Term 1 Week 3

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome!

As I stood at the gate to welcome you all back, it was wonderful to see the eager faces of the children who were so keen to returm to school. You would have seen how much effort the teachers have put into their rooms when you brought your children in for their Maths interview last Thursday or Friday. Walking through the rooms now that the children have returned, it is exciting to see the level of enthusiasm they have for their learning.

Covid restrictions considered, I am doing my best to get you, the parents and carers back on site for more events where possible.  We miss you! 

Kindergarten’s First Day

There was much anticipation from parents and children alike as they came through the gate for their first day of big school.

Parents were invited to stay while their children settled in, but it wasn’t long before their children were happy for mum or dad to leave as they confidently went on with their day. The highlight of the morning was the children sharing their Walker Investigations with their parents.

With every good wish,                                                                                                                                                          Lee Denton 

Assistant Principal-Anne Forwell K-2 Instructional Leader-Larissa Deleiuen

Welcome Back 

Thank you to all of our families for bringing your child to school for their Mathematics Assessment Interview (MAI) and Best Start Assessments. We really appreciate this as the assessments are deliberately scheduled after the holiday break. This is the best time to assess deep, embedded knowledge. This information then allows teachers to plan and target teaching to best help children advance in their learning.

The Third Teacher 

At St Joseph's we have been working hard on the third teacher, that is the classroom environment. We have been intentionally creating spaces that are designed to be not only functional but also beautiful and reflective of children’s learning. The research from Walker Learning (Kathy Walker) has demonstrated to us that the use of warm colours, soft lighting, plants and greenery and beautifully presented quality materials create a calm atmosphere combined with a sense of wanting to learn and investigate for our students. 

Staff Development Day

There will be a pupil free on day at the start of Term 2 on Monday 19 April. The first day of school for all students will be Tuesday 20 April. Again we appreciate your support for allowing our staff to upskill so that we can provide the best possible education for your children. 

Leader of Catechesis-Joe Stewart

Beginning of Year Mass and Distribution of Ashes                                        This Mass will be held on Wednesday, 17 February at 12:00pm in the school Mercy Hall. Our Year 6 Leaders will be inducted and will receive their leadership badges. Fr Joe Holloway will celebrate this Mass for us. As this day also coincides with Ash Wednesday, the children will also receive the cross of ash on their foreheads.                                                                                                         

Stage Masses                                                                                                                                                                                  Stage Masses will be held fortnightly on Wednesdays at 12:00pm. The first Mass will be with Stage 3 on Wednesday 3 March.

Incitare                                                                                                                                                                                        The Year 6 student leadership and faith formation day will be held on Friday, 5 March. It will be held at McAuley Catholic College. Catholic primary schools from Yamba, Maclean and Grafton will also attend. More details will be given to the Year 6 students closer to the event.

Leader of Evangelisation-Donna Bancroft

Pope Francis has proclaimed a special ‘Year of St Joseph’ for 2021 in his Apostolic Letter entitled “With a Father’s Heart”. 

Pope Francis describes Saint Joseph as a beloved father, a tender and loving father, an obedient father, an accepting father; a father who is creatively courageous, a working father, a father in the shadows. 

The Pope has acknowledged the Covid-19 pandemic has helped us see more clearly the importance of ‘ordinary’ people who, though far from the limelight, exercise patience and offer hope every day. In this, they resemble St Joseph, ‘the man who goes unnoticed, a daily discrete and hidden presence’, who nonetheless played ‘an incomparable role in the history of our faith.’

At the conclusion of his letter, the Pope adds a prayer to St Joseph which he encourages all of us to pray.

Please pray for St Joseph as a family and acknowledge St Joseph’s great contribution to our faith.

Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin mary
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.

Blessed Joseph, to us too, 
show yourself a father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage,
and defend us from every evil.

Amen.

Sport Co-ordinator-Emma Davis

Zone Swimming Carnival 

The Clarence zone swimming carnival will be held on 11 February at Maclean Pool. Students were selected for this event using the times collected at the school swimming trials. The following students will be representing the school at this event: Nicholas Beard, Isabelle Pye, Noah Brockwell, Bonnie Shoesmith, Isla Johnson, Heidi Brockwell, Jackson Grieve, Callum Tait, Rachel Surawski, Tallon Shoesmith, Eve Pullen, Archie Steel, Hugh Brotherson, Rose Coelli, Kyle McCann, Rachael Savins and Darcy Smith. 

