Term 4 | Week 9 Newsletter

Key Information

• Wednesday 1st December - All Primary Students going to the pool @12:00pm - 2:00pm   (Pack Swimmers, a towel and a hat!!!)
• Friday 3rd December - Last Day Prep - Year 6 Students
• Friday 10th December - School Oval Turf Day

Tuckshop Menu:

*No Bacon & Egg McMuffin available this week

*First lunch available only 

Uniform Shop

As advertised, all uniform items with the old logo are being sold at 50% off normal price. There are limited sizes as shown. If ordering online your discount will be applied when you collect your order from the Uniform Shop or office.

Uniform Shop Days:
Wednesdays & Thursdays: 8:10am-8:30am
Any requests for uniforms outside these days MUST be done via the link below. 

Principal News

Welcome to Week 9, 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the support that you have given to St Joseph’s in 2021. The staff and students are incredibly thankful for the ongoing work that you do for our wonderful schooling community. I have only been with St Joseph’s for such a short amount of time, but I have loved every second of my journey with you all. This is such a credit to the kind hearted and welcoming community that I have become a part of. 

In reflecting on the year I wish to express the immense pride that I have in our students who overcame many obstacles to strive for success in all areas. What a privilege to be able to witness the joy that comes from students progressing in their learning. We have been able to celebrate the achievement of our students each week and again at our End of Year Mass and Awards Ceremony last Friday. It was a fantastic time for us to come together as a community in the presence of God and be thankful for the blessings we have had this year. 

I would like to take this opportunity to wish our departing families, students and staff all the very best as they embark on the next stage of their schooling journeys. I strongly believe that you will achieve what you put your heart and mind to and we look forward to hearing of your stories throughout the year. You will always be a big part of our St Joseph’s Community. 

Advent

The holiday season is a time for celebration for many of us, especially as we begin to decorate our homes for Christmas and enjoy all of the festivities that come along with this magical time of the year. 

The beginning of this holiday season is also the beginning of an important event in the Catholic Liturgical Calendar, being Advent. Advent is a time to help us remember what Christmas is all about. I challenge you to have conversations at home over the coming weeks about the season of Advent and the significance of Christmas to our faith.

Our prayer tables at school changed to the colour of purple this week to reflect the beginning of the Advent Season. In ancient times purple was the colour of royalty as it was costly and rare. The liturgical colour of Advent is a symbolism to welcome the coming of a King. 

In the Catholic Church the beginning of the Advent Season is a period of waiting and preparation which extends over the four Sundays before Christmas. Advent is the time of preparation and waiting for the birth of Jesus. It is important to take the time to reflect and be grateful for the many blessings that we have, remembering the real meaning of Christmas. 

A reminder that school will resume on Monday the 24th of January 2021 for all Prep to Year 9 students. 

I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 

Kind Regards, 

Samantha Kelley

Principal 

APRE News

I can’t believe that this is my last newsletter entry at St Joseph’s Catholic School, Cloncurry. The last three and a half years in Cloncurry have been amazing. I consider myself blessed to have lived in the friendliest town. 

I would like to thank all the staff, students and families for the last few years. I will truly miss living and working in Cloncurry, however, I am excited for the next phase of my life and career.

As I leave I offer this prayer for you and your family

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.

Gospel Reading

Luke 3:1-6

John preaches repentance and baptizes in the region of the Jordan.

During the season of Advent, we choose to add many activities to our family's schedule to prepare for our celebration of Christmas. John the Baptist reminds us that our repentance is another way in which we can prepare for the Lord's coming and our celebration of Christmas. Parish communities often offer a communal celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the Advent season. Your family might choose to participate in the communal celebration of the sacrament, or you might seek out this sacrament on an individual basis.

Read together today's Gospel, Luke 3:1-6. Talk about how John the Baptist called upon the people to prepare the way of the Lord through repentance. Together as a family, prepare a simple reconciliation service in preparation for Christmas. Gather in a prayerful space, perhaps around the family Advent wreath. Read again from today's Gospel, Luke 3:1-6. Invite each family member to pray silently, asking God to forgive his or her sins. Pray together the Act of Contrition:

My God,

I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.

In choosing to do wrong

and failing to do good,

I have sinned against you

whom I should love above all things.

