Dear Parents and Caregivers
Yesterday and today are two significant days in the church calendar; Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. Shrove Tuesday is a day of observance where Christians prepare for Lent. Ash Wednesday marks 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 blessed with Holy Water. This year due to COVID restrictions, only students from Year 4 to Year 6 will attend Mass and receive the ashes. Our Preschool to Year 3 classes will participate in a liturgy in lieu of joining the community Mass at St Ignatius Church (ensuring our school’s attendance doesn't push numbers in the parish over their restriction limits).
Today, Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning in many respects; we begin our journey to become more like Jesus. Wherever we are going on any journey, we have to begin where we actually are, the here and now.
AGM
Next Wednesday 24 February the St Joseph’s Memorial School AGM will be held. Recently, details and the process for RSVP were sent via Skoolbag. If you haven’t RSVP’d, please click here to submit your response.
I wish to thank more publicly the work of St Joseph’s Memorial School Board members in 2020; Megan Nehmy, Nick McCabe, Brett Thompson, Roman Kluba, Nick Watson, Grace Vassallo-Wakefield, Paula Wesley and Fr Paul Mullins. Last year we continued to work on how to enhance the educational outcomes for the children in our school, a submission of planning for capital development, improving our Catholic identity and enhancing our collaborative work with the other Catholic schools in the Eastern Region; St Joseph‘s Hectorville, St Joseph’s Tranmere, St Joseph’s School Payneham, Saint Francis of Assisi, Rostrevor College, Loreto College, Mary MacKillop College and St Ignatius College.
Parents and Friends Committee
Last Wednesday we had our first P&F Meeting, our first meeting in 12 months! We currently have 7 members of the P&F. All parents and caregivers are welcome to come along to future meetings. We understand the demands of parenting and that some parents may not wish to commit, however please feel free to attend as it is a wonderful way to build connections with other parents and community. This committee is an integral part of the St Joseph’s Memorial School community, where parents can be part of their child’s education and actively engage in events that create a sense of community. Please see Mrs Vassallo-Wakefield or myself if you would like to join us.
In the coming weeks the Parents and Friends will be placing posters near classrooms calling for Classroom Representatives. Classroom Representatives coordinate a gathering for their child’s class; whether it be a coffee morning, picnic or a playground catch-up. If this is something that may interest you, please register your interest.
The Parents and Friends Committee have organised a hold a Welcome Evening on Friday 12 March 6:30 - 7:30pm. Please place this date in your diary and we look forward to seeing you on the evening.
Parent Involvement and Learning Goals
As Catholic Educators the recognition as, understanding of and belief in parents as the first educators of their children is ‘hard-wired’ into our DNA. For many of you when we first met this was articulated as a relationship between the expert (parent) and professional (teacher) with the child at the centre of every conversation. This is something we continually seek to honour through our continued partnership.
The majority of you have already met with your child’s teacher/s, and your support and contribution are highly valued. The genuine conversations about your children are a testimony to the authentic partnership that exists within, across and through our community. We are not simply going through the motions, we are working together to establish goals and create the conditions for your child to have a successful 2021 in all aspects of their schooling. I thank you all for your ongoing support and commitment.
In Class Support
Parents and caregivers (who have a current Catholic Schools Police Clearance) are welcome in classrooms to listen to the students read or get involved with excursions and class activities. Please see your classroom teacher if this is something that interests you, it would be greatly appreciated.
God Bless
Brady Stallard
