All Saints Day Saints are an important part of Catholic life. Throughout the year, we remember and celebrate various men and women who have lived heroically good lives. They are placed before us as models and are to inspire us to believe that, with God on our side, we can be and do so much more than we can believe of ourselves. The problem many of us have with this is that these saints can appear too good to be true and, therefore, remote from our lives. Then along comes the Feast of All Saints, which we celebrate this Sunday, November 1 st. Sometimes it is said that it is for the unknown saints: the ones who didn t make the official roll call. Yes, but there is more. I like to think it is also for the people I have known to be good and loving and generous in my life and who have inspired me with their heroism. High on the list is my grandparents but they are not alone. Departed friends, workmates, even people I have only known in passing and whose goodness is inspiring are saints to me. They are still close, wanting to help, working for my good. The conversations I have with them are a form of prayer. As we recall the saints we have known and recognise how they are still with us, we are given the sense of belonging to a community of love who are wending their way towards the goal of life in God. These saints want to help us. Let us name and rejoice in the goodness we have been given through them. Loving God, I thank you for the good and loving people who have touched my life and who are now with you. Let me sense their presence and be inspired by their love. I ask this in Jesus name confident that you will hear me. Sr Kym Harris osb Thank you to the families who have returned their Confirmation of Enrolments Forms for 2016. There are still some of these that are outstanding and I have asked the office staff to follow up on these this week. Preparations for classes and groupings for 2016 have commenced and the information on these forms assists us with our future planning. Congratulations to Year 1A for being the first class to return all of the forms! (They received a sepcial treat as promised today). School Leadership Team Principal: Mrs Kellie Jenkinson Assistant to the Principal Religious Education: Mr Scott Robertson Assistant Principal Curriculum: Miss Janette McLennan
From the Principal: Thank you to the students and staff of St Joseph s Wandal for so warmly welcoming Mr Craig Fairbairn and Dr Lee-Anne Perry, the Executive Director of the Queensland Catholic Education Commission today. Mr Fairbairn and Dr Perry saw our students engaged in a variety of learning experiences and it was a pleasure to show them around the school. Top: Dr Perry admiring our Year Five class working in their Flexible Working Area to complete their Maths Investigations. Below: Dr Perry being presented with a gift from Matilda in Prep L on behalf of our staff and students. Yesterday and today a group of Years Five and Six students attended the Kids Connect Technology conference. Kids Connect is a technology workshop and has been hosted at Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School this year. All of the children in our Years Five and Six classes were invited to submit an application to attend this two day conference. Well done to the following students who are representing our school at the workshop: Ethan Cao- Lee, Joshua Dever, Jaykob Davis, Patrick Connor, Sarah Wadsworth, Cooper Jenkinson, Damian Connelly, Trinity Vella and Jamie Cox. Thanks also to Mr Robertson who has assisted with supervision. My sincere thanks to Sacred Heart School for their efforts in organising this event. Invitations and letters regarding our upcoming Prep Orientation Day on Thursday, 5 th November were posted on Friday. If you have a child enrolled in Prep next year and they have not received their invitation as yet, please contact the school office. I look forward to seeing our new Preppies again on this day. Our current Prep students will attend the big school for the morning. As the weather continues to warm up, please ensure your child has a hat and a water bottle at school each day. A reminder that children in Years One to Six are most welcome to utilise the cold room in the hall kitchen each day in order to keep their lunches cold. Our Preps are fortunate enough to have fridges in their classrooms. The children are asked to place their food containers in the basket prior to school which is then placed in the cold room. The Year Six students return the baskets to each classroom at lunchtime. Please make sure that all containers are clearly marked with your child s name. School fees for Term Four are due 6 th November. If you are having difficulty meeting the payment, or will not be able to pay your account in full by the end of the school year, please contact me at your earliest convenience. Please keep in your prayers this week, Sister Marietta, a well-known Sister of Mercy who passed away last Friday. Sister Marietta taught many students piano (including myself and Miss McLennan) and being from County Cork, Ireland was a lover of Irish folk music. Sister Marietta will be missed by many. Have a great week everyone, Kellie
