RE News – Advent, the Time for Giving

Over the last weeks of school, during the time of Advent, we are asking families in our school community to follow in the words of St Mary MacKillop and her saying “Never see a need without doing something about it” by supporting two worthwhile charities in our local community.

We are supporting the Taree Community Kitchen and their Christmas hamper appeal. Families are asked to donate any packaged food items that they can spare for those going without this Christmas.

We are also supporting the Manning chapter of the St Vincent De Paul Society and families in need in the lead up to the new school year by donating stationery items for pencil cases to help with the costs of the new school year.

As you can see below, many families have already generously donated items and we will be accepting donations up to the end of week 10. Any help you can give is appreciated.

Mr Buchtmann

Kindergarten would like to share some of their favourite things this year..

My favourite things are.......................

Elke – being with my teachers and learning with them. Playing with my friends on the equipment and in the sand pit. I love JAFA, computers, platforms, sport shed borrowing and the fairy garden.

Ava B – JAFA and dressing up as the ugly duckling and winning a bravery award. I love learning numbers and letters. I love playing shops in provocations with my friends.

William – playing on the equipment with my friends.

Ava G – reading groups and writing sentences. I like dressing up for JAFA, computers, playing with Ella in the sand pit, and playing with the fairy garden.

Zoe – learning in class. I like counting and dressing up as a swan for JAFA. I like playing in the sandpit,equipment and platforms.

Kyro – JAFA and dressing up like a bird. I like inside play, computers, and building with lego.

Ella – writing sentences and spelling words. I also like JAFA and computers.

Charlie – learning letters, spelling words and playing maths buzz. I like playing in the sand pit with my friends.

Ryleigh – learning new letters. I like inside play.

Kyron – class time. I like making patterns in maths, borrowing sport shed equipment, assembly, and dressing up as a bird for JAFA.

Meesha – reading groups and learning.

Alice – seeing my teachers and giving them a smile. I love dance health hustle, the fairy garden and computers. I love JAFA and dressing up as a peacock. I love my peacock tail.

Sione – learning in Religion about Jesus and love. I love playing sport.

Hannah – reading groups and writing sentences.

Krystela – JAFA and dressing up, playing with the fairy garden, playing dog catcher and using computers. I love learning numbers and reading groups.

We love Kindergarten at Saint Joseph’s Wingham!

Year 1 Pondering wither Mr Buchtmann....

Year 1 have been learning about the Holy Family and identifying the important role of each member. Through our conversations we began to ponder about Jesus and wanted to find out more about who he was. We invited Mr Buchtmann, our Religious Education Co-ordinator, to a conversation circle where we would bring with us our ponderings and seek a deeper understanding about Jesus. Year 1 thoroughly enjoyed Mr Buchtmann sharing with them his knowledge and understanding. We look forward to the next time we can meet with Mr B. Below is a list of questions we had.

Aria H, Elijah, Dakota, Tori, Aurora, Lincoln, Charli, Zaidyn, Harley – I wonder did Jesus go to school and who was his Year 1 and Year 2 teacher?

Dylan – I wonder which school did Jesus go to?

Sabellah – I wonder what Jesus looked like when he was 7?

Daniel – I wonder was Jesus good as a young boy?

Aria O- I wonder was Jesus naughty or good at school?

Paul – I wonder how Jesus raised people from the dead?

Nicholas – I wonder why God created Mary?

Theo – I wonder if Jesus liked to be a teacher of children and people who were poor?

Jai and Finn – I wonder how could Jesus walk on water?

Zedd – I wonder why Jesus died on the cross?

Max – I wonder where Jesus lived?

Sierra – I wonder how Jesus rose from the dead?

Oliver – I wonder if Jesus was good at school?

Juniper – I wonder how Mary felt when the angel said she was going to be the mother of Jesus?

Levi – I wonder why God is the father of Jesus?

Childrens University

Last Wednesday 34 out of 49 of our Children’s University participants travelled to The University of Newcastle to take part in our graduation ceremony. It was an amazing afternoon/ night with our graduates after a 2hr bus trip to arrive and ‘be gowned’ and have a picnic on the lawns outside the Great Hall. The students loved using the photo booth next to the speakers pumping out the music whilst the other schools arrived. We gathered into our formal line and went into the Great Hall. We stood for the formal entry procession and watched Mrs Hunt take the stage with other principals and Professors.

Our students were called and received their certificate in recognition of their learning hours. After the ceremony there were celebrations and photos but the most fun was to throw their graduation hat! The students enjoyed their dinner stop and everyone was glad to arrive home. Thanks to the parents that came long and showed your support for the program.

This program has made students think about and discuss the learning that they have acquired whilst they having fun. Students were busy with sporting commitments, leadership activities, cooking meals, baking goodies, taking care of pets and farm animals, creating with Lego and Minecraft, and craft activities. Some students were fortunate to go whale watching, visit koala parks and zoos, beach and bush walks and camping. We have seen some amazing photos and descriptions of learning in scrapbooks.

We congratulate the following students: Benjamin Buchtmann, Nathan Campbell, Austyn Hagarty, Susannah Healy, Elijah Hillenberg,

Grace Maidens, Foxx Williams, Alyssandra Drew, Olivia Hook, Sienna Lapi-an, Benjamin Linehan, Caitlyn Lyon, Thomas Marshall, Jasmine McIntyre, Mia Nash, Aubrey Rees, Bella Crittenden, Bella Doan, Tyla Eakin, Hallie Forbes, Savannah Hagarty, Eleanor Healy, Colebee Hollis, Ashlea Linehan, Kaii Macmillian, Matilda Robinson, Matilda Ryan, Asta Van Vliet, Willow Eijkman, Sophie Hook, Tiana Pulupaki,

Oliver Shelton, Monique Sternbeck, Breanna Swierczynski, Shianne Xuereb, Bryson Blanch, Breanna Crittenden, Parker Hagarty, Joseph Hillenberg, Ella Housen Helmer, Riley Knoke, Phoenix Knowles, Kohen Mortensen, Jaxon Osgood, William Robinson, Reuby Sheather,Penny Van Vliet.

We are so incredibly proud of all our Children’s University students and their achievements throughout the year and especially with how they represented St Joseph’s throughout the afternoon! Again, congratulations to everyone involved! Thank you to the University of Newcastle for this amazing ongoing program, we are looking forward to 2024.

Our graduating and returning students in 2024 can start collecting their hours from now. If you need a new passport or have any questions about the program please email… kate.monkley@mn.catholic.edu.au