Term 2 Week 2, 2023
From our Leadership
Welcome
Dear St Joseph's Community,
At the conclusion of Term 1, we recalled the Paschal Mystery of Christ (His life, death, and resurrection) during a special Liturgy. Our students showed great reverence as they acted out the events of Holy Week.
Alleluia, Alleluia, he is risen, he is risen indeed! Alleluia
We Value Feedback
Each year St Joseph's Primary undertakes a parent, student, and staff survey that asks questions about the organisational health of our school community. This data is vital in shaping our school improvement planning and future directions. The 2023 survey opened on 24 April 2023 (4:30pm AEST) and closes on 12 May 2023 (4:30pm AEST). Parents will receive a link to the live survey via Compass on Friday [http://tellthemfromme.com/3hgz9]. Please take the time to complete the survey so that we can continually improve and offer the best education available for our students! It is completely anonymous.
ANZAC Day
Stage 3 was outstanding when they led the school in our ANZAC prayer service. The school has also remembered the ANZAC story through art displays around the school.
As usual over 60% of our students marched on ANZAC day to our drum band. Thank you to all the students who joined us to participate in the South Grafton march to honour all those who have served.
What do vitamins and Sacraments have in common?
We often take vitamins to supplement our diet or give us something extra during busy times etc. Sacraments such as Baptism, Communion and Confirmation are just that for us…they give us a boost of Grace when we might need it. If your family is interested in being Baptised or receiving other Sacraments please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sacrament of Confirmation
This Sacrament will be celebrated on Friday, 23 June with Bishop Gregory. Lessons to prepare for this sacrament will begin soon. Please contact the school office if your child is Baptised and would like to receive this Sacrament.
Parent Forum Meeting
Our first meeting for Term 2 will be held on Tuesday, 9 May at 6.00pm in our school library. Please come and join us as we continually improve our school for our students. Your feedback and input is welcomed and valued.
Mother's Day liturgy
We thank all those who mother. Our prayer service and morning tea for all in our school community that have a mothering role is on Friday, 12 May at 10:20am in Mercy Hall.
Emergency Management Planning
The safety of our students, families and staff is our highest priority. In order to best ensure this, the St Joseph's Primary School South Grafton leadership and staff, supported by the Catholic Schools Office, plan for a number of possible incidents, emergencies or natural disasters that could take place at school or during the school term. The events of recent years have reinforced how important this planning is and we all have a role to play when it comes to emergency management, including families.
Our students participate in various safety drills and staff participate through training and safety drills. We’d like to share with you the role of parents and families in emergency management.
School Lockdown
A number of the situations we plan for include a school lockdown. We understand that some may understand the word ‘lockdown’ to mean there is an immediate safety risk to all students. It is important to understand that when a school initiates a lockdown this may not be the case. Depending on the situation, the purpose of a school lockdown will differ. A school lockdown may be a preparation step for an evacuation, or a school lockdown may allow emergency services access to an area of the school without having to navigate past students. Regardless of the purpose of a school lockdown, no one can be admitted to the school grounds other than emergency services.
Should we initiate a school lockdown, parents and families will be informed via text message and COMPASS notification. We will also inform parents and families as soon as the school lockdown has been lifted or if there are any actions required of parents and families. It is important that you do not attempt to attend the school during a school lockdown. We understand that you may be concerned however attending the school may also add risk to a possible emergency situation, block emergency services or impede an evacuation.
Natural Disaster
In the event of a natural disaster, such as flood or bushfire, the school leadership, supported by the Catholic Schools Office, will determine if it is safe for the school to open. If there is a probability the school may have to close part way through the day, the school will not open for that day as it is extremely difficult to evacuate a school site and ensure all students are able to go directly home safely.
In a bush fire or flood event it is important that parents and families have a plan to get your child/ren home from school, or into your care, at short notice. Please be aware that school buses may not be running and the school can not allow your child/ren to go home to an empty house or home with another parent without your permission.
