Term One Week TEN
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
St Stanislaus
Jeremiah 20:10-13. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice
Ps 17(18):2-7. John 10:31-42.
Speaking the truth
We live in a time when the Draculas of social media are always on the lookout for blood, ready to pounce and cancel.
Jeremiah knew the feeling: even ‘all my close friends . . . are waiting for me to stumble . . .’ In Jesus’ day, stoning was the contemporary form of cancelling a person rather permanently. In today’s Gospel, Jesus has crossed the line in the biggest way possible – blasphemy – and faces stoning. We can barely appreciate how sacred, how completely untouchable was the name of God, and yet here was this ‘man’ claiming to be the divinity. (In Australian terms, it would be like Warnie claiming to be Bradman.)
Jesus doesn’t back off. He goes for the jugular, so to speak: he leads his opponents on a dance of words, quoting Psalm 82:6-7, about men being gods and sons of God, leading to him being God’s Son. Jesus often said the ‘wrong’ thing – it’s called the truth.
SCHOOL NEWS
Easter
Easter is a great reminder that Christ died and rose for each of us. His death and resurrection can transform our lives as we endeavour to live lives that know the freedom of goodness – lives that have love for our neighbour, lives that respect all creation, lives that restore hope and mercy.
While it was still dark, early on Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran to get Peter and John. “They have taken the Lord from the tomb!” she said. Peter and John ran to the tomb, they saw the linen wrappings on the ground and they believed. Acts 10:34, 37-43
From the staff and students at St Joseph’s, we wish you a very Holy Easter and a restful holiday break. We look forward to seeing you next term.
Term Two
Term Two begins on Monday 28th April.
Holy Week Liturgy
Thank you to those who were able to join us for the Holy Week Liturgy in St Lawrence’s Church yesterday. Our students did an amazing job depicting the events of Holy Week. Thank you Miss Woodhouse for organising this wonderful event and to the students and teachers for their hard work in preparation.
Liturgy Gallery
Sr Francis
This week we farewelled Sr Francis. It was wonderful to see so many families and parishioners join us for a lovely morning tea in the playground. Sr Francis will be very missed by our students, our staff and the whole school community along with the St Lawrence Parish and Molong communities. We wish Sr Francis all the best as she moves back to her hometown of Goulburn. We thank Sr Francis for all she has done for our school over the past few years.
With Sr Francis leaving us in the coming weeks, we come to the end of an era. The Sisters of St Joseph’s have had a long association with our school and the Parish in particular. Sadly, there will never be another resident Sister of St Joseph’s in Molong. We are very grateful for everything the Josephites have given to the Molong Parish and our school over many, many years. They have had a wonderful.
Anna Sutton
Today we sadly farewelled Mrs Anna Sutton’s. Whilst we have only had Anna for a short time, she has made a wonderful impression on our staff and students. We wish Anna all the best for the future.
Wiradjuri
Each week this term, our students from Kindergarten to Year 6 have had the wonderful opportunity to be visited by Wiradjuri teacher, Aunty Karen. Her visits have been a special time to connect with Aboriginal culture, stories and traditions.
In one exciting project, students used their creativity to build emu nests using natural and textured materials such as sticks, straw, felt and feathers. It was fantastic to see every child engaged and expressing their understanding through hands-on learning.
Next term, this journey will continue as students decorate paper mache emu eggs using Aboriginal symbols and their growing cultural knowledge. We can’t wait to see the meaningful designs and personal stories that will come to life through their artwork!
Wiradjuri Emu Nest Building Gallery
ANZAC Day
St Joseph’s will again be involved in the ANZAC Day march on Friday, 25th April. Even though it is during the holidays, we encourage the children to participate in the march on this important day.
We will assemble in Riddell Street at the RSL Club at 10:30am to march off at 10:45 to the Village Green.
Students are to wear full winter uniform, which includes the school tie and hat.
Introducing Our Healthy Cook Club!
We are excited to share some delicious news with you! Our new Healthy Cook Club is launching next term, and we can't wait for your children to join in on the culinary fun! This program is designed to promote healthy eating habits while allowing young chefs to explore new flavours from our very own veggie garden and cooking techniques, all while working together in a fun, collaborative environment.
Club Details:
- When: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:25 PM
- Where: School Canteen
- Who: All children are welcome to participate!
During our sessions, kids will have the opportunity to prepare a variety of nutritious recipes focusing on fresh ingredients, seasonal produce, and balanced meals. Each session will highlight different cooking skills and techniques, ensuring that every child learns something new while having a blast.
But that's not all! On the following day, all children will have the special chance to sample the delicious creations made by their peers. Even if they didn’t help in the preparation, everyone gets to enjoy the healthy dishes crafted with love! This sampling not only encourages children to try new foods but also fosters an atmosphere of community and shared experiences.
Why Join the Healthy Cook Club?
- Promotes Healthy Eating: Introduces kids to nutritious ingredients and the importance of a balanced diet.
- Builds Culinary Skills: Empowers young chefs to learn valuable cooking skills that can last a lifetime.
- Encourages Teamwork: Teaches kids how to work together in a supportive environment.