I firmly intend, with your help,

to do penance,

to sin no more,

and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.

Our Savior Jesus Christ

suffered and died for us.

In his name, my God, have mercy.

 Then celebrate God's forgiveness by sharing the sign of peace with one another.

May God bless you and your family this week

Shadley Davids

APRE

Pastoral Care

Year 2

Hi all,

Tomorrow we will be heading down to the pool from 1pm - 2pm for a swim tomorrow. Please make sure swimmers are packed. We are all looking forward to cooling down!

Our SRC is seeking donations of non-perishable food and essential living items for our Christmas Appeal. The items will go to families in need.

Finally, I just wanted to thank you all for such a wonderful year. I am blessed to have had the most beautiful bunch of children with such awesome parents! I wish you all a safe and restful holiday and I look forward to another wonderful year at St Joseph’s next year.

Merry Christmas!

Love Miss Ansell

Year 3

Hi everyone!  

Welcome to the very last week of the 2021 school year! I'm sure you can agree this term has flown by and it's hard to believe we only have 4 weeks until Christmas. 

We have a busy week ahead, full of end of year activities and Christmas fun:

• Swimming - Students will be going to the pool for a ‘free swim’ on Wednesday afternoon from 12pm - 2pm. I will not be there as I will be having a handover meeting with Mrs Wall in preparation for next year, but Year 3 students will be well supervised by other staff. 

• Class party - We will be having a class party on Friday morning. Students are asked to please bring a small snack to share, however please be mindful of the allergies in our class. 

Sending books and stationary home: Can you please let either myself or the office know if your child will not be attending school in the last week. This will allow us to ensure that all books, folders and stationery items are sent home beforehand. Thank you!

Finally, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your support and cooperation in your child's education this year. It has been wonderful to watch each child grow in confidence and maturity over the last 12-months, and I believe they are all ready and excited for the challenges of Year 4. 

Have a great week ahead. 

Miss Coombs

Year 4

Class Party and Secret Santa

We will be having a small class party where we will exchange Secret Santa gifts this Friday. Please send in a small plate of food to share. 

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all the Year 4 families a very happy Christmas and a safe holiday. It has been my pleasure to work with you and your children this year.

Lesley Wall

Year 6

Welcome to the last week of Primary School!

We made it! 

The students should be extremely proud of themselves and the effort they have put into the last term of school. 

There are plenty of fun activities for the students this week - be sure to check in with the students to see what they have been up to. 

Reminders:

• If the students have any library books at home, please make sure they are brought back to school!

• I sent an email out to all parents on Monday about a trip to the pool. We will be heading down after first break. The students will be having a sausage sizzle down at the pool for second break. Be sure you pack sun safe swimwear, a towel, and a hat. 
• Our Year 6 celebration afternoon is this Thursday! If you would like to bring a plate to share it would be greatly appreciated. No obligation. We will kick off at 4 pm under the Mary Mackillop Shed.  
• We will be having a whole school Joey’s Got Talent on Friday morning at 8:30 am. The final ever school assembly at 11:10 am - there will be a Christmas play performed by the students. 

Have a safe and blessed holiday period!

Mr. Delaney & The Year 6 Legends!

General News

SCHOOL CHOIR AT CLONCURRY COUNCIL STREET CHRISTMAS PARTY

Our choir has been invited to perform at  Cloncurry Community Christmas Party on Friday 3rd December at 6:15pm. I will be sending letters home with students who are in the choir. I understand that many might be busy, being the last day of school, but it would be great to have a strong group of voices on the night!

Lesley Wall. 

How to Access Your Childs Semester Report

Accessing Your Child’s Semester Report Using a Computer

1. Log into the Compass Parent Portal with your username and password. If you do not know these details, please contact your school office.

2. Click on ‘View Academic Reports’

Accessing Your Child’s Semester Report Using an iOS (iPhone/iPad) or Android Device

1. Ensure you have the latest version of ‘Compass School Manager’ App and the latest operating system for your device.
2. Click on your child’s photo and then hit the ‘Reports’ tab.

3. Click on the required Semester Report.

Library

We are delighted to let you know about an education resource that is available to your child at home as part of our school subscription – Story Box Library.  

Your child can watch favourite stories, read aloud by fabulous storytellers, at home as well as in the classroom.  

