are? 

Wellbeing Week - Keep Scrolling

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.  

Friday 30 October - Day for Daniel

St Joseph’s Cathedral is open for the Celebration of Mass.

To meet the Queensland Government’s Legislative requirements,

Parishioners will be required to register to attend a Mass.

The registration process can be done via our website – www.cposj.com

People who do not have access to the Internet or a Smart phone are asked to ring the Parish office during business hours at ph:49276744 to gain a ticket of entry.

 

ONLINE

 

St. Joseph’s Cathedral - Each day, Monday to Saturday at 12:00pm and at 9:30am Sunday mornings, Mass will be livestreamed by Bishop Michael McCarthy and can be viewed via: https://www.youtube.com/user/StJosephsCathRton/featrured

Bishop Michael’s message to families - https://youtu.be/157X2bcOqCQ

The Cathedral Parish of St. Joseph's Bulletin link

https://rok.catholic.net.au/parish/rockhampton-st-joseph-cathedral/

Have a great week,

Rheanna Starr

Curriculum Update

Learning in Year One

This term in Religion, Year One students are learning to identify areas within the Church as well as understand that the Church is more than just a building. This week, students have created a Church triorama to share their understanding of the special symbols inside the Church. 

2020 Spelling Bee

The 2020 Spelling Bee is nearly here.  The finals will take place on 3 December at 12 noon.  Our Spelling Bee is a fun way for our students to focus on spelling and word work.  The aim is to encourage all students to seek personal bests and improve their spelling and English skills.  The competition will have three divisions – Early for Preps to Year 2, Junior for Years 3&4 and Senior for Years 5&6. 

The lists can be found here

Photo by mera nazaria on Unsplash

Have a great week,

Read lots of books,

Janette McLennan

Touch Football - Under 6 Stingers and Under 8 Vipers

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