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21-23 September | Year 5 - Great Aussie Bush Camp |
23 September | Last day of Term 3 |
10 October | First day of Term 4 |
Dear Parents,
Once more we have reached the end of yet another term, but what a term it has been! Every week this term, on top of our regular teaching and learning business, and the extra-curricular activities that continue to go on, there have been additional experiences for our students. In some cases, these experiences have involved the whole school, such as the musical (who can forget what an incredible experience this was!) and Book Week and our character parade and our ‘Young Mary’ incursion whilst in other instances they have involved groups of students, like the Kinders’ 100 Days of School celebration, various sporting events, ASPIRE, VA exhibitions and excursions. It is little wonder that both our students and staff are feeling exhausted this week. I hope for these upcoming holidays you and your families get to spend some quality time together, enjoying both some fun and relaxing activities.
Acknowledging Queen Elizabeth II
At the start of this week, we gathered together to commemorate the life of Queen Elizabeth II and to pray both for her and her family. As a Christian, the Queen often talked about Jesus during her Christmas messages, and about how important it was that she tried to live her life serving others, just as Jesus did. Just before she was crowned Queen, she spoke these words:
“I want to ask you all, whatever your religion may be, to pray for me… Pray that God may give me wisdom and strength to carry out the solemn promises I shall be making, and that I may faithfully serve him and you all the days of my life.”
The Queen spoke often about how she asked for God’s help in undertaking her highly important role. She knew that she needed great strength to be able to serve others in the way she had committed to. We reflected on how we too could be motivated by our love for God, and to call on God’s spirit to help us serve our families, friends and people we encounter in our lives with love, dignity and compassion.
Christ said that he had come to ‘not to be served but to serve’. The Late Queen patterned her life on Him and followed in His ways. May we too pattern our lives on Him.
Classroom Refurbishment
Whilst the staff and students are off site these holidays there will be a few of us still around working away behind scenes in order for our Year 1 – Year 5 classrooms to get a makeover. Next week sees the removal of our old furniture and the following week sees the delivery of our new items. The children in these classes have assisted their teachers to pack their rooms up for this to occur and there is great anticipation for what is to come. I look forward to seeing the looks on the children’s and teachers’ faces on our return to school and also, over time, in seeing the varied ways this new flexible furniture is used across the classrooms.
Regional Maths Bee
Despite there being a change of location midway through the Regional Maths Bee, due to a water problem on the original school site, our students all participated in the ‘Bee’ and did us proud. Mrs Vervaart said that all our participants showed great persistence and resilience.
Our school competitors were - from Kinder: Christian B, Louie K; from Stage 1: James F; from Stage 2: Haakon M, Xavier C; and from Stage 3: Harry H, Joshua H.
Congratulations go to Haakon for coming first in his stage and to Louie and Xavier for coming third in their stages.
Harvest Time
What a bountiful harvest there has been recently in our vegetable garden. The spinach has been prolific in recent weeks, but the children are now picking the carrots and as you can see they have had a magnificent yield. I can’t believe that the carrots actually remained in the ground for as long as they did and reached their full growth, for usually as soon as the children see that something has begun to grow they are a little over eager with the picking. The garden produce stall was a great success last week. The garden is not only bringing great joy to the students who are involved in this group but they are also learning about healthy eating, seasons and cycles and all manner of other things at the same time.
Summer Uniform
All students are asked to be in full summer uniform on our return to school. The uniforms can be purchased from Lowes at Westfield Kotara. The girls may choose to wear either the tunic or shorts and shirt.
There are many black school shoes that need a polish at the moment. For the older children, this could certainly be a holiday job and even for the younger ones, you could always get them involved in the polishing off at the end.
Full school uniform also requires neat and tidy hair for both boys and girls, so if hair clips or bands are needed, please use the holidays to purchase these. Please also be mindful that jewellery other than plain studs or sleepers, is not a part of the uniform and ensure that your children are not wearing necklaces, friendship bracelets, ‘bling’ earrings or rings to school, as they have been creeping in recently.