Reading aloud to children, in particular by diverse and engaging storytellers, greatly improves language and literacy skills, especially in the early years of a child’s development. Story Box Library is committed to supporting and engaging the practice of storytelling. It is  intended for use as a complementary form of delivering the precious experience of being  read aloud to, in order to improve children’s lives. Connecting children with literature  through the complementary medium of film, providing a vibrant, interactive experience via  a diverse range of storytellers sharing the best of our local children’s picture books.  

To access Story Box Library at home:  

1) Visit www.storyboxlibrary.com.au 

2) Choose Log In from the top right corner of the screen 

3) Log in using the username and password provided below 

4) Enjoy the library of stories on any device with internet connection 

USERNAME: cloncurry

PASSWORD: stjosephs

Please note the following features:  

• Story Box Library regularly adds new stories, so is an ever-growing library
  ● Content is aimed at Prep/Foundation through to Year 6 students 
• Includes a range of short films to inspired by our stories, creators and storytellers
  ● Resources are provided for each story, including Classroom Ideas, Activity Time and Student Task Sheets – all designed to assist at-home learning 
• Captions can be turned on or off for each story 
• Story Box Library is a safe online space free from advertising

Chris Chaplain 

Librarian 

Rural Health Connect

School holidays are almost upon us and this means people are starting to relax, enjoy fun events and plan exciting trips away. While for most people this sounds like fun and a break from the stress of the normal hustle and bustle of our daily lives, for some people holidays can bring on a whole new load of stress and anxiety. 

Some people find it difficult to cope with the lack of routine or the amount of unfamiliar people that they have to spend time with (including family who they only see once or twice a year). Others do not like having to be away from home, their familiar, safe and comfortable place. While for others, Christmas is a time that reminds them of the people who are no longer in their life. 

If you, or any of your loved ones, are struggling over the break, it can often be hard to access support, especially if you are away from home or the usual supports in town have left for their own holidays. Rural health connect (https://www.ruralhealthconnect.com.au/) is a platform that links people in rural and remote Australians with psychologists via phone calls and video calls. To access this service at little or no cost you can get a referral from a local GP. 

Have a wonderful break and take time to relax. See you in 2022, Miss Bec!

Severe Weather Event Advice to Parents

This information is also included in TCE Term 4 “Our Catholic Schools” magazine.

In the event of a cyclone or severe weather impacting on our Catholic schools, regularly updated information will be available on the following:

• Townsville Catholic Education website www.tsv.catholic.edu.au LATEST NEWS section on homepage.
• Twitter – you can follow us on www.twitter.com/tceo.
• Facebook – you can follow us on www.facebook.com/TownsvilleCEO.
• Listen to local radio stations (ABC in all regions) plus various local commercial stations for updates.
• Instagram – Townsville_Catholic_Education.
• School’s web page

If a decision is made overnight to close schools, this message will be broadcast from 7am or earlier, if possible, through the local radio stations. Please refrain from calling schools as this causes disruption to vital communication networks, ask parents to be patient, information will be broadcasts as soon as practicable.

Please refer to the above methods of communication as your first source of information. Please use your best discretion in the interests of safety at all times.

Chaplaincy Breakfast - Term 4

In Term 4 St Joseph's Catholic School will be introducing a Chaplaincy Breakfast program each Tuesday and Thursday from 7:30am - 8:00am. 

All staff, students, parents, carers and family members are welcome to join us! 

Our aim is to ensure students are provided with the best opportunity to make the most of their education and develop healthy eating habits. We also aim to bring our community together through this breakfast program. Research suggests that eating breakfast in the morning sets our students up for a day of learning by maximising their behavioural outcomes in the classroom, while assisting them in engaging with learning tasks in the classroom. 

We would love if you help us spread the word! 

Centacare Christmas Youth Event

Guitar Lessons

Jill Fisher will be holding guitar lessons for any children interested! These will be occuring at St Joseph's Catholic School. Please contact Jill directly if you would like more information.  

Casual Employment Opportunties

We are seeking casual School Officers and qualified Teachers to cover sick and leave days.
For more information please contact our office.
Teaching staff will need to apply here > https://tceo-portal.applynow.net.au/jobs/TCE679-supply-teacher-registration-2021

Community Notices

Advertise your Community Event or Notice here!