Dear Parents and Caregivers
Welcome back to Term 3. As a community we welcomed our newest students (new Reception photos above) and the very next day we were preparing for four days of home learning. Despite this, our resilient learners and their families came online each day to watch, conference and post their experiences through Seesaw and Microsoft Teams. Thank you so much to our families and staff for the way in which we lived out our authentic and ongoing partnership. Then this week, we welcomed each other back with a collective smile and a story or two to share.
COVID-19 Adjustments:
Masses
Until Tuesday 3 August, St Ignatius Church has a maximum capacity of 120 parishioners and large group gatherings including class Masses and Liturgies have been cancelled or postponed. Therefore, the whole school Mass on Monday 9 August celebrating the Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop will most likely become a Microsoft Teams Liturgy of the Word where a selection of representative students and staff will join Fr Paul in the Piazza. At this stage, restrictions may also apply for our whole school Mass on Monday 16 August for the Assumption of Mary. Jess Nelson will continue to keep everyone updated.
Mission Day
Our major fundraising event, Mission Day, that was planned for Friday 13 August will be postponed. Classes will still continue to plan for this event over the coming weeks and we are hopeful that we will have a new date and further information to share in our Week 4 Newsletter. Jess Nelson will continue to keep everyone updated.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Due to the recent lockdown, the First Reconciliation meeting on Tuesday 20 July was cancelled. On the 23 July the Family Faith Formation team from the parish, distributed an introductory email and workshop activities for candidates to complete with their families at home. If your child has been registered for their First Reconciliation and you have not yet received this email, contact the parish directly on 8332 0600, ring the front office at school or send an email to mharrison@sjms.catholic.edu.au and I will forward or send home a hard copy.
St Vincent de Paul Acknowledgement
In the first week of the school holidays, our Winter Appeal donations were collected by the President of St Vincent de Paul’s Norwood Conference, Max Ormsby. Max, was overwhelmed by the 14 boxes filled with donations and the generous monetary donation from our uniform sales and Pyjama Day. The following day, Max wrote:
“On behalf of the St Vincent de Paul Society, we would like to extend our sincere appreciation for the support that St Joseph’s Memorial School again gave to our Winter Appeal.
We have delivered your wonderful donations to the St Vincent de Paul Warehouse from where they will be shared with many of the companions that the Society cares for. Your cash donation has also been greatly received and will assist us to assist the many homeless that nightly seek our support.
Please advise your community that St Joseph’s Memorial School’s generous support is greatly appreciated and valued.”
Have a wonderful weekend everyone.
Dear Parents and Caregivers
It is hard to believe that we have come to the end of Term 2!
I congratulate all the students on their efforts in learning this term and encourage them all to continue to do their best in Semester 2. Thank you to all the staff for their dedication to school programs and student learning as well! To the parents and caregivers who have given their time in coaching sports teams etc, thank you as well. Without your continued support, we would not be able to offer these opportunities to our students.
At the end of this term, we farewell Ms Mae McGee and Ms Alessandra Dichiera who complete their contract with us this term. We wish them well in their future teaching endeavours. We also wish Mrs Julie Moore all the best as she heads off on Long Service Leave next term. Keep safe on your extended time away.
Congratulations to the Semester One 2021 Preschool Graduates on successfully completing their Preschool education at SJMS.
As we move into the second half of the year, I look forward to new and exciting possibilities for us. One of these is that we may soon be starting building works on our Performing Arts Studio. We will keep you posted!
COVID-19 update
We are all aware that at this stage there seems no direct bearing on the normal function or operation of schools, OSHC or Vacation Care. Given the volatility of the situation, we are continually on alert for changes at very short notice. At this stage, schools and the associated services such as OSHC and Vacation Care, remain open.
At SJMS we will continually monitor this situation and advise families should this change. Shortly you will receive information regarding Home Learning should we be directed by SA Health/SA Government that schools need to move to an online learning platform.
A reminder to everyone that when you are onsite, please sign in using the COVID QR code.
Calendar updates
A reminder to parents and caregivers to check out the School Calendar for details on what is happening each week including Class Assemblies. Parents and caregivers are welcome to attend provided we all follow COVID protocols.
