Dear Families

As we continue to grow as a school, I am very aware that we don't look like the Catholic School that we used to. There is no large sign with St Joseph's Primary School at the front of the school, no large Cross, and no Josephite insignia. This will change in the near future as we know that we will be here for at least 18 months. My concern however is how would someone coming into our school know that it is a Catholic School? A piece of very important knowledge for us.

We put the question to our staff and they provided the following responses: 

• We are Sacramental (As a school we participate in  the Sacraments of  Confirmation, Reconciliation and Holy Communion)
• Making Jesus Real- we all work together as staff and students to make Jesus real to others every day in the way we act, speak and serve.
• We have prayer spaces in every classroom. 
• BFF groups
• Our Values
• We discuss Jesus as a role model daily (What Would Jesus Do?)
• We pray. Prayer is an important part of our everyday. We start every day with the school prayer, pray in our classrooms and end the day with prayer. We have staff prayer every week. 
• Discipleship student Retreats- Incitare, Exuro and Accendere. Staff Retreats
• We have amazing role models in our Patron Saints of St Joseph and St Mary of the Cross MacKillop.
• We teach Religion and learn about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
• We have a Mini Vinnies group whose major aim is to serve and make a difference. 
• We will continue to do Community Service in the nursing home and  Pre School when the time is right 
• We often discuss the Spirit of Jesus in our lives - those people who we come across daily who are like Jesus to us. 
• We are supported by Fr Max and Fr Peter
• We continue to care for our students and the community the best we can following the floods.

I wonder what our students would say?

I wonder what you, our parents would say? 

Katie and Scott Barnes, on behalf of Reflections Holiday Park, attended the school today and presented us with 2 beautiful citrus trees for  National  School Tree Day.

Katie commented that the children could tend the trees and watch them grow as we grow as a school. She hoped that we could learn from the trees and read us 

'ADVICE FROM A TREE'

Stand tall and proud

Sink your roots into the earth

Be content with your natural beauty

Go out on a limb

Drink plenty of water

Remember your roots.

Enjoy the roots. 

The School Captains thanked Scott and Katie, on behalf of the students and staff,  for their kindness and thoughtfulness.  

This afternoon Jai, Sonny and Miles planted the trees in the pots provided. We look forward to providing much fruit together as we continue to grow. 

We are pleased to be working towards the following excursions:

STAGE 2 

Will be going on an excursion to the  Coffs Coast Adventure Centre. The excursion has been planned for Wed 17 August to Fri 19 August, Term 3. 

The activities students will participate in are designed to positively impact student learning and development, in fun and exciting ways. Students take part in fun group challenges and activities that promote key learning through: Relationships - developing skills in communication, problem-solving, cooperation, negotiation, respect and care; Outdoors – nurturing an appreciation of the natural environment and sustainability; Action – reinforcing the importance of physical activity for wellbeing; Resilience –collaborating, negotiating and reflecting on difficult challenges to build courage and strength.

The  Curriculum areas addressed on this excursion: include Science and Technology - The Living World, Geography - The Earth’s Environment and Religion: -  One with God’s Creation.

STAGE 3 

The Stage 3 excursion to Canberra for 2022 is being organised for Term 4 (24 -27 October 2022).  The excursion is designed to support the classroom learning of the Stage 3 HSIE- History unit ‘Australia as a Nation’ (History).

The Excursion includes visits to, immersion and learning about: 

• Parliament House 
• The National Australian Museum
• The Electoral Commission 
•  Museum of Australian Democracy 
•  Australian Institute of Sport  
• The Australian War Memorial 
• The National Arboretum
•  Mt Ainslie and Duntroon
• The National Capital Exhibition 

An expression of interest has been sent home to be returned by Monday 25 July.

