Dear Parents and Carers, 

I hope that you all have had a restful break! It was so lovely to see the students again yesterday and they seemed very excited to be back at school (despite the rain!). Thank you to the students and families that were able to attend our Anzac services on Monday. Emma and Cooper did an exceptional job representing our school as our Captains at both services. 

Staff Development Day

On Tuesday, staff participated in professional learning related to our key priority areas in High Impact Teaching and the Religious Education Curriculum. Together we developed a shared understanding of why it’s so important for children to become skilled readers, how models of reading inform evidence-based instruction and how intervention can be used to meet the needs of all readers.

Uniform & Sport

Students are to wear full Winter uniform for Terms 2 and 3. We will have a transition period of 2 weeks to allow for seasonal weather and to allow time for parents to purchase new uniforms if needed. 

We were successful in receiving funding from Sporting Schools again this term and the ACT Brumbies will be running a Rugby Union program for us. This program will be run on TUESDAYS commencing next week, so students need to wear sport uniform on Tuesdays please. 

Western Region Cross Country

Western Region Cross Country will be held in Gundagai tomorrow FRIDAY 29th April. (As a result we will NOT be holding our weekly Assembly on Friday). Participating students should be at the Gundagai Racecourse ready to walk the course by 10am. Mr Martens and myself will be supervising. I can be contacted on the school mobile on the day if needed - 0407401054.

Please check the Compass Event for further details. We wish our runners all the best!

Music Tutoring

Thank you to the parents that responded to my call out regarding Music tutoring. We have now had enough responses that this service will be able to go ahead! It’s not too late to enrol your child if they’re interested in learning an instrument. Go to the following link to do so:

 https://www.youngrc.nsw.edu.au/enrol-now

 Music lessons for 5/6, tutoring and choir will commence in Week 2 or 3 on Thursdays! Yr 2/3/4 will participate in Music lessons in Term 3 and K/1 in Term 4. We are excited to be partnering with the Young Regional Conservatorium to provide this service.

 Breakfast Club

Breakfast Club started today and will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Thank you to the people that were able to volunteer their time to get the program up and running. If you would like to volunteer we would love your help next term or donations of breakfast foods would also be appreciated please (cornflakes, weetbix, vegemite and honey).

 Henry Lawson Festival

This year the Henry Lawson Festival will look a little different. We have been invited to participate in a Static Parade on the Saturday of the long weekend. We are still brainstorming what this will look like, but it may include a performance from our newly formed choir and a display showcasing our beautiful school. So, keep this date free!

 Additional Pupil Free Days

Following communication from Ross Fox (see Compass post), Director of Catholic Education, on Friday 10th June (long weekend) and Friday 1st July (last day of term), there will be a pupil free, staff planning day. On these days our staff will be involved in professional learning to improve High Impact Teaching Practices that will benefit all the students at St Josephs.

 St Josephs will provide limited supervision on each of these days for students that have no other option. If your child requires supervision on these days, please contact me directly to arrange (melissa.hotham@cg.catholic.edu.au).

 Excursions

Staff are working very hard to plan exciting and enriching excursion opportunities for our students this year. There will be a cost to parents, so please keep this in mind with your budgeting. As soon as details are finalised we will let parents know.

Important dates this term

Please see the calendar included at the end of this newsletter for all the important dates we

have planned so far this term.

 I look forward to another fantastic term with you. As always please contact me if you have any questions or queries. My email address is melissa.hotham@cg.catholic.edu.au

 Kind thoughts,

Melissa Hotham

Principal

On the last day of Term 1, the whole school participated in a Stations of the Cross Prayer Celebration. During this celebration, students reenacted the steps that Jesus took on his way to his crucifixion at Golgotha (also called Calvary). At each station, the students had time to reflect and pray. As well as emphasizing the important Christian aspects of the Easter season, the celebration highlighted our role in helping those in need.

God our Father,

We will never forget our love for Jesus. Forgive us when we forget about those who need our help. Help us to be more like Jesus and follow his example in giving to those in need, both here and far away.

Amen

This term, each class will be responsible for organizing a prayer celebration based on their own chosen theme. More information about these celebrations will be sent home later in the term. The students would love to have you attend if you are able.

May the hope and joy of Easter linger in your hearts as we move into another busy term.

Prayer Of the Week         Written By Harper Wildsoet

Dear God,

Please help all the sick people get better quickly. Amen

Amen

Peace and blessings

Kind Regards

Leslie King