27 November 2024

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents & Guardians

Not long now.

As the end of the school year draws near, we still have a few significant events to celebrate on the Joey’s calendar.  The first of these being our school Presentation Night this Thursday, 28^th November. The evening will be held in the school Multi-Purpose Area, beginning promptly at 6:00 pm. 

Each grade level, including the Kindy, has 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.

We will provide reserved seating for our students and limited seating for the adults, so bringing your own chair may be advantageous.

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

Monday, 2^nd December, at 8:35am, we will be holding our Semester 2 Academic Awards.  All are welcome to attend. 

At this assembly, we will be celebrating our Gold, Silver, Bronze and Maroon Academic Award recipients, as well as our Navy Effort Awards for Semester 2. 

Next Wednesday evening, 4^th December, we will be celebrating our Graduation Mass for the Year 6 students, which will mark the culmination of their primary schooling.  The evening will commence with mass in OLHC Church at 6:00 pm followed by a presentation & dinner for the students and their parents at the Rockhampton Sports Club. Year 6 Parents, please ensure you are up to date on all the information by remaining in contact with the Year 6 teachers and reading all the communications sent home.  I am sure it will be a memorable night for all those who are involved.

On Thursday, 5^th December, our Year 6 class will be holding their ‘Fun Day’ celebrations with a trip to Great Keppel Island. 

Drawing our school year to a close will be our End of Year Mass next week on Friday, 6^th December.  We will be celebrating with a whole school Mass commencing at 9:00 am in OLHC church.  The Mass not only provides us the opportunity to say farewell to our Year 6 students for the final time, but it will also incorporate the induction of our student leaders for the 2025 school year.

Please be aware that parking will be an issue for all of these events and that we are thoughtful about the amount of vehicles families bring and how it affects our neighbours.  If the school oval is made available for parking during these events, further information will be sent home before each event.

Well done to all the students who showed off their talent during our Semester 2 Performance Arts Assembly last Monday morning.  A tremendous amount of effort has been put in by both the students as well as their teachers.  This year we were also able to appreciate the ‘Crotchet Club’s’ first significant creation with the blanket being donated to a local senior citizens facility.

School reports for the Second Semester will be posted on Parent Lounge on Wednesday, 4^th of December.  Please ensure you have your appropriate login details to access your child’s information.

Well done to all of our past Joey’s students who graduated Year 12 last week.  Congratulations to those students and their families on completing their secondary education.  A special shout-out to past Joey’s student Karen Messmer who created this wonderful mosaic piece to commemorate the Year 12 Graduation at Emmaus last week.

Finally, our staff will be holding an end-of-year event on the afternoon of the final day of school.  During this time, we will have a chance to farewell staff as well as acknowledge the significant events and celebrate the year’s achievements.  Please be aware that staff will be unavailable beyond 3:20 pm on that day.

To coincide with this, the last day of this term for After School Care will be Thursday, 5^th December. The service will be closed on Friday 6^th of December.

Don’t Forget….

November

• 27^th Board & P&F Executive Meal
• 28^th Presentation Night

December

• 2^nd Semester 2 Academic Awards Assembly
• 4^th Graduation Mass and Dinner
• 4^th Semester 2 Report Cards posted to Parent Lounge
• 5^th Year 6 Fun Day
• 6^th End of Year Mass & Leadership Handover

6^th Term 4 Concludes

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

RELIGIOUS NEWS

The 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Pilate questions Jesus about his identity.
John 18:33-37
Have you thought? The Kingdom of God

When Jesus speaks about the Kingdom of God, he never gives a particularly clear picture of what he means. He usually refers to the kingdom with metaphoric language (‘the kingdom of God is like …’) and often the kingdom is defined by what it is not. The kingdom is also a real contradiction: it is here and now and yet it is still to come; it is almost impossible for some to enter the kingdom while others are assured a place; it is within us and in our hearts and yet is a great banquet to which all are invited.

