PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Matthew O'Brien, Principal
Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students and the wider St. Joseph’s Primary School Community,
The Adventure Begins …
Humans are captivated by story – stories may be told orally, through written word, music or via the visual arts. Story engages our head and hearts, they dig deeply into our beings. Many of the best stories I have encountered involve adventure. These stories captivate, entertain and help us to reflect critically on the world and our place in it. “Stories are designed to force us to consider possibilities”. (William Baush)
Each of our lives involve adventure and our own stories. I wonder what your most exciting adventure has been? Adventures come in all shapes and sizes. Some are exhilarating, others terrifying! The word adventure comes from the Latin word ‘adventurus’ meaning “a thing about to happen”.
Yesterday was the first Sunday of Advent, the Season that is at the beginning of the Church’s Liturgical Year. There is a strong connection between the concept of adventure and Advent. It goes far beyond seeing the word Advent in the bigger word adventure!
Adventures often change people. Sometimes people gain new insights into themselves and to those around them. They may grow in confidence, resilience or even wisdom by the experience of the adventure. During an adventure there may often be times to stop and take stock of the situation. Like the example of the young man who travelled overseas for the very first time after finishing school. After six months of backpacking he had very little money left or nowhere to live. At this point in the adventure he had to reflect upon the options available to him. Should he go home? Or find a job and experience life living in a foreign city? Maybe get a loan from his parents to continue his travels? - so so many things to think about!
Advent is an invitation for Christians to reflect and get ready for “the thing that is about to happen” Maybe the Advent adventure is about reflecting upon Jesus being born each and every day – not just a celebration of an historical event. Christians in Advent may be called to reflect upon how they can be midwives – bringing something into the world. What of this Jesus story can be “born” or brought forth into the world today? The following prayer might express something of the adventure of this coming Advent Season:
Maranatha! (Come Lord Jesus)
Maranatha!
Open our eyes to the dignity of all people
And our ears to the cries of the earth.
Maranatha!
Let us walk in solidarity with the poor
And cleanse our world from oppression.
Maranatha!
Let us shout out for justice for all
And renew our hope for change.
Maranatha!
The Lord is coming
Let us share the Good News!
Amen.
Sue Cooper/CAFOD
This reflection and prayer appeared in the Catholic Education Ballarat Weekly Newsletter – 24th November
COVID Safe Practices
The recent Covid positive case in a Warrnambool school is a timely reminder for us at St Joseph’s to remain vigilant in our Covid safe practices.
Facemasks remain mandatory for children Year 3 and above
Visitors to continue to QR code on arrival and show vaccination status.
It is important that any student who becomes unwell with COVID-19 symptoms while at school gets tested and returns home.
The symptoms to watch out for are:
- loss or change in sense of smell or taste
- fever
- chills or sweats
- cough
- sore throat
- shortness of breath
- runny nose.
Final School Assembly - Parents Welcome
11:30am - 1:20pm, Tuesday 14th December
Some really good news came through today (Monday) which allows for parents and visitors to attend our final assembly. All visitors will be required to QR and show vaccination status on arrival.
Orientation Day
Next Tuesday 7th December is our Orientation Day. Our Year 6 students will attend their secondary schools and we will welcome our 2022 Foundation students. Years 1-5 will begin moving to their new classes from around 9:15am. Students will remain with their 2022 class until lunch time. A sausage in bread and a Zooper Dooper will be provided for all students. Our school staff have put a great deal of consideration into the class groupings balancing the social and academic needs of every child. Parents' input was sought via the “Green Forms” and this information was highly valued in our deliberation.