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Mother’s Day Breakfast and Prayer Service
It was such a joy today to be able to welcome our mothers, grandmothers and other special female role models in the lives of our children to school for our breakfast and prayer service. It has been a while since we could do this and what a great turn out it was! We hope that you all enjoyed sharing some time with your children, the breakfast hosted by our wonderful P&F, and time to listen to why mothers are so special through God’s eyes and your children’s.
An enormous thank you to our P&F Committee who have spent much time preparing for this to take place and organising so many moving parts to ensure the success of the morning. Laura Bell, Mel Robinson, Stephen Zerafa and Bec Newton have been such advocates for our community and have taken their own time to provide this experience.
Thank you also to staff who set up the spaces for a successful day for all and assisted in hosting the breakfast with an early start. We also thank Year 4 for leading a beautiful prayer service and a special little gift to show our appreciation.
Volunteers in the School
We are so pleased that we have volunteers coming back to school in a variety of ways to assist. We remind families that we do require two things from you to be able to volunteer and while we know this may hinder some people from volunteering, we have a directive from the Catholic Schools Office to do so for the protection of our children. We hope that you understand our first priority is the duty of care to our children and we appreciate you following this process to volunteer in our school. You are required to have an unpaid Working With Children Check (https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-working-children-check) and proof of double COVID Vaccination which are managed by our office staff. If you require any assistance with this, please ask our wonderful Office Aunties.
Hair and Accessories in our Uniform
We draw attention this week to the uniform requirements at school, with particular attention to hair styles and accessories. Hair should be neat, clean and of the student’s natural colour. Hair should be styled off the face for both boys and girls. Extremes in hairstyles are not permitted. Shaved in patterns are not permitted. Long hair must be tied back from the face in the interests of hygiene and safety using elastic, ribbon or headbands in the school colours.
We are seeing a variety of hair styles that are not part of our uniform as well as hair and body accessories. Please ensure that your child does not have these at school, they can be of course for weekend and holiday periods. If your child is wearing these items, they will be asked to remove them and keep them at home. If your child would like a haircut or accessories that are not in keeping with the uniform, we also ask that you save these for holidays when they have time to grow back or come out in time.
Celebrating Our Faith
Mothers’ Day
To all mothers, grandmothers, special ladies, parents and carers who step into a mother's role for our students, may you all have a day full of blessing and love.
Happy Mothers’ Day to you all.
Lord Jesus Christ, You chose to put yourself—tiny, needy and helpless - into the nurturing and watchful hands of a human mother. Since then, every act of mothering, both physical and spiritual, in every time and every corner of the world recollects Mary’s. Inspired by this example, we too, honour our mothers and mother figures today. Bless these women, that they may be strengthened as Christian mothers and nurturers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their sons and daughters, honour them always with a spirit of profound respect.
We ask this in your holy name.
Amen
May the Month of Mary
Even God needed a Mother. As we honour today our earthly mothers and mother figures—including stepmothers, relatives, guardians, close family friends and those who would be mothers—let us honour our heavenly mother as well. Those devoted to her are always led to her Son. For her wise counsel tells us, “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5). In the Catholic Tradition, we dedicate the Month of May to Mary, Our Mother. Her example teaches us faith, obedience, humility and most of all, how to love.
Wildfire 10:10 - Year 6
Our Year 6 students joined in with the Stage 3 students at St Joseph's Laurieton for a session of praise, worship and evangelisation.
Wildfire are a Diocese of Lismore Praise and Worship band. The experience is designed as a celebration for students with a Gospel encounter opportunity to achieve the Fullness of Life.
Learning Together
As children progress through their school years, it is very important that checks are made along the way to see how well they are learning the essential skills of reading, writing and mathematics – skills that will set them upon the path to success as adults.
Over the next two weeks our Year 3 and Year 5 students will be completing their NAPLAN Assessments. NAPLAN is a point-in-time assessment that allows parents and carers to see how their child is progressing in literacy and numeracy against the national standard and compared with their peers throughout Australia. At the classroom level, NAPLAN provides additional information to support teachers’ professional judgement about student progress.
NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students have already learnt through the school curriculum. Over the past few weeks our teachers have ensured that students are familiar with the test formats and have provided them with appropriate support and guidance.
NAPLAN tests are constructed to give students an opportunity to demonstrate skills they have learnt over time through the school curriculum, and NAPLAN test days should be treated as just another routine event on the school calendar. The best way you can help your child prepare for NAPLAN is to reassure them that NAPLAN tests are just one part of their school program, and to advise them to simply do the best they can on the day.
If you would like further information please access NAPLAN - information for parents and carers.
Year 5 Easter Artworks
He’s alive! Year 5 used symmetry, stencils and watercolours to produce these wonderful Easter Artworks. What a wonderful reminder of our Easter Season present in our classrooms. Well done Year 5 Artists!
Samuel Taylor, Sarah Blundell and Laura Hatherly
Year 5 Teachers
Zone Cross Country - Postponement
Due to the grounds being too wet the Zone Cross Country Carnival has been postponed to Wednesday 18th May. The details of the day remain the same as they were for the original date. If for any reason your child is now unable to participate on the 18th May please contact the Office Aunties as soon as possible.
