Welcome to Term 4.  I hope all of our St Joseph’s families had a fabulous break and are ready for a busy term.  The calendar is filling up really quickly, so please remember to check our calendar, read any notifications on Compass and the newsletter for important dates and messages.

St Joseph’s staff spent the first day back at St Benedict’s in Narrabundah, ACT.  It was a fantastic opportunity to visit another school with composite classes and to see how they are implementing Catalyst amongst many other initiatives.  Observing teaching and learning, networking with other teachers, Classroom support assistants, RECs and Principals is a wonderful way for our staff to share ideas, and gain different strategies and knowledge that they may not normally get the opportunity to experience.  We are very grateful to all of the staff at St Benedicts for welcoming us into their school on the first day back of term and were so impressed with how engaged their students were, and we have many fresh ideas and strategies to implement.

St Joseph’s welcomes Emerson Henry who has joined us in Year 1.  Emerson has already settled in beautifully to the K/1 class and we hope that Emerson and her family feel very welcome in Adelong and the St Joseph’s community.

As most of you are aware Cath Parker was very unwell towards the end of last term, and I know that the St Joseph’s community have continued to keep her in their prayers and thoughts.  Cath did have a bleed on the brain, and spent a significant amount of time at St Vincent’s hospital, Sydney and was eventually transferred back to Wagga Base and then Tumut hospital.  Cath is by no means out of the woods and I would ask you to continue to pray for Cath’s successful recovery.  In her absence Mrs Clare Pearce, Ms Robyn Saunders and Mrs Jess Campbell will be fulfilling Cath’s role and I thank them for taking on these extra responsibilities.

We welcomed our 2024 Kindergarten students today for their third Orientation Day.  Our new Kindy students stayed for recess and we know they had another great day at St Joseph’s!

We are very excited for our Golf Day - which is happening this Saturday.  It would be fantastic if as many as our families as possible could attend - it is always a great fun family day, and a wonderful opportunity to support St Joseph's Community Council, who support our fabulous school.  Many thanks to the hard working members of the Community Council who have put the Golf day together.

Blessings for a beautiful week

Kirsty Beavan

Principal

Mission Month

This October, we are celebrating World Mission Month, a month dedicated to the life-giving work of missionaries around the world.  St Joseph’s is participating in Socktober for Mission Month, because there are children in Timor-Leste who need our support to access nutritious food, education and healthcare. For further information, please watch the link. 

To celebrate Socktober, students are invited to wear crazy socks to school on Friday 20th October with their sports uniform for a gold coin donation. If students would like to make an additional donation they are welcome to bring in their coins now until Friday 20th October. Our school is running a competition where each class competes to raise the most money. We understand that economic circumstances can vary, but even a small gesture can create a significant change in the lives of these children.

 

Month of the Rosary 

October is a special and meaningful month in the Catholic tradition as we celebrate the Month of the Rosary. During this time, we honour the prayer called the Rosary, which consists of beads that help guide us in prayer and reflection. It's a time of reflection, unity, and growing in faith together in prayer.

Grandparents’ Day

Upcoming Dates:

• All Saints Day - Wednesday 1st November
• All Souls Day - Mass led by 4/5/6 - Thursday 2nd November 12pm
• Learning Showcase at 11.30am, followed by Grandparents’ Day Mass - Wednesday 8th November 11.30am 
• School Mass - Sunday 4th November 8.30am
• End of Year Mass / Awards - Tuesday 5th December 9.30am Adelong Showgrounds. 

Many thanks,
Stacey Braun

Religious Education Coordinator

Adelong Liturgy Roster - July - December - 2023

Keep up to date with events happening at St Joseph's via our electronic school calendar (please note dates can be subject to change).

The next Community Council Meeting will be held this Wednesday 18th October 2023 at 6pm.

Please find below the meeting agenda.

We encourage all St Joseph's families to attend as it is a great way of keeping involved and up-to-date with what is happening at our school.

We do encourage everyone to attend in person, however we understand that it is not always possible. There will now be an option to join remotely via Microsoft Teams. If you would like to do so please email kirsty.beavan@cg.catholic.edu.au and you will be emailed a meeting link.

We hope to see you there,

St Joseph's Community Council

If students are riding bikes or scooters to school, helmets must be worn. 

We have noticed that some families are emailing through changes/notification to staff about the way in which their children are being transported home from school. We ask that if you send an email and do not receive an acknowledgement back that the message has been receieved, can you please call the school to ensure the message has been received and passed on. While we do our best to check the emails regularly, sometimes school can get quite busy and the office can be unattended for periods of time, meaning it could be possible for emails to be accidently missed.  

Save the dates!

Tuesday 5th December 2023 - End of Year Mass and Awards

Wednesday 13th December - School Performance

Friday 15th December - End of year rewards day (Junee)

More information and times will be advised closer to the date.

Full Summer uniform is worn in Term 4, which includes the St Joseph’s school hat.  Please note that the blue shirt worn in summer, available from Wendellies will now have the school logo embroided on the shirt.

Black shoes must be worn Monday – Thursday with joggers worn on a Friday with the sports uniform.

Hair (boys or girls) as everyone is aware, needs to be shoulder length – sitting above the shoulders.  If hair is longer than the shoulders your child will be asked to tie their hair back before participating in play or sporting activities.  Your co-operation on this matter is appreciated.

Sports shirt

Parents were sent a short survey to indicate their preference for the Sports shirt update, thank you for filling out the survey.  Staff and students were also surveyed.

The navy with the gold trim is what the new sports shirt will be.  This will be phased in over a period of time, but if your child’s sports shirt still fits them – there is no expectation to purchase the new one at this time.  I have been in contact with Wendellies and they will have the shirts ready to go soon, we will notify families when they are ready.

This term we are having a learning showcase in Week 5, which is a great opportunity to come into your child’s classroom and see their fabulous learning and discuss with them how they are progressing.  Your child will also receive a Semester two report which will contain a general comment.  Please feel free to contact your child’s teacher if you would like to discuss their progress.  Emailing or ringing the school to arrange a time is the best way to do this.

Please see below information letters regarding upcoming sporting trials.

Reminder:
Please find the lunch order menu for Mondays from the Gold Rush Cafe.

In weeks 5, 8 and 10 the only items that can be ordered are Pizzas.  Please note these are the only times that pizza will be available. Please not: Pizzas are currently unavailable until further notice.

If your child wishes to order please place your child’s name, class, order and correct money in an envelope on Monday mornings.