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Dear Parents, Carers and the St Joseph’s Community,
Advent: Prayer of Hope
God of light, shine forth, show us how to bring hope to others. God of mercy, help us to comfort your people and share in their joy. God of hope, make us Advent people, preparing the way for life in all its fullness.
So let us enter Advent in hope, even hope against hope. Let us see visions of love and peace and justice. Let us affirm with humility, with joy, with faith, with courage: Jesus Christ -- the Life of the world.
Amen
Last week, the students were taken on a tour through the new classrooms and were suitably impressed with the outcome of our Stage 1 Building Works. We are pleased to announce that today the fences came down and we were given official access to the new classrooms and have begun the moving process with the aim of Year 1 and 2 classes being in their new homes (albeit for a short period) by mid next week. Our Year 3 and 4 classrooms will be ready for the start of Term 1 next year.
It has certainly been a year of making adjustments, working collaboratively and displaying patience and resilience. The staff and students have all risen to the challenges and changes encountered during the building works. I promise you, it will all be worth it!
Camp Australia Bookings
A reminder that bookings for our new OSHC provider, Camp Australia are now open. It is important to understand that any current bookings with YMCA will not be carried over so you must register your child with Camp Australia and then make your bookings for 2021. Follow this link to our St Joseph’s registration page.
Camp Australia is offering Holiday Care at St Joseph’s from Monday 11 January. Click here to find out more information about session costs and the activities on offer.
We are aware that there have been some teething issues with the booking process but can confidently confirm that these issues have been rectified. Bookings can now be made for the duration of 2021. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this transition phase.
End of Year Thank You and Carols
With the year that we have had, we have much to be thankful for. While we are still limited in how we can come together, we do want to celebrate 2020 and rejoice the Christmas season.
We invite you to join us under the trees in front of our new classrooms (bring a chair or rug) on Monday 14 December.
- Foundation to Year 2 families (max 2 guests) 9:15am
- Year 3 to 6 families (max 2 guests) 10:15am
Foundation will lead the Nativity Play at each gathering, joined by other grades to sing some carols.
Library Books
We ask that any St Joseph's Library books be returned to school as soon as possible. Although students have not been able to borrow library books for the majority of the year, there may be some books hiding in bedrooms that were not returned before our Covid restrictions came into place.
Kid-Free Friday Night
Have you booked your place for a well-deserved kid-free night? The P&F, in conjunction with support from YMCA are offering you a couple of hours to yourself next Friday 11 November. Further information and booking details can be found here
A Budding Filmmaker
Congratulations to Reese M in 4 Green who was awarded 1st Place in the Future Film competition. The theme of the competition was ‘Reimagining Canberra’s Future’ and gave young filmmakers a creative platform to express their ideas to solve our most pressing environmental issues. The love of all things sustainable certainly runs deep in the McGee household!
Have an enjoyable end to the week!
Yours in Christ,
Amy Doszpot
Assistant Principal
Religious Life of St Joseph's
Our St Joseph Charism
Our Week 8 focus is:
Advent Prayer Celebrations
Our first Advent prayer celebration last Friday was a beautiful celebration of hope led by 5 Orange. Our Advent prayer celebrations are a vital part of our St Joseph’s tradition and parents of classes leading the prayer celebration are warmly invited to attend these prayer celebrations. The dates and times for the remaining prayer celebrations are:
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
It’s that time of year again. Time to share all the wonderful Christmas cheer at St Joseph’s with those who are less fortunate than us. To help those in need we will be participating in the St Vincent de Paul 2020 Christmas Appeal. Due to 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 grocery card for families in need to purchase Christmas food.
Woolworths Grocery Cards
Coles Grocery Cards
These grocery 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.
For families wishing to provide a gift for specific families, from 1 December there will be a giving tree in the front office at both the ELC and school. These giving trees will have gift tags with the age and gender of people in the O’Connor and Lyneham area that are in need this Christmas. If families would like to donate a gift, adults are invited to take a tag, and tape it to the wrapped gift before placing it under the giving tree. Suggested gifts are included with the gift tags.
We thank you in advance for your generosity and enthusiasm for sharing love and the Christmas spirit with those in need.
Religious Education Coordinator
Sustainability in Action
Worms are our friends! Last week, Foundation sampled their yummy green beans planted last term. After the tasting, we read “Yucky Worms” and discussed the importance of worms in an ecosystem. Here are the takeaways:
“They eat our food scraps,” said Enoch.
“Their poop is really good for the soil,” said Claire.
Bea said, “They can’t see,” and Xander added, “but they can feel the vibrations.”
Madeline said, “They make the soil really good for planting plants in.”
“They make the plants grow really big,” said Adam.
Charlie said, “They make tunnels so the water can get in.”
“They have bristles that help them move,” said Ivy.
Ryan McGee
Sustainability Coordinator
Defence School Mentor News
This week the senior Defence students worked on a short film welcoming new Defence families who have not yet visited our school. They did a wonderful job and I am so proud of all the children who were interviewed. The Year 6 students also did a great job working with the Foundation students during orientation.
Defence School Mentor
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 |
Rishaan M Azrielle T |
Foundation White |
Ivy E Audrey B |
| 1 Purple |
Levi I Gonzalo O-H |
1 Teal |
Fergus McR Owen H |
| 2 Magenta |
Anna S James M |
2 Yellow |
Makur W Zach B |
| 3 Black |
Atem M Vasili P |
3 Navy |
Santiago K Kobe P |
| 4 Gold |
Jacob H Harry C |
4 Green |
James A Antonija K |
| 5 Blue |
Celeste P Hamish D |
5 Orange |
Addison F Amelia G |
| 6 Lime |
Tom O'K Christelle M |
6 Silver |
Liam O Thomas E |
| Sustainability | Yaanih N |
Happy birthday to these students celebrating their birthdays this week:
| Rea N |
| Christian D |
| Sebastian R |
| James S |
