Term 2 Week 2 - May 2nd, 2023
From the Principals Desk
Dear Parents and Carers,
What a positive start we have made to the new term! Last week we participated in two important school community experiences; ANZAC Day and Minyma.
I would like to once again thank all of those students, families and staff who braved the weather for the ANZAC Day march and service. This is an important display of connection with our broader Murwillumbah community, it is the only time we actually see all of the schools and community groups gathered together, identified, shoulder to shoulder for a common cause.Thank you for your school and community spirit!
Last Friday we held our annual whole school retreat day, MINYMA. We welcomed the Mt St Patrick’s College year 10 Youth Ministry class to our school for the day. They supported and facilitated the retreat sessions with the staff. It is great to have their role modelling, as adolescents with an active faith life, for our students. It is a very special day on our annual calendar, to take a whole day to reflect and focus on the values and teachings of our Catholic faith and explore ways that we can go forth in action to help others. We extend our gratitude and appreciation to the staff team who coordinated and led the day, the parents who cooked, the YM’s, Leanne from the diocesan Parent Assembly for afternoon tea, and to the families who showed their support of the day. Mrs Hughes is the coordinator and creator of our MINYMA retreat, congratulations Vanessa, what a wonderful day! Finally, to our students who participated in the day with such respect and sincerity, it is all about our students, and they performed in outstanding fashion on the day! Well done to all.
Educational theorists say that the most effective, improving schools are those that not only have exemplary practices within their own school but strive to improve other schools as well. We can proudly say that our MINYMA retreat is now being replicated in other schools throughout our diocese after witnessing ours and having Vanessa as a collaborator in their journey of creating their own. ‘From little things big things grow’, proof that a small school can have a huge positive impact on other diocesan schools!
School Improvement is an ongoing focus and agenda within all we do. Each year we reflect and strategically move forward in an attempt to become more effective and to improve student outcomes. We survey the different stakeholders in our school community each year. This year’s ‘Tell Them From Me’ survey period (ending May 12) is here. Students, staff and parents will be invited to complete a survey. Parents can access the survey specifically designed for you to provide us with your valued feedback via the link below.
Have a great week!
Peace and blessings,
Jason Clarke
Principal
Living the Gospel
MINYMA
Last Friday we finally shared Minyma with the Youth Ministry class from MSPC. Not only were we blessed with the most beautiful weather, but we welcomed our parents, grandparents, and friends to share in the afternoon.
The theme for the day was Mercy - to act with compassion for another's struggle or suffering.
Activity 1: Acts of Mercy - How can we act with mercy today? (Mrs Sidorko)
Activity 2: Faces of Mercy - People of mercy (Mrs Larkin)
Activity 3: Mercy is Falling - The parable of the Good Samaritan (Mrs H)
Activity 4: Fair Share - There are enough resource to prevent suffering in the world. (Mr Jeffree)
Activity 5: Mercy - God's Divine Mercy (Mrs Traise)
We witnessed God's presence everywhere. He was present in all conversations and interactions throughout the day. God is present in each and every human being, it is up to us to find him.
On this day it was easy!
Our MINYMA Day
Cirriculum News
KINDER
In English during Term 1, Kindergarten discussed all things 'me'. We were able to link our learning to History. Students shared what they wanted to be when they grow up to develop an understanding the of past, present and future. We celebrated our learning by having a "Next Top Grown Up" Day where Kinder invited Year 6 to dress up as what they wanted to be when the grow up. We had SO much fun playing with the green screen, and making arts and crafts. Thank you Year 6 for joining us!
When I grow up I want to be...
ANZAC Day
Thanks and appreciation go to our staff, students and parents for the wonderful support at the ANZAC Day march last Tuesday. The weather wasn't as kind as we might have hoped for, however attendance was just as impressive if it had been a pleasant sunny day! Well done St Joseph's.
Library News
General News
Our deepest sympathy goes out to Georgia Walker and family on the loss of their grandfather, John Flanagan. Great grandfather to Scarlett in Year 2, Zephyr in Kinder and Caia.
Our thoughts and prayers are also with Father Anthony and family on the loss of his mother, Stephanie Lemon.
Thank you to Cassie Gales mother, Sandra Quinn for once again covering so many of our new home readers.
Welcome to Ms Jacinda Kleidon who is our new School Administration Officer. Ms Kleidon will replace Mrs Kay Ryder.
GOD MOMENT
The way Stage 2 have been offering to help Mrs Hughes with MINYMA.
Easter Egg Raffle
60 Prizes were won!
Congratulations to all the winners. All have been notified and their prize collected.
Total raise was $956! This money goes towards school resources which directly helps your children.
Canteen News
Orders - All lunch orders will now close at 3:30pm the day before the canteen day. i.e. If you are ordering for Wednesday’s canteen then the orders will close on Tuesday at 3:30pm. For Friday, the orders will be closed on Thursday at 3:30pm.
Cancellations - If you have ordered lunch for your child and they won’t be attending school that day, you are able to cancel your order up until 8:45am on the day of the order.
Reimbursements of cancelled orders - If you cancel an order, or if the school cancels an order, the funds from the order will be transferred to your Compass Wallet.
You can access the funds in your wallet when you go to finalise your order in the Compass app.
Reminder - The canteen is cashless and therefore items cannot be ordered at the canteen, including snacks after lunch. These can be ordered with their lunch order.
Congratulations to Nate Jarman and his little brother Reggie Twohill on their baptism on the weekend. Welcome to our faith community.
Parish News
Tuesday May 2 5:30 pm - Mass
Wednesday May 3 5:30 pm - Mass
Thursday 4 May 8:15 am - Mass
Friday 5 May 11:00 am - Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
12 noon - Mass
Saturday 6 May 8:30 am - Rosary
5:30 pm - Rosary
6:00 pm - Vigil Mass
Sunday 7 May FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
8:30 am - Rosary
9:00 am - Mass
10:00 am - Cuppa | Morning Tea
Mt St Patrick News
Health & Wellbeing
Position Vacant
Community News
Our Sponsors
Would you like to see your business advertised her?
If so, please contact the office on 02 6672 1867