We have been having a blitz on lost property lately and we ask that you make sure your children’s hats are clearly labelled on the brim in permanent marker. We have seen a big improvement in this but need your support as well. What we are finding is with the children who have two or three hats or jackets, they don’t always have each item labelled and /or there isn’t always as much incentive to care or look for them as they know they have plenty of back-ups.
Your children’s hats are clearly labelled on the brim in permanent marker. We have seen a big improvement in this but need your support as well. What we are finding is with the children who have two or three hats or jackets, they don’t always have each item labelled and /or there isn’t always as much incentive to care or look for them as they know they have plenty of back-ups.
Kind regards,
Karen
World of Maths Incursion
During Week 2 of Term 4, students will be participating in a ‘World of Maths’ incursion on Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th October.
‘World of Maths’ offers interactive & strategically designed problem-solving sessions that provide students with the opportunity to see different and brighter ways of learning Maths!
When experiencing ‘World of Maths’ the students will have an opportunity to learn and express a variety of different skills and strategies needed for problem solving in real life situations. The two main purposes of the sessions are:
1) Solving problems from a given situation on each activity
2) Serving as a guided discovery lesson where students will discover and identify many mathematical concepts and ideas in a fun environment.
During the sessions students will analyse mathematical problems through investigation, comparison and reflection. They will work together in small teams to discuss and record possible answers.
We look forward to this fun and exciting opportunity to continue our Mathematical learning here at St Joseph’s.
Tell Them From Me Survey
All parents/carers at St Joseph’s, Merewether are invited to contribute to a community consultation survey. The survey is now open and will close on the 7 October 2022. The survey is anonymous, voluntary and easy to use. It takes about 20 minutes to complete and covers parents’ perceptions of the school’s support for learning, positive behaviours, and the promotion of safety and inclusion. Students in Years 4–6 will also participate in the survey during class time. If you returned the non-consent note sent to you earlier this term, your child will not complete the survey.
The insights we gain into parent and staff communication, activities and practices at home, and parent voice on the school’s support of learning, faith formation and behaviour will build an accurate and timely picture that schools can use for practical improvements.
This is your chance to provide valuable feedback about your school and support school planning and future direction and we welcome your participation, suggestions and comments. The school community will receive findings and proposed actions for improvement following completion of the survey process. The link to the online survey is: http://tellthemfromme.com/stjosephs
If you have any problems or queries about the survey, please contact Nicole Charnock or Karen McGinlay
Positive Behaviours for Learning (PBL)
Our students are continuing to be rewarded for their positive behaviours in the classroom and on the playground, with our Dash tokens. All four Colour Houses are doing their best to be crowned winners for the second half of Term 3. Our house captains have today completed a token count and the progress results are as follows:
Red House: 318
Gold House: 237
Green House: 348
Blue House: 351
Congratulations to the Blue House on their win. The Blue House will vote on their prize in Week 1 of Term 4.
Our PBL focus area for this term continues to be Care for All: Care for belongings and equipment. As part of this focus, we have been encouraging all students to have their belongings clearly labelled. This has resulted in a huge reduction in lost property across this school.
To further support this focus, the student council have run a competition, which will see the class/es with the least amount of lost property rewarded with a prize.
We now wish to congratulate 2 Blue and 5 Gold on their outstanding success. Both classes will also receive their prize in Week 1 of Term 4.
Class Tally of Lost Property Items
Class |
Week 8 |
Week 9 |
Week 10 |
Total |
KB |
|
l |
l |
2 |
KG |
|
|
l |
1 |
1B |
lll |
lll |
ll |
8 |
1G |
l |
l |
|
2 |
2B |
|
|
|
0 |
2G |
|
|
l |
1 |
3B |
|
|
ll |
2 |
3G |
l |
l |
|
2 |
4B |
l |
|
|
1 |
4G |
l |
l |
|
2 |
5B |
|
l |
|
1 |
5G |
|
|
|
0 |
6B |
l |
|
|
1 |
6G |
|
llll |
l |
5 |
Season of Creation
2022 Season of Creation Prayer
Each year from September 1 to October 4, the Christian family unites for this worldwide celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home.
