Dear Parents and Caregivers
St Joseph's Memorial School, Bridge Street site - 150 Year Celebration
Next term, we will celebrate 150 Year Anniversary of our Bridge Street site. On the Feast of Mary MacKillop, we will celebrate with a Liturgy and short performance by students in our Performing Arts Studio. Details around this day will follow.
Sports Day
This year, in Week 10, we will hold our Sports Day on St Ignatius Junior School oval. We hope that this will be a great venue and the children will be able to highlight the skills they have learnt throughout the term. A program of events has been sent out to families with the structure of the day so that you are aware of the activities planned. We look forward to seeing many parents and grandparents come along on the day.
Semester 1 Reports
This Friday, the Semester 1 Reports will be available for all parents and caregivers. Reports will be given to the students at the end of the day to deliver to parents. The learning that is assessed in the reports will reflect the learning during Terms 1 and 2.
Next term, in Week 2 Parent and Teacher conversations will be held. This is another opportunity for parents and teachers to follow up on learning or have a further discussion regarding Semester 2. Information re: Parent and Teacher conversations will be sent out before the end of the term via Skoolbag.
Gratitude
A few weeks ago, I read an interesting article on Gratitude. Sometimes in the busyness of our daily lives, we forget to stop and practice gratitude to focus on the positive things in our lives. Like any skill, gratitude can be learned and strengthened. Here are some tips on how to practice gratitude:
Each day, think of three things you are thankful for. Make it a daily habit to visualize what is good in your life. This can directly impact your mood throughout the day, as well as your sleep quality. Writing down these three things is a great way to complete this exercise, and it is useful to come back and read them at the end of the week.
Start a gratitude journal. When you write, you use different parts of your brain and access memories and emotions from a new perspective. People who could find purpose and feel grateful for the good things to come out of a challenging situation show higher resilience, forgiveness, and detachment.
Thank someone new every week. There are many people around us, and we are all connected somehow. How often do we take the time to express gratitude more consciously or thoughtfully? Give yourself the purpose of choosing someone new each week and learn how to express gratitude differently. This could mean adopting a more conscious non-verbal communication (like eye contact and a smile), writing a thoughtful message acknowledging others’ behaviour and its positive effects on you, or saying thank you with a nice gift or gesture.
Meditate. Meditation can promote acceptance, detachment, forgiveness, and thus, gratitude. We can also take this moment to imagine a specific situation we are grateful for and let the feeling grow and become stronger.
Focus more on others' intentions. When you receive a gift or a nice gesture from someone, consider how they intended to bring good into your life. Take a moment to visualise their willingness to help you, make you feel happy, or be there for you during a challenging time.
Yours sincerely
Grace Vassallo-Wakefield
Photo: R/1 classes practising the Health Hustle ready for Sports Day.
Dear Parents and Caregivers
The cold weather and flu season are well upon us. In the interest of everyone’s health, I ask that you consider having the flu vaccination to protect your family. Although COVID is still an issue, Influenza A poses a risk to everyone’s health. A reminder that if your child is unwell with cough / cold symptoms or fever that you keep them home until they are better. I thank you in advance for your support.
Holy Trinity
On Sunday we celebrated the Feast of the Holy Trinity. On this feast day, we celebrate the God who is Three-in-One; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. But, this is a very simplistic way of explaining God.
The readings for the Holy Trinity can best be explained through Jesus’ teaching at the time with the disciples. Jesus doesn’t ask his disciples to debate this with others, or to judge those who struggle with doubt. The important thing is their response to what they are called to do: Jesus sends his disciples into the world to witness by their lives to the reality of this Three-in-One God. It is the same invitation, which is offered to us today. Living our faith isn’t easy and the experiences of anxiety, doubt, frustration or discouragement can be challenging. Instead, what we can do is draw strength from the words of Jesus: “I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
SJMS Debating 2022
We live in a world where we communicate with others all the time. Debating is a more formal way of communicating. It builds confidence, self-esteem, and develops critical thinking and reasoning skills.
If we can speak publicly and convey our ideas and thoughts coherently, we have a valuable tool that can aid us in our public, private and future lives.
Debating is different to public speaking because it includes rebuttal; proving that the opposition has arguments that are wrong.
This year we have entered two Year 5 Teams into the Debating SA competition. Last week, both our teams debated for the first time. I would like to congratulate the teams in working together and build strong arguments for their debates.
NCCD – Nationally Consistent Collection of Data
It is a government requirement for all schools to participate annually in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD).
The NCCD collects data about school students with disability who are receiving adjustments across Australia in a consistent, reliable and systematic way. It enables schools, education authorities and governments to better understand the needs of students with disability and how they can be best supported at school (www.nccd.edu.au).
