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Dear Parents, Carers and the St Joseph’s Community,
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten period, a time of taking pause and considering others in our decisions. Actions such as abstaining from meat on Fridays, fasting, going without something we enjoy, and giving to those in need are grounded in the desire to be selfless, so as to become closer to God. Through prayer, and hearing the whisperings of God in our lives, we truly open ourselves to rejoice in the risen Lord at Easter. During this Lenten period, lets pray with and for each other in our St Joseph’s community.
Today the 2022 NAPLAN and school data has been released as part of the My School website - https://www.myschool.edu.au/ . While this data and information only tells a small part of the story of a school, it is very pleasing to see the growth and progress in recent years in relation to NAPLAN results compared to similar schools. St Joseph’s continually performs above national and state averages and from 2021 to 2022, has significantly improved results in all areas compared to like schools. We are excited to see this growth continue in 2023, as current priorities around explicit teaching and consistent engagement norms ensure all students are learning all the time.
Staffing
Unfortunately Katie Jenkin in the Canteen will finish at St Joseph’s at the end of Term 1. Katie has been at St Joseph’s for 2 years and has done a great job and we wish her all the best in the future. The Canteen Manager position is currently advertised and will be filled for the start of Term 2.
Our efforts are continuing to appoint a Language teacher. At the School Board meeting last week, a summary of the process was further explained, and reassurance given that all options are still open for consideration. We are engaging with the Dante Alighieri society here in Canberra to investigate the possibility of having an Italian assistant work with a teacher, to continue delivering the Italian Language Program. I will keep the community informed of any progress.
Parent / Teacher Interviews
All parents are asked to book a time to meet with their child/ren’s teacher next week. Interviews are either online via Teams on the Monday, or in person across other days through the week. Please see the Compass alert sent out Monday with full details.
Sip and Swap
Today a flyer is attached to the Newsletter, inviting those in our wider St Joseph’s community to an evening of fine fashion and an opportunity to socialise. The purpose is to reduce the amount of clothing that sits unworn in cupboards, while at the same time raising funds for the work of Mary MacKillop House in Lyneham. MacKillop House provides support to women in need, offering temporary housing and respite. Please consider getting involved in this important event. Tickets will go on sale via Qkr! by the end of the week.
Contact Ryan McGee if you have any questions – ryan.mcgee@cg.catholic.edu.au
Year 6 Camp
This morning our Year 6 students headed to Jindabyne Sport and Rec for three days. They will complete team activities, ride slider bikes (I may have crashed one last time…), canoe on Lake Jindabyne and build their leadership skills to support the school throughout the year. I am looking forward to joining them tonight and spending the day Thursday doing some of the activities. We hope they all have a great time!
Upcoming Events
- Week 5 – Parent / teacher Interviews
- Wednesday 1 March – Canteen BBQ sausage sizzle – orders via Qkr!
- Tuesday 7 March – Swimming Carnival Year 2 – 6
- Wednesday 8 March – P&F Meeting 7.00pm
Yours in Christ,
Religious Life of St Joseph’s
Today we celebrate Ash Wednesday which marks the change in our Liturgical Season from Ordinary Time to Lent. In this season, we prepare ourselves to celebrate the high point of our Christian life, Easter. Each year, the readings for Ash Wednesday are the same. They call us to a change of heart and teach us about the traditional Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. This year Pope Francis has extended a special invitation to pray for peace in the Ukraine.
Project Compassion
This week through the Lenten act of Almsgiving we have commenced raising money for Caritas Australia. Jesus teaches that giving alms means making the needs of others our own, especially the needy of our world. They are all around us: children and the old, the sick and the suffering, families and individuals, next-door neighbours and people in lands faraway. One way that we can participate in almsgiving is through Project Compassion.
