Dear Parents and Caregivers
Child Protection Week
Last week was National Child Protection Week, concluding last Sunday, 11 September with Safeguarding Sunday. Prevention of abuse of children is a commitment and priority in our Church and school community.
The Catholic Church in Australia marks Safeguarding Sunday (formerly Child Protection Sunday) on the second Sunday of September - at the conclusion of National Child Protection Week. Safeguarding Sunday seeks to acknowledge the immense damage caused by the sexual abuse of children and adults at risk, including by priests, religious and lay people within Catholic contexts. It makes a commitment to practices and protocols that create and maintain safe environments for all people. It invites people to pray for those harmed by abuse directly and indirectly.
Andrea Musulin, the Perth Archdiocesan Safeguarding Office Director said that while there are still challenges faced in this area, “we have to empower children to talk about abuse when it happens and for the wider society to embrace the voice of the child and to value children.”
Parishes across Australia were also being encouraged to celebrate Safeguarding Sunday on 11 September, focussed on the theme – ‘Every Child in Every Community Needs a Fair Go’. An important aspect of empowering and protecting our children is to support them in identifying five people they trust: a trusted network. In schools, this is a non-negotiable aspect of the Child Protection curriculum for each Year level and is reviewed frequently throughout the year. Networks should include people that the child feels they can trust as well as age appropriate outside agencies like Kids Helpline or Headspace. Parents and teachers should check in regularly with children to discuss their trusted network of people and encourage children to keep this list in a handy place for easy access if or when it may be required.
In the New Testament, Jesus often preached about HEALING. Not only the physical but also of the spiritual self. Healing of the deaf and mute man, the healing of the woman at the well, the healing of Zacchaeus the tax collector, the healing of the blind man, and I could go on with many other examples in scripture. This is the place where the Church is at the moment with all that is happening. At this time, we pray for the healing power of the Spirit of God and for the victims that have been affected.
The more we can do to listen and empower children and the vulnerable in our communities the more we create a world of love and caring, and the best way to prevent abuse of any kind is to turn ourselves into a strong society in which social justice, love and compassion are prevalent where violence becomes a distant memory. The God we see imaged by Jesus; the Good Shepherd, wants to embrace all. May we realise this is our call to be interconnected and to share compassion and peace.
A Prayer For Children
Loving God, we thank you for the care and affection of Jesus, who placed children in the very centre of his community. We pray for children, created in your own image and likeness, dwelling places of your Spirit, each one called to experience the freedom of your daughters and sons. We pray for all children – those in our family homes, those in our community of faith, those in the wider community, those in our global village, those with plenty and those who struggle to survive. We yearn for the day when all children may know safety and freedom and protection from violence and abuse, when they may bask in constant love, safe from any harm, where they may flourish and be all they can be. God of all goodness, we hope in you. Inspire us to surround others with gentleness and love and empower us to build a world that no longer knows abuse and violence. Grant us courage to speak out and act when children need protection, care and shelter. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
How Well Do We Know Our school?
Another beautiful area of our school.
Have you seen it before?
Do you know where it is?
Sacramental Program 2022
The Sacramental Program has concluded for this year with the Sacrament of Reconciliation being celebrated on Thursday 8/09/2022 in the Church. Congratulations to all the candidates.
If you have any questions about the program for next year or; if you are considering starting your children’s Religious Journey with the Sacrament of Baptism, please contact Franco Canil at the School Office or email fcanil@sjms.catholic.edu.au
This Week’s Sunday Readings are:
First Reading: Amos 8:4-7
Second Reading: 1 Timothy 2:1-8
Gospel Reading: Luke 16:10-13
Also, as a quick reminder that Mass times at St Ignatius Church, Norwood are:
Saturday: (Vigil) 6:00pm
Sunday: 8:30am, 10:00am, 5:00pm
“We are all a reflection of God’s love”
Franco Canil
Acting APRIM
Dear Parents and Caregivers
It is difficult to believe that as I write this, we are quickly approaching the end of the term. As you would be aware, the Prime Minister has announced that a National Day of Mourning will be observed for the passing of Her Majesty, The Queen, and that a National public holiday will be recognised on Thursday 22 September 2022. Please note that SJMS school and OSHC services will be closed on this day.
