I had the great opportunity to attend the Catholic Leaders Retreat in Bowral last week.  The facilitator of the retreat was Professor Br David Hall, Director of the La Salle Academy at ACU. The theme of the retreat was ‘The Virtue of Hope – Leading Learning and Mission’.  He was a very entertaining speaker who has had years of experience in Catholic education as an educator, Principal and academic. It was great to hear his take on leading a Catholic school in a very complex era and time in history. 

There is so much media coverage at the moment about the Coronavirus and I guess the biggest message that is coming through is that we need to make sure that our children are not overwhelmed or worried about this health issue, after what has already been an overwhelming time for students in recent months.  Further in the newsletter are tips that ensure we are being hygienic and trying to stop the spread of germs.  I am constantly receiving updates from CE on this matter.  The directive at the moment is that if staff or students are unwell and showing signs of illness– that they are to remain at home to stop the further spread of illness to all those that they come in contact with (this does not mean we think they have the coronavirus, rather we are being proactive in keeping our school community well).  The school may contact you if we believe that your child needs to be at home.  We have discussed with the children safe practices and in every classroom there are posters to remind students of best practise eg hand washing, dispensing of tissues etc.

We look forward to the All Together Adelong event next Sunday 22 March, and hope that all families can lend a hand where possible to either help prepare some salads or man the stall down at the showground.

Have a great week,

Kind Regards,

Kirsty Beavan

- Mrs Murray - REC

PUPIL FREE DAYS - TERM 2

At the start of Term 2 we will have two pupil free days, there will be no pupil free day in Term 4.

Monday 27th April & Tuesday 28th April - both pupil free days.

Students will commence Term 2 on Wednesday 29th April.

This week in 2/3/4 during Maths, the students have been working with 2D shapes to investigate what shapes will tessellate, if there are any shapes that cannot tessellate and whether there are shapes that can be used together to form a tessellation. They are also investigating the properties of 3D objects and attempting to create nets of each object.

In Literacy, 2/3/4 have been busy publishing their writing. We have been working on developing tension in our narratives and this has resulted in some wonderful stories that are full of cliff hangers and action. Some students have been writing information texts based on some of the endangered animals they have been studying in Integrated Studies. 

Thank you to all the students and staff for the warm welcome into the St. Joseph’s School Community. 

Whilst a new position for St. Josephs I’m excited to be able to support the well-being of the students, staff and families as the Student Wellbeing Officer. 

It has been an enriching experience for me to be working with the Staff and students over the past couple of weeks. I believe first and foremost my role is to be a “calming presence” in the school community, and to be available when people have a need to share with someone about a concern; an anxiety or even to share and celebrate some of the good times.

Spending time in the classroom and playground I’ve encountered a warm and caring environment with many happy faces. 

I find great joy in helping people through a difficult time and seeing positive changes in their lives.   

I am slowly getting to know everybody at St. Josephs, and I’m looking forward to understanding more about the culture and history of this wonderful school. 

I am also happy to hear ideas from staff, parents and students about how we may work together to enhance the wellbeing of the entire school community.

- Lucinda Clay 

Student Welfare Officer  

Hygiene 

Good hygiene remains the best protective measure against the spread of the virus:

• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water or hand sanitiser (for 20 seconds).
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue (dispose tissue into the bin) and then wash hands thoroughly.
• Avoid close contact with anyone displaying cold or flu-like symptoms and stay away from others if you are unwell.

SZapp allows you to stay connected with St Joseph's and to view and access school newsletters and notifications.

SZapp has a fantastic option which allows you to fill out your children's absentee notes.  This automatically sends an absence note to our office email address.

Download the app using the following instructions, if you have any queries please don't hesitate to contact the office. 

Well done Year 2/3/4 for presenting a very entertaining assembly, where the newsreaders delivered the news and then crossed to the reporters who were at the scene interviewing the students about the endangered animals they had been researching.  They also demonstrated their 'Upcycled Project' they had been working on in STEM.  

Students of the Week Eliza, Ainslie, Indiana, Primrose, Taylor and Fred.	Principal Awards were awarded to Sam, Eva and Archie.	Birthday wishes to Hugh, Matilda and Eliza.

We look forward to the next Assembly in Week 8 where Year 5/6 will present.

Cross Country

Permission notes have gone out for the Cross Country to be held March 27th with McAuley Tumut at the Tumut Wetlands.  Cost of the bus is $4.00 per child.  

There will be NO Friday recess canteen that day.

Western Region Swimming Harden

If you have not paid for Western Region Swimming held at Harden please forward to the school $10 per child.  Many thanks.

All Together Adelong Festival

Further to last weeks message about supporting the All Together Adelong Festival, we have decided to do the salad prep on Sunday morning and we still need helpers for the day. We really need to know if people are available to help by this Friday, if we don’t have enough people, it will not be feasible to support the day. If you could please let the office know if you can fill in a slot that would be great.

Community Council Meeting:  revised date Tuesday 31st March 2020.

Media leaders Gypsy and Matilda will be interviewing students for the Student Spotlight, where we will learn more about our students at St Joseph's.

This week Eva is our Student in the Spotlight.

Who is in your family?

Emmie, George, Ollie, Toby (Grandpa), Moana (puppy), Mummy and Daddy.

What are five words that describe you?

Clever, smart, good at netball, shy and pretty.

What is your favourite part about school?

Playing on the playground.

What do you like to do on the weekends?

I like to play with my little brother, and paint.

What is your favourite game to play at school?

Ringa Ringa Rosie.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

A netballer.

Book Club catalogues went home last week, orders will close next Monday 16th March.

Ordering through Scholastic is optional, students are not obliged to place orders. Orders can be made via the LOOP app system.

If you have any further queries please don't hesitate contacting the office.

The Relics of St Therese of Lisieux:

The relics of St Therese and her parents St Louis and St Marie-Azelie (Zelie)  will travel through a number  of dioceses in Australia this year. The saints who are ‘visiting’ Australia are the only married couple to have been canonized, and their daughter is one of the most popular saints of the Catholic faith.

On Tuesday 31^st March, the relics of St Therese and her parents will arrive at St Patrick’s Church in Gundagai at 12:15pm and remain for several hours. A special Mass will be held and veneration of the relics will continue after Mass.

What are Relics?:  A relic is a piece of the body of a Saint, an item owned by the Saint, or an object which has been touched to the tomb of a Saint.

Parish Roster:

Sacraments:

Confirmation: This year the Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated in Tumut with students from Batlow, Adelong and Tumut on Saturday 27^th June 2020 at the 6.00pm Mass. Please contact Fr George or speak with Mrs Murray if you require information on the dates for the Commitment Masses or need help enrolling. This sacrament is available to students in Year 6.

First Communion will be held in St James Church, Adelong on Sunday 15^th November at the 10.00am Mass. Students in Year 3 and above, who have made their First Reconciliation, are welcome to enrol. 

Reconciliation: This date is yet to be confirmed for Adelong. I will be in contact with families in Year 2 to discuss possible dates. Reconciliation will be held in Batlow on Tuesday 7^th April at 6.00pm.

If you have any questions about any of the Sacraments please contact me by email – elizabeth.murray@cg.catholic.edu.au

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/tomorrow-man-a-night-with-the-blokes-in-batlow-tickets-94072041007

Keep up to date with events happening at St Joseph's via our electronic school calendar (please note dates can be subject to change).