St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Wandal Newsletter

Triumph of the Cross

If you were going to design salvation, what would it look like? Who would get it? Well, the deserving for one thing. They would have prosperous, happy lives and their children would be a credit to them. They would go to church but church would be great – joyous with all these other saved people having great experiences of God. Better than the best Netflix show. Nothing would seriously go wrong in their lives because God would protect them as they were such good saved people.

But that isn’t the type of salvation God offers. Right, dead centre in the Christian faith is the Cross. That’s right a man dying in mess, muddle and pain, crying out, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ No wonder Christianity, the real following of Christ has never been really popular. This is a tough faith to embrace.

So, who would embrace it? The losers, for one. Those on the outer. Those suffering awful pain. To these, Jesus says, ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are heavily burdened and I will give you rest.’ The rest comes to them from knowing that God, in Jesus, knows the pain they are going through. Jesus’ salvation doesn’t take us away from pain – it offers to strengthen us on the way through. The others who would come are the undeserving, those who have seriously sinned. Of these, Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.’ For these, as for all of us, salvation is a free gift. No-one, not the Pope, not the greatest saint, no-one deserves it. Perhaps part of our problem with our faith is accepting that we don’t deserve it…and never will.

This week the Church celebrates the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross. Yes, we say failure, abject failure was the means by which Jesus gave the world its greatest gift – salvation – a share in the transforming life of God. This week, take one area of failure or pain in your life and offer it to Jesus. Then wonder how his salvation will come to you.

Loving Father, the Cross of Jesus is a mystery to me, and I do not like it. But let me offer one part of my life in which I am struggling and may I see what his grace may do with it. I ask this in his name, Jesus the Lord.

Sr Kym Harris osb

Our much awaited ‘Church’ land and carpark works will commence next week (Monday). There will be no access into the school from this area for the duration of the works, which will most likely be all of Term 4. Minimal parks will remain accessible in the area, however if parking there you will need to walk via the Herbert Street footpath and enter into the main Admin entrance.  I will personally contact those families who utilise disabled parks to make alternative arrangements.

The carpark works need to be fully completed in Term 4, as every roof in the school is being replaced, due to hailstorm damage, over the Christmas holiday break. The Church land itself will be fenced, turfed and irrigated as an additional grassed play area for our students, however it is unlikely that this will be accessible until mid-term 1, 2022.

While we are very pleased about the impeding upgrade and extension of the Church carpark areas, this will impact greatly on our already very busy drop off and pickup zone. There will be no option for dropping or collecting students at the Church carpark. Please remember that the area outside the Admin office is strictly 2 minutes; you cannot park here.

To alleviate the congestion, the following will be in place for Term 4:

·         Families with students in Prep or Grade 1 will be ready for collection at the Admin pickup gates at 2.45pm. Families with students in Years 3-6 only will be at the pickup zone at 3.00pm. Please do not come early and wait, we will ask you to move. So, if a family has children in Year 1 and Year 4, both siblings will be ready for collection at 2.45pm. If a family has children in Year 5 and 6, both siblings will be ready for oclleciton at 3.00pm.

·         Please remember that the Rundle Street supervised area is for Daycare Busses only. We will not permit your children to exit or to be collected from this area unless boarding a bus.

Thank you for being understanding of changing arrangements while these works are underway. Please understand that the priority of staff is to ensure that 350 children are safely and promptly delivered to their families at 3.00pm and this is no small feat at the best of times! Your support and patience is appreciated.

Earlier in the week, all families received the news announcing the school's new principal for 2022. I look forward to welcoming Mrs Brennan into the school community.

Please keep Mrs Anne Lidster and her family in your thoughts and prayers this week. We received the sad news overnight of the passing of Anne's much-loved Mum. May she rest in peace.

This week marks Mrs Rutherford’s last week teaching in Year 2R before commencing her maternity leave. We wish Andrea, Ben, Audrey and Frederik all the best as they await the exciting arrival of their new baby. We take this opportunity to welcome Mrs Anne Standen, who will be teaching in Year 2R for the remainder of the year. Mrs Standen is a familiar face in our school, and has attended some Parent Teacher interviews this week, in an endeavour to meet as many families as she can. Good luck Andrea, and welcome Anne.

Thank you to the many parents who booked a Parent Teacher Interview this week. Parent Teacher Interviews are a perfect way to discuss and engage with your child’s progress, hopefully ensuring that you understand more fully the feedback received via report cards at the end of the Semester.

If a teacher, after considerable observations of the child and communication with the parents, considers a repeat of prep might be in the child’s best interests then the following must occur:

a. Dependent upon the area of need, evidence of some form of formal assessment by a specialist or pediatrician must be provided to the school by the parent/s

b. The Regional Co-Ordinator: Inclusive Curriculum from the Diocesan Catholic Education Office must observe the student and provide a written report

c. The principal then provides this evidence to the Assistant Director: Schools from the Catholic Education Office who will discuss this decision with the Assistant Director: Curriculum before reaching a decision.

If you have any questions about this process, please do not hesitate to contact either myself or the school’s Learning Support Teacher, Mrs Christine Gawne (after speaking to your child’s classroom teacher first, or course).

A reminder as we approach the school holidays to ensure any haircuts are in line with our Uniform and Presentation Guidelines. If unsure, ask.

Please take particular note of the following:

 Hair is to be neatly groomed, the student’s own natural colour and, if collar length (this inlcudes 'mullets'!) or longer, tied back away from the face with a navy/ yellow or white hair accessory. There are to be no extremes in style or cut. If doubt exists with a style of hair, parents should check with the Principal before having a style change.

One set of earrings may be worn, either plain studs or sleepers.

Holidays are always a good opportunity to ensure that your child’s uniforms are in good order, and that any necessary stationery requirements have been ‘topped up.’

