Dear parents and carers,

The term is off and running with the students and teachers enjoying our newly refurbished classrooms. The ‘top block’ has been completely recarpeted and rewired and has pinboards that reach quite high up the wall. These rooms not only look bigger and brighter, but the acoustics are much more suitable for teaching and learning. The sliding glass doors will be installed later this term and the whole block will get a fresh coat of paint on the interior, probably during the next break. 

The K-2 space has also had new pinboards installed and all the students and staff are enjoying their new teaching and learning spaces. 

Covid restrictions

We are currently operating under the no visitors except essential workers rule provided to us by CE.

For this reason, regular canteen orders will not be available next week. Students will be able to order  the following items at lunch time only: party pies, Mrs Macs beef pie, chicken wedges, sausage roll, garlic bread and noodle cup(chicken). Fruit boxes will also be available. 

If you need to order some clothing, please contact the school and we can provide it for you by placing it in your child’s bag.   

Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews

Thank you to parents who were able to meet with staff about their student’s progress during Semester 1.

If there are any parents who missed the interviews and would like an opportunity to speak with the teachers, do not hesitate to call and make an appointment. These interviews will be conducted by telephone. 

SRC School Pet Day

Thank you to all the parents who agreed to bring in pets for their children to help them to enjoy the school pet day. Thanks also to Miss Schneider and the SRC for organising it so that it could run so smoothly. It was a great success! 

Western Region Athletics Carnival

This event has been postponed until further notice. 

Public Speaking

All students from Years 3-6 will be preparing and presenting speeches for this year’s public speaking competition. The speeches from all students will be presented in their classrooms during Week 6. Two children from each grade level will be chosen to represent St Joseph’s at the next level. At this point in time, it is presumed that these speeches will be presented using Microsoft Teams, with the judges gaining access remotely.

This year’s topics are:

Year 3- If I were an animal, I would…

Year 4- Best invention ever

Year 5- It’s complicated

Year 6- Stronger together

More information can be found on the separate stapled sheets. 

Enrolments for 2022

Any parents considering enrolling their children at St Joseph’s in 2022 are asked to contact the school at your convenience.

Kind regards,

Acting Principal

Between July 4 and 11 was NAIDOC Week and although many local celebrations were postponed due to the current COVID-19 situation, it is important to acknowledge this special time. 

NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate and respect the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It enables us to embrace First Nations’ cultural knowledge and understanding of Country as part of Australia’s national heritage. We recognise the deep connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to country as inherent to every aspect of their identity. 

The theme this year is Heal Country. Country is more than a place. Country is family, kin, law, lore, ceremony, traditions, and language. Healing Country means embracing First Nation’s cultural knowledge and understanding of Country as part of Australia's national heritage. That the culture and values of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders are respected equally to the cultures and values of all Australians. 

The 2021 National NAIDOC Poster, ‘Care for Country’ was designed by Gubbi Gubbi artist Maggie-Jean Douglas. Using the 2021 NAIDOC Week theme, Heal Country!, as inspiration, ‘Care for Country’ is a bright and vibrant artwork which explores how Country has cared for and healed First Nations people spiritually, physically, emotionally, socially and culturally. 

NAIDOC Week | NAIDOC

 You may wish to reflect on this prayer from the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) Leadership Gathering in November 1995. 

Father our Creator You created all things, seen and unseen,

Listen to my silent prayer as I stand here before you.

As my weary eyes look back over distant horizons,

Back to those days where my people walked. The footprints of my grandfathers are imprinted on the earth and their images become real to me.

I see my Grandfathers standing tall and strong, warriors of long ago. I hear them singing, I see them dancing, and my spirit moves within me.

They told me of the emus fighting; picking the scent of our hunters.

The images fade away as I feel the hurt of my people.

I can hear the cries of my Grandmothers as they cry for their children.

Grandfather, You can see me as I stand here and feel this hurt.

Father Creator, is this the purpose of my being here? Or is it your plan to reshape my people to be once again the proud race it once was?

Let me walk with you and my Grandfathers towards the dawning of a proud and new nation.

I thank you for my Sacred Being.

Amen.

Danielle Schneider

Acting Religious Education Coordinator