Thank you to the students and families who attended our Parish Mass on Sunday. It was lovely to have the children present the Mass and have our school community celebrate with the Parish. All the students are to be congratulated for their respectful behaviour and for reading so clearly and confidently. I had many Parishioners comment on the wonderful participation of the students.

Students in Kindergarten to Year 3 are learning about the traditions and rituals associated with Baptism, and it was wonderful to view the Baptism of Maisy on Sunday. Thank you to the families in Years 2 and 3 who have sent in a photo of their child’s Baptism. You still have time if you have not done so already. Maddison kindly showed the class her Baptismal dress and bonnet, candle and bib. The children loved seeing Maddison’s artifacts and viewing her photos.

Pentecost

This weekend, the Church celebrates Pentecost, one of the most important feast days of the year that concludes the Easter season and celebrates the beginning of the Church.  Pentecost always occurs 50 days after the death and resurrection of Jesus, and ten days after his ascension into heaven.

When the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles, they received the courage and wisdom to go out and preach the Good News of Jesus Christ. Miraculously, people of many different languages and nations could understand the Apostles in their own languages. This miracle reflected God’s desire for the Gospel to be heard by all, and for all the peoples of the earth to be united in faith.

- Liz Murray

Religious Education Co-ordinator

Year 2/3 learning to collect, sort and count money as well as working out change from transactions.

Friday 18 June:   Year 7, 2022 Orientation Day 1 - 9.00am – 3.15pm

This week a note has been sent home with students for the Premier's Reading Challenge.  If students have participated in the PRC previously their usernames and passwords will be the same.  

If student's are unsure of their username and password please email Mrs Dean on kerrie.dean1@cg.catholic.edu.au

The Challenge started on March 1, and finishes on August 20^th.

Scholastic Book Club Issue 4 catalougues have gone home today, please order through the LOOP app.  

On Tuesday, nine 5/6 students went to the Rugby League Mortimer Shield in Tumut. The day was exciting, despite a few wounds. Our school joined with St Patrick's, with our team winning 1 from 4 games on the day and making it to the semi finals.  All the players thanked our coach Steve Magnone, who volunteered on the day. 

What is National Reconciliation Week?

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

The dates for NRW remain the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.

Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

A Brief History of NRW

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) started as the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation in 1993 (the International Year of the World’s Indigenous Peoples) and was supported by Australia’s major faith communities. In 1996, the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation launched Australia’s first NRW. In 2000, Reconciliation Australia was established to continue to provide national leadership on reconciliation. In the same year, approximately 300,000 people walked across Sydney Harbour Bridge as part of NRW, to show their support for reconciliation.

Today, NRW is celebrated by businesses, schools and early learning services, organisations, and individuals Australia-wide. Hundreds of NRW events are held each year.

Thank you to our families who have returned their Student Information Checklist, please ensure these are returned at your earliest convenience.

In the covering letter it will outline the importance for the school to hold up to date Medical Alerts and Asthma Action Plans. 

Reminder about the working bee scheduled for this Saturday 22nd May at 3pm.

We are hoping that families can volunteer an hour or so to help with weeding and mulching gardens, pruning trees and shrubs and high pressure cleaning some of the concrete areas. If you can bring some equipment (gloves, shovels, blowers, high pressure water cleaner etc) with you that would be great. It is not only an opportunity to give the school a little tidy up but also for families to meet each other and socialise. Dinner is organised at The Royal Hotel in Adelong and so please let a community council member know if you can make it. If you can't make the working bee you are still more than welcome to come for dinner.

The sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion will be held in St James Parish in 2021. I am working with Father George to finalise the dates and will let families know as soon as they are set.

Confirmation will be held in Tumut at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, on Thursday 17^th June 2021. Students in Year 6 are invited to register for this Sacrament.

Please email me if you would like your child to make a Sacrament or you require any further information. Students in Year 3 are eligible for Reconciliation and Year 4 and above for First Communion.

Thank You

Liz Murray (Elizabeth.murray@cg.catholic.edu.au)

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