Dear Parents and Carers,

This week we began the season of Lent. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and continues for 40 days, finishing on Holy Thursday. It is a time for reflection, forgiveness and prayer for many Catholics around the world.

Part of Lent involves giving up something for the 40 days. Children usually give up lollies or they try to be nicer towards their siblings, adults give up any sort of indulgence they might be into like their daily coffee.

Lent is also about helping others and as a Catholic community we support Project Compassion during this time with the aim of providing much needed support to other communities in need. If you are interested in having a Project Compassion box at home to contribute to this cause, please contact the office.

School Leader Induction
I am always excited to be a part of our Year 6 student leader induction. Last week we held our Student Leader Induction, Fr Kevin Corrigan led our celebration, and it was the first opportunity for many of our students to attend mass in the Church. Our Year 6 students are certainly demonstrating their leadership skills around the school, serving in the canteen, leading health hustle and dance as well as running our assemblies. I am very excited to watch how our leaders continue to develop this year.

Parent Teacher Meet and Greet
Thank you to all parents and carers who came along to our Parent Meetings this week. We had a fantastic response and the teachers have enjoyed the chance to speak to you about your child’s learning goals for the semester. If you did not get a chance to meet with your child’s teacher, please contact the office to make a time.

Trivia Night
Our Trivia night is coming up very soon. Mr Knoke and Mrs Lapi-an have been very busy planning a fantastic evening for us. I hope that you are able to come along for a fun evening. You can organise your own table, or we can put you on a table. Tickets are available at the office.

Responsible Pet Program
On Friday, our Kinder, Year and 1 Year 2 students had a visit from the Responsible Pet Program. This program is designed to help students learn how to keep themselves safe around dogs and how to say hello to dogs with their owners. The children had a great time participating in role plays, singing, dancing and meeting Sally and her dog Holly.

Creative Arts Scriptwriters Workshops
This year selected students have been given the opportunity to take part in scriptwriting workshops.
Last week Adam Rees joined students from our other regional schools to take part in scriptwriting workshops. I asked Adam if he would like to write about his experience and with great pride he accepted. Here are his thoughts about the day.
The ASPIRE writing group was fun and coolest thing I’ve done in school yet! It was weird being in Forster, let alone Forster school, but I got used to it. The teacher was nice, and the people were too. I wrote an absolute masterpiece about a fork and spoon. I know it will be the best thing ever to be typed and I’m ready to get my Oscar. I got a sneak peek of my teacher’s new production. I am SO excited for the next class. I hope the next class is as good as the first, but it's ASPIRE so it will be.

Easter Egg Raffle
This week we have started collecting Easter Egg Donations for our Easter Raffle. Families will receive raffle tickets this week to sell as part of our fundraiser and families are asked to consider donating an easter egg or easter item to help us make up the raffle prizes. Thank you for your ongoing support of our fundraising efforts for our new playground equipment.

School Fees
Your Annual School Fee Statement will be issued monthly via email commencing next Friday 3rd March.
If you are faced with genuine hardship, please make an appointment with me and you will be offered a payment plan and an appropriate concession on school fees.

HEALTH CARE CARD/PENSION HOLDERS

For holders of a Health Care Card or Pension Card you are entitled to a discount for each child of 50% off the Tuition Fee.
In order to receive this additional discount, you must provide a copy of your card to Mary. Once received, your school fees account will be adjusted to reflect the concession.

OVERDUE ACCOUNTS

Would you please make an appointment to meet with me as soon as possible to discuss this matter and organise a payment plan that you can afford.

Social Meet and Greet
On Friday afternoon we held our first social meet and greet. This was a fantastic opportunity for our parents to connect with each other, while their children had a play. It was a wonderful afternoon and great to see so many parents come along with their children. Thank you to Mrs Lapi-an for organising a great event.
Please join me in saying a prayer for our Year 6 students as they begin their journey as school leaders at St Joseph’s, that they are a great role model for our students and continue to grow in their leadership skills.

God Bless

Prime Minister Award

'Being a steward of creation’, ‘Trying your best’, ‘Speaking with kindness’ and ‘Being a responsible learner’ are some of the qualities that teachers consider when awarding ‘Prime Minister’ at our weekly assembly. It is an acknowledgement of the student’s efforts and they have the privilege of wearing the badge with honour, of suggesting a focus the school can work on, award Gotchas to other students at lunch time as well as earning Gotchas for themselves.  Congratulations to Sierra Burton (Week 4) and Phoenix Knowles (Week 5) 

MJR Awards

As part of our MJR system, we acknowledge that the following students, Harley Stewart, Oliver Hurtrel and Dylan Horsburgh have reached 50 Gotchas. Well Done!

School Swimming Carnival 

On Friday 3rd of February 2023 students from Years 2-6 attended Wingham Memorial Swimming pool for our annual school swimming carnival. This was the first carnival in 3 years that all students were able to attend, compete and cheer for their respective sports houses. The weather provided a wonderful backdrop for what was a fun and competitive carnival. Some students used the carnival to compete hard while others were there to cheer on their team mates and have fun. Regardless of swim ability all students were well behaved and had a great day. Year six did a wonderful job helping the younger students in one of their first leadership roles for the year. One of the highlights of the day was the inaugural teachers, parents and student relay with parents luckily taking the win. All in all, it was a great return to carnivals that help promote physical, mental and social health. Thank you to all the teacher and parent helpers that made the day special and memorable for the students.
Mr Knoke - Sports Coordinator

Congratulations to our 2023 aged champions; 

Junior Girls - Eleanor Healy
Junior Boys - Kaii MacMillan
Under 11's Girls - Tiana Pulupaki
Under 11's Boys - Zeke Pereira
Under 12/13's Girls - Scarlet Sheather
Under 12/13's Boys - Charlie Crittenden 

Beginning School Mass 

Dio Swimming Carnival

On Tuesday 21st February Scarlet Sheather, Reuby Sheather and Charlie Crittenden travelled down to the Forum Swimming pool at Newcastle University to participate in the Maitland/Newcastle Diocesan Swimming Carnival. Our three students represented St Joseph’s Wingham wonderfully in their respective events. It was a great experience for the students to compete at a high level and at the modern venue. A big congratulations to the students on their achievement. 
Mr Knoke 
Year 2 Teacher / Sports Coordinator 

Shrove Tuesday   

Ash Wednesday

                           Arlo Tuck 10