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God of all life…May your love and light shine in and through me today
In a way that no mask can hide.
May my eyes dance with the laughter and joy
Replacing my hidden smile.
May my actions of care and concern
Speak louder than my muffled voice ever could.
And may the generosity of my heart
Radiate out through who I am
And how I respond to the world around me
So that others may not see my mask
But your image shining out
Moving in and through me today.
Amen
Br Michael Herry fms
Dear parents and carers,
Advent
Last Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent. This most important time in the liturgical year prepares us for the birth of Christ, and the fulfilment of a promise. 2021 has presented us all with challenges, beyond what we imagined possible, but with hope we look forward to the Holy season of Christmas and the joy that it holds for each of us.
Enrolments
This week I have met with and enrolled more students who are
starting at St Joseph’s in 2022. It is wonderful to have families come to our school because of the great reputation we have in the wider Canberra community.
We still have enrolment places across the school and in the Early Learning Centre. Please, if you know anyone looking to enrol in 2022, encourage them to make contact with the school or ELC as soon as possible.
Wizard of Oz
The final touches are going on, and the atmosphere is building… it is almost ‘show time’!
Tickets will go home with the eldest child in each family, tomorrow. The tickets clearly indicate the performance chosen, and these tickets must be presented on the day.
Please be sure to have a read of the information that was sent home earlier in the week and also via Compass today.
It will be a fabulous time for our school community.
Parent / Teacher Interviews
Thank you to the teachers, and to parents and carers, who have engaged in Parent / Teacher Interviews in recent weeks. 2021 has been a year of challenges, but wonderful successes too, so it has been important to have the opportunity to provide feedback on student progress and areas for growth in 2022.
School Board
Last Wednesday, the final School Board meeting for 2021 was held here at school, before a social gathering to celebrate another successful year. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Pip Cleary as Board Chair. 2021 has presented a number of challenges and Pip’s support and guidance has been greatly appreciated. We wish Pip and her family all the best in the coming years, before returning to St Joseph’s. Thank you also to Kimberly McDonald, Rachael Whiteley-Black, Tom Tokic, Kieran Fordham and Zoe Cawdron for their time and contributions whilst on the School Board.
We also received nominations for the 2022 School Board. I would like to thank all in our school community, who take the opportunity to actively get involved in the school and I look forward to an exciting 2022.
The School Board for 2022 is:
|
Fr Paul Nulley |
Molly Henson |
Amy Doszpot |
Cameron Tarrant |
Rebecca Jackson |
|
Si Kayser |
James Strachan |
Simon Foftus |
Alicia Porter |
Jane Childs |
Positions and roles on the Board will be elected at the first meeting in 2022.
P&F
At the last P&F Meeting for 2021, I was also able to thank and acknowledge the work of many who have assisted across various areas of the school this year. Thank you to Kate Osborn as P&F President and to all members of the P&F for their efforts during another difficult year. I would also like to mention Alison Marks, who after many years’ involvement in the school, and on the P&F, attended her final meeting. Our school relies on the dedication and energy of many, and I would like to thank Alison for all that she has contributed over the years.
Please see the full P&F report further in this newsletter.
Have a great end to the week.
Yours in Christ,
Cameron Tarrant
St Joseph’s Sacramental Program
The Sacrament of Confirmation:
Date: Saturday 4 December
Location: St Joseph’s Catholic Church
Attendees: 10 guests per/family (including the candidate)
Attire: Smart casual (It is not mandated that students need to wear white)
Time: 2:00pm and 3:00pm
Year 6 Graduation Mass
Date of Mass: Thursday 9 December
Time: 12:00pm
Restrictions have been slightly eased. Four guests per Year 6 student are now permitted. Please note COVID safe protocols are still in place. Please allow time on arrival to check-in via the CBR QR code. Social distancing is also required, so we request one family per pew.
Advent Prayer Celebrations
Advent is the period of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus at
Christmas. Advent is celebrated over 4 weeks, each week holding a significant focus. Each of these focuses represent the virtues that Jesus brought us; hope, love, joy and peace.
This year, our Advent Prayer Celebrations will take place outside under the trees (alternatively in the hall if there is wet weather). These prayers will be an opportunity for us to acknowledge one of the most important times in our Catholic lives.
