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Dear Parents,
Thanks for your good humour, resilience and gratitude that you’ve shown as we begin our 2022 school year. We don’t know what it will bring but we have an amazing community and we know we will manage whatever comes our way!
Schools have a unique landscape which means that at times our COVID rules seem a little contradictory to the ‘outside world’ rules at this point in time. I understand this can be frustrating for you and your families, just as it can be for us here at school, but I believe that these rules or procedures have been formulated with the best interests of our children at heart. I ask that you continue to support us in the COVID practices that we are required to follow and that we communicate with you. We pray that these won’t dominate our lives this year.
“Stay strong, care for each other, judge no one and support everyone.”
Kinder’s First Day
Here is our next generation of Joey’s students. Don’t they look gorgeous? Other than tears from parents, it was a ‘dry house’ on our Kinders’ first day. The children couldn’t wait to connect with their buddies again, they were so engaged in their learning spaces and smiles abounded everywhere you looked.
Regional Swimming Carnival
How lucky were we on Monday with the weather? Despite the unfavourable weather forecast for the day we managed to go ahead with our regional swimming carnival without any rain spoiling the day! The team of swimmers that represented our school did so brilliantly. They all tried their best, cheered one another on and followed any instructions they were given. They swam confidently and with enjoyment and there were many great results. Congratulations to all our swimmers, you did us proud!
School Weeks
The numbering of the school weeks may cause a little confusion this term. Staff started back on Friday, 28th January and across the state this particular week was designated Week 1, therefore when the children started back at school they actually started in Week 2. Currently we are in Week 3. Crazy, we know! We will send out our newsletters in the odd weeks this term.
Student Absences
Don’t forget that it is a legal requirement to inform the school, in writing, of your children’s absences. This can be done via Compass or a written note; either way, please outline what the reason is. Please explain whether your child is sick, in isolation, attending an appointment, on holiday, refusing to come to school, a family emergency etc. Even on Compass it doesn’t suffice to just indicate they are absent – a detailed reason is required.
Teachers are requesting that you please inform them if your child is isolating, as they don’t always know and this is affecting their planning. Do they wait another day before starting to introduce something new, as they are waiting for children to return, or should they go ahead, as the children will be absent for the next 5 days?
Painting
Over the holidays, besides our annual big summer classroom clean including windows and carpet cleaning we had our Tokooliba sign installed in our outdoor sacred space area. We also had the walls, ceilings and doors of nearly every room painted. Bag hooks, window frames and a corridor ceiling were also painted. As were the hall doors and benches outside the hall. Our rooms are looking fresh and the doors in the Infants block and on the hall add a pop of colour that we are loving!
Canteen
If you have time, don’t forget to sign up for helping out in the canteen. We currently are only open for lunch orders but hope in the near future we will also be open to serve over the counter during lunch time and recess.
We are loving the new look – no bars!! Next, we will be working with the students to design a new canteen sign.
Garden
Our vegie garden is getting a revamp! We have removed the old raised garden beds, are in the process of obtaining new water wicking garden beds and putting in new garden bed edging in the existing garden. Watch out for our garden updates!
P&F
Our first Parents and Friends meeting for 2022 will take place on Monday 21st February. We would love to see as many of you as possible at this. We will send out a Zoom invite next week.
Lowes Uniforms
Lowes Newcastle is closing and our uniforms will be available from Lowes at Westfield Kotara effective end of March 2022.
Pick Up Arrangements
Last week our parent community contributed a significant amount of money to the revenue department. Police were at Farquhar St after school one afternoon and drivers that were double parked were booked. The rule is that you cannot wait in a line of traffic to pickup if you are blocking a parked car. You are required to drive around the block and keep the flow of traffic happening. We understand how frustrating this is, but we cannot do anything about it. Our suggestions are:
- Do not all come right on bell time. If you delay your arrival the cars will flow smoothly through Kiss and Ride and you will not be held up, timewise, any more than you would be, sitting in the queue. Teachers will not leave students on the footpath on their own, they will be cared for.
- Use the services of our school crossing supervisor and let your children walk across the crossing and then down one of the side streets where you will be parked. They don’t need to cross any major roads on their own and you don’t get stuck in a traffic jam. This is a particularly helpful practice if your children are in Primary.
Pedestrian pickup, for now, is still at the parish car park gates. To make it easier for all concerned -staff, students and parents, we ask that you bring along your laminated name card and hold it up so that the teachers on duty can easily read it, call your children’s names and have them promptly out the gate and beside you in no time at all. All families should have received two laminated name cards for you to use at pick up time. If you require more please be in contact with the office.
