Dear Parents, Carers and the St Joseph’s Community,

 Today I spent some time in classrooms talking to children about their learning. It was great to see that the children not only understand what they are learning but also why they are learning…

 “We are learning that families don’t have to be the exact same.”  Gian Luka, Foundation White

“It is important to learn about different families. We talked about our families during news.” Lelani, Foundation White

“We are learning about celebrations and my daddy is coming in today to talk about St Bridgett’s Cross in Ireland.” Holly, 1 Purple

“It is important to learn about other people’s traditions.” James, 1 Tea.

“We are learning about how to look after our world by not littering everywhere. This is important so our animals and world don’t get ruined.” – Nova, 2 Yellow

"We are learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is important to know who was living on our land before and who our ancestors might be.” Ezme & Lawrence, 2 Magenta

“We are learning about Noah’s Ark to teach us not to be so violent and that every action has a consequence.” Reese, 3 Lime

“We are learning about different structures. I am investigating the Royal Navy. I have learnt the lowest rank is the midshipman.” Josie, 4 Orange

“There are structures where only one person has a say and there are structures where everyone has a say.” Kristian, 4 Blue

"We are learning about migration. It is important to find out why people migrated to Australia so we get to learn the history.” Amelia, 5 Green

“We are learning about influential Catholics. This is important because we are a Catholic school and they are people who can inspire us to try new things.” Kayla, Zoe & Maia, 6 Black

 It is wonderful to see the students so engaged and using their seeds of collaborating, learning, being and creating in such a variety of ways.

Absent Notes

In order to keep our absentee records up to date, we ask that teachers are provided with notification of any absences in a timely manner.  Accepted platforms for submitting absent notes are email, Skoolbag or written notes (Seesaw is not an approved platform). Please note, that even if you advise the Front Office by phone of your child’s absence, written communication is still required.

Active Streets

Late last year our school was selected to benefit from the Active Streets for Schools program. Active Streets is an infrastructure program, supported by educational resources, to make it safer and easier to walk or ride to school. Active Streets helps to make school environments safer and more accessible by providing a range of tailored solutions depending on the school and local environment. Improvements may include new or improved footpath connections, more dedicated crossings or traffic calming (e.g. speed humps) to ensure the trip is safe and easy for children to navigate.  

Last term we invited you to participate in a survey conducted by Transport Canberra and City Services to allow you to highlight potential infrastructure improvements around the school to support walking or riding to school. We encourage the school community to embrace this opportunity and engage in the program and ask that if you have not already done so, could you please complete the survey.

Complete survey here: http://bit.ly/AS-survey

 

Amy Doszpot

Assistant Principal

amy.doszpot@cg.catholic.edu.au 

Pentecost

This coming Sunday, the season of Easter concludes with the feast of Pentecost. On Pentecost we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem; this event marks the beginning of the Church. The story of Pentecost is found in the Acts of the Apostles, (Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11) and is the first first reading on Sunday. The Gospel, (John 20:19-23), also recounts how Jesus gave the gift of the Holy Spirit to his disciples. We previously heard this Gospel on the second Sunday of Easter. This reading reminds us about the connection between the gifts of peace and forgiveness and the action of the Holy Spirit. Jesus greets his disciples with the gift of peace. Jesus then commissions his disciples to continue the work that he has begun, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” As he breathes the Holy Spirit upon them, Jesus sends his disciples to continue his work of reconciliation through the forgiveness of sins.

This Gospel reminds us that the Church is called to be a reconciling presence in the world. This reconciling presence of Christ is celebrated in the Church's sacramental life. In the Sacrament of Baptism, we are washed clean from sin and become a new creation in Christ. In the Sacrament of Penance, the Church celebrates the mercy of God in forgiving sins. This reconciling presence is also to be a way of life for Christians. In situations of conflict, we are to be agents of peace and harmony among people.

 Student Prayer Focus

Our Student Prayer Focus this week centres on the story of Pentecost. This week we have tried a new thinking routine called Colour, Symbol, Image which allows students to come to the essence of ideas nonverbally.

As a part of our Student Prayer Focus this week you will see that a red leaf is being added to our trees in each class prayer space. The red leaf symbolises Pentecost. On each leaf a word or phrase is written which symbolise how each class member will work to glorify Christ with their life during the week.

How will you Glorify Christ with your life this week?

Sacramental Information

Sacrament of First Holy Communion

It was wonderful to see many school and parish families come together last Saturday evening for the second  preparation session for the Sacrament of First Holy Communion.

Please contact Father Paul  if you have any questions about sacraments at:

paul_nulley@hotmail.com

 

Holy Communion Classes (Year 4 and older)	5.15pm in the Hall followed by Mass at 6.00pm in the Church Saturday 18 May Saturday 1 June Saturday 8 June Saturday 15 June
Sacrament of First Holy Communion	Sunday 23 June 9am

Yours in Christ, 

Melanie Stratford

Religious Education Coordinator

melanie.stratford@cg.catholic.edu.au 

Sustainability in Action

For World Ocean Day on 8 June, Year 2 wants you to know what we can do to be Ocean Guardians. Thank you Maeve, Callum, Louis, Georgina and Sophie for your awesome messages!

If you build it, they will come! Paul has completed construction on our very own chicken tractor! Make way for chickens ...

We are still in need of help/ materials for building a share library for our school. If you are interested, please contact Ellie Palmer at eloise.palmer@cg.catholic.edu.au    

Ryan McGee

Sustainability Coordinator

ryan.mcgee@cg.catholic.edu.au 

Year 1 Defence Kids and their friends enjoyed baking yummy ANZAC slice on Monday with Mrs Adams. The kids did a fantastic job and the proof was in the pudding. Delicious!! The other grades will be joining in the fun baking with Mrs Adams throughout the term.

Defence Kids club, Tuesday first break in the library was popular again on a chilly Canberra Day. We coloured in, created paper planes and played checkers. Same again next week.

Looking to feel more connected – the Defence Community Organisation DCO Canberra E-news is currently promulgated tri-monthly via email. It includes handy information such as upcoming events, contact details for social groups and links to DCO resources. If you wish to be on the E-News mail out list, send a request to dco.canberra@defence.gov.au . Alternatively, ‘like’ the DCO Facebook Page to receive information and updates.​​ You can also get up-to-date information on the DCO Eventbrite websitehttps://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/defence-community-organisation-canberra-8927579647

Sally Adams

Defence Support Mentor

sally.adams@cg.catholic.edu.au 

Tiffany Fletcher

P&F President

RESTRICTED MENU - Thursday 6 and Friday 7 June 2019

Please note that there will be a restricted lunch order menu available on Qkr! for Thursday 6 and Friday 7 June.

  Please see Qkr! for items available.

Michelle Welch

Canteen Manager

  

Happy birthday to these students celebrating their birthdays this week.

 

SCHOOL BANKING DAY - THURSDAY

Don't forget! your bank book.  Remember to put in your class notebag on Thursday morning