2024-10 Newsletter - Term 2 Week 10

From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,
As we reach the end of this term, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible term we have shared at St Joseph’s School. This term has been marked by growth, learning, and a deeper understanding of our faith.
First and foremost, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated teachers and staff. Your unwavering commitment to our students' academic and spiritual development is truly inspiring, creating a nurturing environment where each child can flourish.
To our students, I am immensely proud of each one of you. Your hard work, resilience, and enthusiasm have been evident in all your endeavours, both in and out of the classroom. Whether it was excelling in academics, participating in sports, or engaging in community, you have demonstrated the values of compassion, integrity, and perseverance.
Parents, your support and partnership are invaluable. Your involvement in our school community enriches the educational experience for all our students. Thank you for your trust and collaboration, which help us fulfil our mission of providing a holistic Catholic education.

As a Catholic school, our faith is the cornerstone of everything we do. This term, we have celebrated numerous religious events and activities that have brought us closer to God and each other. From our beautiful liturgies and prayer services to our vibrant celebrations of Catholic traditions, these moments have strengthened our community and deepened our faith.
As we look ahead to the next term, let us carry forward the lessons we have learned and the bonds we have forged. Let us continue to support one another, guided by the teachings of Jesus Christ, as we strive to be the best versions of ourselves.

Please continue to keep Louise, James and their family in your prayers during the holidays as they journey through the upcoming weeks. In moments like these, our faith and our small community become our strongest sources of support. As we come together to navigate this loss, we are fortunate to have a wonderful team of people working together. 

During this time of sorrow, let us lean on our faith and each other. Our community’s strength lies in our compassion and unity. Together, we can provide the love and support that James, Louise and their family need.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me or any of our staff if you have any questions or need support.

Finally, I wish you all a restful and joyous break. May this time be filled with peace, reflection, and cherished moments with your family. Let us return refreshed and ready to embrace the opportunities and challenges of the new term.

Thank you for being a part of our wonderful connected school community. 

In Faith & Truth,

Simone Taylor 

Reflection - Our Prayer Service on Wednesday

Whole School Prayer Service : Wednesday 3rd July 2024.

Dear Students and Staff,

I come before you today with a sad heart. Yesterday, we received devastating news of the passing of Louise and James’ dad. He is now in heaven watching over us. Your parents may have talked about this with you yesterday afternoon. As a  school community,  It is important for us to share our thoughts and pray for  Louise, James and their family. They are having an incredibly difficult time and are very sad. 

Losing someone you love is never easy. As we gather together we need to also support each other, let us remember how important it is to care and show empathy and compassion for those we love. In life sometimes tragic events happen and at times like these we need our friends and families to help us. 

It is natural to feel a range of strong emotions—sadness, disbelief, and perhaps even anger. It is important that we allow ourselves to grieve - to be upset and to lean on each other for support. Reach out to your friends, classmates, teachers, or counsellors if you need someone to talk to, or if you want to share memories of Louise and James and their family. Maybe you might like to also talk with our counsellors Jemimah or Julia today or gently chat to some of our adults. 

Louise and James need our entire school community to stand ready to be strong and help them. Showing them our support in any way we can. Maybe a card, a gift or a special prayer offered for them during this time.

Although we do not understand why things like accidents occur, we can be strong and help each other through times like these. James, Louise and their family would like that. 

I ask you now to join in a moment of silence as we remember James and Louise's dad, Nick, and you might like to say a little prayer for them and their family during this quiet time. 

Closing Prayer: Fr Reynold.

Heavenly Father,

We come before you with heavy hearts, mourning the tragic loss of a member of our school community Nick. We lift up James, Louise, and their entire family to you during this incredibly difficult time. May your presence surround them with peace and may your comfort be felt deeply in their hearts.

Lord, we ask for your wisdom and guidance as we join together as close friends to support James and Louise during this time. May they know that we are here sending loving prayers and support their way.

In Jesus' name we pray,  Amen 

Saints Projects by Year 5/6

Saints Projects by 5/6

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Soccer Gala Day

What a wonderful day it was! The enthusiasm and spirit displayed by everyone were truly inspiring. Our team showed great teamwork, dedication, and sportsmanship, reflecting the core values of our school community.