We ask that these cards are placed on the visor of your car which is to be pulled down as you approach Kiss and Ride and also used this year for pedestrian pick up.
A number of parents have been waiting at the Farquhar St gate of an afternoon for pick up. Your children are directed to go to the parish car park gates for this as there is not enough room at Farquhar St gate with cyclists, walkers and Kiss and Ride students needing to use that exit point. If you wish for them to go out that gate you will need to wait on the opposite side of the road and wait for them to cross with the crossing supervisor.
Updated Staff List
Kindergarten - Casey Sharman (KB), Gabriele Hawthorne (KG)
Year 1 - Leanne Skinner & Anne Maree Mantach (1B), Felicity Peart & Emilia Flaherty (1G)
Year 2 - Alison Collins (2B), Joanne Standing & Carolyn Delore (2G)
Year 3 - Chloe Coe (3B), Nicole Charnock & Belinda Parkes (3G)
Year 4 - Donna McMillan & Sally Casey (4B), Fiona McCalden (4G)
Year 5 - Phoebe Parker (5B) - Mr Watson is on leave this term, Laura Slattery & Leah Temple (5G)
Year 6 - Zoe Parish & Leah Temple (6G), Emma Cook (6B)
Learning Support Teacher - Belinda Pearson
EALD - Alice Noble
Teacher Librarian – Dee Milgate
ABED - Danielle Shaw
Mrs Olivia Moss, our Music teacher, has moved to the Northern Territory with her husband and daughter. We have recruited a new person and hope that she will be able to start very soon.
Go gently,
Karen
Greetings for 2022
Welcome back to what promises to be a busy and exciting year. A special welcome to our new families, you now belong to our St Joseph’s school community and we’re very pleased that you’re here journeying with us. Our children are exceptionally fortunate to be part of such a special environment.
In our newsletters throughout the year, we will endeavour to share some of the learning our students are partaking in with you. This is a wonderful avenue to ensure you are included in your child’s development and education and provide you with an insight into what goes on in the learning spaces.
Semester One Student Council
In Week 3, Students in Years 2-6 have had the opportunity to nominate themselves for the Semester One Student Council. Student Council members represent the peers in their class and bring suggestions forward on how together we can make St Joseph’s an even better place. The council meets each fortnight with Mrs Charnock. Students who were part of the Student Council in 2021 are ineligible to put themselves forward for the council in 2021. This is one way we try to ensure that students across each of the classes have as much possibility to develop their leadership skills as possible.
We wish to congratulate the following students who will represent their classes as student council leaders throughout Semester One:
Semester One |
Year 2 Gold |
Finn C, Indiana W |
Year 2 Blue |
Matisse S, Joseph D |
Year 3 Blue |
Iris S, Evan T |
Year 3 Gold |
Digby W, Bonnie M |
Year 4 Blue |
Aria F, Xavier C |
Year 4 Gold |
William H, Clara P |
Year 5 Blue |
Katarina T, Gus M |
Year 5 Gold |
Darcy W, Ella W |
Year 6 Blue |
Evie B, Christiaan E |
Year 6 Gold |
Hannah M, Teddy P |
Celebrating Birthdays
At St Joseph’s we value recognising and celebrating children’s birthdays. Turning a year older is significant and acknowledging this as a school and/or class is important. The ways we do this are at Monday morning assemblies where students receive a card at the beginning of their birthday week. Classes may also have different routines such as singing ‘Happy Birthday’ at the beginning of the day or the child wearing a special birthday badge. A gentle reminder to parents that we do not celebrate birthdays at school with food. Please save these scrumptious delights for the special events you may have planned for at home.
We also request that students do not bring in glass water bottles to school. Plastic drink bottles are a much safer option as we know that drops can accidently happen and shattered glass on the playground is very dangerous. Another point we ask parents to consider is not sending in tinned food which have ring pulls. Often opening these cans is very difficult for students and once opened, the metal edge is sharp and unsafe. Opening these food items at home and packing them in a small plastic container is a better option. Thank you for your understanding.
Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL)
St Joseph’s is a Positive Behaviour for Learning school. Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) is a comprehensive, integrated whole school approach to student wellbeing and behaviour. PBL is a process that supports school leadership teams to create positive learning environments that enable student learning and wellbeing.
Successful implementation of PBL is underpinned by the support and commitment of the whole school community.
