Week 1, Term 2 2024

On Anzac Day, we are reminded of the sacrifices made by Australians during WWI. The impact of the war was profound, with a significant portion of the Australian population directly affected by the conflict. The war also brought economic challenges, further adding to the difficulties faced by the people.

Despite the hardships, the spirit of courage and sacrifice prevailed among the soldiers who fought in the war. One of the most poignant reminders of this spirit is the story of Gallipoli, where thousands of ANZAC soldiers faced immense challenges and hardships. The soldiers at Gallipoli showed qualities of courage, selflessness, and sacrifice, which continue to inspire us today.

The sacrifices made by these soldiers resonate with the teachings of Jesus Christ, who sacrificed Himself for the salvation of humanity. Jesus' sacrifice is central to the symbolism of Anzac Day, with its crosses for the fallen and the language of sacrifice and reverence.

As we reflect on the sacrifices of the ANZACs and the sacrifice of Jesus, we are reminded of the importance of sacrifice, love, and hope in our lives.

Just as the ANZACs gave their lives for their country, Jesus gave His life for the salvation of all humanity. His sacrifice reminds us of the ultimate act of love and sacrifice and inspires us to live our lives in service to others.

As we commemorate Anzac Day, let us remember the sacrifices of those who came before us and strive to live out the values of sacrifice, love, and hope in our own lives.

Lest we forget.

The Lantern journey through the Port Pirie Diocese is a beautiful way to symbolise this year's theme, "Let your light Shine." This lantern, as it travels to all Catholic Schools in the Diocese, serves as a reminder for everyone to use their talents and skills to make the world a better place.

Currently, the Lantern is at St Joseph's School Barmera, proudly on display in the front office. To celebrate its arrival, SJSB will be hosting a whole school mass on Thursday, May 9, at 10 am in St Francis Xavier Church in Barmera. The R/1 class will lead us in this joyous occasion.

We invite you to join us for this special event, as we come together in prayer and celebration, inspired by the theme of shining our light for the betterment of our community and beyond.

This year we celebrate Catholic Education Week from Monday May 13- Sunday May 19. Catholic Education Week is a time when the Catholic school community comes together to celebrate and reflect on the importance of Catholic education. It is a week dedicated to recognising the significant role that Catholic schools play in the lives of students, families, and communities.

During Catholic Education Week, we highlight the unique mission of Catholic schools in nurturing the spiritual, academic, and personal growth of students.

At St Joseph’s School Barmera the week kicks off with a Twilight Carnival on Monday, May 13 at 12 noon, where students, families, and the wider community can come together for a fun-filled afternoon of games. This is a great opportunity for everyone to celebrate the strong sense of community that exists within our school.

On Tuesday, May 14, we will be holding a Crazy Hair Day fundraiser, where students can show off their wackiest hairstyles and donate to a worthy cause. This is a fun and creative way for students to get involved and support those in need.

Wednesday, May 15, will see our Riverland Catholic schools come together for a Combined Fund Day at St Francis of Assisi College in Renmark.

Thursday, May 16, is Switch Off Day, where we encourage students and staff to switch off their devices and enjoy some screen-free time. This is a great opportunity to focus on other activities and connect with each other in a more meaningful way whilst looking after our planet.

Finally, on Friday, May 17, we will be celebrating Walk Safely to School Day, promoting the importance of active travel and road safety. This will be followed by a Grandparents and Special Friends Morning Tea, where we will honour the important role that grandparents and special friends play in the lives of our students.

Catholic Education Week is a time for us to come together as a community and reflect on the values that make Catholic education and St Joseph’s School Barmera so special. We look forward to celebrating this week with all of you.

Welcome back to St Joseph's School Barmera after what I hope was a restful and enjoyable two-week break for everyone. As we begin the new term, I am excited to see our school community return with renewed energy and enthusiasm for the learning opportunities that lie ahead.

This term promises to be filled with a wide range of experiences and activities that will engage and challenge all our students. From innovative classroom projects to exciting excursions and events, there will be plenty of opportunities for our students to learn, grow, and succeed.

