Mark 4:35-41
With the coming of evening, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let us cross over to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd behind they took him, just as he was, in the boat; and there were other boats with him. Then it began to blow a gale and the waves were breaking into the boat so that it was almost swamped. But he was in the stern, his head on the cushion, asleep. They woke him and said to him, ‘Master, do you not care? We are going down!’ And he woke up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Quiet now! Be calm!’ And the wind dropped, and all was calm again. Then he said to them, ‘Why are you so frightened? How is it that you have no faith?’ They were filled with awe and said to one another, ‘Who can this be? Even the wind and the sea obey him.’
The first verse we see when we open our Bibles is “In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep while the spirit of God swept over the face of the waters.” (Genesis 1:1-2)
The last verses in our Bibles are also about water – the “river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, through the middle of the street of the city, feeding trees bearing fruit for all seasons and leaves for the healing of the nations”. (Revelation 22:1-2)
In the beginning of the Bible there is total darkness. In the end, there is only light – no darkness and no hiding.
The Bible begins in water and ends in water. And between the two there is all the difference in the world – as different of night and day.
The Bible begins with water and ends with water. From day one there is storm after storm. The waves crash all around us until that day when the waters become calm and do God’s bidding of giving life and healing to the whole of creation.
Probably all of us here have had times in our lives when we have felt overwhelmed, engulfed or drowning. These are the times we live in, when there is one storm on top of another.
These are the times Jesus lived in as well. The storms he faced were different to ours.
His attitude at times like these is captured in the snapshot we have of him in the gospel reading. They’re all at sea. A great gale arose, and the waves were beating the boat and swamping it. And Jesus slept. Calm as you like.
There were other boats- I must have read this passage hundreds of times, but I’ve never seen those four words before. “There were other boats.” Have I never noticed these other boats because the focus has always been on Jesus’ boat?
We’re all at sea. We’re not all in the same boat. We’re all in our different small boats. We’re all at the mercy of troublemakers, powers-that-be, the forces that make waves, and the sea so dangerous.
Dear God,
be good to me;
the sea is so wide, and my boat is so small.
Amen.
Year 3/4 mass
The Year 3/4 students recently led a beautiful school mass centred on the theme 'Care for Creation.' Their exceptional participation brought a profound sense of reverence and joy to the celebration, highlighting the importance of caring for our environment as stewards of God's creation. Through heartfelt prayers, thoughtful readings, and inspiring reflections, the students reminded us of our responsibility to protect and cherish the world around us. The preparation of this mass demonstrates the deep commitment and understanding our students have for the values of environmental stewardship and community.
Missionaries of God’s Love visit
We are grateful to the Missionaries of God's Love (MGL) sisters for their recent visit to St Joseph's School Barmera. Our students had a wonderful time learning about the special qualities of Jesus, such as kindness, compassion, and humility, and were inspired to recognise and nurture these qualities within themselves. The engaging activities and heartfelt discussions led by the MGL team left a lasting impression on our students, encouraging them to reflect on their own unique gifts and how they can use them to positively impact the world around them. Your visit has truly inspired us all to let our lights shine bright, fostering a renewed sense of faith and purpose within our school community.
As we wrap up Term 2 and look forward to a well-deserved two-week school break, let's take a moment to celebrate the incredible journey we've shared. From the celebrations of Catholic Education Week, the spirited House Carnival, and the heartwarming Grandparent and Special Friends Morning Tea, to our meaningful observances of Reconciliation Week and Laudato Si' Week, it's been a term filled with memorable events. We've cherished special moments during our 'Mum's the Word' Mother's Day event, showcased our talents in SAPSASA sport, the Kids in Space Project and soccer clinics. We embarked on exciting excursions to Red Dog Ridge and Play Space. Every day, our students embrace countless learning opportunities in their classrooms.
