Dear Parents, Carers and the St Joseph’s Community,

Zdravo – which is simply ‘hello’ in Croatian. Last week I was fortunate to travel to Croatia with my wife to enjoy the incredible sights and sounds, and food, of the Adriatic Coast. While away, I had time travelling through the 600 year old ‘old town’ of Dubrovnik and down as far as Kotor in Montenegro. It is amazing to think about the history that these regions of the world hold and, in particular, the changes and challenges that have been faced over the centuries. What struck me most though, was the incredible connection, regardless of the language barrier, that exists between all of us. The friendliness, pride and welcome that was extended to us as we spent time in Croatia, was a highlight for me. Thank you to Amy and all the staff for ensuring that life continued here at school in my absence.

Lights, Camera, Action

It is amazing to think that after months of planning and preparation that it is only one week until our school musical, ‘A Night in the Library’ premiers! Open night has sold out but at present, we have limited tickets available for our Thursday evening performance and ample available for our matinee sessions. Tickets are available on Qkr! until 4pm Thursday, after this time they can be purchased from the Front Office. All purchased tickets will be sent home on Monday with the students.

For the evening performances, students will need to arrive at school by 5:15pm (main cast to arrive at 4:30pm). Students will be supervised in classrooms for the duration of the musical and will be able to be collected from designated rooms at the conclusion of the musical.

Room Allocations:

Grade	Classroom
ELC	Foundation Red
Foundation	Foundation White
Year 1	1 Teal
Year 2	2 Magenta
Year 3	2 Yellow
Year 4	1 Purple
Year 5, 6 & actors	Library

 We anticipate that the musical will finish at 7:40pm but a Skoolbag alert will be sent out 20  minutes prior to the end of the performance for those parents who are not in the audience.  

Playground Plans

Last week, Phil from Wellspring Environmental Arts and Design met with our Kids Committee (which comprises of a representative from each class) to listen to their ideas for our Nature Play Space at the Boronia Drive end of our school oval. Phil will be coming back tomorrow to share his initial design plans with teachers, School Board members and the Kids Committee. We are excited about providing a stimulating and engaging playground to allow for creative play for the students.   

World of Maths Incursion

On Thursday and Friday students will be participating in a World of Maths incursion. Students will be able to immerse themselves in fun and engaging hands-on activities to problem solve and discover mathematical concepts and ideas. Thank you to Esther Coghlan for organising this experience for the students.

Have a great end to the week.

Yours in Christ,

Cameron Tarrant

Principal

cameron.tarrant@cg.catholic.edu.au 

Religious Life of the School

Last week I shared with you the 3rd Phase of the Evangelisation process: Conversion- a change of heart to a complete and sincere adherence to Christ and his Gospel through faith.

We know we have experienced conversion (a change of Heart) when we engage in:

• Prayer- Top priority for a disciple; each day quiet time alone with God
• Scripture: Listening to The Word; The Holy Spirit brings word alive for us
• The Eucharist; we are nourished and the fire of love is stoked in our hearts
• Community- Grow in holiness within community relationships
• The Sacramental life of the Church- We are the body of Christ

The next phase in the Evangelisation Process is: Making Disciples. Making Disciples is at the centre of our 2019 focus scripture- The Commissioning of Disciples (Matthew 28: 16-20). Making Disciples involves two parts:

Prayer and Worship 

Student Led Christian Prayer

Each Friday after first break Year 6 lead classes in prayer with a focus on the Gospel for the coming Sunday.

Liturgical Season: Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Liturgical Season Colour: Green

This week the focus is on the Gospel: Luke 16:1-9

Jesus said, “When people are honest about the small things in life, then they will be honest about more important things too. If you cannot be trusted with something as unimportant as money, how can you be trusted with the most precious treasure of all?”

1. Catechesis (Religious Instruction)
2. Incorporation in the Church (Community)

At St Joseph’s, the students receive Catechesis and Incorporation in the Church on a daily basis. While preparing for Sacraments students also receive Catechesis and incorporation into the Church through our Parish-based Sacramental programs. For adults Catechesis for those who have not received the Sacraments is available through the RCIA (Rite of Chrisitan Initiation for Adults) program. See more information in the Formation section about the RCIA Program available through St Joseph’s Parish.

