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Friday 4th September - Pupil Free Day
9th - 11th September - Year 6 Camp
6th - 12th September - Student Protection Week
Friday 11th September - White Balloon Day - Come dressed in white and bring along a gold coin donation
Tuesday 15th & Wednesday 16th September - School Photos
Tuesday 15th & Wednesday 16th September - Parent Teacher Interviews
Thursday 17th September - Staff v Student Netball Challenge
Friday 18th September - Last Day Term 3
Tuesday 6th October - First Day Term 4
Dear Parents and Carers
Another huge week for our students! Billabong Sanctuary visits, gold mining in Charters Towers and a T20 cricket carnival has seen many of our students out and about in a year that has seen these activities significantly restricted. It has been wonderful to see these elements return for our students. I would like to thank our teachers for the work they have done behind the scenes to ensure that we are compliant with current practices, allowing our students to experience these enjoyable events. Next week our Yr 6 students head off on camp to Wambiana station. Again another great experience that will I am sure help create some wonderful memories for our school leaders.
Next week is also child protection week. A time to consider the safety and well being of all students. This year COVID 19 has had such a massive impact on all aspects of our lives and the safety of our students is no different. Following lockdowns across Australia, the pressure of financial distress, depression, anxiety caused by responses to COVID, the statistics around student safety are nothing short of incredibly concerning. Online safety is again at the forefront of our minds, as students spend more and more time online, not only for enjoyment but for their academic engagement. Over the coming week, I would encourage all families to spend some time simply familiarizing themselves with the following website https://www.esafety.gov.au/. The esafety commissioner webpage has a vast array of information to support families in ensuring that children remain safe online. One of the most important features of the site is that it is current and provides information on current issues.
As parents and carers, it can be difficult to stay up to date with what happens in the digital world. We are different in the way we learn about or use technology to that of our children. Unless we live in that world, and most of us don't, it can be difficult to stay current with what children have available to them online and the inherent dangers associated with these offerings. The esafety website is a wonderful resource and one that you should be familiar with if your child is engaged online.
Child safety is a priority in our school and across our diocese. In this coming child protection week, I would like to highlight the amazing work that is undertaken by the three child protection officers that work on behalf of Townsville Catholic Education. Katherine, Christie and Alyse are not only consummate professionals in their field but an amazing resource for all schools across our diocese. Most importantly they have the best interests and safety of all students at the centre of all they do. They directly support our school safety officers, at St Joseph's this is Katie Martin, Amanda Jones and myself, and they are also a valuable resource for students and families. We are very grateful for all they do and add to our school communities. Thank you!
Have a great week.
Tim
Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy
In 1778 Catherine McAuley was born into a wealthy Dublin family. By the time she reached adulthood, she had witnessed the death of both parents and experienced considerable personal poverty. She then worked for twenty years as a companion for an elderly couple and, upon their deaths, received an unexpected inheritance.
In 1827, driven by a deep faith and sense of charity, Catherine McAuley opened an institution for unemployed and impoverished women. She built orphanages, schools and houses of refuge. This proved to be the first step towards the foundation of the Sisters of Mercy in 1831.
In 1846 the first Sisters of Mercy arrived in Australia. Six sisters settled in Perth, Western Australia, under the leadership of Ursula Frayne. In 1861 six Sisters under Mother Vincent Whitty came to Brisbane in Queensland. The Mercy sisters showed courage in travelling great distances on rough bush road and on foot, living in the most primitive conditions to establish schools.
The Congregation of Sisters of Mercy, Townsville, was founded in 1878 by Sr. Benigna Desmond and five others from Brisbane. The sisters arrived by sea in the humid heat of a north Qld summer. They arrived in traditional dress consisting of undergarments and veil made of wool and a many pleated black woollen tunic tied around the waist with a leather belt. On the belt was a chain with a crucifix, and a set of large wooden rosary beads.
The sisters inherited St Joseph’s Primary School from the departing Josephites and Sr Benigna is credited with the establishment of the St Joseph’s school for the second time.
Father's Day
Wishing all of our Dad's and father-like figures a very happy Father's Day for Sunday. We hope you have an amazing day.
Have a great week.
Take care and God Bless
Amanda
Parent Teacher Interviews
Parent Teacher Interviews are scheduled for Week 10- Tuesday,September 15 and Wednesday, September 16.
As Covid - 19 restrictions resulted in the cancellation of Term 1 Parent Teacher interviews, it is highly recommended that you take this opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher.
In considering current restrictions and advice regarding Coronavirus, the following format for Term 3 interviews has been decided.
- Interviews will be 15 mins maximum. If you need a longer meeting, please contact your child’s teacher to make alternative arrangements.
- They will be conducted in your child’s classroom.
- Appropriate social distancing protocols will be observed. (remaining 1.5m apart, no handshaking/ unnecessary physical contact, appropriate personal hygiene conventions). If you or a family member are unwell, please reschedule your appointment with the classroom teacher.
- Bookings are now open. Here is a link to a booking guide in Compass.
Formal written reports are provided at the end of Term 4.
Cricket Blast School Cup
Student Protection Week
Friday 11th September is White Balloon Day
We're raising money for Bravehearts.
Bring along a gold coin donation and come dressed in a white T-Shirt and school sports shorts.