- Explores New Flavours: Provides opportunities to taste a variety of foods that they may not otherwise try.
We believe that by engaging children in the cooking process, we can help develop lifelong healthy eating habits! So, discuss with your young chefs and get them to sign up at school by putting their name in the cooking club box. It promises to be a deliciously fun time!
We can’t wait to cook up some healthy, tasty meals with your kids!
Bon Appétit!
The Healthy Cook Club Team
Student of the Week
SPORTS NEWS
PSSA Swimming
Congratulations to Bella, who competed in the NSW PSSA State swimming Championships this week. This is a massive achievement. Bella competed in the 50 metre Breaststroke, where she finished 11th and the 50 metre Freestyle, where she finished 21st. We are very proud of you, Bella.
Cross Country 2025
We were blessed with perfect weather for our annual Cross Country Carnival on Monday. It was a fantastic day of participation, sportsmanship, and outstanding athletic achievement.
A special mention must go to our kindergarten children, who ran in their first-ever cross country event. Your enthusiasm and spirit were contagious, and you truly set the tone for the day! We loved seeing your smiles and hearing your cheers as you crossed the finish line. Well done, little champions.
Thank you to all the families who came out to support our runners, and to the teachers who helped organise the event.
We are pleased to share the results from the day:
8/9 Years Boys (2km)
🥇 1st – Nash Jeffries
🥈 2nd – Sonny Evans
🥉 3rd – Leo Wilson
8/9 Years Girls (2km)
🥇 1st – Elke Brazier
🥈 2nd – Lotte Craig
🥉 3rd – Quinnie Ewin
10 Years Boys (2km)
🥇 1st – Sinclair Dowling
🥈 2nd – Lewis Elliott
🥉 3rd – Riley Elliott
10 Years Girls (2km)
🥇 1st – Pippa Lawrence
🥈 2nd – Georgie McKenzie
🥉 3rd – Jewill Namacpacan
11 Years Girls (3km)
🥇 1st – Adelyn Wood
🥈 2nd – Tilly Brazier
🥉 3rd – Maisie Evans
11 Years Boys (3km)
🥇 1st – Gilbert Dowling
🥈 2nd – Henry King
🥉 3rd – Guy Shannon
12/13 Years Boys (3km)
🥇 1st – Bryson Elliott
🥈 2nd – Dustin Lawrence
🥉 3rd – Peter Fletcher
12/13 Years Girls (3km)
🥇 1st – Georgie Bowman
🥈 2nd – Bella Dinsdale
🥉 3rd – Isabella Murray
Special Acknowledgements
Congratulations to Georgie Bowman and Gilbert Dowling, who both broke long-standing records on the day.
- Georgie completed the 3km in 13:55, breaking Maddison Mann’s 2008 record.
- Gilbert finished with an impressive time of 12:15, surpassing Hugh Shannon’s previous record of 12:55.
Well done to all students for their excellent efforts and commitment throughout the day. We are proud to announce that the following 20 students have been selected to represent our school at the Bathurst Diocesan Carnival in Coolah on May 6. Selection is based not only on finishing positions but also on individual race times.
Nash Jeffries, Sonny Evans, Leo Wilson, Elke Brazier, Lotte Craig, Sinclair Dowling, Lewis Elliott, Riley Elliott, Alf Hawke, Pippa Lawrence, Georgie McKenzie, Adelyn Wood, Tilly Brazier, Mason Jeffries, Gilbert Dowling, Henry King, Guy Shannon, Bryson Elliott, Dustin Lawrence, Georgie Bowman.
Good luck to all competitors!
Cross Country Gallery
FROM THE REC
As we come to the end of the term, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our parents, grandparents, and friends who have joined us for Mass or Liturgy throughout Term 1. We are so grateful for your ongoing support and look forward to welcoming many of you back to these celebrations again next term.
Project Compassion
A big thank you also to everyone who contributed to our Project Compassion fundraiser during Lent. Together, as a school community, we have raised a wonderful amount of $910. This money will go a long way in supporting those in need, and we are so proud that our small school community has been able to make such a meaningful impact.
Congratulations to Year Four, the class that raised the most for Project Compassion! They were rewarded with a delicious ice cream treat on Friday as a small thank you for their big effort.
Happy Easter!
As we head into the school holidays, we also begin Holy Week, starting with Palm Sunday this weekend. Holy Week is the most sacred time in the Christian calendar and marks the journey of Jesus’ final days—His entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, His crucifixion on Good Friday, and finally, His resurrection on Easter Sunday. It is a time of reflection, prayer, and hope as we prepare our hearts for the joy of Easter.
We wish all of our families a very happy and holy Easter, and a safe and restful holiday break. May it be a time of renewal, joy, and special moments with loved ones.
Please see attached information about Mass times and locations for the Easter period.
