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- Sporting News
- The Kindergarten Class of 2022
- P&F Meeting
- Pupil Free Days 2021
- Parent Webinars
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Dear Parents, Caregivers and Families,
We are open and learning is happening again in our St Joseph’s classrooms!
We are at the end of a very unusual term. If success is born from difficulty, then I think it is fair to say that we have all succeeded. I would like to thank our wonderful staff for ensuring that our children continued to learn throughout blended learning. I would also like to thank all our students for working with a level of respect and autonomy, which allowed individuals to shine. However, most of all I want to thank you, the parents, caregivers and families who have supported your children through blended learning. I know that this was not easy, I am so grateful to all of you. There is no brighter part of my day, then when I have the opportunity to greet your children at the gate in the mornings and wave to happy parents. Thank you for this opportunity.
We are very lucky to be able to welcome several new students to St Joseph’s, some who started school this week, while others will be joining us in the new Term. I warmly welcome these students and their families to our larger St Joseph’s family.
Staying on enrolments, our new 2022 Kindergarten classes continue to grow. I am so excited about the large number of families who have chosen St Joseph’s for their children’s education. Our Kinder classes are filling up very quickly!
Spread the word, ‘St Joseph’s is really driving excellence in education in the Macleay’. Thank you for all your support.
Around the Grounds
While much of the building and ground works that occurred in Term 3 is complete, our new Lower Primary Toilet Block refurb is just beginning. This will keep a section of the Lower Primary Cola Area out of bounds for a few weeks in Term 4, however, will give us a great new facility. Lower Primary students will use the Stage 2 toilets during this time, with Stage 2 and 3 sharing the Stage 3 toilets.
Our new maintenance shed will also begin construction during the break, and the rest of the hall external cladding will be renewed.
From Term 4, the new grassed areas, soft play areas, sandpit, mud kitchen and cricket pitch will all be open for student use. The School is looking great and will never stop being improved.
Scheduled Pupil Free Day has been Cancelled
St Joseph’s originally had the first day in Term 4 scheduled as a Staff Professional Learning Day. Due to the recent disruption to learning this term, this day has been cancelled. All Students will therefore return to school on Tuesday the 5th October, after the Monday Public Holiday.
Uniform
It is important that all students wear the School Uniform and take pride in their appearance, as this is a very public way of exhibiting our School identity. It is the responsibility of parents and families to ensure that our children wear the correct uniform to school every day. Whilst I was somewhat lenient about uniform during the period of time that Home Learning was occurring, all uniform in Term 4 must strictly follow the Uniform Policy. When students are not in correct uniform, including footwear and hat, and do not have a signed note from home explaining when the issue will be rectified, staff have been informed to contact home. I am also seeing dangly earrings creep back in. The Uniform Policy states that two small silver or gold studs and/or sleepers are permitted in each ear (only). The School’s Uniform can be found in full at https://www.kmpplism.catholic.edu.au/uniforms and can only be purchased from Team Spirit.
I thank you all for your support in this.
Finally, I would like to welcome our new Groundsman/Maintenance man, Mr Grant McCafferty who started with us on Monday. Grant has many years experience working in a school. I look forward to working with Grant in the continual improvement and upkeep of the School.
I thank you again for your support in regards to your child’s ongoing learning.
Guy Campbell
Driving Excellence in the Macleay
GOSPEL REFLECTION
To have the faith of a child…
In Mark’s Gospel (9:30-37), it seems there are two conversations going on. The first is opening a conversation about Jesus’ future or the future of the Son of Man; the other is a conversation about who is the greatest among the Twelve.
In the first conversation, understanding it from our perspective of 2000 years of developing theologies and established creeds of faith, Jesus is opening the obscurities of the paschal mysteries but for his poor close friends hearing it face to face from the one that they have given up everything for, must have been extremely confusing. We must remember that for many of his disciples their concept of the Messiah was the One who would save God’s chosen people from oppression and raise them up to be a powerful nation once again. Therefore, for Jesus to tell them that he will be put to death must have been quite devastating. I guess I would have even questioned is this really the prophesied Messiah or just one of the many fakes?