As well, I would like to remind you that there are 2 Pupil Free Days on:
Please note that OSHC Pupil Free Day bookings will be available on these days.
Child Protection Week
Last week was Child Protection Week. This campaign focuses on engaging and educating all Australians to understand the have a part to play in keeping children and young people safe.
The core message for the week was, “protecting children is everyone’s business”.
On Monday evening the school hosted a ThinkUKnow session for parents and caregivers with a focus on keeping children safe whilst online. As parents and caregivers we have an important role in helping to care for our children when using devices in the home.
Three strategies that support children to be safe are:
I urge all parents and caregivers to take the time to visit the eSafety Commissioners website and read some of the helpful information they have to help keep children safe. Just click on the link below:
https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/skills-advice/online-safety-basics
Class Groupings 2023
Early next term, the class placement process for 2023 will commence. This is a complex jig-saw as we work to develop the right mix of students and the best possible fit in terms of both class size and class structure.
Our teachers aim to keep abreast of the needs of every child through the course of the year and in their discussions with parents. Please understand that we take into consideration a range of factors including learning styles, academic achievement, gender, previous class history, friendship groups, social and emotional issues, siblings/relatives and so on. However, there is no doubt that some families will feel the need to write to me regarding placement.
If you feel you must write, please base your request on educational issues that you feel we do not currently hold and that is crucial to a successful placement occurring. This is not about ‘selecting a teacher’, but is an opportunity for you to provide information that will help us with the process. I must stress that letters of requests for certain teachers will not be considered. Please ensure all requests are forwarded to me no later than Friday 30 September.
Yours sincerely
Grace Vassallo-Wakefield
Photo: Progress on the William St Nature Playground
Dear Parents and Caregivers
It is hard to believe that it is almost 2 weeks since celebrating St Mary MacKillop’s Feast Day and the Sesquicentenary of our Bridge Street campus. It was wonderful to see so many Parents, Caregivers and Friends come along and help us enjoy the day. As well, we were blessed to have some of the Sisters of St Joseph join us and help us celebrate such a significant event. They particularly enjoyed the historical presentation by the students of life and learning in our school across the decades and visiting the classes at Bridge Street.
I would like to thank the staff in their support for the preparation of the day and Mr Franco Canil and Mrs Megan Pollard in their role putting together the Liturgy and performance. As well, I would like to thank the wonderful parent volunteers from our P&F who helped to coordinate the Morning Tea for our guests, parents, and staff at Bridge Street.
P&F fundraising
Our small and dedicated P&F Committee have worked hard to raise money to support out school. I would like to thank them for their efforts in helping to raise so far this year $5529.81. If anyone would like to join this small band of parents in the work they do, please email me and I will forward on your details.
Book Week
Next week many schools across Australia will celebrate Book Week. I know that many of our students are eagerly putting together their Book Week costumes for our parade this Monday at 11am. Our Student Leaders have also helped prepare the students this week by spending some time reading the Short-Listed Books to the Students from Preschool to Year 3. This has been a wonderful way of sharing the love of reading across the school.
Screen Time Dilemma
I came across a great Facebook post by Mark LeMessurier, an Adelaide based teacher, counsellor, author and public speaker and South Australian Senior of the Year. He works in private practice as a mentor to children and adolescents, and as a coach to parents. His post refers to screen time and the impact it is having on families which is a global issue for many families. I encourage you to click on the link and have a read of what he has to share.
Enrolments, 2023
Next week you will receive a letter asking you to fill in details about the 2023 school year. Such information is very helpful for future planning. We kindly ask for the respective details to be returned by Friday 9 September 2022.
COVID-19 update
As per SA Health guidelines, a reminder that close contacts (those who have someone in their household who is COVID-19 positive) and who are over 12 years of age (and who do not have a mask exemption), should be wearing face masks. Also, please ensure that you keep your child home if they are not feeling well, and to get tested for COVID-19 if they are experiencing any symptoms.