Upcoming Masses:
- Week 1, Term 2: Wednesday, 30th April 2025 Whole School Mass, 9:30am
- Week 2, Term 2: Wednesday, 7th May 2025 Primary Mass, 9:30am
Miss Taylah Woodhouse
Religious Education Coordinator
STUDENT WELLBEING
Wellness
Wishing You a Safe and Happy Holiday! 🌟
As term one concludes, I want to remind everyone to prioritise Well-Being
In the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it’s important to prioritise well-being—both for yourself and for your children. Here are a few simple tips to ensure a healthy and happy holiday:
- Stay Active Together: Incorporate fun physical activities that the whole family can enjoy. Whether it’s going for a nature walk, playing outdoor games, or even a holiday dance party at home, staying active can boost mood and energy levels.
- Encourage Mindfulness: Take a moment each day to practice mindfulness. This could be through deep-breathing exercises, meditation, or simply enjoying a quiet moment with a book. Teaching children to check in with their feelings and find calm can promote emotional well-being.
- Cook and Eat Together: Involve your children in meal planning and preparation. Cooking together can be a fun way to introduce healthy eating habits while spending quality time together. Don't forget to include colourful fruits and vegetables!
- Set Boundaries: While the holidays can often be filled with celebrations and gatherings, it’s also essential to set boundaries that allow for rest and relaxation. Make sure to carve out time for family downtime, and don’t hesitate to say no to plans that may feel overwhelming.
- Embrace Gratitude: Encourage your children to reflect on what they are thankful for during this time. Keeping a gratitude journal can be a wonderful way for them to express their thoughts and feelings, helping to cultivate a positive mindset.
We hope the holiday is filled with laughter, warmth, and precious moments with family.
I have attached a resilience lesson that Year 4 has completed this term with some activities that all families can participate in.
P & F / CANTEEN NEWS
CANTEEN
What a terrific group of canteen volunteers we have had this term. Our kids have really enjoyed weekly meals and treats, with a few old favourites as well.
Thanks to everyone who gives their time - with your help, the canteen continues to be a vibrant part of our school community, and a consistent fundraiser for our P&F.
We’d love you to get in touch if you are interested, or would like to know more about how you can be a part of our great little school as a canteen helper.
Please see below the Term 2 Canteen Menu.
Please click on the link below to sign up to volunteer for the canteen and baking/making goodies for our "Specials" Days
Enquiries welcome: Jane Shannon 0428656167
P & F Easter Egg Hunt
Celebrating the Success of the P&F Easter Egg Hunt!
The recent P&F Easter Egg Hunt was a resounding success! It brought our community together for an afternoon filled with laughter, excitement, and fun as the children searched high and low for colourful eggs hidden throughout our beautiful grounds.
The anticipation was palpable as families gathered, with children buzzing with excitement at the thought of finding a bounty of eggs—and the coveted Golden Egg! Armed with their carton, they raced off, their faces lighting up with joy as they discovered eggs nestled in bushes, behind and up in trees, and even tucked away in some unexpected spots. The thrill of finding that Golden Egg, with its special surprise, added an extra layer of excitement—many children over the moon when they found it!
A heartfelt thank you goes to all our incredible volunteers who dedicated their time and energy to organise the event. Your hard work and commitment made afternoon not only possible but very memorable! From setting up the egg hunt area to hiding those elusive eggs and ensuring everything ran smoothly, your efforts did not go unnoticed. It is the collective spirit of our community that makes these events so special.
We would also like to extend our gratitude to all the families who participated. Your enthusiasm and support are what make our school community thrive. We look forward to more wonderful events that bring us together, fostering connections among families and creating joyful memories for our children.
Warm regards,
Anna Bowman
Easter Egg Hunt Gallery
PIE DRIVE
The annual pie drive is here, get your orders in to stock up your freezer for winter. And money raised will suppy extra resources for your children.
Orders are due back to school by Monday 26th May.
Delivery date for pies is Thursday 12th June.
COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD
Hi Waste 2 Arters
The first APRIL UPDATE
I wanted to give you the first opportunity to book into the COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS that will be held at the Environmental Learning Facility (ELF), Orange Showground. Orange City Council would like to invite all interested residents to come along.
Children’s Workshop - Saturday 26 April 2024 from 2pm—5pm
Follow the link to book: https://tinyurl.com/W2AChildrensWorkshop2025
This workshop is facilitated by local artist Tavia Lyons and is aimed at our younger people and their parents. Tavia was involved with Waste 2 Art in Orange since its’ inception in 2015.
Families, adults, and community groups Workshop - Sunday 27 April 2024 from 9am—12nn
Follow the link to book: https://tinyurl.com/W2ACommunityWorkshop2025
This workshop is suitable for families with older children, adults and community groups who would like to learn some techniques to use to make an artwork to display in the Waste 2 Art Exhibition. It is facilitated by Jaq Davies, a multidisciplinary artist also local to Orange.
Come along and share ideas, individuals and groups are welcome. If you have an idea already, take advantage of this opportunity to gain some advice on how to go about it.
Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent, carer or guardian.
The theme is The Year of Toys. That doesn’t mean that you must use this material in your artwork but we want to raise awareness each year of one particular problem waste stream.
If you have collected materials you want to use, feel free to bring them along. We will supply a range of materials as well as glues and paints.
The Library team would like to thank NetWaste and Orange City Council for the opportunity to host Waste 2 Art in 2025.
Kind regards
Monica Engel
Co-ordinator Waste 2 Art
Central West Libraries
