We have had time to rest,

And now we are full of energy.

We have had time to think,

And now we are full of ideas.

We have had time to stop,

And now it’s time to get going.

Be with us God we pray.

Amen

Dear parents and carers.

Welcome to the first Newsletter for 2024! The first week of Term 1 has been very exciting and I hope that all of our new students and staff are now settled. The term will no doubt quickly rush by.

Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday. The symbolism of the ashes is to remind us that we ‘are dust and to dust we shall return’. What therefore are we to do with this message of returning to dust, especially with our students and children. Lent is a time of good intentions, of giving up something as a show of good faith. We challenge ourselves to be the best person we can but tend to trip up at times. Ash Wednesday and Lent are a time to give these challenges to God, to offer ourselves to His love and tenderness. As we move through this season of Lent, we will share with the children this message of unconditional forgiveness.

School Community Council

As parents and carers within the St Joseph's community, you all are members of the new School Community Council. Sent out recently via Compass, was further information regarding the move to this School Community Council model, from the previous School Board and Parents and Friends' (P&F) Association.

I again ask that you take some time to read the shared information and to consider what role you may be able to take as members of the Council. As part of this, there is also the opportunity to put yourself forward for a role on the Executive Council. 

Please consider putting yourself forward for a role on the Council. Nominations (a simple email to me will do) are due Monday 12 February.

The first general School Community Council Meeting is Wednesday 14 February at 7.00pm here at the school.

Parent / Teacher Meet and Greet + Welcome BBQ

We are looking forward to seeing all of the families from the ELC and primary school at our first community event this evening. Please take the time to visit your child/ren’s classroom to meet their teacher and to find out a little about the year ahead.

The welcome BBQ will be available from 6.30pm under the trees. Please ensure your children are with you for the evening to allow everyone to enjoy the gathering.

The school is hosting a ThinkUKnow presentation on Wednesday 28 February at 6.00pm in the Hub.

All parents and carers are encouraged to attend. ThinkUKnow Australia is a cyber safety education program that educates parents, carers and teachers on how people are using technology, the challenges they may face online, and how to help them overcome these in a safe and ethical way.

The cyber safety presentations sensitively cover a range of topics including cyber bullying, online child exploitation including sexting, online privacy, and importantly what to do when something goes wrong.

The presentation will be delivered by a local AFP, law enforcement member and an industry volunteer. The presentation covers issues relating to children and young peoples’ privacy and security online, their relationships with other users and their online reputation. It provides insight into the devices young people are using, as well as the popular websites, apps and social networking sites they’re accessing. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to learn more about young people and the online environment, and how you can help them to be safe and responsible users of technology.

For more information, you can visit the ThinkUKnow website.

School and Family Counsellor – From Anna our School Counsellor

Hi Families, my name is Anna Cater and I am pleased to be returning to St Joseph’s as School Counsellor in 2024.  I am a Social Worker, and have spent the last 14 years working with children and families in Canberra in a variety of different community settings and roles.

In school counselling, I provide short-term client-centred support to children and families, drawing from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Strengths-based, Mindfulness and Trauma-informed approaches, in a developmental context. I provide support for children experiencing things such as anxiety, low mood, difficulties with peer and social relationships, family changes/separation, stress, difficulty with emotional regulation, and grief and loss. I am also a trained facilitator in a range of evidence-based emotion and attachment focused parenting programs, and can provide parent consultations and support.  Where further support is needed beyond the short-term support offered in school counselling, or children/families are experiencing complex challenges, I can support with referrals to appropriate services in the community.

I am at St Joseph’s on Monday and Tuesday each week during the school term, and can be contacted via email - Anna.Cater@mccg.org.au.   If you have any questions or would like further information about school counselling, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me via email, or speak to your child’s classroom teacher for a link to our referral form.     

Swimming Carnival – Years 2 - 6

A reminder that the Swimming Carnival for students in Year 2 – 6 is being held Tuesday 13 February at Dickson Aquatic Centre. The carnival will being around 9.30am and conclude by 2.15pm. All parents and carers are welcome come along and cheer on the competitors. We are also keen to have some volunteers – please see the information that was sent out via Compass earlier in the week. Event nominations close 3pm Today to allow time to organise the carnival. 

ACT School Sport

Is your child interested in trialling for one of the sports in which ACT School Sport enters a team? Parents must register their child to trial in the first instance and monitor the School Sport ACT website for upcoming trials in a variety of sports. Not all of these dates come through school channels so parents are urged to regularly check the website to avoid missing key events.

Have a great end to the week.