Yours sincerely
Grace Vassallo-Wakefield
On Monday 8 August 2022 we gathered as a whole school to celebrate two important events, the sesquicentenary of our school and Mary MacKillop Feast Day.
We welcomed family, friends and special guests to our William St campus for a liturgy and whole school performance.
We then walked the path Mary MacKillop herself walked as we journeyed to our Bridge St campus, displaying student artwork on banners representing this special day.
At Bridge St we gathered for morning tea and speeches, after which everyone enjoyed buddy activities and a sausage sizzle lunch.
Thank you to everyone who helped today!
Thank you to those who joined us to celebrate, volunteered to help us walk, and/or helped with morning tea.
Thank you to Otto for cooking the BBQ lunch.
Thank you to Foodland Norwood for supporting our event and donating to our celebration.
What a wonderful celebration, honouring 150 years of St Joseph’s Memorial School!
![SJMS -1[1].jpg](/files/21398/SJMS_-11.jpg "SJMS -1[1].jpg")
Dear Parents and Caregivers
Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Saint for all Australians
August 8th
More than one hundred and fifty years ago in Penola, March 1866 St Mary of the Cross MacKillop and Fr Julian Woods began the order of the Sisters of St Joseph. Mary was the first Sister and there was one school. By June 1867, both Julian and Mary had moved to Adelaide. At this time three more women became Sisters of St Joseph and four years later, there were 127 Sisters teaching in 43 St Joseph’s schools and managing four charitable institutions.
As their numbers increased, Sisters of St Joseph made foundations in Queensland, New South Wales, New Zealand, Tasmania, Western Australia and Victoria. At Mary’s passing in 1909 there were more than 600 Josephite Sisters, with teaching their main work. From the time of their foundation, the Sisters reached out to children without access to education especially those on the fringes of society: the poor, the alienated and those in remote areas especially those in Aboriginal communities.
From very small beginnings but large dreams Mary and Julian’s wonderful legacy continues today with Josephite schools all around Australia and New Zealand. St Joseph’s Memorial School at Bridge St, Kensington being one of them having been established 150 years ago. This coming Monday on her feast day – 8th August – we as a school and community celebrate 150 years of this positive influence that Mary has entrusted us to continue with a Liturgy and a Performance in the Performing Arts Studio at William St. We will then process to Bridge St for the 150th formalities and a special treat for recess and lunch. We extend an invitation to all our community to attend these celebrations.
In reflecting on the life of Saint Mary MacKillop to write my Newsletter article I started to think about how Mary MacKillop would have responded to the plight of refugees in our country and the world today. I feel sure she would have prayed and then acted, becoming one of their strongest advocates. She would have visited them in the detention centres, set up places for them to live in, made sure they were looked after in the community and probably would have met or written to the politicians who make the decisions about how Australia responds to refugees. She would have given the same energy and determination that she gave to the poor over a hundred years ago.
Sirap Publications put out an Educator’s Journal for teacher’s to use each year. Included in the Journal are notes and ideas for teachers to use in their classrooms around particular topics. I would like to share with you some of the insights they have included about Mary MacKillop from those who knew her.
One of Mary’s siblings: “Mary, you were always our ‘big’ sister; the one we looked up to for guidance and reassurance, especially when our parents were unable to provide a home in which we felt safe and secure. Thank you for sacrificing your youth in order to provide for us.”
Fr Julian Tenison Woods: “Mary, you were a true gift from God for me. Your vision to serve God through serving the poor and forgotten ones, and bring Catholic Education to rural Australia, matched my own dream. We made a great team!”
Student at Mary’s first school in Penola: “Mary, I loved coming to your school in that old stable in Penola. You gave all of us there the opportunity to learn so much. Without you, we would never have had that experience. What sticks in my mind, though, is what you taught us about God’s love for us, and about His Son, our friend and brother, Jesus. Thank you Mary.”
An ‘Aussie battler’: “Mary, you always had a special place in your heart for those ‘doing it tough and living rough’. You could see past our grubbiness, despondency and despair, always offering your hand to help us repair our lives. God’s love shone through you to us.”
