As a Catholic, with the opportunity to lead a Catholic school, it is a privilege to find ways to share the message of Jesus and our faith, and to break open Scripture and the gospels. Until recently, it never occurred to me that Jesus had to do just the same.

Often we worry about the true meaning of the Scriptures and the messages of Jesus. However, in reading the linked article from Richard Rohr, The Heart of Truth - from Only My Truth, I believe there is something worthwhile to consider. Jesus was Jewish, and therefore spent His ministry breaking open the Hebrew Scriptures. Just like us, He was selective, and also applied His interpretation of Scripture to share an important message. 

I invite parents to read the article and to be reassured that when our children ask questions about faith and about Jesus’ message, that we are right to make meaning from our own interpretation.  https://cac.org/daily-meditations/truth-hierarchy-truths-2015-03-03/ 

School Community Council

Following the most recent School Community Council Exec Meeting, some key dates and events have been locked in. Please see the attached Community Council Calendar. Most important now is to start having some plans in place for these events, and to have people offer to help out.

A new email address has been set up for the School Community Council – sjo.schoolcommunitycouncil@gmail.com that allows for all parents to be able to contact the Council Exec, provide feedback and comment, and to raise any items for the Open Meeting Agenda.

Community Council Executive

A reminder that all parents and carers at the school are members of the School Community Council. Therefore, all are welcome and invited to contribute in any way that suits them and supports the efforts of the school.

Our next Open Meeting is on Wednesday 19 June at 7.00pm. Please consider joining this meeting and offering any support to the planned events or to foster the overall efforts of the Council to promote our school.

Nachos Day

A huge thank you and well done to Nichole Hanlon and Zaria, Julie-Anne Wilson, Sarah McDougall, Kimberley McDonald and Matthew O’Brien for preparing 220 containers of nachos yesterday! What a feat to have that many students able to enjoy a special lunch. The Nachos Day will have raised around $1200, which will go towards the Community Council’s contribution to more class novels, supporting some new playground equipment in the ELC and some AV equipment for the school to assist with making online meetings and professional learning more effective.

Start of School

All parents are asked to have children at school in time for morning gathering at 8.50am. This allows them to settle into the day with their peers and provides a calmer start for the teachers without students trickling in to class. It also means that parents are not needing to come into the Front Office to sign children in, taking the pressure off everyone. Please make this a priority.

Parish News

Positions on the St Joseph’s Parish Pastoral Council and Finance Council are open for self-nomination by members of our parish and school from 1 July 2024.  Father Thonn needs a reliable group of people to help with the organisation and improvement of our parish.  The councils currently meet monthly at 6pm on a Tuesday in the parish centre.  If you have skills that you would like to put to work in service of St Joseph’s parishioners, please email Father Thonn Anthony.riosa@cg.org.au with your name, and a brief description of the gifts and talents you would like to share with the parish.

Rostrum Speeches

Each year our Year 6 students prepare and present speeches as part of the Rostrum Act Primary Schools Speaking Competition. This year some the topics included a new Olympic sport, bad advice, get involved, and how exhausting. Each student prepares a 3 minute speech to present to their class, with 2 finalists chosen to then present again to an impartial judge – me! Well done to Oliver L, Maddison D, Dylan M and Natara H for presenting their speeches as part of the school final. Congratulations to Maddison D on winning the school final, presenting her speech on gender equality, under the topic how exhausting. Maddison now goes on to represent the school at the quarter finals at Lyneham Primary on Monday 17 June.

Happy Schools

Please see linked this week's Insights article from Happy Families on Teaching Children That Mistakes Are Okay. This is such an important aspect of teaching and raising children. 

Interschools Snowsports

A reminder that we are seeking interest from families wishing for their child/ren to enter the 2024 Interschools Snowsports races this winter, and to represent St Joseph’s. For more information, please see the attached Interschools Flyer.

St Vincent de Paul CEO Sleepout

This year I have committed to joining the 2024 Vinnies CEO Sleepout on Thursday 20 June. While I pledged to raise $4000 to support those in need… I am now sitting at $4149! Thank you to all who have supported this wonderful cause by making a contribution or sending in a gold coin donation last week. I have just found out that from 8am tomorrow, Thursday 6 June, all donations up to $1000 will be doubled! To get your donation matched, please donate right on 8am tomorrow, and not a second before. The match will continue until the ACT event reaches $60,000 in matched funding…which could be just minutes!

https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/camerontarrant/act

Have a great end to the week.

Yours in Christ,

Cameron Tarrant

cameron.tarrant@cg.catholic.edu.au