WEEK 7 Term 4 2024
Dear Families,
This weekend we begin the Season of Advent. The Scriptures in Advent encourage us to think of the Way … preparing the way, making the path straight, levelling out mountains and hills and filling in valleys to make a smooth pathway to get where we need to go!
How do we find wise and healthy ways of connecting to each other on this path in an age where there is so much rush, hurry, stress and pressure?
Traditionally, we lighten our hearts with the hope that all can be ‘home for Christmas’.
In this Advent Season, we can pause as we walk towards the Christmas Manger. Week by week, we reflect on the kind of road that God desires to shape, its destination, and our part in enabling it, so that God’s desire can come to birth.
Then, on arriving at the Manger, we will be at one with the Christchild, who modelled this Way for us – in his time, and for all time: the way of light, joy and peace.
LEADERSHIP SPEECHES
As Year 6 2024 start to prepare to enjoy and celebrate their last couple of weeks at Primary School, we begin to look to the Year 5 students and their potential for leadership for 2025. We are also mindful of how grateful we are to the 2024 School Leaders for their leadership this year.
In Week 9 ( Monday 9 December 2024) following an Advent Liturgy, the Year 5 students will present their leadership speeches to the whole school. Students in Years 2-5 will then participate in voting for their 2025 School Captains and Vice
Captains. The announcement of the Students chosen for those positions will take place in Week 10.
We wish all of the Year 5 students the best of luck with their speeches for Week 9. It takes a lot of courage to present to the whole school but it is a great beginning step-up to their roles for next year. We are very proud of their efforts.
CAROLS IN THE COLA
As we have already had a whole school performance at the Blessing and Dedication of our school on November 1, we will celebrate our Christmas wrap-up for 2024 with a BYO picnic and Carols in the COLA (Covered Outdoor Learning Area) at St Joseph's on Monday 16 December 2024 from 5.30 pm.
Please accept this as a welcome invitation to attend. Families are invited to bring their food, drinks (NO ALCOHOL), blankets and or seats. There will be Christmas songs and music playing, the children will present some carols and hopefully, a very jolly person in a red suit will make an appearance.
We hope this will be a great opportunity for us to get together, to celebrate all that has been this year, and to eat, talk, laugh and say goodbye to 2024.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING EVERYONE ON Monday 16th.
LEADERS THANK YOU AFTERNOON
Wednesday 11 December (Week 9) we will hold a leadership thank you afternoon for our Year 6 Leaders and SRC representatives. It is important to acknowledge their leadership role throughout 2024 and their impact on students and staff.
As in the last couple of years, the afternoon will be held during school time. It inncludes some games, a snack, reflection and acknowledgement (certificates) of the students' leadership this year.
MRS JETT GETS US A GRANT- THE COLES AND PLANET ARK SUSTAINABLE SCHOOLS GRANT FOR ST JOSEPH'S
THE FINAL PARENT FORUM MEETING FOR 2024-
THANK YOU DINNER
The final Parent Forum Meeting for 2024 will be held as a thank-you get-together for all the support and work done in 2024. The dinner will be at the Rod & Reel Woodburn next Monday 2 December at 6 pm. All are welcome to join us.
REVIEW OF PARENT REPRESENTATIVE GROUP FOR 2025
All schools in the Diocese of Lismore are required to review and renew their parent representative group by choosing one of two new models. At a Parent Forum meeting earlier this year the two new models for parent representation were presented and we would like to ensure all parents have the opportunity to indicate their preference. The two models are outlined below. Please read through the information and click on the links below for either more information or to access a short 2-question Google form where you can indicate your preference.
Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD)
CONTINUED CONFIRMED CASES OF WHOOPING COUGH AT ST JOSEPH'S
We continuing to have confirmation of further cases of Whooping Cough at our school.
If your child develops symptoms, please take them to your family doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor can advise whether the whooping cough is likely and arrange for testing and early treatment if needed. Treating people who have whooping cough with antibiotics can stop the infection from spreading, but is more effective if started early.
Thank you for your vigilance and for ensuring the safety of our students.
UPCOMING DATES TO NOTE
IN WEEK 7 OF TERM 4 WE ARE TRULY GRATEFUL FOR:
- Our student leaders across all classes
- Mrs Jett for her success in getting a grant for our school.
- Our Year 5 students for working to be our 2025 leaders
- The quality teaching that is happening at St Joseph's
- Our student learners for doing their best to achieve
Have a wonderful weekend!
Regards
Jeanette Wilkins
Principal
SUNDAY GOSPEL REFLECTION-First Sunday of Advent Year C
Luke 21:25-28,34-36
Jesus teaches his disciples to be vigilant so that they will be ready when the Son of Man comes in glory. The Gospel is taken from the last chapter before the passion narrative in which Jesus is teaching in the Temple. We hear Jesus speak to his disciples about the need for vigilance and prayer as they wait for the coming of the Son of Man.
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal
CHRISTMAS COLOURS CASUAL DAY - Thursday 12th December
Each year our local St Vincent de Paul members from the St John’s Evans Head Conference organise a Christmas Hamper Appeal for needy families within our community.
On Thursday 12th December our students are invited to wear Christmas colours to school. We ask our students to bring along a gold coin donation or item/items for their class Christmas Hamper. All our hampers and money raised will be donated to the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal and given to local people and families in need.
Christmas can be a very lonely and difficult time for many people so we should remember that we all can make a difference by helping others and by showing we care.
