St Joseph's Primary School Molong eNewsletter

Our Vision and Mission

Vision Statement

With Jesus Christ as their role model, all children can and will achieve.

Mission Statement

Inspired by Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop and in partnership with parents, our Parish and the wider community, we aim to impart a holistic education on all children in our school. We endeavour to live by the values of our school motto.

Learning, Understanding and Peace.

St Joseph’s is distinguished by a great sense of belonging, where each person is valued and where learning is enjoyable.

Prayer of the day

Jeremiah 7:23-28. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts – Ps 94(95):1-2, 6-9. Luke 11:14-23.
Division destroys, unity builds communities
Today concludes the UN’s Week of Solidarity with the Peoples Struggling against Racism and Racial Discrimination.

Luke’s Gospel, with Jesus explaining the problem of kingdoms divided against themselves, offers biblical wisdom for this theme. Racism is an unnatural and false division of humanity which devastates whole communities. It also silences people. When Jesus cures the mute possessed by a demon, he restores that person’s ability to speak, to be fully themselves once more.

To the criticism from people who argue he is doing Satan’s work, Jesus makes the point about the failure of kingdoms divided against themselves. Division destroys communities. We can draw on Jesus’ example of strength, solidarity and compassion to seek justice for people who are silenced or oppressed on racial grounds, and to connect with each with humility and respect.

SCHOOL NEWS

LIBRARY NEWS

Next week Library will be held on Monday 31st March instead of Wednesday.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Thank you to those who have had the opportunity to book Parent Teacher Interviews for either next Tuesday, 1st or Wednesday, 2nd April. Online booking will be closed next Monday, 31st March.

Parent Teacher interviews are important. They give you the opportunity to touch base with teachers and to see how your children are progressing at school. If you are unable to attend either session next week, please contact your child’s teacher and organise another time to meet.

Anna Sutton

Sadly, our Centacare Counsellor, Mrs Anna Sutton, has resigned from her position at Centacare. Anna’s last day will be Thursday, 10th April. Whilst Anna has only been with us for a short period of time, she has made a wonderful impression. We will miss having Anna at St Joseph's.

Centacare has begun the recruitment process to fill the role.

Young Leaders Excursion

On Monday, 24th of March Year 6 went to Sydney for the Young Leaders Day. We got to stay in the Meriton World Tower on level 65! It had an amazing view from both rooms looking over the city. The girls and Mrs Townsend went and got Chinese from a little restaurant, Mr French got a chicken burger, and the boys went to Guzman y Gomez. We then got to have an ice cream at Maccas! On Tuesday, we went to the International Convention Centre where the Young leaders day was held. There were four speakers including Emma Mckeon- a famous swimmer, Thomas Duncan Watt an Australian screenwriter, Anthony- Harries Carol- a lifeguard from Bondi rescue and Catherine Laga’aia- playing the real life Moana. All the speakers were so inspiring and I look up to each and every one of them. Georgie Bowman

The pool was so cold and when we got in the hot tub, it was so hot we had to get in the pool, but it was freezing, so it made us get back in the hot tub. Peter Fletcher.

The excursion was good. We had an amazing time. We stayed in a tall building and the food was amazing. We got GYG tacos and it was served fast. On Tuesday we went to a place and there was a guy named Harris who saved a dying 4 week old baby. Lance Eusebio

The excursion was amazing! When we got to the hotel we had an amazing dinner. Bella D, Georgie, Mrs Townsand and I all had Chinese and Torsten, Lance, Bryson, Dustin and Peter all had GYG. Bella D's highlight would definitely be trying new food. Us girls had the best dinner ever! We all went to the pool later that night and had so much fun! We got on each other's shoulders and tried to push other people off. At Young Leaders Day we saw Thomas Duncan Watt, Anthony “Harris” Carrol, and Emma McKeon. - Bella Murray

The Sydney excursion was one of the best experiences I have had. I loved seeing the book author Thomas Duncan-Watt. For dinner on Monday night, we got GYG! We got to go to the pool and the spa. Sadly, we weren't allowed to go in the sauna. Dustin, Bryson, Lance and Peter and I all played hide and seek in the hotel. Torsten Ellis

On Monday 24th March all of year 6 went to Sydney. The next day we went to National Young Leaders Day. We heard 4 amazing Aussie people talk about their stories. We learned a cool dance named heel tap by Curriculum. The Sydney Excursion was a blast. I would love to do it again. We went with Mrs Towsned and Mr French. Thank you teachers we all appreciated it. Bella Dinsdale

