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Opening Mass
It was incredibly special to join as a school community yesterday to ask for God's blessings for this new school year. We blessed the new student leaders for 2025 and welcomed new students and staff members.
There are special traditions at St Joseph’s which connect us with each other - including the Star Banner and “I Have Called You By Name” song. These personal touches are a reminder of how lucky we are to be part of this warm and caring community.
It was lovely to have Fr Jiss, parents, family and parish members join us for morning tea after the event. It was 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. Thanks also to Mr King for assisting him as acolyte, Mrs Best for her work in preparing the mass, and Mr Martens for his technical assistance.
Appointments
Parents are most welcome to speak to the principal or teachers on any matter relating to school. It is usually best to ring the school office on (02) 6343 1514, or email office.stjosephsgrenfell@cg.catholic.edu.au to make a convenient appointment time, as staff are busy with playground duty, lesson preparation and marking before and after school.
Parents are reminded that classes should not be interrupted during lesson times, no matter how brief the message is. All visitors must come to the school office. Parents are also requested to respect the private lives of the staff by not telephoning teachers at home, on their mobiles or via social media for school related matters. Thank you for your understanding.
NAPLAN
Please read further on in the newsletter for information to parents and caregivers regarding NAPLAN for students in Years 3 and 5.
MPS Visits
Class visits to the Grenfell Multi-Purpose Service commenced this week, with Year 5/6 visiting the elderly residents to enjoy a game of cards with them. This is a great opportunity for students to do good in the community and to understand the importance of positively contributing to the lives of others. A huge thanks to Ms Washbrook and Mrs Best for accompanying the students on this very worthwhile endeavour. Each class will take turns to make monthly visits to the residents.
Girl Guides Presentation
Felina French, Membership Development Officer for Girl Guides NSW, ACT and NT, will visit our school on Monday March 3 to provide a presentation to girls in Years 1, 2 and 3 about what Girl Guides do. For further information about Girl Guides.
Sport: Jed Metcalfe - Basketball representative
The Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn primary Basketball trials were held at Canberra in November last year and our very own Jed Metcalfe took the time to participate in the trials. Jed was selected to play in the MacKillop trials to be held in Wollongong this Friday the 21st of February. We wish Jed all the best and we look forward to hearing all about it. We know he will make the St Joseph’s community proud.
Uniforms
Wearing the correct school uniform is required because we feel it is positive for children to develop loyalties to their school and to identify with an organisation to which their peers also belong. We encourage children to be proud of their school, and through genuine school spirit, communicate this pride of belonging to the community. School uniforms also assist home routines and avoid last minute ‘what to wear’ decisions. As of this week students will be introduced to a raffle system and they will be rewarded for wearing the correct uniform with pride. A winning raffle ticket will be drawn at each assembly with a prize to be presented to the winner.
Please be reminded that no jewellery, other than a wrist watch and one pair of stud earrings or plain sleepers may be worn at school. Joggers are strictly not permitted to be worn with the school uniform - these are only worn on sports day. Furthermore, all children with long hair ( Kindergarten to Year 6), must have it tied back at school, in a ponytail, plaits, or pigtails.
The school runs a uniform pool where parents are able to obtain clothing for their children. Please enquire at the school office. Please also consider donating uniform items which your children have outgrown. Thank you for your support.
Swimming Carnival
What a fabulous day we had for the Swimming Carnival last week. We were most fortunate with the beautiful sunny weather. Students demonstrated excellent participation, both in the competitive events, novelty events, and also in cheering on their Houses - Dominic, Augustine and Xavier..
A big thanks to Leann and her staff for accommodating us at the Grenfell Aquatic Centre, our parent and high school volunteers that were able to assist with timekeeping, Ms Washbrook for organising the event, staff for ensuring everything ran smoothly and encouraging all of our students, and to Simon Rolls, for driving students to and from the pool.
We are pleased to congratulate the following Swimming Champions for 2025:
Senior Girl - Emily Protheroe
Senior Boy - Charlie Knight
11 yrs Girl - Arabella Batnich
11 yrs Boy - Jack Fanning
Junior Girl - Trinity Mason
Winning House - Dominic
Staff Professional Learning
Last Wednesday, as part of our commitment to professional learning, staff worked alongside Bryce Kennedy from COGlearn to develop our
understanding of the science of learning, evidence-based instruction,
and high impact teaching practices. We also had the opportunity to observe Bryce model lessons utilising these practices in literacy and spelling. Overall, it was an invaluable opportunity for staff, and we look forward to applying our skills and continuing professional development in this area.