Please go to the following link: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/embed?src=jess@sjms.catholic.edu.au&ctz=Australia/Adelaide
As well, check out our Facebook page as Jess Nelson updates regularly with our dates to remember.
Enjoy the holiday break and see you next term.
Dear Parents and Caregivers
As Term 2 concludes, we proudly reflect on the many experiences we have shared in together that emulate the spirit of “In Omnibus Caritas” through their enthusiasm, leadership and active participation in Masses, Liturgies, buddy activities, community gatherings and fundraising initiatives.
St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal
This week I had the privilege of engaging in dialogue with our Bridge Street classes and preschool. We spoke about the Vinnies Winter Appeal and why it is important to help others. I would also like to commend our Social Justice Leaders, who held an awareness raising assembly last Thursday to promote the Appeal. In their assembly, Avenash, Henry, Zac and Giada gave a presentation about who Saint Vincent de Paul was, what the Vinnies Winter Appeal is aiming to support and the types of donations that would really help. Our leaders even quizzed the William Street students on what they had learnt.
In response, the support towards this year’s Vinnies Winter Appeal has been overwhelming. Thank you families for your enormous generosity throughout this final week. Collectively we have donated over 300 non-perishable and long-life food items as well as over 160 toiletry items. Congratulations everyone on your amazing response which will support Vinnies to distribute these much-needed items to struggling families across Adelaide.
Pyjama Day
Pyjama Day worked out to be a warm and comfortable optioned for such a rainy day. The cumulative amounts of the gold coin donation and recent uniform donations have also raised over $850 which we will also contribute to the Vinnies Winter Appeal. We were pleased to see so many of our students and staff join in the spirit of the day. To capture the moment, we gathered in our warm flannelettes, onesies, oodies and dressing gowns for class photos with our collective donations. Well done everyone!
Whole School Masses
Next term, we celebrate two significant whole school Masses. The first of which is the Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop in Week 4 on Monday 9 August and then in Week 5 we celebrate the Assumption of Mary on Monday 16 August. Both Masses will be held from 9:15am at St Ignatius Church.
Mission Day
Our major fundraising event for Term 3 will be Mission Day. Mission Day will be held on Friday 13 August. This is a creative and fun filled experience where students engage with fundraising stalls that have been designed or prepared by each of our classes. The money raised through Mission Day activities will go towards Catholic Missions. Further information regarding this event, will be included in the Week 2 newsletter and our social media posts.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
I look forward to joining our First Reconciliation families in Week 1, for the first meeting on Tuesday 20 July in the Parish Hall at 7:00pm. If you have any questions regarding the Sacrament of Reconciliation over the break, please contact the Norwood Parish Office directly on 8332 0600 or send me an email at mharrison@sjms.catholic.edu.au.
Dear Parents and Caregivers
In Mark’s Gospel this week, we will hear about the ordeal the disciples face while on a boat. The disciples encounter rough winds and seas which frighten them until Jesus is able to calm both the wind and the sea, leaving the disciples confused about how Jesus is able to do this.
So, the message in this passage is: When has the Lord calmed the stormy seas of my life?
Very often we struggle with how to get through rough and difficult times, but sometimes, we need to rely on our faith to help us get through these times.
We need to remember that God makes all things possible: life, love, beauty, hope. Each day we should live gratefully, give praise and thanks to God for every good thing that comes our way.
Reports and Parent Teacher Interviews
As part of the assessment and reporting cycle, Parents will soon receive their child’s Semester 1 report summarising their learning achievements. The report will go home with students on Friday 25 June. Any reports not handed out on the day will be available from the school office until the end of term, at which time they will be mailed to parents. This will be followed by Parent Teacher Interviews in Week 10 providing parents and caregivers with a comprehensive report on their child’s achievements so far. Details re: making a booking for Parent Teacher Interviews can be found below in the newsletter and you can book via the link here: https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code?code=g89gd
Deputy Director Visit
On Friday 25 June, Mr John Mula OAM, Deputy Director of CESA will be visiting our school. He will visit classes and observe lessons in action. Mr Mula will also meet with students to chat with them about their learning experiences at SJMS.
