Filter Content
Dear parents and carers,
Thank you to the year 5/6 students and Mrs Washbrook for the thoughtful and prayerful Liturgy on the theme of Kindness this week. The students have been focusing on kindness and generosity in class and we were all inspired to practise these virtues thanks to the prayers and artwork the students had prepared for the Liturgy. All the children at school have been encouraged to make daily acts of kindness a feature of their lives at home and at school.
We will be posting random acts of kindness over this term on a special display designed by Year 5/6 in the library. We encourage parents and carers to discuss kindness at home too and encourage the children to reflect on the times they showed kindness at home and at school each day. Acts of kindness may be written up and posted on the display.
Jump Into Joeys – National Simultaneous Storytime
The preschool children joined us for the second Jump into Joey’s session with the focus National Simultaneous Storytime. National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. Now in its 24th successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6. Students K-6 and the preschoolers thoroughly enjoyed this year's book, “Bowerbird Blues”. The students then created an art work with their preschool buddies. A great morning was had by all! Thank you Mr Martens for the very engaging reading of the story and thank you Mrs Green for the terrific craft activity.
Athletics Carnival – Friday 31st May
It is just over a week until the St Joseph’s Athletics Carnival which will see children K-6 competing in a wide range of track, field, and novelty events. This event will take place at the Henry Lawson High School and we hope many parents and friends will be available to join us and cheer the children on!
A great day of sport is assured!
(Due to the Athletics carnival, Playgroup will be cancelled and reconvene on Friday 7th June.)
Parents will have received a message via Compass with the program for the day. The students come to school first before moving to the HIgh School for the event with K/1 joining us at 11.30. The children all need their hats, water bottles, snack and lunch, PE Kit including and jacket/jumper for when they cool down between events
In Conclusion…
The Henry Lawson Festival is just around the corner! Please do read information for parents and carers a little later in this newsletter.
Poetry Recitation Thursday 6th June Grenfell Public School
Festival Parade Saturday 8th June Grenfell CBD
Tomorrow, Friday 21st May is a Mufti Day and Crazy Hair Day. The fundraising focus for this month is the Save the Children fund. With the students being aware of so many children in need in places like the Ukraine, Gaza and Afghanistan, this is an opportunity to bring a gold coin and make a difference.
Parents and friends are very welcome to join us for assembly tomorrow, Friday 24th May.
With best wishes,
Catherine McCauley Medal
We are proud of the Order of Mercy Sisters heritage we share at St Joseph’s and one of the ways we celebrate our heritage and stay connected to our past is by awarding the Catherine McAuley medal each month. Although Sr Mary is now based in Canberra and will not be able to be a regular special guest at our assemblies, she is still very much a part of our St Joseph’s community, and she remains dedicated to ensuring our students and staff have opportunities to learn of and be inspired by he life of service of Catherine McAuley and indeed all the Mercy Sisters.
The awardee for the Catherine McAuley medal for May will be announced at tomorrow’s assembly.
There will be a special Liturgy on Wednesday 5th June at 10.40 in the Library. This will give the staff and students the opportunity to thank Sr Mary for all her much valued contributions to the school and the community. Parents who are connected with Sr Mary are warmly invited to join us. The Liturgy will be followed by morning tea. Parents attending are asked to bring a plate please. Thanks!
Month of May - Mary, Mother of Jesus Month
Traditionally, Catholics devote the whole month of May to celebrating and honouring Mary, the mother of Jesus.
This week, in honour of Mary’s month of May, we encourage families to pray together with this prayer to Mary given to us by Pope Francis.
Cross Country
Congratulations to Ariahana B for representing our school last Friday at the Arch Diocesan Cross Country held at Mt Stromlo in Canberra. There were 3 heats in Ariahana's age group and she did a fantastic job by coming in 15th place. Awesome results Ariahana!
High School Sport Visit
Year 5/6 will be attending the HLH next Wednesday 29th May to participate in an organised sport afternoon. A BBQ lunch will be provided. Please find further details and permission acceptance on Compass.
Rugby Union Trials
A reminder that the Rugby Union Trials are coming up in Week 5. Details have been given to students interested.
NSW Canberra Goulburn students in years 5 and 6 are eligible to trial for the Canberra Goulburn team to compete at the MacKillop trials
Date: Tuesday 28th May 2024
Location: Southwell Park
Address: Northbourne Avenue, Lyneham, 2603, ACT
Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm
Cost: $20
Please advise Sherree Bush if your child will no longer be attending the trials - this assists greatly when allocating players to game play during the trials.
Diocesan Sports Representative
Sherree Bush
Email: Sherree.bush@cg.catholic.edu.au
Athletics Carnival
Hopefully everyone has been out there training enthusiastically for the up and coming Athletics Carnival!
Our Annual Athletics Carnival will be help on Friday 30th May - next Friday. Students need to come to school as usual on the Friday and we walk up to the Henry Lawson High School from School. Students are encouraged to wear sports clothes in their house colours of normal sports uniform. Students will need to bring a packed recess and lunch and make sure they bring plenty of water and a hat.
We would love to have parents, family members and friends to come and watch (and even help out if you have time) Please let the school know if you could possibly help on the day.
We plan to be on the back oval at the high school by 9:30am and a estimated program is as follows:
Please check Compass for attendance permission and further details.
We would like to thank the parents and friends who make the St Joseph’s Breakfast Club possible on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week. As the cooler weather is upon us, something warm in the children’s tunnies when they arrive at school will be greatly appreciated. Thank you to everyone who makes this happen! Special Thanks to the Grenfell Foodhall for their support!
If you are unable to attend your rostered day please reach out to another family to swap day.
Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. That’s why Vinnies is raising money to provide people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage with vital access to food and accommodation. Vinnies also provide education, counselling, employment and health services to help break the cycle of poverty in the long term.
Let's band together & help them get through the cold winter comfortably.
It's Term 2 so, as many of you may know, the Henry Lawson Festival is fast approaching and with that comes our preparations.
The students are well underway with preparing for the poetry recitation on Thursday 6th June at the Grenfell Public School.
This year's theme is "Up the Country" and students have read or listened to the poem by Henry Lawson to find inspiration to create their art works. Our artworks will be finished by Thursday 23rd May and, after judging, will be on display from Monday, 3rd June - Tuesday, 11th June.
Staff have also been busy discussing our Parade entry, also around the theme "Up the Country". We have decided to break up some of the theme of the poem and allocate outfits to the different classes. We hope that all members of the school will participate in the parade which is scheduled for Saturday 8th June.
K/1 will be organising some masks to dress as a herd of sheep to lead our parade entry and 5/6 will find their best drover/swagman inspired outfits to help move the sheep along. 2/3/4 will be discussing the variety of animals mentioned in the poem ranging from reptiles to birds and making masks to match to complete our portion of the procession. Mr Martens has also contacted to members of our school community to include some drovers on horseback.
If you have any issues or need further information, please contact Mr M through the school number or lachlan.martens@cg.catholic.edu.au.