An indigenous brother/sister: “Mary, you had a special love for our people. In your many travels through the heat and dust, you connected with our spirituality – the spirit of this great land we share. There were no boundaries between us. You became a special, Wise Woman to us, and our sister.”
Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop’s motto through life is one that we all could try to live by:
“Never see a need without trying to do something about it.”
How Well Do We Know Our school?
Another beautiful area of our school. Have you seen it before, do you know where it is?
Sacramental Program 2022
The Sacrament of Reconciliation program has commenced with a very good number of children, and their families, turning up last Tuesday night for the first Meeting. The second meeting will be on Tuesday 6th September, Week 7 in the Parish Hall at 7pm. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be held on 8th September in the Church.
If you have any questions about the program or eligibility or; if you are considering starting your children’s Religious Journey with the Sacrament of Baptism, please contact Franco Canil at the School Office or email fcanil@sjms.catholic.edu.au.
This Week’s Sunday Readings are:
First Reading: Wisdom 18:6-9
Second Reading: Hebrews 11:1-2,8-19
Gospel Reading: Luke 12:35-40
Also, as a quick reminder that Mass times at St Ignatius Church, Norwood are:
Saturday: (Vigil) 6:00pm
Sunday: 8:30am, 10:00am, 5:00pm
“We are all a reflection of God’s love”
Franco Canil
Acting APRIM
Dear Parents and Caregivers
As we come to the end of the first two weeks of Term 3, I cannot believe how quickly we have come to this point. There is no easing into a term, we just take off at full speed! Thank you to all the parents and caregivers who have come in for Learning Conversations this week. If you did not book in and would like to still meet with your child’s class teacher, please email them to coordinate a time that suits you both. These conversations are vital in the home / school partnership we have.
St Mary MacKillop Feast Day / Sesquicentenary of Bridge Street
Last week you would have received an invitation to our celebration which will be held this Monday in our Performing Arts Studio. We look forward to seeing many of you at this celebration. St Mary MacKillop was an inspirational woman whose vision for all children to access a Catholic Education resulted in the start of many schools across Australia including our school on Bridge Street. More significant for our community was that St Mary MacKillop in the time she lived in Norwood and Kensington visited the students at this site so our connection to her is almost palpable.
Book Week 2022
In Week 5 we celebrate Book Week. The theme for this year is ‘Dreaming with Eyes Open.’ As in previous years there will be a Book Week parade which will be held on Monday 22 August. In preparation for this event, some of our Year 6 Leaders will be reading the shortlisted stories to our Preschool – Year 3 classes in the week leading up to Book Week. Further information related to this event will be sent out in the coming week.
Live, Lead, Learn Parent Surveys
Next week, parents will receive information to participate in the Live, Lead, Learn surveys. We encourage all parents to participate in the survey as this information will help us:
The survey will be open for parent input until Friday 26 August.
Nature Play / Grounds – William Street
Many of you may have noticed that shortly we will be commencing works at our William Street site for both the Nature Playground and the re-orientation of our Basketball / Netball courts. This work should be complete by mid-term 4. I would like to thank the staff, students, and parents for their patience over the past year with all the building works and interruptions to the play space. I know that we will soon be rewarded with wonderful grounds and play spaces for our community.
Yours sincerely
Grace Vassallo-Wakefield
Dear Parents and Caregivers
It is hard to believe that we have come to the end of Term 2. I cannot remember a time in my teaching career when Term 2 has been as cold or as wet as what this term has been!
Because of COVID restrictions earlier in the year, it was this term that parents were allowed back on school sites for the first time since last year to attend Liturgies and Assemblies. For some of our parents and caregivers, this would have been the first time allowed on our sites. We hope that parents and caregivers continue to join us at these events as they happen throughout the year.
Community Events
In the final fortnight of the term, we were fortunate to be able to come together as a community on 2 occasions. The first was our Quiz Night. A special thanks to Charlotte Hutchesson for coordinating the event and to the small band of volunteers who supported Charlotte and the P&F Committee on the night. There was lots of fun and laughter that night and I think everyone had a great time.
