Dear Parents,

This past fortnight has been an action packed and fun one.  Please keep reading on to see what we have been up to.

Grandparents Day

Back when I was at school, in Grade One, Sister Joachim was my teacher. I thought she was fabulous, and I adored her. At that time, I didn’t know that Joachim was one of Jesus’ grandparents. Just as I adored Sister Joachim, I adored my grandmother. And I don’t think I would be too far off the mark if I said that Jesus also adored his grandparents, Joachim and Anne. Grandparents and those who take on a grandparent-type role, have a totally unique place in our lives. They cherish us, they support us, they spoil us, and most importantly, they give us a sense of belonging. The role of a grandparent figure has a truly special place in our hearts and today we wished to express that and show our grandparents how much they truly mean to us. Our Year 5 students presented an incredibly moving blessing for the grandparents in the form of a liturgical dance to Andre Bocelli’s song, ‘The Prayer’. Our Kinder students, dressed as little 100-year-old men and women, also conveyed through a song how special their grandparents are.

We thank the Year 5 team and all those involved in today’s celebrations, helping us to show our appreciation and love for those very special people we call grandparents. It was beautiful to see different generations spending time together, finding a sunny spot in the playground to read and talk or watching our students be fantastic tour guides and show their families around the school. For those who came along today we hope you enjoyed our celebrations and for those who were unable to make it I hope your grandchildren and children share with you something special from the day and share with you what makes you special to them.

100 Days of School

Coinciding with our Grandparents Day our Kinder children celebrated 100 days of being at school. This day celebrates the halfway point of their first formal year of schooling, and it also serves to show how much they have grown and learnt in those first 100 days.

What a terrific sight they made. Grey hair and walking sticks abounded as did spectacles, moustaches, beards, braces and wrinkles.

Year Six buddies created a funny memento for the Kinders, and I would say that these will be cherished for a long time as well as bring about many laughs in homes this weekend.

The Kinder children, throughout the day, engaged in lots of activities relating to 100 and had an absolutely terrific day.

James Nottingham

On Wednesday, James, Nottingham, the UK, author, keynote, speaker, teacher and educational consultant and coach spent the day with us. He demonstrated lessons in three classes across the stages and all staff had the opportunity to observe at least one of these sessions. This was followed by a staff meeting at the end of the day and our parent workshop that evening. In the curriculum corner of today’s newsletter, you will read more about James‘s presentations, however, I would just like to share some of the thoughts of the students, staff and parents who were part of his sessions this week. If you missed his parent session please reach out to parents that you know did attend as I’m sure they would love to share with you some of their learnings and ‘take aways’ from the session. I know one parent is posting the notes she took for her year group so if you were able to come along, you may wish to do the same.

James will share with us his PowerPoint presentation that was used on the night and once we receive that we will share it with you.

Student Comments

Year 6

• I just wanted him to stop asking questions but then I didn’t.
• He made me want to answer more than what I normally do.
• He really got us thinking.
• We did much deeper thinking than what we normally do, and in some cases, we changed our way of thinking because we realised we weren’t always right.
• My brain hurt because of all the thinking I was doing.

Year 3:

• He made us think about things that we wouldn't usually think about.
• He was funny.
• He got lots of people in the learning pit.
• He made us interested in getting in the learning pit.
• He engaged us in learning and made us think.
• He made it fun for us.

Year 1:

• I felt challenged
• I thought it was hard to answer an English person 
• He was a fun person to talk to 
• I thought I wasn't going to get it, but I did. 

Staff Comments

• Can you please get him to come back again?
• You’ve given me a lot to think about, and to consider in my teaching.
• I was challenged.
• I went straight back into my class after your demonstration and applied what I had learned with my class.
• I can really see the importance of giving more wait time when asking students questions.
• It really does make them think.

Parent Comments

• I love him!
• He makes a lot of sense.
• Can you do parent coaching?
• I know so many people, when they hear what he was saying, will wish that they had come.
• I get what he says. We don’t always let our kids ‘wobble’.
• The idea of talking about my own mistakes or failures has become a lot more meaningful.
• Self-efficacy is my new mantra.
• This was so worth it.

Awards

Over this year we have been reviewing our student awards.  Below is a brief outline of our regular awards.  We are still looking at end of year awards and once we have finalised these we will share them with you, as well.

Weekly Awards – KLA based  

These are in class Merit Awards (2 per class). Students will receive class recognition and a certificate. These are awarded for achievement and/or growth and improvement in a KLA or for a particular learning task that may cross over several KLAs. 

Fortnightly SRC PBL Award  

This is awarded every fortnight at the assembly. SRC reps nominate 3 class members each fortnight, demonstrating the fortnightly PBL expectations. The Assistant Principal will email these three nominations to teachers, on Thursday afternoons (even weeks) after SRC meetings. Class teachers will then select one student from their class from these three names that they think has best demonstrated commitment to the PBL focus that fortnight. At Friday assemblies, one student per class will be awarded the PBL Award (certificate).