Project Compassion is Caritas Australia's annual Lenten fundraising and awareness-raising appeal. Millions of Australians come together in solidarity with the world's poor to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. Donation boxes have been placed in all classrooms and at the front offices of the main school and ELC. We would encourage parents to support their children in the act of Almsgiving by providing them with donations every week for the next 5 weeks. Project Compassion boxes can be collected from the Front Office if there are any families who would like to participate in their own homes.
A Lent for Our Common Home
Another way of participating in Lent is through taking sustainable action. Each week during Lent we will be sharing some ideas on how you might take sustainable action at home with your family.Week 1- Food
During this first week of Lent the focus is on food. You could:
- Enjoy one meat free day a week
- Buy locally sourced food
- Grow your own herbs and vegetables
We pray for those who do not have enough to eat and those farmers who are experiencing poor harvests.
Melanie Stratford
Religious Education Coordinator
melanie.stratford@cg.catholic.edu.au
Sustainability in Action
This year, we have taken on a Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden. This exciting program provides in-depth gardening lessons with the fun of preparing our own meals and establishing healthy food habits. Year 3 is preparing our garden, and has begun planting kale and cabbage while looking after our growing pumpkins and rockmelon. Soon they will enjoy a tomato harvest and prepare some delicious tomato focaccia!
“As I work in the garden, the garden works on me.”- Gayla Trail
Ryan McGee
Sustainability Coordinator
Sporting News
Swimming Carnival:
The 2023 St Joseph’s Swimming Carnival will take place at Dickson Pool in Dickson on Tuesday 7th March for children in Years 2-6. The carnival acts as selection for the North Gungahlin District Swimming Carnival held later in the term. If you haven’t already please give permission via compass for your child/ren to attend the event.
Students must be nominated for the events in which they wish to participate. Event nominations are due by the 28th February. Please fill in the link https://forms.gle/nCvFE87SNK5yCX6UA
Cross Country Carnival:
The 2023 St Joseph Cross Country will take place at the O’Connor District Playing fields on the 31st March from 11:40 am - 1:25 pm. More information to follow during the term. If you would like to volunteer to help, please email me.
Mel Moore
DEFENCE SCHOOL MENTOR
These first few weeks in the Defence School Mentor Program (DSMP) have been all about welcoming our new Defence students. We have 9 new students across the school. I had some wonderful help from year 5 Defence students Mia and Holly with putting together the welcome packs for our new students. These included information about the DSMP and The Defence Member and Family Support (DMFS) who fund the DSMP. It also had a few welcoming gifts for the children including a stuffed animal. Thank you Mia and Holly!
This coming Friday is Purple Poppy Day, a day to commemorate all animals who serve alongside our military in times of war and peace. In Defence Kids Club this week we will be discussing the different species of animals that have been involved in military service as well as creating a purple poppy display.
Emily McFarland
Defence School Mentor
Hi parents and carers,
My Name is Katie, your canteen manager. I would love to welcome you all to 2023. We will be having a special sausage sizzle lunch on Wednesday 1 March.
Orders can be made though QKR! and will close Monday 27 February.
No other lunch orders will be Available on that day but over the counter sales will still be available.
Uniform Shop News
Congratulations to the Week 4 award recipients.
|
1 Purple |
Danny V Aidan O |
1 Teal |
Nathan D Alfred G |
|
2 Magenta |
Austin J Jack L Ewan S |
2 Yellow |
Austin F Harrison W Audrey G |
|
3 Black |
Amelia S Tenzin L |
3 Navy |
Droduel T Azrielle T |
|
4 Gold |
Evie M Owen H |
4 Green |
Olivia T Sebastian S |
|
5 Blue |
Edward Zach B Anouk U |
5 Orange |
Anna S Keone S |
|
6 Lime |
On Camp | 6 Silver |
On Camp |
|
Sustainability |
Max B |
Happy birthday to these students who celebrated their birthday this week:
| Tashi W |
| Sophie G |
| Eden N |
| Ryder W |
| Hugo M |
| Ryan M |
