Filter Content
Dear Parents,
We have two wonderful announcements to make this week. A decision has been made by the diocese to rewrite the K-Year 10 Religious Education Curriculum. It is with excitement that we announce that Stephanie Colvin (Kinder Blue) has been appointed into this position of Curriculum Writer for Kinder – Year 2, beginning in Term 2 for the remainder of this year. Stephanie’s role entails her to write, trial, implement and evaluate the new modules of work ready for use for all of K-2 across the diocese in 2022.
Stephanie has completed studies specific to Encounter Pedagogy, is a proven Infants practitioner and is part of the Successful Foundations program and this will all help Stephanie as she takes on this very important work. We are extremely proud of Steph and know she will do a fabulous job in this role.
We would also like to congratulate Mrs Leah Temple (Year 6 Blue) and her husband Matt on their news that they will soon be providing their daughter, Lucy, with a sibling in the near future. Leah’s baby is due at the end Term 2 and we are so very pleased for her and her family.
Professional Learning
Over the past week a number of our staff from across all stages have been able to participate in professional learning at the CSO, around the Literacy and Numeracy Progressions. The learning progressions describe common literacy and numeracy learning pathways for students from Kindergarten to Year 10. These progressions allow teachers to more accurately locate a student's current literacy and numeracy knowledge, understanding and skills to support planning for learning and teaching from the syllabus. The learning progressions are a resource to support implementation of the curriculum. They can be used for:
· differentiated assessment
· planning for teaching
· diagnostic assessment
· monitoring progress over time
· student self-assessment
· scaffolding curriculum area learning
· identifying curriculum literacy and numeracy demands.
The staff who has participated in this professional development opportunity will now share this knowledge with the remaining staff and these learnings will help to assist us in undertaking the teaching and learning goals we have set for ourselves this year.
Uniforms
We have been informed that the new girls’ shirt is now in stock at Lowes. Unfortunately, they are still waiting on delivery of the shorts. We will let you know as soon as they are in stock.
Recently there have been a number of students who have been wearing coloured trainers with their sports uniform. Our uniform policy states white or predominantly white shoes and it would be appreciated if you could help ensure that your children are wearing the correct footwear to school.
Several years ago, there were changes made to some uniforms, including the school logo, the girls’ winter tunic and the sports shirts. When changes are made to uniforms there are transition periods to allow for families to continue to get use out of uniforms that have already been purchased. We are still in a transition period this year, but it is our final year. This means that in 2021 the old navy tunics for winter can still be worn by those girls wo have them along with any uniform items that may have the old school logo design on them. The same applies to the old yellow sports shirts however I don't think we have anyone still in these as I get the feeling that all parents had a celebratory bonfire one evening to dispose of these very unpopular items. From 2022 all uniforms will need to be the newer style. Please note that the new girls’ summer shirt and shorts are not obligatory, they are an optional uniform to the traditional summer tunic.
Parents & Friends (P&F)
It was wonderful to be able to at long last return to having P&F meetings on site. At our recent AGM and first meeting for the year there was a terrific turn out of parents, comprising of both old and new faces, and representing all the various stages. We thank you for your time and contributions made to this meeting and look forward to continuing with these on-site meetings. A suggestion has been made to not only have on site meetings but to concurrently have each meeting as a Zoom one, as well. We will endeavour to trial this and see how this goes. If it proves to be successful, we will continue to offer this ‘hybrid’ meeting format.
At the AGM the new executive were voted in and we congratulate and thank the following parents for taking on these roles:
President: Tony Petersen (Bonnie 6G & Edie 4G)
Vice President: Nicki Williams (Flynn & Grace 1B)
Secretary: Karen Stathis (Archie 5B & Hannah 2G)
Treasurer: Alyssa Jones (Ivy 6G & Jack 3G)
Canteen Coordinator: Andrea Sellis (Matisse 1B)
I would especially like to offer my thanks to Olivia Knox and Scott Broadhead. Olivia has been instrumental in the P&F executive for a number of years now, engaging with parents and staff on uniform decisions and as the Vice President. While Scott has been organising everyone, managing the documentation and keeping us on track in his role as Secretary. Both have stepped down from their positions this year due to other commitments and I am so very grateful for all their time and support that they have shown to both the staff and parents. Thanks so very much Olivia and Scott!
