I would like to thank everyone, students, staff and families who have supported the School throughout the Year. As we move towards the conclusion of the year, to our parents, caregivers and students who are leaving us, I thank you for the partnership you have had with our St Joseph’s family. And to all the families who I will see again in the New Year, including our new families, I look forward to welcoming you back to St Joseph’s.

Farewells

We are very sad to be saying farewell to some of our great staff members.

To Mrs Sammy Walters, all best in regards to the birth of your second child. We hope to see you back at St Joeys again soon.

To Mr Will Pollock, what a blessing you have been to us. We will all miss you and we wish you all the best next year at St Paul’s as Leader of Evangelisation.

To Ms Shelley Spurrier, thank you for the support you have given students and families. We wish you all the best for your new direction next year.

To Mrs Vicki Ashton, who will be taking Term One off. Have a great time, and we look forward to your return later in the new year.

To Mrs Monica Walker, who is taking 2022 off. Have a great year, and we hope to welcome you back in 2023.

To Mrs Alli O’Donnell, who after a long stint at St Joseph’s, is moving off to a new challenge. Thank you for all the support and knowledge you have given to St Joseph’s over the many years that you have been here. We wish you all the best.

And finally, To Mrs Marianne Debelle, who is retiring into the sunset. After many decades at St Joseph’s, you truly deserve your retirement. We all wish you the best as you embark on the next journey of your life. Thank you, and we will miss you.

To all these lovely people, we will miss you all. You will always be friends of St Joseph’s, and we wish you all the best for your futures.

As we move through Advent towards Christmas Day, I hope to see many of you celebrating Mass at this very special time of the year. Have a Holy and  joyful family Christmas.

Growing Student Leaders Who Make a Positive Impact by Steve Francis, Lead Educator

Our world needs great leaders. For our schools to be great, we need great student leaders, because students follow students.

Great leaders seek to serve rather than be served. They seek to contribute to others and the World, rather than take what they can get. They set an example for others. They are kind and respectful. They seek to unite, rather than divide. They take positive action, understanding that simply having a badge doesn’t make them a leader. They work with others, because leadership is not a solo act.

Great leaders are committed to making a positive impact.

Accessed 23 Nov 2020 from: https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgxwKjdqkKcRrHvLFGMmBTPpBbKdD

Using the statement above from Steve Francis, as a segway, it gives me pleasure to announce the newly elected School Captains for 2022;

Dylan Micallef

Taj Webber

Ruby McLeod

Zarli Kirkman Dates

I have great faith that these students will represent themselves, the students and our school in a mature fashion, with truth, honour, responsibility and respect.

Of course we cannot forget our 2021 Captains, who, as I have already mentioned, had to represent their peers in a very unusual year, which meant that many of the traditional responsibilities were not required to the same extent as previous years. In saying that, the four Captains held themselves with great poise and maturity, and took up the challenge of the position.

To our outgoing 2021 Captains;

Maddison Ball

Chelsea Darling

Ashton Kemp

Anthony Smith

I thank you.

As always, I thank you for your support in regards to your child’s ongoing learning.

Have a great Christmas break and see you in the new year.

Guy Campbell

Principal

‘Driving Excellence’

GOSPEL REFLECTION

Celebration of New Life

The third Sunday in Advent shifts focus slightly from “preparing the way” to the celebration of new life and the birth of a Child. This shift is very much a visual act in many of our churches as the liturgical colour of vestments and banners have changed from purple to rose. The traditional name is Gaudete Sunday and it has a liturgical counterpart in Lent with Laetare Sunday. The significance of both celebrations is witness, hope, joy and encouragement.

There is a known phenomenon that couples celebrating the soon birth of a child experience. It is essentially a time of cleaning and clearing in preparation. It is a time of hope-filled joy, shared between the couple and it also makes it all very real!

Children provide us with a week by week “visual” of the stages of growth of our babies. In those first few months we count down the weeks and prepare the house for a new family member. Then at some point there is a change in focus from preparing for a child to the birth of a baby. This change is slight, however, comes with excitement, anxiousness, fear, tears, joy, apprehension and trepidation.

Christmas is just around the corner. There is so much that needs to be prepared. Our challenge is to find time now for a slight change in our preparations from simply experiencing the birth of a child in a manger over 2000 years ago to the wonder and awe of a God incarnated bringing a radical source of joy, love and light to lives darkened by despair and hopelessness.

THIS WEEK…

“You have come near, God-with-us… making of our heart a habitat of love”

(Joyce Rupp)

PRAYER

Emmanuel, God-with-us, draws us near and enliven our heart to the joy of Christmas.

Amen

Sourced from; https://www.vinnies.org.au/icms_docs/320527_Spiritual_Reflection_Guide_Sept_2020.pdf

As 2021 is coming to an end the Wellbeing Team would like to wish you all a safe and happy holiday period. Shelley Spurrier will also be farewelling St Joseph's after 6 years of being the School Counsellor. Shelley would like to say thank you and farewell to the St Joseph's community.

If you or your child need support throughout the holidays please see the below services. 

Parentline: 1300 1300 52 The Parentline is a telephone counselling, information and referral service for parents of children aged 0 to 18 who live in N.S.W. Any parent/carer can ring with no question or query being too big or small. They are open: Weekdays: 9am to 9pm Weekends: 9am to 4pm 

NSW Mental Health Access Line 1800 011 511 is staffed by mental health professionals, the line gives NSW residents access to expert mental health advice, support and referrals for people dealing with a mental health problem and their families and carers.

Kids helpline: 1800 55 1800 Kids helpline is a free national telephone counselling service for kids 5 or older meaning kids can safely access it directly. I would suggest helping your child navigate it first to help them. Any parent/carer can also ring with no question or query being too big or small. The service is open 24 hours and they can also do web chat and email counselling. 

WONDER RECYCLING REWARDS FOR SCHOOLS

Pictured are some of our Year 4 students with the rewards we were able to redeem this year.

We have had early notification that this program will run again in 2022 so start collecting now!

The Collection Bin is located in the Canteen foyer.  Click here to find out more!

RECYCLING AT ST JOSEPH'S

Joey’s welcomes students from Kindergarten to Year 6 from all schools in the Macleay Valley and surrounding areas.  We provide high quality Before School, After School and Vacation Programs. 

Joey’s is located in two dedicated classrooms on our St Joseph’s Catholic Primary Campus. The Program is headed by a qualified teacher and is supported by dedicated and experienced staff who plan and manage programs that offer both fun and educational activities. 

The Before and After School Care may cost as little as $3 per day after the child care subsidy and Vacation programs as little as $8 per day.  You can make both casual and permanent bookings. 

To find out more and to explore the enrolment process visit our website at https://www.kmpplism.catholic.edu.au/out-of-school-hours-care