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May 29th, June 5th, 12th & 19th - St Joey's Athletics Carnival @ School
Dear Parents and Carers
It has been wonderful to see all our students return this week, as I am sure it has been for all school communities across Queensland. All students have settled back into class routines and it was terrific to see students happy and engaged in their rooms. As we begin to return to normal routines, I would just again like to thank our hardworking and dedicated staff for their efforts. They have been nothing short of amazing and I am incredibly grateful for all they have achieved and continue to achieve on behalf of our school community. Thank you.
While some restrictions are relaxing there are some that remain in place until the end of this term. These include the need to maintain social distancing and the reduction of parents and carers entering the school and classrooms. While Townsville remains Covid free at this time, all schools are required to adhere to the guidelines as outlined by the State government. I would ask for your assistance in this matter.
As a result of these restrictions, we have experienced a much higher usage of our stop drop and go area. This has meant an increase in traffic and longer queues in Fryer and Oxley Street. Again I would ask for your patience and vigilance as we work to ensure all children access vehicles safely. If you have students in older classes I would urge you to delay pickup times in the afternoon until possibly 3:00 or 3:05pm. It is a balancing act as we juggle restriction with ensuring the safe movement of students in the morning and afternoon. It can only work successfully with your support.
Have a great week.
Tim
It was great to welcome back our Year 2-6 students this week and to have our whole school back together. It has been wonderful to see the way the students have settled back into the routine of school during my visit to classrooms this week.
National Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week
Tuesday was National Sorry Day. National Reconciliation Week began yesterday and goes until the 3rd of June. This week is an important time for all Australians to remember the injustices done to the Stolen Generations and the sadness and damage the events from the past have had on Australia’s First Peoples. In order to move forward and create a nation that is strengthened by respectful relationships then reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australian’s. The theme for this year’s Reconciliation Week is In This Together.
This week classes will be participating in a prayer celebration and activities around reconciliation. I was fortunate to join 1D and 5C for their Reconciliation Week prayer. During the prayer, students watch a video of the Good Samaritan. There are no words in the video, only music and images which makes it incredibly powerful. If you would like to watch the video here is a link The GoodSamaritan. Classes then discussed the question who is my neighbour?
A Prayer for Reconciliation
Loving God, you call us to be people of peace. May we work together to bring hope and healing to all who live here in Australia. Help us to show compassion and justice to all, especially our indigenous brothers and sisters, whom we have treated so badly in the past. May we move forward in a spirit of healing and reconciliation so that all may live with dignity and respect. We make our prayer in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Pentecost Sunday
This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday. The Season of Easter concludes with the Feast of Pentecost. On Pentecost we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem; this event marks the beginning of the Church. In this Sunday’s reading (John 20:19-23) we are reminded about the connection between the gifts of peace and forgiveness and the action of the Holy Spirit. Jesus then commissions his disciples to continue the work that he has begun, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” He breathes the Holy Spirit upon the disciples and sends them to continue his work of reconciliation through the forgiveness of sins.
This Gospel reminds us that the Church is called to be a reconciling presence in the world. The reconciling presence of Christ is celebrated in the Church’s sacramental life. In the Sacrament of Baptism, we are cleansed of sin and become a new creation in Christ. In the Sacrament of Penance, the Church celebrates the mercy of God through the forgiving of sins. This reconciling presence is also to be a way of life for Christians. In situations of conflict, we are to be agents of peace and harmony among people. This week as a family reflect upon the need to forgive others and to receive forgiveness. Discuss how Jesus gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit to help us in the work of forgiveness and to bring us peace. Talk about how you can show forgiveness and be a reconciling presence in the world.
Have a great week
Take care and God Bless
Amanda