Sports Day was the second event which brought the community together. This year, we were fortunate to have St Ignatius Oval available for us and even though it was the middle of winter, we were blessed with a perfect day. I would like to thank St Ignatius Junior School for allowing us to use this facility. As well, I would also like to thank Mrs Didyk for coordinating a successful day as well as all the staff, students and volunteers for their support. To all the parents and caregivers on the day, thank you for joining us. It was a great end to a very long term.
A final reminder of results for the day:
John Partington Memorial Shield – Tappeiner
Spirit Cup – Joseph
Parent and Teacher Learning Conversations: Term 3, Week 2
Parent and Teacher Learning Conversations will be occurring face-to-face, in your child’s classroom next term from Tuesday 2 August until Thursday 4 August. Book your child's Learning Conversation by clicking on the link below and selecting your child's class.
https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code/4a9nz
If you would prefer to have a phone conversation instead, please advise your child’s class teacher, so that a suitable time can be arranged.
I would like to extend to all families my wishes for a safe and happy 2-week break. I look forward to seeing you all on your return on Monday 25 July.
Yours sincerely
Grace Vassallo-Wakefield
Dear Parents and Caregivers
St Joseph's Memorial School, Bridge Street site - 150 Year Celebration
Next term, we will celebrate 150 Year Anniversary of our Bridge Street site. On the Feast of Mary MacKillop, we will celebrate with a Liturgy and short performance by students in our Performing Arts Studio. Details around this day will follow.
Sports Day
This year, in Week 10, we will hold our Sports Day on St Ignatius Junior School oval. We hope that this will be a great venue and the children will be able to highlight the skills they have learnt throughout the term. A program of events has been sent out to families with the structure of the day so that you are aware of the activities planned. We look forward to seeing many parents and grandparents come along on the day.
Semester 1 Reports
This Friday, the Semester 1 Reports will be available for all parents and caregivers. Reports will be given to the students at the end of the day to deliver to parents. The learning that is assessed in the reports will reflect the learning during Terms 1 and 2.
Next term, in Week 2 Parent and Teacher conversations will be held. This is another opportunity for parents and teachers to follow up on learning or have a further discussion regarding Semester 2. Information re: Parent and Teacher conversations will be sent out before the end of the term via Skoolbag.
Gratitude
A few weeks ago, I read an interesting article on Gratitude. Sometimes in the busyness of our daily lives, we forget to stop and practice gratitude to focus on the positive things in our lives. Like any skill, gratitude can be learned and strengthened. Here are some tips on how to practice gratitude:
Each day, think of three things you are thankful for. Make it a daily habit to visualize what is good in your life. This can directly impact your mood throughout the day, as well as your sleep quality. Writing down these three things is a great way to complete this exercise, and it is useful to come back and read them at the end of the week.
Start a gratitude journal. When you write, you use different parts of your brain and access memories and emotions from a new perspective. People who could find purpose and feel grateful for the good things to come out of a challenging situation show higher resilience, forgiveness, and detachment.
Thank someone new every week. There are many people around us, and we are all connected somehow. How often do we take the time to express gratitude more consciously or thoughtfully? Give yourself the purpose of choosing someone new each week and learn how to express gratitude differently. This could mean adopting a more conscious non-verbal communication (like eye contact and a smile), writing a thoughtful message acknowledging others’ behaviour and its positive effects on you, or saying thank you with a nice gift or gesture.
Meditate. Meditation can promote acceptance, detachment, forgiveness, and thus, gratitude. We can also take this moment to imagine a specific situation we are grateful for and let the feeling grow and become stronger.
Focus more on others' intentions. When you receive a gift or a nice gesture from someone, consider how they intended to bring good into your life. Take a moment to visualise their willingness to help you, make you feel happy, or be there for you during a challenging time.
Yours sincerely
Grace Vassallo-Wakefield
Photo: R/1 classes practising the Health Hustle ready for Sports Day.
Dear Parents and Caregivers
The cold weather and flu season are well upon us. In the interest of everyone’s health, I ask that you consider having the flu vaccination to protect your family. Although COVID is still an issue, Influenza A poses a risk to everyone’s health. A reminder that if your child is unwell with cough / cold symptoms or fever that you keep them home until they are better. I thank you in advance for your support.