Information gathered is used:
Information provided about students to the Australian Government for the NCCD includes:
Students’ personal details are de-identified as a part of the data collection. Please contact Inclusive Education Coordinator, Toni Benci if you have any questions about the NCCD.
More information is available on the following website: https://www.nccd.edu.au/ and a fact sheet is available here.
Yours sincerely
Grace Vassallo-Wakefield
Dear Parents and Caregivers
Today at Mass, we celebrated the Feast of the Ascension of Jesus. This day, marks 40 days after Easter. What is the significance of this day?
We hear in the Gospel: “Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”
This message is not just for his disciples, but for us as well. As Christians, we are missioned to be both proclaimers and evangelisers. Jesus tells us that as baptised Christians; we are commissioned to proclaim the Gospel by being witnesses of life and love, hope and peace.
Lord Jesus, we rejoice today in your ascension to the Father’s right hand.
Thank you, Lord, for offering us a share in your heavenly life.
By your Spirit, help us to lay hold of our inheritance in you -
the hope, the glory, and the power that are the right of every child of God.
COVID update
This week in schools, mask wearing for staff and parents is no longer mandatory unless social distancing is unavoidable or there are a certain number of students in a particular year level cohort that test positive for COVID. We continue to ask parents to keep their child / children at home if they are unwell, especially if presenting with cold and flu symptoms.
Volunteer Update
A reminder that to volunteer at SJMS you must:
Under the Catholic Education SA COVID-19 Vaccination Policy Outcome, Workers, including staff, volunteers and contractors need to be COVID vaccinated i.e., have completed a course (being 1 dose of a single-dose vaccine, or 2 doses of a double-dose vaccine, in accordance with the schedule recommended by ATAGI) of a TGA-approved or recognised COVID-19 vaccine; or be considered medically exempt with a Medical Contraindication to Vaccination, which means one of the contraindications outlined in formal clinical advice from the Australian Department of Health to vaccine providers based on advice from the TGA and ATAGI. Vaccination certificates must be cited by either Mary Fantasia at William Street or Jess Nelson at Bridge Street.
Save the Date
Over the past week you would have received information regarding:
I look forward to seeing you at both these community events.
Yours sincerely
Grace Vassallo-Wakefield
Photo: Children making a city in Preschool after reading the book "Whatcha Building" by Andrew Daddo and Stephen Michael King.
Dear Parents and Caregivers
Last week I read an article reflecting on what it means to be Easter People. There was a question that was asked that really made me stop and think about how I would respond.
If it were illegal to be a Christian, would there be enough irrefutable evidence against me to throw me in prison?
What a powerful question to ask. In the early days following Jesus’ death and resurrection, many of his disciples were frightened of further persecution and went into hiding. Their fear was real, and they were very afraid that what happened to Jesus might also happen to them.
However, the question asks us about ourselves and where would we stand evidence wise. Christian identity is not supposed to be in name only but evidenced by how we live our day-to-day life. A ‘Christian lifestyle’ should be noticeably different, or unique, from a lifestyle that is not typically Christian. In other words, Christians—followers, or disciples, of Jesus Christ—should stick out like a sore thumb. The way we live, act, behave and talk should reflect Jesus’ actions and making choices that reflect Jesus living in me.
So, this week, you might like to reflect on the above question and consider whether you would be thrown in prison. If the answer is no, then perhaps you could consider what changes you need to make for this to happen. Being a Christian is not easy, but the rewards are great.
COVID updates
Over the past week, I have communicated new information regarding changes in schools and COVID.
A reminder that:
Parent Volunteers
Over the past few weeks, there has been some confusion over the requirements for parents and caregivers to volunteer at SJMS.
The requirements for all parents to volunteer in any capacity at SJMS is that they must:
Mary Fantasia coordinates and updates our volunteer information, and she will be able to provide you with the necessary information and paperwork when requested.
Yours sincerely
Grace Vassallo-Wakefield
Photo: Winter sport has commenced!
Dear Parents and Caregivers
THOMAS IS LOOKING FOR YOU
Someone once asked Gandhi, the great Hindu peacemaker, why he had rejected Christianity. Gandhi said he never rejected Jesus. He just couldn’t find many Christians that actually lived like Jesus taught.
I wonder what Gandhi would say if he visited our school, church, families and community?
An important reality about Jesus’ Resurrection is that people often need some proof to really believe in it. We can be like Thomas who found the disciples’ story hard to believe until Jesus appeared and showed him his wounds.
