Dear Parents & carers,

Mother’s Day Thanks

It was wonderful to have so many mothers and mother figures present at school to celebrate and join in our Mother’s Day festivities last Wednesday. Thanks for joining us!

 We trust everyone enjoyed the delicious breakfast, prayer service and posies presented by the Kindergarten and Year One students.

Special gratitude is extended to our hardworking School Community Council members, as well as Howard and Noreen Povey, for making the Mother’s Day morning so special and memorable. Thanks also to the Kindergarten and Year One class for delivering what was a very touching prayer service.

An immense thanks is extended to the following local businesses and individuals for their support of the Mother’s Day Raffle and Stall:

• Glen Donald Estate
• Poveys
• Knotched
• The Tin Cupboard
• Wild Child Grenfell
• Blended Beauty
• Unwind in Grenfell
• Scope Clothing
• Bound Pages Bookshop
• Chrome Boutique
• Beauty Spot Grenfell
• The Natural Home Grenfell
• Jan Parlett's Country Experience
• The Cri Grenfell
• Grenfell Pharmacy
• The Conron Store
• Paper Daisy Studio

• Charms of Joy by Elsie
• Sally Metcalfe
• Weddin Community Native Nursery

We hope all mothers enjoyed their special day!

Hennessy Catholic College Visit

Last week the Year Five and Six students welcomed Mrs Kathy Holding, Principal of Hennessy Catholic College (HCC), to our school to provide a 

comprehensive overview of the amazing opportunities available at HCC for high school. The students enjoyed hearing about the school and gaining insights into high school life and all that lies ahead.

WR Cross Country

Congratulations to our team of runners who represented St Joseph’s at the Western Region Cross Country last Friday in Batlow. Congratulations to the children on their impressive enthusiasm and perseverance! Special congratulations to Harry Duval for achieving … place in his age group.

Sport - Soccer Lessons

Soccer lessons continued this week, run by the reputable Gecko Sports. Students have been enjoying learning the skills involved in the game of soccer and applying them in game contexts.

Athletics Carnival

Our Athletics Carnival will see students from Kindergarten to Year Six compete in a wide range of track, field and novelty events. A great day of sport is assured! More updates to come!

National Walk Safely to School Day

Friday May 19 is the 18th annual National Walk Safely to School Day. To mark the day, primary school aged children are encouraged to walk with their parents or caregiver to school. This day is a great opportunity for families to walk to school together and have conversations 

about being a safe road user. It also aims to improve the environment and our daily exercise routines. Whether you leave the car at home or park a short distance away, be sure to get involved!

Jump Into Joey’s 2025

On Friday we are delighted to welcome the Grenfell Preschool and Long Daycare Centre Star Room children to join with students in Years Five and Six, and Mrs Green, for the first of our exciting Jump into Joey's School Readiness Program sessions. A great morning exploring a wide range of movement activities is planned. All children from the Grenfell community due to commence Kindergarten in 2026 are most welcome to come along and join in with the program as advertised.

The Henry Lawson Festival

It is time to get ready for one of the most anticipated events on the Grenfell calendar - the Henry Lawson Festival! We look forward to participating in the play and parade. All students will have various parts to play. We thank you for supporting your child/ren to prepare for their parts at home.

National Simultaneous Storytime

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is an annual event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy in libraries, classrooms, a

nd communities around the country. The NSS book for 2025 is The Truck Cat, written by Deborah Frenkel and illustrated by Danny Snell. This is a heartwarming story about cats and humans, immigration and identity, and homes lost and found.

The Truck Cat will be read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, and homes around the country on Wednesday May 21. This year we have invited the children from the Grenfell Preschool Star Room to listen to the story with us. We look forward to this wonderful event!

Fire and Rescue Visit

Next Friday we are excited to welcome the local Fire and Rescue team to run information sessions with each class.

We thank Jaclyn Hughes for organising this fantastic opportunity for our students.

Warm Regards,

Danielle McFarlane and Chelsea Harveyson

The month of May is dedicated to Mary, Jesus’ Holy Mother. Mary serves as a model for all mothers, demonstrating unwavering faith and selfless love. Mary’s acceptance of God's plan for her exemplified the power of faith, even when things seemed uncertain. 

 Mother's Day is a time to recognise the vital role mothers, and mother figures play in nurturing, guiding, and supporting the children in their care. Mothers and mother figures shape the lives of children, providing love, care and guidance that positively influences growth and development. 

Mother's Day is an opportunity to express gratitude to mothers and mother figures for their love, sacrifice and dedication. It's a chance to acknowledge the impact they have on our lives and to honour the strength and resilience they demonstrate. 

Kindergarten and Year One helped St Joseph’s to celebrate our mothers and our mother figures through their recent prayer service. I believe it was a very moving and beautiful way to celebrate our mothers and mother figures. Thank you to Kindergarten, and Year One! I sincerely pray that all mothers and mother figures had a lovely day on Mother’s Day, spending time with loved ones.

REMINDER

Mini-Vinnies will meet every even week beginning Week 4, for a short time at lunch time, now on Tuesday as Wednesday is SRC meeting day. 

We have a new Pope!

We welcome with great joy Pope Leo XIV. He speaks of peace and walking together. May God bless him as he begins his ministry of the worldwide Catholic church.

Warm regards,

Loyola Best

​Religious Education Coordinator (Acting)

Parish News:    SACRAMENT of Reconciliation Preparation Meeting One- 4pm Monday 19^th May, School Library. N.B. Please contact Mrs Best ASAP if you would like your child to be part of this sacramental opportunity! (see details below).