Enrolments 2022
Even though it only feels like yesterday that we started the 2021 school year we are now in our enrolment period for 2022. If you have a child who will be ready to start school next year, please contact the office regarding an enrolment pack and booking in for a school tour. In addition to this, if you know of any friends or families in your local area that may be looking for a school, please encourage them to contact us and once again book in for a tour. Bookings for tours are essential due to COVID regulations. Click here to register for a tour.
Our tour dates are:
Term 1
Week 8 -Tuesday 16th March 9.15am – 9.45am
Week 9 - Friday 26th March 2.10pm – 2.40pm
Week 10 - Wednesday 31st March 2.10pm – 2.40pm
Term 2
Week 1 – Thursday 22nd April 9.15am – 9.45am
Week 2 – Monday 26th April 9.15am – 9.45am
Week 3 – Friday 7th May 2.10pm – 2.40pm
Class Parents
Thank you to those parents who have volunteered to be a class parent for this year. Before we can finalise these, we still need a few more volunteers. If you can fill one of these positions, please complete the Class Parents Expression of Interest form here by Friday 12th March.
In 1 Gold and 6 Gold and 6 Blue we need one more parent for each class.
Kinder Gold, 2 Blue, 3 Gold, 4 Gold, 4 Blue and 5 Gold we do not have any volunteers as yet.
International Women's Day
Happy International Women’s Day to all our girls, mums, grandmothers, sisters, nieces, aunts and female elders.
Karen
Important Dates
10 March | Diocesan AFL Trials |
12 March | Diocesan Cricket Trials |
16 March | Student Lead Tours - 2022 Enrolments |
16 March | Reconciliation - St Joseph's Church The Junction |
19 March | St Joseph's Day |
23-26 March | NAPLAN online practice testing |
24 March | Harmony Day Celebrations |
24 March | Polding AFL Trials |
26 March | Student Lead Tours - 2022 Enrolments |
29-30 March | NSW PSSA Swimming |
Curriculum Corner - Renata Powell
Safeguarding Commitment Statement
St Joseph’s abides with all aspects of the diocesan Safeguarding Commitment Statement. We place the safety, welfare and wellbeing of every child at the centre of all we do. Please take the time to read over this statement as it reinforces our commitment to protecting all children in our care.
Typing Tournament
The school, across K-6, is subscribed to Typing Tournament. By completing fun quests, this resource is used to teach students how to type using all 10 fingers. We know that typing is a life skill that students require, even at this early age. With NAPLAN moving online as well as other assessments, typing skills should not have to be a barrier to their level of achievement. St Joseph’s is a Bring Your Own Device school for students in Years 4-6 and typing skills are needed across all subject areas. This resource is used as a lesson break at school however, if the opportunity arises, we encourage students to complete more activities at home. Students have been given information with their username and password at school. Maybe there are a couple of times during the week where students can practise at home? For more information, click here.
Positive Behaviour Learning (PBL)
Students are very much engaged with the Dash tokens. A member of the Student Council reported during the week how it is great that their positive behaviour is being acknowledged. It is wonderful to see the PBL containers in the COLA filling up! Students may receive tokens in class or on the playground. Staff are looking, and able to reward, for positive behaviour across all four expectations:
- Act Safely
- Be Respectful
- Care For All
- Do Your Best
Congratulations to the Blue Sports Colour House for achieving the most tokens in the first half of this term! Students in this sports house have enjoyed an out of uniform day. Please see photos from this special reward below.
