Filter Content
Wednesday 4th December - Christmas/Giving Mass 9am in the Hall
Friday 6th December - Last Day of Term 4 - Finish Time 12 Midday
Dear Parents and Carers
With only a few days of school remaining for 2019 I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many people who have made this year such an extraordinary year.
To our dedicated and talented staff who have gone above and beyond this year to support our students and provided them with many opportunities to succeed and excel, thank you. As I have said previously, this year has seen our students perform at a level beyond expectation in all facets of their education. Academic, cultural and sporting excellence has been commonplace this year and has resulted in our relatively small school community being one of, if not the most successful primary school in Townsville in 2019. While this is certainly a pleasing result for the hard work and dedication of our staff and students, the most important aspect of this is that our students have been provided with a vast array of opportunities to excel. Behind each of these opportunities are staff at St Joseph's giving freely of their time and talents to encourage, support and facilitate these opportunities for success. I am incredibly grateful for all that happens in our school on a daily basis and the wonderful staff that are at the core of our school.
To our parents, carers and grandparents who support the St Joseph's school community, we are very grateful for all you do. From our parent bodies, the P&F and School Board, our volunteers and all those who work to support the students at St Joseph's, we could not achieve what we do without your continued support and generosity. At the Rite of Passage mass this week I realised that in 30 years as a teacher and principal, I have never witnessed such a remarkable response to those in need as I did at the beginning of this year following the flood. It was without a doubt one of the highlights of my time as a principal and epitomises why we do what we do as a catholic community. That being said you could justify taking a break after such a huge effort, but that has not been the case. These groups have continued to deliver across the remainder of the year. Beachathon, Joeys at Sunset, sports days, Mothers Day, Fathers Day, tuckshop, library help, classroom support to name just a few of the many ways in which help has been provided. My sincere thanks to each and every person who has supported our school throughout the year.
As our Year 6 students finish their time at St Joseph's so do a number of families. Some families have spent many years as part of our school, some a much a much shorter time but all have left their mark on our school community. Thank you for your contribution to St. Joseph's during your time here. On behalf of the school community we thank you and wish you all the very best for the future.
Finally, I would like to pay tribute to our students. They have had a big year and have given of their best. It isn't always easy and along with the wonderful achievements, there are always some difficult times. This is very normal. What is important is that no matter what the situation our students are constantly trying to do their best. Sometimes it can take a long time to make a change, to improve, to do better. The best part of our time with students is watching and supporting them as they do this. Whether it be to achieve a better result, play harder, be a better friend, learn something new or try something different, each and every student has made some amazing progress throughout the year. I am very grateful for our Yr 6 leaders who have been instrumental in the success of 2019. They have led our school with pride and have been amazing ambassadors for St Joseph's. While they will be missed, I am sure that our new student leaders will be ready to continue the great work in 2020.
On a personal note, I would like to particularly thank Amanda Jones and Jan Oram for their outstanding support and achievements this year. Some of what they have achieved is obvious to our community but much of what they do takes place behind the scenes and makes much of what we achieve as a school possible. My sincere thanks to two very talented professionals. I would also like to thank Karen Irwin, Lorelle Webley and Belinda Johnston for their support of my role. Apart from keeping me in line (evidently) the important work they do holds everything together. Thank you for your patience and dedication, and for making sure I am doing what I need to do and being where I need to be!
I am looking forward to a great final week. Our transition day is on Monday and this will be a great way to start off the last week. I look forward to seeing many of you at our Thanksgiving Mass on Wednesday.
Have a great week.
Tim
Sunday’s Gospel
Luke 23:35-43 - Jesus is crucified under the title King of the Jews.
On Sunday we celebrated the Feast of Christ the King. It is the conclusion of our liturgical year. Understanding this feast may be particularly challenging. While we may not have a direct experience of kings or royalty, we have some sense of what these mean. We know that royalty has sovereignty over their kingdom. We know that those who are subjects to royalty offer them allegiance and honour. Christ is King in a way that is different from traditional understandings of royalty. Christ's kingship extends to all places, all people, and all times. Christ manifests his kingship through his death on the Cross, in which he offers salvation to all.
Recall with your children stories that you may have read about royalty. Talk with your children about what they have learned from these stories about what it means to be a king. Talk about what they have learned from these stories about what it means to be a subject.
Read Sunday’s Gospel, Luke 23:35-43. Reflect together on how the various people in this Gospel respond to Jesus on the Cross. Who in this Gospel recognises Jesus as King? (the thief) What does Jesus promise the thief as a result? (The thief will be with Jesus in paradise.)
Talk about how your family will recognise and honour Christ the King. Pray together the Lord's Prayer and ask God to help your family to act in ways that show you recognise and honour Christ as King.
Giving Mass
On Wednesday 4th December we will celebrate the end of the year with our Giving Mass. This Mass will be held in the Hall at 9am. You are more than welcome to join us for this special occasion.
Christmas Appeal
Just a reminder about the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal. Could all donations please be brought in by Tuesday of next week so that we can present the baskets as part of our Giving Mass. Your donations will help brighten Christmas for those in our community who are experiencing hardship this festive season. Your support and generosity is greatly appreciated.
Have a wonderful week
Take care and God Bless
Amanda
Reports Semester 2 2019
Semester 2 Reports will be available to access on Compass from 12pm next Friday, December 6th. It is important for all families to check that they are able to log in to Compass.
Reports for Year 6 students and those leaving St Joseph’s will need to be downloaded before Thursday, December 12th. This will allow our office staff to facilitate the rollover of data for 2020.
Information on how to access Semester 2 Reports can be found here
If you have any questions or issues related to accessing Semester 2 Reports, please contact our SJS office for support.
The last day of Tuckshop will be Friday the 29th November.
There will only be ice-blocks for sale on Wednesday 4th December and Thursday 5th December.
If anyone has 2nd hand uniforms they'd like to donate to the school please drop them either into the tuckshop or office.
Thank You
Arlene Curley
http://readiscover1.blogspot.com.au/
Borrowing: Thank you for returning all books this week. Remember if you have a library login you can access e-books over the holidays. Emails will come out informing you of any books your child may still have out this Friday. Year 5s can also continue doing book quizzes with Scholastic Learning Zone until the end of Dec. This will ensure they are ready for our in-school reading competition to select the Readers Cup team for 2020.
The year in Summary: We have had an action packed year. It started with celebrating National Simultaneous story time with Alpacas and Maracas. Our awesome Readers cups teams 1 & 2 won our regional competition. Our team went on to be runner up in the state Competition in Brisbane. Book Week was lots of fun as we celebrated the Theme Reading is my secret power.
The author Sally Odgers visited our school and talked to the students about writing.
Junior Librarians and Volunteers: We have 15 Junior librarians and 6 volunteers who help with ordering book club, shelving, decorating the library, competitions, book week celebrations, covering and borrowing to name just a few of the many jobs that happen in our library. On behalf of our school community we thank you for the wonderful work you have done to help your library be a better place for your friends, children and grandchildren. To celebrate Junior Librarians are holding a Harry Potter Party this Friday which will be a lot fun with twister, treasure hunts, Charades and some yummy food.
Merry Christmas to you all. Please take the time over your break to read and relax under a shady tree and escape for a few hours. Sheer bliss.
Happy Reading
Belinda Walker (Teacher Librarian)
