St Joseph’s Primary School - O'Connor
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Boronia Drive
O'Connor ACT 2602
Subscribe: https://sjo.act.edu.au/subscribe

Email: office.sjo@cg.catholic.edu.au
Phone: 02 6248 9818
Fax: 02 6247 1792

Week 6 Term 4 2020 Newsletter

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Week 6 Term 4 2020 Newsletter

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

A Parent's Prayer

Loving God,
Thank you for the gift of our children.

Help us to set boundaries for them, and yet encourage them to explore.
Give us the strength and courage to treat each day as a fresh start.

May their ears hear your voice. May their eyes see your presence in all things.
May their lips proclaim your word. May their hearts be your dwelling place.
May their hands do works of charity. May their feet walk in the way of Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord.
Amen.

    Supporting the School – The P&F and School Board

    As we head towards the end of 2020, both our P&F and School Board will undergo elections and renewal. At this time, we offer a great vote of thanks to all the parents and volunteers that work tirelessly to ensure our school is a great place for the children and continues to grow in excellence.

    The P&F works to support and build the wider St Joseph’s community. Its key purpose is to promote the role of all parents within the school and the support of fundraising to provide resources for the students. The P&F operates and oversees the Canteen and Uniform Shop, at the same time offering an opportunity for all parents to contribute to community events and the school in general. 

    Therefore, please consider nominating yourself to join the P&F. All parents are members of the P&F, and can attend the AGM TONIGHT 18 November at 7pm via Zoom. All positions on the P&F are declared vacant each year, so any and all nominations are welcome.

    Please email Cameron.tarrant@cg.catholic.edu.au to be sent the Zoom link for the P&F Meeting.

    Thank you to School Board Chair, Dan Miller as well as Si Kayser, Pip Clearly and Kieran Fordham who finish their current two-year terms on the School Board. We also thank Nichole Hanlon (P&F Rep) and Kimberley McDonald (ELC Rep) who have been members of the School Board in 2020.

    The Board plays a vital role in the functioning of the school and is an extremely worthwhile avenue for parents to assist with the success of the school. The Board’s work is dedicated to enhancing all that happens for your children at our school and we endeavour to work towards our vision of St Joseph’s being an excellent school within a Christ-centred community. 

    Unlike the P&F, the School Board is comprised of elected members, voted in if necessary, who take on a two-year position on the Board. Members can only serve three consecutive terms. Please see below a link to information relating to nominations and elections for the 2021 School Board.

    Nomination Form

    2021 Classes

    A reminder that Sociograms, which allow for students the chance to consider 3 friends that they would like to be in a class with in 2021 are due to be returned to school by this Friday, 20 November.

    If there is specific information that you would like to be taken into consideration to assist the composition of classes for 2021, then this must be done so in writing to Cameron either via email or letter by this Friday, 20 November. This does not include requests for particular teachers, nor does it include considerations other than the learning needs of your child. Each year is a new start for all students, and teachers, and therefore only information provided this year is taken into consideration when putting classes together for 2021.

    Working Bee

    Do you have an hour or two to spare this Friday afternoon? We would love to see you at our Working Bee. Due to the unprecedented events of 2020, this is our first Working Bee for the year and is a great way to support our school as well as an opportunity to foster and build relationships with other parents in our fantastic community.  

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    New Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) Provider

    As communicated with our community last Friday, after a tender procurement process, Camp Australia has been announced as the new OSHC provider at St Joseph’s from next year. We will be holding an information session with representatives from Camp Australia on Tuesday 1 December at 5:30pm and 6:00pm. Important information on Camp Australia and how to register for OSHC in 2021 can be found here.

    We would like to take this opportunity to once again thank YMCA for their outstanding care of St Joseph’s students, their families, and the broader St Joseph’s community over many years.

    Nacho Day

    Thank you to the P&F and their band of helpers for their time and efforts in coordinating another successful Nacho ‘fundraising’ lunch which was held today. By taking the day off from making lunch for your child/ren, we were able to raise $1000.  It certainly sounds like a win-win situation to me! But in all seriousness, fundraising initiatives like this would not be possible without the generous support of our wonderful families.

    Kid Free Friday Night

    Are you in need of a well-deserved kid-free night? The P&F, in conjunction with support from YMCA is offering you a couple of hours to yourself on Friday 11 November. Please note, the date has been changed as previously advertised, from 4 December to 11 December. Click here for further information. 

    Lost Property

    There are currently 20 homeless jumpers without names in lost property, ranging in colour and size. If your child has lost a jumper, can I ask that you encourage them to have look through lost property. Any unclaimed jumpers will be donated to the Uniform Shop.

    National Skin Cancer Action Week

    This week is National Skin Cancer Action Week. Cancer Council is encouraging parents of young children to be SunSmart this summer with new data showing that 25-44 year olds have worrying sun protection habits with one in four (25%) getting sunburnt on summer weekends.

    To recognise the week at a local level, Cancer Council ACT's SunSmart Pop Up will pop up somewhere along Queen Elizabeth Terrace - south side of Lake Burley Griffin this Saturday 21 November, so if you’re out walking/riding around the lake this Saturday, swing past to reapply your sunscreen and grab a flyer on how to check for skin cancer. And be #SunSmart #CovidSafe.   

     

    Have an enjoyable end to the week!