Date: Wednesday 18th May.
Venue: Bowraville Recreation Club (Golf Course).
Times: Welcome and Prayer: 9:30am, Walk the course: 9:45am, Races commence: 10:30am.
Buses: Leave St Joseph’s Primary 7:30am, return approximately 3:00pm (Roadwork and delays in Carnival timetable could occur. It is best to arrange to collect your child from school).
Selections: From this Carnival the best 8 runners per age (8/9 years – 12 years) will be selected to participate in the Diocesan Cross Country Carnival at Grafton on 24th May 2022 (back up date 31st May).
Approximate Program of Events: (Times are subject to change without notification)
11 Year Boys: 10:30am - 3km 11 Year Girls: 10:45am - 3km
12+ Year Boys: 11:00am - 3km 12+ Year Girls: 11:15am - 3km
9 Year and Under Boys: 11:30am - 2km 9 Year and Under Girls: 11:40am - 2km
10 Year Boys: 11:50am - 2km 10 Year Girls: 12:00 noon - 2km
Presentation: 12:30pm Depart: 1:00pm
Grade Sport Days
St Agnes’ Education introduces the Creative Arts Nest
Building upon the wonderful tradition of creative and performing arts, St Agnes’ Education is proud to announce the launch of the Creative Arts Nest.
The Creative Arts Nest is dedicated to fostering powerful, inclusive artistic experiences and a creative exchange of ideas across St Agnes’ Parish Schools.
Our purpose is to inspire, educate, connect and entertain through our engaging cultural and artistic offerings.
The Nest is committed to enriching our students' education experience by generating opportunities for participation in the arts, partnering with our schools, collaborating with local artists and forming connections within the greater community.
“This is a significant development in how our schools utilise our size and effectiveness and work together to provide for students something that no other individual school can offer,” said Stephen Pares, Regional Services Leader Hastings Region, Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools.
The second program kicking off May 2nd, is the A4Art Prize which is the first Parish wide schools art competition of its kind. With a prize pool of more than $3500, students and staff are invited to take one A4 size piece of paper and create an artwork by using the paper in any way they choose. Entries close May 20th, 2022. Shortlisted Artworks will be showcased in an online exhibition, along with a touring exhibition to each of the six St Agnes’ Education Schools.
Gates open at 5:15pm and close at 6:45pm. The Discos will run from 5:30pm to 6:30pm.
The INFANTS DISCO (Kinder to Year 2) will be held in the Hall (near home lines) and the PRIMARY DISCO (Year 3 to Year 6) will be held in the MPA. Parent volunteers and teachers will be on site to supervise throughout the event. Parents are welcome to either drop off their children or stay for the duration of the Disco.
Entry at the door is $5.00 per student (please have your cash ready) and includes a cold drink (juice or water) and a small packet of chips.*
We invite all students to come dressed in their best neon colours!
Our fundraising goal for this event is $1,500. Another step closer to our new playground equipment!
See you there!
*Please notify the Office Aunties if you have preferred catering preferences for your child due to allergies.
Student Absences
We are still currently experiencing issues with the school Absent SMS system relating to student daily absences. We have temporarily disabled this platform and to assist with this problem, please record a student absence by submitting it either via the school website, Schoolzine App (SZapp), phoning the school on 6583 3848 or sending an email to sjpport@lism.catholic.edu.
Student Medical Appointments and Early Departure
We strongly encourage parents to organise medical appointments outside of school hours (Start 8.55am and Finish 3.10pm) but are conscious that this is not always possible. For your convenience if you have to make a medical appointment for your child during school time please be aware of our breaks for your planning as there will be a delay in getting your child to the office if they are out at lunch play:
Lunch 1 is at 11:00am-11:40am
Lunch 2 is at 1:40pm-2:10pm
Hometime messages
If there is a change to your child's hometime travel arrangements please let your child know before they leave the house or write a note to your child's teacher. Some parents also write a "H" (homelines) or a "B" (buslines) on their child's hand. We understand that plans may change during the day and ask that you phone the office Aunties on 6583 3848 between the hours of 8.30am and 2.30pm. This enables us to ensure that your child gets the message in a timely manner. Do NOT email the school or message your child's teacher directly as it may not be seen in the timeframe you require. If an emergency occurs or there is a late change to your child's home time plan we will do everything we can to get the message to your child after 2.30pm. Please be aware that a warning school bell sounds at 3:00pm for classes to prepare to leave the class for hometime at 3.10pm which makes it difficult to guarantee that a message will get to your child.
Supply issues and item availability
There are some ongoing issues with supplies and unfortunately this means some items will not always be available. I am updating Flexischools daily so you can see what is available when you go to place an order, however sometimes I don’t know that something isn’t available until I receive my delivery. In this case, I will offer an alternative item which is as close as possible to the item that has been ordered.