APRE NEWS: Prayer Corner Jesus heals the blind. Sunday Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting on the side of the road. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout and say, Son of David, Jesus, have pity on me. (Mk 10:46-47) Bartimaeus would have known desperation he lived with it every day. Would he and his family get enough from what others threw him? When Jesus passed, he called from this desperation. It drew him out of himself towards Jesus. Loving Jesus, let me face the desperate places of my life and use them to call on your mercy. on behalf of; Take 2 with Jesus, Diocese of Rockhampton <prayer@rok.catholic.net.au Sacramental News Thank you to our Sacramental Team who participated in the Eucharist Workshop where we reflected on Scripture, parts of the Mass and the Holy Communion. Eucharist means thanksgiving = to give thanks Take a minute to think about what you need to be thankful for, and How often do you remember to say thanks? 7 & 8 Ritual of Belonging St Mary s Saturday 6.00 pm Mass November St Paul s Sunday 8.00 am Mass St Peter s Sunday 9.00 am Mass Allenstown & St Joseph s Wandal Parish Mass: Wednesday 9am St Vincent s Hall Mass is held in the St Vincent s Hall every Wednesday fortnight from 9.00am starting from15 October. Everyone is most welcome. Children s Liturgy of the Word Children s Liturgy is held most Sundays at St Peter s Church during the school term during 9am mass. All students (particularly those preparing for sacraments) are encouraged to attend. Prayer Assembly Year 1A Week 4 Please join Miss Allan with Year 1A as they celebrate World Teachers Day. Prayer Assembly will be held in the Hall this Friday at 8.35am. Scott Robertson APRE
No Touch Football Saturday 30 th October 2015 Due to Red Rooster Carnival. School Watch The Christmas school holiday s are fast approaching. Recent trends indicate crime increases in school grounds during the holiday period. Poilce are seeking your assistance in reporting any suspicious activity occurring at our school. Police are asking the community to particularly take note of the following: Descriptions of persons seen loitering or acting suspiciously in the area at any time, or who are in the school grounds when the school is closed. The registration number and description of vehicles associated with any suspicious activity in the area Any other information you think may assist police. If you notice any suspicious activity which is happening in or around the school, please immediately ring 000 and ask to be directed to the Police. If you see damage that has occurred previously but do not see any offenders still at the school, please ring Policelink on 131 444. You can also report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Rockhampton South Catholic Schools Ensemble Program Beginner Camp Please find a letter under a separate attachment for Year Four students and the mentor/leader program. The final workshop will be held on 9 th November concluding with a concert evening on the 13 th November at the Cathedral College Sports Hall. A BBQ will be available and an e-form has been set up in Skoolbag to assist with catering purposes. The cost of camp will be $5.00 to cover transport costs, please hand to your class teacher by Friday 6 th November.
Rockhampton South Catholic Schools Ensemble Program Instrumental Examinations Instrumental Examinations will commence this week (week 4) and conclude next week (week 5). Information gathered during these exams will be used to create Semester II reports. These will be issued at the end of this term. All students have been informed of their set exam work. Students must bring their instruments, String Basics books and Personal Practice Journals to the exams. Thank you, Dr. Ayesha Hall Head lice We have been advised of a number of cases through out the school. Please check your child s hair regularly and don t forget to retreat your child in 7 10 days. If you require any further information please log on to http://conditions.health.qld.gov.au/healthcondition/condition/14/165/351/head-lice Taco Tuesday Year Six will be holding a Fundraising Food Day on Tuesday 10 th November. An eform has been uploaded to skoolbag for students to place their order. Children will receive two tacos (choice of soft or hard), served with mince, lettuce, tomato and or cheese upon serving. Cost $5.00. From Year Six and Senor Robertson.