St Joseph’s Primary School - O'Connor
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Boronia Drive
O'Connor ACT 2602
Subscribe: https://www.sjo.act.edu.au/subscribe

Email: office.sjo@cg.catholic.edu.au
Phone: 02 6248 9818
Fax: 02 6247 1792

Week 6 Term 4 2024 Newsletter

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Week 6 Term 4 2024 Newsletter

    Dear parents and carers,

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    Charity is the cement which binds communities to God and persons to one another St Vincent De Paul

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    As we approach the season of Advent, we invite you all to embrace this time of joyful preparation with us. As a community, we have much to be grateful for and celebrating Advent reminds us to reflect, prepare our hearts, and focus on the hope and love that Christmas brings. It is also a time to think of others and share in the spirit of generosity. Last week we launched our annual Christmas appeal in support of St Vincent De Paul. It has been wonderful to see the hamper baskets being filled with all the things that make Christmas special for families and children. These donations and simple acts of generosity are a great way to teach children about the gift of giving.

    At St Joseph’s charity is not just the giving of physical items but also the gift of time which we know is precious to all families. We have many parents and community members who are extremely generous with their time and give back to our community to ensure our children experience many special events and opportunities. We would like to pass on our thanks to the hard-working team of volunteers led by Nichole Hanlon who made our Taco Tuesday special lunch day yesterday the huge success that it was. A lot of time and planning goes into treats such as these and on behalf of our students we give our heartfelt thanks.

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    Community Council AGM

    This evening we have the Community Council Annual General Meeting at 6pm. The AGM will be held in person at school and a link to join online has also been shared via Compass this week. We invite you to come along and hear about the fabulous work of the council as well as share any interest you may have in being part of council activities in 2025.

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    2025 Classes

    In preparation for organising classes for 2025, the Socio-gram was sent home with all students in Foundation to Year 5 earlier in the term – please ensure this has been returned to your child’s teacher. This is always a very carefully considered process that begins with the current teacher and what they know of each student and, first and foremost, their learning. At the same time, all social aspects of friendships and new opportunities are taken into account. On the Socio-gram, we have asked you and your child to consider 3 friends that they would like to be in a class with in 2024. The intention is to ensure that each student is paired with at least one of their friends they nominate.

    ACT Orienteering

    Tomorrow the 21st of November St Joseph's will host Round 2 of the Spring SC-ORE orienteering challenge. Please be aware of increased traffic in the car park before school, and follow the regular safety precautions.

    Happy Families
    Please see linked this weeks Insights article from Happy Families aboutWhy Repeating Yourself Doesn't Work and What To Do Instead.
    There are other great resources available on the Happy Families Website.
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    Beth Hawkes

    Assistant Principal

    beth.hawkes@cg.catholic.edu.au

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    St Vincent Christmas Appeal – Food Hampers

    St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal is the time to share all the wonderful Christmas cheer at St Joseph’s with those who are less fortunate than us. To help those in need we will be participating in the St Vincent de Paul 2024 Christmas Appeal. The Christmas Appeal will be launched on Monday of Week 5 and conclude on Friday 6 December. Each year level has been allocated a food group to donate. Please consider showing your child how we can all bring joy to others this Christmas through donating to others in need.
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    St Vincent Christmas Appeal – Gifts

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    For families wishing to provide a gift for specific families in our area there will be a giving tree in the front office at both the ELC and school. These giving trees will have gift tags with the age and gender of people in the O’Connor and Lyneham area that are in need this Christmas. Families are invited to take a tag from the tree, and tape it to a wrapped gift before placing it under the giving tree. Suggested gifts are included with the gift tags. If purchasing gift cards please give them to the office for safe keeping.

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    Inner North Youth Group Years 3-6

    This Sunday is the last Youth Group for Years 3-6 at Holy Rosary Church in Watson from 6 to 7:30pm. It is going to be Christmas themed, with a little scavenger hunt for a bit of fun. Please read flyer for more details.

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    Christmas Nativity Display: General Public

    Wed 4th (from 1:00pm to 5pm) and Thurs 5th to Sun 8th December (from 10am to 5pm.)

    The Catholic, Anglican and Uniting Churches of Watson / Hackett are hosting an Ecumenical Nativity Festival. The display of some 160 nativity scenes from 45 countries provides a great catalyst for discussions and activities about the true meaning of Christmas. Rosary Parish Hall, Corner of Antill St. & Phillip Ave, Watson.

