WELCOME BACK!

Welcome back to all of our families  for Term 3. I hope that the children’s holiday break was a time to rest and recover some energy after a busy term and that all are back safely. No doubt for many parents, this was still a time of work, so we hope that there were a few sleep-ins where possible for you too. 

We look forward to more great learning experiences, some special events and time to continue working together to build our community.

Some of the things to look forward to this term are Zone Athletics, Book Week, Year 6 Camp, Tournament of Minds, P&F Colour Run, Glasshouse performances, Dance Eisteddfod and ICAS competitions. There will be many more exciting happenings that we will bring to you as the term goes on. 

BOOK WEEK - READING IS MY SECRET POWER!

This year Book Week is celebrated from 18th-23rd August with the theme “Reading is my secret power!”

There had been a decision made after a survey from our parents and carers that we would have Book Week dress up and Easter Hat Parade on a year about rotation. This means that in 2019 we will be inviting students (and adults who would love to join in) to celebrate Book Week by dressing up to suit the theme by being a book character or representing the theme in an imaginative way. We will provide the date and time in next week’s newsletter when teachers have had a chance to speak about Book Week with students, but you are welcome to start searching for ideas and resources to join in the fun! 

ST JOSEPH'S PRIMARY AND JOEY'S HOUSE CARPARK

We would like to remind parents and carers that the carpark that is between our school office and Joey’s House Preschool is for staff of the school and preschool only. It is not a kiss and drop / park and drop or pick up zone for our school. During our busy times of day, driving in and out of this carpark is challenging, and can create unsafe conditions for children and adults. 

The only exception to this is for the use of the disabled parking space for a car with a disabled permit for short term parking. If a parent, carer or student does not require this, it is not appropriate to use this space as this limits access for those who really need it. The spaces are clearly marked, with a sign at the entrance.

Please also note that all of our drop off and pick up zones are marked with signs in front of the school to ensure safe access for all parents, carers and students, either travelling by car, bus or walking. The school gates are open up until 8:55am and from 3:10pm during school days and outside of these times parents and carers need to enter the school via the office.

We value the safety of all of our school community and ask for your support to use our areas responsibly.

BEATITUDES AND SOCIAL MEDIA

One of the most beautiful texts from the Bible for us is The Beatitudes, which are an expression of the qualities Jesus commended to people in everyday life. The Bible holds messages as relevant to us in 2019 as they were thousands of years ago when they were recorded by the writers who have passed them to us. The language is not always easy for us to understand as it was written in the context of the communities who were different to us now. However, spending time understanding the texts within it can bring some rich meaning to us in our relationships with others and the way we live each day.

As adults who live with technology and social media, it is challenging sometimes to not get drawn into interactions that are unhealthy or not life giving, as we can forget there are people behind the profiles that we see and the words that we type. We also know as parents, that this is one of the most challenging areas to guide our children through. 

Below is a lovely interpretation of the Beatitudes in the context of social media, which is well worth a look at, and a revisit at times when we need it.   

THINKING OF OUR COMMUNITY

We offer our thoughts and prayers to Toby Hamilton - K Green and Jack Armitage - 1 Green and their families on the recent loss of their great grandmothers. 

A big welcome and congratulations to the K Green families of Sianna Sain and Indya McKenzie who both welcomed new baby brothers.

Sianna's new brother's name is Sabert and Indya's was named Mason. 

Tess Koning

Principal