WHO IS THE BEST TEACHER AT ST JOSEPH'S?

No, we are not having a popularity competition to see who the kids like the best ….. this was Fr Paul’s opening question for our students to ponder and respond to in his Homily at our school Mass last week. There was a buzz among the children as they shared with their classmates their favourite teachers and why. We are used to Fr Paul linking a question to a message that can be unexpected. There was an audible reaction when he gave us his own answer. 

The message is simple but essential, as it challenges us all to look to the role model who so authentically lived to serve and lift up others, just as we are called to do. This role model lives in each one of us, created in his image; to continue building a community committed to being united in compassion, service, love, forgiveness, prayer, gentleness, patience, self-control and humility. We pray to put aside the barriers we place in our view so that we can see him in each other and grow more like him each day. I share here Fr Paul's answer to the question -  

Jesus is the best teacher at St Joseph’s because:

• Jesus was compassionate - always taking the time to notice how other people were feeling, which drove him to help others.
• Jesus liked to help others - he never turned away anybody that needed help.
• Jesus was loving - he loved everyone. He loved us so much that he died for us; just look at the cross. That’s how much he loved us.
• Jesus was forgiving - he forgave others when they hurt him. When anyone had done the wrong thing, Jesus always encouraged them to seek forgiveness.
• Jesus was totally committed to others.
• Jesus was prayerful - no matter how busy he was, he always found time to pray.
• Jesus was gentle - when he was with people and helping them, he was always kind and gentle.
• Jesus was patient - even though many people did not understand what he was saying, he patiently taught them and made sure they understood what he was teaching.     
• Jesus had self-control - he didn’t get distracted. He knew what he had to do and made sure he did it to the best of his ability.
• Jesus was humble - he did not want to show off. He just wanted to help others in whatever way he could.   

TOILET BLOCK REFURBISHMENT

I am pleased to be able to announce the start of our Year 3-6 toilet block refurbishment project. After much planning and organising in collaboration with our wonderful support in the Parish, the commencement of our project is fast approaching. This was made possible through a successful grant application through the CSO in 2019. 

The project will take approximately 8 weeks to complete, commencing on the weekend of 7th and 8th March. The expected completion will be just after the Term 1 school holidays. As you can imagine, this is a major project and we will be preparing the students for how this will be managed. We will have temporary toilets delivered to our school prior to the fencing off of the block, which students will use during the project. While this will be inconvenient for the time of the work, we need to remember what the benefits of this will be for our school. Students will need to exercise patience and self-control during this time so that we are able to see the realisation of a wonderful and long-awaited facility. 

PUPIL FREE DAY - TERM 1

As published in our dates to plan ahead in our newsletters this term, the Pupil Free Day for Term 1 is on Thursday 9th April. On this day our staff will be engaged in their Spirituality Retreat off site. Due to being away from school, there will be no child minding for this day. The final day of school for Term 1 for students will be Wednesday 8th April.

LEUKAEMIA FOUNDATION - WORLD'S GREATEST SHAVE

A reminder that Year 6 student Grace Chuwen will be participating in the World’s Greatest Shave on Friday 13th March at school. If you would like to donate, please click below and the link will take you to Grace’s page, or visit our office where there is a box to place money into.

2020 STUDENT RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS AND OTHER INFORMATION COLLECTION

The Australian Government Department of Education and Training will be undertaking a residential address collection in 2020. As part of this project we are required to send out to all parents and carers a 2020 Student Residential Address and Other Information collection notice, advising parents that the Australian Government Department of Education and Training is requesting that schools provide a statement of address.

A statement of addresses contains the following information about each student at the school:

• Student residential address (not student names).
• Student level of education (i.e. whether the student is a primary or secondary student).
• Student boarding school status (i.e. whether the student is boarding or a day student).
• Names and residential addresses of the student’s parent(s) and/or guardian(s).

Please find click on the link below to view the 2020 Student Residential Address and Other Information collection notice.

If you require any further information regarding this please do not hesitate to contact me.

Tess Koning
Principal