As followers of Christ from around the globe, we share a common call to care for creation. We are co-creatures, and part of all that God has made. Our wellbeing is interwoven with the wellbeing of the Earth. We rejoice in this opportunity to safeguard our common home and all beings who share it.
This year, the theme for the season is Listen to the Voice of Creation.
What is the Season of Creation 2022?
2022 Season of Creation Prayer
Creator of All,
From your communion of love your Word went forth to create a symphony of life that sings your praise. By your Holy Wisdom you made the Earth to bring forth a diversity of creatures who praise you in their being. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. You called human beings to till and keep your garden.
You placed us into right relationships with each creature so that we could listen to their voices, and learn how to safeguard the conditions for life. But we turn in on ourselves and away from our co-creatures.
We close our ears to the counsel of our fellow creatures.
We fail to listen to the cries of the poor and the needs of the most vulnerable. We silence the voices of those who hold the traditions that teach us to care for the Earth.
We close our ears to your creative, reconciling and sustaining Word that calls to us through the Scriptures.
We lament the loss of our fellow species and their habitats that will never speak again.
We grieve the loss of human cultures, along with the lives and livelihoods that have been displaced or perished.
Creation cries out as forests crackle, and animals alike flee the fires of injustice that we have lit by our unwillingness to listen.
In this Season of Creation, we pray that you would call to us, as from the burning bush, with the sustaining fire of your Spirit. Breathe upon us.
Open our ears and move our hearts. Turn us from our inward gaze.
Teach us to contemplate your creation, and listen for the voice of each creature declaring your glory. For “faith comes from hearing.”
Give us hearts to listen for the good news of your promise to renew the face of the Earth.
Enlighten us with the grace to follow the Way of Christ as we learn to walk lightly upon this holy ground.
Fill us with the hope to quench the fires of injustice with the light of your healing love that sustains our common home.
In the name of the One who came to proclaim good news to all creation, Jesus Christ. Amen.
AFL – Paul Kelly Cup
On Monday 12th September, 18 boys from Year 5 and Year 6 travelled to Sydney with their parents to compete in the Paul Kelly Cup State Championship. Our Joey’s AFL team started off the competition in Warner’s Bay in the local tournament which they were successful at, progressing to the Regional Finals. They were undefeated at Regionals and were then invited to play at the Giant’s Stadium in Olympic Park for the State Final.
This was the first time St Joseph’s made State Championship for the Paul Kelly Cup (but it won't be the last!) and the excitement was through the roof! It was an amazing opportunity to be playing on this field, with their parents cheering from the grandstand, and I know the boys will remember this moment forever.
They only lost one game on the day and fought hard, but unfortunately didn’t make it to the semifinals. However over the whole competition, from local level to the state final, these boys only lost 2 games! That is a massive achievement in itself.
I have been so proud to watch these boys play. Not only to witness their impressive skills, but to see them bond as a team, work together and support each other along the way. The boys who play this sport on a regular basis outside of school were great leaders for their team. They assisted their team by sharing their knowledge and skills and were great encouragers. Other students who were new to the sport brought their skills they already possessed and showed great improvement along the way, always showing determination and grit to develop their AFL skills.
Their coaches Mark van Huisstede, David Flynn and Grant Vickery were also part of their success. Their knowledge of the sport was greatly appreciated and they passed on this knowledge to the boys. They were integral in creating a positive team environment where they uplifted the team spirit, always acknowledging each boy and the skills and hard work they brought to each game. Thank you Mark, Dave and Grant for your support during this competition and for your time and effort you gave to the team.
Thank you to the parents who took time out of their day to transport their child to the game in Sydney. It was lovely to be able to spend this time together.
Please congratulate the boys on their amazing success: Elliot M, Hugh M, Mason H, Callum H, Heath A, Hamish S, Lucas V, Jacob F, Max L, Gus M, Spencer S, Darcy W, Harry H, Luca W, Theo S, James S, Sidney M and Byron S.
