Fundraising

As proposed by our Student Council our fundraising efforts this term will be donated to the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS). In Week 7 our Fishing Shirt Fundraiser raised $188 and in Week 10 our Wear your Jersey Wednesday Fundraiser raised $87. So, in total we have $275 to donate to the RFDS! Thank you to everyone who donated, we appreciate your generosity.

Sacramental Program

Our Sacramental Program runs every two years. This year we have 11 candidates from Year 3 to Year 6 preparing to receive their Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Eucharist (Holy Communion). Lessons and preparation began in Week 7 this term and continue until Week 4 next term. Students meet each Thursday after school to learn about and prepare to receive these Sacraments in August. If your child is baptised Catholic and is currently in Year 1 to Year 4, you may be interested in them receiving these Sacraments in 2027.

Events to reflect on from the end of this term...

Reconciliation Week

In Week 6 we recognised Reconciliation Week. The theme for this year was ‘Bridging Now to Next’ and our students embraced this through completing activities and discussions to understand what this theme meant to them. We also had a Reconciliation Week Colouring in Competition. Congratulations to Hadley and Jayden for their ‘Bridging Now to Next’ winning entries.

National Sorry Day

On Monday the 26^th of May it was National Sorry Day. This annual event in Australia commemorates the Stolen Generations — the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly separated from their families in an attempt to assimilate them into Australian culture. The event remembers this mistreatment of the country's Indigenous peoples as part of an ongoing process of reconciliation between the Indigenous peoples of Australia and the settler population.  As a community we recognise this day of significance and work together for reconciliation. Year 5 shared a Sorry Day prayer and song on assembly to help us better understand the importance of this day.

The Ascension of Jesus

We remembered the Ascension of Jesus on the 29^th of May. This event took place 40 days after the resurrection of Jesus. The ascension literally means that Jesus ascended (was taken up) to Heaven. This is a significant event as it shows that Jesus returned to Heaven after completing his mission on Earth. Christians believe that Jesus is in Heaven with God, until He decides to send Jesus to Earth for the final judgement. In the Bible, the Ascension of Jesus (Luke 24:50-53) says: When he (Jesus) had led them out to Bethany, he lifted his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up (ascended) into heaven. Then they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with immense joy.And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

Mabo Day

Mabo Day was on Tuesday the 3rd of June. It commemorates Mer Island man Eddie Koiki Mabo and his successful efforts to overturn the legal fiction of terra nullius or ‘land belonging to no-one.’ The Mabo decision was named after him as he led the fight to change land laws to recognise Indigenous connection and traditional ownership of land in Australia. Year 6 made some amazing artworks of important milestones in Eddie Mabo’s life and shared with us the work he did to help First Nations people.

 Pentecost Sunday

Sunday, the 8th June was Pentecost. Pentecost is fifty days after Easter Sunday. It marks the coming of the Holy Spirit. Symbols of Pentecost are wind, fire, water, a dove & the colour red. The word Pentecost is Greek, and it means ‘50th day’.

This is the story of Pentecost:

Jesus promised his disciples he would send the Holy Spirit, but he did not tell them when this would be. The Holy Spirit descended on the disciples as they gathered in a room in Jerusalem. The men heard a violent wind, and tongues of fire appeared upon their heads. Each disciple was filled with the Holy Spirit and was then able to speak in different languages. The disciples went out to preach the word of God to people of diverse cultures. They also baptised thousands of people, receiving them into the new, Christian church.

Trinity Sunday

The 15^th of May was Trinity Sunday. This day celebrates the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, the three Persons of God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Trinity, in its great mystery, is the perfect representation of a beloved community. We talk about the idea that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are one, just as much as they are individuals—three-in-one. Trinity Sunday is a solemn celebration of the belief in the revelation of one God, yet three divine persons. Year 4 has been learning about The Trinity in Religion and shared with us different ways to help us understand The Trinity in their assembly prayer.

We love welcoming new additions and celebrating the success of our students. Please let us know of any accomplishments your child or your family have, as we would love to acknowledge these with our St Joey’s Community.

It has been another busy, productive, and fun term. Enjoy your holidays, stay safe and we will see you all back in Term 3!

Mrs  Julie  Dore

Assistant Principal Religious Education (APRE) - Acting