Students and their teachers are encouraged to help needy families by bringing items to school in empty Christmas hamper boxes.
Suitable items for the hampers would be non-perishable groceries such as pasta, soft drinks, nuts, puddings, Christmas Cake, biscuits, tinned fruit, breakfast cereal, fruit juice etc.
Please check the use-by dates before donating any items –expiry dates would need to be no earlier than March 2025.
We deeply appreciate your support of the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal and look forward to everyone joining in the spirit of Christmas reflected in our generosity and giving.
St Joseph's SPIRIT OF JESUS AWARD
At St Joseph's we remind our students that they are the living disciples of Jesus. We also encourage our students to look for the goodness in others. Our school Vice Captains-Mission this year Aya Stahl and Cooper Bailey have been responsible for helping to acknowledge students who demonstrate the attitudes and gospel values that show the Spirit of Jesus.
If we have the spirit of Jesus in our hearts, we are kind, compassionate, welcoming, cheerful, friendly, encouraging, giving, forgiving thankful, and respectful. The Spirit of Jesus Award this week was presented to Poppy Parkinson Year 3.
SATURDAY -St John’s Catholic Church Wattle Street Evans Head at 5:00 pm
SUNDAY- St Joseph’s Catholic Church Coraki - 9:15 am
ALL WELCOME
AROUND THE ROOMS
Kindergarten students were extremely excited to receive a letter from the North Pole this week. Santa needs their help to design and make a toy the elves can make. On Tuesday, we were very busy using our creative minds to devise plans and prototypes to send to Santa. There were some very unique toy constructions and I’m sure Santa will be very impressed with Kindergaten’s creations.
In Stage 1, students have been exploring concepts in maths in a creative and engaging manner. The children made paper planes and tested the effectiveness of their designs by measuring the length each model flew. What a fun way to develop measurement skills. Stage 1 also began preparing for the Christmas Carols night on the 16 December. They are working on learning their songs and the accompanying movements.
Stage 2 has also been kicking some goals. They are reading a text called “Kicking Goals with Goodesy and Magic” and relating their reading and writing tasks to this text. In Drama, the students created puppet plays using Reader’s Theatre scripts. Kindergarten loved being their audience last week. Sage 2 are quite the movers and shakers—they are exploring Indigenous dance styles with Mrs Maginnity, movements for our Christmas carols, and even some DJ Raphi rap moves. I was very impressed with their dance skills this week.
Stage 3 are currently writing speeches. Year 5 met with Ms Wilkins, the Year 6 leaders and myself to discuss leadership positions for next year. The Year 6 students shared their wisdom about leadership and outlined the highlights and challenges of their year as leaders. The Year 5’s had the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about being an effective leader. Year 6 are also preparing speeches for their graduation ceremony, which is coming up in the coming weeks.
There are lots of wonderful learning happening around the rooms, and it is great to see students so engaged in learning.
We’re excited to announce that the Lego Club runs every Monday after school from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the Library. This club is a fantastic way for students to tap into their creativity, where the only limit is their imagination! Each session allows students to socialise with friends, collaborate on builds, and solve problems in a relaxed and friendly environment.
Playing with Lego is more than just fun—it fosters critical thinking, fine motor skills, and patience as students experiment with designs and constructions. Whether building solo or working together on projects, the Lego Club offers an excellent way for students to make new friends and share ideas. We can’t wait to see what they create! All students are welcome to join.
| Kindergarten | Torah Morgan and Oliver Maloney |
| Year 1 | Oscar Quirk |
| Year 2 | |
| Year 3 | Jackson Marsden |
| Year 4 | Katie Hull |
| Year 5 | Chase Martin |
| Year 6 | Philippa Swanson |
CONGRATULATIONS
| Kindergarten | Frankie Pollard |
| Year 1 | Lester Moran and Kai Harford Coombs |
| Year 2 | Harper Marsden |
| Year 3 | Archie Martin |
| Year 4 | Maya Jensen |
| Year 5 | Lotte Duignan |
| Year 6 | Cooper Bailey |
CONGRATULATIONS
Sport Dates
13th December - St Joseph’s Swimming Carnival - Evans Head
FAMILY CONNECT IN ACTION
Hello there St Joseph’s Woodburn family, Cassie here from the Family Connect in School program. I'd like to introduce “Family Connect in Action’, a new addition to the school’s fortnightly newsletter. Each edition will give you links to information and resources to help you on your parenting journey.
My first edition is to let families know about the school Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) which can provide:
Free internet for eligible families
The Australian Government has introduced the School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) to provide free internet access to eligible families. The SSBI provides internet access to up to 30,000 families with school-aged children who are currently unconnected. The free internet access will be provided until 31 December 2025.
Am I eligible?
Eligible families:
- have a child living at home enrolled in K-12 at a NSW school
- have not had an active National Broadband Network (NBN) internet service for the previous 14 days. Having a mobile internet service does not affect eligibility.
- reside in a premise that can access a standard NBN service
- will undergo a suitability assessment conducted by the National Referral Centre (NRC). This is just a phone call or online application.
If you require any further information or assistance with an application, contact Cassie from the Family Connect in School program at 0427620667 or contact the National Referral Centre – run by Anglicare Victoria – on 1800 954 610 (Monday – Friday, 10am – 6pm AEDT), or visit: https://www.anglicarevic.org.au/student-internet/