News & Events

Dear SJMS Community

Last Wednesday we had our Ash Wednesday Mass (William St) and Liturgy (Bridge St). Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. We know that Lent is a very special time of the year where we as Christians prepare for Easter by reflecting on our lives. It is a time where we focus more fully on making good and better choices. On Wednesday our foreheads were marked with ashes to humble our hearts and remind us that life passes away on Earth. Ashes are a symbol of penance made sacramental by the blessing of the Church, and they help us develop a spirit of humility and sacrifice. The ashes are made from the blessed palms used in the Palm Sunday celebration of the previous year. The ashes are then christened with Holy Water. 

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning in many respects; we begin our journeys to become more like Jesus.  Wherever we are going on any journey or issue, we have to begin where we actually are, the here and now. This is our starting point, our square one. ‘Square One’ means the place where you are true to your real self and understanding how you really feel in the different circumstances you may find yourself. It does not mean where we wish we were, or where we think we ought to be, or where other people want us to be or where we have been, but who you are right here, right now.

Ash Wednesday is about being in ‘Square One’, reflecting on our undoing’s and seeking forgiveness. It is also the commencement of a period where we strive to make good choices and be the best we can be; and what better a person to be like than Jesus.

This reflection is often a good reflection to apply to any situation where you find yourself at ‘Square One’. The whole of Lent is a time when we prepare to celebrate the great Easter mystery of Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection. We are called not just to remember those events but to experience them for ourselves. Prayer, fasting and alms giving are three simple ways to observe lent. I also view them as key preparations;

Prayer; being mindful of what we say.

Fasting; being mindful of how we live.

Alms giving; being mindful of what we do.

These aren’t reminders just for this liturgical season but worthwhile considerations in our day to day lives at work, rest and play.

Father Stan Lim Welcome

At the beginning of January this year, Fr Joe Dooley transferred to Sydney and we are blessed to have Father Stan Lim in our Parish to support the work of Father Paul Mullins.  On Sunday there was a Mass and morning tea to welcome Fr Stan to our community.

On Sunday Fr Stan spoke in his homily about our idols, our preoccupations, our crutches, anything that we have become accustomed to using as props/supports and the need to turn back to God. He asked us to practice acts of charity on our self this lent, reign in the excesses you allow yourself, and begin to take account of our spiritual life as it is us who is continually changing, not Jesus.

On behalf of our community we welcome and look forward to having Fr Stan in our community over the coming years.

Learning Conversations

I trust that you have all made the effort to meet with your child’s teacher, your support and contribution is highly valued. The genuine conversations about your children that I have been privy to are a testament to the authentic partnership that exists within, across and through our community. At this point in our new partnerships we identify your child’s ‘Square One’.  We’re not simply going through the motions of the daily routines, but are individually working together to create the conditions for your child to have a successful year in all aspects of their schooling. I thank all of you for your ongoing support and commitment.

School Gate

I remind parents and caregivers that the school gates open and active supervision in the school yard is provided from 8:20am (William St) 8:30am (Bridge St) each morning and until 3:30pm each afternoon. 

I am always conscious of the various pressures on families in the morning, however I cannot ignore the amount of students who have commenced congregating with the OSHC students from as early as 8am.  For families who are placed in such positions from time to time, please be reminded that the Out of School Hours Care opens from 7am and students can be booked in on a casual basis from this time onwards through contacting Jess Nelson. 

St Joseph’s Memorial School values the relationships between all members of the school community. As well as the educational, spiritual and social aspects of these relationships, the school is also aware of its legal and ethical responsibilities in regard to the children in its care. I am seeking your renewed support in this purely in the interests of keeping our children safe and accounted for in the community.

Dashboard Signs

‘Dashboard Signs’ which have a family surname on them were issued to each family at William St to enable the ‘Teacher on Duty’ to easily identify the collecting car and locate the student being collected. Can I ask that, if you have lost this or require more than one sign (for your second car or relatives) that you email: jess@sjms.catholic.edu.au to arrange this. Displaying dashboard signs enables the teacher on duty to organise students more quickly which eases the congestion at pick up times. To ensure the success of both ‘Kiss and Drop’ locations can I ask for your continued courtesy when driving around the school. Please continue to move forward to the next available parking bay while waiting for your children, and remain in your car while using the ‘Kiss and Drop’.

Daily Routines

We are aware that arrangements for collection of children can

 change during the day. School Office staff are happy to pass on these messages. I would ask that you contact the school by telephone to speak directly with a staff member to make these arrangements. Personal contact with the School Office is encouraged to ensure a prompt response to any enquiries.

Parents and Friends Committee

At the AGM last Wednesday it was announced that in 2017, through the generosity of our parent community, we were able to raise $25,452!

This will enable us to purchase iPad Minis and covers for the Bridge St classrooms, netting for the handball courts at Bridge St, Basketball pads for the William St courts, 2 SmartBoards/TVs for William St as well as audio equipment for use at both campuses.