A reminder to our current families who would like to enrol siblings for next year, we are enrolling students now. You can enrol online or download an enrolment pack from our school website. I will commence enrolment interviews from August 1-5 so that acceptance letters can be sent out as soon as possible before Junior Joeys.
Please make sure that you spread the word to friends and relatives who are looking to start their child in Kindergarten in 2023.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Regards

Principal 

SUNDAY GOSPEL REFLECTION: 

Year C - The 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Luke 12:13-21
A person's life does not consist of possessions.

In the Gospel, Jesus invites us to share what we have with others,
The rich man in the story has plenty of things to keep himself happy, but he hasn’t shared any of his wealth with people in need. No action is often our biggest mistake. We should never hesitate to help others when given a chance.
Each time we go to Mass, we have the opportunity to ask forgiveness for what we have done and for what we have failed to do.

STORMBIRDS: Growing through natural disaster 

The Stormbirds small group program of 4 sessions (50-60 minutes) aims to support children

• Manage the personal impact of the changes they have experienced
• Understand that their reactions are normal
• To “take charge” of their attitudes, feelings and behaviours
• Develop skills for coping, problem-solving and decision making
• Build their support network with families, friends, teachers and others

 Resilience building and strengthening supportive relationships are vital aspects of recovering from such large-scale change events as natural disasters and the challenges that have had to be faced in their wake.

St Joseph’s is pleased to be able to offer this important program and we are confident that it will be a valuable learning experience for those who request to be involved. Our nine Stormbird groups commence their sessions next week.

Important Dates: 

* Friday 5th August: Stage 2 Mass - and the Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation of Ayla Stahl at 9:30 am at the St John's Anglican Church Evans Head All Welcome 

* Monday 8th August: the Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop - Founder of the Josephite Sisters who started our school

* Monday 15 August: Feast of the Assumption of Mary

* Friday 2nd September: Stage One and Early Stage One Mass- Father's Day 9:30 am at the St John's Anglican Church Evans Head All Welcome

FIRST EUCHARIST - celebrating First Holy Communion  - Year 4 students Saturday 10th September 

Thursday 22nd September:  Stage 3 Mass 9:30 am at the St John's Anglican Church Evans Head All Welcome

Richmond Zone Athletics

Congratulations to the following students who represented St Joseph's in the Richmond Zone Athletics Carnival on Thursday 28th July.

St Joseph's Woodburn Athletics Squad:

Jasmine Hayden, Jacob Kirk, Boston Long,  Miles Parkinson, Clancy Newman, Leila Bailey, Zoey Campbell, , Charlotte Robinson,  Huntah Edwards, Rita Murada, Thomas Bailey, Chase Martin, Lotte Duignan,  Amahli Hardford, Amelia Hume,  Kimberly Campbell, Jed Duignan,  Sophie Flanagan, Ayla Stahl, Meluca Jett, Sunni Reese and Hunter Prodanovic

We are so proud of each and every one of them for their effort, support, cheering, and mighty hearts! They were terrific! Thank you to those parents who attended to support and assist.

Congratulations to Miles Parkinson for placing third in the 100m 12yrs Boys Final. Miles will go to Coffs Harbour to represent the Zone at the Diocesan Athletics Carnival. 

A further congratulations to Jed Duignan, who participated in the 1500m run at Hepburn Park last Monday. Jed placed 5th- a mighty effort and result. 

 Dates for the calendar

Friday 12 August Diocesan Athletics - Coffs Harbour

Join us in a judgment-free environment, for an engaging + impactful workshop. We will take some timeout and share some laughs, maybe shed a tear, and talk about what’s going on for all of us.
After two hours you’ll leave a little lighter with some tools to help you check in, in real and honest ways with your friends, family and loved ones.

Baby sitting will be available at the Woodburn Preschool from 5:00pm to 7:45pm (dinner provided).
Limited babysitting available. Apply via email by Friday 12/8/22.
evansheadwoodburnpreschool@gmail.com

This FREE @tomorrowwoman_au event is proudly brought to you by Evans Head Preschool Association, with thanks to Richmond Valley Council Community Recovery and Resilience Fund, Healthy North Coast.