St Joseph’s Primary School - O'Connor
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Boronia Drive
O'Connor ACT 2602
Subscribe: https://sjpsoconnor.schoolzineplus.com/subscribe

Email: office.sjo@cg.catholic.edu.au
Phone: 02 6248 9818
Fax: 02 6247 1792

Week 6 Term 1 2021 Newsletter

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Week 6 Term 1 2021 Newsletter

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

 

Loving God, help us to teach our children that you love us totally and unconditionally.

Help us to encourage our children to grow in love and to learn how to say sorry,

knowing that you always forgive.

Give us the courage to pray with our children

and to share our faith with them as we journey together.

Amen

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This evening many of our Year 3 students will be celebrating the Sacrament of First Reconciliation. Reconciliation (officially called the Sacrament of Penance, and also known as Confession) is an experience of the gift of God's boundless love. As described by St Augustine in the 5th century, a Sacrament is ‘an outward and visible sign of an inward and invisible grace.’ Through Reconciliation, not only are we freed from our sins, but we are also challenged to have the same kind of compassion and forgiveness for those who sin against us.  We are liberated to be forgivers. Please keep these students and their families in your prayers this evening.

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

(John 20:21-21)

Learning Journeys

Next Tuesday, 16 March, we will be holding Learning Journeys between 9am – 10am and 2pm and 3pm. The purpose of a Learning Journey is for students and parents/visitors to engage in conversation about the learning process. Students will walk their visitor/s around the learning space, looking at displays in the classrooms and discussing what the whole class learning is about. Students will also share their individual learnings. We encourage our visitors to engage in conversation with the student by talking about their work samples, allowing students to explain the task, their learning, challenges they may have faced and what aspect they enjoyed the most.

Please note that although the classrooms will be open for hour-long sessions, the intent is not that you stay the whole hour, rather, that you pop in for a brief period as we are still conscious of numbers within the school. So please feel free to pop in anytime between 9am – 10am or 2pm and 3pm that suits you.

This is an exciting opportunity for the students and we hope to see many of you next week.

Social and Emotional Learning

Square Breathing: This exercise can be used to relieve stress or anxiety. They key to square breathing is to focus on taking slow breaths that expand the diaphragm.

In a seated position with hands relaxed in laps, begin by breathing in through the nose for a count of four, then holding the breath for a count of four. Breathe out through the nose for the count of four and then hold for a count of four. Repeat this process.

Whilst breathing, visualise the square – each breath and each pause is a side of the square.

Younger children might like to trace their finger on a table in the shape of a square while they are breathing, or slowly walk in a large square.

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Church Carpark

The Church carpark is very busy in the afternoons and of late we have had some close calls with students running in front of cars. If you park in this carpark at the end of the day, we ask that you ensure your child is closely supervised at all times.  

P&F

Last night the P&F met again to discuss and plan for the year ahead. While there is always lots of energy and ideas, the P&F is open to everyone and welcomes input from the community. Please keep an eye out for the next meeting in Week 2 next term. 

A key priority for the P&F, particularly after the last twelve months, is to find ways to have the community come together and also to raise funds that go directly back into the school. This year the focus for fundraising is likely to centre on improving the outside of our school, now that the inside looks so great. This may include things such as improvements to the courtyard space, providing some seating on the edges of the oval and contrinuting to the playground upgrade master plan. 

Our P&F relies on the efforts of all, but also the commitment of a few. We are still looking for volunteers in the canteen and also the Uniform Shop. If you are able to get more involved, please speak to someone on the P&F or contact the school.

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I hope you have an enjoyable end to the week.

Yours in Christ,

Amy Doszpot

Assistant Principal

amy.doszpot@cg.catholic.edu.au 

Project Compassion Appeal - ‘Be More’

Our accumulated total so far is $225.00. The Year 6 Team has added this to our tally thermometer. They will be counting the donations every Friday and adding to our thermometer in the hope that in 3 weeks we reach our goal.

During Friday prayer in Week 5, students considered how they can pledge to ‘be more’ this Lent. We are encouraging our students to think of what daily actions they can do to ‘be more’ for someone else.

Harmony Day & St Joseph’s Feast Day Celebrations

Next week we will be celebrating two whole school events; Harmony Day & St Joseph’s Day. Please find the details below regarding both of these events:

Event: Harmony Day

When: Wednesday 17 March

Attendees: Students only

Attire: Cultural Dress OR Orange Clothing (Harmony Day colour)

(For students wearing a special cultural costume, they can have the option to change into something more comfortable)

What to know: The school day (including canteen facilities) will be as per normal

Event: St Joseph’s Feast Day

When: Friday 19 March

Attendees: Students only

Attire: Sports Uniform

Day Outline: Whole School Liturgy

Rotational activities including:

  • Art activity exploring Joseph, the creative Father
  • Jump for Joseph; physical activities outside including skipping & sack races
  • Escape from Egypt; virtual interactive problem solving activities

A hot dog and ice block will be provided for all students on the day.

