Dear SJMS Community
Every year on the first Sunday of September we celebrate Father’s Day. It is a day when we spoil and spend time with dad or a significant person, as a way of saying “thank you for all of the things you do for me”.
St Joseph is the patron saint for fathers around the world. Father’s Day is a good time to pause to appreciate a unique person that God has put into our lives – our ‘father’. It is easy to take fathers for granted.
I wish all fathers and special persons involved in the formation of our wonderful students at St Joseph’s Memorial a wonderful day on Sunday!
Confirmation
Last Thursday saw 12 of our students celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation. It was a unique celebration where, in these COVID-19 times, Fr Paul Mullins administered the laying of hands and anointing of chrism and was supported by Fr Stan Lim and Fr Alan Wong, as normally the Archbishop would administer the sacrament. Can I thank Fr Paul, Fr Stan and Fr Alan for their efforts in allowing the students to celebrate their sacraments in the circumstances that this year has presented.
Congratulations:
Andy, Cormac, Da-Yun, Eloise, Emily, Gabrielle, Grace, Gu, Harry B, Harry H, Lucy and Orla
In October the students will celebrate the Sacrament of First Holy Communion in which the community wishes them all the best.
May each of you have the strength to follow Jesus and become involved in the mission which Jesus left to our Church.
Child Protection Week
The second week of September is Child Protection Week (6/9 - 12/9). The theme for the 2020 National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) Child Protection Week campaign is ‘Putting children first’. While this has always been at the forefront of the NAPCAN, it has been chosen as this year’s theme as it underpins wellbeing of all children.
In Child Protection Week we are asked to be someone who listens to children, someone who will start a conversation with children and if needed, be that someone whom children will turn to when in need. The Commission is committed to the safety, wellbeing and protection of all children and young people from harm. This includes supporting the rights of the child and child safe environments by working together with key partner agencies towards care and protection of children within our community.
ACPW also aligns with the launch of our R-6 Pulse Check Survey, which is a questionnaire that will be given to all students in R-6 Catholic Schools to enable schools to regularly monitor the wellbeing of young people in our care. Further information about this survey will be sent this week in a letter to all parents.
Basketball
Congratulations to the Year 4 Basketball team who in their season (against other teams in Year 5) won their first game!! Players have been training with Mr Siinmaa and our Year 6 students at lunch times. Well done boys and girls.
Thank you to all coaches for your efforts in allowing our students to grow and improve in their chosen sport.
Debating
Congratulations to our debaters who get stronger and stronger every round of the SA Debating Schools Competition. Last week they won two of a possible three debates, with three of our debaters awarded “Debater of the Night” for their outstanding rebuttals!
Science Week
Last week our students were marvelled by Mr Dolgner who conducted science experiments using dry ice. Mr Dolgner was in his element as he went back to his roots as a specialist Science teacher in the US.
Rescheduled Events
Due to COVID, I encourage you to observe the upcoming dates. As we endeavour to comply with restrictions and reschedule events, we will update this from time to time. Changes reflected in upcoming dates include:
Touch Football: rescheduled to Thursday 3 September. Parents in Year 4 to 6 have received a letter.
Sports Day: rescheduled to Friday 30 October. More details to follow.
Book Week: rescheduled to Week 2 Term 4 2020, October 17-23. More details to follow.
Learning Journey: moved to an online exposé in Week 8 Term 3 2020.
Photo Day: rescheduled to Wednesday 28 October. More details to follow.
As we understand the restrictions closer to the dates of the events, we will inform parents to ensure that the latest details are given out to our community. As an example, Mr Siinmaa has planned most of the Sports Day for Friday 30 October, however there is a restriction around events being limited to 1000 people. At this point in time that would mean that 2 adults per student could attend, however we will hold off on all communication until as late as possible to ensure a consistent message is going out to parents. Our apologies if this comes across as tardy communication, however we want to ensure information is as accurate as can be.
God Bless
Brady Stallard