A fantastic morning this morning with our Book Week parade.  We hope that parents loved seeing all the wonderful costumes and the happy smiling faces of all the students. Thank you for the wonderful effort you all went to with the costumes, and for lining the street with your cars – the kids loved it.

We welcome James Rieger-Moss to St Joseph’s.  I know that the K/1 students are very excited to have James in their class and have been making him feel very welcome.  James brings our current enrolments up to 50, which St Joseph’s is very excited about.  Watch this space for a 50’s party which has been in the planning for some time now!  

Whilst it is lovely that the children are able to participate in a few more activities in Term 4, restrictions that impact parents are still being enforced by NSW Health.  Understandably it is a source of frustration for parents to not be able to enter the school, and 2020 has been an extremely different school year.  It is important to remember that guidelines are in place for the protection of students and staff and our parent community.  Whilst we are a small school, we are not in a hot spot or have cases in our wider community, we have grandparents, friends who may be vulnerable, family that may have serious health issues and we need to keep them in mind, but also keep them safe.  So whilst restrictions may be a source of frustration, we have much to be thankful for – our children are able to continue to go to school, in comparison to those living in Victoria and other nations where school face to face as we know has been extremely disrupted and remote learning is their new norm.  We have perhaps a lot more ‘normality’ than many from other parts of our nation or globe.  With so few distractions or interruptions to the children’s learning it is such a positive to have the children really settled with their learning and focused on their learning goals and ways they can improve and continue their great learning habits.  A global pandemic is not something that we hope to ever experience again, but I guess I urge everyone to be thankful and grateful for what we have and acknowledge how fortunate we are living where we do.

Have a great week.

Kirsty Beavan

Principal

October is known as the month of the Rosary, as the liturgical feast of the Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated annually on October 7^th. During the month the students will be saying the ‘Hail Mary’ prayer as well as participating in the Rosary.

During October we also celebrate Mission Month. In Religion lessons the students are learning about Social Justice and our responsibility to care for the poor and vulnerable people in our global community, as each person has a right to all that is needed to allow him or her to live their full potential.

How can we make a difference this Mission Month?

This year the students will be raising money for the children and young adults with disability at the Arrupe Centre in Cambodia. The centre provides care and education to those who would otherwise have limited opportunities or support to lead a fulfilling life. Our students have been accessing the Catholic Mission Month website for Primary schools, and been introduced to stories of individual children living at the Centre. Many of the students were turned away from other schools due to their disabilities and the Arrupe Centre has provided them with much needed equipment such as wheelchairs, as well as teaching them skills such as reading braille.

On Friday 30^th October, St Joseph’s will participate in Socktober. Students will be asked to wear some colourful, crazy or odd socks to school and support Mission Month. During the week students will be invited to bring in coins to create a ‘Coin Line’ for the Arrupe Centre. Each class will put their coins in a line and we will see which class creates the longest coin line. So, if you are able to spare some silver or gold coins to donate to this worthy cause that would be fantastic.

- Liz Murray

Religious Education Co-Ordinator

 

*  As it has been a busy year with the mowing and we have split the whole area into two sections, we have had to start again with roster.  We would like to thank our families for continuing to support our school looking maintained.

Media leaders Gypsy & Matilda interviewed the Student Spotlight this week, what will we learn about our student at St Joseph's.

Bonnie - Kinder	Taylor - Yr 2	Matilda - Yr 6
Tell us who’s in your family? Will (dad), Jess (mum), Laura, Pippa & Stella (sisters). Tell us 5 words that describe you? Friendly, smart, kind, athletic and fun. What do you like to do on the weekends? I like to have sleepovers. What’s your favourite game to play at school?  I like to play Dodgeball. What do you want to be when you grow up?  I would like to be a farmer.	Tell us who’s in your family? Bryan (dad), Mel (mum), Riley (brother). Tell us 5 words that describe you? Helpful, horse & animal lover, loving and kind. What do you like to do on the weekends? I like to ride my motorbike and horse and play with my family. What’s your favourite game to play at school?  I like to play Mum's and Dad's. What do you want to be when you grow up?  I would like to be a gymnastics teacher.	Tell us who’s in your family? Joe (dad), Lisa (mum), Charlie (brother) and a new sibling on the way. Tell us 5 words that describe you? Smart, clever, a born leader, responsible and sensible. What do you like to do on the weekends? I like to play with my younger brother Charlie and watch videos. What’s your favourite game to play at school?  I like to hang out with my friends. What do you want to be when you grow up?  I would like to be a paramedic.

Yr 2/3/4 enjoying their Rugby session with Rhianna last week.

What a fantastic morning for our Book Week Parade.  Thank you to all the families who came along to watch the "walk-by parade" along Gundagai Street.  

All the students and staff looked fantastic in their costumes and represented their book characters for "Curious Creatures & Wild Minds" very well.  

Inter school sports are now permitted so there will be the opportunity for St Joseph’s Primary students to participate in Rugby League, League Tag and Cricket Gala Days this term.  Local day excursions are allowed to take place and overnight excursions if they are a part of the education program.  

A reminder to return notes for:

Mortimer Shield - 27th October - Gundagai - Yr 5/6 boys & girls

Cricket Gala Day - 3rd November - Adelong Showground - Yrs 3, 4, 5, 6 boys & girls

A note for Trent Barrett - 11th November - Yrs 3/4 boys & girls will go out in the next week once more details come to hand.

Unfortunately due to the COVID-19 restrictions spectators are not allowed at any of the sports/gala days.

We are very excited to be welcoming our new Kinder students for 2021 in November for their Orientation Days.

Tuesday 3rd November - 9:30am - 11:30am

Tuesday 10th November - 9:30am - 11:30am

Tuesday 17th November - 12:30pm - 3:00pm

Strict COVID protocols will be in place during these sessions, a letter will be sent out tomorrow regarding the protocols that will be in place.

Thank you to our parents, Eve, Heidi and Cassandra who have been busy covering books this week.

If you are able to help by covering some books that would be greatly appreciated.  Please send an email to the office if you would be happy for us to send home a small bag of books.

Students this week have been helping in the Gardening Club.  They have weeded the garden outside the tennis court and the 2/3/4 classroom and also the vege patch.  It was lovely to enjoy the sunshine.

First Communion

Congratulations to Fred, Gyspy and Marli who received the Sacrament of First Communion on Sunday. It was lovely to have Fr George celebrate Mass and the children enjoyed the support of many of their family members on this special day.

Confirmation Lesson: The next Confirmation lesson will be held on Thursday 29^th October in the Parish House. The lesson will run from 3:15pm to 4:15pm.

I will need the students to let me know their chosen Saint name at that lesson as I need to forward these to Father for approval before the celebration. Just a reminder that the children’s sponsors need to be Catholic and that attending Mass is part of our preparation for this sacrament.

Thank You

- Liz Murray 

Covid restrictions are still very much in place for schools and for the school community there are minimal changes.  Parents are asked to only enter the school grounds for a meeting/interview at the schools or parents request, or to pick up/drop off their child.

If a student or staff member is exhibiting flu like symptoms they are to stay at home – get covid tested and return to school once they have received a negative test result.  Kindergarten Orientation can take place in November and there are strict protocols to follow for these days.

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