Polding Athletics
On Friday, 9th September, four boys from St Joseph’s competed for the Polding selections which was held right here in our very own town, at Hunter Sports Centre in Glendale.
Evan B, Oliver S, Archie D and Felix P attended the event and competed so well, making us all very proud.
Unfortunately, our Junior Relay team were unsuccessful. However Evan, Oliver and Archie have all progressed in their specific event and will now compete as part of the Polding team during Term 4.
Please see their results below:
Evan B came 2nd in Long Jump.
Archie D came 3rd in the 800m.
Oliver S came 1st in the 100m.
Congratulations boys. We can’t wait to hear of more success on the track!
Upcoming Events in Term 4
- St Joseph’s Swimming Carnival – Wednesday, 30th November at Lambton Pool
- NSW/PSSA Athletics (Polding Team) - Wednesday 19th October to Thursday, 20th October at SOPAC
- Summer Trials – Cricket, Basketball and Tennis 3rd November, 2022
During Term 4, students in Year Four and Five will have the opportunity to trial for either cricket, basketball or tennis. Please note, students are only to trial for ONE sport, not multiple.
Emma Cook
Sport Coordinator
1 Gold
We have had such an exciting and eventful term in Year 1 Gold! Alongside our incredible performance as Australian Animals in the School Musical where we learnt how to ‘Try Everything!’, we also got to enjoy some spectacular Book Week Festivities in some absolutely fantastic costumes. We have been having so much fun outside the classroom, but we have also been very studious in the classroom this term.
English
In English we have been working on our persuasive writing. The students have enjoyed stories such as ‘Let’s Get a Pup!’, ‘The Day the Crayons Quit’, and Miss Flaherty’s favourite, ‘I Wanna Iguana’. These stories have shown us the power of persuasion and allowed us to explore the use of rhetorical questions and commands which we have been using in our persuasive writing. If you receive a very convincing letter about going on a holiday or making over a bedroom, look out for those persuasive devices!
Mathematics
Maths this term has been all about measuring and forming groups! We have measured length, area and even volume! The students have explored odd and even numbers, how to use a number line and how to record data. We created some incredible reflections and have been practicing our skip counting skills. The students enjoyed exploring 3D objects and forming groups inspired by Aboriginal Symbols.
Religious Education
Prayer has been the focus of our Religious Education lessons this term as we explored different types of prayer such as personal and communal prayer. The students explored who they can pray to, and we also considered what we might like to pray for. Earlier this term we also learnt about the 10 Commandments and what they might mean to us as individuals and how they can guide our everyday actions with others.
Science and Geography
We have spent a lot of time this term investigating the seasons and weather! We had so much fun using our rain gauges to record rainfall and learnt all about the different tools which can be used to record weather. The students have been identifying how seasonal changes can affect our daily lives and how the seasons can change the weather all around the globe. We have also explored the sun, moon and stars and their positions in the sky.
Creative Arts
This term has seen some budding artists blooming like the flowers in spring. We have created rainy day artworks, rainbows, a portrait of Mary MacKillop, Aboriginal dot paintings, a four seasons tree, the sun and moon and even our own recreation of Van Gogh’s Starry Night! The students have really enjoyed using a variety of techniques and mediums to create their artworks this term.
UoN Holiday SMART Program
Are you looking for something engaging for your child to participate in these school holidays that is aligned with the NSW Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus? The University's SMART program presents exciting Science Shows and delivers hands-on STEM workshops for primary school students!
Click here to explore this opportunity.
Year 6 St Pius Sport Day
On the 21st of September 2022, Year 6 went to St Pius for a sport day. We were guided by the Leaders of the school, the Year 10s. The Year 10s were very responsible, helpful, and mature. They were a notable example to the Year 6s.
We played various sports throughout the day including volleyball, football, dodgeball and many, many more. Each of our groups were evenly spread between girls and boys with 9-10 people in each one. Two of the most memorable sports (in our opinion) were volleyball and dodgeball, although they were all incredibly well executed.
For lunch, the school supplied a free sausage sizzle and a popper for each student, and we had thirty minutes to have a run around or chat to our friends.
Isabella & Emma