28 August 2024
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Welcome to Week 8.
Dear Parents & Guardians
Congratulation to all three teams who were involved in Season B grand finals last Friday. All three teams were victorious, with their results listed below.
Rugby League
Senior 6A
Won in golden point, double overtime against Frenchville SS (22-18).
Robert Schwarten - Player of the Final: Nate Oliffe
The team was also awarded the Tom Hogan, ‘Team of the Year’ trophy for being the highest ranked of the 44 teams from 22 schools taking part on Fridays by going through the season undefeated.
Netball
Senior A
The Senior A girls were victorious against The Rockhampton Grammar School Amazons 22 goals to 19.
Player of the Match: Kelsey Kinlyside
Junior C
The Junior C girls came from fourth place to win their final against the Rockhampton Girls Grammar Sschool Navy in a tight game 9 goals to 8.
Player of the Match: Gracie Simpson
It was wonderful to see so many community members take part in last week’s Book Week events. With our Book Fair being very successful, all proceeds from the Fair will be put towards additional books for our children to enjoy in our Library. Thanks to Mrs Roberts and the staff who assisted for all the hard work and extra time they have put into the Book Fair. Joeys in Jamas as well as our Book Character Parade were wonderful events that the students loved while also supporting the 2024 theme, ‘Reading is Magic.’ Thanks to all who came along and supported these worthwhile events that support the love of literacy.
Please note; this Friday, the 30th of August will be a Pupil Free Day with all staff attending professional development at school.
Also, P&F Meal Deal orders for the Lower School (Prep – 2) on Tuesday 3rd of September and the Upper School (Year 3 – 6) on Wednesday 4th of September close this Friday, 30th August through Quickcliq at 6:00pm.
The days have been split as a way to manage the additional orders and the volunteer help needed to fulfill them. Proceeds from the two days will go towards the P&F purchasing a number of 2025 Booklist items in an effort to help with the Booklists as cheap as possible.
Semester 2 Parent/Teacher interviews commence next week. Even though these interviews are held in 15-minute blocks, as always, if you require more time to discuss your child’s progress, please email your child’s classroom teachers discuss a mutually beneficial time to discuss your child’s progress further.
School Fees 2025 Information
A few weeks ago, the fourth School Fees Advice piece introduced our new, simple and transparent fee structure for Catholic Education schools and colleges.
Rather than a tuition fee plus numerous levies and charges, from 2025 we will present our school fees as an All-Inclusive Education fee that covers the curriculum offering of the school. The only other charge is a Building Levy, which funds the capital costs of providing contemporary and educationally engaging spaces for our students and staff. We do offer some activities that fall outside the curriculum offerings of the school, which will be charged as Specific Purpose charges. At a primary level, Specific Purpose charges will be quite few.
Next week, in Week 9 of the Term, I will send out a letter that will include the 2025 Statement of Fees to the entire community. If you have children at a Catholic secondary college, you can expect a similar communication from them as well.
The Fees are presented in this communication as annual, term, and weekly fees. The Schedule also provides details of available payment options. Consistent with previous years, we offer family and concession card discounts to eligible families, and support for any of our families experiencing periods of financial hardship. Please do not hesitate to contact Megan, the school finance secretary to discuss affordability concerns, payment options, and to establish a suitable payment plan.
Don’t Forget …
- Week 7. National Book Week & Book Fair. 19th – 23rd
- Book Week Parade. Thurs 22nd
- Season B Sport Grand Final Day. Fri 23rd August
- Pupil Free Day. Friday 30th
- Father’s Day. Sunday 1st
- Parent/Teacher Interviews. 2nd – 6th September
- RU OK Day. Thurs 12th
- Term 3 Concludes. Fri 13th
Have a great week.
Regards
Bernard Fitzgerald
Principal
St Joseph’s Catholic School, Park Avenue
St Joseph’s 2024 School Improvement Priorities:
- Christian Virtue – Dignity
- Increased Learning Gain & Achievement
- Learning Dispositions
CURRICULUM NEWS
Book Week
A big thank you to everyone who participated in book week activities last week. It was a very busy but enjoyable week celebrating reading.