I look forward to seeing our students embrace these opportunities with enthusiasm and determination, and I am confident that they will make the most of everything that this term has to offer.

I would like to extend a warm welcome to Ms Louise Latz, who has joined our staff team in the Year 5/6 class. Ms Latz brings with her a wealth of experience and a passion for education, and we are excited to have her as part of our school community.

At the same time, we bid farewell to Mrs Jaylee Gropler, who will be starting the next chapter in her life as she takes maternity leave from week 3. We wish Mrs Gropler all the best as she and husband Brendan await the birth of their first child. Her dedication and hard work over the past three years have been greatly appreciated, and she will be missed during her time away.

Please join us in welcoming Ms Latz to our school and in wishing Mrs Gropler all the best for the exciting journey ahead.

NDIS session Mission Australia

We are pleased to inform our school community that Mission Australia's NDIS Local Area Coordination Service will be visiting St Joseph's School Barmera on May 8 at 2:30pm. This visit aims to provide valuable information for families who are interested in accessing the NDIS scheme or are seeking more information about it.

Mission Australia's NDIS Local Area Coordination Service offers support to families navigating the complexities of the NDIS scheme. They can assist families in understanding the eligibility criteria, the application process, and the available supports and services under the scheme. They also provide guidance on how to develop a plan that best meets the needs of the individual with a disability.

Mission Australia's NDIS Local Area Coordination Service can provide tailored support and guidance to families, ensuring that they are able to access the supports and services that are most suitable for their circumstances.

We encourage families who are interested in accessing the NDIS scheme or who would like more information about it to attend this information session.

70’s Quiz Night at BMFC

Join us as we continue the 70th Jubilee celebrations of St Joseph's School Barmera with a fun-filled 70's quiz night! Organised by the Parents and Friends, this event promises to be a groovy evening of nostalgia and friendly competition.

Get your bell-bottoms and disco outfits ready for Saturday, May 25, at the Barmera Monash Football Club. The quiz night will be a blast from the past, with questions and activities inspired by the iconic decade of the 70s.

Gather your family and friends to form a team or join one on the night. Prizes will be awarded for the best-dressed team and the quiz winners, so be sure to bring your A-game!

Calling all Queens

We are excited to invite all mothers, grandmothers, aunties, stepmothers, dads, and grandfathers who play a motherly role in our students' lives to join us for a special event at St Joseph's School Barmera.

Date: Friday, May 10th

Time: 2:10 pm

The afternoon of pampering is a heartfelt thank you for the love, support, and guidance you provide to our students every day. Our students are busy preparing a wonderful afternoon, and we hope to see all mother figures there to enjoy some well-deserved relaxation and appreciation.

Please mark your calendars and join us for this special event. We can't wait to celebrate with you!

Subsidised Transport Costs for school buses

Catholic Education South Australia continues to work with State Government to enable equitable access to school buses for children attending Catholic schools in regional South Australia.

Families who access a school-managed bus service and who reside more than 5km from their nearest regional Catholic school will receive a subsidy worth 60% of the annual cost of accessing the school bus, thanks to a grant from the government.

Our school will ensure that any family who has students attending this school who qualify for the bus subsidy will receive this discount.

Wherever possible, funding will also be allocated to address issues that may exist for individual families to support their children in accessing transport to and from school.

Existing arrangements will continue for any children who currently access government school buses.

We hope that this confirmation of continued subsidy support, together with recent Catholic Education SA commitments to make Catholic schooling more affordable and accessible to all, will be well received.

Nanda de Winter

Principal

Our year 3/4 class are letting their light shine with the maker's empire 'Kids in Space' project! This project aims to inspire young minds, introducing them to space technology and the various careers within the space industry. But our students are taking it one step further...

Today, our budding scientists had a special visit from PIRSA staff to learn about the pesky Fruit Fly that affects our region's fruit industry and families. They even got an exclusive tour of the PIRSA sterile Fruit Fly breeding site right here in Barmera!

Inspired by their new knowledge, our students are brainstorming innovative ways to use space technology to tackle the fruit fly problem in the Riverland.

Stay tuned to see how these young minds plan to help our community and make a difference!