From Mrs Scott's Desk

Dear Parents and Carers,

It’s been another incredible fortnight at St Joseph’s with so much to celebrate. 

This week in particular, we have witnessed our St Joseph’s Family demonstrate outstanding Compassion, Respect and Commitment.

Our very special fundraising day yesterday, Beanie for Brain Cancer and Hannah’s Big Chop - Courage for Cancer highlighted the compassion and commitment we had as a community to contribute to Jason Ferrario’s fundraiser for the Mark Hughes Foundation 150km walk from the Sydney Cricket Ground to McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle. Mr Ferrario is Mrs Huard’s brother and both of them have lost their brother to brain cancer and this fundraiser is close to their heart.

Molly Halliburton (Yr 2), spoke to us all with such amazing courage about her personal journey with Leukaemia, which began when she was 4 years old. We were touched by Molly’s story and her ability to share it with such a large audience of children and adults. Listening to Molly confirmed how far we have come with treating cancer today and why we need to keep contributing to fundraising events. Molly’s message of unconditional love, courage, commitment and positivity was truly inspiring. 

Our very own, Hannah Flagg (Yr 3) courageously had her hair chopped to donate to have a wig made for children who lose their hair due to cancer treatment. She too, had the community raise money that will go toward the Mark Hughes Foundation for further research into brain cancer.

A very special thank you to Mrs Huard for organising the day and to the Flagg and Halliburton families for supporting their children. I’d also like to thank Brad McAlister for his donation of the sausages for our sausage sizzle yesterday. Yesterday Mr Ferrario was close to his target of $25,000 and Hannah is now over her goal of $2,000. What a tremendous achievement!

Molly, Hannah and Jason, we have the upmost respect for you all in your plight to raise money to hopefully find a cure for not only brain cancer but all cancer in the not too distant future. 

Whole School Sacrament of Baptism

To conclude our week, the whole school joined Parker Willis, Arlo, Lucinda and Hamish Halliburton and their families for 9.30am Mass to celebrate these children receiving the Sacrament of Baptism. This was a truly special occasion for all four children and having the whole school to support them and welcome them to the Catholic Church Family will be a cherished memory for the children, their school friends and their families. The whole school celebration of Baptism happens each year at this time in alignment with the K-6 RE curriculum focus of Baptism and it allows families an opportunity to have their child/ren Baptised. 

This celebration of Baptism is very unique to our school and Parish. I would like to thank Mrs Salmon and Fr Paddy for assisting the candidates and their families preparing for the Baptisms. We really appreciated Mr Pratt and the choir for leading us in the singing.

Many blessings to Arlo, Lucinda, Hamish and Parker as they continue their faith journey.

Student Toilet Block Renovation

I would like to thank the Catholic Education Office Diocese of Wagga Wagga for funding the renovation of the toilet block at the bottom of the playground. Most of you would remember, that other than the current Library building, the toilet block was the only other remaining building from the old school building blocks which were demolished. 

The renovations consisted of : The walkway poles and doors/gates to the toilets being  painted, new lighting installed under the walkway, the gutter replaced on the western side of the building, New cubicles fitted and toilets in both the boys and girls toilets; new sensor taps in the existing sinks, new mirrors, sensors put in for the boys urinal and both toilets had the floors and skirts re-tiled. 

Student Semester 1 Reports/Parent Teacher Interviews

You will receive your child’s Semester 1 reports on Thursday 27th June and Parent /Teacher Interviews will be held on Monday 1st July from 12-5pm. Parents and teachers and partners in your child’s learning and this meeting time is an opportunity to celebrate your child’s achievements and to work together to ensure we are supporting the child’s needs moving forward. We encourage parents to raise any concerns they might have at the meeting and we ensure ongoing communication throughout the remainder of the year between home and school.

Thank you to Greg from Junee RSL Sub Branch for donating and presenting a medal and books for our library which focus on Anzac stories. 

A framed medal in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the end of the second World War will be proudly displayed in our library.

God Bless,

Angela Scott