Dear Parents and Carers,

This week we celebrated Ash Wednesday, a significant event in the life of Catholics and other Christian denominations. Ash Wednesday signals the start of Lent. For forty days we can take time to stop and reflect, to forgive and to say sorry, to deny one’s self and give to others. By engaging in these activities we allow ourselves to be released from the trappings of modern society and move closer to God. For you and your family it could be an opportunity to decide to do something together. For example, to go as one and tidy an elderly neighbour’s yard or for the whole family to give up takeaway food and take it in turns to cook each evening. Simple acts like these, done as a family, can leave a profound legacy with our children that will remain with them for a life-time!

Ash Wednesday Mass

Thank you to Miss Braun and Fr George for the beautiful Ash Wednesday Mass. Congratulations to the students who proclaimed the scriptures, read the prayers and served on the altar. It is such a privilege for our students to have a Church in the school grounds and be able to celebrate so regularly.

Welcome back to the parishioners and parents who were able to attend Mass with the students. Hopefully we can put the Covid restrictions behind us and have many more opportunities to include the community in school events and celebrations.

Our next celebration will be the Feast of St Joseph, the patron saint of our school.   Fr George has kindly offered to say Mass for us. After Mass parents and grandparents are welcome to stay and enjoy a picnic lunch with their children.

Condolences

The Leake family are in our thoughts and prayers after the loss of their mother, grandmother Mrs Gillian Leake.  May they know the comfort of God's healing touch as they prepare to farewell and honour Mrs Leake.

Aboriginal Perspective and Cultural Awareness

We were delighted to have visit us this week, Kerrie O’Callaghan and Katrina Cambridge who are the Aboriginal Educational Specialist and Aboriginal School and Community Officer from Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn.  Kerrie and Katrina worked with the staff on Tuesday afternoon sharing resources and showing us how simple it can be to include Aboriginal perspectives across the curriculum.  Kerrie and Katrina then spent time in each classroom sharing Aboriginal artifacts and talking to the students about culture and history. Kerrie and Katrina reported on, not only how gorgeous our students are but also how engaged they were with learning about Aboriginal culture and how enthusiastic they were in sharing their own knowledge.

School Assemblies

With easing of Covid restrictions we are able to reintroduce the school assemblies. The students are very excited to be able to present their learning and receive awards that recognise their hard work and effort. The first Assembly for Term 1 will be Monday 7th March at 2:45pm in the Year 4/5/6 classroom. Parents are very welcome to attend.

Student Counselling

We are fortunate to have available this year a school counsellor who will visit once a week. If you feel your child would benefit from counselling, please contact Marg or Michelle at the front office and they will be able to provide a referral form or via the link in the newsletter. Our counsellor started last week and will be available each Thursday during the term.

Cross Country

The next sporting event for St Joseph’s students will be the annual Cross Country Carnival. This will be held on Tuesday 22nd March at the Adelong Golf Course. Students will be bused to and from the course to participate. The bus will cost $4 per student. This year we are able to invite parents to be spectators and/or helpers in the event! A little bit closer to the event a note will go home to ask for helpers to assist at the checkpoints. We anticipate that the event will conclude by 11:30am, so if you can spare a couple of hours on the 22nd March, it would be very much appreciated.

Adelong Show

After a hiatus of a couple of years the Adelong show will be back bigger and better than ever. St Joseph’s School in conjunction with the Public School will operate the BBQ. We have the 4pm till 8pm shift. It would be wonderful if you could spare an hour or two to help.

Covid Update

There are no changes to what was listed last week. Thankfully staff, as of Monday 7th March, are no longer required to wear masks at school!

• Students from different cohorts are allowed to mix.
• Schools are able to welcome parents and visitors onto school grounds regardless of vaccination status.
• Schools can resume activities such as assemblies and school camps.

Parents are asked to continue using RATS twice per week (or if students are exhibiting symptoms) until the end of Week 8 – 25th  March.

From the beginning of Week 9 – 28th March, this requirement will be lifted but tests will be available from the school if parents wish to continue testing their children.

If your family did not receive new RATS last week or if you need replacements at any time, please ring the school.

Staff Update

Even though I have only been here for a few weeks, I will be away next week from Tuesday to Friday to attend the Western Region Principals’ meeting, Catholic Leaders’ Day and Principals’ Retreat. If you have any questions or concerns during that time, please contact Stacey Braun.

God bless,

K F McGrath

Katrina McGrath

Acting Principal