Where do you see yourself in your faith journey?

At home we invite you to read the upcoming Gospel as a family and discuss our focus questions for the week.

1. If you saw someone drop a $20 note without noticing what would you do?
2. What are some actions that you can do that will show that you put God first in your life?

Celebrating Liturgy and Sacraments

Grandparents and Special Friends Day

This week invitations to our Grandparents and Special Friends has gone home with each student. We look forward to celebrating with you on Thursday 24 October from 9:00-11:30am. Guests can attend all or some of the events.

The timetable for the morning will be:

9:00 - 9:15: Guests gather in the School Hall.

9:15 - 9:45: Prayer Celebration led by Foundation.

9:45 - 10:00: Cuppa in hall for guests.

10:00 - 11:00: Activities in Classrooms.

11:00 - 11:30: Outdoor picnic with students and guests.

We  hope you are able to be a part of our Christ-Centred Community for this special occasion.

Upcoming Class Masses

This year we have been working to strengthen our connection with our Parish. One way we have been achieving this is for classes to one grade mass per Term. Families are very welcome to join us for these masses. The upcoming masses are:

• 15am Friday 20th September Grade 6
• 15am Friday 27th September: Foundation and Grade 5

Sacraments

Sacrament of Confirmation

Last Saturday evening we continued our formation sessions for the Sacrament of Confirmation in The Hub. It was lovely to see the parents and children coming together to learn about the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and how these relate to virtues.

Please contact Father Paul  if you have any questions about the Sacrament of Confirmation at: paul_nulley@hotmail.com 

Upcoming Confirmation Classes Year 6

5.15pm in the Learning Hub followed by Mass at 6.00pm in the Church

• Saturday 21 September

Sacrament of Confirmation

• Sunday 13 October 9am

Social Action & Justice

Action For Justice

Year 6 are busy undertaking market research, developing their packaging and marketing materials for their Lip balm Pop-up shop.  Due to the preparations for our upcoming musical our Pop-up shop will commence in Term 4.

Religious Identity and Culture

Ethos and Charism

Our strategic priority to deepen our St Joseph’s identity means to deepen our understanding of our Josephite Charism.  We can learn much about our Josephite Charism though quotes from Saint Mary Mackillop. As we head into a busy last week of Term 3, the quote for this week is:

Evangelisation and Faith Formation

Faith Formation

St Joseph’s Parish will begin its annual Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) journey this October.

If you are curious about God or the Catholic Church, were baptised as a child but did not receive Eucharist or Confirmation, visit the parish one Sunday and speak to Fr Paul.

If you have questions about the RCIA process, please email Alwyn Dantis on alwyndantis@yahoo.com or ring 0467 243 363.

Melanie Stratford

Religious Education Coordinator

melanie.stratford@cg.catholic.edu.au 

Sustainability in Action

Recycling at St. Joseph's is crucial to our sustainability program, offering options that are not always easily available. The following containers are awaiting your recycled goods in the hallway outside of 1 Teal. When you send in the following items, kids can place them inside these containers as they come.

Lids for Kids takes milk and other small plastic caps, and recycles them into prosthetic limbs for children. Thank you to Mrs. Carroll for organising and carrying out this important incentive!

Unfortunately, our deposit scheme containers have been contaminated many times. Please read the outer label carefully to understand what can and cannot be collected and exchanged for 10 cents per container.

We are continuing to collect used oral healthcare products. Toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes and floss containers may all be placed in this bin.

Thank you for your continued support! We are blessed to be in a community of children and parents who take so much pride in caring for our earth.

“If you want grown-ups to recycle, just tell their kids the importance of recycling, and they'll be all over it” - Bill Nye the Science Guy

Ryan McGee

Sustainability Coordinator

ryan.mcgee@cg.catholic.edu.au 

  

Defence Support Mentor

sally.adams@cg.catholic.edu.au 

  

  

Happy birthday to these students celebrating their birthdays this week.