St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Wandal Newsletter

Loving Differences

I love listening to elderly happily-married people talk about their spouses – with the evident love, the delight in the other and the wry humour at the characteristics of the other that after 50, 60 or even more years still annoy them, sometimes intensely. No matter how happy the couple, there are still differences – it seems to be part of the nature of loving another. 

This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Trinity – that is we recognise and celebrate that our God is a community – Three Persons, Father, Son and Spirit, equal, holding all in common except in their differing relationships to each other.  This is hard for us to get our minds around but our hearts know what it is about.  We are made in the image of God and relationship is at the core of our being, relationship that involves both loving union and difference.    Loving union we can cope with, dealing with difference is more of a challenge.  To appreciate it we need to recognise what good ‘differences’ can bring to a relationship.  The attraction of love can be so strong at times that one can run the risk of ‘falling into’ the other – becoming a clone or a slave.  Our differences protect us from that.  Differences also help us define our individuality.  This is important because it is only as free individuals that we can truly love.   So perhaps this Sunday you could name and celebrate the differences in your relationships – with your spouse or partner, your children, your parents – and realise that these, if used rightly, can enhance your loving. 

Loving God, help us to love each other as you love each other within the Trinity, celebrating both what we have in common and the differences between us.  We ask this in Jesus’ name confident that you will hear us. 

Sr Kym Harris osb

Yesterday, we were honoured to host the Governor of Queensland, His Excellency Paul de Jersey AC for a school visit. Also in attendance was the Mayor of Rockhampton Tony Williams, Bishop Michael McCarthy, Diocesan Director Leesa Jeffcoat and a number of other invited guests. We were privileged to hear the Governor speak at our whole school assembly and His Excellency also visited Year 3J to read a book on Gavel, his dog, which was presented to us as a parting gift.

 We were delighted to share our school with the visiting party and were so proud of the respect our children showed them. A significant amount of behind the scenes organisation was required in preparation for the Governor’s visit, as well as adherence to particular protocols, and I thank all who helped prepare for this visit.

Thank you for having your children so prepared and organised for our first round of Season B sport last Friday. A reminder that phone calls will not be permitted for students who have forgotten their uniforms or equipment and instead, these students will remain at school to work. We would love to see our SJW parents and grandparents at the games to support our students.

The draws for this week’s games  can be found further in this newsletter.

Rugby League Players please note that Mr Joyce will be away this Friday. Mr Ivory will accompany you to football along with Mrs Jenkinson, Mr Wagg and Mrs Lau.

The 2021 Athletics Carnival will be held at Brosnan Oval, Emmaus College for ALL students in Prep - Year 6, on Wednesday,  9 June (please note changed location). Please indicate via the E-form on the Skoolbag App by Friday 4 June, if your children require bus transport to and from Emmaus College. If we do not receive a response from your family, we will assume you will arrange your own transport and the bus will not have seats allocated for your children. Field Events finals for Years 4- 6 students will also be held on this day. Children are to wear their sports uniforms to our Athletics Carnival. A plain, house-coloured polo shirt may also be worn if preferred. 

Last Wednesday, your children received their school photo envelopes.  These are personalised envelopes with students’ names and details already printed. A pre-paid system requires all online orders to be finalised by midnight on photo day, Thursday 17 June 2021.  Late orders and payments are accepted but will incur a late fee.  

Envelopes are required to be returned on the day (or to the office for safe keeping until photo day).

Due to a hiatus COVID-19 restrictions in 2020 , our P and F High Tea fundraiser is back! The date has been set, so mark it in your calendars!

This week marks the completion of the Sacramental Journey which for some, commenced in 2019.  We were delighted to welcome more families in 2020. This was a wonderful celebration for our parish, schools and families. Bishop Michael engaged the children by explaining the difference between theHoly Spirit in Confirmation and the bread and wine in the Eucharist. Thank you to our families for participating in this journey and supporting us to build relationships with our parish community.

If you are interested in participating in the Sacramental Journey, please contact the Rockhampton Cathedral Parish of St Joseph on 4927 6744.

Are you or your children bakers, artists, chicken farmers or photographers?  Check out the list of opportunities that can be found at the Rockhampton Show.

https://www.rockyshow.com.au/Competitions

Would you like to help us build a scarecrow or two for the scarecow competition?  Please email me if you are keen: janette_mclennan@rok.catholic.edu.au. 

Friday Tuckshop helpers required.  Can you spare a few hours between 8:30am to 12 noon to assist Gail and Elise in our tuckshop? Please email the school at sjwl@rok.catholic.edu.au if you can assist.

Congratulations to our students on their outstanding achievements.  Please click on the link for details.

Please click on the link for this week's draw.

Term Dates for 2021

Term 2      19 April - 25 June 10 weeks

Term 3       12 July - 17 September 10 weeks

Term 4      5 October - 3 December   9 weeks

Term 2 2021

MAY

26 May The Midnight Gang at The Pilbeam Theatre Years 3 & 4

27 May Questacon school visit

28 May Year 2 R Prayer Assembly - Pentecost

28 May Years 4 - 6 Friday Sport

As you are aware every year Queensland experiences an influenza or flu season. As we enter this season it is timely to remind parents and care-givers not to be complacent about flu. Queensland Health advises that where possible, people need to be vaccinated for the flu every year.

Flu is a virus more serious than the common cold and can be spread through talking, coughing and sneezing. Symptoms include sudden fever, dry cough, muscle aches and pains, fatigue, headache, sore throat and a stuffy or runny nose.

If your child has flu-like symptoms, the following is advised:

·       Keep your child home from school;

·       Ensure your child washes their hands regularly with soap and water or sanitiser gel;

·       Encourage your children when coughing or sneezing, to cover their mouth and nose with disposable tissues which should be disposed of immediately;

·       Ensure they drink plenty of fluids and get lots of rest;

·       Consult your doctor if you are concerned about their symptoms.

Queensland Health Guidelines advise that individuals displaying flu like symptoms should  stay at home until such symptoms have passed (normally 5-7 days). 

Families should also reinforce the recommended protective actions listed above.

Increased awareness and ongoing attention to prevention and control measures, such as vaccination and good hygiene, are steps that we can all promote to reduce the impact of influenza.