16 October 2015

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s News

Dear Parents and Caregivers

I normally open the first newsletter of the term with the usual welcome back and expressions of how it is going to be a busy term. But all of this seems quite meaningless in light of the tragic news of the death of one of our students, Sophie Gasparin. Sophie started at St Joseph’s School in preschool and finished her Primary education with us last year. Most of our Primary teachers and support staff taught or supported Sophie; we watched her grow from a small child to a girl on the verge of adolescence; we celebrated with her as she received the Sacraments of Penance, First Holy Communion and Confirmation. Our School community shares the grief, sadness and disbelief of this unimaginable and inconceivable tragedy.

On behalf of the School community I extend our heartfelt condolences and prayers to John, Julie, Genevieve and Tiffany, and all the members of Sophie’s extended family. We will continue to pray with the family in seeking the mercy and succour that only God can provide.

In the midst of great grief, our Catholic faith offers us the hope of eternal life which is promised to us because of Jesus Christ’s death on the Cross and His Resurrection. While much of this mystery is indiscernible to our finite minds, the importance of ongoing prayer for understanding and clarity, as well as for mercy and comfort should not be underestimated.

O Lord, whose ways are beyond understanding,
listen to the prayers of your faithful people:
that those weighed down by grief
at the loss of this child
may find reassurance in your infinite goodness.
Through Christ our Lord.

If you need assistance in supporting your child who has been affected by this sad news, please make contact with the School. Please continue to pray for the Gasparin family.

Dr Michael McCarthy
Principal

Leader’s News

A Gaelic Blessing

Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the gentle night to you
Moon and stars pour their
Healing light on you
Deep peace of Christ be in
Your heart
Your homes
Your school
Our Parish
Our country
Our world,
Amen

In the midst of our daily lives may we slow down enough to say Deep Peace to those in need of our comfort, compassion and mercy.

Megan Mahoney
APRE

School News

Year 1

Inspired by Channel Ten’s Great Australian Spelling Bee, Year 1 hosted its very own Spelling Bee on Thursday 17th September, 2015. Many parents, grandparents, friends and peers came to watch and support the Year 1’s as they challenged themselves. The crowd roared as students correctly spelt mind boggling words, smiling the whole time. Who knew spelling could be so much fun! This was a great opportunity for students to show their knowledge of letter sounds and how much they have expanded their vocabulary this year. A big thank you to our wonderful pronouncer Dr Michael McCarthy.

Parking

Parking

Police from Stanthorpe Road Policing Unit have noted in increase in appropriate parking behaviour during the year around St Joseph’s School.

Police and staff have observed vehicles parked in the bus zone and a surprising number of parents double parking when dropping off their children in front of the Administration Building on High Street. Parking in this manner is not acceptable. It may seem innocent however double parking causes traffic congestion and puts the safety of other road users and your own children at risk.

A drop-off parking bay has been provided on the eastern side of High Street just before Davadi Street. This is where parents should park for quick drop offs. Drivers should remain with their vehicles when utilising this parking bay. Do not leave your vehicle unattended at drop-off or collection time in this zone.

A fine of $45 may be issued by police for any parking offence. Your assistance is requested to make our roads safer for all motorists and our children.

Sgt Daniel O’Dea
Stanthorpe RPU

Year 8 News

During the last week of term the Year 8’s participated in the Sharon Rowen Memorial Walk through town in Memory of all Sharon contributed to disability support services in the community and in support of Disability awareness. Beginning at the Piazza, the walk progressed up to the railway gardens where our students join the crowd for a morning tea. It was great opportunity for students to mingle with the community and meet people from differing backgrounds and health concerns, opening their eyes and hearts to those around them. It was a great opportunity for all students, some in particular made a special effort to interact with the community, Jared Hitchener and Finn Fletcher show the mercy values of Compassion in their proactive and supporting nature, Congratulations to those students and all who participated in the day.

St Joseph’s Fete Special Cooking Class Offer

The St Joseph’s School Fete is fast approaching. The day is shaping up to be exciting and fun-filled. As a special feature, Zest Pastries owner/baker Stephen Lambert will be having a Chocolate Mousse and Berry Tart cooking class. Stephen’s demonstration will include the pastry making, making the chocolate mousse and decorating the tart. The pinnacle of the class is devouring this delicious treat. There are only 15 spaces and it’s first in, best dressed. The class will be held at the Home Ec. building at 12-1pm and costs $15. If you would like to be part of this sensational session, book your place with Angie Sims on 46 815904

Welcome Mrs Kylie Wilson

This term St Joseph’s School welcomes new staff member Kylie Wilson to our administration team. Most parents will recognize Kylie as a parent of the school and as a member of the 2015 School Board.

Having a background in administration and finance Kylie has accepted the role of Occupational Health and Safety Coordinator and will be in administration every Tuesday.

Needed - donations of any scrap materials for use in Secondary Art sculpture unit (e.g. bits/boards/sheets of metal, tin, cardboard, wood, wire etc) Old tea towels and towels will also be of great help.

Italian Book Bank

The St. Joseph’s Primary LOTE classes are coming on at a rate of knots! We are a creative bunch, and we love to read-even in Italian. But we have a problem: we have read all 5 of our Italian language books to death.

So, we are on the hunt for something new to read. In fact, we are dreaming big. We are going to make a LOTE Book Bank. We are seeking Italian language books in good order, that can be donated to the school for the use of LOTE students in years to come. The books can be for any age group, cover any suitable topic, and be information books, fiction, picture books, dictionaries and the like.

If you think you can help, please leave your donations at the main office. For queries contact the LOTE Department: 4681 5900.

Sports News

Primary Swimming

Swimming commenced for our students in Year 3S to Year 6 last week. We have moved our Year 3 class to swim with our Year 4 cohort. There are a number of reasons for this;

• This arrangement sees all students aged 8 and 9 years of age undertaking lessons at the same time in preparation for the Swimming Carnival in which they will be competing for selection to the Granite Belt Swim Team.
• There is a high demand amongst all Granite Belt Schools for the use of the pool facility, this limits the time available to our school.
• Group sizes are more manageable and we are able to staff with low teacher/instructor to student ratios. For example in Prep and Year 1 we are able to maintain a 1 to 5 ratio.

Swimming for our younger students in Prep to Year 2/3 will be held in a three week block commencing in week four. Costs for swimming will be charged to Term Four School Fees and will cover all costs including our Carnival and Break Up Day.

Full details will be sent to parents in upcoming weeks. Parents are most welcome to come along and help out with our lessons.

Please find below a timetable of when your child’s class will be swimming:

Year 5 & 6 – 9am to 10am (Wednesday October 7, 14, 21, 28 & November 4 & 11)

Year 3S & 4 – 11.40am to 12.20pm (Wednesday October 7, 14, 21, 28 & November 4 & 11)

Prep A & Prep M – Wednesday (October 28 & November 4 & 11) 11.10 to 11.40am and Friday (October 30 and November 6 & 13) 2 to 2.30pm

Year 1B & 1C – Monday (October 26 and November 2 & 9) 2.15 to 2.45pm and Wednesday (October 28 and November 4 & 11) 1.30 to 2pm

Year 2 & 2/3 - Wednesday (October 28 & November 4 & 11) 2 to 2.30pm and Thursday (October 29 and November 5 & 12).

If you have any queries please call the office.

Reminders and Updates

Reminder PUPIL FREE DAY MONDAY 19TH OCTOBER

St Joseph’s 140th Commemoration Memorabilia is now available for purchase. If you would like to order any items please follow the link below and send the completed order form to the school administration.