Our focus this fortnight is Care for All - Care for the place you are in. In class students are learning that by caring for the places we are in, we show love, respect, gratitude and appreciation for the gifts we have been given. Students will be focusing on looking after the environment and identifying sustainable practices at both home and school. If you have an opportunity, please discuss these concepts with your children.
NAPLAN 2021
All schools are required to participate in a national NAPLAN ONLINE Practice Test during the NSW Test preferred dates of 23 March – 26 March 2021 (Term 1, Week 9). This will take the form of two tests, an Omnibus and Writing (Year 3 will participate the omnibus only. Omnibus is a combination of Numeracy, Language Conventions and Reading).
- It is an opportunity for dioceses/schools to test their IT and support structures – i.e. a dress rehearsal for the real event.
- The window is far enough away from the real test event that any issues identified may be remediated appropriately.
- It is an opportunity for a national platform resilience test.
- The practice test provides a good opportunity for students to familiarise themselves with the test platform.
Parents are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the online test item forms prior to the tests on the ACARA NAPLAN Public Demonstration Site. The site provides the opportunity to engage with the variety of question types and the location of on-screen tools. Students can gain an authentic test experience through the training exercises accessed through the Assessform Platform.
NAPLAN testing fortnight for 2021 is the 11th - 21st May.
Celebrating our Faith - Stephanie Colvin
Project Compassion Prayer
Be More
God of all peoples and nations,
As you accompany us on our Lenten journey,
May our fasting strengthen our commitment to live in solidarity,
Our almsgiving be an act of justice, and
Our prayers anchor us in love and compassion.
Through living simply and loving generously,
May we care for our global family and our common home, as we
“Aspire not to have more, but to be more.”
We ask this in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
-Saint Oscar Romero
Second Week of Lent: Project Compassion
This week through Project Compassion we learn about 39-year-old Margret, a teacher at a vocational school for deaf students in the Solomon Islands. She was born deaf, so she knows the challenges it poses to education and employment. Apart from the difficulties the students all have, the school also faced water shortages, with not enough to supply staff and students with safe water for drinking, cooking, washing and growing vegetables.
Then Tropical Cyclone Harold damaged the school and its vegetable garden, amidst the threat of COVID-19. Staff and students rely on the vegetable garden to provide food for their meals.
With Caritas Australia’s support, the school installed water tanks, provided cyclone-proof building materials and helped to implement COVID-19 prevention measures. Margret’s school now has enough water for its students and the capacity to cater for more, with plans to boost food security, through increased agricultural production.
Around 60% of people in rural areas in the Solomon Islands don’t have access to piped water, while about 80% don’t have access to latrines or toilets. (UNICEF 2019)
Watch a short film about Margret’s story here
“Aspire not to have more, but to be more.”
Please support Project Compassion: https://lent.caritas.org.au/
St Joey’s Social Justice News
St Joey’s Social Justice (SJSJ) in our new student social justice initiative, replacing “Mini Vinnies”. It will be similar to Mini Vinnies but will incorporate other initiatives as well as those we do for the St Vincent de Paul Society, such as Catholic Mission and Caritas Australia. St Joey’s Social Justice is a group of primary school young people, Years 3-6, who get together to organise events and help those in need within their own school and local community with the aim to focus on living faith through the actions of Catholic Social teachings. Students in SJSJ have a made a commitment to being a part of the 2021 group and have already been working on promoting Project Compassion this term.
SJSJ will meet regularly to discuss issues of concern, to share ideas, to have fun and support each other. The actions of the SJSJ group will generally involve three components:
See (know) – to be aware of different people’s hardships and to develop empathy.
Judge (think) – to develop a real understanding of needs in the world and through discussion and reflection share thoughts about possible solutions.
Act (do) – supporting the disadvantaged through community service and fundraising for Catholic agencies.