P&F Meeting
Our next P&F meeting will be held on Monday 28 June between 1:30pm - 2:30pm in the Library at William Street. If you have an hour to spare and would like to join us, please come along. We welcome all newcomers!
Performing Arts Studio
In our last newsletter I announced that building approval had been received from the NPSP Council for our Performing Arts Studio to go ahead. We are now in the tendering process and hope that we will have further information to share with you in the next few weeks.
2nd Hand Uniforms - Week 10
We currently have an abundance of 2nd hand uniforms available at both our sites. For a $5 per item donation (to support the Vinnies Winter Appeal) you might be able to grab a bargain. Please see Jess Nelson or Mary Fantasia in Week 10 if you’re interested.
Can you believe that we are almost at the end of Term 2? In my conversations with Brady over the past few weeks, I can assure everyone that he is looking forward to returning to our community in Term 4. Until then, I look forward to leading and supporting the SJMS community for Term 3.
Dear Parents and Caregivers
Mary MacKillop Precinct
On Tuesday 15 June, our Year 1 classes visited the Mary MacKillop Precinct Museum at Kensington. The students shared their thoughts as they talked about the museums school house door, the Sisters of St Joseph habit and the school desk. The museum helped the students to have a better understanding of Mary MacKillop’s story within our community. With sketch books in hand, our Year 1 students were able to capture their wonderings and learnings through illustrations. Next week on Tuesday 22 June, our Reception classes will also visit the Mary MacKillop Precinct Museum.
Liturgy of the Word
Today we celebrated our final Liturgy of the Word for Term 2. Our Year 1 classes prepared a Liturgy about God’s gift of our senses. The children impressed Fr Paul with their confident singing and accompanying actions. As part of the homily, the students shared many of the ways we use God’s gift of our senses everyday.
Special thanks to Fr Paul for sharing in each of our Masses and Liturgies, and to all the families who were able to join us throughout the term.
St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal
This year the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal invites those who are able to ‘Help support a child or families from experiencing homelessness.’ In support of this year’s Winter Appeal we are inviting families to donate:
non-perishable foods (long shelf-life can foods)
toiletries (toothbrushes, shampoo, deodorant)
Donations can be dropped off to a basket in your child’s classroom throughout Week 10, from Monday 28 June to Friday 2 July.
Our Social Justice student leaders together with the support of other representative student School Leaders are inspired to promote the Winter Appeal by visiting the classrooms next week. Our student leaders are hoping that these visits will help raise awareness by explaining how donations to St Vincent de Paul’s Winter Appeal will support families in need. As a way of acknowledging the generosity of our community, our student leaders will also use these visits to promote a ‘Pyjama Day’ on Friday 2 July. ‘Pyjama Day’ is a day where everyone is invited to wear their pyjamas to school as a bit of fun.
Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop
Next term, we celebrate the Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop (8 August) on Monday 9 August with a 9:15am Mass at St Ignatius Church. This Mass will also officially mark the commencement of Catholic Schools Open Week. At this stage, ‘Mission Day’ in support of Catholic Missions is set to return in 2021 on Friday 13 August. Our school leaders have already commenced preliminary discussions regarding visits to the classrooms. Further information regarding logistics, donations and class activities will be communicated early next term.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
I draw your attention to an amendment made to our Week 6 Newsletter. The Liturgy of the Word for The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be held later that week on Thursday 26th August at St Ignatius Church from 7:00pm. The first and second meeting remain as previously communicated on Tuesday 20 July (Week 1) and Tuesday 24 August (Week 6). Both meetings will be held in the Parish Hall at 7:00pm.
Dear Parents and Caregivers
At mass on Sunday, we celebrated the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity. During mass a reflection on Making the Sign of the Cross was shared with us and I would like to share this with you. It comes from the website “Learn Religions.”
Making the Sign of the Cross is not simply an action but a prayer in itself. Like all prayers, the Sign of the Cross should be said with reverence; we shouldn't rush through it on the way to the next prayer.
