Dear SJMS Community
I can’t believe that we are in the penultimate week of term and that the Easter holidays are upon us. This is the final newsletter for Term 1. I’d like to thank everybody on behalf of the staff team for your support and commitment to our school during this term. It is the people who make up our community - be they student, staff, parent, extended family member, parishioner, board or P&F member, and our shared commitment to each and every child that create this unique and special school.
Last week I had the pleasure of attending a retreat at Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney. Mary MacKillop Place is where Mary lived out her final years from 1884 after much time in South Australia. I joined several other Catholic School Principals and pilgrimaged with three Sisters of St Joseph through ‘The Rocks’, where Mary MacKillop started her work with 27 other Sisters in Sydney from 1879. It was here that Mary’s work diversified from work in education, to work with the homeless, aged and sick women and adolescent girls from the country seeking employment in the city, as well as orphaned and neglected children. The experience highlighted Mary MacKillop’s holiness, deep love, courage when faced with adversity and her willingness to forgive, all emphasising her constant trust in God. Being in Mary MacKillop Place, which is now an oasis amongst numerous surrounding high-rise buildings, enabled me to experience the gravitas of how Mary MacKillop touched so many lives. Her practical, down to earth approach to living the Gospel continues to inspire all who share in the Josephite charism today. Her life continues to be a source of hope in today’s world. If you are ever in North Sydney I encourage you to visit Mary MacKillop place.
Next Sunday, April 14 is Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week. With the commemoration of the Lord's entry into Jerusalem we begin our journey to the cross and resurrection. Each year when we celebrate these mysteries, new aspects of these days impress themselves upon us. At the end of it we celebrate the three most important days in the Church’s year - the Easter Triduum. During those three days - Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Eve - we will not just be remembering the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we will also be sharing in their life-giving power. At every Eucharist we take part in the death and resurrection of Jesus made present in the sacrifice of the Mass. These three days are like an extended Mass, giving us time not just to remember but also to be immersed. We are not called to explain but to adore and be saved. 'Lord by your cross and resurrection you have set us free. You are the saviour of the world.'
In Term Two the children will return to school in their winter uniform. Now is a good time to make sure that everything regarding your child’s uniform is in readiness for the return to school after the holiday. A copy of the St Joseph’s Uniform Policy is available here to assist parents in ensuring that the children are dressed correctly. Families are asked to show their support for the standards set at the school by fully supporting this policy. Should your child tell you that something contrary to the policy is permitted, please check with us! This will avoid ‘incorrect uniform’ notifications being sent home. Please note that Year 7 students are permitted to wear their leadership jumpers at all times, should they so wish. Click here to access the JS Xpress Uniform Shop. The Uniform Shop information is below.
Uniform Shop Assistant | Lilly Del Medico, Sue Taylor
Phone | 0433 618 496
Email | lilly.dm@jssports.com.au
Shop Location & Opening Hours:
JS Xpress - Rostrevor | Shop 5, 272 Montacute Road, Rostrevor, SA 5073
Monday | 8:00am - 12:00pm
Wednesday | 1:00pm - 6:00pm
Thursday | 1:00pm - 6:00pm
Saturday | 9:00am - 12:00pm
Sundays & Public Holidays | Closed
Our newly formed 2019 School Board met recently for its first meeting where we voted in a new Chairperson. Previous Chairperson, Nick Hoskins was farewelled at our AGM earlier this year, after serving 6 years as Chairperson. I would like to congratulate Megan Nehmy on being elected as Chairperson for the School Board. Megan has written a short section in this newsletter to introduce herself.
Please refer to the P&F section of this newsletter for an invitation to attend an information session with Dr Tom Nehmy. This should be an informative evening around the subject of healthy minds and resilience. See more information here.
On Monday morning it was fantastic to see William Street abuzz with many excited students waiting in anticipation for the camp bus to arrive. Last night I visited our Year 4 and 5 students at their camp - they have all had a wonderful time.
God Bless
Brady Stallard