5th December, Week 8, Term 4
From Our Principal - Mr Brendan Moloney
Dear Families,
Throughout the Old Testament, God's people waited full of hope for the Messiah. Today, we know that the Messiah has already come, that he was born over two thousand years ago in a stable in Bethlehem. But as we prepare to celebrate Jesus' birth on Christmas Day, we also excitedly wait, like God's people in the Old Testament. The four weeks leading up to Christmas are a special time for God's people to join in anticipation of Christ's birth. This time is called Advent.
Many churches use Advent wreaths that have five candles making up a circle. The candles are lit one per week for four weeks; the fifth is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. The weekly candles represent the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. Three of the candles are purple, the traditional colour of Advent. The pink candle on the third week represents joy.
As we prepare for Christmas and the Birth of our Lord, may we find ways to observe the holiness of the season in our everyday lives, reflecting the hope, peace, joy and love of the Christmas Season.
Appointment
We congratulate Mr O’Brien on his appointment to St Carthages Primary School for the 2025 school year. Mr O’Brien has been a valued staff member here for many years and has also recently been a school leadership team member. He has done a tremendous job for our school community, particularly in his recent role of Additional Needs Teacher. I would ask that you take the time to thank Mr O’Brien for his contribution to our school community, we wish him all the very best as he embarks on a new chapter in his educational journey.
2025 School Staffing
It is with pleasure that I am able to present to you the staffing for Coraki for 2025, please note that there are some areas that still need to be confirmed. The placement of staff to classes will be communicated to you later next week.
Principal – Mrs Kristie Coster
Leader of Religious Education – Mrs Melissa Campbell
Instructional Leader – Mrs Jodie Maginnity
Leader of Additional Needs – TBC
School Secretary – Mrs Donna Ianna
Class Teachers – Mr. Andrew Maslen, Mrs Melissa Campbell, Miss Sophie Sly, Miss Katie Baker, Mr James Farr and Mrs Tracey Flaherty plus 1 TBC
Classroom Support – Mr Dom Howard, Mrs Cherie Verrall, Miss Laura Youman
Aboriginal Education Workers – Mrs Belinda McElligott and Mr William McElligott
School Counsellor – Mrs Yasmin Mouftakir
Student Wellbeing Officer – Miss Isabelle Clarke
Family Connects Worker – Mrs Cassandra Finucane
2025 Enrolments K-6
Class numbers are an important component of this planning process for 2025. If you know of families who are considering enrolling at St Joseph’s, we ask you to get them to come in and have a look. This will provide them the opportunity to look around, ask questions and get a feel for the wonderfully supportive learning environment that we have here. Currently, we have availability in all our classes.
2025 School Leaders
On Tuesday the 10th of December at 9.30 we will hold our Leaders Speeches for 2025. Our Year 5 students have nominated for school captain for 2025 and will present their speeches to the school community at this time. Staff and students will then vote in order to determine our captains for 2025.
Step Up Day
On Monday the 16th of December we will be holding our ‘Step Up Day’. This day will provide the opportunity for students to come together in their class groups for 2025 and meet with their teachers in preparing for the new year. This will be held in the morning session.
End of Year Dates
Please be aware of the dates that we have in our calendar and published in the newsletter, we have a number of events between now and the end of the school year. The last day for students for the 2024 school year will be Wednesday 18th December.
God Bless,
Brendan Moloney
Student Awards - Week 7
Kinder -Ali Sharma, using her positive mindset to challenge herself with Mathemtics problem solving.
Kinder - Aialah Kapeen, using her knowledge of forces to design and make a creative car in science
Stage 1 - John Randall, showing sound progress in the end of year reading assessment.
Stage 1- AJ Skinner, amazing results in the end of year semester reading assessment.
Stage 2- Lolly Allan, stepping out of her comfort zone and participating to the best of her ability at the water safety day.
Stage 2 -Bodhi Billett, developing confidence in his Maths learning.
Stage 3- Charlee O'Rourke, her impressive growth in reading this year.
Stage 3-Cally Powell, her impressive growth in reading this year.
Principals Award - Tenchi Tucker, wonderful manners and focus on learning.
Mission News
2nd Sunday in Advent
The 2nd Sunday of Advent Year C offers a message of joyful partnership from Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Paul begins by thanking God for the Philippians’ faith and their partnership in spreading the gospel. This gratitude is a reminder of the joy that comes from working together in faith. It shows that our journey towards God is not meant to be walked alone but with the support and encouragement of others.
Family Advent Prayer
Events
Mass for the Feast of Christ the King
On Friday November 22 we gathered for a whole school Mass to celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. Congratulations to Mr Farr, Miss Youman and the kindergarten students on a beautiful Mass.
First Week of Advent Liturgy
On Monday Stage One led our liturgy for the first week of Advent. Well done Mrs Flaherty and Stage One for a beautiful Liturgy.
Save the Date
Monday December 9, 930am- End of Year Mass
Thursday December 12, Nativity and Carols
Monday December 16, 530pm- Year 6 Graduation Mass
Reminder to drop in your donations to our St Vinnies Christmas Hampers.
Sports News
Congratulations to Kyden Bolt who was selected in the Lismore Diocesan touch football team at the trials held last week. This is a fantastic achievement as Kyden was competing against students from Schools right across our Diocese. He will now participate in the Polding trials in 2025 which takes in all of the Diocese in regional, northern NSW.
Water Safety Day - Evans Head Aquatic Centre
Library News
If all library books can be returned next library borrowing day please.
I will also leave a tub out in case children forget on the day.
Thank you so much for your support of our library
Enjoy your week!
Mrs Verrall
General Business
Happy Birthday to the following who have celebrated their birthday since our last newsletter:
Lolly Allan, Chloe Carbery, Tokobi Tucker, Mr O'Brien
P&F & Canteen News
Special Pizza Pack Friday 6th December - $9.00
1 x homemade pizza
1 x popper (juice or milk)
1 x paddle pop (choc or rainbow)
1 x home cooking
Christmas Carol Night, Thursday 12th December, we would love some volunteers on the night to assist with the BBQ/drinks & raffle sales, could you please let Donna know if you are able to assist.
Don't forget to return your raffle tickets & money by Monday 9th December, we have some fabulous prizes on offer.
Save the Date Term 4 2024
Monday 9th December - End of Year Mass & Volunteer Morning Tea 10:30am
Thursday 12th December - Christmas Nativity & Carols Night 5:45pm
Monday 16th December - Year 6 Graduation Mass 6:00pm
Tuesday 17th December - Year 6 Fun Day Ballina
Wednesday 18th December - Last Day of School
Thank you for supporting our mango fundraiser.
We raised $360.00 which will be used towards some new IT equipment