PBL is based on a three-tiered continuum of prevention and intervention:
- Tier 1 - Universal prevention: school-wide and classroom systems for all students, staff and settings.
- Tier 2 - Targeted interventions: small group systems for students at-risk behaviourally and academically.
- Tier 3 - Intensive interventions: systems for students with high-risk behaviour and/or learning needs.
From extensive consultation with students and staff, four expectations for positive behaviour were identified. They are
- Act Safely
- Be Respectful
- Care for All
- Do your Best
Dash the Dolphin is our specific school PBL mascot.
Each fortnight specific positive behaviour lessons will be taught in class. The focus area for the fortnight will be shared with parents via the newsletter. We ask that parents reaffirm the message at home with their children. The current focus area is Act Safely: Using safe hands and feet.
Students will continue to receive ‘Dash tokens’. These tokens will be given out by staff as they see students doing the right thing. Fortnightly tally updates will be given out at our Monday morning assembly. Twice a term, as the tokens are gathered in sporting houses, we’ll be rewarding the colour house which has the most. These rewards might be as simple as a picnic lunch on the field, extra playtime or an ice block.
Being a PBL school, we have formulated a flowchart to follow if students do not keep to one of our expectations. This flowchart asks staff to define ‘minor’ and ‘major’ behaviours and details a consistent procedure for all to follow.
The flowchart details how minor and major misbehaviours are recorded on the student’s file in Compass. The purpose of this is to have a consistent way of keeping track of student behaviour and identifying ways we can support students in developing positive behaviour. For minor misbehaviours, teachers use their professional judgement in deciding if parents need to be informed or not. Be assured that teachers will communicate with parents about their child’s behaviour if required.
Below is a copy of the schools’ PBL PowerPoint for you to have a look at.
Together, through the partnership between staff, students and parents, we have this great opportunity to focus on the positive behaviours children display. This is something we really wish to celebrate as a community!
Safeguarding in all schools in the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese
The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle has an absolute and abiding commitment to promote the safeguarding of children. In 2019, as a part of that commitment, our bishop, Bill Wright, articulated his expectations of all those who work for the Diocese, “I expect you to place the safety, welfare and wellbeing of every child and vulnerable adult at the centre of everything you do in the name of our church.”
Bishop Wright established the Office of Safeguarding, whose director answers to the Bishop’s Office and is charged to oversee the whole of the Diocese’s safeguarding of children, including the students in our system of schools.
As a parent sending your child to a Diocesan school, you are expected to be an active participant in safeguarding your child’s wellbeing. To do so, it’s important that you have the best information available to you. The Office of Safeguarding website offers comprehensive details of the Diocese’s approach to safeguarding children. You are also encouraged to be an active participant in the life of your school
As a parent of a diocesan school student, if you are concerned for:
- the safety, welfare or wellbeing of one or more children in the school
- the conduct of a member of staff, a volunteer, contractor or other adult associated with the school
… you are able to:
- discuss your concerns with a teacher, Assistant Principal or Principal
- talk to an investigator at the Office if Safeguarding (Ph. 4979 1390, during office hours)
- report your concerns to the Department of Communities and Justice’s (DCJ) Child Protection Helpline (Ph. 132 111, 24 hrs/7 days) if your concerns constitute a risk of significant harm
- report to NSW Police if you believe a crime has been committed.
In consultation with the Diocese’s Office of Safeguarding, St Joseph’s is in the process of implementing a school-based Safeguarding Plan. This plan will incorporate the 10 National Catholic Safeguarding Standards. These standards are designed to keep children and vulnerable adults safe from institutional abuse of any form and to develop habits of safety across all levels of the community. A child friendly version of the standards can be found below.
Safer Internet Day Resources
Safer Internet Day was on Tuesday 8 February 2022 with the theme of #Play it Fair Online.
The eSafety Commissioner are world leaders for all online safety information and have fantastic resources for schools and community.
Please take the time to view these no-cost, evidenced based resources that have been provided for students and their families.
Kids: https://www.esafety.gov.au/kids
Young people: https://www.esafety.gov.au/young-people
Parents/carers: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents
The Diocese of Maitland- Newcastle 2022 theme ‘Fully Alive’ is an invitation: an invitation to “come to our senses” and find the beauty of God that is all around us. A chance to embrace the divine that is in our midst, to serve our fellow sisters and brothers faithfully, and to practice gratitude daily. Let us not forget the words of Jesus, who when asked about the essence of His message, he simply replied: ‘Come and see.’ May our theme enable us to do just that – to live our lives knowing that God’s gift of self- communication is happening in every event and every moment of our ‘ordinary’ lives.