If we look we can become convinced about Jesus’ victory over death because of Catholic heroes: people like Oscar Romero, a Central American bishop who was martyred because he protested oppression or Mother Teresa of Calcutta who lived and worked with the poorest and marginalised in Calcutta encouraging others to follow in her examples. We can see Jesus’ wounds in every person who sacrifices time, sweat, or blood to ease suffering or stand for good.
This Easter season, the fifty days after Easter Sunday ask yourself whether a doubting Thomas could see the resurrected Jesus in your daily life. Could someone come to believe in Christ by watching how you treat family, friends and work mates? Would someone praise God because of how you sacrifice for the poor? Would someone believe the Gospel’s message because of how you take risks to do the right thing?
If Gandhi followed you this week, what would he say?
This week discover ways in which you can bring about the presence of the Risen Christ. Through the smiles you give to a lonely person and the laughter you bring to a frown. Heal the sick by encouraging someone who has been put down by their peers or giving a loving touch to a family member who is discouraged. Let the shadow of your love be felt this week.
Catholic Education Week 2022
Catholic Education Week is about celebrating the excellent teaching and learning across Catholic Education SA. It is a great opportunity for families to explore the benefits of a Catholic Education. During Catholic Education Week 2022, we say ‘THANK YOU’ to the dedicated, caring, hard-working staff and students who make Catholic schools in SA so special!
Catholic education week was held last week and the school celebrated by having a few hours of learning with their buddy classes in the nearby park last Friday.
Photo gallery below with snapshots from the day.
How well do we know our school??
Another beautiful area of our school. Have you seen it before, do you know where it is??
Sacramental Program 2022
Preparation for both Confirmation and Communion are continuing. Here are some important dates for our candidates and families to place into your diaries:
Presentation of Candidates 21/05/2022 (6:00pm Mass) Mass or 22/05/2022 (Any Sunday Mass)
Practice for Confirmation/Communion 31/05/2022 (7pm at the Church)
Confirmation Ceremony 2/06/2022 (6:30pm or 7:30pm)
Holy Communion Mass 5/06/2022 (1:30pm or 3:30pm Mass)
If families have not nominated a time for receiving the sacraments yet or wanting to confirm dates and times, please contact Emma at the Parish Office on Ph.8332 0600 as soon as possible.
Attending Mass regularly is part of the sacramental preparation and we encourage all families to join this partnership with our Parish. If you have any questions about the program or eligibility or; if you are considering starting your children’s Religious Journey with the Sacrament of Baptism, please contact Franco Canil at the School Office or email fcanil@sjms.catholic.edu.au
This Week’s Sunday Readings are:
First Reading: Acts 15:1-2,22-29
Second Reading: Apocalypse 21:10-14,22-23
Gospel Reading: John 14:23-29
Also, as a quick reminder that Mass times at St Ignatius Church, Norwood are:
Saturday: (Vigil) 6:00pm
Sunday: 8:30am, 10:00am, 5:00pm
“We are all a reflection of God’s love”
Franco Canil
Acting APRIM
Dear Parents and Caregivers
What a term! It is hard to believe that we are at the end of the first term of the year. It has been both challenging and rewarding. Trying to navigate COVID, home and face-to-face learning, building programs, trucks, excavators etc! As we make our way to the end of the term, I thank you all for your patience and support of our community.
Over the next 2 weeks, work will begin on the Koala Crossing at William St. We look forward to this happening as it will provide another layer of safety for the students when crossing the road.
Next term, we will be able to access the Performing Arts Studio. As well, work will begin on our Nature Play area and the re-surfacing of our Netball / Basketball courts. We look forward to this work being complete so that we can fully utilize our play space. I thank the staff and especially the students at William Street for their patience as this work continues.
Holy Week
Over the past few days, the children in R/1 and 2/3 have helped us to reflect on the significant moments in Jesus life during this week. On Monday, we reflected on the triumphant entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. On Tuesday, we reflected on both the Last Supper and the Washing of the Disciples Feet. The Passover meal. On Wednesday, the classes participated in praying the Stations of the Cross with depictions of these stations illustrated by our Year 4 - 6 students. These are significant events for Christians around the world. When I was at mass on the weekend, Fr Michael referred to Holy Week as the Grand Final. For Catholics and Christians everywhere, this week is Grand Final week. Jesus love for humanity was obvious and yet, sometimes it begs the question; who do you think Jesus was?
Jesus was a Jew. He was baptised by John the Baptist, his cousin, and began his ministry in Galilee. He had a well-developed reputation as a healer and gathered a group of disciples around him without regard to gender, status or background and celebrated their unity through the sharing of meals. Opposition to him reached a climax during a Passover celebration in Jerusalem where he was arrested, tried and crucified.