In the Sign of the Cross, we profess the deepest mysteries of the Christian Faith: the Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - and the saving work of Christ on the Cross on Good Friday. The combination of the words and the action are a creed - a statement of belief. We mark ourselves as Christians through the Sign of the Cross.
200 Years of Catholic School Celebrations
A mass to celebrate 200 years of Catholic Schooling was held at St Francis Xavier Cathedral at 10am on Monday, May 24 with Archbishop Patrick O’Regan presiding. Our Student Leaders, Felix Szarvas and Mary Bryant represented SJMS at this event.
Indigenous Garden Path at Bridge Street
As part of the redevelopment of the grounds at Bridge Street, I have met with Jack Buckskin to advise us of how to help develop an Indigenous Garden along the pathways which will also include nature play areas for students to interact with.
Jack recommended a garden theme of pairing which picks up on both the local surrounds (the two beautiful karra trees), and the symbolism of two communities walking together in reconciliation. This will also connect to our 150 year celebration on the site in 2022.
Performing Arts Studio update
It is with pleasure that I announce the Council approval has been received regarding the proposed Performing Arts Studio.
Over the next few weeks, we will be going to the Tender stage of the process. Further information will follow as we move through the building process.
Transition Visits
Over the next few weeks, students who will be joining us in Preschool and Reception in Term 3 will participate in Transition Visits. We look forward to inviting these students into our school community.
Dear Parents and Caregivers
Following Pentecost, we enter into the liturgical season of Ordinary Time. During this Season we celebrate many significant Feast Days. Over the coming fortnight the Church celebrates the feasts of The Holy Trinity, Corpus Christi, The Sacred Heart of Jesus and The Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Holy Trinity
The Feast of The Holy Trinity on Sunday 30 May, invited us to reflect on the many ways that Father, Son and Spirit have been present within our own lives. This central mystery of faith and expression of God’s love, Jesus’ Love and the Love of the Holy Spirit is intended to be lived out, and in the process, extended to others.
Corpus Christi
Every Mass is a celebration of the Eucharist and the Feast of Corpus Christi on Sunday 6 June, reminds Christians of what they are called to do at Mass. The Eucharist is a mystery at the heart of the Catholic faith. When we receive the Body and Blood of Christ, we are reminded to celebrate what we believe, to live what we believe and to do our best to become what we believe - Christlike.
Buddy Gathering
On Monday 24 May, we gathered for a whole school Mass to celebrate Our Lady Help of Christians and 200 Years of Catholic Education. Fr Paul and Deacon Anthony presided for this significant celebration and the children actively participated throughout all four parts of the Mass. Following the celebration, Fr Paul and Deacon Anthony were invited as guests to join us for morning tea. Buddy activities were also a hit, with students engaging in a variety of arts and crafts throughout the remainder of the morning. A special thank you once again to all our registered Catholic volunteers who supported our Preschool to Year 1 students for their walk to Bridge Street.
Confirmation
On Tuesday 25 May, we celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation with Bishop Gregory O’Kelly SJ, Fr Paul, Fr Eka, Fr Stan and Fr Paul. Eleven Year 4 students and two Year 5 students confirmed their Baptismal vowels with the full support of their sponsors, families, friends, parish and our school. In his homily, Bishop O’Kelly spoke about the significance of the confirmation names that they had chosen, as both an example and an inspiration that they could draw on throughout their own lives. We congratulate all who were Confirmed on the evening and we especially thank Bishop O’Kelly and Norwood Parish for such a memorable and child centred celebration.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
The next sacramental program will be the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The first meeting will be held in the first week of Term 3 on Tuesday 20 July at 7pm in the Parish Hall. A second meeting and combined rehearsal will be held on Tuesday 24 August in Week 6 at 7pm. The Liturgy of the Word for The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be held later that week on Thursday 26 August in St Ignatius Church at 7pm.
