Dear Parents and Carers

Next week the P&F will hold their first meeting of the year.  For those parents and carers new to our school community the Parents and Friends Association is a representative group within our school that seeks to develop and support our school community, partner with the school in the educational journey of the students and foster healthy communication between home and school.  This year, following on from work that began in 2019 the focus will be on parent engagement and how this can enhance our wonderful school.

Meetings are held on a monthly basis and dates have already been set in our calendar for the year.  The meetings are held in our staffroom and we have taken some measures to make these easier for parents and carers to attend.  I would on behalf of the P&F extend an invitation to all parents and carers to attend a meeting.  It is a wonderful way to support your children and the school community.  Meetings are 'risk-free' in the sense that if you attend, it does not mean you are going to leave with an official role or a job of some description.  The meetings encourage positive, open discussion around any number of topics that relate to our school community.  I hope you are able to join us for our first meeting of the year on Tuesday 25th February at 6pm.

This week all parents and carers will be emailed a copy of the parent code of conduct.  It is important that you familiarise yourself with the contents of this document as it outlines the rights and responsibilities of parents and carers and sets in place the structure for positive and respectful relationships within catholic schools.  The title of the document 'Working Together' clearly identifies the nature of the relationships we endeavour to build.  

This Code of Conduct applies to all parents, volunteers and visitors who interact with our systemic schools and Catholic Education in the Diocese of Townsville. It also applies to all parents, volunteers and visitors who are present at school and school-sponsored activities/meetings/functions within and outside of school hours. As parents, volunteers and visitors there is an expectation of support for the
Vision and Mission of Catholic Education in the Diocese of Townsville.

Parents accept this Code of Conduct when signing and accepting the school’s policies
in the Enrolment Application Form and by the act of accepting enrolment at a
systemic Townsville Catholic School.

A copy of 'Working Together' will be emailed to all families and is also available from our school office.  St. Joseph's is an amazing school community and one of which we can all be proud.  This document exists to support and guide our school community as we continue to achieve amazing outcomes for our students.

It is that time of year again to start considering prep enrolments for 2021.  If you have a child to enrol or know of anyone interested in enrolling at St. Joseph's for the 2021 Prep year please go to our school website and complete an enrolment form or call into our office to pick up an enrolment pack.  Places fill quickly and interviews begin in Term 2.  #joinusatjoeys

Have a great week.

Tim

Next Wednesday we begin a new season in our Church calendar with the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday.

What is Lent?

The forty days (not counting Sundays) before Easter is known as Lent. 

When does Lent begin?

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, the day after Shrove Tuesday and ends at the beginning of the Easter Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Saturday).

Shrove Tuesday

Tuesday 25th February marks Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday at the beginning of Lent.  Shrove Tuesday gets its name from the ritual of shriving that Christians traditionally participated in.  In shriving, a person confesses their sins and is forgiven. Lent is a time of abstinence, of giving things up.  So Shrove Tuesday is the last chance to indulge yourself and to use up the foods that you may be giving up in Lent.  Pancakes became associated with Shrove Tuesday as they were a dish that could use up all the eggs, fats and milk in the house with just the addition of flour.  

What happens during Lent?

Traditionally, Lent is a time of fasting and self-examination. There are three things to do during Lent:

1: Give up something: During Lent Christians used to fast (give up food) but nowadays people try to give up something like chocolate.  We ask the children to do something extra during this time.

2: Give to others: Traditionally this is in the form of giving money to charity during this time and it can also include giving our time to others in service. We have Project Compassion.

3: Pray more: Spending more of our time in prayer with God. This is something that you can encourage at home.

Ash Wednesday

Next Wednesday is 'Ash Wednesday'.  This is a time when Christians repent for their sins and are marked with the sign of the cross. The ashes come from the palm leaves from Palm Sunday the year before.  We will be having our Ash Wednesday liturgy at 2pm on Wednesday in the Hall. All members of our school community are invited to join us for this liturgy to be marked with ashes. 

Next week the season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, which also marks the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Donations to Project Compassion allow Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to alleviate poverty, hunger, oppression and injustice.

We encourage you to put your compassion into action this Lent through your prayer, fasting and almsgiving by supporting Project Compassion. Students will receive their Project Compassion fundraising box on Tuesday.  These boxes are to be returned at the end of the term.  Thank you for your efforts in supporting the wonderful work of Caritas Australia.

Let’s Go Further, Together!

Have a great week

Take care and God Bless

Amanda

All students must wear sunsafe swimming clothing and may wear easy to slip on shoes to walk to and from the Waterpark (but must have their closed in shoes for school). Students (Year 2) are to wear their full school uniform to school. Prep and Year 1 students may come to school ready in their swimming gear, then get changed into their uniforms after the excursion.  Parents are more than welcome and encouraged to assist in walking to the Waterpark. Please advise your child’s teacher if you can attend.

Times:     

Prep - 9.00- 9.40am  

Year 1 - 9.40- 10.20am                                                           

Year 2 - 10.20 - 11.00 am

Swimming@Joey’s

Carnival

Who: Students turning 8 years - 12 years in 2020 (and Year 2’s turning 8 this year are invited and encouraged to attend).

Prep to Year 2’s (not involved in the carnival) will have ‘Wet Day’ activities @ The Water Park. 

When: Friday 28 February (9.30am - 12.30 approx)

Where: Kokoda Memorial Pool

What: Annual Swimming Carnival (Freestyle & Relay Events - including parent, staff, student relay). Students are able to wear coloured shirts of their houses and are encouraged to wear swimmers underneath their clothing so that they are ready to swim. Thongs and croc style shoes are permitted. Towel, water bottle, sunscreen and food is needed.

Many thanks to the parents who have generously offered their assistance on the day.

The carnival will conclude by approximately 12.30 pm and children may be collected by parents at Kokoda or return by bus to St Joseph's to be supervised until 2.50pm. If your child is leaving with another parent, this needs to be communicated to your child’s teacher.

There is a Kiosk at the pool that sells snack food and coffee! Parents are welcome to patronise. Students however, will not be permitted to purchase items themselves.

Enquiries and enrolments are now open regarding the Sacramental Journey for 2020.

The first meeting will be held Monday 2nd March 2020.

To obtain your Information Booklet and Enrolment Form please email St Joseph's Parish Office,

stjoeys@tsv.catholic.org.au

These watches have been handed into the office please come in and collect them if they belong to you.