30th November, Week 8, Term 4
From Our Principal - Mr Brendan Moloney
Dear Families,
This week we celebrate the first week of Advent as we prepare for the celebration of Christmas and the birth of our Lord. The beginning of Advent also sees the beginning of the new Church year.
As the school year draws to a rapid end, we ask you to keep in mind the various events that will be taking place as we celebrate the end of the school year and the Christmas season. Next week we have our Carols Evening on Thursday and Friday will be our School Fun Day.
Our final week for the school year will see us celebrate our End of Year Mass on Monday, Year 6 Graduation on Wednesday with the Year 6 Fun Day on Thursday.
Step Up Day will also be held on Monday the 11th. This provides students the opportunity to move into their new class groups for 2024 and meet their teachers as they begin to outline the expectations and routines for their class.
We look forward to our families joining us for these events.
The last day for students for 2023 is Friday 15th December.
School Supervision Hours
It has been noted recently that we have a number of children who are attending school very early. Families are reminded that children should not arrive at school before 8.30am as school supervision does not begin before this time. If families need to drop children to school before this time children can be booked into our Before School Care service by contacting Michelle on 0419 600 994.
School Reports
Teachers have been working on completing school reports for Semester 2. These will be published via COMPASS for you to access this coming Monday. These are an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our children and focus on their continued learning journey and goals.
2024 Start Date
We have some important dates to communicate for the start of the new school year. Families are asked to note that the start date for classes has changed, these dates are as follows:
Tuesday 30th Jan – Staff Administartion Day (Pupil Free Day)
Wednesday 31st Jan – Best Start/MAI’s (Individual times to be booked)
Thursday 1st Feb - Best Start/MAI’s (Individual times to be booked)
Friday 2nd Feb – Staff Development Day (Pupil Free Day)
Class for K-6 begin for 2024 on Monday 5th Feb
Our OSHC service will be available for the 30th – 2nd should families require it. Please contact Michelle to book in on 0419 600 994
2024 Enrolments
We continue to accept enrolments for 2024 across K-6, if yoy know of any families considering the wonderful learning environment we have her at St. Joseph’s please encourage them to come and have a look. Our school truly is a welcoming place that supports all our learners exceptionally well.
God Bless,
Brendan Moloney
Student Awards Week 7
Kinder - Leo Verrall, achieving his writing goal.
Stage 1 - Oscar Hippi, greatly improved attendance and sound effort in spelling & writing.
Stage 1 - Kayria James, improved attendance and respectful behaviours at all times in class.
Stage 2- Danielle Gomes, a positive attitude to school.
Stage 2- Chase Campbell, a positive attitude to all learning.
Stage 3- Paige Gollan, her continued consistent effort in all aspects of school life.
Stage 3- Jacob Powell, a smooth transition into Stage 3
Principals Award- Katie Eastwood, her welcoming of new students to our school.
Mission News
First Sunday of Advent Year B
Today we begin the season of Advent, which marks the start of a new liturgical year for the Church. The readings for Sunday Mass are arranged on a three-year cycle. Each year features a different Gospel—Matthew, Mark, or Luke. Readings from the Gospel of John are interspersed throughout all three years. With this year’s first Sunday of Advent, we begin Cycle B of the Lectionary, which focuses our attention on the Gospel of Mark. Today’s passage comes at the conclusion of Jesus’ warnings to his disciples. Jesus emphasizes the need for watchfulness. The Son of Man will come without warning; only the Father knows the exact hour. The disciples must not be caught unprepared when this time comes.
https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/sunday-connection/
Prayer
God of Love,
Your son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to us.
He is a sign of your love.
Help us walk in that love during the weeks of Advent,
As we wait and prepare for his coming.
We pray in the name of Jesus, our Savior.
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal
Don’t forget to send in your non-perishable donation for the St Vincent de paul Christmas Appeal. Each class is working busily to put together a donation for this appeal.
Sacramental Dates 2024
The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be held on Monday March 25th 2024.
