Dear Parents, Carers and the St Joseph’s Community,

This Sunday, we celebrate Pentecost, the time when the disciples are blessed with the Holy Spirit following the death of Jesus at Easter. This is one of the better known passages from the Bible, but one that can be difficult to explore and break open with children. As the disciples are huddled together, afraid about what will come of them now that Jesus is gone, they are empowered by the Holy Spirit to get up and to go out and speak about what He has taught them. The idea of tongues of flame, flickering above the disciples captures the imagination for children and adults alike, but provides an image of faith being flamed into action.

As a faith community, may we continue to experience this fire of faith, and action, to reach out to others in need and to be good people to those around us.

Compass Parent Portal

By now you will have received an email from Compass with your login details for the Compass Parent Portal. The Compass Parent Portal is an online portal that will allow you to interact with your child's school and access up-to-date information.

Once you have logged into the Parent Portal, the functionality to submit Absentee Notes and email your child’s teacher will be active. Click here for instructions on how to do this.

If you did not receive an email from Compass, please email amy.doszpot@cg.catholic.edu.au, to ensure we have your correct email details loaded into the system.

Please note, from Monday 24 May, the student absentee capacity on SZapp will be disabled and all absences will need to be submitted via the Compass Parent Portal.

St Joseph’s Community

In recent weeks it has been wonderful to have our school community come together on a number of occasions. Yesterday, the Cross Country carnival was a great event as the sun came out just at the right time so that the parents and grandparents could watch as the students ran their races. On Sunday, even with pretty tough conditions, there was a great turn out for the P&F Community BBQ. Thank you to the P&F and all those who came along, for making it a fun afternoon. I hope that by now, all in our community who may have been away from the school for some time, have now been able to return to our wonderful school for one of the many events this year.

Lost Property

It is very timely to remind all parents – yes, this is you – to please check all articles of clothing that come to school have a name written on them. Hats included. We are fortunate to have a great second hand clothing system, but it is incredibly important to ensure your child’s name is written on the tag – clearly. Names also need to be on lunchboxes and drink bottles. I urge all parents to also make their children responsible for looking after their belongings. About 20 jumpers were returned to students yesterday! It is ok for you to put in place a consequence if they lose their things.

Car Park

I am concerned about some very unsafe practices that have been evident in our car park recently.

• Do not park in the spaces either side of the pedestrian crossing – it is blocking the view of cars and walkers.
• Do not park in the disabled spaces – we have members of our community that require these spaces.
• If you are getting out of your car to collect your child in the afternoon, do not stand in the car park and call your child over to you – please come and wait near the ELC. Then you can walk back to your car via the pedestrian crossing.
• Parking on Boronia St is not permitted – on the road or the nature strip. It reduces visibility and impacts traffic movement. Police will book you if they are in attendance.

These are all reasonable requests to ensure that all our community are safe as they use the car park.

Nachos Day – Tuesday 25 May

Have you ordered your nachos for next Tuesday! Please see the P&F section of the newsletter for more information.

Have a great end to the week.

Yours in Christ,

Cameron Tarrant

Principal