Jesus’ message was centred on the Kingdom of God. His message was communicated through parables, proverbial sayings, the Lord’s Prayer, table fellowship and miracles. The Kingdom of God was open to all people including, the destitute, the sick, the crippled, the tax collectors and sinners.
As we come to the end of Lent, it is good to renew our efforts to pray well. When the followers of Jesus asked him to teach them to pray he gave them the ‘Our Father’. That prayer shows us how to speak to God as a loving parent and carer.
Lent ends on Holy Thursday and we move into the holiest days of the year. We call these days the Paschal Triduum. These three days, from sunset on Holy Thursday to sunset on Easter Sunday are the Christian Passover Feast.
Easter is not just one day but a whole season of fifty days lasting until Pentecost. We take longer to celebrate Easter than we take preparing for it during Lent.
On behalf of the staff, I wish you all a happy and holy Easter.
I look forward to seeing the children return to school on Tuesday 3 May.
Yours sincerely
Grace Vassallo-Wakefield
Dear Parents and Caregivers
As I write this newsletter, I cannot believe that we are only 3 weeks away from the end of the term! Although we have had some of our community affected by COVID, I thank parents and caregivers for being vigilant and keeping their child at home when unwell. Please continue to monitor your child for COVID related symptoms if unwell and do not send them to school. I thank everyone for their patience as we navigate this tricky time.
LENT Week 3
The readings for the 3rd Sunday of Lent Year C are a call to repent and return to the Lord.
The first reading tells of how Moses encountered God in the burning bush. The psalm sings of God’s kindness and mercy. In the second reading Paul tells us to learn from the past. And in the gospel Jesus warns people to change their ways. He also tells the parable of the fig tree.
God gives us many opportunities to grow, but we must not resist his efforts to help us mature in faith.
This week we are asked to consider the following question:
What needs to change in my life to grow in faith?
NAPLAN
Hopefully, many of you would have seen the Advertiser or our Facebook page last week regarding our NAPLAN results for 2021. We are extremely proud of the significant efforts and improvement of our Year 5 students in NAPAN in 2021. The article noted that student results “had shown increases in their scores significantly greater than both the national average gain and the improvements made by students at similar schools”.
Of all the Diocesan schools in the Eastern Star project, SJMS was the only school named and 1 of only 6 Diocesan Schools to achieve these results across South Australia. This is a result of the intervention and teaching strategies implemented by all staff at SJMS and our commitment to improving student outcomes from 2018 to 2021. Well done everyone for your hard work.
Preparations are now well underway for this year’s NAPLAN. We are preparing the infrastructure to ensure that IT equipment is ready for this year with students participating in a state wide practise this week.
School Board AGM
Our School Board AGM which was planned for Wednesday 30 March at 6:30pm in the Piazza will now be delivered online as we are still unable to meet face-to-face in schools. All families will receive via the Skoolbag app a copy of the Reports that would have been presented on the night. As well, a link will be provided to families so that you can access a brief message from the Chairperson of the School Board, P&F and myself.
Performing Arts Studio / Building Update
Our PAS is almost complete. We had the pleasure of being able to access the area today and take some photos to share with you. We hope that once restrictions are lifted we may be able to share this space with the wider community. We would like to thank Catholic Education South Australia and the State Government for the grants to support the funding to build this new space for our community.
Over the holidays, there will be resurfacing of the asphalt and hopefully markings for basketball / netball courts to be completed. Construction for our Nature Play area will also commence during this time.
We look forward to a completely transformed space in the not too distant future.
Yours sincerely
Grace Vassallo-Wakefield
Congratulations to the SJMS 2022 SACPSSA Swimming Squad - First Place winners of the SACPSSA Carnival, Year 4 Age Champion, Year 5 Age Champion and every team member won one or more race ribbons!
Well done to the 16 students from Year 3 to 6 who proudly represented SJMS in the carnival today, competing against 7 other schools.
Students showcased our school values, supporting each other throughout the day, as well as a growth mindset and positive attitude to give each race their very best.
Thank you Mrs Didyk for your support, organisation and hard work to ensure everyone was ready for the day!
Dear Parents and Caregivers
This Sunday, is the 2nd Sunday of Lent. During Lent many of us practise giving up something or fasting during this season. For me, rather than fasting or giving up things, my focus is on how I can be a better person during this season. I focus on the words Pope Francis used in his Ash Wednesday homily from 2019 when he asked us the following question and then shared his thoughts:
Do you want to fast this Lent?
Fast from hurting words and say kind words.
Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.
Fast from anger and be filled with patience.
Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.
Fast from worries and trust in God.
Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.
