Week 3- Term 3 - 2021
Dear Families
Last Monday at our Parent Forum Meeting when giving the Principal's report, it became more than obvious the impact that the current COVID guidelines are having on our term. We have had to postpone many of our planned events. However, as a group we agreed that regardless, we have been very lucky, considering the lockdowns etc that are happening for many communities and schools. We continue to keep them all in our thoughts and prayers.
As you are aware, the school receives regular Covid updates from the Catholic Schools NSW, the Catholic Schools Office and NSW Health. We will ensure families are quickly updated if anything changes. Please continue to check the Compass App and Newsletter for any updates.
- As it stands now, the Zone Athletics Carnival, 1500 metres and the Diocesan Carnival have been postponed indefinitely. We will give you any further information about these as it becomes available.
- Some of our planned Excursions are unfortunately looking doubtful. We are waiting until this Friday for any further updates to guidelines from the Catholic Schools Office. We will keep you informed.
In preparation for any changes impacting a school, we have been updating two important documents here at school. The Outbreak Management Plan looks at how we manage an outbreak impacting schools. This document talks about how we get students safely home, in case of a school closure. This document will be followed in the event of any school closure.
The Education Continuity Plan has all the Learning & Teaching plans, should we need to return to blended learning. To support this, our students will be revising the use of Zoom as a communication tool and check-in. In the event that blended learning should have to happen. ES1 and Stage 1 will use SeeSaw as their main form of communication and learning. Stage 2 &Stage 3 will use Zoom and Google Classroom to support blended learning.
This information is being shared with you so that you are aware that we have strategies and information in place should the situation eventuate. Sharing the knowledge of these plans is not meant to create anxiety or stress but rather a reassurance that we are ready for whatever should arise.
COVID 19 REMINDERS
A big thank you to our parent community for your adherence to the current Covid guidelines. We continue to keep those people in our prayers who are in lockdown situations and those who are ill because of the virus. Some reminders from those guidelines include
- All visitors must sign in to both Service NSW COVID Safe Check-In and WOL (Who’s on Location). This allows us to meet child protection and emergency management legal requirements, AND the Service NSW COVID tracking QR system.
- Unfortunately, under the current guidelines parents are not permitted to visit classrooms or attend sporting events or assemblies. All group gatherings have been cancelled including parent-teacher interviews. Face masks are essential when entering the Office.
- Unwell students, staff and visitors:
If your child has cold or flu symptoms, please follow the health advice, get tested and stay at home while unwell. Students who are unwell and attend school will be sent home with the request to get tested. Visitors who have cold or flu symptoms will not be permitted to enter the school.
STUDENT MOBILE PHONES AT SCHOOL
Just a reminder about students bringing mobile phones to school. As stated in the parent handbook:
'Students are not permitted to bring mobile phones to school at any time. If there is a serious reason for your child to need to bring a phone (eg for after school use), please write a note explaining this and the phone can be kept in the office during the day.'
All student mobile phones are to be taken to the office in the morning and picked up at the end of the day.
LOCKDOWN PRACTISE
At St Joseph's we carry out an emergency lockdown practice twice a year as part of our CRITICAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT. It is a procedure where a siren is sounded in the school and students and staff remain in the classrooms with doors and windows locked. The students and staff usually sit in a safe and hidden spot within the classrooms until it is declared that the lockdown practice is over. It is a very short procedure and is followed by a debriefing with the children. Emergency lockdown procedures are carried out twice a year so that children are conversant with procedures should there be a cause necessitating one. We have had a lockdown this week, with the children being very sensible and safe. You may get some questions or the children may mention the event at home.
TERM 3 SCHOOL FEES
The Term 3 School Fees have now been billed. Term 1 and Term 2 Fees are overdue and payment is requested.
Please contact the school to discuss any outstanding balance or to arrange a payment plan.
IN WEEK 3 OF TERM 3 WE ARE TRULY GRATEFUL FOR:
- Our Mini Vinnie Presidents Charlotte and Lean for the amazing job in encouraging our school community to donate to the 'care packs' to help people in our community.
