Dear Parents & Carers,

I hope that everyone had an enjoyable break over Easter. As many of you would be aware, on April 21st we were informed of the passing of Pope Francis. We pray for Pope Francis and also, our new Pope Leo XIV.

Thursday 25th of April was ANZAC Day, a national day of rememberance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations and the contribution of all those who have served. I am extremely proud of the students who marched with us on ANZAC day and partcipated in the Gloucester ANZAC cermony. Thank you to all parents and carers who supported attendance at ANZAC Day.

This term we welcome the Tighe family to St. Joseph's; Henry, Dimity and Tommy. We trust they feel very welcome at St. Joseph's.This week we also welcomed Mrs Donna Partridge to St. Joseph's. Mrs Partridge will be completing a practicum and will be working with Miss Emerson and Year 4/5/6 for the next four weeks. 

Thank you to all those who were able to join us for our Mother's Day Liturgy. We hope everyone has a lovely Mother's Day and on behalf of St. Joseph's, thank you to all our Mums, Stepmothers, Aunties, Grandmothers and significant others that support the students in our school. You are appreciated! 

Warm regards,

Amy Maslen

Principal

Thank you to our students and their families who came to join the Gloucester ANZAC March. We also thank  4/5/6 for leading our school ANZAC Ceremony on Wednesday 30th April.

Congratulations to Ava Wiencke, Freya MacGregor, Josie Banyer and Harrison Morton. These students were selected to run at the Diocesan Cross Country on Wednesday 14th at Maitland. 

This term we will be holding our Athletics Carnival in Week 7, Wednesday 11th June. We will also be hosting a Touch Football Clinic later in the term. 

As part of the St. Joseph's Parish Sacraments program, Ava & Imogen Wiencke and Hazel & Freya MacGregor will be baptised at St. Joseph's Catholic Church at 10am on Friday 16th May. This will be a whole school mass as we join together to celebrate this important sacrament for these students. Following the mass, we will have a cake for Ava, Imogen, Hazel and Freya. Parents and families are most welcome to join us at 10am for the Baptism. 

Please see below a list of parent and carer information webinars, offered by reputable providers over the coming weeks. These webinars are free to attend and may assist parents and carers in supporting the learning and wellbeing of their child. For more information relating to these webinars, please click on the host and registration links provided.

In addition, parents and carers can access School TV at any time via their child’s school’s website, by typing ‘School TV’ in the search function (there, you will short videos, fact sheets and special reports on a variety of topics including Cyber Safety, Mental Health, Positive Parenting, School Survival, Diversity and Inclusion and Health Bodies).

Upcoming Parent and Carer Information Sessions

Sascha Isaacs, our new school counsellor will be introducing herself and speaking on Managing Youth Anxiety. Sascha will have some information and practical strategies. The meeting will be 2-3pm in the library. Tea and coffee and light afternoon tea provided. 

Sascha is at St. Joseph's every Thursday. 

There will also be fundraising sub-committee meeting on Tuesday 20th May at 6pm in the hall. If there are any parents interested in volunteering for Shared Table when they are available please let us know. Fundraising each year subsidies the cost of the Year 5/6 excursions, Year 6 shirts and other excursions and activites as they arise. 

Our Mini Vinnies will be running their Winter Appeal soon.

The Appeal  will run for the entire month of June.

Now is the time to go through those cupboards, those drwaers full of "stuff" and even those boxes. You will possibly find some winterclothes that no longer fit, that are never worn and that no one like.

From the beginning of June, please send in your any winter clothing, blankets, coats, hats etc etc

Our Mini Vinnies will pass on your donations to families and individuals in need. (no food items pllease)

Please contact the school if you would like to donate cash to the appeal.

Thank You from the Mini Vinnies.

A child can form an opinion of their own body at a very young age. Research suggests that children as young as three years old can have body image issues, and there are many things that influence them. Parents play a critical role in helping children develop a positive body image.

Today’s media can negatively influence our young people on what is the “ideal” body shape and size. The problem is, a “perfect” body doesn’t really exist. Although body image issues are mostly associated with girls, boys are also affected. A negative body image can trigger eating disorders in some children and parents need to be aware of the signs. Their child’s eating habits and language around appearance can be an indicator. Parents and teachers need to help kids understand that appearance does not equate to an individual’s health or success.

To read the full article please follow the link below;

SchoolTV's Healthy Body Series