30 May 2023 (Term 2 Week 6)
Principal's News
STAFF SPIRITUALITY DAY - PUPIL FREE
A reminder that TOMORROW, Wednesday 31 May, is a pupil free day.
There will be no staff onsite.
Dear St Joseph’s Community,
Last Sunday, we celebrated the feast of Pentecost, the birth of the Church and the start of her missionary work, going out to the nations to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit, Jesus’ promised advocate, sweeps into the upper room, where the disciples cower in fear. God’s Spirit emboldens them, gifting them with the strength of character and faith through which they are able to fulfil God’s Mission on Earth.
This same Spirit did not simply enter into our world once on that day in a tiny room in a small Roman outpost in the Middle East almost two centuries ago. The Spirit resides within each one of us, gifting us with these same faculties to live righteous lives of service and love. It is in uniting our wants with the will of the Spirit that we become Kingdom Builders; working within us to help us to spread love, tolerance, beauty, truth and goodness to all those we meet.
This is why on Pentecost Sunday, we sing Psalm 104: “Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.”
God of love,
fill us with your grace.
Move us, strengthen and renew us.
Lead us in your ways.
Open our hearts to answer
the demands of others, and
to seek your face in all those
who cry out for justice.
Spirit of God,
prompt us to respond to your love
and seek a glimpse
of your Kingdom here on earth.
National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week
Last Friday and this week, we pause to remember National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week. This is a time for all Australians to reflect on the Stolen Generations and to commit to working towards a more just and equitable future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. As a Catholic school, we are committed to reconciliation. We believe that all people are created in the image of God and that we have a responsibility to love and respect one another.
School Review
A reminder that during Week 8, our school will be having our three-yearly school review. This is a positive and affirming process for our school and will help to shape the agenda for our next three-year Strategic Plan from 2024-2026.
We would love some parents who are able to meet with reviewers to answer questions about how our school is progressing against the nine domains of the National School Improvement Tool. Parents will meet with the three reviewers in small groups on Wednesday, June 14, from approximately 2:30pm - 3:10pm to complete this Google Form to indicate you are able to attend. Your voice will help us to shape the future directions of our school.
Seesaw
Our school has recently moved to the Seesaw platform. Feedback from parents and teachers indicated that there was a gap in opportunities to share student learning with families, especially since the need to move away from the Class Dojo platform. We are confident that the Seesaw platform will be well-received by families.
Over the past five weeks, staff and students have been busy adding examples of learning onto the platform and last week, your children should have brought home a QR Code that allows families to access their child’s learning page. It has been excellent to see so many families have already joined the platform and have been making positive comments on their child’s learning.
We thank our teachers for their efforts to share the amazing learning happening in class. We thank in particular Mrs Dana Crosby, our digital innovator, for her work in setting St Joseph’s up on the Seesaw platform.
Acknowledgement to Country
Jingi Walla ( Jin-gee-wah-la ) Hello….
As we journey on this land of the Bundjalung Nation on which St Joseph’s stands, we pay our respects to the Elders - the past, present and emerging leaders of the Bundjalung Nation. We acknowledge and respect their culture, their heritage and their beliefs as stewards of the land, sea, the earth and heavens, animals and vegetation.
Mission News
This wonderful prayer resource from the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Parent Assembly was shared during the week. It is a timely reminder of the special and very important place of prayer within our homes.
Sport News
Athletics Carnival
With Term 2 rapidly flying by, our Athletics Carnival will be here before we know it! This year will see us joined once again by St Joseph’s Coraki for what we know will be a fun day.
If you are available to assist in any capacity on the day (e.g. age group support, timing, Long Jump/Shotput,canteen, etc.), could you please email me at linsey.macdonald@lism.catholic.edu.au
A Compass Event will be posted on the coming weeks with information about the day, including the ordering format for the canteen.
Diocesan Cross Country
Last Tuesday, 3 runners competed in Grafton for the Diocesan Cross Country. We congratulate Braith Duncan,Josie Layland and Sully Mitchell for their efforts on the day and for representing the Zone proudly.
Josie placed 4th in her event which sees her progressing to Polding. Well done Josie.
Sports Singlets
Last week saw the arrival of some brand new sports singlets for the school! Our new singlets have been designed to match the current navy staff shirts, which should also show less stains! These singlets will make their debut at the Zone Athletics Carnival in early Term 3! Thank you to the PSF for supporting the purchase of these.
Wellbeing News
The Social Justice Group are fundraising to be able to supply Vinnies with the Nakie blankets recommended for those "sleeping rough" this winter. These blankets are incredibly light, very warm and double as a wearable coat! The filling of these blankets is also made from recycled material, so we're even caring for our planet as well as people in our communities!
