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

This morning we held our Foundation Orientation Day for the incoming class of 2026. We were joined by 34 smiling, albeit nervous children who spent the morning with our current Foundation teachers to see what ‘big school’ is all about. The next few months will be an exciting time for these families in anticipation of the year ahead and on behalf of all at St Joseph’s, we are very much looking forward to welcoming these new students and their families to our wonderful community.  

Talking of community, something as a new staff member to St Joseph's this year, I was once again astounded by the community spirit that was evident at our school disco last Friday night. It is always a pleasure to see how we pull together to ensure such events are a success and how all that attend are made to feel welcome and part of our community. Events like this are not possible without an enormous amount of planning and preparation, so a huge thank you must be extended to the P&F for their organisation and to the many parents who volunteered their time on the night. Thank you also to school, ELC and YMCA staff who added an extra couple of hours to an already big day/week to help dance the night away.

Staffing News

As mentioned in recent weeks, this time of year is always hard as we say farewell to staff who are leaving St Joseph’s. We congratulate Mr Tim Stephens who after an application process has accepted the position of Coordinator at St Jude’s, Holder. We thank Tim for his enthusiasm and dedication and wish him all the very best in his new venture.

Following our own application and interview process, we are pleased to announce the appointment of three new staff members for 2020. Mr Jake Kutcher will be joining us from Saints Peter and Paul, Garran, Mrs Hayley Gould from Saint Benedict’s, Narrabundah and Mrs Michelle Rosewell from Saint Madeline’s, Kenthurst. Cumulatively, Jake, Hayley and Michelle bring 23 years teaching experience to St Joseph’s.

Benchmark Rewards

Last Friday, students met in House groups to decide on their benchmark rewards for Term 4. Interestingly, all houses decided on a technology afternoon. Each House is very close to reaching this 1500 point reward. The current standings are:

• Louretto 1 348
• Fatima 1 252
• Madonna 1 213
• Lourdes 1 177

With the points so close, it will be a race to see which house will be the Term 4 winner and receive a hot dog lunch at the end of term.  

Welcome Drinks

This evening, we are holding our welcome drinks for families who will be new to St Joseph’s next year. Thank you to our current families who have offered to be a Buddy Family for 2020 to help with the transition to a new school community. We look forward to seeing our new and buddy families tonight.     

I hope you have an enjoyable end to the week.

Yours in Christ,

Amy Doszpot

Assistant Principal

amy.doszpot@cg.catholic.edu.au 

Religious Life of the School

Family Mass and Garden Art Gallery Walk

Last Sunday, we celebrated our second Family Mass at St Joseph’s. Some of our Year 6 students took the lead by confidently proclaiming the word in the Readings, singing the Responsorial Psalm and reading the Prayers of The Faithful. Afterwards, we celebrated Father Paul’s birthday with morning tea among our Garden Art Gallery featuring artworks created by students in both St Joseph’s Primary School and ELC. This Family Mass and Garden Art Gallery was a collaboration between our school and Parish as we endeavour to bring our Christ-Centred Community closer together. Thank you to all the families who attended, the staff who worked with their students to create their masterpieces and the members of the Parish who worked with us to prepare for this event.

Prayer and Worship 

Student-Led Christian Prayer

Each Friday after first break, Year 6 lead classes in prayer with a focus on the Gospel for the coming Sunday.

Liturgical Season: Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Liturgical Season Colour: Green

This week the focus is on the Gospel: Luke 20:27-36

The Sadducees wanted to trick Jesus so they asked him this question, “If a woman’s husband dies, and she marries his brother who also dies, which man will be her husband when she is dead and they all meet again in the next life?”

Jesus answered them, “In this life they may have been husband and wife, but in the next life they will all be children of God. After the resurrection from the dead, those who are chosen will never die again, they will share everlasting happiness together with the angels in heaven.”

At home, we invite you to read the upcoming Gospel as a family and discuss our focus question for the week.