Term 2 Bridge Street Liturgies
On Friday 28 May our two Reception classes were joined by Fr Paul in the Bridge Street Library for a Liturgy of the Word. The students read beautifully and sung each song with joyful voices and actions. The theme of the Liturgy was "Families and Jesus’ Mother Mary." Fr Paul engaged the students in a conversation about their mothers and why our ‘mums,’ are so special to us. The two remaining Liturgies for Term 2, will be the Preschool Liturgy on Friday 11 June at 9:15am and the Year 1 Liturgy on Friday 18 June at 9:15am. Parents are welcome to attend both of these upcoming celebrations of the Word.
The SJMS School Leaders were excited to accompany Mrs Vassallo-Wakefield to the Cathedral for the 200 Years of Catholic Education in Australia Mass.
Dear Parents and Caregivers
Our Mother’s Day Morning Tea in Week 2 was a wonderful celebration in our community. It was fantastic to have so many mothers and grandmothers join us on the Friday morning in the Piazza. Our Year 6 students helped to serve the wonderful goodies prepared by some of our wonderful parents.
The liturgy which was led by our Year 5/6 students and Deacon Anthony Hill was prayerful and reflective, honouring mothers and other significant women in our children’s lives.
The Mother's Day Stall was very well organised and successful. Many thanks to the Parents and Friends who organised and wrapped the beautiful gifts for our children to gift to their mothers or significant females in their lives.
Feast of the Ascension
Last weekend our Catholic Church celebrated the Feast of the Ascension. Celebrated 40 days after Easter and the resurrection of Jesus. 40 is a significant number in both the old and new testament and a reminder of the 40 year journey out of slavery to freedom for the Israelites, the 40 day flood of Noah, and the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert.
In the scriptures we hear Jesus speak to his apostles before his Ascension, saying Jesus said to them, "Go into the world. Go everywhere and announce the message of God’s good news to one and all." (Mark 16:16).
Pope Francis, in his word’s also challenges us to be a community that reaches out to others and bring about the transforming love of Jesus to those within our midst:
“Jesus teaches us another way:
Go out; go out and share your testimony,
go out and interact with your brothers, go out and share, go out and ask.
Become the Word in body as well as spirit.”
200 Years of Catholic Education
On Monday 24 May 2021 we will celebrate 200 Years of Catholic Education in Australia. To mark this occasion there will be a special Mass at the Cathedral at 10.00am to which all Catholic schools are invited to send representatives. Our school leaders Felix Szarvas and Mary Bryant will accompany me to this special mass.
Dear Parents and Caregivers
This week commenced with The Ascension of the Lord. The Ascension takes place forty days after Easter and celebrates how Jesus ascended, body and soul, towards heaven and this leads into Sunday’s celebration of Pentecost. Pentecost concludes the season of Easter and is a celebration of the gift of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and the beginning of the Church.
Whole School Mass
A letter was distributed earlier this week regarding Monday’s whole school Mary Help of Christians and 200 Years of Catholic Education Mass celebration and buddy activities. On the morning, all students will need to be dropped off at William Street Campus from 8:30am. At the same time, Catholic school representatives from across South Australia will also be attending a National Mass at St Francis Xavier Cathedral. Grace Vassallo-Wakefield will be accompanied by student leaders Felix Szarvas and Mary Bryant as representatives of our community.
Thank you to all our registered volunteers who have offered their time once again to support our Preschool to Year 1 students for their walk up to Bridge Street at 12:00pm.
Bible Blessing
As part of the whole school Mass, we will also take the opportunity to present our forty Year 3 students with their St Joseph’s Memorial School Bible. Straight after Communion, Fr Paul Mullins will invite the Year 3 students to stand up with their Bibles so that he can extend to each of them a blessing on behalf of the parish and school community.
Sacrament of Confirmation
On Tuesday 25 May, 42 parish candidates will be confirmed by Archbishop Patrick O’Regan. This includes 13 students from our school. The ceremony begins at 7:00pm, however those who are able to attend, are asked to be in their seats by 6:50pm. Those who are being confirmed were asked to dress for going out somewhere nice and they are invited to wear a stole if they have one. The Confirmation candidates will need to sit on the end of the row, with their sponsor immediately next to them. There will be no photos taken during the Confirmation however there will be opportunities to take individual and group photos following the ceremony.
