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Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday and Lent
We were very fortunate to have some parent helpers (Bec, Belinda and Susie) treat the students to pancakes for Shrove Tuesday. Shrove Tuesday (also known as Pancake Tuesday) is a way to prepare for the beginning of Lent and dates back to 1000 AD. I’m sure the students loved being involved in the tradition!
Yesterday the students participated in an Ash Wednesday Liturgy prepared by Mrs McFarlane. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent.
Lent is a time to rediscover the meaning of life and prioritise what is important in how we live our lives. We try to simplify our lives, take time out to reflect and pray, and listen and respond to those in need.
Strategic Plan and Annual Improvement Plan
Our Strategic Plan for 2023-2025 and Annual Improvement Plan for 2023 have both now been finalised. These documents were presented to the School Board at this week’s meeting for final consideration before publishing to the school community. These documents can be read in full on our website:
https://stjosephsgrenfell.nsw.edu.au/documents
This year our teaching and learning goals continue to emphasise teaching quality and using student data to inform our practice. Specifically our three Annual Improvement goals to improve student outcomes in 2023 are:
Term 1 School Fees
Term 1 School Fees have now been raised by C.E. We apologise for the delay and appreciate your patience while we changed over to the new finance system. An email should have been sent to you this morning with your statement. Our preferred payment method is Bpay. These details are on your statement. Parents can set up a payment schedule through Bpay, if they would like to.
Parent Member on School Board
I am pleased to announce that Stephen Waples is the new parent member on the School Board. He was nominated unopposed and the Board has accepted his nomination. Congratulations Stephen and thank you for your service to our school community.
NAPLAN
NAPLAN is THIS term in Week 7, starting on Wednesday 15th March for Year 3 and Year 5 students only.
Cross Country Training
During whole school sport we have begun training for the upcoming Cross Country on Friday 3rd March at the Grenfell Country Club. This date is earlier than usual due to the new date for NAPLAN. The distances are:
Junior Category (8, 9, 10 years ) 2km
Intermediate (11 years ) 3km
Senior (12 years) 3km
We hope to field a strong St Joseph’s team to represent at the Western Region level to be held here in Grenfell on Friday 28th April. We have many very capable runners who may like to train for this competition and I encourage parents to support a fitness routine if their child wants to build stamina and endurance. Please provide consent on Compass for this event if you have not already done so.
Weekly counsellor
We have a weekly counsellor onsite provided by Catholic Care - Danielle Hudson. Individual students can access the counsellor by referral from their class teacher and/or parents. The counsellor also plans to do small group work eg friendship, social skills etc as the need arises. What a fantastic service for our school, we are lucky to have Danielle back with us this year! Please contact your child’s teacher or myself if you would like your child to access this service.
Playgroup donations
As previously advertised, we have commenced a community playgroup at St Joseph’s for children aged 0-5 years and their parents. We are still looking for donations of good quality, second hand toys to suit children aged 0-5 years (e.g blocks/duplo, cars/trucks, train sets, dolls, imaginative play etc). Please drop into the office anything you might be able to donate.
Calendar
The school calendar is now available electronically both through the school website (calendar tab - https://sjpsgrenfell.schoolzineplus.com/calendar) and on Compass. This will enable the school community to keep up to date with planned events.
Thank you
A very big thank you to Scott and Adam for removing the old planter boxes along the back staff room wall. They had definitely had their day and were becoming unsafe, so we appreciate their prompt removal!
Personal items at school (eg toys)
Many students have been bringing toys from home to play with at recess and lunch. I refer to the Parent Handbook, and would like to reiterate that the school is not responsible for any damage or loss to personal items.
"Children may bring along special items for their show & tell news time in class. They are not to bring along any items to swap or sell. Children are not to bring electronic game devices, mobile phones, trading cards, footballs or other sporting equipment. The school is not responsible for any damage to personal equipment."
Mufti Day
On a final note, a reminder that tomorrow is our last Friday of the month ‘Mufti’ day. Please ensure that your child is wearing appropriate casual clothing and footwear (enclosed shoes) and bring a gold coin donation towards Project Compassion.