This term also marked a significant milestone in my journey as the principal of St Joseph's School Barmera with my two-year appraisal. This process provided a valuable opportunity for me to reflect deeply on the past two years and to set meaningful goals for the future
As I reflect on the past two years, I am proud of the progress we have made as a school community. Our journey has been marked by achievements and meaningful growth, driven by our shared commitment to excellence and our collective vision for the future. We are building a vibrant and dynamic school community that upholds the highest standards of education and care for every child. I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead and remain dedicated to leading St Joseph’s School Barmera towards continued success and excellence. I am immensely grateful to everyone who contributed to this appraisal—our dedicated staff, wonderful students, and supportive parents. Your insights, feedback, and encouragement are vital as we continue to strive for excellence and growth in our school community. Thank you for your unwavering support and partnership.
Semester reports were emailed to families last Friday. If you did not receive an emailed copy of your child's report, please check your junk mail folder. For those who requested it, hard copies have been provided. Should you have any queries regarding your child's semester report, please make a time to meet with their teacher.
Today, we bid farewell to Mrs. Scarlett Yeomans, who has resigned from her permanent teaching position at our school to focus on her young family. Scarlett has been an invaluable member of our community, and her dedication and passion for teaching will be greatly missed. We wish her all the best in this new chapter of her life and thank her for the many contributions she has made to our school.
Congratulations to Julie, our school counsellor, who has welcomed her first grandchild, Harriet, into the world. This is a special and joyous time for Julie and her family.
We are excited to hear that many of you have started receiving items from the new school uniform! Over the next four weeks, more orders will continue to arrive.
It's been noted that some families who have received their uniforms have found the sizing to be larger than expected. This is often because measurements have been taken with extra room for growth. To ensure the best fit for your children, please measure the head, chest, and waist snugly but not tightly. If your measurement falls between sizes, choose the closest number up or down for the best fit. For your convenience, the School Locker website features a short video on how to size your children correctly. We hope this helps make the process smoother for everyone.
As we close the curtain on Term 2, let's look forward to the exciting learning planned for Term 3. Term 3 will kick off with Bike Education for Years 4 to 6, we will celebrate Mary MacKillop Day, and mark the 10-year anniversary of the amalgamation of the Our Lady of the River Parish. Our term will also include the much-anticipated Sports Day and culminate with the grand celebration of our school's 70th birthday. Have a restful and enjoyable break, and we look forward to seeing everyone recharged and ready for another dynamic term ahead!
Nanda de Winter
Principal
On July 29 and 30, we will have two student-free days, approved by our school board, to facilitate a staff retreat and a professional learning day. These days are vital for the ongoing growth and development of our staff. The staff retreat on July 29 provides a valuable opportunity for our team to reflect, recharge, and strengthen our collective mission, fostering a deeper sense of unity and purpose. The professional learning day on July 30 is dedicated to enhancing our educational practices, ensuring we remain at the forefront of innovative teaching strategies to better support our students' learning experiences. We appreciate your understanding and support as we invest in these important initiatives for the benefit of our school community.
Our Year 3/4 students have been actively engaging in Laudato Si' initiatives, inspired by Pope Francis's encyclical letter that calls on all of us to care for our common home, the Earth. Laudato Si' emphasises the importance of environmental stewardship and urges everyone to take concrete actions to protect our planet. As part of their commitment, the Year 3/4 students have set up a collection bin for clothing to be re-used, making the school holidays a perfect time to clean out your wardrobes and contribute. Additionally, they have organised the Laudato Si' Cup, awarded to classes that keep their designated areas in the school clean. These initiatives not only promote sustainability but also encourage our school community to be mindful of our environmental impact. Congratulations to the year 5/6 class for winning the Laudato Si Cup for Term 2.
Congratulations to Jemma Kassulke for taking home the Let Your Light Shine Award for Term 2. Her efforts in holding Zoe's Bloody Long Walk and raising much needed funds for the Mito Foundation are truly amazing. Well Done Jemma.
Important Dates
First Day of Term 3
Bike Ed Years 4-6 (24th - 26th)
Choir Rehearsal @ Berri Town Hall
EY Brown Tree Planting @ Cobdogla
Student Free Day
Student Free Day
National Science Week
Catholic Schools Open Week
Choir Dress Rehearsal and Performance
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