Please let your child’s teacher know about any dietary restrictions or allergies.

The canteen will be open for over the counter service only.

Sacrament of Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be held this evening at 6pm in the church. Congratulations to the following students who will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation tonight. We keep them in their prayers as they enter into this important sacrament.

Aaron P

Miriam S

Sophia R

Mary C

Evie P

Bonnie P

Emily G

Marvin R

Henry A

Emanuel S

Amy D

Luke D

Kobe P

Sophia A

Connor J

Taj T

Maddison D

Lara S

Luerice G

Dev J

Patrick M

Dylan M

Scarlett S

Alice P

Ted VF

Alex M

Julian F

Important Term 1 Dates:

  • Reconciliation Retreat Day (Wednesday 10 March)
  • Sacrament of Reconciliation (6pm, Wednesday 10 March)
  • Harmony Day (Wednesday 17 March)
  • St Joseph’s Feast Day (Friday 19 March)

Unfortunately due to COVID restrictions and limited numbers we are unable to invite parents to whole school liturgies.

For further information or any questions, please feel free to contact me on via email: michelle.vuli@cg.catholic.edu.au

Michelle Vuli

Religious Education Coordinator

Defence School Mentor News
What a great week. I love how Defence kids club, held every Thursday at first break brings kids together from all grades, all ages. We had fun dressing up this week!

During the month of March, St Joseph’s students are invited to join March On with Soldier On. This is a walking challenge to raise awareness of veteran mental health. It pays tribute to the sacrifices made by our brave soldiers in Kokoda in World War II, and highlights the importance of needing to help our soldiers of today.

Our School Challenge is to walk 1km with 96 students. The significance of 96 students is because the Kokoda Track, an infamous campaign for Australian troops in WW2 was 96km long.

Over the month of March we hope to have 96 students sign up to walking club Thursday and Friday break times. If you would like to donate or find out more https://fundraise.soldieron.org.au/fundraisers/sallyadams/school-challenge

 

Community news – On 31 March 2021, the Royal Australian Air Force will mark 100 years of service to Australia.  To find out more about this event click on the link below.  

Spectacular Centenary Flypast | Air Force 100

Sally Adams

Defence School Mentor

Koby Allan
Sports Coordinator

CANTEEN DONATION DRIVE

To help keep the costs of the canteen as low as possible, we are asking if you are able to donate non perishable items at any time throughout the year.  Below is a table listing items needed for first term, thank you.

Wholemeal Self Raising Flour & Self Raising Flour

White Sugar & Caster Sugar

Bicarb and Baking Soda

Rolled Oats

Gelatine

Tinned Two Fruit

Fruit Salad

Spiral & Macaroni Pasta

Canned diced Tomatoes

Woolworths Traditional Pasta sauce

Woolworths Juice Apple, Orange & Apple &  Blackcurrant

Oil – Spray & Canola Oil liquid

Cocoa Powder

Long life Custard

Glad Wrap, Foil & Baking Paper

Toilet Cleaner

Dishwashing Tablets

Toilet Cleaner & Brush

Scourer Sponges

Hand Wash

 

Paper Towel

Dishwashing Liquid

 

HELP NEEDED

If you are able to give any time at all volunteering in the canteen on a Thursday between 9:00am and 11:30am, even 30 minutes to help pack lunches, please email me or pop in and say hello.  stjosephscanteen@gmail.com

Thanks,

Katie

Canteen Manager

Happy birthday to these students celebrating their birthdays this week:

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No student birthdays to celebrate this week



Congratulations to this week's award recipients. 

Students receive their award at Friday morning assembly at 8.50am. Parents are again welcome to attend this assembly, but photos will continue to be taken each week and shared via SZapp. 

Foundation Red

Miela B

Kyan S

Foundation White

Beatrice H

Donald M

1 Purple

Gwen V F

Enoch A

1 Teal

Emery D

Sebastian P

2 Magenta

Ian C

Fergus McR

Beau W

2 Yellow

Sophia T

Jack D

3 Black

Alice P

Yaanih N

Keone S

3 Navy

Kathy A

Zach B

Mary C

4 Gold

Esmee V F

Hamish McR

4 Green

Tom H

Amaani S

5 Blue

Nate R

Carys K

5 Orange

Maria P

Dexta W

6 Lime

Amy D

Sophie M

6 Silver

Amalija S

Hamish D

Sustainability Hamish M