Student News from SJSJ members – by Shloka, Eleonor, Isabella and Emma
In SJSJ, we strive to do our best in supporting those less fortunate than ourselves. We are assisting Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion campaign against injustice by promoting donations in classes as part of our giving for Lent. We will be supporting Harmony Day and Project Compassion by selling orange ribbons. It is going to be a fun day full of inclusive, positive, respectful and colourful activities.
Sacramental Program Information 2021
The 2021 Parish Sacramental Program (Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Communion) is soon beginning. This year the preparation for sacraments is fully online. Baptised children in Years 4-6 are invited to complete the program. The first step towards involving your child in the sacramental process is to register your interest by completing the online form HERE or contacting the Parish Office on 4979 1101. Once you enrol, you will receive an information packet, which will then assist you to log into MOODLE, which contains all the information about the program, and sign-up forms for the ceremonies. Support is available for parents during this program 7 days per week.
The school is also here to support families during this time. Please contact class teachers or Miss Colvin (REC) if you have any questions.
If you registered for the 2020 Program your enrolment will be carried forward and you will be contacted in the next week. The program will officially commence on March 1st. If you would like to be part of the program, please enrol prior to February 28.
Important Dates (You only need to attend one for each sacrament):
RECONCILATION:
- Tuesday 16 March @ 5:30pm in St Joseph’s Church, The Junction
- Tuesday 16 March @ 6pm in St Joseph’s Church, The Junction
- Tuesday 16 March @ 6:30pm in St Joseph’s Church, The Junction
- Wednesday 17 March @ 6pm in St Peter-in-Chains, Stockton
- Tuesday 23 March@ 5:30pm in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton
- Tuesday 23 March@ 6pm in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton
- Tuesday 23 March@ 6:30pm in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton
- Wednesday 24 March @ 6pm in Christ the King, Mayfield
CONFIRMATION:
- Tuesday 18 May @ 7pm, with Bishop Bill at Sacred Heart Cathedral
- Wednesday 19 May @ 7pm, with Bishop Bill at Sacred Heart Cathedral
- Tuesday 25 May @ 7pm, with Bishop Bill at Sacred Heart Cathedral
- Wednesday 26 May @ 7pm, with Fr Andrew at Sacred Heart Cathedral
FIRST COMMUNION:
- 5 June at Christ the King Mayfield
- 6 June at St Peter in Chains
- 6 June at St Joseph’s The Junction at 9am
- 6 June at Sacred Heart Cathedral Hamilton at 9:30am
- 6 June at Sacred Heart Cathedral Hamilton at 5pm
- 19 June at Sacred Heart Cathedral Hamilton at 5:30pm
- 20 June at Tighes Hill at 8am
- 20 June at St Joseph’s The Junction at 9am
- 20 June at Sacred Heart Cathedral Hamilton at 9:30am
- 20 June at Sacred Heart Cathedral Hamilton at 9:30am
Upcoming Dates
St Joseph’s Day– Our school feast day will be celebrated on Friday 19th March beginning with a whole school liturgy under the COLA at 10:30am for the students only. Fun class activities and tabloids will follow after lunch, so children will wear their sport uniform
Harmony Day – will be celebrated at school on Wednesday 24th March where the students will be invited to wear orange, rainbow colours or personal traditional cultural dress. More information to come.
Please see the Parish Bulletin for more details and registration for Masses in our area - https://www.newcastlecatholic.org.au/weekly-bulletins/
6B News
Students in Six Blue have started the year off on the right foot, producing some brilliant work in all areas of their learning.
Maths
For our first Maths Unit, we looked at data collection. Our first project was to create a personal profile. We chose 10 final characteristics that we needed to measure as a class. The profiles we created were all wonderfully designed by each of our creative minds.
- Mary and Marie
Our next Maths task was an investigation called rhyme to riches. This task was about trying to crack a code to open a treasure chest. We had to eliminated numbers on Pascal’s triangle. We eliminated all square numbers, triangle numbers, numbers that are not prime numbers, numbers over 300, numbers that were divisible by 5 and numbers divisible by 7. The secret number was revealed, but we’re not going to let you in on our secret!
