Term Four, Week One

October 14, 2020

Message & Notifications From The Principal

Dear Families and Friends

Welcome to Term 4; I hope you enjoyed the break. This term we are living by the motto: ‘Don't count the days - make the days count!’ As you will notice in this week's newsletter, there are plenty of events taking place that will keep us focused on what is happening at school over the coming weeks.

Book Week

Next week we will celebrate Book Week. The Book Fair will be open in the library from 2:00pm - 2:30pm Monday 19th - Friday 23rd October. We will hold our parade on Friday 23rd October at 8:30am. Children are encouraged dress as a character that aligns with the theme: 'Curious Creatures, Wild Minds.' All families and friends are welcome to attend.

Great Vegie Crunch

Last term our school participated in the Great Vegie Crunch. After a number of attempts, we all managed to crunch on our vegetables and move the Crunch-O-Meter to 'Crocodile Crunch.' We encourage students to continue bringing fruit and vegetables to school every day.

Christmas Concert

We will again hold our concert at the Leisure Centre. We are in the process of finalising a date for what is always a terrific event. Stay tuned for updates.

Staffing for 2021

Our staffing for 2021 is almost finalised. Further information will be announced over the coming weeks.

Swimming

One of the events taking place this term is swimming for students in Years 2-6. Lessons will commence for on Monday 9th November. Thank you to Miss Gehrmann, Mrs Christopher and Mr Jamie who will be supervising. It is imperative that the note sent home with students today is signed and returned promptly. Students will not be able to swim if they do not return their signed permission slip.

Attendance

Attendance will remain a key focus throughout the term. If children are unable to attend school for a particular reason, please contact the office so that this can be recorded. Unexplained student absences will be followed up.

Care for the Environment

Another focus for our school this term will be caring for our environment. It was terrific to see a number of Year 2 students give up some of their playtime to pick up rubbish. We will continue making sure our rubbish goes in the bin.

Escaping the Heat

Due to the extreme heat we will encounter this term, the Library will be available for students during lunch time.

Student Collection After School

A reminder to parents that children should be collected promptly at 2.00pm. If collecting children by car, please make sure you are parked to the side of the road. Children will not be permitted to enter vehicles that are idling in the middle of the road. This not only creates greater risk to students, it also impedes traffic flow. Thank you in anticipation of your support.

Helping Children

Author and psychotherapist Amy Morin recently wrote an article highlighting ways in which parents and carers can assist children in giving them the tools they need to develop into well-rounded individuals. Some tips include:

Losing a game or failing a science test doesn't make a child a victim. Rejection, failure, and unfairness are a part of life.
Refuse to attend children's pity parties. Teach them that no matter how tough or unjust their circumstances, they can always take positive action.
Giving into guilty feelings teaches your child that guilt is intolerable. And kids who think guilt is horrible won't be able to say no to someone who says, "Be a friend and let me copy your paper."
Show your kids that even though you feel guilty sometimes - and all good parents do - you're not going to allow your uncomfortable emotions to get in the way of making wise decisions.
If you make your life revolve around your kids, they'll grow up thinking everyone should cater to them.
Teach your kids to focus on what they have to offer the world, rather than what they can gain from it.

Enjoy the rest of your week.

Tim Hogan

Principal

Term Dates 2020

Term 4: 12 Oct—11 Dec

“Life is a journey. When we stop things don't go right.” Pope Francis

Reminders

At St Joseph’s School we take great pride in our appearance. The school uniform is also an important aspect of child health and safety. It is a requirement that all students wear a St Joseph’s uniform (including a hat with our logo) that is purchased from our uniform shop. Similar items bought elsewhere may not be worn to school.

Please note that our “no hat, no play” policy is enforced.

See our website for a full range of uniform items.

Uniforms may be purchased at any time from our office.