There are other items that I have had to remove from the menu for now as there is not enough time to make or prepare them when I am working by myself. Now that I can have volunteers back to help in the Canteen, hopefully I can reintroduce these items again. Please see the section below for information on how you can help in the Canteen if you have one free morning per month.
Term 4 Canteen Menu
Fruit for Crunch’n’Sip
Fruit can be ordered in a lunch order for Fruit Break (Crunch’n’Sip) but please remember to let your child know that it is part of their lunch order and that they will need to collect it from the Canteen. Fruit can be ordered with over the counter lunch orders or Flexischool online orders (preferred method).
Lunch Orders and Flexischools Cutoff Time
A friendly reminder that Flexischools cutoff for canteen lunch orders is 8.30am each day.
Orders can be placed via Flexischools or by dropping them in the basket on the counter each morning.
Flexischools is our preferred method for submitting lunch orders.
- Download the Flexischools app from the App Store or from Google Play.
Note: for iPhone and iPad please select ‘Allow’ notification - Click “Register Now” to create account
- Top-up your balance
- Start ordering immediately
- Alternatively Go to www.flexischools.com.au or you can find the link on the school website.
Don’t forget you can place your online orders days or even weeks in advance, making the morning rush even easier!
Volunteers
Our new COVID guidelines now allow volunteers into the school. As we prepare to start back with volunteers, you can register to volunteer via this link - Click here for Volunteers Form. You will also need to email or drop in a copy of your Volunteer Working With Children Check and a proof of double vaccination to sjpport@lism.catholic.edu.au. After registering your availability in the above online form and sending in your supporting documents Kim, our Canteen Co-ordinator will be in contact with you to arrange your first day.
Kim Goldie
Canteen Coodinator
KBB | Shelby Moore | River Morris | Annmary Sefin Vallooran |
KHB | Winston Dunn | Sophie Richardson | Jayda Roger-Thomas |
1CS | Morgan Marlowe | Kainoa Pacey | Eliza Steadman |
1PS | Liam Clint | Zoella Cruickshanks | George Smith |
2BT | Wyatt Hough | Jay Tymerski | Ethan Tony |
2DT | Jade McGinley | Faith Ojeda | Liam Clarke |
3B | Jake Kaandorp | Taylor Ashcroft | Angelrose Sefin Vallooran |
3MH | Tilly Scott | Wynter Stewart | William Mackenzie |
4MM | Lexi Stacey | Lincoln Mostran | Ameiley Ervine |
4R | Jade Hanks | Lily Rose Francis | Layla Porter |
5BH | Oscar Peirce | Xavier Mat | Violet Richardson |
5T | Ryder Monckton | Swapnil Dahal | Lucas Lynch |
6H | Billy Stapleton | Gene Smith | Ada Zerafa-Johnson |
6L | Peyton Berry | Joseph Hunt | Isabelle Moane |
Short Survey - Recognising 'Special Days' at St Joseph's
We were fortunate enough to hold a few different events during Term 1. We would like to get your thoughts about what works for families and suggestions or ideas you would like to share. Thank you for taking the time to complete this form which will help us in future planning.
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Please note these dates can change from time to time due to unforeseen circumstances and we will endeavour to advise you of any changes at the earliest possible opportunity. Our school Google calendar can be accessed via this link for additional advanced dates -
For your convenience 2022 school term dates are listed below. They are also located on our website. Click on the words “TERM DATES” on the home page.
TERM 2
Kindergarten to Year 6 commence classes for Term 2 - Tuesday
26th April 2022
Staff Development Day (Pupil Free) - Friday 24th June 2022
Kindergarten to Year 6 last day of classes Term 2 – Friday
1st July 2022
TERM 3
Kindergarten to Year 6 commence classes for Term 3 - Monday
18th July 2022
Kindergarten to Year 6 last day of classes Term 3 – Thursday
22nd September 2022
Staff Development Day (Pupil Free) - Friday 23rd September 2022
TERM 4
Kindergarten to Year 6 commence classes for Term 4 - Monday
10th October 2022
Kindergarten to Year 6 last day of classes for Term 4 - Friday
16th December 2022
Staff Development Day (Pupil Free) - Monday 19th December 2022
Staff Development Day (Pupil Free) - Tuesday 20th December 2022
Other Holidays in 2022
Australia Day – 26th January (Public Holiday)
Good Friday – 15th April (Public Holiday)
Easter Monday – 18th April (Public Holiday)
ANZAC Day – 25th April (Public Holiday)
Queen’s Birthday – 13th June (Public Holiday)
Labour Day – 3rd October (Public Holiday)
Christmas Day - 25th December (Public Holiday)
Boxing Day - 26th December (Public Holiday)
Supply of Rapid Antigen Tests for Students
Year 6 Camp - Medical and Consent request together with Camp Guidelines and Gear Packing List
Postponed - Zone Cross Country 2022
Year 5 and 6 (eligible students) Invitation for Sacrament of First Holy Communion
Year 4 (eligible students) Invitation for Sacrament of First Holy Communion
Update to NAPLAN timetable for Years 3 and 5