- Our parents and students for their kindness in rising to the challenge of helping others through their much-appreciated donations to the 'care packs'
- Stage 1 for your wonderful assembly (sadly without parents present).
- Our staff for their preparation around blended learning and outbreak procedures.
Have a wonderful weekend! Stay safe and well.
Regards
SUNDAY GOSPEL REFLECTION The 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Gospel Reading: John 6: 1-24-35 - Jesus teaches the crowd that he is the "bread of life.".
Mini Vinnies Winter Appeal
COMFORT PACKS
Each year, Vinnies provides shelter, food, clothing, financial support, friendship and care for tens of thousands of people in NSW. Since the coronavirus outbreak, their volunteers and staff have worked tirelessly and creatively to keep their doors open at a time of increasing need. Now, more than ever is the time for us to come together to support those experiencing hardship. Supporting the Vinnies Winter Appeal will make a difference for people whose lives have been turned upside down.
Students, teachers and parents can contribute in several ways: by raising money, donating material goods, or performing simple acts of kindness. Last Year our Mini Vinnies and school community were praised for our mighty effort in creating comfort packs for the needy in our community. We were encouraged to continue this selfless initiative.
Our Mini Vinnies are collecting toiletry items such as soap, hand sanitiser, toothbrushes, toothpaste, sunscreen, face washes, shampoo etc to create comfort packs for the needy in our community. Donations of items for our comfort packs will be welcome. Please have your donations in by Wednesday 4th August.
STUDENT PROCLAIM DISCIPLESHIP RETREAT – ACCENDERE 2021
On Friday the 6th August Year 4 will participate in the Student Proclaim Discipleship Retreat called Accendere.
Accendere means to ‘switch on, kindle to catch fire, light to strike, to produce/spark the flame. The theme of the retreat is FRIENDSHIP. Our students will participate in a variety of activities to explore the concept of friendship, and the importance of having healthy relationships. The Accendere program will support students on their faith journey and allow them to be immersed in a day that focuses on the theme of friendship in Jesus.
Mrs Reese and Mrs Boyd will deliver the retreat supported by the Catholic Schools Office discipleship team's digital resources The Scripture theme: ‘And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. If you have a love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples.’ John 13: 34-35 (From Year 4 Unit- ‘Living The Law of Love’) will feature throughout the day.
Students are to wear their sports uniforms and bring their own lunch. We look forward to a fun and inspiring day for our students.
MAKING JESUS REAL - (MJR)
At St Joseph’s Woodburn we encourage our students to “Make Jesus Real’” by the way they act in our school community and while at home and out in the community
MJR at St Joseph’s Woodburn encourages our students to be WEST people - that is WELCOMING, ENCOURAGING, SAY SORRY when needed and be THANKFUL.
SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION (Year 3 students) - All Saints Church Woodburn WEDNESDAY 20th October 2021 at 6 pm.
Parish Sacramental Program Family Meeting preparation dates are:
1st Meeting: Saturday 11th September at 4:15 pm
2nd Meeting: Saturday 18th September at 4:15 pm
3rd Meeting: Saturday 9th October at 4:15 pm
4th Meeting: Saturday 16th October at 4:15 pm
Celebration of the Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop - Sunday 8th August
Celebration of the ASSUMPTION - Sunday 15th August
LISMORE MUSICAL FESTIVAL 2021 31st AUGUST - 3rd September
If any parent would like more information about the Lismore Musical Festival please see Gayl at the Parish Office,
Kindergarten | Archie Martin |
Year 1 | Eliana Piccini |
Year 2 | Tom Walsh |
Year 3 | Nick Felsch |
Year 4 | Lilijoy Walkington |
Year 5 | Max Ferrier |
Year 6 | Lean Sulit |
CONGRATULATIONS!
CANTEEN ROSTER
Monday, 2nd August | Kath Harford |
Wednesday, 4th August | Helen Grissell |
Monday, 9th August | Mel Handford |
Wednesday, 11th August | HELP NEEDED! |
If anybody is able to help out in Canteen in Term 3 could you please call Gayl on 66822468.
THANK YOU LADIES!