Diocesan Swimming Carnival

Last Friday, 26 February, students travelled to Tamworth to participate in the Diocesan Swimming Carnival. A big thank you to parents and carers for organising travel arrangements. Well done to all the students for their efforts and sportsmanship!

A special mention to Edward Carolan, Nate Dewson, James Gleeson and Jaxon Gray, who are representing the Armidale Diocese at the 2021 NSW CPS Swimming on Monday 22 March at the Sydney Aquatic Centre. Good Luck!

Regards,

Elise Vinson

Sports Coordinator

Project Compassion

The theme for Project Compassion 2021 is “Be More”.

This year, Project Compassion is encouraging everyone during Lent to join millions of Australians who want to end poverty and injustice in our world. Each year Project Compassion brings together thousands of Australians in schools, parishes and the community to stand in solidarity with the world’s most vulnerable communities, help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. This year's theme challenges us to venture into a new experience of compassion and is taken from the invitation of Saint Oscar Romero to “Aspire not to have more, but to be more.” This message invites us to step up and step out for those who do not have the essential resources they need for their survival.

As part of our school contribution to Project Compassion, Junior Joeys will be running a Project Compassion Fundraising Day at school on Monday 29 March. On this day, students will dress up in crazy socks and crazy hair to celebrate our fundraising day. They will also participate in a coin trail to see which Stage can raise the most money for Project Compassion. Kinder will join Stage 3 for this activity.

We will also be holding a Lolly Jar Guessing Competition. Junior Joeys will be selling 'guesses' at 50c per guess at lunchtimes from Monday 8 March until Friday 26 March. The Lolly Jar competition winner will be announced on our Project Compassion Fundraising Day.

Junior Joeys aim to raise $1300 to supply a 5000L water tank to a school in the Solomon Islands.

God Bless,

Karlee Hatton

Religious Education Coordinator

ADPSC Winter Trials

Just a reminder that the ADPSC Winter Trials will be held next Friday 12 March in Inverell.

Please note that consent and payments are due by next Monday 8 March.

For further information, please go to the events section in Compass.

Regards,

Elise Vinson

Sports Coordinator

ADPSC Touch Football Trials

Students who are of a 'proficient' skill level are invited to participate in the ADPSC Touch Football Trials in Tamworth on Friday 26 March.

If students are selected at this level, they will move on to represent the Armidale Diocese at the Polding Trials to be held in Port Macquarie on Friday 28 May.

All students participating in the Winter Trials need to be available for further selection.

Please note that nominations are due by next Friday 12 March, by completing the following form:

2021 ADPSC Touch Football Trials Nomination Form

Regards,

Elise Vinson

Sports Coordinator

Mini Vinnies

As a school, we are very proud to share that we will be having another year of Mini Vinnies.

What is Mini Vinnies?

Mini Vinnies is a group of primary school young people who help those in need within their school and the local community. Mini Vinnies introduces children to social justice issues, to the St Vincent de Paul Society and to living faith through action.

What does a Mini Vinnies group do?

Mini Vinnies is about doing good works in the community, but it is also about young people meeting to talk, sharing ideas and concerns, having fun, and supporting each other. The Vinnies model of ‘See, Think, Do’ is a way we get thinking and talking about our spirituality; by connecting their beliefs and values with service activities and issues in our community, they can help to make our faith real, meaningful and relevant.

The actions of a Mini Vinnies group generally involve three components:

‘Seeing’ means becoming aware of some of the community’s social ills and knowing that, whilst there are many beautiful things in this world, it can always be made a little better by good works. ‘Seeing’ is an opportunity for members of a Mini Vinnies group to be exposed, often for the first time, to some of the world’s troubles.

‘Thinking’ means forming a Mini Vinnies group and through that group participating in spiritual activities, personal development and discussions. ‘Thinking’ is an opportunity for Mini Vinnies members to develop a real understanding of some of the world’s causes, their effects and how they might be alleviated. ‘Thinking’ is an opportunity for Mini Vinnies members to share their thoughts, to engage in thoughtful discussion and to consider and form their relationships with their peers, those in need and Christ.

‘Doing’ means supporting the Society in its good works in Australia and overseas. ‘Doing’ is an opportunity for children to do something about the issues they have seen, thought about, and discussed.

Please note that there will be a Mini Vinnies Mufti Day on Friday 12 March, where the donation is an item of clothing.

Regards,

Mini Vinnies (St Joseph's Primary)

Library Days

The following Library days have been allocated for each class:

Kindergarten	Tuesday
Stage 1	Thursday
Stage 2	Wednesday
Stage 3	Wednesday

If possible, students can bring in a library bag on their set day for safe borrowing and return of books.

St Joseph's Primary School

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Issue 2 · 05 Mar 2021

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