Holy Trinity
On Sunday we celebrated the Feast of the Holy Trinity. On this feast day, we celebrate the God who is Three-in-One; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. But, this is a very simplistic way of explaining God.
The readings for the Holy Trinity can best be explained through Jesus’ teaching at the time with the disciples. Jesus doesn’t ask his disciples to debate this with others, or to judge those who struggle with doubt. The important thing is their response to what they are called to do: Jesus sends his disciples into the world to witness by their lives to the reality of this Three-in-One God. It is the same invitation, which is offered to us today. Living our faith isn’t easy and the experiences of anxiety, doubt, frustration or discouragement can be challenging. Instead, what we can do is draw strength from the words of Jesus: “I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
SJMS Debating 2022
We live in a world where we communicate with others all the time. Debating is a more formal way of communicating. It builds confidence, self-esteem, and develops critical thinking and reasoning skills.
If we can speak publicly and convey our ideas and thoughts coherently, we have a valuable tool that can aid us in our public, private and future lives.
Debating is different to public speaking because it includes rebuttal; proving that the opposition has arguments that are wrong.
This year we have entered two Year 5 Teams into the Debating SA competition. Last week, both our teams debated for the first time. I would like to congratulate the teams in working together and build strong arguments for their debates.
NCCD – Nationally Consistent Collection of Data
It is a government requirement for all schools to participate annually in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD).
The NCCD collects data about school students with disability who are receiving adjustments across Australia in a consistent, reliable and systematic way. It enables schools, education authorities and governments to better understand the needs of students with disability and how they can be best supported at school (www.nccd.edu.au).
Information gathered is used:
Information provided about students to the Australian Government for the NCCD includes:
Students’ personal details are de-identified as a part of the data collection. Please contact Inclusive Education Coordinator, Toni Benci if you have any questions about the NCCD.
More information is available on the following website: https://www.nccd.edu.au/ and a fact sheet is available here.
Yours sincerely
Grace Vassallo-Wakefield
Dear Parents and Caregivers
Today at Mass, we celebrated the Feast of the Ascension of Jesus. This day, marks 40 days after Easter. What is the significance of this day?
We hear in the Gospel: “Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”
This message is not just for his disciples, but for us as well. As Christians, we are missioned to be both proclaimers and evangelisers. Jesus tells us that as baptised Christians; we are commissioned to proclaim the Gospel by being witnesses of life and love, hope and peace.
Lord Jesus, we rejoice today in your ascension to the Father’s right hand.
Thank you, Lord, for offering us a share in your heavenly life.
By your Spirit, help us to lay hold of our inheritance in you -
the hope, the glory, and the power that are the right of every child of God.
COVID update
This week in schools, mask wearing for staff and parents is no longer mandatory unless social distancing is unavoidable or there are a certain number of students in a particular year level cohort that test positive for COVID. We continue to ask parents to keep their child / children at home if they are unwell, especially if presenting with cold and flu symptoms.
Volunteer Update
A reminder that to volunteer at SJMS you must:
Under the Catholic Education SA COVID-19 Vaccination Policy Outcome, Workers, including staff, volunteers and contractors need to be COVID vaccinated i.e., have completed a course (being 1 dose of a single-dose vaccine, or 2 doses of a double-dose vaccine, in accordance with the schedule recommended by ATAGI) of a TGA-approved or recognised COVID-19 vaccine; or be considered medically exempt with a Medical Contraindication to Vaccination, which means one of the contraindications outlined in formal clinical advice from the Australian Department of Health to vaccine providers based on advice from the TGA and ATAGI. Vaccination certificates must be cited by either Mary Fantasia at William Street or Jess Nelson at Bridge Street.
Save the Date
Over the past week you would have received information regarding:
I look forward to seeing you at both these community events.
Yours sincerely
Grace Vassallo-Wakefield
Photo: Children making a city in Preschool after reading the book "Whatcha Building" by Andrew Daddo and Stephen Michael King.
