This week we commemorate National Reconciliation Week. This year’s theme is “Be a Voice for generations – Act today for a reconciled tomorrow”. This is a time when we commemorate and celebrate the long history and culture of this Country's First Nations peoples. We also remember the pain that has been caused since colonisation through many Government policies. At its heart, reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians.
Friday, May 26th (“Sorry Day”) we invited Aunty Lynne Graham, a Ngarrindjeri elder and grandmother to Olivia and Alexandria Nulty to come into school for a Ngarrindjeri flag raising ceremony with a Welcome to Country and a short ceremony to acknowledge our First Nations people. We will proudly fly the Ngarrindjeri flag all week.
Aboriginal Spirituality
Aboriginal Spirituality is derived from the concept of the Dreaming where its roots lie in a variety of stories, ceremonies, values, and structures. The Dreaming is a complex network of knowledge, faith and practices that come from stories of Creation, and it dominates all spiritual and physical aspects of Aboriginal life.
The Dreaming set out the structures of society, the rules for social behaviour and the ceremonies performed to maintain the life of the land. It governed the way people lived and how they should behave. Those who did not follow the rules were punished. The Dreaming tells the journeys of the Spirit Ancestors who made the world and whose Spirits inhabit the features of the natural world today; it influences every aspect of daily life and permeates song, dance, storytelling, painting, artefacts making, hunting, food gathering and a social kinship system; it also determines relationship with every living creature and features of the land.
Aboriginal people believe that they do not own the land but are part of it. Therefore, they have the duty to respect and maintain the land for it is alive within the Spirit of their Ancestors. The land is their Ancestors and the source of their Dreaming; it contains sacred sites for which they are responsible. Land is central to their cultural life and is the basis of their economic life.
In 1877, German Lutheran Missionaries established a Mission in Central Australia at Hermannsburg. In 1926 Pastor Albrecht made this observation: “When we first came here, we thought we had found the only people in the world without religion. Now, we have learnt that they are amongst the most religious people in the world.” These missionaries, like the English Colonists before them, found no recognisable structures that provided a formal point for Aboriginal religious observance. Mrs Wadjuelarbinna, Elder Doomadgee for North Queensland, has this wonderful insight into Aboriginal Spirituality and Christianity:
“My mother said they close their eyes in church, they go in there and talk to Spirit; this one they call God, must be the same one belong you and me; and they started to work out their Spirituality there; it’s a bit different and she couldn’t understand why they make a grand building especially to go to on Sunday to talk to this Spirit, and every other day of the week they could do what they wanted to. And she said, poor silly buggers, they make a house to go in and talk; he’s not going to lock up there, he’s everywhere; he’s in the bush he’s where we’re fishing, he’s where we’re hunting; every second of the day we’re answerable to that Spirit.” A.B.C. Radio 1999
There are so many things we can learn about our own spirituality from developing an understanding of other cultures and listening to their stories. We can listen to the stories of our first peoples and their connection to the land they come from. This connection gives meaning to their lives and helps them to identify who they are and where they come from and belong. Through understanding this connection, we have an opportunity to reflect on our own identity; who we are and where we come from that gives us a sense of belonging. Without this sense of belonging, we can become like a log being carried along in the current of a river without any purpose or direction.
Across Australia we celebrate National Reconciliation Week between 27 May and 3 June. The dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey: the anniversaries of the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision. The week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements and to explore how each of us can join in the national reconciliation effort. This year’s theme is “Be a Voice for Generations Act Today for a Reconciled Tomorrow.” As Australians, we are all here, woven into this country. As part of our reconciliation journey, there are truths to tell, stories to celebrate, and relationships to grow.
Lord, we pray that we can stand together. We pray that we can walk and talk together. Help us to share our gifts with each other. Help us to listen to each other. Give us courage to walk and talk with each other. Help us to act and leave footprints of respect, love, kindness and compassion. Amen
Some of our Year 4 students received Communion for the first time at the Masses last weekend.
Congratulations to Lachlan, Nicholas, JR and Austin who celebrated their First Holy Communion with Fr Peter Swains saying the Mass on Saturday night and to Stephanie, Ethan, Felisa, Dat and Khaly who celebrated with Fr Allan Winter on Sunday.
Dear parents, carers, teachers and students,
This week I would like to share with the community a reflection from an inspiring moment that I was blessed to have with several staff from St Joseph's School. On Wednesday, May 31, our school captain, Alexis Watkins and Education Support Officer (ESO) Georgina Kooistra were invited to partake in a panel with two other young leaders from St Francis de Sales College, Mount Barker, as one of the opening Q&A sessions on the first day of the South Australian Catholic Primary Principals Conference, held at 'The Bend' Tailem Bend. Before Alexis and Georgina spoke, we were spoiled with the opportunity to listen to the opening keynote speaker and special guest, Kurt Fearnley AO, a three-time Paralympic gold medalist from Newcastle. Kurt's address was facilitated by the conference master of ceremonies Louka Perry, a highly acclaimed and global speaker, learning strategist and education futurist.
