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Dear Parents and Carers,
Opening School Mass
How special it was to join as a school community yesterday to ask for God's blessings for this new school year. We welcomed the new students and staff members and blessed the new student leaders for 2023.
There are some very special traditions that St Joseph’s has that connect us with each other - including the Star Banner and “I have called you by name” song. These personal touches remind me how blessed we are to be apart of a warm and caring community.
It was lovely to have Fr Jiss, parents, family and parish members joining us for morning tea after the event. A joyous occasion, that has set the tone for a wonderful year ahead.
Thank you to Fr Jiss for presiding over the mass for us, as always he did a wonderful job making everyone feel warm and welcome. Thanks also to Mr King for assisting him as acolyte and to Mrs McFarlane for her behind the scenes work preparing the mass.
Playgroup
Last Friday was our first official St Joey’s Playgroup. It was a great success with a number of parents and carers joining Mrs Baker for a fun morning of activities. It was also fantastic to have Kathy out the front with the Unwind coffee van for a great Friday morning pick me up!
Please let anyone know that may be interested about Playgroup and remember to grab a coffee when you drop the kids off or drive past.
Kind thoughts,
School Opening Mass
Our Opening School Mass was a wonderful occasion to officially start the school year and formally welcome our new students and staff members.
The Kindergarten children, along with Ruby and Iris, were especially excited to place their stars on the school star banner.
Our new student leaders were also presented with badges after their leadership pledge and we are incredibly proud of them and know they will represent our school very well.
We also officially welcomed Mrs Harveyson, Mrs Green and Mrs Metcalfe into the St Joseph’s School community.
Father Jiss presided over the Mass, and we thank him for making himself available to come and celebrate the Mass with us. We also thank John King for being the acolyte.
Thanks also to all the parents, grandparents, other family members, friends, and parishioners, who were able to come along and share this special occasion with us. It was an uplifting and joyous start to the year.
Shrove Tuesday
On the 21st of February it is Shrove Tuesday, and we will be making (and eating) pancakes.
Shrove Tuesday is the day before Lent starts on Ash Wednesday. The name Shrove comes from the old middle English word 'Shriven' meaning to go to confession to say sorry for the wrong things you've done. Lent always starts on a Wednesday, so Christians went to confession the day before. This became known as Shriven Tuesday, then Shrove Tuesday.
The other name for this day, Pancake Day, comes from the old English custom of using up all the fattening ingredients in the house before Lent, so people were ready to fast during Lent. The fattening ingredients most people had in their houses in times gone by were eggs and milk. A recipe to use these ingredients was to mix them with flour and make pancakes!
Thank you very much to the parent helpers who have generously offered their time to assist with cooking on the day. We are still looking for more volunteers, so if you are able to help, please let us know. We are also looking for anyone who can provide toppings for the pancakes, such as berries and maple syrup, as well as any electric frypans and/or pancake flipper utensils. Please let us know if you can provide anything. We very much appreciate it!
Ash Wednesday
Next week we will hold a school-based prayer service to recognise the importance of Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a special season in the Church year. The forty days of Lent are a time for us to reflect on our relationship with God and others in preparation for Easter. See below for some ideas for things you can do during Lent.
Prayer for the Sick
Last Saturday February 11 was World Day of the Sick. Please keep anyone who is suffering any kind of illness in your prayers.
Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight, and give your angels charge over those who sleep.
Tend your sick ones, O Lord Christ.
Rest your weary ones.
Soothe your suffering ones.
Pity your afflicted ones.
Shield your joyous ones.
And for all your love’s sake. Amen.
Saint Augustine
https://ourcatholicfaith.org/prayer/p-sick.html
Parish News
Sunday 8 am Mass
St Joseph’s Church, Grenfell
Please note that a Mass will be held on the second and fourth Sundays each month. There is a Celebration of the Word with Holy Communion, not a Mass, on the first and third Sundays of each month. Everyone is welcome to attend!
The Parish would love to welcome more children to be involved in Mass on weekends. There are many opportunities for involvement, including doing the readings. If your child can participate in any way, please let me know.
Yours in Faith,
Danielle McFarlane
Religious Education Coordinator
School Captains - 2023
India & Camilla
Student Representative Council - 2023
Year 5- Jack
Year 4- Isaac
Year 3- Brydie
Sport House Captain - 2023
Dominic-
Saskia & Jack
Augustine-
Camilla & Ruby
Xavier-
Stella & Tayla
Mrs Harveyson has had a spectacular start at St Joseph's Primary School.
She has been very busy getting to know her new students. Over the past few days, the 5/6 class have been establishing their own goals for the term as well as creating self-portraits that portray personal characteristics and interests. It will be lovely to see how much we all change and grow throughout the year.
If you are unable to do your day please reach out to other families as there are a few that havent been rostered on and would love to help.
Week 2-
Right Place, Right Time.
Well Done Iris & Harper
Week 2 Merit Awards
Billie, Harry, Jack, Camilla, India, Claudia & Iris.
Well Done to all students on their efforts last week!
Western Region Swimming
Well done to the following students who are off to Young on Thursday the 23rd of February, to represent our school for swimming:
Tayla, Isaac, Jack, Camilla, Jed, Saskia, Charlie and India.
Parents can find all the required information about the upcoming event on Compass. Please fill out the required details by this Friday the 17th of February. If you have any questions or concerns, please make contact with Mrs Harveyson.
We wish all students the best of luck.
