Dear Parents and Guardians,

As the busyness of Term 4 can at times tend to consume our thoughts, it is important that we take some quality time to reflect on the year that has been, celebrate achievements and offer gratitude for what we have and for what others have done for us.

St. Joseph’s Parish School celebrated its annual Twilight Swimming Carnival at the Town Pool last Friday 15th November. It was a very fantastic event with a great atmosphere of team spirit.

There are many people to thank for their support to run our six-week swimming program. Thanks to Rob Potter and Goodline for supplying a lifeguard for the swim program and Swimming Carnival. Also, thank you to Embley Contracting for the bus service. Having access to buses this year made our getting to and from the pool such a smooth process. A huge thank you to all the parent volunteers and teachers who have given their time over the last six weeks and at the Carnival. Thanks to the P and F for providing the sausage sizzle. Thanks for Mel Turner’s organisation and hard work over the past months in making the swimming program and the Carnival such a great success. Well done Mel!

With this being the second last newsletter of the year, I will take this opportunity to recognise the wonderful contribution our Year 6 cohort has made to St Joseph’s. I, along with their teachers, have only but admiration of their growth, achievements and positive attitude towards school life. The end of each year brings a sense of excitement in the lead up to Christmas, but it is a time where we have to sadly say goodbye to our Year 6 students.

On behalf of the school community, I wish each and every one of you the very best for your transition into secondary school. I trust you will thoroughly enjoy your remaining school days here at St Joseph’s. Farewell and God bless

Staffing:

As per our last newsletter we are currently advertising for a classroom teacher and APRE.

I am sad to announce that Emma Dixon will no longer be with us in 2020, as she relocates to Tannum Sands with her family at the end of the year. We wish Emma and her family all the best for the future. The Learning Support position will also be advertised this week.

Although we are not yet able to publish a full list of staffing allocation the follow class placements have been finalized:

Prep - Andreika Knight

Year 1 - Kelly Bienvenu

Year 2 - Amanda Rowe

Year 3 - Sammy Briody

Year 4 - Yet to be advised

Year 5 - Stacey Edmonds

Year 6 - Libby Lange

Book Packs for 2020

In 2020 we will be moving from student book lists to a year level book pack system.

All book packs are $120 per student and cover all stationery, textbooks and equipment needed for the school year. Year level book packs can be purchased through flexi schools from Thursday the 5^th December 2019. Books and equipment are then distributed to classes in 2020. If you are wanting to cover your student’s books, then you can organise this with the classroom teacher once school resumes in 2020.

2020 School Fees and Levies

At St Joseph’s we strive to keep fees as low as possible. A Tuition Fee per student is set each year by Catholic Education for all school across the Diocese of Cairns. We receive a country discount as well a discount for multiple children.

School Levies are set and reviewed annually by our school and approved by our Parish Priest. This year we have made a change to our school device program to make sure up to date technology available to all children in our school. Once Father Darius returns from his overseas trip we will send out the updated fees for 2020.

For those in genuine financial difficulty, concessions may be available, including a 70% tuition fee discount (does not apply to levies) for holders of means-tested pension and health care cards. In keeping with Gospel values, no child will be refused a Catholic education due to genuine financial difficulty. New or existing parents who find themselves in this situation and who do not hold a concession card, are encouraged to contact our Finance Officer to arrange an interview with our School Principal. This request will be treated with understanding, sensitivity and confidentiality.

God Bless,

Megan

Advent comes from the Latin word meaning "coming." Jesus is coming, and Advent is intended to be a season of preparation for His arrival. While we typically regard Advent as a joyous season, it is also intended to be a period of preparation, much like Lent. Prayer, penance and fasting are appropriate during this season.

Advent is not as strict as Lent, and there are no rules for fasting, but it is meant to be a period of self-preparation. The purple colour associated with Advent is also the colour of Penance. The faithful should fast during the first two weeks in particular and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

The colour of the Third Sunday of Advent is rose. This colour symbolizes joy and represents the happiness we will experience when Jesus comes again. The Third Sunday is a day of anticipatory celebration. It is formerly called "Gaudete" Sunday; gaudete means "rejoice" in Latin.

Finally, Sundays during Advent, just as during Lent, should not be given to fasting, but instead to celebration because we celebrate the resurrection of Our Lord every Sunday. It is important to remember, however, there are no particular rules for how the laity should observe Advent.

With blessings for a wonderful week ahead,

Amanda                                                        

Congratulations to everyone and thank you again for making the Swim program and the Swimming Carnival a success.