It is a busy time of the year with many end of year events and celebrations already taking place.  This is the time when children get very tired, so trying to stick to a routine even when it is busy is a great idea.  Students are busy of an afternoon with many different sports and activities and with the summer heat on top of all of those things, having a good night’s sleep is the best way to be ready for the school day. 

Our class structure for 2021 will be three classes which will be a K1, 23 and a 456.  We are still officially seeking a classroom teacher so at this stage we are unable to state who will be teaching the particular classes.  If anyone knows of a great teacher who would like to teach at St Joseph's please spread the word! There may also be some changes to which classroom classes are in to accommodate the different sizes and ne eds of the students.

Hugh has his Brain cancer fundraiser next Thursday 10th December which he has been busily preparing for and he has put a lot of time and effort into making sure that the students brains will definitely be tested!!!  We will combine Hugh’s great event with our 50s party.  As you know we now have 50 enrolments at St Joseph’s, which we believe is a tremendous milestone.  To mark the occasion all students are encouraged to come dressed in 50s gear and bring a gold coin donation which will go to Hughs chosen charity – Brain cancer foundation.  Please don’t purchase a costume – I am sure you could find a white t-shirt somewhere in your childs cupboard, boys could slick back their hair and roll up their jeans and don a pair of sunnies.  The girls could do the same and wear a high pony tail with a scarf around their neck.  Think Grease for some inspiration!  We will have some fun activities on the day.

Have a great week.

Kirsty Beavan

Principal

It has been wonderful to have the opportunity this week for staff from St Joseph’s to work with members of the Religious Education Faith and Formation Team from Catholic Education.

In 2021, all schools in the Archdiocese are implementing a new Religious Education Curriculum based on an Inquiry Model of education. The new syllabus comes from the Brisbane Diocese and the scope and sequence has four major components: Beliefs, Christian Life, Church and Sacred Texts.

All staff attended a workshop on Wednesday afternoon, and class teachers will have an opportunity to work with the team today to begin to develop units of work for 2021.

The goals of Religious Education are that individually and collectively schools in our Archdiocese seek to be places where learners:

• are invited to discover the presence of God in their lives;
• encounter positive relationships and experience the message of the Gospels; and
• make sense of their world by connecting to the scriptures, traditions and worship found in Catholic communities.

We look forward to implementing this new curriculum in 2021.

Please see Parish news for enrolment information in the 2021 Sacramental programs.

 Please see Parish news for enrolment information in the 2021 Sacramental programs.

- 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.

OUR END OF YEAR MASS/AWARDS PRESENTATION WILL NOW BE HELD AT SCHOOL ON THE OVAL STARTING AT 10:00AM.

More details will follow in regards to the COVID-19 Protocols that St Joseph's are required to follow during this event.

Term 4 fees are due for those not on a Direct Debit.

K/1 enjoying swimming lessons and playing under the shade during lunch.

As part of the St Joseph’s School Christmas spirit, we are asking families to donate an item of non-perishable food or a toy over the next few weeks. This will go to our local St Vincent De Paul who will distribute to those who are less fortunate in our local community.

Our gifting mass will be part of our end of year mass and awards.

We have one lost wide brim hat with the name Mitchell Brown on the inside of the hat.  Could everyone check their child's hat please.

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

Christopher - Kinder	Mitchell - Yr 1	Primrose - Yr 1
Tell us who’s in your family? Michael (Dad), Jess (Mum), Ainslie (sister) & Nicholas (brother). Tell us 5 words that describe you? Funny, athletic, smart, friendly, kind. What do you like to do on the weekends? I like to play with my sister and brother. What’s your favourite game to play at school?  I like to play with the dump trucks. What do you want to be when you grow up?  I would like to be a farmer and truck driver.	Tell us who’s in your family? Heidi (Mum). Tell us 5 words that describe you? Independent, crazy, adventurous, funny, fast. What do you like to do on the weekends? I like to ride the motorbike and go to the bush. What’s your favourite game to play at school?  I like to play cops and robbers. What do you want to be when you grow up?  I would like to be a truck driver.	Tell us who’s in your family? Frank (Dad), Kaye (Mum), Archie, Jack & Angus (brothers). Tell us 5 words that describe you? Beautiful, smart, athletic, friendly, nice. What do you like to do on the weekends? I like to ride horses. What’s your favourite game to play at school?  I like to play 'good morning, your majesty'. What do you want to be when you grow up?  I would like to be a vet, jockey and a farmer.