Fast from pressures and be prayerful.
Fast from bitterness and fill your heart with joy.
Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others.
Fast from grudges and be reconciled.
Fast from words and be silent so you can listen.
Building Progress
I would like to express my thanks to our parents and caregivers during the building of our Performing Arts Studio. Your patience, especially as we have navigated reduced parking and footpath closures has been appreciated.
This week, the courts area opened up for our students which was well received by both staff and students. In Week 8, from Wednesday 23 March to Friday 25 March the Transportable Classrooms will be removed and shortly after that our Nature Play area will be worked on. Hopefully the transformation of this area will be complete early Term 2.
Pupil Free Day
This Friday the Staff will be involved in our continuing Professional Development with the Berry Street Education Model. We will be focussing on Domain 3 on Stamina and Domain 4 on Engagement.
Stamina focusses on creating a culture of academic persistence by nurturing resilience, emotional intelligence and a growth mindset.
Engagement is about motivating students with strategies that increase their willingness to learn.
In our next Newsletter, I will delve deeper into what we looked at during these sessions.
SkoolBag Alerts
This week we have had numerous communications go out on our SkoolBag app including a reminder of our Pupil Free Day on Friday. I urge all parents and caregivers to check the app regularly for updates. The following communications have gone out this week:
Farewell Linda Brine
Early this term, Linda Brine our Bursar / Finance Officer announced her retirement. Linda has been an integral part of the SJMS community for the past 6 years and a valued colleague. Linda has also spent many years working on the Finance Team at CESA. On behalf of the SJMS community I would like to thank Linda for her dedication to her role. The knowledge and expertise she has shared with the Finance Committee has been invaluable. She will be missed.
As Linda transitions out of her role, I would like to welcome Nicki Cambourn as our new Bursar / Finance Officer. Nicki has been a part of the Finance Team at St Columba's College, Andrews Farm. She will work alongside Linda over the next few weeks as she moves into the role.
School Board Annual General Meeting
Usually, early in Term 1 we hold our AGM for the School Board and P&F for 2021. Due to COVID, this has been postponed to Wednesday 30 March at 6:30pm. At this stage, we hope that we will be able to meet face-to-face in the Piazza but are awaiting clarification regarding this. An invitation will go out to all families next week.
If you would like to nominate for a position on the School Board or P&F, please click here and submit your nomination.
There is an opportunity to submit ‘Questions with Notice’ prior to the Annual General Meeting. If you would like to submit a question, please click here to submit no later than Wednesday 23 March 2022.
Yours sincerely
Grace Vassallo-Wakefield
Dear Parents and Caregivers
It has been pleasing to see all our students back on site over the past fortnight. I thank you all as well for supporting the measures we have put in place regarding access to our school. I know, especially for parents and caregivers of our new students this has been very difficult as they begin their schooling journey. We hope the restrictions in place will ease but ask you to adhere to the practises we have put in place to protect our staff, students and families. Please refer to my correspondence earlier this week which referred to some of the current restrictions in place for the next 4 weeks.
Lent 2022
Next Wednesday we celebrate Ash Wednesday. This day signifies, for many Christians around the world, the beginning of the Season of Lent. A time when we prepare ourselves for Easter by reflecting on how we can be a better person by reflecting on life's choices and possible life directions.
Usually on Ash Wednesday people who seek forgiveness for their wrongdoings are marked with the sign of the cross, from blessed ashes, on their forehead. This symbolic occasion reminds us of: our sorrow for sins, as well as the will for change and the hope of forgiveness. It is traditionally a time of fasting and prayer. This year, due to COVID, we will be sprinkled with the blessed ashes during class liturgies.
I ask that you take the time to read what Pope Francis has to say to us about our sowing seeds of goodness, during the coming Lenten Season at the link below:
Performing Arts Studio (PAS) Progress
As you will have all noticed, our PAS is coming along quickly. We are almost at the stage where it is only the internal fixtures that will need to be complete. As well, our builders are working hard on re-laying the asphalt surface in the coming days and the removal of the transportable buildings will soon follow. I know that our students and staff are looking forward to the availability of more play space in the coming weeks.
The installation of our Nature Play area will commence once all building work has been completed and the Netball / Basketball court is reconfigured. It will be wonderful when all works are complete and we can truly enjoy our transformed play space at our William Street site.
AGM - School Board / Parents and Friends
The AGM of our School Board and P&F Association is traditionally held early Term 1. Due to the current COVID restrictions, this has been moved to later in the term to Wednesday 30 March at 6:30pm in the hope that we can meet as a group. Further details will follow regarding this important school event.
Yours sincerely
Grace Vassallo-Wakefield