We will be holding 3 events to help raise money:
1. A Soup Day scheduled for Monday 19 June - gold coin donation
2. A Mufti Day (tracksuits & oodies) for Thursday 29 June - gold coin donation
3. A Cake Stall (donations from S3 families) for Monday 24 July - .20c to $2
We will also be advertising and fundraising along with the St Vincent DePaul volunteers at Our Lady of the Rosary Church at the weekend Masses.
Please dig deep this Winter to help the many people in our communities who are struggling, especially during the very cold months ahead.
Each Nakie blanket costs $200 - WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Thank you, Mrs Nikki Wagner on behalf of the Social Justice Group of Joeys
Parish News
Children’s Liturgy of the Word – Sunday, 11 June 2023
Leader on the day will be Mr Kurt Challinor
Children’s Liturgy helps your child/children grow in their faith and love of Jesus. We encourage you to bring your family to the 8:30am Mass at Our Lady of the Rosary Alstonville Church on Sunday, 11 June. The children accompany their family in the church at the beginning of Mass, and then when the Liturgy of the Word commences, the children leave to go to the hall to hear the Word at a level that they can understand. It is designed for children aged from 3 – 12. The activity sheet that follows the Gospel of the day, is age appropriate.
All of the Children’s Liturgy Leaders have been verified under the Working with Children Check process.
Please feel free to contact the parish office on 6628 3047 should you have any queries.
Parent Information Night for First Eucharist
The Parent Information Night for First Eucharist will be held on Wednesday, 28 June 2023 in the staffroom at St Joseph’s School Alstonville at 6:00pm. The meeting will address the meaning of the Sacrament of Eucharist and will be the opportunity to organise the various groups for home instruction. This will involve all parents from both government schools and St Joseph’s.
All children who are in Year 4 and beyond and who have received the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Reconciliation are eligible to receive First Eucharist. Enrolment forms for First Eucharist can be collected from the school office.
Stage News
Stage 3 Religious Education this week!
Stage 3 has been learning about the Bible and its importance so that we can continue our covenant with God and build His kingdom today. We have been exploring the covenants in the Old Testament and making connections with the new covenant. Students completed a Bible journaling task on Scripture to show their learning.
For Your Information
School Photos
School photos have arrived and are being sent home with children today. Parents who elected to collect their orders from the school can do so from the office.
2024 ENROLMENTS
We are currently making contact with applicants to arrange Enrolment Interviews. We ask all existing families with siblings due to start school next year, to submit their enrolment applications as soon as possible. We have a high level of interest and limited places for Kindergarten 2024. Your early submission helps us to manage our offers of enrolment and guarantee a place for your child.
Coming Events
Gardiner Chess Expressions of Interest
The Gardiner Chess Tournament will be held on Thursday, 15 June 2023, at Emmanuel Anglican College Ballina. Start at 9:30 am and finish around 2:30 pm.
This Tournament is open to students in Stages 2 and Stage 3.
To be eligible to attend, students should know the rules of Chess and be able to play confidently.
The cost of the Tournament is $22.
Expressions of interest are due by Wednesday, 7 June.
We are also seeking parent volunteers to help to drive students from school to the event and back to school after the event.
Please complete this form to indicate your child's interest in this event.
Please click on the link below to see the School Calendar to view upcoming events:
School Assembly - We invite you all to our School Assembly this Friday, 2 June, from 2:30pm. Please see the following tips to assist you when you signing in.
Signing in to our Assembly:
SIGN-IN:
- Please use the displayed QR CODES or the ipad in the office to sign in.
- When asked what Organisation you are from, please enter: parent, grandparent, aunt etc.
- When asked who you are visiting, please enter a staff member's name (not your child's).
- COLLECT your name label from the office.
COLLECTING CHILDREN EARLY: If you are planning to take your child/ren with you at the conclusion of events, please complete a “How I am Getting Home” slip for each child, available from the office. (To: = your child’s name; circle the “With Parent after Assembly” option.) When you are ready to leave, give the slip to your child’s teacher and collect your child.
BOOM GATE: The boom gate is CLOSED from 3pm—3:45pm. Please DO NOT park in the car park if you need to leave during this time.
SIGN-OUT: Please remember to sign out when you leave.
Celebrations
Mothers' Day Stall Raffle
Congratulations to our winners:
Leo Nolan (Stage 1)
Charlotte Miller (Stage 1)
Archy McDonald (Stage 2)
Thank you to Kellie Wilks for organising our Mothers' Day Stall and to her helpers, Vanessa, Wendy, Samantha and Kia, who answered our last minute appeal for help. It wouldn't happen without you!
Community News
Have your say on the future of Shaws Bay
Ballina Shire Council is inviting the community to provide feedback on the future management of Shaws Bay in East Ballina.
Community members can have their say via a survey that is now open at Your Say Ballina. Submissions will close Friday 14 July 2023.
To get involved visit yoursayballina.com.au/shaws-bay-coastal-management-program
Click on the link below for further information.