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

Edward - Kindergarten	Fred - Yr 1	Nicholas - Yr 4
Tell us who’s in your family? Andrew (Dad), Eve (Mum), Charlie (brother) & Alice (sister). Tell us 5 words that describe you? Funny, awesome, fast, friendly, smart. What do you like to do on the weekends? I like to go on holidays. What’s your favourite game to play at school?  I like to play soccer. What do you want to be when you grow up?  I would like to be join the Army.	Tell us who’s in your family? Julian (Dad), Lucy (Mum), Eliza (sister), Arthur & Barney (brothers). Tell us 5 words that describe you? Funny, silly, smart, athletic, handsome. What do you like to do on the weekends? I like to ride my horse. What’s your favourite game to play at school?  I like to play jockeys. What do you want to be when you grow up?  I would like to be a comedian.	Tell us who’s in your family? Michael (Dad), Jess (Mum), Ainslie (sister) & Christopher (brother). Tell us 5 words that describe you? Funny, nice, crazy, kind, helpful. What do you like to do on the weekends? I like to play cricket. What’s your favourite game to play at school?  I like to play 'The Republic of the Daffal'. What do you want to be when you grow up?  I would like to be a paleontologist.

Indiana - Kindergarten

Tell us who’s in your family? Lowe (Dad), Yolandi (Mum), Mitchell (brother), Danielle & Reece (sisters). Tell us 5 words that describe you? Funny, tall, smart, helpful, friendly. What do you like to do on the weekends? I like to put up the Christmas tree at Christmas especially when its raining. What’s your favourite game to play at school?  I like to play doctors. What do you want to be when you grow up?  I would like to be a teacher.

Reminder:  Swimming in our sports sessions is on tomorrow, students will go to the pool in their class groups.  Please remember to bring your swimmers, rashie, towel, thongs, sunscreen and goggles.

Class requirements lists for 2021 will look different this year, St Joseph's will be sending a list home by the end of term with the requirements for next year.

Due to the generosity of our CE schools in Canberra and surrounds during the bushfire period we still have school supplies left and vouchers which we will use to purchase more supplies.

There will still be a small list of items such as headphones, library bag, tissues etc., however most items will be supplied.

Students who will in be in Yrs 2-6 in 2021 will require their own device.

The requirements that the school suggests are that the device has a good battery life, wireless wi-fi and the preference would be for a laptop or chrome book rather than a tablet. Somewhere in the middle price range – not cheap and nasty but not top of the line as there really is not a need to spend a lot of money. Windows 10 S machines can be troublesome, however it is suggested that Google chrome is the browser for your device.

If purchasing a laptop for your child is going to place financial pressure on the family, we ask that you contact Mrs Beavan to discuss. There will be chrome books available for students to use until such time a laptop can be purchased. Please let me know if you have any queries about this, happy to help out.

Congratulations to Eliza, Hugh, Gypsy, Matilda, Archie and Marli who received the Sacrament of Confirmation on Sunday. It was a lovely celebration led by Father George and supported by family, friends and parish members.

Reconciliation and First Communion 2021

Enrolment forms for the Sacramental Program for 2021 are available at the back of the Church. Mass is held on the first and third Sunday of the month and Liturgy on the second and fourth Sunday.

A gentle reminder that attendance at Mass is part of the preparation for these Sacraments. Lessons for First Communion involve learning about the parts of the Mass, especially the Consecration of the bread and wine, and it is more meaningful to the children if they have experience participating in the Mass.

 - Liz Murray

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