19th October, Week 2, Term 4

From Our Principal - Mr Brendan Moloney

Dear Families, 

It has been wonderful to see such a positive and busy start to Term 4. We had lots of activities during the week including Stage 2 & 3 enjoying the Rugby 7’s Day, by all accounts we had some fantastic and talented players on the field! Last Friday we also celebrated Socktober (Crazy Sock Day) and Rosary Day. As a school community we prayed one decade of the Rosary together and enjoyed activities that included a soccer shoot out. Money raised from the event goes to Catholic Mission.

Last week also saw a very positive start to the term in regard to our attendance rates, this has been a particular focus for us this year. We hope that this improved attendance continues during Term 4. WELL DONE everyone!

2024 Enrolments

It is frustrating that we at times here reports that families who may consider St Joseph’s for their child/ren are misinformed regarding the wonderful learning environment that we have here. Our students thrive in all aspects of their personnal and learning growth as a result of the nurturing environment that our staff create. Comments around our fees being very high and that children do not do any learning here are simply untrue. 

I encourage anyone who is considering St Joseph’s to come and have a look and see for themselves the wonderful learning environment we have. This is also reflected on the comments many visitors make in acknowledging the special feel that is created in our school. 

Baptism

Congratulations to Jacob and Isabelle who received the sacrament of Baptism last week. This is a very special celebration and welcomes them to the Catholic family as they continue their faith journey and complete their sacraments of initiation.

God Bless, 

Brendan Moloney

Student Awards Week 1

Mission News

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

In this week’s Gospel, Jesus and the religious leaders in Jerusalem continue their tense exchange of questions and challenges. At this point the disciples of the Pharisees, together with the Herodians, try to entrap Jesus by their question about the payment of taxes. Jesus makes an important distinction. It is important to fulfill our obligations in the world- to go to school, to earn a living, to be a good citizen. We must also remember that we have higher obligations. When we perform acts of kindness or love, or when we practise the virtues of faith and hope, we are responding to the movement of the Holy Spirit in our lives. 

(Adapted from Celebrating the Lectionary, Year A)

Exuro (Latin for “on fire”) is a student discipleship formation program for Year 5 students that will strengthen the lives of practising Catholic students and keep the fire and passion of Proclaim Lismore Students alive in parish primary schools. 

On Tuesday, Paige and Maddy attended the Exuro experience. 

Socktober Celebration

On Friday we started our Socktober celebration day with a whole school Mass led by Stage Two. 

Following lunch the students returned to the Church to participate in a Living Rosary. Each student took the place of one of the Rosary Beads, so that the rosary could be prayed as a group. 

In the afternoon the children took part in a penalty shoot out competition to celebrate the end of our Socktober celebration day. Congratulations to all students who participated on the day and raised a total of $54. 

Save the Date

Thursday November 9 Remembrance Day Service @ 1045

Friday November 24 Whole School Mass for the Feast of Christ the King @ 930

Monday December 11 Whole School End of year Mass @ 930

Wednesday December 13 Year Six Graduation Mass @ 6pm

Sports News

Intensive swimming 2023

Once again this year we will be holding a week of intensive swimming lessons for all students at the Coraki pool.

Instructors from Richmond Valley swimming school will provide 40 minute, intensive swimming sessions for each student.  The first day of these sessions will be on Monday the 13/11/23 and will continue each day until Friday 17/11/23.  A more detailed timetable for these lessons will be sent home closer to the week.
Students will change into swimmers at school before walking to the pool and will change back into school uniform once they return to school.

Students are to bring swimmers, goggles, towel etc at the beginning of the week. These can remain at school for the week and be taken home again at the completion of the program, on Friday.

Costs and permission for this program will be sent home as a compass event in the next few days.

Rugby 7's Day

On Thursday the 12th of October Stage 2 and Stage 3 went to Byron to represent the school at rugby union. At 9:00am the Stage 3 players got in their uniform and got ready to quickly hop off the bus to play their first game. Stage 2 and 3 hopped on the bus and travelled to Byron. The Stage 2s games were against Holy Family, St James Yamba and Lindisfarne. The Stage 3 games were against Holy Family and Broadwater. Then we hopped on the bus and went back to school in time for pick up. 

By Ruby and Maddy  

Stage 3 Ondreyah:  Said she liked tackling.  

Stage 3 Ellie: Said she liked meeting new people. 

 Stage 3 Jojo: Said it was really fun. 

Stage 2 Jack:  Said he liked playing against other schools.

Stage 2 Taylor: Said it was fun.

Stage 2 Noah: Said tackling was fun.

Library News

Dear Parent/Carer,  

We are delighted to let you know about an education resource that is available to your child  at home as part of our subscription with Story Box Library.  

Your child can enjoy favourite stories, read aloud by fabulous storytellers, at home as well  as at our centre.  

Reading aloud to children, in particular by diverse and engaging storytellers, greatly  improves language and literacy skills, especially in the early years of a child’s development.  Story Box Library is committed to supporting and engaging the practice of storytelling. It is  intended for use as a complementary form of delivering the precious experience of being  read aloud to, in order to improve children’s lives. Connecting children with literature through  the complementary medium of film, providing a vibrant, interactive experience via a diverse  range of storytellers sharing the best of our local children’s picture books.  

To access Story Box Library at home:  

1) Visit ​www.storyboxlibrary.com.au 

2) Choose Log In from the top right corner of the screen 

3) Log in using the username and password provided below 

4) Enjoy the library of stories on any device with internet connection  

5) Alternatively, you can also download the free App version for  Apple & Andriod Devices

USERNAME:  lismore13

PASSWORD: sbl427

Please note the following features:  

• Story Box Library regularly adds new stories, so is an ever-growing library ● Wide range of stories for 3-5 year olds, as well as stories for primary-aged students ● Resources accompany each story, including Activity Time - providing creative opportunities that further engage children with stories 
• Captions can be turned on or off for each story 
• Includes a growing collection of Auslan translated stories 
• Story Box Library is a safe online space free from advertising 

School Garden Report

Some fantastic cherry tomatoes grown by our Stage 1 and Kindergarten students as part of our Walker Learning and Science investigations.

Junior Joey's Term 4

We Look forward to welcoming our 'Junior Joey's' back for Term 4.Places are still available if you would like any more information about Kindergarten for 2024 please contact the office on 66832248.

P&F & Canteen News

Mango Orders and Payment must be in Tuesday 24th October.

Mango Delivery will be the week of the 4th December.

General Business

Happy Birthday to the following who have celebrated their birthday since our last newsletter: 

Mrs Maginnity, Ondreyah Hippi, Jakob Brammah