Friday of every even week beginning 1:20pm

Assemblies, Fridays, 1.20pm

23 October, Week 2: Yr 5/6

6 November, Week 4: Yr 4/5

20 November, Week 6: Yr 3

4 December, Week 8: Yr 2

Head lice and Ringworm

SCHOOL HEALTH ALERT

There are currently a number of children in the School Community who have

• Head lice

• Ringworm

Both of these can be easily spread from child to child

They are easily treated, and children should NOT attend school until treatment has begun

Head lice

Small wingless insects that attach themselves to the Scalp (skin on the head) and feed on blood.

They lay eggs called nits, which glue themselves to the hair shaft until hatched into head lice.

Treatment Shampoos and a fine tooth comb will treat both head lice and nits

Conditioner can be used –but only kills the head lice, so must be repeated every day for 10 days to kill the head lice as they hatch each day from the eggs

Exclude from school until after first treatment.

Treat everyone in the household

Ringworm (Tinea)

A common fungal infection, passed on by skin to skin contact.

Antifungal cream to be applied to the sores.

Bedlinen, clothes, towels etc to be washed in hot water.

Exclude from school until 24hours after treatment has begun

LETS ALL WORK TOGETHER TO STOP THE SPREAD OF

HEAD LICE AND RINGWORM

Sr Julianne is collecting used stamps for the Sisters of St Joseph Peruvian mission. These are put with collections from many other schools and parishes, and sold at auctions. Over $20,000 gets raised each year. Please leave in the box at the front office.

To read more, see: https://www.marymackilloptoday.org.au/how-you-can-help/pray/stamps/

We are also seeking donations of material and scarfs that could be used for classroom prayer tables.

We will continue to work on reducing our waste and recycling our rubbish this term.

Virtual Bookclub

A child came up to me in the schoolyard recently with great excitement.

‘Sister, did you know what we learnt today?”

“Tell me”, I replied.

“Did you know that the Church is not a building. It is us! We are the Church.”

I can think of no greater words or message. It is an absolute joy to share the Gospel story with the classes each week. These children, whose faith is first fostered in the family, are the future of the church and are immersed in this commitment every day with relationships, prayer, service, Christian values and, where possible, joining in Sunday mass. The church is here and now at St Joseph’s School - a faith-filled community.

On Friday we will celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Canonisation of Mary MacKillop. Some of you would know Agnes Armstrong from Mirima Community, who attended the ceremony in Rome where Mary MacKillop was declared a saint. We look forward to her sharing the experience with us and seeing some photos. On Friday night at 8pm local time, people from all over the world will be remembering St Mary MacKillop with a ‘Courage Hour’. I invite you to join with them…. https://www.sosj.org.au/10th-anniversary/

Sr Julianne Murphy

Upcoming events

October is both Mission Month (fundraising and awareness of Missions) and Month of Mary (praying Rosary and other devotions to Mary)

October 17th 10th Anniversary of Canonisation

October 25th Confirmation

November 2nd All Souls Day mass years 3-7

Mary MacKillop

join us in our gratitude

on this 10th anniversary of your canonisation.

Be with us in this time of crisis in our world

as we gather fresh courage around us

for working in God’s healing mission.

Keep us participating as a people of the Gospel

engaging with our neighbours for the good of all

and serving with Christ in our common home.

Holy Spirit strengthen us.

Amen

Mary’s canonisation shows us and the world how her life continues to influence all those who encounter her story. As we remember her life and death at this anniversary time, let’s notice what arises in us.

OSH News

Another vacation care is over and a good time was had by all!

We were at capacity during the first week, so we had lots of inside / outside play. The sandpit was a favourite as always and, of course, there was lots of water play. The craft table was a very popular spot where many amazing creations were made.

We had much excitement on Wednesday when the big storm came through. So many branches were brought down on the oval that the following day Miss Bernie and the children were able to make humpies. This engaged the children for quite some time, each trying to create different designs.

The second week was quieter although there was plenty of creative activity. The iron-on beads kept the children engaged for hours, so much so that we had to buy another bucket of beads. Waterplay in the sandpit proved popular again, with lots of dams and rivers being constructed.

Thank you to Miss Nicole and Miss Bernie ; having great staff makes for a great vacation care.

Miss Ros