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Dear parents and carers,
St Joseph’s experiences strong and close connections within the local community of Grenfell. Community connections give children a sense of belonging and help them develop social and other skills. We are pleased to offer a range of ways the children can connect with the wider community through their life at school.
MPS visits commenced on 4th March with Year 5/6 students leading the way for 2024 with a very successful afternoon of interacting with the residents. We would like to commend all the children on their caring and friendliness and especially Charlie, Ariahana and Emily whose warmth was really shining. We look forward to the children building relationships with the residents during the monthly visits in 2024.
Making the Preschoolers Welcome
We are enjoying having the Star class from the Grenfell Preschool with us at St Joseph’s. Following the storms at the end of 2023 and the subsequent damage to the Preschool premises, the Star class has transformed the Hall into a vibrant learning environment. It is a great opportunity for the preschool children to have a ‘window’ into life at ‘big’ school and we are thoroughly enjoying having the little ones at school. Over the past week there have been some short collaboration sessions such as joint craft and sport activities and buddy reading sessions with individual classes. The preschool children will join us for the upcoming Easter Hat Parade and we hope that you will be able to join us too for what promises to be a most joyful event.
A New Community Engagement Initiative
Along with our existing community outreach programs such as Playgroup and Jump into Joey’s, St Joseph’s is delighted to have been asked to participate at the next Meals on Wheels lunch at the Bowling Club in April and we look forward to entertaining the guests. Please watch this space!
When your child is connected to extended family, family friends and people in their neighbourhood and community, they have:
- a sense of belonging to a place and community,
- opportunities to learn about getting along with others,
- people to go to when they need help,
- a network they can use to learn about different jobs, skills and so on.
Strong social connections can also boost your child’s confidence and lead to new friendships.
NAPLAN 2024
Yr 3 and 5 children are currently participating in the annual NAPLAN assessments. Thank you, parents and carers, for ensuring the children are rested and refreshed each morning and ready to give their best to the assessments.
Children who have been absent will be given the opportunity to participate in the assessments upon their return to school.
Stage 3 Girls Friendship Club
Danielle Hudson, our school counsellor will be spending some time over the coming weeks with the girls from Year 5 and 6. The Friendship Club will focus on friendship and some of the skills that will support them at school and as they look forward to High School.
Exciting New beginnings for our School – Please Join us at this Important Event! TUESDAY NEXT WEEK AT 5.00PM IN THE LIBRARY
Our school is establishing 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 Joseph’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 19th March at 5.00pm
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.
In Conclusion…
We will be celebrating St Joseph’s Feast Day on 19th March and look forward to learning more about our name’s sake through a Liturgy in the Church commencing at 9.10 followed by fun activities back at school up until recess time. Parents and carers are very welcome to join us for the Liturgy.
We are looking forward to welcoming parents and carers to the community get together on this coming Tuesday evening 19th March at 5.00 in the school library. Wine, cool drinks and cheese will be served and we look forward to having conversations around new directions for how our community can support each other and the school.
See you then!
With best wishes,
Louise Grant
(Acting Principal)
Free eSafety parent webinar
Parents and carers of primary school students are invited to participate in a free 30-minute webinar to help them understand eSafety and parental controls.
The webinar will be hosted by the Council of Catholic School Parents (CCSP) in collaboration with the eSafety Commissioner.
Prayer
Today we will hear God’s word. It tells us about how we can best live in harmony with one another.
A Reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians (3: 12 – 15)
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever arguments you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
The Word of the Lord.
Reflection: 2/3/4 Class Liturgy
Last Wednesday, 2/3/4 organised their first liturgy for 2024. The liturgy focused on the current season of Lent and the opportunity to demonstrate compassion to others through the act of giving.
Thank you and congratulations to 2/3/4, Mr M and Mrs King for preparing and presenting a lovely and engaging liturgy.
Coming Up:
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)
Central West Swimming at Boorowa
Well done to Saskia for representing our schools at the Central West Swimming Carnival in Boorowa on Monday 4th March. Sas competed in the 12 years 50m breaststroke and 50m butterfly events. Competition was fierce and although she didn't qualify for the next round, Sas was able to break her personal best times.
Awesome effort Sas.
Under 11's Rugby League Trials at Canberra
St. Joseph's Primary School were represented at the recent Under 11's Rugby Trials in Canberra on Tuesday 11th March by Charlie. There were huge numbers trying out for a place on the team. He played well in stiff competition and in very hot conditions. Charlie scored 2 tries but unfortunately wasn’t selected. Well done Charlie.
Last week, the Year 2/3/4 students worked with a partner to create a book review for a picture book. They discovered that two people may not always enjoy a book for the same reasons, and they may also have differing opinions about what a good book is!
This week, the Kinder and Year One students revisited the book, The Very Super Bear, By Nick Bland. They then came up with some ideas for some more books for this very popular series, including, The Very Colourful Bear, The Very Clever Bear, The Very Cute Bear and The Very Fit Bear, to name just a few.
The Year 5 and 6 students are working on personal interest projects which they will share with their peers during Weeks 8 and 9.