@Liturgy Help – by Greg Sunter

Year 5 Leadership Retreat

This week, the Student Leaders for 2025 gathered to prepare for their role as leaders in our community. The idea of Servant Leadership is inspired by the example of Christ. But what does it mean to us today?

Servant leadership is an approach to leadership where the leader puts the needs of others before their desires and acts as a servant first. Unfortunately, many overlook this idea today, where leadership equates with power and authority.

However, Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of true leadership, and His life and teachings demonstrate how important it is to lead with love, compassion, and a servant's heart.

Jesus Christ demonstrated servant leadership by washing His disciples' feet, which was typically the job of the lowest servant in a household. Even though Jesus was God in human form, He humbled Himself to serve His disciples. This act of service showed His humility and love for His followers.

In John 13:14-15, Jesus said, "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."

Understanding the common good of God’s people means putting your desires second. Humility is a hallmark trait of Christian leadership. I am sure you join with me as we pray that our Student Leaders for 2025 follow in the footsteps of Christ as they lead our school.

Liturgical Celebrations Coming Up

Elizabeth Carter
Assistant Principal Religious Education

CLASSROOM NEWS

Inclusive Curriculum
Helping Students Master Emotional Regulation.

At St Joseph’s, we understand that emotional regulation is a critical life skill for all students. It helps them navigate challenges, express their feelings appropriately, and thrive academically and socially. Emotional regulation doesn’t come naturally for everyone, but with support and practice, students can build these skills to manage their emotions effectively.

What is Emotional Regulation?

Emotional regulation is the ability to recognise, understand, and manage emotions in a healthy way. It involves identifying feelings, staying calm under pressure, and making thoughtful choices rather than reacting impulsively.

Why It’s Important

• Promotes Positive Relationships: Students who manage their emotions well are better equipped to resolve conflicts and interact respectfully with peers and teachers.
• Improves Learning: Managing emotions helps students focus on tasks, persist through challenges, and perform better academically.
• Reduces Stress: Emotional regulation skills allow students to handle setbacks without becoming overwhelmed.

How We Support Emotional Regulation at School

1. Berry Street Education Model: We use this framework to help students identify what strategies they can use to be ready to learn.
2. Calming Spaces: Classrooms feature calming spaces where students can take a moment to regroup and practice self-regulating techniques.
3. Mindfulness Activities: Breathing exercises and mindfulness moments are integrated into our routines to help students stay grounded.
4. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Weekly You Can Do It lessons focus on understanding emotions and building resilience.

How You Can Help at Home

• Talk About Emotions: Encourage your child to name their feelings and discuss how to handle them.
• Model Calm Behaviour: Children learn by watching. Show them how you manage stress or frustration.
• Practice Coping Strategies: Teach techniques like deep breathing, counting to ten, or using a stress ball.
• Praise Efforts: Celebrate when your child successfully manages a challenging emotion or situation.

By working together, we can help all students build resilience and confidence, equipping them with the tools they need for success in school and life.

Prep Students Welcome Next Year’s Joeys!

Our Prep students have been busy putting pencil to paper, creating heartfelt letters for the incoming Preps of 2025! These letters are filled with advice, encouragement, and plenty of excitement as our current students share what they’ve loved about their first year at SJPA.

It’s a wonderful way for our young learners to reflect on their growth and give a warm welcome to the next group of Joey’s. Keep an eye out for these special letters—they’re sure to inspire smiles and excitement for the year ahead!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Congratulations to the following students and staff who will celebrate their birthday this week.  They are: Koby S (Yr 5), Jackson G (Yr 4), Oliver F (Prep), Xavier H (Yr 2), Blake M (Yr 2), Cooper K (Yr 2) and Miss Rosie (OSHC).

Have a great day.

KEYBOARD LESSONS

Leanne Voss will continue to offer Keyboard lessons in 2025 for interested students in grades 1 – 6. 

Lessons are of 30-minute duration and will be conducted weekly at school. Keyboards will be provided at school for lessons.

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 for both new and continuing students.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC in 2025

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 2025

Further information is available online at 

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