St Joseph’s School, Millmerran eNewsletter

Principal's Report

Dear Community,

Well another term has flown by and we now head into the last term of the year. This term has been another term of many great achievements:

Our teacher's have been engaging in many planning sessions and professional development to grow their teaching capabilities regarding the new Diocesan Approach to Reading.
The Prep students celebrated 100 days of being at school.
Parents engaged in an information night regarding the new Diocesan Approach to Reading.
We had our ball games carnival, tennis and golf lessons.
We had a number of students attend Inner Downs and Darling Downs Trials for sport.
We celebrated Catholic Education Week and Mary MacKillop Feast Day.
Our students had lots of fun with their loved ones on Grandparent's Day.
We participated in Jeans for Genes Day, State of Origin Dress up and R U OK? Day.
Our PPF ran a successful Father's Day Night.
We enjoyed the wonderful characters and costumes for Book Week
Our students were able to attend the production of Whalebone.
We've had a number of students participate in ICAS tests with some very pleasing results.
Our students continue to display our school learning behaviours and grow in their learning and resilience each day.

Next term will be another term filled with exciting opportunities for our students and community and we look forward to all that Term 4 brings.

I wish everyone a happy, restful and relaxing break and look forward to seeing everyone back next term.

God Bless,

Michelle

Save the date:

Award's Night Friday 22nd November 2024

R_U_OK_Newsletter_Portal.pdf

Wear yellow tomorrow (Thursday 12th September) to raise awareness and ask R U OK ?

All students must have closed in shoes and no singlets shirts/tank tops. Dresses are ok but they must have bike shorts underneath.

Tomorrow we are supporting R U OK? to remind everyone to stay connected and make asking, ‘are you OK?’ a part of our everyday. That way if someone we know is struggling with something big or small they’ll know we care. When we genuinely ask, ‘are you OK?’ and are prepared to talk to them about how they’re feeling and what’s going on in their life we can help someone who might be struggling feel connected and supported, long before they’re in crisis. You don’t need to be an expert to ask someone, ‘are you OK?’. Try and make time for regular chats about life’s ups and downs so you can build trust. That way when someone is struggling they’ll know you care and will feel comfortable opening up to you. It also helps to choose the right time and place for a meaningful conversation. • On breaks from work or study • When exercising together • When connecting or doing activities together online • When you’re spending time together socially • When you’re doing an activity side-by-side • When you’re sharing a meal • When you’re travelling together, even a short trip can be a good time to talk. We’ll be sharing information and resources to help you ask, ‘are you OK?’ and meaningfully connect with the people in your world.

Ask R U OK? because a conversation could change a life. If you need immediate crisis or emotional support you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. R U OK? is a national charity dedicated to inspiring all of us to have regular, meaningful conversations to support anyone going through a difficult time. You can learn more at ruok.org.au.

From the APRE

Thank you to the 1/2 class who presented a beautiful liturgy for all our dad, grandad's, uncles and friends. A big thank you also to the staff and Year 6 students for their work in cooking and serving breakfast for our dad's for Father's Day.

Next Term, we will celebrate Mission Month. Earlier in the term, Mary MacKillop Catholic College spent some time with our 5/6 students talking about the work of Mission Australia and gave them some great ideas of things they can do during this month to raise awareness for living conditions in other countries around the world. Our Mini Vinnies Club will be running some activities at lunch early next term to do with Mission Month. We look forward to seeing what they have planned.

Mark 8: 34

Calling the crowd to join his disciples, Jesus said, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am.

An old saying states: “Anything worth doing is worth doing well.” Here’s an example of what that saying means: Let’s say that you volunteer to help a sick or elderly neighbour by raking up leaves, but instead of finishing the job, you leave the piles for him to bag and put in the rubbish himself. Maybe you grew tired or wanted to do something that was more fun, so you left the task half done. Your intentions were good at the beginning, but unless you finished, you haven’t done your job very well.

Jesus was faced with a very difficult task. He didn’t want to suffer and be killed any more than any person does, but he knew people might kill him because he was standing for the truth and trying to do the right thing. Jesus was committed to finishing the task he began out of love for us. He wouldn’t stop doing the right things even though he knew he would get killed for it. As followers of Jesus, we too need to help others, regardless of the price we must pay.

Lord, help us to be generous with our love despite the sacrifices we must make.

Is there a task we left only partly done that we need to complete out of love for someone else?

Justice Challenge

The second reading for Sunday is from James’ letter. He challenges us to not just talk about helping others, but to actually DO it. Then we hear in the Gospel Jesus’ challenge to deny ourselves, carry our crosses, and follow him. Your challenge this week is to have a conversation with your family to figure out the connection between doing something for a person in need and being a follower of Jesus. Then choose a person whom you have talked about and for whom you feel compassion because they are in a difficult situation. But this time don’t just talk about it. Do something to help the person in a specific, concrete way.