A special thank you to Mrs Roberts who organised the Book Fair, along with the many staff members who assisted with the selling of items throughout the week. Once again it was extremely successful and raised approximately $2000 worth of new books for our library.
Thank you to everyone who came along to Joeys in Jamas. It was very well supported with many families enjoying some time together. It was wonderful to see the parents and grandparents who were brave enough to join in the fun in their pyjamas. What a great way to show the students that we are never too old to enjoy ourselves.
A special thanks to the staff who gave up their time to assist on the night.
Thank you to everyone who participated in our dress up day. As with every year, I was blown away by the effort and imagination of many of the costumes. We also had our largest ever crowd of supporters from our community so thanks to everyone who was able to join us for our parade. I’m sure the students appreciated such a large audience.
Parent Teacher Interviews
Parent teacher interviews are now open through parent lounge for bookings. Interviews will be held during Week 9. Please note that each class has been allocated a certain amount of ‘in school’ time to conduct interviews, as a way of supporting our generous teachers who make themselves available to attend up to 56 interviews throughout that week. There are also spots available outside of school hours for parents who cannot attend during school time, however, if you are able to book an ‘in school’ time slot, please consider doing so as a way of supporting our teachers.
BOOKINGS CLOSE TODAY AT 5PM
As always, I encourage you to consider having your child attend their interview. This is an important step in them realising the partnership between the school and home as well as students taking ownership of their learning and behaviour. Please reach out if you have trouble booking an interview. If you can’t make any of the official interview times, you are always welcome at any time throughout the year to contact your child’s teachers to arrange a mutually convenient time to meet up.
Even though the school gates are locked during the day for the safety of our students, the school is not closed to parents, however, for workplace health and safety reasons, if you enter the school during the school day, it needs to be through the office and you need to be signed in. Your appreciation with following these processes is appreciated. Teachers are always happy to discuss your child’s progress and learning with you.
Regards
Deanne Senini
Assistant Principal Curriculum
RELIGIOUS NEWS
The 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
Many disciples desert Jesus.
John 6:60-69
Historical Context – Christians and Jews
The first followers of Jesus and those who became followers in the years after the death of Jesus were faithful Jews. They saw the teachings of Jesus as a way of being a better Jew. They didn’t think that they were beginning a new religion; just a new way of interpreting their faith. However, as the years passed and the followers of Jesus began to clarify their understandings and beliefs, it started to become obvious that their belief in Jesus as the Son of God was distancing them from their Jewish brothers and sisters. Gradually the term, Christian, came into use and their differences from Judaism became more apparent.
@Liturgy Help – by Greg Sunter
Staff Formation
Formation is all about the development of a well-rounded and competent person, possessing personal maturity. The basis of this is the fact that human beings are physical, emotional, psychological, social, intellectual and spiritual. Being created in the image of God, we can realise our potential, with God's grace. Growth in each aspect of our person allows us to bring an honest and personal humanity to our lives.
This Friday, we will gather as a staff to spend time in spiritual, pastoral, and intellectual formation. As educators we have a mission amongst our fellow human beings. We are effective when our thoughts, words and actions act as a bridge between God and the people we encounter. So, as we gather, we ask for you to pray for us so that we feel the presence of God in our midst.
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
SPORTING MATTERS
INTERSCHOOL SPORT CHAMPIONS
Junior C Netball
Senior A Netball
6A Rugby League
ATHLETICS
Congratulations to Orlando (Year 4) and Tasharn (Year 6) who have been selected in the Capricornia Athletics team to compete at the State Championships being held in Brisbane in early October.
Orlando will compete in the 10 years Shot Put and Tasharn will compete in 11 years 100m, Relay and Tetrathlon.
Orlando and Tasharn were picked after competing at the Rockhampton District trials held in Mackay last week.
Shot Put – 1st
100m Final – 3rd
200m Final – 3rd
Long Jump – 3rd
CLASSROOM NEWS
Yr 1
In Year 1, we got the exciting opportunity to go to the Pilbeam Theatre and watch a performance of Grug.
We had an absolute blast learning about Grug’s hobbies, friends and home. It was so fascinating to see how the set was able to change and transform around Grug.