After a hiatus due to the pandemic last year, our High Tea was held on Saturday and was a ‘sell out’ success. I would like to thank the wonderful P and F for their ongoing support of our school and to everyone who contributed in any way, big or small, purchasing multi-draw tickets, donating prizes, or by attending the event. The Botanic Gardens provided a wonderful setting for the afternoon, and we have received much positive feedback about the event being held there. There are far too many people to name personally but please know your contributions and involvement are noted and appreciated!

Good luck to the Year Six touch football players participating in Catholic School Touch Challenge (Tony Novak Shield) at the Rockhampton Touch Association Fields, today. We thank Miss Hinz for supervising this team.

Good luck too to the students participating in The Woolworths Cricket Blast School Cup, which is being held this Friday, 17 September. Mr Joyce will be supervising our team on the day.  I thank the group of enthusiastic Year 6 cricketers who approached me with the proposal to join this competition. They had researched all of the competition details and made it very easy for me to register a St Joseph’s Wandal team, due to their organisation and initiative. Well done boys and good luck! (Please wear your sports uniform, school hat and suitable joggers).

Our next school holiday period is less than two weeks away and spots are filling quickly!

If you are interested in your child attending our Vacation Care program, please do not hesitate to give the OSHC staff a call on 0429316543.

We thank you Lord, for this term. For the challenges, the successes, and the mistakes from which we have learnt. Be with us as we spend our time with family and friends. Give us strength and courage to do what is right: to be witnesses of our faith. Help us to be a practical Christian these holidays, to appreciate what others do for us, to give time and effort to help others. To be peacemakers in our family. Keep us safe in our activities; give us good rest and good fun. Bring us back refreshed and ready for a new term. We thank you for our classmates, teachers, parents and a community that cares for us. May we always be conscious of you in our lives. 

Continuing the Journey in the Catholic Faith Sacraments 2021 - 2022

Calling all families with children who have reached the age of reason (which is seven years of age) to join the preparation journey for 2021-2022 towards the celebration of Reconciliation, Confirmation and Eucharist in 2022.

To register please call The Cathedral Centre on 49 27 6744.

Congratulations to our mathematicians who completed in Round 2 of the 5/6 Maths Quiz (organised by QAMT).  Our students spent their middle session yesterday completing some fun and challenging maths questions.  We wait to hear if our Round 1 winning team (Elsie, Aida and Poppy) will make it to the state finals!

Please check with your child to ensure that they are able to start Term Four with all of the required pencils and other stationery.

CQ Oral Health are offering full dental treatment to students currently enrolled at our school. This service will be provided at the Allenstown School Dental Clinic located in Margaret Street on the school grounds. Lissetta Grant will be the health professional on site. If you are interested in accessing this service, please request a Medical History/Consent Form from our school office and return these to us by 13 September 2021. For any enquiries, please contact Allenstown Dental Clinic on 49206 769 or alternately Melissa Plath on 4920 7553 during business hours.

“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)

Soraya B - Prep A- For consistently striving for excellence and approaching all learning with positivity. You are an outstanding role model in our class.

Joseph T - For your wonderful writing this week. You have made your writing interesting for the reader by including describing words. Great work Joe!

McKenzie D - 4B - For the wonderful way you have settled in to Year 4. You are leading by example with your positive attitude and determination to achieve your best work. Keep it up!

Frankie B - 5H - For consistently participating in class discussions. Thank you for sharing your ideas and knowledge with others.

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

Archer M - Year 1A - For modelling attentive listening, respecting others and demonstrating a positive attitude at school. Well done.

Hayden C - 4E - For the positive way you have approached learning tasks this week. You have shown a hard working attitude and determination to achieve your personal best. Keep it up!

Liz and Healthy Harold will be at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Wandal from Monday 25 to Friday 29 October, 2021. We can’t wait to meet our old friends and make new ones too. We’ll be learning about healthy lifestyle choices and having lots of fun along the way.  

Head to our Parent and Carer Hub  to have a look at the modules that your children will be working through. You will find detailed overviews of the modules and fact sheets with 'conversation starter' ideas so that you can carry on discussing the lessons at home. We will also post a story after the visit so be sure to ‘like’ and follow our CQ Life Education Facebook Page   

Liz and Healthy Harold.  

Please note there will be no training this week for many of the teams and no games during the school holiday period commencing Saturday 18 September.

Term Dates for 2021

Term 4      5 October - 3 December -   9 weeks

September

15 September Catholic Schools Touch Challenge

17 September Staff Prayer Assembly

17 September Term 3 Concludes

October

4 October Public Holiday - Queen’s Birthday

5 October Term 4 Commences (9 weeks)

8 October Year 3 Prayer Assembly - World Teacher's Day

11 October Fire Education Year 1 9:30 - 10:00am

15 October Year 1 Prayer Assembly

15 October Pumped Sports

22 October Year 4 Prayer Assembly

25 October Year 6 Orientation at TCC

25-29 October Healthy Harold

26-27 October Parent Workshop Sacraments

27 October Beats N Pieces

28 October Year 3 Testing Day for Instrumental Music (St Joseph’s Wandal)

29 October Year 2 Prayer Assembly

29 October A Day for Daniel

29 October World Teachers Day

November

1 November All Saints Day

2 November Melbourne Cup

5 November Year 5H Prayer Assembly - All Saints Day

7 November Chamber Music Concert 1:00 - 4:00 pm Cathedral

8 November RSCS Workshop and Music Evening (at TCC more info to come)

9 November Prep Orientation Day

11 November Remembrance Day

12 November Year 5M Prayer Asssembly - Remebrance Day

16- 17 November Parent Workshop Sacraments 

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

19 Novmeber 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 Prayer Assembly

3 December Term 4 Concludes