Easter Liturgies

Over the past week, St. Joseph’s students have been invited through our Easter liturgy, this week’s school assembly, and in Religion Catholic Studies classes to reflect on the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus and the significance that these events that happened over two thousand years ago continue to have in our lives today. The school community was reminded of the peace, joy and hope that the particular season brings, and through role play, Ms Wilson’s invited us to meet Jesus in the Resurrection as new life for the world.

During our class liturgies, just as when Jesus experienced His agony in the garden, students prayed that He will fill them with courage and strength when they feel beaten and scared; that He will show them His compassion and give them His transforming hope. Just as Catholics commemorate Jesus' passion on Good Friday, students prayed that He will show them the way of peace and strong moral courage, transform timidity into authenticity, and aggression into seeking justice for those without a voice. They also asked for Jesus’ help to be respectful and true to their values. Just as occurred for the women who found Jesus’ tomb empty, students were reminded that His new life brings hope and trust that every situation can be transformed into goodness and peace.
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World Autism Awareness Day

To highlight the significance of World Autism Awareness Day on Sunday, 2 April, during our school assembly this week, Chloe Norris, Katelyn Blissett, and Lelya Crnogorcevic
delivered an inspirational and meaningful presentation. They are to be highly commended for eloquently explaining the purpose of this day and raising students’ awareness of autism and the importance of providing support for the autistic people in our community. On Tuesday, students were encouraged to show support for those with autism by wearing a blue accessory for a gold coin donation towards Autism Awareness Australia - an organisation that provides much needed resources, education, tools, and fun activities to autistic individuals and their families.

Chrism Mass

The school’s Student Leaders were also invited by the Bishop of Wollongong, Brian Mascord to attend the Chrism Mass held at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Wollongong on Tuesday, 4 April.
The congregation gathered to pray with the bishop and priests of the diocese, in thanksgiving and praise to God, and to pray for them as they renewed their commitment to the service of God and His priestly people. The Chrism Mass is named after one of the holy oils, which is used to anoint priests and bishops when they are ordained. During this Mass, the three oils used in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Anointing of the Sick were blessed and distributed to priests for use in their Parishes. Sincere thanks to the following Year 12 Senior Leaders who proudly represented St. Joseph’s at this special Mass: Year 12 School Captain - Tayissa Buchanan, Vice Captains - Grace Pomery and Jett Stroemer, and SRC Senior Leader - Indiana (Indi) Taylor.

Principal’s Awards

Congratulations to the following students who were presented with Principal’s Gold Awards at Monday’s School Assembly:

The following students are also congratulated for receiving Principal’s Awards this term:

School Winter Uniform for Term 2 & the New Winter School Jacket

Students will return to school in Term 2 in full winter school uniform including ties for boys and tights for girls. All students are required to wear their blazers to and from school every day in Terms 2 and 3.

Please note the School’s Uniform Shop now has a new school jacket in stock. This may be worn as an over the school blazer jacket by those students who wish to have an extra layer of warmth in winter. These are available at the cost of……….

Upcoming Public Holidays, Staff Development Days, and Returning in Winter Uniform

With a pupil free Staff Development Day scheduled for Monday, 24 April and the ANZAC Day Public Holiday on Tuesday, 25 April, Term 2 will commence for all students on Wednesday, 26 April.

Please note a second pupil free Staff Development Day is scheduled to be held in Week 2 of Term 2 on Tuesday, 2 May.

We wish all our families a very holy, blessed, and happy Easter!

Mrs Jenny Bell
Acting Principal