8 November 2023

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents & Guardians

Welcome to Week 6

A reminder that our Parents and Friends Association Annual General Meeting will be held in the school library this Thursday evening at 6:00pm.  Please come along and meet some new people while also contributing toward the future direction of our lovely little school.  Hope to see you there.

As the end of the school year draws near, we still have a few significant events to celebrate on the Joey’s calendar.  One of these events being our school Presentation Night on Thursday, 23^rd November.

The evening will be held in the school Multi-Purpose Area beginning promptly at 6:00pm. 

Each grade level, including the Kindy, have been working hard to prepare a Christmas song to perform on the night, which will also include the presentation of our annual awards that recognise the efforts of students throughout the entire year. 

I would ask that during the evening we keep general conversation to a minimum as a form of respect for those performing or presenting and receiving awards on the night.

The night is anticipated to conclude at approximately 7:45pm and it would be lovely to see as many of our students and their families come along and attend.

Last week all eldest students in the family would have received a yellow ‘2024 School Fee Schedule’ to take home. Following this, some families will be receiving a Personalised 2024 Fee Calculation in the mail. Even though this is an approximate amount, I thank Megan for her hard work and commitment, as she has tried to make it as close as possible for families to work out fee payments and remain informed of their commitments for next year.

If you did not receive one of these calculations and would like one, or if you have any questions in relation to them, please do not hesitate to contact our Finance Secretary – Megan Crosthwaite on 4994 8205.

This Saturday is Remembrance Day.  As this is not a school day, we will be holding a special assembly this Friday in the MPA commencing at 10:45am and concluding at approximately 11:00am.  All are welcome to attend.

Have a great week.

Don’t Forget….

• P&F AGM. Thursday 9^th
• Remembrance Day Prayer Assembly. Fri 10^th Nov @ 10:45am in MPA
• Remembrance Day. Saturday 11^th November
• Final Board Meeting for 2023. Tuesday 14^th
• Semester 2 Performing Arts Assembly. Monday 20^th November
• Presentation Night/Christmas Concert. Thursday 23^rd November
• Semester 2 Academic Awards. Monday 27^th November
• Semester 2 Report Cards posted to Parent Lounge. Wed 29^th
• Year 6 Graduation Mass. Wednesday 29^th November
• End of Year Mass/Term 4 concludes. Friday 1^st December
• Cathedral’s Lights of Christmas. Sun 17^th Dec – Sat 23^rd Dec @ 7:30pm

Kindest Regards
Bernard Fitzgerald
Principal - St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Park Avenue

St Joseph’s 2023 School Improvement Priorities:

• Prayer Life
• Learning Dispositions
• Increased Learning Gain & Achievement

RELIGIOUS MATTERS

31st Sunday Ordinary Time
Jesus challenges the Pharisees.
Matthew 23:1-12

Living the Gospel – Christian Leadership

The Christian model of leadership often flies in the face of societal concepts of leadership. Many of the models of leadership we witness in society focus on exerting power over others. People are praised for showing ‘strong’ leadership when they manipulate situations, bully less powerful people and bulldoze their way through others’ opinions. Whilst this model of leadership may have a certain effectiveness in the short term, there is certainly nothing ‘Christian’ about its operation and ultimately it forces a wedge between the leader and the led. Christian leadership focuses on empowering all parties and rather than power over others, it embraces power through and with others.

                        @Liturgy Help – Greg Sunter

St Joseph’s Cathedral Appeal

As the spiritual home for our Diocese, St Joseph’s Cathedral is vital to our school community.  Many groups of students have had the opportunity to visit St Joseph’s and to participate in important celebrations held in it, over many years.

A significant building such as this requires upkeep, and your contribution can help. 

Please use the QR code on the image below if you can donate to St Joseph’s Cathedral, Rockhampton.

Liturgical Celebrations Coming Up

*SJPA – St Joseph’s Park Avenue
*OLHC – Our Lady Help of Christians church (next to St Joseph’s, Park Avenue)
*MPA – Multipurpose Area (Basketball court)

Elizabeth Carter
Assistant Principal Religious Education

CLASSROOM NEWS

Yr 1

What a busy term 4 Year 1 has had!

As we approach the end of the year, we reflect on the incredible progress made by our young learners in their educational journey. This year has been a fantastic one, filled with growth in countless areas of classroom learning. 

In English, we have dedicated time to fostering a love for reading by practising different phonics strategies to help with our reading fluency. We have been learning all about procedures and have had a lot of fun in the process. We’ve learned how to make an ice-cream sundae, tiny teddy race cars, beaded snakes & fairy bread. 

Our exploration of the features of different places and how we care for them in Hass has sparked curiosity and an appreciation for geography.  

In Religion, we have dived into the significant practice of Baptism & caring for God’s creation. 

We are so proud of the enthusiasm our little learners have shown this year!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Congratulations to the following students who will celebrate their birthday this week.  They are: Zanden H (Yr 3), Dominic R (Prep), Hunter A (Yr 5), Jack M (Yr 3), Willow B (Yr 2), Declan R (Yr 2), Isla S (Yr 1), Carter V (Prep), Maisie D (Yr 3), Izabella McG (Yr 2) and Mrs Crosthwaite (Office)

Have a great day.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC in 2024

Enrolments are now being accepted for new and continuing students to learn the following instruments at St. Joseph’s Park Avenue.

FLUTE, CLARINET, SAXOPHONE, TRUMPET, TROMBONE, PERCUSSION, VIOLIN, VIOLA, CELLO, GUITAR & VOICE.

Instrumental Music provides so many benefits to a child – please watch the attached link to a fantastic video about Music and the Brain: Instrumental Music Learning and Brain Fireworks

Please see the attached information letter for details on required year levels for each instrument, and a downloaded version of the enrolment form.

Enrolment link is included here: Instrumental Music Enrolment 2024

Further information is available online at https://emmaus.qld.edu.au/co-curriculum/instrumental-music/

Missing File - Information Letter 2024 Primary

Keyboard lessons for 2024

Leanne Voss will continue to offer Keyboard lessons in 2024 for interested students in grades 1 – 6. 

Lessons are of 30-minute duration and will be conducted weekly at school.

Students will be required to have access to a keyboard for practice and purchase a music tutor book and theory book.   Lessons will generally be given to groups of 2 or 3 students with some individual lessons available when it is not possible to match students of similar musical ability. The lessons will focus on developing note reading and counting skills and using a chord bass accompaniment.  There will also be an emphasis on utilising keyboard features such as different tones and rhythms.

Playing keyboard is an excellent extra curriculum activity to develop not only musical skills, but creative thinking, hand-eye coordination, concentration and commitment to task.

Enrolment forms are available from the office and in the newsletter for both new and continuing students.   

After school Karate

Keppel Martial Arts, Uniting Church Hall, 321 Berserker St, Frenchville QLD 4701 

BOOK SALE

Preloved Books
Sunday 12 November
St Joseph’s Cathedral (outdoor shelter)
10:30am – 1:00pm
Bargain prices – Great Christmas Gifts

DRAKES SUPA IGA

Drakes Fundraiser for St. Joseph's Cathedral

I thank you for your support of this project which has raised over $40,000, of which the school community has played an important role.  Please continue to support the Cathedral by shopping at DRAKES using your key tag and receiving the benefits.

If you have not been part of this fundraiser you are invited to get a key tag from your local School or Church and shop at your local Drakes, one cent in every dollar you spend will go to the Cathedral.  No Fuss, only benefits.

Hoping to see you at Drakes 

Stay Safe

Shirley Hopkins,
Co-ordinator, Drakes Fundraiser for St Joseph's Cathedral