Kurt told us his story and experiences of rising through adversity to become a champion athlete and sharing his challenges with the audience, especially crawling the gruelling Kokoda track. He spoke about individual differences, that we all have them, and how they are something we should embrace. Kurt talked about the power of self-talk and embracing the opportunities he has had to be around other people with disabilities and how these moments have helped him achieve his phenomenal accomplishments. He told us that a supportive and understanding community is needed in our society and schools that foster and encourage each person to reach their personal goals, regardless of where they are from and what abilities or disabilities they have. There is something beautiful in everyone! Such a simple but powerful message we need constant reminding about.
Afterwards, Louka Perry led a reflection session with the audience about what is needed in education today for young people. Alexis Watkins and Georgina Kooistra from St Joseph's shared their thoughts on a panel of young leaders to over thirty South Australian Catholic school leaders about a student's perspective on education and leadership in schools for them today. Both Alexis and Georgina were inspiring, and our community needs to congratulate them both on the way they spoke openly and confidently about the genuine human connection required in schools today and, most importantly, for leaders and teachers in our schools to prioritise and have a strong relationship with students who are in a world that is heavily reliant upon and directed by technology usage and it's influencers.
I can't thank Alexis and Georgina enough for representing our school admirably.
Staffing Changes
Here at St Joseph's School, we are daily experiencing employees absent from our site due to professional development, employees on a range of leave entitlements or staff illness. We are fortunate to have such a diversified and talented staff who regularly adapt to these changes and support the students when they experience differences in their day.
Our world is ever-changing, and the employment opportunities available today will be different when your child leaves school in the future. Preparing the next generation for change and future prospects is essential to an educational journey. Allowing children to experience different teachers and teaching styles helps them learn to cope with change and different ways of approaching and doing things, enhancing independent, creative and innovative thinking skills. This is a big ingredient of our ever-changing technological world.
The atmosphere in all schools is changing and will continue to do so. At St Joseph's School, the leadership team works hard daily to ensure that all students are educated and cared for to the best of our ability and the human resources we have at our disposal. We thank community members for understanding and supporting us as we navigate and work through this.
Changes of staff for this term include:
Mr Chris Overton will continue the learning program for Year 5M, and Mr James McLaren will teach the Year 4T class. Miss Georgina Kooistra is completing her teaching practicum at North Primary School until Week 9 this term, and we welcome Miss Amy Thulborn, who will be completing her teaching practicum with Mrs Margherita Pardoe for the remainder of this term.
Mrs Ros Oates
Principal
The Big Lie - White Settlement of South Australia and The Letters Patent
During Reconciliation week, Crowley House and the Year 9 students have been investigating the settlement of South Australia in 1836. We read the Letters patent- a letter from William the Fourth (King of England) which was stated:
“An Act of parliament entitled ‘An Act to empower His
Majesty to erect South Australia into a British Province or Provinces
and to provide for the Colonization and Government thereof"
“nothing in those our Letters Patent contained shall affect
or be construed to affect the rights of any Aboriginal Natives of the
said Province to the actual occupation or enjoyment in their own
Persons or in the Persons of their Descendants of any Lands therein
now actually occupied or enjoyed by such Natives”
This agreement lasted until Governor Hindmarsh was replaced in 1838 by George Gawler. In 1841 the Rufus River Massacre led to the killing of 30-40 Indigenous people and the Aboriginal reserves which were set up we also leased to white settlers. Thus, within 5 years, the wishes of King William as written in his Letters Patent, was overturned. Generation after generation of South Australian school students were not told of this important document, however, we believe it is an important part of our history as a nation and, our students deserve to hear the truth.
Mrs Annette Lamont
Middle Years Curriculum Leader
Starting School This July?
Like all Catholic schools across South Australia, St Joseph's School will continue to offer free mid-year Reception enrolment intake for students who turn five on or before October 31, 2023, to reduce the financial burden on families. Please see the common questions below about children being ready to start school.
When can my child start school?
St Joseph's School offers two intakes per year for children starting Reception.
Term 1 enrolment – for children who turn five years on or before April 30.
Term 3 enrolment (Mid-Year intake) – for children who turn five years on or before October 31.
Why a Mid-Year intake?
A large body of research shows the benefit of high-quality early learning and care experiences for children in their first 1,000 days of life and the years before school.
Students who start in Term 3 are likely to spend 18 months in Reception before progressing to Year 1. Reception students who join a 2023 mid-year intake at a Catholic school will get free tuition in Terms 3 and 4.
The free intake includes tuition fees and compulsory charges. It will exclude uniforms and extra-curricular costs.
Please call the administration office, 85342000, to make an appointment with the Principal to discuss enrolment and mid-term intake or tour the school.
Want to help children learn? Want to work in a great team? Want to make a difference? Maybe you know someone who would? Now is your chance...
St Joseph’s School is seeking qualified and talented Education Support Officers (ESOs) to join the team and work in a kind, motivated and friendly environment. We are looking for applicants interested, and skilled in, working with primary, secondary, and special needs students. Every child matters.
You can find out more from the CESA website at
https://www.cesa.catholic.edu.au/.../pos.../job-detail/91078
One-on-One tuition for drum and guitar is available at St Joseph's School on a weekly basis.
For more information on lessons and costs please contact Nathan Hill on 0448 426 946
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