The second conversations does not flow from the first and seems added into the narrative. For the Twelve have left the pondering about the messianic secret to then argue about leadership within the group. The Mission needs structure for stability. For as in the first conversation the followers of Jesus fear the unknown because it is sometimes confusing, unstable, uncomfortable and insecure. Faith is just like this. It is believing in the sometimes unknown or at least the intangible. It is not always about the structures that we understand or even hope to know and understand and takes us beyond our preconceived ways.
So, the next time you are pondering about life, remember “don’t over think it!”. Let your self be led me to find the understanding of the child of God and let God be God in faith, in hope and accompany you in love.
Consequently those who work in charity need a formation of the heart: they need to be led to that encounter with God in Christ which awakens their love and opens their spirits to others.” (Pope Benedict Deus Caritas Est)
Prayer…
Father of hope and life, help me to know
you more through the life of others
Amen.
Sourced from; https://www.vinnies.org.au/icms_docs/327245_Spiritual_Reflection_Guide_September_2021.pdf
WITH MR WILL POLLOCK
Welcome back to face to face learning!
Unfortunately, the recent Covid restrictions have played havoc with activities and the Sacramental Program that were to go ahead in Term 3.
Our children who were preparing for their Confirmation have had to put those preparations on hold as Confirmation has been postponed. When we have a new date parents and children will be advised via SZAPP.
At the beginning of the Term I called for any of the students who have made their First Communion who may be interested in being an Altar Server, to pop into the Office and see me. I did not have many takers prior to lockdown, but it is not too late! If any of the children who have made their First Communion wish to become an Altar Server at Mass in the Parish, they can see me and I’ll pass their name on.
Next term we will be launching our Christmas Appeal. Each year the St Joseph’s community collects items such as non-perishable food items, snacks, drinks and children’s toys to be distributed by St Vincent De Paul to those in need in our wider Kempsey community. These donations will no doubt be in greater demand this year.
Because of the Covid lockdown we were unable to get our classes to Mass this term. We are hoping that as restrictions continue to ease we will be able to provide more opportunities for our children to experience the joy of Mass in Term 4.
All the best for the upcoming school holidays,
WITH MRS KRYSTAL BRADY
It has been amazing to see all students return to face to face learning this week. We really missed the students in our classrooms!
GEOGRAPHY IN YEAR 4
In Geography Year 4 have been learning about different environments. The students were very excited to present an oral presentation (with their models) to explain their learnings.
LEARNING WITH THE GREEN SCREEN
Year 3 participated in a speedy challenge this week, writing, practicing, recording and editing a news report in front of our new green screen. They thoroughly enjoyed the process and look forward to polishing their creations in a new movie next term.
NAPLAN
Today, Year 3 and 5 students will bring home information regarding the NAPLAN assessments completed back in May this year.
NAPLAN asesses aspects of literacy including reading, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and writing, as well as numeracy. NAPLAN tests are designed to provide you, your child and their teachres with information about how your child's learning is progressing, and if they need support to improve their literacy and numeracy skills.
NAPLAN is a point in time diagnostict test. Teachers are best placed to provide an insight into students' educational progress. Please contact your classroom teacher if you have any concerns for a conversation early next term.
NATIONAL POETRY MONTH
August was National Poetry Month and at St Josephs we held a competition open to all staff and students. The task was to write a four line poem with the theme of "A special place or thing." The poem didn't have to rhyme but it needed to be four lines in length. Here are the ten "most interesting" entries.
Charlotte Hegerty, Year 4
There's a wonderful cool breeze, people are in the sea,
everybody is hot and warm, leaves are coming
back to trees, there are great bright colours, the
sunset is nice and beautiful. Everything is amazing in spring!
Molly Grace, Year 3
On Saturday I woke up,
it was a brand-new day,
but yesterday it was so fun because I love to play,
but I wish, that yesterday was here today.
Lleyton Kemp, Year 3
What a beautiful night sky it was tonight.
The clouds swirling over the hills and the trees.
There were heaps of stars and a beautiful moon.
Dingos will start howling soon.
Mason Stever, Year 4
There’s a place that starts with H that makes me feel safe. Yes its home!
