Last Friday we had nearly 100 students participate in the Boorowa Touch and Netball Carnival. From all reports it was a wonderful day with thousands turning up for the event. It is a credit to both St Joseph’s Primary and Boorowa Central School that the day runs so smoothly. It is non competitive so all abilities can compete and be supported by other students.

I congratulate our students on their participation and behaviour. After three years absence due to Covid and floods, I am sure it will again be a regular feature on our calendar.

I thank Mrs Challen for her organisation as well as the staff and parents who helped on the day. I also thank Mrs Wright who transported the students from Hennessy who assisted our teams.

LEADERSHIP

Our current Year Five students are considering whether to put themselves forward to be School Captains, Vice-Captains or House Captains or Vice-Captains. To help them understand what leadership entails they have recently participated in two leadership days. One was run by the Museum of Australian Democracy and the second was facilitated by Mrs Rumble and held at school. 

All our current Year Five students will have important roles to play next year and will have many leadership opportunities throughout the year as well as further training.

We wish all students who nominate for one of the formal leadership roles the best of luck as they go through the selection process.

OPEN CLASSROOMS

A reminder that next Wednesday we are holding our Open Classrooms between 3pm and 4.30pm. This is a chance for parents to look at what their child has been doing while at school. We encourage all parents to attend.

Then the Pharisees went away to work out between them how to trap him in what he said. And they sent their disciples to him, together with some Herodians, to say, 'Master, we know that you are an honest man and teach the way of God in all honesty, and that you are not afraid of anyone, because human rank means nothing to you. Give us your opinion, then. Is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not?' But Jesus was aware of their malice and replied, 'You hypocrites! Why are you putting me to the test? Show me the money you pay the tax with.' They handed him a denarius, and he said, 'Whose portrait is this? Whose title?' They replied, 'Caesar's.' Then he said to them, 'Very well, pay Caesar what belongs to Caesar -- and God what belongs to God.'

REFLECTION

Today’s Gospel begins with the Pharisees plotting against Jesus. They ask Jesus if it is lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar. The Pharisees ask the question only because they hope to trap Jesus by his answer. However, Jesus is well aware that they only want to discredit him in the people’s eyes. Jesus knew that regardless of how he answered the question, it would be wrong in the mind of the Pharisees. Thus he doesn’t answer the question directly.

Jesus decides to take a different approach. He asks for the coin that typically was used for paying the census tax. Then he asks the Pharisees whose picture is on the coin. Naturally they reply that it is Caesar’s picture. Then Jesus responds to their question. His statement is very concise: they should give to Caesar what belongs to him! But then Jesus added a few simple but powerful words: “repay to God what belongs to God!”

All that we have comes from our loving God! Today what can you give to God? What can I give to God? Perhaps we can simply give God some quality time and attention! It may be all that God longs for! (Sr Kristine Anne Harpenau)

PARISH FAIR

Tomorrow, Saturday, 28th October, St Mary’s Parish will be hosting the Young Community Spring Fair. The fair will run from 10am to 4pm with all funds raised going back into the Young community. If you entered the colouring competition, make sure you attend the fair to see if you were a winner! 

JOURNEY WITH JESUS RETREAT

Today, Year 5 attended the Journey with Jesus retreat at the Parish Centre. The retreat prepares the students for the leadership that they will undertake in Year 6 and enriches their relationship with God.

Thanks to everyone who participated today and a special thanks to Mrs Rumble who helped coordinate the day.

MASS, LITURGY AND PRAYER SERVICE

On Monday, Year 6 will be leading the school in a prayer service for All Saints Day at 8:50am in the Hall. On Friday, Year 4 will be celebrating their liturgy in the Prayer Room at 9:30am. We extend a warm welcome to all members of our school community to come along and celebrate with us.

SUNDAY MASS

This Sunday, St Mary’s Primary School will be reading at Mass. We would love it if you would like to come along and support us. The mass will be at St Mary’s Church at 10am.

God Bless,

Warren Ziebowski

(Religious Education Coordinator)

NSWPSSA Athletics State Championships

A big congratulations to Kynan Burgess who competed in the 8-10yrs Long Jump on Wednesday this week in Sydney as a MacKillop Athletics Team Representative. He competed with the best in NSW and came in 25th out of 39 competitors with a jump of 3.87m. What a fantastic achievement Kynan - well done!!!

Rugby 7s Touch Gala Day

This day will be held on Thursday 2nd November at Cranfield Oval. Students need to wear their full sports uniform including their school hat please. Due to numbers we will not be providing uniforms. As teams will be playing each other we will provide bibs for these games. We still need some parents to assist with managing teams - if you are able to help please email me. You can find the team list here. We currently have 20 students on the bus - the students on the bus can be found on the team list. If your child is no longer travelling by bus can you please email me and let me know. 

Please see a DRAFT version of the draw here.. The Year 3/4 teams will play on Field 1 and the 5/6 teams will play on Field 2. As this is a gala day the teams are mixed and not competitively chosen. Games begin at 10am. The bus will leave from school after the bell has gone in the morning. Parents transporting their child to the grounds are responsible for supervision until the bus and the teachers arrive and after they depart at the end of the day. Games will finish in time for students to be transported back to school to leave at the end of the day as normal. There will be a canteen in operation on the day. 

The supervising teachers will be Mrs Roberts and Mrs Anderson - please ensure students have their name marked off the roll at the beginning and end of the day.

Archdiocesan Sport for 2024  

Please note that some Archdiocesan Sporting trials for 2024 will occur this year in Term 4. These trials will be open for students who will be in Year 5 & 6 in 2024. Registrations will be via the Canberra-Goulburn Sports Webpage.

2024 Cricket  - to be held in Queanbeyan on Friday 3rd November 2023. Registrations are open now and will close on Friday 27th October.

2024 Touch Football - to be held in Lyneham on Friday 24th November 2023. Registrations are open now and will close on Friday 17th November 2023.

2024 Tennis - to be held in Belconnen on Thursday 30th November, 2023. Registrations are open now and will close on Friday 24th November, 2023

2024 Basketball - to be held in Macquarie on Friday 1st December 2023. Registrations are open now and will close on Friday 24th November, 2023

2024 AFL (Boys) - to be held in Wollongong on Tuesday 20th February, 2024. Registrations are open now and will close on Thursday 30th November, 2023.

We are all recovered and rested from our amazing whole school production of Animal Utopia! The students certainly put on an incredible production and we are all just so proud of them. It was so lovely to see so many families support the three performances and we were so grateful for all your lovely feedback and well wishes. We are very excited to let you all know that we have some fantastic photos available for purchase to add to your memories of this special night. We were also lucky to film both the evenings and have edited these for purchase so you can watch the performance again and again!! Or maybe you were unable to attend and now here is your chance to watch the show everyone is talking about!!!

 Photos and the video can be purchased via the secure picture link below. 

Prices are as follows: 

Digital download -  $ 6.00 copies each or $15.00 for all photos.

Photo Prints - starting at $4.00                                                               

Print Packages - $20.00 - 2x (5x7) + 1x (8x10)

Video Download - $15.00