20 November 2024

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents & Guardians

This week, I would like to acknowledge the many works taking place at Joeys. 

I have included information by artist Brandon Butler that he supplied, detailing the inspiration and meaning of our new mural.

Brandon’s mural details are:

External Mural

Painting by: Brandon Butler 2024

This artwork is a visual representation of 2 of the 5 learning dispositions of St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Park Avenue. The learning dispositions persistence and collaboration are displayed within the artwork. This can be seen through the centre gathering. This gathering depicts collaboration, the relationship between traditional owners, the school, the staff, the students and the community all working collaboratively to achieve and maintain a positive learning environment. The gathering in the centre represents the school and traditional owners and the U shapes surrounding the gathering display the staff, students and families within the school community. The two large circles on each end of the mural depict persistence. This can be seen through the dot formation within these circles. This displays the evolution of time, the importance of not giving up and always striving to move forward towards the goal.

The mural also includes the symbolic pattern of land ownership this is my interpretation of acknowledging the traditional owners of where the school is located. The four circles connected by journey lines display the traditional owners and how they worked and lived on country. Kinship has also been used within the mural this can be seen within the centre of the artwork, the red circular pattern displays kinship this can be related to through the school community and the pride they feel by being a part of St Joseph’s.

The artwork has been done using predominately the school colours and the Wattle has been added as an acknowledgement to the school’s emblem.

Last week, we had our Learning Dispositions and new signage installed on the MacKillop Precinct wall as you enter the school.  These are a visual reminder to our students to strive to develop the skills of PERSISTENCE, INDEPENDENCE, RESILIENCE, CREATIVITY and COLLABORATION.  These Learning Dispositions are present in all of our classrooms as well as being featured prominently in our Semester Report Cards.

The new signage looks wonderful adding some additional character to our little school.

We also had the new upper school playground shade structure and football posts installed for our students to enjoy.  It was tough having some restricted play spaces over the last week and a half but seeing the students beginning to enjoy the new facilities makes it all worth it.

A big thanks to the P&F Association for their generous support in all of these endeavours.

Last Thursday, we held our P&F Annual General Meeting in which the Executive for 2025 was elected to represent the parent body.

The P&F Executive elected for 2025 are:

President – Leah Benson
Vice President – Jodie McDonald
Secretary – Petrina Brady
Treasurer – Leonie Mooney

Congratulations, and thank you to all who contribute their time to the P&F at Joeys.

Finally, our Finance Secretary position was advertised last week. 

The position is for 35 hours per week.  If you know of a suitable applicant, please forward the link to the details below.

Applications for the position close on Friday the 22^nd of November.

Don’t Forget….

November

• 20^th Board Meeting
• 21^st Emmaus 2025 Year 7 Orientation Day
• 25^th Semester 2 Performing Arts Assembly
• 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 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Watch for the signs of the coming of the kingdom.

Mark 13:24-32

Living the Gospel – People of Hope

Whilst the community who were the intended audience of the Gospel of Mark were expecting the return of Jesus and the end times to occur during their lifetimes, nearly two thousand years later we realise that wasn’t the case. Today, as in Mark’s time, many people approach the future and change with fear and apprehension. As Christian people we are called to be optimistic and hopeful as we approach the future. We know that God is good, that God loves us unconditionally and that God has a dream for us. That is the simple basis of Christian hope.

                                                                        @Liturgy Help – by Greg Sunter

Thank you for your support of our Children’s Masses for 2024

This Saturday we gathered for our final Children’s Mass for the year. It was such a lovely evening, and we were part of the Baptism of two little people! Thank you to the parishioners of Our Lady Help of Christians who welcome us each month to play an active role in their Mass.

I wanted to say a very big thank you to the families who have prioritised our monthly Children’s Masses this year and come along in support of them. It is so wonderful and really helps to build our community.

Each month, dedicated members of our staff join us at Children’s Mass too. This means so much to our young people and their families, and especially to me. To those staff, thank you so much for modelling how to answer the call of your personal faith.

Liturgical Celebrations Coming Up

Elizabeth Carter
Assistant Principal Religious Education

CLASSROOM NEWS

Yr 5

Hello families,
The end of the year is nearly upon us and once again we have had a busy term in year 5!
Some highlights of term 4 for us so far have been:

“The thing that I have been most excited about this term is presenting my leadership speech to Mr Fitzgerald.” – Roland

“My highlight of term 4 has been participating in maths fluency challenges and games with Miss Thackeray because it was enjoyable.” – Ruby

“The thing I’ve enjoyed the most this term was creating a budget for a class party in Maths lessons.” – Gabby

“My highlight of term 4 has been writing my persuasive leadership speech and narratives because I am learning new things, and it is fun.” – Amelia

“I enjoyed going to the night time math competition at Height’s college because it was challenging.” – Spencer

“I enjoyed going to the cinema to see Runt which was fun and exciting.” – Libby

Students have worked hard on their narrative writing skills this term. Here are a few snippets of our work:

Here beginneth a story that has love, braveness, violence and revenge.  Far far away at the walls of Camelot defences were at bay being ruled by the almighty King Arthur with his Excalibur sword.
- Joanna

Today was no ordinary day, something felt off. Out of nowhere a huge, fierce dragon flying as fast as a jet started a rampage on Camelot destroying everything in its path like a bulldozer. Brave knights hid people in barns while the dragon was breathing heavily burning everything to a crisp, but in the distance a voice could be heard clearly saying. “Fear thee not I shall save you all” and that voice was King Arthur.
- Ned

The dragon, with thy Excalibur stuck in it, blew flaming ferocious fire directed to the field which exploded in flames. Arthur saw they were out of the field and cave, but he was now in Camelot, the shape shifting dragon took the opportunity to consume the city with flames. “Arthur, we need thy help,” said the knight. So, King Arthur turned to his knights which they were lifting the spear ready to throw, Arthur hurried along. “Now!” He said.
- Corben

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Congratulations to the following students who will celebrate their birthday this week.  They are:  Cody P (Yr 4), Andie C (Yr 2), Hallie M (Yr 1), Kaison M (Yr 6), Emily S (Yr 6), Harper Y (Yr 2), Marshall B (Yr 3), Callum J (Yr 6), Millie W (Yr 3), Hunter W (Yr 2) and Mrs Mann (Yr 3).

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