2023 Week 5 Term 2
Dear Parents
It is hard to believe that we are already over the halfway point of Term 2!
We hope the new platform of COMPASS is keeping you informed of the many events happening throughout our school, for this reason we will only be sharing full Newsletters on Week 1, Week 5 and Week 10. We will begin to roll out other aspects of the COMPASS platform, once training has been given to all staff.
Month of May
Since the Middle-Ages, the Church has devoted the month of May to Mary. We find strength when seeking Mary's intercession and gain confidence in knowing that God continues to act in the world. On all Marian Feast Days, we continue to celebrate Jesus Christ, for Mary's privilege is received from God. Whilst we continue to pray and practise charity, we can remain assured that our Prayers will be answered. With maternal love for us, Mary wants what is best for us as she urges, "Do whatever He tells you" (John 2:5). May we continue to lead others to know and love her Son too. May we feel empowered to turn to her in Prayer as we continue to love Jesus and others with a greater love.
Mary
Peace Prayer Mary,
Mother of God,
my mother, Queen of Peace.
Please ask your Son, Jesus, to give us the gift of peace.
Pray for us, for peace; peace in our hearts;
peace of mind and of soul; peace with all whom we meet;
the peace of Jesus.
Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, our Brother, King of Peace.
We come to you and Mary, Queen of Peace,
to humbly ask you for a new outpouring of the gift of peace.
Pour out on us your Holy Spirit of Peace.
Give us peace, Jesus; peace within ourselves;
peace within our families;peace within our everyday lives.
Give peace to our nation, and to all nations;
peace amongst all people;peace in the world.
Jesus, our mediator with the Father, take our Prayers to the Father to pray for peace.
Father, Father of Jesus, our Father, we come to you with your Son, Jesus.
In Him and with Him and through Him, we pray for peace.
Amen.
Student Illness
Recently, the school community has experienced an increase in the number of positive COVID cases. This is a timely reminder to continue to closely monitor your family’s health and if any family member presents with Covid symptoms, please perform a Rapid Antigen Test. If you or your child tests positive, it is recommended the child/children remain at home until they are feeling better.
It is common during the change of seasons that incidents of other conditions such as cold and flu are more prevalent. Please do not send your child to school if they are unwell. If a child is unwell at school, it is necessary for us to send them home. Thank you for your support in ensuring that we minimise the spread of illness within our school community.
National Reconciliation Week
27 May - 3 June
The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2023, Be a Voice for Generations, encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work, and socialise.
For the work of generations past, and the benefit of generations future, let’s choose to create a more just, equitable, and reconciled country for all.
This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme, Be a Voice for Generations, urges all Australians to use their power, their words, and their actions to create a better, more just Australia for all of us.
School Survey
We had 77 responses from families for the Tell Them From Me survey. Thank you to those who took the opportunity to provide feedback to the school. We will report back our findings in future Newsletters. Teachers and Students (Year 4 - Year 6) also completed the survey.
Conversation Starters about Cyber Safety
Energy Drinks
As part of our commitment to maintaining a healthy learning environment, we ask children to bring only water to school. Recently, popular energy drinks, have gained significant attention. While they may appeal to some individuals, their high caffeine, high sugar content and stimulant properties can have adverse effects on children and adolescents.
Considering the potential health risks associated with excessive caffeine consumption, we wish to have students continue to bring water only. We also ask families to refrain from sending water in a container that promotes various unhealthy products.
We believe that fostering a healthy lifestyle is crucial for our students' overall development. Encouraging nutritious eating habits, hydration through water, and a balanced lifestyle is part of our educational philosophy. By restricting energy drinks and the promotion of such, we aim to create an environment that promotes well-being, focus, and optimal learning outcomes for all our students.
Uniform Expectations - Thank You
Thank you for your support in encouraging our children to wear their correct school uniform each day. There has already been a noticeable improvement. We will, however, continue to remind children, daily, if they are wearing incorrect uniform.
Parents & Friends
A reminder would love more parents and friends to become involved with our P & F. If you would like to find out more information, please come and see me or chat to Anna Stavrevski, Ross Walker, Kathleen Hayden or Megan Smallwood. I am sure they would be happy to let you know how you can be involved. Thank you to the new parents who have recently come on board the P & F team and participated in our Meetings.
Year 6 Incitare Retreat
Year 5 Leadership Retreat
The Year 6 Incitare Retreat and Year 5 Leadership Retreat were help on Monday. It was a truly transformative experience for our students as they delved into exploring their spirituality and deepening their understanding of themselves and their connection to the world around them.
Our students joined with students from St Joseph’s School Laurieton as well as the CSYMO class from St Joseph’s Regional, Port Macquarie who were dedicated team facilitators. Both retreats were designed to foster self-reflection, mindfulness, and the exploration of one's inner journey. Throughout the retreat, students participated in a variety of activities and workshops which allowed them to tap into their own spirituality. These included guided meditation sessions, journaling exercises, group discussions, nature walks, and creative expression activities.
