Term 1 Week 10, 2024
From our Leadership
Welcome
Thank you to the families who shared a lovely liturgy with us last week for Holy Week; the children retold the Easter story through prayer, music and action. This sacred time invites us to contemplate the depth of Christ's sacrifice, the humility of his service, and the boundless love that defines his teachings.
As we walk alongside Jesus through his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, his agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, his crucifixion on Good Friday, and ultimately his glorious resurrection on Easter Sunday, let us embrace the transformative power of faith, hope, and redemption.
Landcare Grant and the Senator's Visit
Our School Captains and Environmental Leaders met with the Assistant Minister for Climate and Energy, the Hon Jenny McAllister to share what our LandCare grant was all about. This grant is shared with Gillwinga Public School and is about raising awareness of the needs of our local Koala population.
Next Wednesday our students will learn more about Koala’s, they will have the opportunity to go Koala spotting with LandCare.
Kindergarten 2025 Enrolments
Enrolments for Kindergarten 2025 are now open via the online Enrolment Portal on the St Joseph's Primary Schoool's website. Information brochures are available from local pre schools and child care centres. At St Joseph's we keep our classes small, we have already received a number of enquiries for 2025 enrolment.
Reminder: Term 1 Family Teacher Meetings
Next week (week 11) we will be providing an opportunity for you to meet with your child’s teachers. You will be able to discuss their Term 1 schooling and learning progress as well as their goals going forward. Bookings for these meetings are now open via COMPASS.
Student Support Worker - welcome Renee Hankinson
We welcome Renee Hankinson who will be joining our staff team as our Student Support Worker. Renee will work each Tuesday in supporting our students. Renee comes with a wealth of experience in this area and has been working with youth in the Clarence Valley and in various schools.
Parent Group Movie Night
You are invited to come along to a fun night and help raise money for our school community to replenish our student laptops. Our students will vote on a movie and we will watch this together outside on the big screen. A note has been sent home outlining the details, please return the slip with your payment.
Where: St Joseph’s Primary School Grounds
When: Thursday 9 May
Time: Doors open at 5.00 pm. Movie starts at 5.30pm
Cost: $8 per person
Details: Watch a movie outside on the big screen. The movie will be chosen by the students prior to the night. Sausage sizzle, popcorn and drink provided. There will also be a lucky door prize!
ANZAC Day March
All St Joseph's Primary students have the opportunity to participate in the Anzac Day March on Thursday, 25 April (Week 2 of the school holidays) co-ordinated by the RSL South Grafton Sub-Branch.
Students will gather near the New School of Arts Neighbourhood House, Skinner Street, South Grafton, wearing their full school uniform, including their hat. We are requested to be in position by 10:35am. We thank our School Captains William and Lara for being present.
Thank you in advance for supporting your child's participation in this march, to honour the spirit of soldiers past and present.
UNIFORM
We have been advised our School Jumpers will not be available to purchase through the school before we transition into the colder season. We advise your child may wear a plain navy jumper with NO hoods during the interim.
Our school has some limited stock of navy tracksuit pants available in sizes 4,6, 10, 14 & 16 for the cost of $5.00 each. Please enquire at the School Office to purchase.
Please note, plain black shoes are a requirement, black shoes with a pattern or logo are NOT part of our school uniform.
Principal-Danny Rankin
Assistant Principal-Anne Forwell
Leader of Learning - Brooke Donoghue
Leader of Evangelisation - Matthew Green
Sport Coordinator - Caitlin Crispin
Congratulations to all students who competed in the School Cross Country last Wednesday. It was great to see so much students having a great time.
Zone Cross Country
The Zone Cross Country will be held at McAuley Catholic College on Tuesday, 9 April. Students who made it to Zone will have received a notification through Compass.
A program of the day will be sent out to students attending, later in the week. If your child is competing on the day please park near the BP Tornik Petrol Station or the lower grassed area. Please keep the staff and student car park free. There will also be QR codes for parents to sign in with. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Gumbaynggirr Language - Liz Hegedus
Ginnagay Ngujawiny -Hello You Mob,
Stage 2 listened to the story ‘The Lost Girl’ by Ambelin Kwaymullina.
The story is about how Mother Nature helps a lost girl find her way back to her family. The girl had lost her way. She had wandered away from the Mothers, the Aunties, the Grandmothers and from the Fathers, the Uncles and the Grandfathers.
When she finally makes her way back to her people's camp, guided by a cawing crow, she tells her little brother that she was not afraid when lost in bush, because she was “with her mother.”
