Term 3 Week 10
Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Carers,
It was wonderful to see all the happy faces on the children as they returned to school this week! They certainly were pleased to be back with their friends and teachers.
It has been a challenging term and we thank you for your support during blended learning. With God's grace, we will return to school for Term 4 on Tuesday 5 October. Monday 4 October is a public holiday.
If there are any changes to lockdown levels, you will be sent a text and information will be placed on the homepage of our web site.
With the swimming program, year 6 graduation and end of year celebrations to look forward to, let's hope the lock down measures will improve.
With every good wish,
Lee Denton
Principal
Master of Education (Leadership)
Assistant Principal - Anne Forwell
Term 3 has been busy and difficult for everyone - to say the least. Thank you to all of our wonderful families and staff for continuing learning for the students during this time. It has been great to see all the children back at school this week!
Last Thursday was R U OK day. In these current times it is fitting to be asking this question more often as chances are someone you know might be struggling right now. Your genuine support can make a difference whatever they are facing, big or small. Are they really OK? Ask them today. Your conversation could change a life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lGuskjHfR0
It has been wonderful to have all the students back at school this week and to resume learning!
A reminder that the staff development day (pupil free) has been postponed so the first day back for all students is Tuesday 5 October.
Have a safe and happy holiday everyone!
Leader of Evangelisation - Donna Bancroft
A Significant Day- Mercy Day, September 24
St Joseph’s South Grafton is a Mercy school, founded by the Mercy Sisters. We have learnt from Catherine McAuley that Mercy means kindness. Mercy Day is celebrated next week, on September 24.
Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy, devoted her life to the poor, sick and uneducated and today we continue her legacy of caring and compassion in the name of Mercy.
In 1860 St Joseph's School, South Grafton, was the first Catholic School on the North Coast and was the beginning of the formation of Catholic Education in the Lismore Diocese. The Sisters of Mercy took charge in 1889 when the original St Joseph's School was constructed.
Next week, on September 24, we are called to remember that the Sisters of Mercy were the first teachers in our school who established their roots on the Clarence River so the families in this area could give their children a Catholic education. One of the special gifts these Sisters brought with them was the spirit of mercy – compassion and deep caring for others. Like us, they were people of God and they knew lots of stories about Jesus.
Catherine McAuley was a woman of Mercy. She was a woman filled with the Holy Spirit, inspired by the Beatitudes to build God’s Kingdom. She spread the Christian message of mercy and hope despite the obstacles of her time, carrying out the works of mercy and proclaiming to a people whose lives were bound by poverty.
As Mercy people, we are reminded that the presence of Catherine McAuley is always there in our work and ministry. Her response to the call of the Gospel is ever new because of what she inspires us to do as we respond to the needs of those around us.
As a small Catholic school in the Diocese of Lismore, founded by the Mercy Sisters, I ask you to share in an opportunity to acknowledge Mercy Day on September 24 and pay tribute to our remaining Sisters of Mercy and give thanks to whom and what our school was founded upon.
St Joseph's School Captains, Jason Burling and Isabelle Pye standing in front of our school hall which is dedicated to our founding educators, the Sisters of Mercy.
Sport Coordinator - Emma Davis
Information on Athletic Representative Pathways for 2021
Unfortunately, due to the continuing Covid 19 restrictions the representative pathways for Athletics have been cancelled for the 2021 school year. As a results of this the Lismore Diocesan Athletics Carnival and Clarence Zone Athletics Carnival will not be held this year.
Families who have paid for the Clarence Zone Athletics Carnival will be reimbursed.
We understand that this is disappointing for students who are not able to compete at these carnivals again this year but the decision was made in consideration with student safety at the forefront.
Gumbaynggirr Language - Liz Hegedus
Giinagay Ngujawiny -Hello You Mob,
Welcome to the last week of Term 3. It is so wonderful to have the students back at school. This week in our Indigenous History/Geography lesson, Kindergarten learnt all about the Brolga. The Gumbaynggirr word for Brolga is 'Barlawi.' The one thing that Brolga's love to do is dance. The reason they dance is to do with courtship, to create a strong bond with their partner. But, they also just love to dance.
In Indigenous culture the Brolga dance is related to a young girl who was turned into a brolga because of her love to dance. The young lady didn't want anything else in her life, her only love was to dance. That's why dancing is a very important part of Indigenous culture. Dancing tells our stories. Dancing is a way for our stories to be passed down through generation to generation. They tell of our way of life, important history and connection to the land, animals and people. There are many Indigenous dances about the bolga, it is known as 'Girrwaanbi Barlawi Waman' - Aboriginal Brolga Dance. Attached are 3 videos about how the 'Girrwaanbi Barlawi Waman' is expressed through Indigenous culture.
https://youtu.be/U2vzsSmqGg8 (Aboriginal brolga dance)
https://youtu.be/1Tjy16PTsgQ (Brolgas Dancing)
https://youtu.be/zxnra4q1ElA (Bandarra dance group)
Kindergarten also had a fantastic time turning themselves into Barlawi's and doing the 'Girrwaanbi Barlawi Waman.'
Darrundang Ngiinda -Thankyou
Miss Liz Hegedus
IEW (Indigenous Educational Worker
School Notes
School Events & Dates
TERM 3
WEEK 10
- Friday 17 September - Last day of Term 3
TERM 4
WEEK 1
- Monday 4 October - Public Holiday
- Tuesday 5 October - Students return to school for Term 4
Uniform Shop
The uniform shop is located in the BrewHouse Village.
Opening hours:
Monday - Thursday 10.00am to 4.30pm
Friday by appointment only
Email: fytexptyltd@bigpond.com or Phone 6643 2989
Canteen
Our canteen is currently closed due to Covid-19 restrictions.