12th September, Week 8, Term 3

From Our Principal - Mr Sam Irvine

Dear Parents & Carers,

Friday will be my last day as Acting Principal after a very quick 8 week stint in the role supporting this beautiful community of St Joey’s Coraki. I write this newsletter item with a little bit of a heavy heart as I will truly miss coming out to St Joey’s each day. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with all of the students, staff and parents of this beautiful little community. In a short time, I feel like I have built some strong relationships with the whole community, particularly the students. There have been a few highlights in my time here that I will remember for a long time; the Mini Olympics, Father’s Day Breaky, school party and the Stage 3 girls rugby league game were such good fun to be a part of.

As a parent with children in the school, you should be reassured that your children are in very, very good hands here at St Joey’s. Mr Moloney has set the school up so well for it to function to allow every child to achieve their fullest potential. I am in awe of the work that all of the staff put in to make sure that no child is left behind here - academically, emotionally, physically and spiritually. I would have my own 2 children attend St Joey’s in a heartbeat. 

I know Mr Moloney is really looking forward to getting back to see everyone and I am sure he has some really lovely insights to share from his well-deserved family holiday. Please look after him as he eases back into things - it may take him a while to get out of the habit of having an afternoon siesta every day! 

I wish everyone the best of luck for the rest of the year. I would love to get back at some stage before the end of Term 4 to say hello. Take care!

Father’s Day Breaky

On Friday 30th August we held our Father’s Day Breaky. We celebrated this special day with our Stage 3 students cooking bacon and egg burgers, serving tea and coffee and also making healthy salad and meat rolls for our dads and family members. I was so very proud to see our Stage 3 students turn up very early to help prep everything for the breaky. We had a really good community turn out which was lovely to see.

 Stage 3 Footy

Last Thursday we participated in the inaugural Stage 3 girls rugby league Richmond Valley Cup game against St Mary’s Casino. The girls had been training for a couple of weeks to prepare themselves for this big game. For some of the girls, this was the first game of tackle footy they have ever played. Although not coming away with the win, the girls put in a terrific effort and were unlucky not to have a couple of things go their way which could have changed the momentum of the game in their favour. When I decided to hold this game, my goal was to build community partnerships, improve student attendance and enhance school spirit. Seeing the huge amount of spectators turn up, the girls coming to school most days and our students cheering their little hearts out showed me that we were able to achieve these goals. Thank you to the Tweed Seagulls, Paula from the NRL for helping on the day and to Karri Williams from Rekindling the Spirit for supplying some food for the BBQ.

First Eucharist Students

I would just like to extend my prayers to Blake, Chase, Jack and Maxx as they are preparing to celebrate their First Eucharist this Sunday. I wish them all the best on this very special day in their spiritual lives.

Student Wellbeing Officer

Last week we welcomed Isabelle Clark to St Joey’s in the role of Student Wellbeing Officer. She will work every Wednesday-Friday and will support all students in some capacity. Once Isabelle has settled in and got to know the students, she will run some small group social support intervention activities. If your child has been identified to participate in one of these groups, a teacher will be in touch with you.

Student Awards - Week 7

Mission News

Gospel Reflection for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

This week’s reading is the turning point in Mark’s Gospel. In the presentation of the life and ministry of Jesus found in the Gospel of Mark, the deeds of Jesus have shown Jesus to be the Son of God. Yet many, including Jesus’ disciples, have not yet realised his identity. In the Gospel, Jesus asks the disciples for a field report by asking what others say about him. He then turns the question directly to the disciples and asks what they believe. Peter speaks for all of them when he announces that they believe Jesus to be the Christ.

https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/sunday-connection/ 

Exuro

Exuro is a retreat day for selected Year 5 students from parish primary schools based in regions of the Diocese to celebrate their faith at a diocesan level. This retreat will be an opportunity to bring students together with like-minded peers, to share and build relationships that strengthen the practice of their Christian faith and to be leaders in building strong Catholic school communities.

Sacrament of First Eucharist 2024

Please keep Blake, Jack, Chase and Maxx in your prayers as they prepare to receive the Sacrament of First Eucharist at this Sunday’s Mass. 

Save the Date

15th September Sacrament of First Eucharist 9:30 am

20th September End of Term Mass 

Library News

As we come to the end of term, the library is collecting books, particularly ones overdue. If you could please remind your child to find and return books by next week please, it would be greatly appreciated.

Have a lovely week! 

Sports News

Multi Sports Gala Day

On Friday the 30th August Stage 3 students participated in seven activities at Hepburn Park in Lismore with other schools from the Richmond Zone areas. We joined with St Brigid’s Kyogle to have a go at Futsal, AFL, NRL, Rugby Union, Table Tennis, Hockey and Tennis. Our favourite activity was Table Tennis because it was inside a big shed and had fans. There was a canteen and the teachers let us buy cold drinks and chips if we had money.

Maxx: I did not like AFL because I didn't know how to kick like AFL players.

Chloe: I did not like Rugby Union and Rugby League because you had to run and it’s just not my thing.

There was not a lot of shade and we kept running out of water and had to refill our bottles all the time from the tap. The day was very hot and draining and very long because we had a fathers day breakfast at school before school started and some of us were at school before 8 O’clock.

Written by Maxx & Chloe

This term our students have been working on some dance moves every Thursday working with Chelsie from Zing. This program is part of our Australian Sporting Schools Grant Funding. 

Thursday 19th September the whole school will be participating in a dance performance, we invite you along to watch the performance at 9am followed by a morning tea.

Stage 1 News

General Business

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

Kelsi Rayner

P&F & Canteen News