Advent Prayer Details:
Week 9 - Friday 3 December Love - lead by 4 Gold
Week 10 - Friday 10 December Joy - lead by 5 Orange
Week 11 - Thursday 16 December Peace - lead by 4 Green
Parents are invited to attend the prayer celebration their child is involved in. Please be mindful that COVID protocols will be in place. Even outside, social distancing is still required.
For further information or any questions regarding Religious Education and events, please feel free to contact me via email: michelle.vuli@cg.catholic.edu.au
TIME TO RETURN THOSE BOOKS!
There are still over 500 books still outstanding, please take a look around your home. Don’t forget to look in all those unseen places books like to hide!
Please email me directly if you can’t find them at georgina.jaram@cg.catholic.edu.au.
The St Joseph's Parents and Friends Association (P&F) Annual General Meeting was held on 21 November. It was terrific to see some new faces from the school community at the meeting, along with the 2021 P&F Committee members.
The meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on and recognise the perseverance of the school community through the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has continued to present. Despite the challenges, highlights for the year have included the hugely successful nachos days, doing 'our bit' to recycle by collecting 10c bottles and cans, and of course our Big Night In. While our aim is always to encourage some fun for the kids and to bring our school community together, the funds raised through these activities, as well as the school canteen and uniform shop, are returned to the community by way of the P&F funding or donating to school events, purchasing equipment for the playground and classrooms, and this year, new chairs for the school hall.
Thank you to the 2021 P&F Committee members for their time and commitment throughout the year.
Nominations for 2022 P&F Committee positions were accepted as follows:
President: Rachael Whiteley-Black
Vice President: Kate Osborn
Treasurer: Felicity Loftus
School Board Representative: Nicole Mahar
Communications Officer: Sarah Anderson
Secretary: Frances McNamara
Canteen Representative: Nichole Hanlon
Two positions were not filled at the meeting. If you are interested in joining a fun, dedicated group of people and helping the P&F as Fundraising Coordinator or Uniform Shop Coordinator, please get in contact with Rachael Whitely-Black (P&F President) - whiteley9777@yahoo.com.au
In 2022 we are looking forward to welcoming more parents and carers to our Committee meetings and, COVID allowing, arranging some community events that we have missed so much this year. In particular, we will be working with the organising committee and school community to bring our two-yearly fete to life! Our first Committee meeting will be held at 7pm on Wednesday of Week 2, Term 1, 2022. All are warmly welcome.
Frances McNamara
P&F Secretary
Hello parents and carers,
It has been a pleasure to run the school canteen this year, thank you to the lovely volunteers, I really appreciate your help. If anyone has a spare hour or two on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday please don’t hesitate to email me on katie.jenkin@cg.catholic.edu.au or contact me on 0417046062. It is always lovely to see new faces in the canteen.
As we are getting close to the end of the school term, I will be holding a bake sale for students on Week 10, Thursday 9 December, during first and second break. The price list is below.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Regards
Katie Jenkin
Canteen Manager
UNIFORM SHOP COORDINATOR NEEDED
- A uniform shop coordinator is needed to help with promoting the shop, coordinating volunteers, and managing stock levels and sales processes.
- If you can spare a few hours a fortnight, enjoy working with others, and maybe even have some experience in retail we'd love to hear from you.
Congratulations to the Week 6 award recipients.
| Foundation Red |
Sebastian B Filipa F |
Foundation White |
Hamish McD Cooper D |
|
1 Purple |
Audrey B Christian D |
1 Teal |
Azrielle T Adam L |
|
2 Magenta |
Tresa S |
2 Yellow |
Aria K Jack D |
|
3 Black |
Ryan McD Bonnie P |
3 Navy |
Patrick M James J |
|
4 Gold |
Dechen P |
4 Green |
Santiago K Kobe P |
|
5 Blue |
Sam S Bridget M |
5 Orange |
Hamish E Matthew S |
|
6 Lime |
Celeste P Knox P |
6 Silver |
Ebenezer A Kennedy W |
|
Sustainability |
Happy birthday to these students who celebrated their birthday this week.
| Sahana B |
| Christian D |
| Sebastian R |