    Yours in Christ,

    Amy Doszpot

    Assistant Principal

    amy.doszpot@cg.catholic.edu.au

    Religious Life of St Joseph's

    Our St Joseph Charism

    Our Week 6 focus is:  

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    Advent Prayer Celebrations

    We are so happy to be able to hold our Advent prayer celebrations with students together in the hall. These prayer celebrations are a vital part of our St Joseph’s tradition and would not have been the same if held via Zoom in classrooms. Parents of classes leading the prayer celebration are warmly invited to attend these prayer celebrations. The dates and times are:

    Friday 27th November 9.15am led by 5 Orange

    Friday 4th December 9.15am led by 5 Blue

    Friday 11th December 9.15am led by 4 Gold

    Friday 18th December 9.15am led by 4 Green

    St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal

    Our Christmas appeal this year will also look different in our current Covid climate and building works. This year instead of seeking donations of Christmas food as we have done in the past, we are asking for families to donate a Woolworths or Coles gift card for families in need to purchase Christmas food. These gift cards can be sent in with students to be given to class teachers and will be sent up to the office each morning in the notebags. We will still be able to have our giving tree for families to take a gift tag to buy and wrap a gift for a person in our community. The giving tree will be set up in the school foyer from the beginning of December.

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    Yours in Christ,
    Melanie Stratford

    Religious Education Coordinator

    melanie.stratford@cg.catholic.edu.au

    Sustainability in Action

    Checking in on our sustainability practices, Joeys and teachers were asked:

    What was the last sustainable thing you did?

    “I took out the compost this morning,” said Sophia D.

    “I used a biodegradable coffee pod that I got from Woolies. They break down as fast as an orange peel!” said Ms. Ellis.

    “Instead of using Gladwrap for my burger, I put it in a reusable container,” said Henry D.

    “I don’t use cling wrap at all anymore! I don’t collect Ooshies or Coles Minishops anymore either,” said Ms. Moore.

    “I put my rubbish in the right bin,” said Hamish D.

    “I sewed up a pair of ripped pants,” said Madeline S.

    “I brought nude food today,” said Daniel G.

    “I brought a reusable cup to Flatheads for my hot chocolate,” said Ashley F.

    “I bulk buy my spices and put them into reusable jars,” said Ms. Nesci.

    Sustainable practices are all around us, and there are so many ways we can all be a bit better!

    “When you know better, you do better,” -Maya Angeleo

    Ryan McGee

    Sustainability Coordinator

    ryan.mcgee@cg.catholic.edu.au 

    Defence School Mentor News

    As our Defence families who are moving at the end of the year make arrangements for leaving, we have our 2020 Defence book ready to be donated to the school library. This book has been dedicated to the library on behalf of the Defence children moving schools in 2020 due to a posting. Thanks to Travis and Esmee for writing on behalf of Lachlan and Olivia who left in term 2.

    Sally Adams

    Defence School Mentor

    sally.adams@cg.catholic.edu.au 

    The Uniform Shop Is Looking For New Members!

    The Uniform Shop needs new members! The Uniform Shop provides a uniform delivery service of both new and second-hand uniforms to St Joseph’s school families. Members of the Uniform Shop volunteer some of their time to help organise children’s uniform orders. New team members will get training about how the ordering system on Qkr works, as well as how to organise and deliver uniforms. The uniform shop is open once a week on Thursday, 8:30-9:00 am and supports members to take flexible shifts. Additional help is needed urgently because right now there are only three uniform team members.

    Uniform member Kate says, “It is like being in a community.”  Monique says she loves volunteering in the Uniform Shop because, “You get to know the teachers, parents and the kids.”

    All profits from the uniform shop go to the P&F and are used to buy school resources, equipment and support the running of the canteen. If you think that joining our team of fun and committed volunteers is something you can do, please contact

    Kate Osborn at boroniadrive@gmail.com or on 0423 103 015

    Written by Isabelle T and Rea N
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    Uniform Shop Prices

    This year has been challenging, from home-schooling to playing soccer while (attempting) self-distancing! Our wonderful school and our P&F have not been immune to the effects of 2020: we had to cancel the fete, and numerous other fun events. But rest assured we have some great things on the horizon.

    However, we want to ensure that we continue to provide for the kids as best we can. So, for the first time in years, our uniform shop will be altering our prices. We know that this might come as a shock to you, but please know that every cent of profit goes back into our school.

    Over the years we have provided play equipment, barbecues, helped fund farewells and even shifted a couple of tonne of mulch! We want to continue to do these things even if we can’t fundraise in the usual way!

    Our prices will change on 24 September 2020. The new prices will be available in Qkr! that same day.

    Thank you to everyone for your donations of second-hand summer uniform! Prices for these items will remain at $5.

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    Congratulations to this week's award recipients. 

    Students are now receiving their Awards at Morning Gathering on Friday, but we are still unable to welcome parents to join us. 

    Foundation Red

    Claire A

    Sebastian P

    Foundation White

    Aria F

    Anne P

    1 Purple

    Mirabel P

    Lucy M

    1 Teal

    Ajmer S

    Annabelle F

    2 Magenta

    Emanuel S

    Mary C

    2 Yellow

    Sebastian R

    Keone S

    3 Black

    Ashley F

    Hayden S

    3 Navy

    Callum A

    Olivia O

    4 Gold

    Addison W

    Anthony S

    4 Green

    Reese McG

    Joseph E

    5 Blue

    Leon F-S

    Angela L

    5 Orange

    Rachel N

    Juliana L

    6 Lime

    Max G

    Sam C

    6 Silver

    Amelia M

    Sophia D

    Happy birthday to these students celebrating their birthdays this week:

    Birthday_Cake.png

    Samuel S
    Benjamin L
    Max M
    Samuel C
    Liam O
    Leah F-C
    Madison A
    Mary C
    Ebenezer A