We would like to express our gratitude to the retreat facilitators and supportive staff from all schools for their dedication, guidance, and the creation of a nurturing environment for our students. Their expertise and commitment were instrumental in making this retreat a memorable and impactful experience.
Year 4 Accendre Retreat
Year 3 Confirmation Retreat
On Monday 26 June 2023 our Stage 2 students will experience something similar to that of Stage 3 when they host St Joseph’s School, Laurieton for the Year 4 Accendre & Year 3 Confirmation Retreats.
Catholic Schools Week
Tuesday 13 June 2023 - Friday 16 June 2023
Catholic Schools Week is currently in the planning phase with teachers having met with Ann Thurgate from the Lismore Catholic School Office. Mrs Thurgate supported the development of retreats or reflection sessions for students to undertake in Catholic Schools Week. Shortly, we will share the events promotion for Catholic Schools Week.
Mission Events to come this Term
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Sunday |
28/05/2023 |
Welcome back to the Eucharist Mass for Sacrament students 7:30 am |
|
Tue - Fri |
13 June - 16 June |
Catholic Schools Week |
|
Thursday |
15/06/2023 |
Confirmation Reflection Evening 5 PM |
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Saturday |
24/06/2023 |
Children's Liturgy Stage 3 Hosting |
|
Monday |
26/06/2023 |
Year 4 Accendre Retreat & Year 3 Confirmation Retreat |
Diocesan Cross Country - Crafton
Ruby Winchcombe, Livio Sonneville, Jace Coombes, Peyton McCrostie, Owen Webb, Abigail and Lucinda Sheilds and their families travelled to Grafton, representing the Hastings Zone at the Diocesan Cross Country event.
These students gave their best in hot weather and on a steep track. Their efforts were fantastic and St Joseph's School is very proud of them.
Netball Clinic
National Sorry Day - Thursday 25 May 2023
NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK -
27 May to 3 June 2023
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.
27 May 1967 On this day, Australia’s most successful referendum saw more than 90 per cent of Australians vote to give the Australian Government power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and recognise them in the Census.
3 June 1992 On this day, the Australian High Court delivered the Mabo decision, the culmination of Eddie Koiki Mabo’s challenge to the legal fiction of ‘terra nullius’ (land belonging to no one) and leading to the legal recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of lands. This decision paved the way for Native Title.
Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Tegan Houghton
Indigenous Education Worker
(Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs)
Intergrational Gardening Project
Green-thumbed students from St Joseph’s School, Garden Club, enjoyed a lovely day of gardening with the local senior residents of Wauchope at the OMNICARE Seniors Hub.
The Garden Club has been a staple of St Joseph’s for several years, getting students involved during lunchtime weeding and watering plants as part of the school's sustainability and Waste Warriors projects. Produce from the garden is sold at the garden market stall by students during the Friday assembly and has been very well received and supported by the parents.
The Intergenerational Gardening project is a wonderful initiative created by the Mid-North Coast-based Aged Care provider OMNICARE. The project is focused on building patience and resilience so the students can learn how to grow in their understanding of the needs of the elderly in their community.
‘This was the best day ever!’ said Year 6 student Chase.
Soft chatter and laughter could be heard as students and senior residents gardened with big smiles, transforming a small part of the Cottage into a splendid garden filled with colourful flowers, orange trees, handmade insect hotels and a small water hole for frogs. OMNICAREs staff were very impressed with the student’s manners and the respect they displayed.
‘I was so impressed with the respect our kids displayed and the excitement and the enthusiasm they showed. They had a genuine interest in the garden, and they asked questions of the seniors and answered questions. It was an absolute pleasure being involved in this event,’ said Teacher Assistant Christine Ninness.
More visits from St Joseph’s Primary School are already being planned for the future.
Next Garden Market
The Garden Club is preparing for the next Garden Markets
- being held Week 8 Term 2, Friday 16 June 2023.
Don't forget your coins or change.
Mid North Coast Regional da Vinci Decathlon
Change over to Winter uniform
Thank you for your patience in this matter.
COMPASS Platform
We have changed over!
As part of a restructure across the Diocese of Lismore, St Joesph’s School, Wauchope has moved to a new communication & school management platform called - COMPASS School Manager. Please call the School if you are in doubt or have not yet been able to download the App.
Entering an Attendance Note
The Compass App will allow you to update your attendance. See Compass Help
At the bottom of the screen there is currently a button called 'close', which will allow for the attendance to be changed. This can also be done via the text message that Compass will send incase your child is absent.
Event Permission within the Compass Platform
The Compass platform allows us to refine our Event permission and procedures. As a parent you have the ability to see any medical information regarding your child every time an event is published. You will also be asked to review any “action” plan that has been provided by you for a medical condition that your child may have.