This sacrament is for Catholic children who have received the Sacraments of Baptism AND the Sacrament of Confirmation. The Sacrament of Confirmation will be held on Monday May 20th 2024. This Sacrament is for Catholic children in Year Three and above, who have completed the Sacrament of Baptism.
The Sacrament of First Eucharist will be held on Sunday September 15th 2024. This Sacrament is for Catholic children who have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Reconciliation.
Save the Date
Monday December 11 Whole School End of year Mass @ 9:30am
Thursday December 7 Nativity and Carols @5:45pm
Wednesday December 13 Year Six Graduation Mass @ 6:00pm
Sports News
Rugby Day
On the 14th of November the school was invited to an Evans Head rugby day hosted by Evans River. Parents and teachers drove the stage 2/3 kids to Evans Head to compete.
The stage 2 team had 2 great wins and the stage 3 boys won 2 games with Oniika bulldozing through and scoring a great try. The stage 3 girls won 2 games and tied for 3rd. They skipped through the semi finals and won the grand final 6-1. Great job girls. Here's what some of the players thought about the day:
Jack: I liked to score, try and tackle people.
Noah: I liked to score two tries.
Saoirse: I liked tackling people.
Macen: I liked tracking people down,tackling,having fun,working together.
Kyden: I liked smash kids, having fun,tackling people, chasing them down, passing the ball around.
Maddy: I liked tackling people and winning the games.
Ondrayah: I liked tackling people and winning games.
Riley: I liked working as a team.
Written by Ruby and Ellie.
Library News
LIBRARY NEWS LIBRARY NEWS LIBRARY NEWS LIBRARY NEWS
I hope to have all library books back by next week, so if children have any at home please send them in. Knowing how busy it gets at this time of the year I will place a tub out the front of the library as a reminder! Thank you again for your support.
Mrs Cherie Verrall
Stage 3 Camp Goodenough
Yesterday our Stage 3 class left to attend a 2 night camp at Camp Goodenough. Plently of fun activities are scheduled in on their itinerary. Some photos are shown.
General Business
Happy Birthday to the following who have celebrated their birthday since our last newsletter:
Mr O'Brien, Chloe Carbery
Reminder, 2023 School Fees are now due.
If your fees are currently not up to date we ask you to please make contact with us to discuss your current position. This may be a case of simply notifying us of when fees will be paid or to make arrangements for a payment plan to address the outstanding fees.
P&F & Canteen News
Huge thank you for supporting our mango fundraiser. We raised $852.00.
Christmas Carols Night - Thursday 7th December
Attached to this newsletter are tickets for our P&F Christmas raffle. The raffle will be drawn at our Carols night on Thursday 7th December. Tickets are $1.00 each. Any sold or unsold tickets must be returned to school on Monday 4th December.
P&F will he hosting a BBQ on the night, menu options are shown below. These can be purchased on the night, payment is cash only.
Steak Roll $5.00
Sausage Sandwich $3.00
Drinks $2.00
Raffle Tickets $1.00
Canteen News
Leading to the end of year the canteen is starting to run out of stock on some items.
We are now out of stock for pies, jumpy's, popcorn & sunfruits these will not be avaialable again until next year.
Canteen in Week 10 will be subject to what stock we have left, so please keep an eye out for further updates.
We will be looking for canteen volunteers for next year. If anyone would like to help out please contact the school.
Canteen Roster Term 4
| Friday 1st December | |
Volunteer Needed | |
| Wednesday 6th December | Friday 8th December |
| Kym Charters | Kirralee Rose |
| Wednesday 13th December | Friday 15th December |
| Jemma Biggs | Cherie Verrall |
Upcoming Term 4 Events
Wednesday 29th November - Friday 1st December - Stage 3 Camp Goodenough
Friday 1st Decemeber - Junior Joey's 9:00am-11:15am
Thursday 7th December - Christmas Carols 5:45pm
Friday 8th December - End of year Fun Day
Monday 11th December - Whole School End of Year Mass 9:30am
Volunteer thank you morning tea 10:30am
Wednesday 13th December - Year 6 Lunch and Graduation Mass 5:30pm
Thursday 14th December - Year 6 Fun Day
Friday 15th December - End of Term 4