A Student's Prayer at the Beginning of the School Year
Enrolments for 2022 Sacramental Program
A child’s Catholic faith journey began with the Sacrament of Baptism and continues by the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation, Confirmation and First Eucharist. The preparations for these sacraments in the Inner Newcastle Parish run between February and June of every year and is designed for children going into Years 4, 5 or 6 in 2022. Preparations are done as a family, with online activities and volunteer work within the community. Enrolments are now open for the 2022 program. If you are interested in being a part of the program this year please visit the parish website and complete the online enrolment form
Message from Fr Andrew Doohan
After almost seven years appointed to the Cathedral and the surrounding parish(es), I have resigned from my appointments and will conclude my ministry here on Easter Sunday. After that, I will be embarking on both sabbatical and annual leave as a time of refreshment. Upon my return, I will take up a new appointment in a yet unknown parish within the diocese. The full video version of my announcement can be found on the Parish and Cathedral websites. Fr Andrew
Beginning of Year Liturgy
As a school community we will gather for our Beginning of Year School Liturgy on Tuesday, 15th February at 9.00am in and around the COLA. The school leadership team and sports captains will be presented with their badges during this celebration. Due to our COVID restrictions, only the parents of these students may attend. We appreciate your understanding in complying with the Diocesan COVID regulations.
Upcoming Dates
Project Compassion Launch- Tuesday 1st March
Ash Wednesday- Wednesday 2nd March
St Joseph’s Day – Our school feast day will be celebrated on Thursday 18th March.
Harmony Day– We will be celebrate at school on Monday 21st March where the students will be invited to wear orange, rainbow colours or personal traditional cultural dress. More information to come.
Catholic Schools Week – for 2022 will be in Term 2
School-Parish Relationships
Due to current circumstances with COVID-19 restrictions, all schools to are still to refrain from attending Parish Masses or Church services. We do continue to greatly value our school-parish relationship, prayer and worship, and the liturgical celebrations of our faith. As a school community, we can celebrate special liturgical events as a whole school outside, in the Hall or under the COLA with limited/restricted parent involvement. Helene O’Neill (Parish-Family Liaison Officer) will continue to visit the school and classes during the year to support teachers and to continue nurturing our faith community and the school-parish relationship.
Swimming
Last Monday students from St Joseph's represented our school outstandingly at the Central Region Swimming Carnival held at Lambton Pool.
The swimmers demonstrated great sportsmanship in and out of the water. Sixteen of our students have progressed to the next level and will compete at the Maitland-Newcastle Diocesan Carnival on Tuesday 22nd February, 2022. We know that they will participate with great enthusiasm and that they will represent Central Region well. Good luck team!
Boys | Girls |
Luke C | Ava K |
Sidney M | Audrey O |
Vincent M | Hannah W |
Archie D | Alex S |
Jack J | Adelaide M |
Lewis M | Katie M |
Evean B | Ava K |
Jacob F | |
Harrison C |
Upcoming Dates
Diocesan Swimming Carnival: Tuesday 22nd February
Learning Support
A big welcome to our newest and fluffiest team member, Remi. Remi is a standard poodle with a very gentle nature, an eagerness to learn and an incredible ability to make school a happier place. She is currently being trained by Kelly, a qualified dog trainer from “Kaysadale Farm”, to become a school therapy dog. Each fortnight Kelly will come to school to teach her a new skill which she will practise during the following weeks. This week Remi is working on the commands “on your mat” , “sit” and “lie down” and as you can see , she is doing an excellent job.
As part of her training Remi will be visiting Year 3 for short periods of time focusing on sitting or lying on her mat calmly. While she is in training, students are asked to first ask the handler “Can I pat Remi?”, wait for a response and then pat Remi on her back. While Remi is at school she is working hard so she is rewarded with healthy treats and given opportunities to rest, away from students and staff. We will keep you updated with Remi’s progress and look forward to when she graduates as a fully-fledged school therapy dog.
Canteen Supervisor
Holy Family Primary School at Merewether Beach are currently advertising for a Canteen Supervisor for one day a week with the possibility of increasing these hours for special events at the school that require hospitality. If this is something that may be of interest to you, you can view the advertisement here or on Seek, or you can email your interest to the Principal, Ann Jackson, ann.jackson1@mn.catholic.edu.au