Dear SJMS Community
Today 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 are 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, we have to begin where we actually are, the here and now.
Ash Wednesday is about reflecting on our undoings 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.
St Joseph’s Feast Day
On Tuesday 19 March we celebrate the feast day of our patron, St Joseph, who is dear to our community. To mark this occasion we will be participating in various activities. On the day we will celebrate the life of St Joseph with a whole school Mass at 9:15am followed by a day at the Norwood Pool.
St Joseph was often portrayed as a simple carpenter within the Scriptures. However, our students could tell us through their learning, he was anything but this. The little we know about Joseph from the Scriptures shows us a man of faith, honour and courage. He believed Mary even when he might have chosen to reject her story about the angel. He stood by her. Joseph was a man of integrity and truth. We live in a society obsessed with rights and a world that seems to reward the brash, pushy, and selfish. Joseph stands in stark contrast. He was a man characterised by strength, self-sacrifice and courage.
NAPLAN (National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy)
This week I have begun receiving details for this year's NAPLAN. The National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) for Years 3, 5 and 7 students at St Joseph’s Memorial will take place from May 14 to May 16 which is Week 3 of next term, as this year there is a window from May 14 to May 24 to complete the tests. This year for the first time our students will be participating in the online version of the test, with the exception of Year 3 student’s handwriting the Writing component of NAPLAN tests. There are four components: Language Conventions, Writing, Reading and Numeracy. All students in Years 3, 5 and 7 will participate in the assessment program. If your child is absent during this period, there is the possibility of completing the assessments upon their return to school until Friday May 24. If there are parents who have questions regarding their child sitting the test, please contact me by March 15 to discuss this. This includes parents wishing to withdraw their child from the test. If you would like more information please visit the NAPLAN website at www.nap.edu.au/naplan/parent-carer-support
Leadership Speeches
Yesterday I had the pleasure of observing 19 of our Year 6 and 7 leaders present to William Street students the reasons why they should be considered for the four School Leader positions. This week, further Year 6 and 7 students will be presenting speeches as a way of applying for the various other leadership positions.
Yesterday I was very impressed with how our students saw leadership and spoke confidently about themselves as potential leaders. It was wonderful to observe how each saw leadership as a privilege, not focusing on what they would do, rather focussing on the leadership traits that are valued in the Josephite charism and skills that will underpin this important role in 2019.
We wish all those applying for positions this week all the best.
School Gate
For those travelling past Bridge Street this week, you may have driven past, not realising the new facade created by our new fence, which was installed on Friday to replace the old picket fence.
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. 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 the online iParent portal (existing parents) or emailing the service.
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.
God Bless
Brady Stallard