Welcome to our final newsletter for Term 1.

Playground Maintenance

Parent Drop-Off/ Pick-Up Before and After School

When bringing your child/ren to school and picking them up please heed all traffic signs as these protect the safety of all children,

including your own. Parents are asked to instill in their children the absolute necessity of using crossings correctly. 

We also kindly ask that you please use the main gated entrance in Weddin Street. This ensures all traffic coming to and from St Joseph’s School can be monitored safely. Thank you in advance.

Garden Project Opening

The partners of Grenfell Community Produce came together at St Joseph’s Primary School to mark the completion of the first phase of the project, funded by Western NSW Local Health District through the Building Healthy Communities Challenge, which saw garden beds, greenhouses and compost bins established at not only St Joseph's Primary School, but also the Grenfell MPS, and Grenfell Preschool and Long Daycare Centre. 

This project saw Weddin Landcare, The Henry Lawson High School, Grenfell Men's/ Hen's Shed, Grenfell Food Hall, Weddin Community Native Nursery, and other community members, get on board with the common goal of producing healthy, nutrient dense food for the Grenfell Food Hall.

Thanks to all who attended the launch and congratulations to Mrs Caruana for instigating this project!

Term 1 Interim Reports

Term 1 Interim Reports were sent home with students on Monday. This report provides an opportunity for parents to see how their child has started the new school year and any areas for development.

Parents are invited to attend an interview with their child’s teacher on Tuesday 8th April, with time slots from 3:30pm-6pm. Information on how to book a time has been sent via Compass, so please ensure you read the instructions and book a timeslot. If the provided times do not suit please contact your child’s teacher directly to book an alternative:

Kinder/ Year One: natalie.caruana@cg.catholic.edu.au or chelsea.harveyson@cg.catholic.edu.au

Years Two/ Three/ Four: dione.ryan@cg.catholic.edu.au or lachlan.martens@cg.catholic.edu.au

Years Five/ Six: cindy.washbrook@cg.catholic.edu.au or deborah.green@cg.catholic.edu.au

If you have difficulties making the booking on Compass please contact the Office: office.stjosephsgrenfell@cg.catholic.edu.au

Please remember that it does not need to be “interview week” to meet with the teachers. Please feel free to contact them directly if you wish to discuss your child’s schooling. 

School Cross Country Event

Next week is very busy with our Cross Country on Monday at the Grenfell Country Club (Golf Course). Parents are welcome to join us. We plan to start at 9:45 am. The children are to come to school as normal and will be transported to and from the club via bus. Children are to wear their sports uniform, bring morning tea, plenty of water and a hat. Students have been training hard and we are sure they will enjoy the day.

School Photo Day

Tuesday 6th May has been booked for our annual school photo day. Please make a note of this in your diaries and ensure students are wearing their correct

 full winter school uniform on the day.

Year 2/3/4 Class Easter Mass

Next Wednesday we look forward to students in Years Two, Three and Four presenting a very special Easter Mass for our school community at St Joseph’s Catholic Church at 10 am. Everyone is welcome!

Anzac Day - Tuesday 25th April

Our school captains Charlie and Callum will represent St Joseph’s Primary School at the Anzac Day Dawn Service at 5:45am at Grenfell Memorial Park. Other students are welcome to join us. Students are invited to march in the parade with the Grenfell RSL Sub-branch. This is always a significant event and students take great pride in observing this day. Interested students are to meet teachers at the western end of Main Street at 10:30am in their school winter uniform to march to the cenotaph with returned servicemen and women and serving members in our community. The march commences at 10:45am.

School Improvements

During the school holidays the hall roof will be undergoing remediation work. We look forward to seeing the progress as the works take place.

Breakfast Club Thanks

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our wonderful parents who generously dedicate their time preparing food and drinks for our students at Breakfast Club. How lucky we are to have such caring and dedicated parents as part of our school community who go above and beyond. We know the students appreciate it and go to class with full tummies. Thank you all for all that you do!

Easter Hat Parade/ Raffle

Students are invited to participate in our upcoming Easter Hat Parade which will be held on the last day of Term 1 at 2:15 pm.

Assembly will follow the parade, at which time the School Community Council Easter Raffle will be drawn. We hope to see you there!

Winter Uniform 

Just a reminder that as students return in Term 2, they are expected to be wearing their full winter uniform. Please ensure all clothing items are labelled with your child's name. This includes light blue sleeved shirts, navy trousers for boys and/or navy skirts and stockings for girls. In addition to ties. 

There is not long to go now until the Easter holidays! The last day of Term 1 is Thursday 10th April - Friday is a Staff Development Day (Pupil Free Day). Please note that Term 2 commences on Tuesday 29th April - Monday is a Staff Development Day (Pupil Free Day). We would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a blessed Easter break. We hope everyone has a restful time spent with family and friends.

Warm Regards,

Danielle McFarlane and Chelsea Harveyson

As school begins to wind down for the term, teachers begin to spend time reflecting on what went well and what can be changed to make future learning opportunities engaging, enjoyable and valuable. It is a time for sharing student achievements and challenges during parent-teacher interim interviews and to set goals for the coming term.

As individuals, spending time reflecting on what is going well and what can be changed in our lives is a valuable exercise. It helps us to become the best version of ourselves. We all have areas of our lives that can be improved. Whether that involves spending time being more active for a healthier lifestyle, choosing to spend time talking to and listening to our families instead of looking at our phones, taking the time to genuinely listen to those around us so that they know they are truly valued and seeking forgiveness from those we have hurt by our words or actions.

Lent is a time that we are especially encouraged to reflect on their lives and work to become the best version of themselves. Last week’s Gospel was the Parable of the Prodigal Son. The son who had squandered all his inheritance on meaningless objects, reflected on his life and came to his senses. He then left the place where he was and went back to his father. His father saw him coming from a long way off and called to his servants to prepare a feast for his beloved son who had returned.

This familiar story reminds us of God’s boundless love, forgiveness and mercy for each of us. No matter the mistakes we make, when we reflect and realise our behaviour stops us from being the best version of ourselves and we seek forgiveness, God will always welcome us back with open arms.

A Prayer for Guidance and Protection:

"Lord, when I am uncertain about what I should do, show me your ways. When I don't know which way to turn, teach me and show me. In everything I do, I ask you to guide me. I want to trust you and I ask that you would protect me."

Warm regards,

Loyola Best

​Religious Education Coordinator (Acting)