Have a lovely weekend.
Kind thoughts,
Shrove Tuesday
Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent starts, was recognised at school by eating pancakes!
In times gone by, there was an old English custom of using up all the fattening ingredients in the house before Lent, so that people were ready to fast during Lent. The fattening ingredients that most people had in their houses in those days were eggs and milk. A recipe to use up these ingredients was to combine them with some flour and make pancakes.
Thanks to our parent helpers who generously contributed and assisted in making the pancakes for all students to enjoy and appreciate. By all accounts, they were delicious! A huge “thanks” must go especially to Bec Waples, Belinda Mawhinney and Susie McLelland.
Ash Wednesday
Yesterday we began the season of Lent by attending an Ash Wednesday prayer service as a whole school. During the service we reflected on things that we could be doing during Lent such as praying and doing good things for others. As adults, we too, can take these ideas on board as we journey through Lent.
Lent gives us the opportunity to retreat from some of the things that distract us. Engaging in activities that enhance our focus helps us to embrace the gift of Lent. Here are some activities to consider…
- Pray more
- Read scripture
- Journey through the Stations of the Cross
- Donate clothing for someone in need
- Give up certain treats and donate food for people in need
- Donate money to a different charity each week
Most of these activities are also doable for children ages five years and up (with the assistance of a parent). The best way to introduce younger children to Lenten practices is for them to see adults and older kids in the family practicing them; use their natural curiosity and desire to be “grown up” as a springboard for talking about what you are doing, and why.
Adapted from: Activities to Try During Lent - Beliefnet
Lenten Prayer
God of all generations,
We thank you for those who have gone before us,
especially those who have cared for your earth
and who inspire us to help respect your creation and contribute to its healing.
We thank you for those with whom we share our lives today,
especially those who work for justice and peace.
May we welcome the opportunity that Lent brings to walk more closely with you,
especially through fasting, almsgiving and prayer.
We thank you for the challenge of the future.
May the cross of Jesus remind us that only love finds a way forward.
As we work with big hearts, may we join with Mary in her hope
that from now on all generations will experience the great things you will do through us.
We ask this in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Prayer source: Prayer (PPT) (caritas.org.au)
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
Year 3 and 4 have been busy working on their persuasive writing this week while Year 2 having been working with Mrs King. They are developing their vocabulary and sentence structure while also working on their handwriting.
Week 3
Lining up sensibly & safely
Well done Georgia, Isabelle & Gus
Cross Country: Next Friday, 3rd March.
Students will arrive at school, as normal. We will depart school at 9.30 a.m. (by bus) to the Grenfell Country Club. We will walk the course at 9.45 a.m.
Upon return, events will be as follows:
- 11/12/13 year olds-3km
- 8/9/10 year olds-2km
- 5/6/7-year-olds-1km
There will be cold water for students at the Country Club however, students are advised to still bring their own water bottle. Students are to wear School Sports Uniform or optional House colour t-shirt, hat and sunscreen. We are expected to be back at school before lunch.
Netball: St Joseph's have nominated a 3/4 and 5/6 team in the upcoming Schools Cup Netball Carnival, at Cowra. This is an optional event for boys and girls, it will take place on Tuesday, the 28th March. Private transport will be required. Further information regarding the carnival will be sent out to relative families via compass, in the next few days.
Rugby Union: On Thursday, the 30th March, year 3-6 boys and girls have the opportunity to participate in the Southwest Slopes Primary School Rugby 10s. We will be combining with the Grenfell Public School to participate in the gala day. Due to numbers, players must be experienced. Further details will be sent out to respective players once they are made available to us. Private transport to Cootamundra will be required for this event.
If you have any questions about the above, please contact Mrs Harveyson.
Chelsea Harveyson (Anderson)
Sports Coordinator
Year 5 and 6 were treated to a visit from The Henry Lawson High School leaders along with Mr Flagg, the principal. The presentation about THLHS was very informative and the 5/6 students were keen to ask the leaders further questions afterwards.