There will be 14 PBL recipients in total each fortnight.  

Fortnightly Principal’s Award (PA) – Learning Dispositions 

Awarded fortnightly at Friday Assemblies. In addition to a certificate, recipients will each get to take home a PA trophy and then return it for the next assembly.  It needs to be returned by the Wednesday of each even week, so that we know we have them all back for the Friday assembly.

The Principal’s Award differs from the class merit awards as they are not KLA or achievement related. These awards are based on learning dispositions. The purpose of this is to help students further connect with what learning truly is and how, through the demonstration of these dispositions, they will be able to successfully make their way out of ‘the learning pit’ and learn what qualities are needed to be successful learners. 

Principal Awards Schedule

Week 2: Kindergarten  
Week 4: Year 1 and Year 2  
Week 6: Year 3 and Year 4  
Week 8: Year 5 and Year 6  
Week 10: Recognise all PA recipients at Week 10 assembly 

The recipients each term are invited to a Principal’s Morning Tea that will take place in Week 10 of that term. 

Every day in school means so much more

Education for your child is important and regular attendance at school is essential for your child to achieve their educational best and increase their career and life options.   

When your child attends school every day, learning becomes easier, and your child will build and maintain friendships with other children. 

Extended Leave Applications

Recently, there have been a number of families who are undertaking overseas holidays or extended travel. It is a requirement that all families complete an application form prior to travelling, which includes attaching an itinerary or proof of travel, such as e-tickets. A certificate is then issued to the family that shows authorities that approval for your children being absent from school has been authorised. These are government regulations, not system ones.

We ask that if you intend to undertake such travel, that the documentation is submitted well in advance of your travelling in order for us to do what is necessary at our end, which at times means engaging in a discussion with you about possible things to do whilst away. Many forms that are coming in at the moment are arriving a day or two before travel and parents are travelling without the authorised certificate. This certificate is meant to be with you as you travel for authorities are able to ask you to present it at various places when they see school age children not at school. If you are planning on travelling this term please contact the office for further details in regards to what you need to do.

Have a lovely weekend,
Karen

St Joseph’s Student Council 

During Week 1, each class reflected on the qualities of leadership as they voted for their Semester 2 Student Council Representatives. We wish to congratulate the following students:  

These students received their Student Council badges at this afternoon’s assembly. We look forward to a great semester working on a variety of initiatives together.  

Thank you again to all our Semester One council members who represented both their class and St Joseph’s with great maturity, leadership and pride. 

Positive Behaviour Learning (PBL) 

Our PBL focus this fortnight is Act Safely – Moving safely at all times. 

This is a big focus area as quite often children are reminded to be aware of their surroundings and how they move within them. In class, students are identifying ways we move safely (and unsafely) as they analyse different scenarios and how they can be most safe. On the playground teachers will be keeping a close eye on students who are walking on the concrete and playing safely on equipment. Hopefully many tokens will be given out! 

Interrelate  - *Save the date* 

Interrelate is a not-for-profit provider of relationship services that specialises in supporting parents and children. St Joseph’s has benefited from their service in the past and we have now secured a date for two evening sessions this year on 17th October.  

The two sessions are: 

Session 1: Where Did I Come From? 
Audience: Year 3 and 4 students and their parents/carers 

(Students from Year 5 and 6 are welcome to this if they have not participated previously) 
 
Program focus:  
• Discuss the male and female reproductive systems, foetal development and the birth process 
• Personal safety and protective behaviours 
      

Session 2: Preparing for Puberty  
Audience: Year 5 and 6 students and their parents/carers 

Program focus:  
• Discuss the physical changes of puberty, emphasising that it can be different for everyone 
• Develop students’ understanding of periods and sperm production, as well as the physical, emotional, social and intellectual changes associated with puberty for both boys and girls 
• Enhance awareness of children’s personal safety and protective behaviours 
 
Note: Younger students are welcome to attend at the discretion of their parents/carers. 

These sessions will take place in the evening on 17th October. More information and booking details will be available closer to the date. 

As we begin this term, we would love to invite our parent community in celebrating St Mary of the Cross MacKillop’s Feast Day on Monday 7th August at 2:05pm as a precursor to our NAIDOC celebrations on Tuesday 8th August. Mary MacKillop was a trailblazer in education. Mary devoted her life to providing education and care to the less fortunate and indigenous communities of Australia. She embraced a progressive vision of education, firmly believing that every child, regardless of their background, deserved the opportunity to learn and grow. Her unwavering commitment to social justice and compassion continues to inspire us as we work towards creating an inclusive and nurturing learning environment for our students.  

In our classrooms, Mary MacKillop's values and principles are embedded in the fabric of our teaching. We encourage our students to embrace a love of learning, a spirit of kindness, and a commitment to helping others, just as she did. As we commemorate Mary MacKillop's life, we remind our students to be courageous, compassionate, and trailblazers in their own right. 