Family Preparedness
How can you help us prepare for emergency situations? Please ensure that:
- You have downloaded COMPASS and have allowed notifications.
- Any changes to your contact details or custodial arrangements have been updated with the school
- You have a bush fire/flood plan in place that all members of your family understand
- In the event of a school lockdown or evacuation, directions in the parent notifications are followed
It is always our hope that these measures will never be needed but it is also our responsibility to ensure our school community is prepared and informed should the need arise. We thank you in advance for your support and cooperation.
Welcome to our new students
We welcome new students Amelia, Ana, Harrison, Lily, Chellsea, Jesse-James, Hayley, Emily and Noeletta along with their families to our St Joseph's community.
Principal-Danny Rankin
Assistant Principal-Anne Forwell
Leader of Learning - Brooke Donoghue
Thumbs up
In this section of our newsletter we congratulate students of St Joseph's who have represented our community beyond the city limits.
This Newsletter we congratulate Hugh and Alice on their recent success in Camp drafting; our students art display entered into the Grafton Show and Callum who attended the Diocesan Soccer Trials in Tamworth.
Hugh and his horse, 'Destined for Hollywood' participated in the Grafton Show Pony Club Events on Friday afternoon and placed 1st,2nd and 3rd. The previous weekend he placed 1st in the junior draft at Baryulgil Fine Flower Campdraft. Congratulations Hugh!
Alice was unable to participate as her horse is currently unwell, however, she was successful with some art and craft at the Grafton show receiving two 2nds and a 4th place. Congratulations Alice!
Congratulations to our students on their fabulous artwork entered into the Grafton Show School Display.
St Joseph's was awarded Third Prize for our 'Autumn in the Valley' display!
Well done to Callum who travelled to Tamworth last week to participate in the Diocesan Soccer Trials. He gave his all and had a great time!
Sport Coordinator - Caitlin Crispin
Congratulations to all students who participated in the Zone Cross Country on Wednesday at McAuley Catholic College. All students gave 100% and showed great sportsmanship.
St Joseph's Cross Country Place Winners and Age Champions
Gumbaynggirr Language - Liz Hegedus
Ginnagay Ngujawiny -Hello You Mob,
Welcome back to Term 2, 2023. Last week Australia celebrated ANZAC Day. A day to remember all of our soliders who went to war to fight for our freedom. I am absolutely sure that everyone had someone they loved who fought in a war. In saying this, I wonder if anyone knows the reason why WWI began. The first world war began in August 1914. It was directly triggered by the assassination of the Austrian archduke, Franz Ferdinand and his wife, on 28 June 1914 by Bosnian revolutionary, Gavrilo Princip. This event was, however, simply the trigger that set off declarations of war.
Over a hundred years ago, a 19 year old Bosnian Serb teenager Gavrilo Princip, fired the bullet that sparked the chain of events leading to the First World War. Archduke Ferdinand, the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, was visiting Sarajevo in Serbia to inspect imperial forces with his wife Sophie. The Serbians found his visit to be an insult to their country which inspired 6 men to assinate the Archduke. Gavrilo Princip was the man to shoot the Archduke and his wife killing them instantly. The double murder shocked Europe and led to anti-Serbian riots in Sarajevo.
Then Austria-Hungary made 3 demands to Serbia. Firstly, stop all anti Austria-Hungarian propaganda. Secondly, accept its involvement in the assassination and thirdly, allow the Austria-Hungary government to take over the trials of everyone involved in the assassination. When the Serbian Government refused two of the demands, Vienna considered the ultimatum rejected.
Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on July 28 and the tangle of national alliances pulled the rest of Europe into the conflict, within days the First World War began. When Great Britain declared war on Germany in 1914, Australia found itself automatically at war too. Most Australians believed that they were a part of the British Empire and wanted to do all they could to protect it. It was popularly believed that participation in the war would also 'prove' Australia as a new nation.