     

    Dates

    • Advent Week 1 – Hope lead by Foundation on Friday 22nd November
    • Advent Week 2 – Peace lead by Year 5 on Tuesday 26th November
    • Advent Week 3 – Joy lead by Foundation Tuesday 3rd December
    • Thanksgiving/Graduation Mass lead by Year 6 Monday 9th December
    • Leadership Handover lead by Year 5 and 6 Tuesday 10th December
    • Advent Week 4 – Love lead by Year 4 Friday 13th December

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    With the Holy Spirit

    Kirstie Buckley

    Religious Education Coordinator

    kirstie.buckley@cg.catholic.edu.au

    Sustainability in Action

    Another Kitchen Garden Harvest Success

    5 Orange enjoyed another bountiful harvest as they created a ‘garden garlic spread’ on veggie wraps. This term has provided a wealth of lettuces, carrots, radishes, snow peas and broad beans. We are very thankful for the opportunity to garden, harvest, clean, prep, chop, table-set and come together with some fabulous conversation and meal sharing. 

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    School Recycle Center- NOW CLOSED

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    Thank you for your many donations, but we are no longer accepting batteries, lids, toothpaste and writing tools this year. I would like to thank the Jackson Family for resuming our Lids for Kids collection next year! If there are any other parents who would be happy to collect and drop off any of our other collections, please reach out. It is a simple task that helps keep our commitment to sustainability thriving. 

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    “Recycling is not just an obligation, it's an opportunity to make a difference.” - Justin Trudeau

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    Ryan McGee

    Sustainability Coordinator

    ryan.mcgee@cg.catholic.edu.au

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    Dear Parents and Families,

    Borrrowing has finished up for the year. There is still quite a number of books out, so please have a really good look around the house for any library books and return them to the library by the end of this week. 

    Also just to let you know, we've recieved word from Scholastic to say there is a delay in the delivery of this terms Book Club. Hopefully they will arrive shortly and will be sent home with students as soon as possible. 

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    Mrs Mihalopoulos

    Library and Technology Teacher

    elizabeth.mihalopoulos@cg.catholic.edu.au

    Many thanks to our beautiful Defence children for their calm and respectful approach to our Remembrance Day Ceremony on Monday 11th November. We were very proud of all of you.

    Thank you to the parents who were able to join us on the day, those who participated in the ceremony and it was great to have some of you stay for a cup of tea afterwards. In particular a huge thank you to Sophia’s Mum, Tracy Allison who gave a beautiful commemorative address.

    As we now head towards the end of the year our Defence Kids club sessions have involved lots of fun play - magnetic blocks, playdough, drawing and time to draw breath, catchup and enjoying the opportunity to make friends with other children in the club.

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    Resources

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    Save the date! Welcome to 2025
    Saturday 1st February, 3-6pm, RMC Duntroon
    This will be a great opportunity to connect with other Defence families and interact with all the Defence & community organisations in your area. Reserve your free Eventbrite tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/an-adf-families-event-dmfs-community-connection-carnival-tickets-1048349440397
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    Gungahlin Defence Families Play Group
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    ALL defence families with preschool aged children are invited to our End of Year Christmas Party! Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/gdfp-end-of-year-christmas-celebration-tickets1041661737297?fbclid=IwY2xjawGCVgZleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHa1WKiwrZ3MWEMxbLT 4xR5JRrflZQ5WDz0VV-hUvOWUslFzXSuUPVAvx5g_aem_K6mljdVmudEJzUz1iq0c1Q

    Please email gungahlindfp@gmail.com for dietary requirements or if you have any questions.

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    Have a great week!

    Lisa Bauer

    Defence Support Mentor

    lisa.bauer@cg.catholic.edu.au

    Happy birthday to these students who celebrated their birthday this week:

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    Madison A
    Mary C
    Nicholas O-H
    Wilhelmina C
    Aalamdeep S-S
    Levi N
    Ivy E
    Gyal D

    Congratulations to the Week 6 award recipients: 

    Foundation Red

    Ben T

    Tye P

    Foundation White

    Matilda C

    Ethan O

    1 Purple

    Rudy M

    Gyal D

    1 Teal

    Margot S

    Brianna T

    2 Magenta

    Alfred G

    Daniel A

    Parker N

    Lily B

    2 Yellow

    Jordan S

    Finn M

    Xavier P-E

    3 Black

    Filipa F

    Humphrey G

    Lueth M

    3 Navy

    Cooper D

    Manuela S

    Kyan S

    Ethan T

    4 Gold

    Sebastian P

    Tenzin L

    Zara J

    4 Green

    Lyndsae B

    Rishaan M

    Isaac K

    Claire A

    5 Blue

    Harry F

    Evie M

    5 Orange

    Amani N

    Giovanni B-A

    6 Lime

    Luke D

    Maddison

    Mia B

    6 Silver

    Keone S

    Ricky B

    Sustainability 

    Bridie M

    Defence Evelyn H
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