- Sunny and Lucy
English
In Year 6 we have looked at literary devices such as personification, metaphor and similes and included them in a short story with the theme “Human Rights”.
Here are some examples;
I was as still as a ragdoll –Josie
Time passes by like a melting snowflake – Cate
A wave of guilt washed over me – Meera
The shadows crept around the room – Abbie
We have also been working on using the Five Senses +1 to show, don’t tell.
- Josie and Luscia
Religion
During Religion we have been learning about the Paschal Mystery. The definition of the Paschal Mystery is the Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus. The Paschal Mystery tells us about the stories Jesus taught throughout his journey to fulfill the word of God, when Jesus was crucified on the cross, and when Jesus resurrected and ascended into Heaven. The Paschal Mystery guides us on the path on becoming better people and leads us in the way of Jesus.
-Maddie & Meera
Visual Art
This term in Creative Arts we have been trying new techniques with using oil pastels. Using these techniques, we have created silhouette light houses and are also creating a new art work following the theme of “Human Rights”.
- Isabelle and Ella
Science
- Xavier M and Vrix
History
For the past few weeks, Year 6 have been learning about how Australia became a Nation. We have learnt about democracy, the Magna Carta, the 3 Levels of Government and how Federation has developed over the years. We are very excited to share our history knowledge when we present our home learning task in the coming weeks.
- Abbie and Cate
Kinder and Outdoor Play
Kinder and Year 1 have been embracing the new large resources and loose parts for outdoor play. The children play with purposeful intention, interest, engagement, creative and critical thinking, problem solving, persistence and with enthusiasm. It has been a joy this week to see the play and constructions made by the children in their outdoor play.
If you have useful and in-good-condition loose parts you know longer need, we would happily accept donations, including: rope, timber, buckets, plumbing pipe, ply word, fabric/sheets etc.
Cross Country Trial
We recently completed our Cross Country Trial event at National Park. All of the students who participated put in a fantastic effort!
Many thanks to Nicole Doyle and Amanda Vickery for your continued support for this event. We look forward to hopefully being able to return to Empire Park and have all students in Years 2-6 compete in 2022.
The Diocesan Cross Country event is to be held early in Term 2. The date and venue of this event is yet to be confirmed. Students and parents will be provided with this information as soon as it comes to hand.
Congratulations to the following students who have now qualified for this event.
8-9 Years Boys | Time (11min) | 8-9 Years Girls | Time (13min) |
1. Archie Doyle | 8:33 | 1. Lily Graham | 10:12 |
2. Felix Pasvolsky | 8:58 | 2. Adelaide Morton | 10:32 |
3. Evan Beacher | 9:32 | 3. Dearbhla Corcoran | 10:54 |
10 Years Boys | Time (11min) | 10 Years Girls | Time (13 min) |
1. Sidney Maxwell | 8:54 | 1. Isabelle Gill | 9:40 |
2. Harrison Coppola | 9:05 | 2. Hannah Webber | 9:47 |
3. Xavier Minto | 9:07 | 3. Chloe Webber | 10:39 |
11 Years Boys | Time (14 min) | 11 Years Girls | Time (16min) |
1. Elliot Mole | 13:37 | 1. Edie Callinan | 15:48 |
2. Spencer Smith | 13:49 | ||
3. Hamish Stanger | 13:56 | ||
12 Years Boys | Time (14 min) | 12 Years Girls | Time (16 min) |
No succesfful entrant | 1. Eden Buxton | 14:36 | |
2. Olivia Halverson | 15:24 | ||
3. Lucia Minto | 15:47 |
Diocesan Swimming
We would like to commend all of the students who represented St Joseph’s and the Central Region at the Diocesan Swimming Carnival on Thursday 25th February. All team members represented themselves, the school and the region with great pride and outstanding sportsmanship. It was a great event with very tough competition from other regions.