We are committed to providing the best possible education for our students, and to achieve this, our teachers continuously engage in professional development to enhance their teaching practices. One particular approach that has captured their attention is James Nottingham's questioning techniques and the concept of the Learning Pit. 

James Nottingham and Questioning Techniques

James Nottingham is an esteemed educator and author renowned for his work on creating a culture of curiosity and critical thinking in the classroom. His approach centres around using effective questioning techniques to stimulate deeper understanding, encourage independent thinking, and foster a growth mindset among students. 

By employing open-ended questions, our teachers aim to challenge students to think beyond simple responses and delve deeper into subject matter. Such questions encourage active participation, stimulate discussions, and help students connect new information with their existing knowledge, enhancing their overall learning experience. 

James Nottingham Demonstration Lessons

To further improve their skills and gain fresh insights into the application of these techniques, our teachers participated in a professional development session, and they observed demonstration lessons conducted by James Nottingham. In these sessions they witnessed first hand how the questioning techniques are effectively employed in real classroom scenarios. By observing these demonstrations lessons, our teachers can gain valuable inspiration and ideas to implement in their own classrooms, creating a richer and more engaging learning environment for your children. 

Exploring the Learning Pit 

The Learning Pit is a concept introduced by James Nottingham to describe the process of learning as a journey of challenge and discovery. It represents the idea that true learning occurs when students face and overcome difficulties in their academic pursuits. 

When students encounter new information or complex problems, they enter the "Pit," a state of confusion and uncertainty. Our teachers use this concept to encourage students not to be afraid of challenges but rather to embrace them as opportunities for growth. As they work through the Pit with support and guidance from teachers, they emerge on the other side with a deeper understanding and a sense of accomplishment. 

How You Can Support Your Child

As parents and guardians, you play a crucial role in your child's education. Here are some ways you can support your child in their learning journey: 

Encourage Curiosity: Foster a love for learning by showing interest in what your child is studying. Ask open-ended questions that stimulate their thinking and promote meaningful discussions. 

Embrace Mistakes: Help your child understand that making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process. Encourage them to learn from their errors and see them as stepping-stones to success. 

Celebrate Effort: Praise your child's efforts and perseverance rather than focusing solely on grades or outcomes. Recognising hard work reinforces a growth mindset and resilience. 

Be a Learning Partner: Engage in educational activities with your child outside of school, such as reading together, visiting museums, or exploring new hobbies that spark their curiosity. 

We are excited to see how these enhanced teaching practices positively impact our students' learning experiences. As always, we appreciate your partnership in nurturing and empowering our young minds. 

Leanne Skinner 
Primary Coordinator and Pedagogical Mentor  

PE Lessons – Netball 

During our PE lessons, students from K-6 have been participating in activities to develop their skills in netball. We have professional coaches who will be running each session with our teachers assisting.  

K-2 will remain at school and Years 3-6 will walk down to National Park to use the netball courts. The program will run for 5 weeks, ending in Week 5. 

Our Netball Gala Day – Netball NSW Schools Cup, will be held in Week 4 on Thursday, August 10. This program will assist in preparing those students who have been selected, along with providing all students with a fun experience in developing their skills further in netball. 

AFL- Northern NSW Championships 

During the middle weekend of the holidays, Max L, Jacob F and Callum VH played Representative AFL after being selected in the Newcastle Metro U13 side, playing in the Northern NSW Championship, 2023 comp at Coffs Harbour. 

 
The boys won 5 out of their 6 games and played tough footy for 3 days amongst the best in the region. This was an excellent achievement, and they are so lucky to be able to enjoy this experience with their fellow Joey’s mates. 

Snowsports Championships

Jack W and Beau P (Year 4) competed and represented St Joseph’s in the Interschool Snows Sports Championships in Perisher, Snowy Mountains last week. Both boys competed  in their required age groups in Slalom Racing and Ski Cross.  First time for both boys and with strong competition, Beau and Jack placed very competitively in their age groups and had an awesome experience. They will be back next year if any other snow families wish to make this a future team event for St Joseph's.

Well done, boys!

Netball Superstars

We had some little netball stars from Year 1 attend their very first netball gala day at Charlestown Netball Courts last Sunday. There were four teams in their division, and after the first round playing all teams, they had lost against every team. However, they picked themselves up, dusted themselves off and played all three teams again and won every single game! Pure grit and resilience. This is a brilliant example of how when we feel we are stuck in ‘the pit’, we never give up. And these girls did not give up! They held their heads high and persevered.

We are very proud.

Premier’s Reading Challenge

Can we do it? Yes, we can!!!! BUT we only have 21 days to go!

As you know, we are attempting to get every child at the school to complete the Premier’s Reading Challenge this year. 201 students have already completed the challenge. What a fabulous achievement!  

Kinder Blue and Kinder Gold are our success stories with every child in these classes have finished the challenge. 

I know you have all been madly reading but you need to record your books on the Premier’s Reading Challenge website. Here is the link https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/home.html

If you have trouble accessing this, come and see us in the Library.