Dear Parents and Carers,

A large and enthusiastic group of St Joseph’s swimmers and Sports Coordinator Cindy Washbrook travelled to Cootamundra on Thursday for the Western Region Swimming Carnival. The children had a great day of competition in perfect weather, and we look forward to a full report in next week’s newsletter. Thank you parents and carers for your great support on the day and congratulations to the children on giving their best and supporting the team.

This week we were delighted to welcome Sabri and his family to St Joseph’s and to Grenfell. The Year 2/3/4 children are thrilled to have a new class member.

Exciting New beginnings for our School

As you may know, our school – like all the Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn, has been choden to establish a School Community Council under a new and inclusive model. The council has a key role in supporting the St Joseph’s community of parents, carers, students and staff in building an open, inclusive, welcoming and collaborative school community environment.  

The School Community Council will advise the principal on important matters and provide support to the principal and school leadership team in their decision-making process. 

This new model emphasises the importance of parents and carers being involved in partnering with the school and the way this helps your children in their education.  All parents of students attending the school are now Community Members of the Council who are encouraged and welcome to attend council meetings and attend council led activities.  

ALL St Jospeh’s parents and carers are warmly invited to join the inaugural School Community Council meeting and social. Be part of this exciting new beginning that empowers all community members to support our school. We hope every family will be represented.

Tuesday 19^th March at 6.00pm

Please complete the Google Form at this link to register your attendance:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1E5oO-m6s0nPkfZA-mx1AJgcOhmZxvenlou6feMPHXXM/edit#responses

I am excited by the idea of having a School Community Council and hope you will also see this as another chance to support your school, and your children and build a strong, inclusive school community. 

NAPLAN 2024

Next month, 13^th -15^th March, children in Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 across Australia will participate in NAPLAN assessments. The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a literacy and numeracy assessment that students sit each year. It is the only national assessment all Australian students have the opportunity to undertake.

As students’ progress through their school years, it is important to check how well they are learning the essential skills of reading, writing and numeracy. NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through the school curriculum and allows parents/carers to see how their child is progressing against national proficiency standards.

NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process. It does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance, but it can provide teachers with additional information about students’ educational progress.

For more information, please follow this link:

https://www.nap.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/naplan-information-brochure-for-parents-and-carers.pdf

Dental Care NSW Visits St Joseph’s

Parents and carers should by now have received information regarding the upcoming visit to St Joseph’s by Dental Care NSW. This provides a golden opportunity for the children to have a dental check-up and we encourage you to complete and return the form as soon as possible.

Mufti Day and Sausage Sizzle

As we progress during the season of Lent, tomorrow’s Mufti Day and Sausage Sizzle provides the opportunity for giving to others through the invitation of a gold coin donation for Project Compassion. Children have also been invited to participate in the Sausage Sizzle. Although abstaining from meat is not expected for children below the age of 14 years, vegetarian sausages are available.

In Conclusion…

Teachers are looking forward to meeting with parents and careers during the Parent and Teacher Conferences on Tuesday next week. Please do book an appointment on Compass if you have not yet had the chance to do so. Each conference will be for a duration of 15 minutes and will provide an opportunity for you to discuss how your child is settling into the new academic year and for parents to share their goals for their child for this year.

We trust that the conferences will provide the opportunity to establish a positive learning partnership between home and school for 2024.

With best wishes,

Louise Grant

Acting Principal

2024 Classroom Prayer Tables

Prayer tables are spaces within the classroom that are dedicated to prayer and reflection. They serve as a reminder of the presence of God in everyday life and provide a visual focus for students during prayer time. Prayer tables typically include items such as a crucifix, candles, religious statues, and prayer books. They are used to create a sacred atmosphere and encourage spiritual growth among students. Prayer tables also serve as a place for students to share their intentions and pray for others. The benefits of incorporating prayer tables in Catholic schools, is to allow students an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of their faith and foster a sense of community within the classroom.

Holy Week 2024 Schedule

• Palm Sunday – March 24
• Holy Thursday – March 28
• Good Friday – March 29
• Holy Saturday – March 30
• Easter Sunday – March 31

The season of Lent gives way to the celebration of Easter in Holy Week, the most sacred period of the liturgical calendar. 

Holy Week includes both the Church’s most solemn observances and joyous feasts. Unique, beautiful liturgies fill the period of time that begins on Palm Sunday and culminates with Easter Sunday.

Grenfell Parish

MASS TIMES:

SUNDAY: 8.00am Mass (2nd & 4th Sun) 8.00am Communion Service (1st & 3rd and any 5th Sunday)

RECONCILIATION: Sunday (7.30am - 7.45am)

WEEKEND MASS TIMES AT YOUNG AND BOOROWA

YOUNG: 6.00pm (SAT) & 10.00am (SUN)

BOOROWA: 5.00pm (SUN)

Canberra-Goulburn Cursillo Retreat

12 - 14 April 2024, St Clements Retreat Centre, Galong

A Cursillo retreat offers you the opportunity to deepen your faith life through a program of talks, meditations and prayer. Consider Christ's invitation to renew your relationship with Him and share friendship with others.