Week 10, Term 1 2024

Dear Families

The last few weeks have been full of school community events, activities, and learning opportunities inside and outside of the classroom.

Holy Week
Last week, we commenced our Holy Week celebrations with a Palm Sunday liturgy at Bridge Street. The Bridge Street students led us in a prayer and re-enactment of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

Later in the week, students met in the Performing Arts Studio to watch our Year 2–5 students share the events of The Last Supper and Good Friday as outlined in the Gospel.

At the end of Holy Week, students visited the Norwood Parish for our Year 5 and 6 students to engage in a prayerful, guided journey through the Stations of the Cross. Students from all classes contributed artwork to depict each station.

Building Update
Everything is on track for the Bridge Street Multi Purpose Room project to be completed and ready for Vacation Care. We can’t wait for students, teachers, and the community to enjoy using the refurbished learning space.

Championship Year 5/6 Netball Team

We are extremely proud of our Year 5/6 netball team, who won the grand final in overtime. They played so well as a team and never gave up. Well done to coach Chelsea, and thank you to all the families who supported the team every week.

Swimming Carnival

Congratulations to the 17 students who represented our school at the South Australian Catholic Primary Schools Sports Association Swimming Carnival. Well done to our Year 3 student team, who won their age group for Section 4. We also had one Year 4 individual age group champion!

Brisbane Lions visit for Gather Round

Our Physical Education teacher, Mr Dacombe-Bird and School Captain Jack, were very excited to welcome the Brisbane Lions to our school for Gather Round. Students were able to meet the AFL players who led small clinics and get their autographs. Thank you to the SANFL for helping us organise this visit for our school community.

School Picnic

We had an incredible turnout for the school community picnic. I would like to thank our Parents and Friends Committee for organising the event. The weather was perfect, and it was great to see the community gather at the Kensington Gardens Reserve.

Lacrosse sessions in Physical Education

Our William Street students have been fortunate to have coaches from the Redwings Lacrosse team undertake a program in PE lessons.

Crazy Hair Day Fundraiser

Our students (and teachers) relished the opportunity to demonstrate their creative flair for the student-led ‘Crazy Hair Day’ initiative to raise money for Project Compassion.

Pupil-Free Day
Just a reminder that the first and last days of term 2 are pupil-free days to allow valuable time for professional learning for our staff.

Thanks,

Adam Slater

Principal

Alleluia – He is risen. Happy Easter to everyone.

On Sunday, we celebrated the joy of Easter. Jesus, rising from the dead.

Over the past 2 weeks, our students have led us through the significant events of Holy Week and Easter. These reflections helped us to appreciate what Jesus experienced.

On Monday of Holy Week, at Bridge Street, our Preschool and Reception students helped us to remember that we have been in the season of Lent, and we were asked to use our hands, our hearts and our voices to turn back to God. Then our Year 1 students led us on a journey from the Creation of the world, to Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, to him calling the fisherman and then to his death on a cross on Good Friday. Finally, our Year 2 students helped us to reflect on his triumphant entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

On Tuesday of Holy Week, at William Street, our Year 3 students helped us to reflect on the last supper Jesus shared with his friends which was followed by the Year 4 students reflecting on Jesus and the time he spent in the Garden of Gethsamane with his friends.  Finally, our Year 5 students showed us what happened on Good Friday, from his time with Pilate until his death on the Cross.

Our Stations of the Cross on Thursday morning, was a reverent experience led by students from Years 5 and 6 with images / artwork by students from Preschool to Year 6 for us to focus on. The stations helped us to recall Jesus’ journey to his death but also allowed us to remember Jesus’ message of love and hope that his death holds for us and our world.

Today at Assembly, our Year 6 students, helped us to remember the events of Easter Sunday. From the empty tomb, to Jesus appearing to his friends.

All Assemblies will be held in the Performing Arts Studio at William St on Friday afternoons at 2pm.

Students from Bridge Street will walk across to William Street to participate in Assemblies, face to face.

Term 1

We will ask for help from our wonderful parents and caregivers to help walk the Bridge Street students across on these dates. Please look out for the form on Skoolbag, next week.

Please remember to check the school calendar regularly for any updates.

St Joseph's Memorial School provides a safe environment for all while valuing the partnership between school and home.

As a Catholic community, we welcome and value volunteers. To be able to volunteer, and/or attend at other times throughout the school year, we ask that you hold the following:

1. A current Catholic Police Check (parents/caregivers attending excursions, reading in class, helping in class, attending community events);
2. A current Responding to Abuse and Neglect in Education and Care for Volunteers certificate (please click here to view how to complete this requirement);
3. Completed the volunteers application.

A Catholic Police Check for volunteers at SJMS are free for our current parents and caregivers. Application Forms are available to download here or at either school office.

We ask that you present your completed form with verification ID to the front office, and we will submit the application on your behalf. You will then receive an email link to complete the process online. Once all cleared you will receive a Catholic Police Check ID card in the post, please bring this in to the front office and we will take a copy of your clearance.

This process ensures we maintain a child safe environment. To avoid disappointment, we encourage you to apply for a Catholic Police Check through either school office as soon as possible.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at either office.

Thanking you
The SJMS Admin Team
info@sjms.catholic.edu.au

For more information on how Catholic Education SA provides a safe environment for all, please click here.

Summary of what is needed to volunteer at SJMS:
Valid Catholic Police Check
Responding to Abuse and Neglect Education and Care Volunteer Certificate
Completed application form

Come see our Preschool in action, contact us for a tour or enrolment information.

Term 2

• Week 1 - Monday 29 April 2024 R-6
• Week 10 - Friday 5 July 2024 Preschool-6 (Whole School Pupil Free Day)

Term 3

• Week 1 - Monday 22 July 2024  R-6

Term 4

• Week 1 - Monday 14 October 2024 R-6
• Week 9 -