We wish to congratulate the following swimmers, who have now qualified to represent at the Polding Swimming Carnival on Wednesday 17th March.
Harrison Coppola | Boys Open 100M Freestyle, Boys 10 Year 50M Freestyle, Junior 50M Breaststroke, Boys Junior 50M Backstroke, Boys Junior 50M Butterfly, Boys Junior 200M IM and Boys Junior Relay |
Amelia Coppola | Girls 8 Year 50M Freestyle |
Ava Kent | Girls 8 Year 50M Freestyle |
Domenic Papichio | Boys Senior 50M Breaststroke |
Byron Schmidt | Boys Junior 50M Backstroke, Boys Junior Relay |
Luke Craft | Boys 11 Year 50M Butterfly |
Archie Doyle | Boys Junior Relay |
Jacob Flynn | Boys Junior Relay |
Diocesan Winter Sports Trials
The Diocesan Winter Sports Trials will be held on Friday 19th March (backup date of 25th March).
Congratulations to the following students have qualified for these trials:
Soccer: Sienna Friend, Chloe O’Donoghue, Abigail Booth, Gizelle Griffiths, Isaac Flanagan
Netball: Bonnie Petersen, Mabel Hainsworth
Regional Touch Football Trials
Regional Touch Football Trials were held on Friday. The following students participated in these trials.
Edie Callinan, Milla Barr, Isabelle Merciecu, Chase Firman, Edward Morton, Theodore Spak, Mason VanHuisstede, Callum VanHuissetede, Clancy Scanlon & Luca Wildschut
Upcoming Dates
NSW PSSA Swimming: Monday 28th & Tuesday 29th March
We are thrilled to announce with the changing restrictions our St Joseph’s School Choir is BACK for Term One. Anyone who would like to come along and try a choir session is invited to attend at lunch times on Thursdays in the hall where we can continue to space out and be safe.
Singing with the choir is all about having fun and feeling confident. Choir members attend weekly rehearsals and each term focus on different elements of singing. In Term One we are going to look at finding our true voice and building performance confidence.
We look forward to seeing our budding singers on Thursday.
Michael Nolan
Choir Teacher
School Fees
The CSO, along with Principal representatives, have committed to moving the billing cycle to each family receiving an annual bill. These were distributed to families last week and replaces our current arrangement whereby families are billed school fees over Terms 1, 2 and 3.
The benefit of annual billing is that you will be able to see your full fee obligation for the year from early in Term 1 which will enable you to plan your payments. Please contact our office for assistance.
Your payment method can continue to be via direct debit with the CDF (Electronic form); BPay using the fee statement reference number; credit card over the counter, cash or by QKR.
- Each fee payer can tailor frequency of payments to suit individual circumstances
- Direct debit payment frequency options can be established as weekly, fortnightly or monthly
- BPay can be at your discretion and can be setup as an automated payment
A form from your school is attached to enable families to indicate payment frequency preference. We ask that families complete and return the form to each school in which they have a child enrolled and ensure payments commence prior to 31 March 2021 and are finalised by 30th November 2021.
Some fees such as excursions, incursions, sport, may continue to be charged separately during the course of the year prior to the event being held.
For students that leave our Diocesan school system during the year a credit will be issued. A refund will be granted where payments have been made in advance.
Statements will be issued regularly to allow monitoring of fee status.
Families can be assured we will continue to extend hardship concessions for those that need our assistance to pay their fees in accordance with current special consideration determination.
Unless otherwise stated, the advertisements placed in this newsletter are placed by independent third parties who have no legal relationship with the Diocese. The activities or services of the advertisers are not supervised or controlled in any way by the Diocese. The Diocese is not in a position to endorse the advertisers or the services provided and makes no representation about those matters. Accordingly, the Diocese cannot accept any responsibility for the advertisers or the activities or services that are the subject of these advertisements