The Lost Girl teaches us about the unique unbreakable bond between First Nation Australians and the natural environment known as Mother Nature. It teaches us how the Indigenous elders teach the young to listen, understand and respect the natural environment and the interdependence between plants, people, animals and land.
Stage 2 is also learning about Indigenous art and symbols.
Art is a very important part of our Indigenous culture. We use traditional symbols to tell a story. The traditional way of telling a story through Aboriginal art was painted on rocks, caves, bark and bodies. Drawings in sand was also another way to tell a story. Symbols used within paintings include concentric circles, curved lines & straight lines. Concentric circles usually represent camp sites, waterholes or places of significance. Curved lines generally represent rain or water traveling underground. Straight lines may be indicative of traveling & when these lines join concentric circles it may show the pathway travelled by the ancestors.
Stage 2 completed their ‘The Lost Girl’ story, by using different Aboriginal symbols to make a story. The drawings were absolutely wonderful, and I think we have some artists here at St Joseph’s.
Well done kids!
https://youtu.be/G6UcLA01epM?si=YvNWfwALfl-Ktziu (The Lost Girl) By Ambilin Kwaymullina.
Darrundang Ngiinda - Thankyou Miss Liz Hegedus IEW Indigenous Educational Worker
School Notes
Easter Guessing Competition
Congratulations to our Easter guessing competition winner Esther!
The money raised was $15.00
Congratulations to Ignatius, the winner of our Easter guessing competition at the Icecream Haven Grafton. The money raised was $36.00
In total we raised $51.00
SCHOOL FEES
Term 1 school fees have now been applied. Your statement is available to view via the Compass app.
Thank you to those families who have made the change from Direct Debit to BPay for fee payments. BPay is the preferred payment method for school fees. Scheduled payments can also be set up using BPay, the Biller Code and your personal reference number can be found on your Fee Statement.
Paying through BPay ensures that your payment goes directly to your account. Any enquireies please contact the School Office.
ABSENCES
Please notify the School Office if your child will be absent for an extended period of time, Principal approval may be required.
Only full day absences are to be entered into Compass, for partial absences - arriving late or leaving early please phone the School Office to notify.
Change to afternoon travel arrangements may be emailed to the school if before 12.00pm sjpgraf@lism.catholic.edu.au
After 12.00pm please phone the School Office on 6642 2899 with any changes.
MUSIC LESSONS
Starting in Term 2 Mrs Hickson will be teaching voice/drama and piano lessons. These are private lessons that will take place during school hours.
Please phone Mrs Hickson on 0421656019 or email maree.hickson@lism.catholic.edu.au
Dogs at School
We ask you to please refrain from bringing your dogs to school at pickup time or any other time. We have students who are afraid of dogs and students with allergies. If it is a necessity please enter/leave via the parent pick up gates and NOT school the bus lines gate.
Uniforms
School Calendar
TERM 1 2024
Week 10
Friday, 5 April - Mufti Day & Cupcakes for sale, Caritas Fundraiser
Week 11
Thursday, 11 April - Last day of Term 1 for students
Friday, 12 April - Staff Development Day
TERM 2 2024
Week 1
Monday, 29 April - Students return for Term 2
Week 2
Monday, 6 May - School Assembly 2.15pm
Thursday, 9 May - Movie Night 5.00pm to 7.00pm
Friday, 10 May - Mother's Day Celebration, Mercy Hall at 10.15am
Week 4
Monday, 20 May - School Assembly 2.15pm
Friday, 24 May - MCC Orientation Day for Year 6
Friday, 24 May - MCC Parent Information Evening for students starting 2025 at 6.00pm
Week 5
Thursday, 30 May - Staff Development Day (Pupil Free Day)
Week 6
Monday, 3 June - School Assembly 2.15pm
Friday, 7 June - School Athletics Carnival at Barnier Park, Junction Hill
Week 8
Monday, 17 June - School Assembly 2.15pm
Week 9
Tuesday, 25 June - Sacrament of Confirmation
Week 10
Monday, 1 July - School Assembly 2.15pm
Friday, 5 July - Staff Development Day (Pupil Free Day)
Canteen
Canteen
Open every Wednesday and Friday
Online orders are placed through the Compass app prior to 8.30am. Lunch orders may still be brought in with your child, please write their name and class on the front of a paper bag along with their order.
Volunteers are always welcome, please leave your details with the School office if you're able to assist.
Community Notices