Events like the Soccer Gala Day are more than just competitions; they are opportunities for personal growth, building friendships, and creating lasting memories. We are incredibly proud of each and every student who participated and contributed to making this day special.

Once again, congratulations to all the participants. Let us continue to support and encourage each other, both on and off the field, as we move forward. Thank you to all parents who transported students and spent the day cheering on our team. Thank you also to David Maher for organising this event again in 2024. 

Wellbeing - Pasta & Positivity

Our students thoroughly enjoyed every moment of Pasta Positivity Day. From the perfectly cooked pasta to the rich and flavourful sauces, every bite was a testament to your expertise and love for cooking. The students and staff, were all incredibly impressed and grateful for the effort and care you put into every dish.
The Pasta Positivity Day went beyond just providing a meal; you created an atmosphere of positivity and community that resonated throughout our school. It was wonderful to see the students' smiles and hear their expressions of delight as they savoured each delicious dish.
Thank you, Courtney and Brooke, for your hard work, your talent, and for making Pasta Positivity Day a truly special event. We look forward to more delicious adventures in the future!

Book Week & Book Fair

This year’s Book Week theme is: “Reading is Magic”

Book Week will be celebrated on the first week back at school in Term 3 and on Friday 26^th July we will be holding our Book Character Parade followed by our Book Fair. The Parade will commence at midday.

Students are asked to come dressed as a character from a book or they can get creative and link this year’s theme, “Reading is Magic” “to their costume. They might also like to dress in Olympic Theme as the Olympics begin next term. Let your imagination run wild.

If possible, children are asked to bring with them the book from which the character they are dressing up as is in.

Further details regarding the day will be sent home closer to the date.

Mary Poppins

We are delighted to share the wonderful experience our students had on their recent excursion to see the Mary Poppins Junior performance, brought to life by the talented students of Lithgow High School. The day was filled with excitement, joy, and a touch of magic, making it a memorable outing for everyone involved.
The journey began with our students boarding the buses generously provided by the Wallerawang Community and Recreation Club. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the club for their support and generosity in ensuring our students had safe and comfortable transportation. Special thanks also goes to Rohan Kearns, our dedicated bus driver, whose cheerful demeanour and careful driving made the trip even more enjoyable.
Upon arrival, the anticipation was palpable as the students eagerly took their seats in the theatre. The performance of Mary Poppins Junior was nothing short of spectacular. The young performers from Lithgow High School showcased their incredible talents, captivating the audience with their singing, dancing, and acting. The classic story of Mary Poppins, with its timeless themes of family, imagination, and kindness, resonated deeply with our students.
After the performance, the adventure continued as we headed to the nearby playground. The students had a fantastic time exploring the playground, enjoying the various equipment and activities available. It was a perfect opportunity for them to unwind, socialise, and have fun in the fresh air.
This excursion was not only an educational experience but also a wonderful opportunity for our students to bond and create lasting memories. We are incredibly grateful to all those who made this day possible, especially the teaching and support staff, the Club and Rohan. Thank you to Nikki Field for her organisation of this events. Your contributions ensured that our students had an enriching and delightful day out.
We look forward to many more exciting excursions and adventures in the future.

Attendance Matters

Upcoming Excursions & Incursions

On Friday 9th August our Infants classes will travel to Bathurst to see The Gruffalo at BMEC. This is Week 3 of Term 3. Consent for this excursion will be distributed through Compass at the beginning of next term.

Additionally, all classes will be participating in our Beat's 'n Pieces incursion at St Joseph's to be held on Monday 5th August.

This performance is built upon STEM concepts and driven by audience participation, immersing students into a world of music and looks at the technology, science and history behind it.

Pupil Free Day - 16th August 2024

Don't forget to note in your diary that Friday 16th August (Week 4 of Term 3) is a Pupil Free Day. As such there will be no supervision at school on this day.

Canteen Volunteers

Last week notes were distributed for Canteen Volunteers for Terms 3 & 4.  We are always looking for more helpers, so if you are available, our children would be most appreciative.  Please contact the school if you can help.

End of Term Prayer

Community Notices