But when I am all alone there are noises that may give me a fright.
When my family is here right by my side. I feel safer than ever.
I'll never forget them never.
Bonnie Frewen, Year 4
Friends and family on a hot summer’s day,
splashing in the pool and cricket in the street.
Cold drinks, BBQ smells delicious.
Our street on a hot summer day.
Lily McConnell, Year 4
So fresh, so green, so colourful,
so many plants, so many trees,
so organised so pretty!
That’s why I love Nanny’s garden.
Alastar O’Donnell, Year 4
Squishy mud, a thick swampy smell,
eels are waiting, I can tell,
bait on the hook, cast it in,
sit and wait before it begins.
Honorah-Jane Akee, Year 4
The sun is bright and the wind is blowing. Let’s fly a kite while my Nan is sewing.It has been a long day and now I'm feeling hungry. I see my brother running around while he’s eating and now he's feeling yucky.The birds have stopped chirping, the mice stopped squeaking and the frogs have stopped croaking. And now it's time for everyone to be sleeping.
Ken Eppingstall, Staff
The cold, hard steel. Unforgiving. Waits for me. Silent.
I'm focused. Rebellious. Even hostile - Defiant.
Music pumping. Loud. Muscles aching from every limb.
Alone. In a crowd ... I love the gym.
Temperance Kuhn, Year 4
Wind that blows through the trees,
grass that grows with ease.
Flowers bloom from their seeds,
clouds that fly through the sky, the earth is one and so am I.
Congratulations to everyone who took part. All the poems were great in their own way. A special thanks to Mr Barron for coordinating the poetry competition.
Read Less
Acceptance letters for our Kindergarten Class of 2022 have now been emailed home to parents.
Attached to the Email were details of ClassDojo, a digital app, able to be accessed from any device, that will be used to share current information with families whose child/ren will be commencing school in 2022.
Dates of our Joey's Juniors Transition Program, to commence in Term 4 on a Friday between 9.15am - 11.00am, will also be sent out via ClassDojo.
Keep a look out for an email from ClassDojo.
For those who haven't applied for enrolment click here https://enrolment.kmpplism.
Read Less
| TERM 4 |
CANCELLED - Tuesday, 5th October Last Day of School Year - Wednesday, 15th December, 2021 |
Please find below our Canteen Menu.
Don't forget to order online at Flexischools prior to 9.00am. See below for instructions.
Workers Needed
We need volunteers to help in our canteen once a week, fortnight or month. No special skills required. If you can make a salad wrap, toastie or put some drinks in the fridge, your help will be greatly appreciated. All welcome - mums, dads, nannas, pops, aunts and uncles. Should you be able to spare just a few hours, please contact one of our canteen team members; Angie Hagger or Nadeen Crowe
E: angela.hagger@lism.catholic.edu.au
P: (02) 6562 5501
Order your child's lunch the fun and easy way!
Go to www.flexischools.com.au and click Register Now! Or alternatively, download the new Flexischools App for IOS at https://apps.apple.com/au/app/flexischools/id1420774608 or for Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.flexischools
Read LessONLINE BASKETBALL FESTIVAL
We're hoping to keep young people engaged with basketball and give them something positive to focus on while unable to participate in community sport.
It will also hopefully take the pressure off working parents, in keeping the kids busy and active for at least part of the school holidays.
A few highlights of the carnival include; training/fitness sessions delivered by the Illawarra Hawks, Sydney Kings, Brydens Sydney Uni Flames, Centre of Excellence, along with Basketball NSW High Performance Coaches, Strength & Conditioning Session delivered by NBA Global Academy, special workshops featuring Indigenous Basketball Australia, Q & A sessions with Nick Kay, Katie Rae Ebzery, Damien Martin & our Paralympians.
We also have special guest appearances by Kristy Wallace, Lauren Nicholson and Renae Garlepp, along with a special session to celebrate the FIBA Women’s World Cup 2022 ‘One Year To Go’ celebrations.
Participants who sign up will go in the running to win a Spalding TF 1000 basketball.
Register here - www.bit.ly/BNSWFestival