1. What does the word resurrection mean?
2. What is one word you can use to describe what heaven is to you?

Celebrating Liturgy and Sacraments

Term 4 Liturgies and Class Masses

Week 4    Friday 8 November: Class Mass cancelled for this week. Week 5    Monday 11 November Remembrance Day Prayer Celebration led by                 Year 5 10.30am                 Friday 15 November: Year 4 Class Mass 9.15am Week 6    Friday 22  November: Year 3  Class Mass 9.15am Week 7    Thursday  28 November Advent Prayer Celebration led by                 Year 4 9.15am Week 8    Thursday  5 December Advent Prayer Celebration led by                 Year 3 9.15am Week 9     Thursday 12 December Advent Prayer Celebration led by                  Year 1 9.15am                  Friday 13th December Thanksgiving Mass at 9.15am Week 10    Thursday 19 December Advent Prayer Celebration led by                   Foundation 9.15am

 

Social Action & Justice

Catholic Mission

Last Thursday we held our Day of Many Colours on the last day of Mission month with our activities focussing on prayer and charitable works.

We began our day as a whole school to pray the World Mission Rosary for each continent. This whole school prayer was a meaningful and moving way to pray for the needs of the world.

We then moved into the charitable works part of our Day of Many Colours by holding a ‘Move for Mission Disco.’ The Social Justice Leaders and other Year 6 students who volunteered their lunchtimes did a wonderful job of running this event. We are proud to say that we raised approximately $185 for Catholic Mission.

Religious Identity and Culture

Ethos and Charism

Our strategic priority to deepen our St Joseph’s identity means to deepen our understanding of our Josephite Charism. We can learn much about our Josephite Charism through quotes from Saint Mary Mackillop. This morning we held our orientation session for our 2020 Foundation students and when asked what we want our students to know at St Joseph’s this quote sums it up completely.

Evangelisation and Faith Formation

Faith Formation

St Joseph’s Parish has begun its annual Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA).

If you are curious about God or the Catholic Church, were baptised as a child but did not receive Eucharist or Confirmation, visit the parish one Sunday and speak to Fr Paul.

If you have questions about the RCIA process, please email Alwyn Dantis on alwyndantis@yahoo.com or ring 0467 243 363.

Yours in Christ,

Melanie Stratford

Religious Education Coordinator

melanie.stratford@cg.catholic.edu.au 

Sustainability in Action!

You might catch these 1 Teal Planet Protectors around Canberra, living out their Environmental Action Plans.

Year 1 has been diligent about taking better care of the earth by caring for animals, picking up rubbish, conserving water and starting new recycling/ composting initiatives at home. Needless to say, they have a very proud teacher!

Connor picks up rubbish on the way to school, in an effort to pick up 5 pieces every day.

Evie has taken over the responsibility of feeding her cat.

Isabella picks up rubbish wherever she goes.

Aaron is now taking soft plastics to be recycled at Coles.

Chloe has prompted her family to ride to school one day a week.

Mary uses a timer to keep showers short and conserve water.

These Eco-Warriors make environmentalism look easy!

"This is not a one-time thing. This is our entire future," -Greta Thunberg

Ryan McGee

Sustainability Coordinator

ryan.mcgee@cg.catholic.edu.au 

From the Defence School Mentor

A message from DVA – the Veteran Card has a new look. The card is a redesign of the existing DVA health cards. Current ADF members, Veterans and Reservists can apply for the card, Lapel Pin and Oath. The Australian Defence Veterans’ Covenant serves to recognise and acknowledge the unique nature of military service and the contribution of veterans and their families. These provide the opportunity for Australians to identify veterans when they are not in uniform or wearing their medals, and offer respect to them and their family. Please find more information at the address below.

https://www.recognition.dva.gov.au/

Remembrance Day Prayer Service will be held 10.30 November 11th in the school courtyard. Children and their families are invited to help set the prayer space with their items of significance. Please stay on for morning tea.

Five of our Defence students who are leaving our school at the end of the year signed the book ‘The Last ANZAC’. The book will be donated to the school library on behalf of these children.

Sally Adams

Defence Support Mentor

sally.adams@cg.catholic.edu.au 

stjosephscanteen@gmail.com 

Happy birthday to these students celebrating their birthdays this week:

Oliver A

Ian C

Bonnie P

Evie P

Dexuan K

Lachlan S

Adam S

Ashley F

Drina K

Connor J

Maia J