St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Wandal Newsletter

7 June 2023

Bernadette Brennan - Principal

Our Queenslander, Ella, is currently in Darwin competing in the National U12 Cricket titles. Her Queensland White team has had a win against the ACT, a loss to a strong NSW team and lost to VIC in a heartstopper that was decided in the 40th over. Ella is having a great competition, and we wish her all the best in her final game against the NT to play off for 5th position.

Last weekend we welcomed a new member to the Wandal family. Kayla Haynes finished teaching on Friday and delivered a beautiful little daughter on Saturday. Congratulations, Kayla, on the timely, safe arrival of Matilda Elsie Louise. We look forward to a visit sometime in the future.

 

Next term, we welcome back Mrs Emma Moon. Emma will be joining the Year Six teaching staff and working on Tuesdays and Wednesdays while Miss Aidan Godbaz continues AUSLAN lessons for all year levels.

Congratulations also to Zachary and Brittany Harris (Miss Hinz), who were recently married. We wish them a lifetime of love and happiness.

In other staffing news, Mr Ben Tapscott will be leaving the team at the completion of this term. Ben has been a valuable asset to our staff and contributed greatly to the children’s success in PE and around the classrooms. We will continue to see Ben around the grounds as a parent. Keep an eye on the sky, as this might be where you next spot Mr Tapscott. We have commenced recruiting for a replacement PE teacher and will advise the community once this is finalised.

Rheanna Starr - Assistant to Principal Religious Education (APRE)

Living Gospel - Sign of the Cross

Every time we bless ourselves or begin prayer with the sign of the cross, we reaffirm our belief in the Trinity. That seemingly simple prayer, ‘In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,’ is, in fact, a confirmation of our belief in a triune God – three in one. The earliest use of the sign of the cross only involved tracing a small cross with the thumb or finger on the forehead, as it is still done in baptisms or blessings today. Later, describing the shape of the cross on the forehead, abdomen, and shoulders became the common practice.

Living the Gospel – Sign of the Cross

Religion Report Card Comments

Below are some words that you may come across in your child’s report card. I have included a brief description that may help you better understand some of the concepts your child has explored this semester. 

Year 2 Report Card Comments

Covenants

God’s relationship with the Jewish people was expressed through covenants. A covenant is a legally binding agreement or contract between two parties. In the Bible, the term describes the relationship between God and humanity. In using the word to speak of a covenant between God and humanity (individuals and nations), the writers of the Old and New Testament develop the notion of obligation as much more than simply a legal requirement into one which emphasizes fidelity, trust, and responsibility, built on a relationship of love. One of the most familiar examples of a covenant for us today is marriage.

 

Year 3 Report Card Comments

Gospels

These books contain accounts of the life and ministry of Jesus and tell of his death and Resurrection. Three (those “according to Matthew, Mark, and Luke”) are related to each other and are called the synoptic gospels.  The Gospel “according to Johnis also called the fourth or last Gospel.  The word Gospel means “Good News.”  

Scriptures

The Scriptures provide a foundation for moral living, specifically the Decalogue, the Greatest Commandment, and the Beatitudes. The Decalogue (The Ten Commandments) is a guide for making moral decisions.

Scripture refers to the sacred texts included in the Bible. Sacred texts are writings that religious traditions consider to be central to their practice or beliefs. Some religious texts are believed to be sacred because of their nature as divinely or supernaturally revealed or inspired.  These texts may be used to provide meaning and purpose, evoke a deeper connection with the divine, convey religious truths, promote religious experience, foster communal identity, and guide individual and communal religious practice.

 These texts often communicate the practices or values of religious traditions and can be looked to as a set of guiding principles which dictate physical, mental, spiritual, or historical elements considered important to a specific religion.

Year 4 Report Card Comments

The Old Testament

The Old Testament, also known as the Hebrew Bible, tells an incomplete story about God and Israel and their continual failings to be the people God calls them to be, but it also gives us hope of a coming Messiah.

New Testament The New Testament is the section of the Bible considered by Christians to be their sacred writing. The New Testament includes the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, as well as letters by various apostles, including Paul. Calling this section of the Bible new acknowledges its more recent writing, not that it supersedes the previous section, usually called the Old Testament.

Miracle stories

Over 37 specific miracles of Jesus are recorded in the Gospels and speak of Jesus’ power to heal, restore, cast out demons, and command the forces of nature. Miracle stories are used to make specific theological points.

Parables

Jesus’ parables are short stories, fictitious, though true to life, used to set out his teachings for Christian believers, the parables Jesus used revealed God to them in new and decisive ways.

Liturgy of the Word

A reminder that Children’s Liturgy is held most Sundays at St Joseph’s Cathedral 9.30 am during the school term. It is wonderful to see our students attend. All students (particularly those preparing for sacraments) are encouraged to attend. Thank you to our dedicated teachers who assist with this important ministry.

Term 2 Prayer Assembly Roster

Year LevelPrayer FocusDate
Staff AssemblyPrayer Reflection Friday 9 June
Year 5 GoldPrayer ReflectionFriday 16 June
Year 1 Gold Prayer ReflectionFriday 23 June

Thought of the Week

Janette McLennan - Assistant to Principal Curriculum (APC)

PARENT INFORMATION

Athletics Day - Thursday 22nd June

PARENT INFORMATION