13 October 2021

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Welcome to Week 2.

As you are aware, Fr Marcel has now returned to his homeland of India over the last holiday break. During that time, Bishop Michael notified the North Rockhampton Parishes that Fr Andrew Hogan has accepted to role of pastoral responsibilities until the end of the year. Assisting Fr Andrew and being more prominently involved in both the St Joseph’s community and Our Lady Help of Christians Parish will be Fr Jayanthi. Fr Jayanthi knows both communities very well as he was a Parish Priest with Fr Don White five years previously.

Fr Jayanthi visited the school briefly last Friday after mass and was amazed at the changes over the past five years. He will be visiting the school a number of times in the coming weeks to introduce himself to the staff, students and the wider Joey’s community.

We wish Mr Kelson Tennyson all the best as he participates in a school practicum over the next three weeks. This ‘Prac’ is a requirement for his studies in his Education Degree. Miss Kaitlyn Brosnan will be filling Kelson’s role over the next three weeks.

Congratulations to Joey’s Education Support Officer, Miss Lilli-Mae Molloy who has been offered a teaching position at St Joseph’s Clermont commencing 2022. Well done Lilli.

This week I have attempted to include a comprehensive list of dates for Term 4. We are planning all our events under current COVID protocols but please be aware that all arrangements could change depending on developments in the community and advice from Qld Health. At this point in time, some of our significant events will be ticketed events due to number restrictions and venue sizes. We will endeavour to share all information as soon as it comes to hand.

Applications for the Assistant Principal, Religious Education close this Friday, 15th of October. Shortlisting and interviews will be held in Week 3. After a recommendation is made by the interview panel to the Diocesan Director, Miss Leesa Jeffcoat, an official announcement letter will be sent out to the community.

With Mrs Senini returning next week and my Long Service Leave the week after, Mrs Elizabeth Carter has been appointed as Acting APRE until the end of Week 6. I thank Mrs Alice Wayman who has graciously agreed to continue in Year 4 during this time.

Have a great week.

Don’t Forget …

• Professional Coach, Cath Grealy visit. Wednesday, 13th October
• P&F Meeting. Wednesday, 13th Oct in Library @ 6:30pm
• Prep 2022 Orientation Day, Thursday 21st October
• School Board AGM. Wednesday, 20th October in Library @ 5:30pm
• Bernard Fitzgerald Long Service Leave. Weeks 4-6 Term 4 (25th Oct – 12th Nov)
• Crazy Sock Day, Tuesday 26th Oct – Gold Coin Donation
• Day for Daniel. Friday, 29th Oct – Wear red
• TCC Year 6 Half Day Small Group Workshop. 9:30am – 1:00pm Wednesday 3rd November.
• P&F AGM. Wednesday 10th Nov in Library @ 6:30pm
• TCC Year 7 Orientation Evening. 5:00pm – 6:30pm Monday 15th November.
• Mike Kelso, AD School Rockhampton Term 4 Visit. Tuesday, 16th November.
• Semester 2 Cultural Assembly. Monday, 22nd Nov in MPA @ 8:35am
• Emmaus Year 6 Orientation Day. 8:45am – 2:30pm Thursday 25th November.
• Presentation Night. Thursday 25th Nov in MPA @ 6:00pm
• Semester 2 Academic Awards. Monday, 29th Nov in MPA @ 9:00am
• Semester 2 Reports posted to Parent Lounge. Wednesday 1st Dec
• Year 6 Graduation Mass. Wednesday 1st December in OLHC @ 6:00pm
• Year 6 Graduation Meal. Wednesday 1st December @ RLC
• Year 6 Fun Day. Thursday 2nd December
• End of Year Mass & Leadership Change Over. Friday 3rd December @ 9:00am
• Office Closes. Friday, 3rd December 2021
• Office Reopens. Monday, 10th January 2022
• Resource Drop-off Day. Thursday afternoon, 20th January 2022

2022 School Year Commences. Monday, 24th January 2022

Regards

Bernard Fitzgerald
Principal - St. Joseph’s Catholic School Park Avenue

St Joseph’s 2021 School Improvement Priorities:

• Writing
• Parent Engagement
• Social Emotional Learning

RELIGIOUS MATTERS

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

A man asks Jesus what he has to do to enter the kingdom

Mark 10:17-30

Jesus gives us some harsh words: If you are rich, don’t count on getting into the Kingdom of God. Don’t count on entering heaven. Don’t count on receiving all the wealth and riches you are looking for.