Parents may attend this event however parents are unable to sit with their child in the grandstand due to the current Covid 19 NSW CS Sporting Guidelines. Parents may need to bring their own seats and shade as there may not be enough seating available with the restrictions in place. 

Swimming carnival 

The annual school swimming carnival will be held on 15 February at the Grafton Pool. This carnival will be non-competitive due to the school swimming trials that were held on 3 February. A note has been sent home with students with a nomination form to nominate for the events they would like to participate in.

Parents are able to attend this event, however, Grafton Aquatic Centre has asked us to adhere to the following Covid guidelines: 

• The Grandstand is for students only. Spectators are to bring their own seating and need to socially distance from other spectators. 
• Change Room facilities have a restriction of 10 persons at a time.
• Spectators at carnivals must all sign in via NSW Services App and always observe 2m physical distancing rules.
• The number of people at the canteen at one time has been limited.

Gumbaynggirr Language-Liz Hegedus

Giinagay Ngujawiny -Hello You Mob,

Welcome to 2021, this year we will learn about Indigenous studies in HSIE lessons.  During Term 1 and 2 students will learn the history of the Indigenous culture. During Term 3 and 4 students will study geography. During these lessons we will study Australia involving places, land, Indigenous culture, sacred sites and Aboriginal people.

This week we have started to learn about the different dynamics Aboriginal families have. An Aboriginal family is a collaboration of clans including mums, dads, aunties, uncles, grandparents, sisters, brothers and cousins. It is also known as an extended family. All of these members are involved in helping to raise the children to the best of their abilities.

Each family member passes on their culture and traditions to ensure their culture lives on. This all begins at birth, as soon as the child is born they belong to the family.

Stage 1 listened to the story ‘Baby Business’ by Jasmine Seymour. This story tells how the grandmothers, mothers and aunties introduce the baby to a special smoking ceremony that welcomes the baby to country. The smoke as well as the family is a blessing - they will both protect the baby and remind them that they belong to them and country. 

Darrundang -Thankyou                                                                                                                                                      Liz Hegedus

Weekly Merit Awards

Congratulations to the following students who received a Merit Award this week.

Kindergarten                                                                                                                                                                          Ruby Woods, Finn Lihou, Heston Tribe, Rubin French, Mason Montford, Meliah Daley, Amelia Fletcher, Skyla Coelli, Tyler Colby, Byron Brockwell, and Emily Clay - for their amazing start to Kindergarten.

Stage 1                                                                                                                                                                                          Pippa Bennett - for an enthusiastic start to Stage 1.                                                                                                Ruby Gray - for showing kindness and consideration to others.                                                                    Stevie Rizzo - for consistently demonstrating a commitment to her learning.                                    Braxton Metcalfe - for contributing excellent ideas in class discussions.                                              Owen Trickett - for happily helping to clean up the sandpit equipment, even though he didn't make the mess.

Stage 3                                                                                                                                                                                  Nicholas Beard - for displaying and sharing a depth of understanding when working with 5 & 6 digit numbers.                                                                                                                                                                    Brendan Rielly - for his thoughtful mathematics reflection on using place value charts to help make sense of larger numbers.                                                                                                                                          Ivy Lloyd - for being an active classroom participant through questioning and contribution to class discussion.

Announcement

                       Mason Jack Kelly                                                    Congratulations to Rebekah and Matt Kelly on the                                            birth of their beautifal baby boy, born on 26 January.

School Events & Dates

WEEK 4

• Parent / Teacher Meetings all week
• Monday 15 February - School Swimming Carnival
• Tuesday 16 February - Shrove Tuesday
• Wednesday 17 February - Ash Wednesday

WEEK 5

• Parent / Teacher Meetings all week
• Friday 5 March - Diocesan Swimming Carnival

WEEK 6

• Friday 5 March - Year 6 Incitare at McAuley Catholic College

Notes Sent Home

Please find below links to the following School Notes that were recently sent home: