St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Wandal Newsletter

10 November 2021

Weekly Prayer Reflection

Emotional Sensitivity

Some time ago I watched a video clip that has gone viral. In it we see a mother singing a sad song to her baby who, while not understanding the words, certainly understands the emotion in the mother’s voice, and weeps. I sent the link to my sister-in-law who emailed back within two minutes. She had started playing it when her two-year-old said to her, "Stop the email. It is too sad." We live in a sea of emotion and, too often, our children pick up on the feelings that are swirling around them without understanding their meanings. It is part of our responsibility of care and love towards them to help them navigate these seas.

Emotions are an integral part of our humanity and are a gift from God to us. Through them, we are connected to each other and to the world around us. In a very real sense, they can be a sign, and even an experience, of the Holy Spirit of God in our lives. Our emotions can also cripple us or be used to attack or negatively influence other people. The challenge is to discover how to use them well in our lives. This is one of the fundamental roles of prayer in our lives. In some forms of prayer, we sit with God and use how we feel as the connection between us. We tell God how sad or happy or confused we feel, then sit quietly and listen for God’s answer. This won’t come in words, but rather as a clarification of how we feel and how we should react in the situation that is causing our emotions. As we learn to be more sensitive to and understand better our own emotions, we will learn the skills to help our children do the same.

Loving God, you have created me with a variety of emotions that often seem like baffling forces within me. Send me the wisdom of your Spirit that I might use my emotions to grow in love. I ask this in Jesus’ name, confident that you will hear me.

Sr Kym Harris osb

From the Principal

Prep Orientation Day

Yesterday, we had the pleasure of welcoming our 2022 Prep students to school for an Orientation Day. Our newest students seemed to thoroughly enjoy their visit to big school and are excited about returning, in their uniforms, next year!

Homework Club

Next week will be the last week for Homework Club. Thank you to the TCC students who have dedicated their time to assist our Years 3-6 students with their homework every Tuesday afternoon. We look forward to recommencing Homework Club in the new year!

Year 6 Graduation Mass Celebrations - Flexischool Nibblies Order

Just a reminder for Year 6 families, who are attending the celebrations after Mass, to place your order for nibblies through Flexischools by Wednesday 17 November 3pm.

Confirmation of Enrolment for 2022 – *Reminder*

Our Confirmation of Enrolment forms are accessible via Parent Lounge and are due to be completed by tomorrow (Thursday 11 November). We require EVERY family in the school to complete this form, to confirm your children's enrolment here in 2022.  Even if you plan on leaving St Joseph’s at the end of the school year (Year 6 students excluded), please complete the forms so that we are able to commence our preparations for classes in 2022. 

Classes for 2022

Our teachers, in conjunction with the Learning Support staff and Leadership team of the school are now commencing preparations for class groupings for the 2022 school year. If you feel you have information that teachers may not be already aware of, and which may be useful for this process, please ensure you notify your class teachers at your earliest convenience. A polite reminder that we do not take requests for particular teachers – they are all fabulous!

End of Year Christmas Concert *Reminder*

Plans are underway with regards to our end-of-year Christmas function which will be held on Friday 19 November. Our P and F organises the food and bar on this night and it is always a lovely, informal way to finish off the school year as a community. Each class prepares a small item to perform on the night and we count on the majority of our students and families attending. Please inform your child’s teachers if they will be absent on the night as this may interfere with plans for ‘performances.’

Class items will commence at 6pm sharp. Please be advised that food will not be served until after the children’s performances. Children are to wear ‘Christmassy’ type clothes. Towards the end of the night, we often have a special, very jolly guest pop in to say hello to the children!

Bill's Amusements have been booked with a number of rides to be set up on the school Oval. Pre-ordering and payment for the BBQ is essential and be will be via Flexischools.  If you do not pre-order via Flexischools by the cut-off date we may not be able to accommodate your requests for food on the night. Rides tickets are also available via Flexischools, however additional ride tickets will be for sale on the night (cash only). A cash bar will operate.

 As always, we will be reliant on parent assistance on this night, please consider giving half an hour of your time to assist in some way. Volunteer opportunities for "SJW Christmas Break Up" are now open.

Please click on the following web link (or copy it into your web browser if clicking doesn't work) to go to the signup sheet:

volunteersignup.org/JXT4A

To sign up, just follow the instructions on the page. It only takes a few seconds to do.

Thank you for volunteering!

In partnership,

Kellie Jenkinson

From the Assistant to the Principal: Religious Education (APRE)

Gospel Reflection

Mk 12:28-34

The wise scribe asks Jesus which is the greatest commandment.

One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?”  Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; and ‘to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,’ and ‘to love one’s neighbour as oneself,’—this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God”. After that no one dared to ask him any question.

In reflection:

Think back over the last 24 hours. Try to list all the people you came in contact with – even if only momentarily or by sitting near them on a bus. Of all those encounters, where did you show love? Where did you show a lack of love? Where did you demonstrate a love of self or lack of love of self? Where could you have shown more awareness and more love? Project forward now over the next 24 hours. What opportunities for encounters with others can you predict? How might you better show love of self and love of neighbour?

Remembrance Day Prayer

Year 5M Prayer Assembly

Please join Year 5M in the Quadrangle on Thursday at 10.40 am for prayer as we commemorate Remembrance Day.

Remembrance Day falls on the 11th of November each year. On the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, a minutes' silence is observed and dedicated to those men and women who dedicated their lives to protect the nation. This day continues to be commemorated in allied countries.

A Pace of Grace Retreat

Last week, our very own Teacher Assistant, Mrs Kennedy attended the Haven for a retreat.  Mrs Kennedy was joined by other support staff from the Catholic Education Diocese Rockhampton, who had the opportunity to learn about the Virtues project.  This retreat was designed to inspire people to remember who they are and to live by their hightest virtues (gifts).  Mrs Kennedy tells us, she enjoyed the retreat and the time for much needed faith formation.

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hamper Appeal

The St Vincent De Paul Society have launched their Christmas Appeal and the community of St Joseph’s Wandal are once again called to live out our school motto, 'To Love is to Serve'. We are collecting donations of non-perishable items, which include tinned vegetables, cereals, long life milk, soft drinks, juice, and snacks such as chips, nuts, biscuits and lollies. Christmas themed items for donation may include Christmas puddings, Christmas cakes, mince pies, bon bons and long life custard. The hampers will be kept in classrooms. Thank you in advance, for your generosity to this worthy cause.

Year 6 Students are Selling Zooper Doopers to Raise Funds for Catholic Mission

Thank you to the families who have supported our Year 6 students who are selling Zooper Doopers each Tuesday and Thursday.  So far our school has raised $400 for Catholic Mission.  Thank you for your generosity. 

Continuing the Journey in the Catholic Faith Sacraments 2021 – 2022:

Continuing the Journey in the Catholic Faith Sacraments 2021 – 2022:

The journey has commenced. The second meeting will be held on 16 and 17 November. This meeting is for parents only. Parents need to attend one meeting on either night. 

When:  5.30pm -  6.30pm.

Where: Kevin Castles Centre West Street (opposite Red Lion Hotel).

Term 4 Prayer Assembly dates

11 NovemberYear 5MRemembrance Day 10.40 am Thursday
19 NovemberPrepPrayer Reflection
26 NovemberStaffChristmas Prayer Reflection
3 DecemberYear 6Graduation Prayer Reflection - Graduation Certificates

Thought of the Week!

Parish Bulletin

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With gratitude,

Rheanna Starr

Curriculum Update

2021 Spelling Bee

Finishing the year strongly!

Our Learner Dispositions are important to all that we do at St Joseph's Wandal.  As we near the end of the year, let's check in and see how we are going.

At St Joseph's Wandal, our learners are:

Resilient:  How have you grown as a learner this year?  How have you responded to the challenges you have faced?

Resourceful:  How have you grown as an independent learner?  How have you met new situations?

Reflective:  What have you learned this year about your own learning habits?  How have you made good learning choices?

Reasonable:  How have you grown as a logical thinker?

Responsible:  How have you become more responsible for your own learning choices?

Respectful:  How have you shown care and respect towards others and their ideas and hopes?

Remembrance Day


Year 5M will be leading the school in our Remembrance Day commemoration tomorrow at 10:40 a.m.  We will share prayers and reflections on this important day in our nation's story.  Classes will add wreaths in our prayer space, and we will observe a minute's silence close to 11:00 a.m. 

This photo shows my grandfather who served in WWI in France.  I am honoured to share some of his story during our assembly tomorrow.


We will also share the poem 'In Flanders Fields' by John McCrae.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,    

That mark our place; and in the sky    

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.


We are the Dead.

Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,    

Loved and were loved, and now we lie,        

In Flanders fields.


Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw    

The torch; be yours to hold it high.    

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow        

In Flanders fields.


Lets we forget.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

– Nelson Mandela

Janette McLennan

Student Awards

“Striving for Excellence” Award – (for a student who has exhibited academic improvements and/or has been applying themselves to the very best of their ability).

Poppy W - Year 4 - For your hard work and creativity during our poetic language lesson this week. The metaphors you created were full of descriptive words and detail. They were so interesting and enjoyable to read! Your work is music to my ears. Well done!

Dia F - Year 4 - For your wonderful poem, 'Space Life'. You have included many examples of metaphors and similes. Each and every poem you have written so far this term has made me proud. Well done!

Winston L - Prep- For the hard work you have put into your writing this week. I was impressed with your use of capital letters, finger spaces, full stops and spelling of tricky words. Keep striving for excellence!

To Love is to Serve” Award (for a student who has consistently displayed leadership qualities)

Ella R - Year 1 - For the leadership qualities you display when you work with others. You are encouraging and patient when collaborating with peers.

Harlan B - Prep -For offering friendship to the children visiting Prep this week. Thank you for inviting them to play with you. I appreciate the kindness you have shown.

Sports News

Touch Football

Please see link for game times.

Calendar Dates for 2021

Term Dates for 2021

Term 4      5 October - 3 December -   9 weeks

November

11 November Remembrance Day

11 November Year 5M Prayer Asssembly - Remebrance Day 10:40

16- 17 November Parent Workshop Sacraments 

18 November AGM 5:15pm at St Joseph’s Wandal

19 November Prep Prayer Assembly

19 November Christmas Concert

24 November Year 6 Rite of Passage - St Joseph’s Cathedral 

26 November Staff Prayer Assembly

December

3 December Year 6 Graduation Assembly and Graduation Certificate

3 December Term 4 Concludes

Community Announcements

Splash n Dash

Pumped Sport’s new Splash n Dash event is coming to St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Wandal on Thursday 25 November starting at 3:15pm and runs for 75 minutes. Cash or credit card payments can be made on the day. Children kindy aged and older are $15 and toddlers are $10. For more information and to register, head to https://pumpedsport.com.au/events/


Movie Night Free

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