Why did the Indigenous men decide to enlist? Loyalty and patriotism may have encouraged Indigenous Australians to enlist. Some saw it as a chance to prove themselves the equal of Europeans or to push for better treatment after the war. For many Australians in 1914 the offer of 6 shillings a day for a trip overseas was simply too good to miss. At first there were certain rules upon signing up, the army would only take light coloured Indigenous men. but, as the war went on and there were many deaths skin colour didn't matter, the army had no choice but to sign up all Indigenous men of many colours.
During the war many Indigenous men enlisted with the hope that fighting for the country would in turn change the way they and other Indigenous Australians were treated. Others enlisted for the same reasons as non-indigenous Australians such as to see the world while receiving good pay ,the pay was the same for Indigenous and non-indigenous soldiers. In the trenches Indigenous Australians were considered as the same as everyone else and were treated equal.
After the war the Australian society did not recognise their service. They were treated this way because Indigenous Aboriginal Australians were not recognised as Australian citizens. This was an absolute disgrace to all Indigenous people. If they were good enough to go to war and fight for the Australian Army against Germany, then how could their own country treat them like they didn't exist.
Treatment of Indigenous soliders after the war was an insult. Many Indigenous families faced the same sorrow as other families following the death of a family member. But, their service was not recognised and if they were lucky to survive the war on their return they did not receive any public or private support or any solider settlement schemes. This saddens me my grandfather and uncles all went to war and on their return were treated like nothing. So, we have to work hard at making our society a place where everyone is equal.
Darrundang Ngiinda - Thankyou
Miss Liz Hegedus
IEW Indigenous Educational Worker
School Notes
BOOK CLUB
Book Club Issue 3 is out now! If you would like to order through the school, please return your orders by Friday, 15 May.
Remember you may also order online at https://mybookclubs.
SCHOOL FEES
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
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 with any changes.
REMINDER
Parents & Caregivers are reminded when dropping off or picking students up, the Staff Carpark is not a designated zone. Exception if you require use of a disabled parking space.
Please note the speed limit coming into this carpark at other times is 10 klms. Please be mindful of the school speed zones.
School Calendar
TERM 2 2023
Week 2
Friday, 5 May - Year 6 attending Mass at St Mary's Church, Grafton 12.00pm
Week 3
Tuesday, 9 May - Parent Forum Meeting 6.00pm
Friday, 12 May - Mother's Day Liturgy 10.20am
Week 4
Monday, 15 May - School Assembly 2.15pm
Week 5
Tuesday, 23 May - Diocesan Cross Country at MCC
Week 6
Monday, 29 May - School Assembly 2.15pm
Week 7
Tuesday, 6 June - Parent Forum Meeting 6.00pm
Wednesday, 7 June - School Athletics Carnival at Barnier Park, Junction Hill
Week 8
Monday, 12 June - School Assembly 2.15pm
Week 9
Friday, 23 June - Confirmation
Week 10
Monday, 26 June - School Assembly 2.15pm
Thursday, 29 June - Zone Athletics Carnival at Coffs Harbour
Thursday, 29 June - Last day of Term 2 for students
Friday, 30 June - Staff Development Day
Merit Awards
Congratulations to the following students who received a Merit Award.
TERM 2 WEEK 1 & 2
ES1: Lily, Marvin, Thoedore, Aiden
Stage 2: Joy, Max, Reuben, Jesse
Stage 3: Darcy, Sophie, Rose, Aleah
Uniform Shop
The uniform shop is located in the Brewhouse Village.
Opening hours:
Monday - Wednesday 10.00am to 4.30pm
Thursday 10 to 3.30pm
Email: fytexptyltd@bigpond.com
Ph: 0434 025 493
Canteen
Canteen
Open every Wednesday and Friday
Volunteers always welcome, please leave your details with the School office if you're able to assist.
Community Notices