Are most teenagers you know more interested in making good money or in doing good things for the world? What are you most interested in?

Do you believe that money can buy happiness?

Do you think most teenagers would agree with you?

Why or why not? What does society’s behaviour indicate?

We don’t hear the name of this rich young man. The Gospel doesn’t tell us that he went away, never to return to Jesus again. We don’t know if he ever did sell his possessions and give the money to the poor, or if he ever came back to follow Jesus.

What do you think happened to him?

@Liturgy Help – Lisa-Marie Calderone Stewart

Welcome Fr Andrew

There’s a new face at our weekend masses. Fr Andrew Hogan will be caring for our parish for the remainder of 2021. He caught up with Jake and his cousin Emma at mass on Saturday night.

Liturgical Celebrations Coming Up

*OLHC – Our Lady Help of Christians church – next to school

*MPA – Multipurpose Area (Basketball court)

Socktober is an initiative of Catholic Mission which aims to ‘sock it to poverty’ to help some of the most needy and vulnerable children in the world have better opportunities in life and a hope-filled future. This year the focus is on Thailand.

• Crazy Sock Day – Tuesday 26th October
• What is the most creative way to wear socks?
• We will ‘Pass the Sock Around’
• Gold coin donation
• Students wear school uniform with Crazy Socks

PARISH BULLETIN

Bernadette Brennan
Assistant Principal Religious Education

FINANCE NEWS

Fee Accounts for Term 4 have now been emailed and posted on Parent Lounge.

Term 4, 2021 Fee Statements were emailed and posted to Parent Lounge on Monday 11th October. These are due for payment on Monday 25th October.

If you have a means tested Concession Card and have not yet given a copy to the Finance Secretary, please do so as soon as possible.

If paying by Direct Deposit, please use your Account Number as the reference instead of names (this is the 6-digit number on your Fee Statement).

If you foresee any delay in paying School Fees, please make immediate contact with either Bernard Fitzgerald or Megan Crosthwaite.

CLASSROOM NEWS

Yr 3

This week in Year 3 we are taking our flexible learning to the next level. We have introduced digital timetabling; this allows the students to pick what workshop they attend at what time. Each morning the students will plan their day.

We asked the students what they enjoyed about planning their own timetable:

Rhyver – Having a choice about what workshops I do after lunch.
Jake – I get to choose what time I can do different things.
Lilah – That we get to make our own decisions and it is really fun.
Braydon – That we get to choose what workshops we go to at what time.

INCLUSIVE CURRICULUM NEWS

October is Dyslexia awareness month.

The link below is for an animation made by the British Dyslexia Association called See Dyslexia Differently, which explains real challenges individuals with dyslexia face whilst also acknowledging their strengths and potential.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Congratulations to the following students who will celebrate their birthday this week. They are: Harrison Kowald (Yr 1), Romen Conway (Yr 5), Madilynn Harris (Yr 3) and Ethan Roati (Yr 4).

Have a great day.

DRAKES SUPA IGA

Drakes Fundraiser for St. Joseph's Cathedral

I thank you for your support of this project which has raised over $40,000, of which the school community has played an important role. Please continue to support the Cathedral by shopping at DRAKES using your key tag and receiving the benefits.

If you have not been part of this fundraiser you are invited to get a key tag from your local School or Church and shop at your local Drakes, one cent in every dollar you spend will go to the Cathedral. No Fuss, only benefits.

Hoping to see you at Drakes

Stay Safe

Shirley Hopkins,
Co-ordinator, Drakes Fundraiser for St Joseph's Cathedral