Dear Parents & Carers,

Schools everywhere are blessed with the most extraordinary people. These people work hard each and every day and get very little recognition for all the things they do that make the school run as smoothly as it can. They turn up each day full of enthusiasm for the tasks ahead and full of love for the children in their care. These people can make the littlest thing appear magical to a child. It could be a word of praise, or a comment on a worksheet. It could be a joke shared or a hug when comfort is needed. The people on our staff at St Joseph’s are certainly extraordinary people. Everyone does that little bit extra to help out both students and their colleagues. So it is difficult to say farewell to people who have been on the journey with us at St Joseph’s. We give thanks to God for their presence in our lives and wish them well for their future endeavours.

BR JOHN

This week we say farewell to Br John O’Brien. Br John has been a teacher and principal in many schools, in Qld, Vic and NSW for over 50 years. He took up his current role with us at St Joseph’s in 2007 with a willingness to be involved in a variety of ways with no task being too small or too big. Br John does many great things behind the scenes, without being asked and often without others knowing, he never looks for thanks nor to promote himself. That is just part of the person he is. He is always there for a chat and a cup of coffee. So Br John, as you enter retirement ….Sit. Breathe. Remember. Relax. You have made more of an impact than you will ever know and touched the lives of so many at St Joseph’s. Thank You!

MR RICHARD BOLES

Mr Richard Boles will be leaving to join the staff at Marist College Ashgrove. After two years here at St Joseph’s, Richard’s vibrant personality and love for the children will be missed.

MRS POWNE— YEAR 1 TEACHER

Thank you Mrs Powne for being a supportive, caring teacher and colleague. The students at St Joseph’s have certainly appreciated your gentle firmness and the bonds you have formed with each one of them. We thank you for taking on the role as Year 1 teacher at such short notice. Your happy and hardworking attitude will be remembered at St Joseph’s.

JOEL MOLLENHAUER — MUSIC TEACHER

Thank you Mr Mollenhauer for exposing the children to music at St Joseph’s. Listening to the sound of singing and the recorder has been a welcoming sound as I have been walking around the school. We wish Joel all the best in 2015.

MRS PICKFORD — YEAR 4 TEACHER In 2015, Mrs Karen Pickford will be taking some well-deserved Long Service Leave. We wish her all the best for the beginning of 2015 and we will see her back at St Joseph’s for the start of 2nd Semester.

END OF YEAR ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS As the year draws to a close, it is the classroom teachers who traditionally receive the heartfelt acknowledgements from parents. Whilst this is unquestionably deserved, there are many oth-er staff members who contribute to the excellent tuition provided at St Joseph’s. Our commu-nity acknowledges and thanks our Specialist Teachers (Teacher Librarian, Curriculum, Music, ICLT, HPE, Art), Inclusion Teachers (Learning Support, Guidance Officers), School Officers (Teacher Assistants, Secretaries), Relief Teachers, Tuckshop Workers, Groundsman and Cleaning staff who all contribute significantly to the education provided at St Joseph’s!

St Joseph’s Primary School Murgon Term 4, Week 9, 2nd December, 2014

DECEMBER

2 Year 6/7 Thanksgiving

4 Ten-Pin Bowling

& Putt Putt

Sausage sizzle lunch

5 End of Year School Mass

10.00am

Last Day of Term 4

Students finish 12pm

32 Angel Avenue,

MURGON QLD 4605

Phone: 4168 1627

Principal: Mr Greg Cran Email:

pmurgon@bne.catholic.edu.au

Website:

www.stjosephsmurgon.qld.edu.au

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

YEAR 6/7 THANKSGIVING Tonight we will celebrate and give thanks for the children that are in our Year 6/7. Thank-you to Celia, Duncan, Benita, and anyone else who played a special part in preparing for this special event. Congratulations to all the Year Six and Seven students on this special achievement. Congratulations to the children who will receive our special awards tonight: Presentation Sister’s study award Deidre Brandon award for most improvement Br Cletus Drew Christian Leadership award.

As this year draws to an end, I would like to thank you all for your kind thoughts, words and support throughout the year. I wish each and every family the joy and blessings that the Christmas season brings, and a safe and restful holiday.

Have a great week,

GregC ran Principal

As this busy school year comes to a close, and we are saying farewells to much loved members of the St Joseph’s school community, it is timely that we reflect on the year in a spirit of thanksgiving.

THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION Tonight we celebrate with our Year 6 and Year 7 students as they gather with loved ones for their Thanksgiving Liturgy and dinner. This marks a special occasion where we give thanks for the presence of God throughout their primary school years, and ask for God’s blessing and presence in their journey ahead. It is also an occasion to celebrate the gifts and talents that they have developed, particularly those leadership qualities we have witnessed each student put into action this year. We pray that God will give them direction, purpose, and perseverance as they enter the next phase of their lives. Wishing each of our student leaders a wonderful evening, and every success for their efforts in the years to come.

ADVENT We have just begun the season of Advent. This is the beginning of the Church Year for most churches in the Western tradition. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day (Sunday 30th November).

The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival." The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ. Advent is marked by a spirit of expectation, of anticipation, of preparation. During Advent the colour purple is significant. This is the colour of fasting as well as the colour of royalty to welcome the Advent of the King. Purple is also the colour of suffering used during Lent and Holy Week. This points to an important connection between Jesus’ birth and death. The circle of the Advent wreath reminds us of God Himself, His eternity and endless

mercy, which has no beginning or end. The green of the wreath speaks of the hope that we have in God, of renewal, of eternal life.

Candles symbolize the light of God coming into the world through the birth of His son. The four outer candles represent the period of waiting during the four Sundays of Advent. The colours of the candles are usually three purple or blue candles, corresponding to the Church sanctuary colours of Advent, and one pink candle. The light of the candles itself becomes an important symbol of the season. The light reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world that comes into the darkness of our lives to bring newness, life, and hope.

END OF YEAR SCHOOL MASS This Friday is our last day of the school year, and we will celebrate our year with a whole school Mass. Everyone in our St Joseph’s community is very welcome to attend and we look forward to seeing you there. Mass begins at 10.00am.

Wishing you all a happy and Holy Christmas, and a safe and fun-filled holiday.

Celia O’Connor

Acting APRE/CST

APRE NEWS

Our Swimming Carnival Age Champions are:-

Boys Under 10 —Millar Shields

Girls Under 10 —Kaitlyn Zelinski

Boys Under 11 —Cookie Aubrey

Girls Under 11 —Jamie Atkins & Rebecca Palmer

Boys Under 12—Jarrod Barnett

Girls Under 12—Iutin Tetabo & Emma Cran

Congratulations to all of our Age Champions, well done,

great champions!!

Congratulations also to the Blue Team—Overall winners on

the day!

Sports News

S T U D E N T S O F T H E W E E K Week 7

Prep William Taylor

Year 1 Year 1

Year 2 Tayla Shields

Year 3 Tytrell Combo-Wragge

Year 4 Ellie Searies

Year 5 David Rowberry

Year 6 / 7 Brenna Prendergast

DECEMBER H a p p y B i r t h d a y s

Prep: Kaleb Watson

Year 3: Sophie Gleich

Year 4: Emily Bligh, Jack Oliveira

Staff: Br. Tim, Br. Mick, Mrs Lunney &

Mrs Guteridge

Happy Birthday everyone!

Thanks and appreciation from Br. John.

I wish to express my thanks and appreciation to the St. Joseph’s School community, Parents, Staff, Students, Brothers and Fr. Michael, for your

welcome and support during my eight year stay at Murgon. It has been a special time as I have brought my long association working in schools to a

conclusion and move to Randwick. Thankyou and God bless, Sincerely,

Br. John O’Brien

P & F MEETING THANK YOU

Thank you to all the wonderful people

who attended our P & F meetings. Look

forward to more joining us next year.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS FROM THE

TUCKSHOP LADIES

Free from Tuckshop

this week

Ice cream and Jelly

Chicken Chippies is our

special ONLY $3.00

Saturday 6th December Sunday 7th December Wondai 6pm Murgon 8am Proston 8am Saturday 13th December Sunday 14th December Murgon 6pm Wondai 8am Proston 8am

Weekday Mass Times

Wednesdays—Wondai 5.30pm Thursdays—Murgon 5.30pm

Fridays - Murgon 9.30am

Parish Priest: Fr. Michael Carroll sm PH 41681406

Please Note: Proston Mass time change to 8am - until March 2015.

Parish Mass Times

P a r e n t s & F r i e n d s TUCKSHOP SPECIAL WEDNESDAY

Available at Big Lunch Thursday

(after return from Ten-Pin Bowling &

Putt Putt)

Slushy -

$2.00

Sausage Sizzle -

$2.00

Wondai Combined Churches Christmas Carols

Uniting Church Hall Sunday 14th December, 7pm.

All Welcome

St. Joseph’s

Stubby Coolers

Only $5.00 each

Great Collectors item

Available at the School Office

Hurry before they sell out!!

PARISH HALL

The St. Joseph’s Parish Hall is available for rent for unlicensed functions. For further information phone Fr. Michael 41 681406