Here are some of our favourite parts of the show.
Jack: My favourite part was when Grug went fishing.
Alice: My favourite part was when Grug had a birthday cake.
Dom: My favourite part was when Grug went to sleep.
Khloe: My favourite part was when the guy ate Grug’s food.
Luca: My favourite part was when Grug went fishing.
Mila: My favourite part was Grug’s birthday.
Theo: My favourite part was when it was Grug’s birthday
Tuscani: My favourite part was when Grug had a disco.
Carter: My favourite part was when Grug went to sleep.
Ellie: My favourite part was when Grug had a party.
National Child Protection Week: 1 – 7 September
This year, National Child Protection Week will continue to focus on the message:
“Every child, in every community, needs a fair go”.
This year‘s theme is ‘Every conversation matters’. Conversations are powerful tools for keeping children and young people safe and well. They can help us understand issues, create solutions, value community knowledge, and build the brains and social connections of children and young people.
Conversations between
…children and their caregivers matter (from the very earliest days)
…children and their peers matter
…families with teachers, doctors, and other professionals matter
…friends or neighbours matter
…decision-makers and the communities they serve matter.
And, of course, conversations in the public realm and media matter…
So, this National Child Protection Week, we encourage you to speak up, speak together and speak about what needs to change so that every child in every community has a fair go.
This theme provides a platform to:
- engage in important conversations,
- promote the value of conversations, and
- equip us to have conversations that keep kids safe.
Let’s use this theme to explore and talk about the many ways that conversations matter for children, young people and their families.
National Child Protection Week is a great time to talk with children about feeling safe.
On Tuesday, 3 September, all classes will participate in Australia’s Biggest Child Safety Lesson.
This is a national live event developed by the Daniel Morcombe Foundation.
At Joey’s, we continue to learn how to Recognise, React and Report as part of the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum.
Brooke Black
Pastoral Support & Wellbeing
Queensland Road Safety Week
This year’s Queensland Road Safety Week runs from 26 – 30 August 2024, with the theme ‘We’re One Team Queensland. Let’s drive like it’.
This is an important week to spark conversations about what each of us can do to stay safe on the roads.
The safety of our students, parents and carers, and staff is paramount, and we all have a role to play. Students become road users at an early age as pedestrians, scooter or bike riders, and are our future drivers. Influencing positive road safety attitudes can never start too young.
We’re asking everyone to consider how you can act as One Team Queensland on the roads:
- Is it leaving 5 minutes early to beat the school rush?
- Is it walking the extra distance to use the school crossing?
- Is it demonstrating courteous driving by giving a wave when someone lets you merge in front of them?
St Joseph’s is proud to be supporting this year’s Queensland Road Safety Week because we want our school community to get home safe so you can be there for the ones you love.
For more information on how to get involved and raise awareness, visit the webpage and encourage your friends and family to always take care on our roads.
We’re One Team Queensland. Let’s drive like it!
Brooke Black
Pastoral Support & Wellbeing
MEAL DEAL
Meal Deal next week
Lower School (Prep, Grade 1 and 2) Tuesday 3rd September
Upper School (Grades 3 – 6) Wednesday 4th September
All orders through Quickcliq
Orders close THIS Friday 30th August.
Information went home yesterday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Congratulations to the following staff and students who will celebrate their birthday this week. They are: Milla C (Prep), Reyd C (Prep), Meilah D (Yr 4), Riley D (Yr 1), Archie B (Yr 3), Fletcher B (Yr 2), Olivia C (Yr 3), Hudson McG (Yr 3), Tuscani C (Yr 1), Mrs Walton (Yr 4), Mrs Roati (IC) and Mrs Carter (APRE).
Have a great day.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We are seeking Volunteers to assist with the running of St Joseph's Cathedral Gift & Bookstore on an ongoing basis. The bookstore usually operates Wednesday to Friday 10am – 3pm and Saturday & Sunday 10am - 12pm, we are seeking Volunteers who would be confident to use an easy instore point of sale system. If you are keen to help out please contact Vanessa on 0499 359 719 or email communications@rok.catholic.net.au.
CARTOON WORKSHOP
Please see the below attachment for the upcoming September holidays
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
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