Joey’s Playgroup
Joey’s Play group commenced this year with a number of parents/ carers and their children joining Mrs Metcalfe for a fun and relaxed morning of activities. Please encourage anyone you know who may be interested in bringing their child/ren to Joey’s Playgroup to come along and join in the fun!
Playgroup will not be on this Friday however, it will resume next week on the 28th February.
Kind Regards,
Danielle McFarlane & Chelsea Harveyson
Co-Acting Principal
This week we welcomed newcomers to our community-some small, some grown. Our School Opening Mass was a delightful way to show the ways we live out Jesus’ request-to love one another.
The scripture shared during the celebration spoke of the blessings Aaron and Moses bestowed upon the people of Israel: “May the Lord bless you and take care of you…May the Lord be kind and gracious to you”.
Every day the members of our community demonstrate that they bestow these blessings upon one another and upon those who visit the school. Be it a big smile for the teacher each morning, a shared meal or treat around the staffroom table, a listening ear or a donated cake for a community celebration. These simple things all combine to make our community the caring and kind place where all are welcome to feel that they belong!
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Jesus was not into grand gestures. He was into the simple but important things in life. He stood up for those who were shunned by others. He shared meals with those who were considered the lowest of the low. In some small ways we can ensure that we are following in Jesus’ footsteps by reaching out to those in our community who may feel they are out on the ‘fringes’. It is so easy for each of us to reach out with a simple ‘Hello, how has your day been?’
Both Catherine McCauley and Pope Francis have spoken about the importance of HOSPITALITY. Pope Francis says, ‘Hospitality is one of the works of mercy…I ask that you learn to listen’. (Angelus Address, July 17, 2016). Catherine, in the same vein, )has advised us to ‘try to meet all with peace and ease’. (Letter to Elizabeth Moore, December 9, 1838.
During each Mufti Day Assembly (on the last Friday of each month) a student will be chosen to receive the Catherine McCauley medal. This medal is awarded to students who regularly demonstrate the school ABC-Aspire-to be our best; Believe-that Jesus is with us and Connect with each other, the world and God. During Term One, the students will be encouraged to keep an eye out for other students who they see showing hospitality towards others. In doing so, the students will demonstrate Jesus’ greatest commandment: LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
This week we pray especially for improved health for Pope Francis.
Lord, bring your healing hand upon Francis during this time of need. Amen.
Warm regards,
Loyola Best
Religious Education Coordinator (Acting)
Parish News:
Ash Wednesday Mass: 8.00 a.m. Grenfell 5th March
St Joseph’s Parish Street Stall. Friday 7th March and Saturday 8th March. Volunteers and/or donations (cooking, jams, books and good quality saleable goods) will be gratefully accepted. Contact Deidre Caroll (0403480729)
Parish Lenten Groups- Mondays 3.30p.m. during Lent School
Library. All welcome. Contact Di Franks (63432230 or 0418619740
Next Weeks Readings: 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9,
12-13, 22-23; 1 Corinthians 15:45-49; Luke 6: 27-38
Swimming Carnival Results
Congratulations to all students who attended and swam at the recent annual Swimming Carnival! There were fun activities for everyone to participate in as well as some competition between race swimmers. Everyone had a chance to get in the pool and enjoy the day. A huge thank you to all parents and carers who helped on the day, we could not have done it without you.
Our age champions from the carnival were:
Junior Girl: Trinity M
No Junior Boy
Intermediate Girl: Arabella B
Intermediate Boy: Jack F
Senior Girl: Emily P
Senior Boy: Charlie K
Congratulations to the following students who have been selected to represent our school at the Western Region Carnival held in Tumut on Monday 24th Feb (next Monday) Please advise if your student is not attending.
Jed M, Charlie K, Callum C, Jack F, Trinity M, Claudia M, Adelaide C, Arabella B, Emily P, Felicity C and Isabelle P.
All information for the day has been sent out and can be found on Compass.
Basketball
A huge congratulations to Jed M for his selection on the Canberra/Goulburn basketball team last term! We are sending positive vibes to Jed as he tries out on Friday in Wollongong for the MacKillop Team. We cannot wait to hear how you fair. GO JED!
Library News
A big shout out to all the students who have returned library books from home. Another shout out to those students who arrived with a library bag to protect our precious books!
We have been lucky enough to purchase lots of new books for the library and for our class novel collection. They are accessioned and ready to go. Is there anybody out there who has a spare couple of hours-your assistance with book covering would be greatly appreciated? Just drop in on Mrs. Best give her a call on
63 431514
or drop her an email Loyola.best@cg.catholic.edu.au and she will point you in the direction of those books. Contact will be supplied.