The Sydney excursion was fantastic. At the Young Leaders Day there were four incredible successful Aussies that were very inspirational. They were all teaching us how to be good leaders. We also got a badge and wristband to remind us to lead by example. It was a great experience and we had a great time. Bryson Elliott

The Sydney excursion was amazing. We stayed at the Meriton and it was very luxurious. At the National Young Leaders Day, we sat at the top and met a famous Swimmer, Lifegard, Actor and a TV writer. We had very yummy ice cream ( I had salted caramel). It was the best experience of my life. Dustin Lawrence

Young Leaders Excursion Gallery

Over the past few weeks there have been a number of children arriving late to school and not being signed in. If your child arrives after 8:55am (Once the bell has gone) they must be signed in at the school office by their parents or the person dropping them to school.

Non Attendance Notes

If your child misses school due to illness, medical appointments, travel etc, you must complete the non attendance note in COMPASS. This must be done within seven days of the absence from school.

2025 Technology Policy & Parent/Community Charter

Thank you to those who have accepted the policies through COMPASS. If you are yet to complete them, please open your COMPASS app, click on the 3 lines then go to Course Confirmation. Please complete the 2 items and discuss the Technology policy with your child. If you have any issues, please don't hesitate to contact the School Office on 6366 8306.

Craft Club this week

This week students made Easter wreaths to hang up in preparation for Easter.

If you have any grape vines or willow trees that could do with a trim, we would appreciate the cutting to make more wreaths.

Many Thanks

Mrs Jennie Corben.

Craft Club Gallery

Student of the Week

SPORTS NEWS

Winter Sports Trials

Today Gil Dowling, Mason Jeffries, Adelyn Wood (Soccer), Tilly Brazier, Maisie Eavns (Netball), Georgie Bowman, Bella Bowman, Jock Bowman and Henry King (Hockey) competed in the Diocesan Winter Sports Trials in Bathurst.

Congratulations to these students on representing St Joseph’s. We will let you know next week how they fared.

Cross Country

School Cross Country will be held at the Molong Golf Club on Monday, 7th April.

Children will travel by bus to the Molong Golf Course from 11:30am.

Sub Juniors (5s, 6s and 7s) will compete at 12:15pm

Under 8s through to Under 12s will compete in their races starting at 12:30pm.

Children will then return to school via bus.

Diocesan Cross Country will be held at Coolah on Tuesday, 6th May.

School Athletics Carnival

St Joseph’s Athletics Carnival will be held on Monday, 19th May. Southern Region Athletics will be held on Friday, 1st August. We are hosting the carnival this year. Planning will begin in Term Two.

FROM THE REC

Holy Week Liturgy

Easter falls on April 20th this year, which is during the middle weekend of the school holidays. This means that Holy Week will take place in the first week of the break.

Before we finish the term, we will commemorate Holy Week with a special liturgy on Thursday, April 10th (Week 10), at 9:30 am. During the liturgy, we will reflect on the key events of Holy Week, with each class presenting one of these moments through drama and song:

Kindergarten: Palm Sunday
Year 1: The Lord’s Supper
Year 2: The Washing of the Feet
Year 3: The Garden of Gethsemane
Year 4: The Crucifixion
Year 5: The Burial

When we return in Term 2, we will hold a short liturgy to celebrate Easter, where Year 6 will explore the Resurrection.

We warmly invite all friends and family to join us for the Holy Week Liturgy in Week 10. We look forward to sharing this special celebration with you!

Project Compassion Update

Throughout Lent, we are raising funds for Project Compassion, a vital cause. To encourage participation, we’re holding a friendly competition to see which class can raise the most money!

Our current leader is YEAR 4!

A big shout out to Mitch and Georgia Redfern and Tilly and Elke Brazier who held a cupcake stall outside Lime and Stone this week raising money for project compassion.

They raised $102 which was their goal!!! These funds will now go towards water tank maintenance so that the people in Samoa can have access to clean water. St Joseph's is very proud of you!!

With three weeks left, there’s still plenty of time to contribute. Students can donate in creative ways, such as using their lunch order money or pocket money.

Let’s keep up the great effort!

Upcoming Masses:

Week 9: Primary Mass (Wednesday, 2nd April 9:30am)
Week 10: Whole School Mass (Wednesday, 9th April 9:30am)

Miss Taylah Woodhouse

Religious Education Coordinator

Project Compassion fundraising link

STUDENT WELLBEING

This week I have attached a great podcast to listen to as a follow up on my last week's post on neurodiversity awareness week. You will need a tissue!!!

The Imperfects Prodcast