10 February 2016

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Last Friday we celebrated our opening school Mass for the year and I would like to congratulate all of the children for the wonderful and respectful way they participated in the liturgy. As a Catholic community it was a terrific way to start our year. My thanks to Fr Don for leading our celebration and to the support shown by our invited guests, Mr Craig Fairbairn – Assistant Director Schools Rockhampton and Mr Kevin Hogan - Parish Manager, along with parishioners and parents.

At the end of our Mass, we discussed our school theme for the year and in doing so have taken our lead from Pope Francis who has declared 2016 to be a Year of Mercy. To guide us throughout the year we are drawing on the symbol and image of the Good Shepherd and so the challenge for each of us in the St. Joseph’s community is:

‘How can we be Good Shepherds?’

As we take up this challenge we pray:

Lord,

Help me to become more like the Good Shepherd.

Teach me each day to walk as you walk.
Beside those who are sad,
So that they will know joy.
Beside those who are disappointed,
So they will know comfort.
Beside those who are alone,
So they will know the warmth of a friend.

Let me look to the Good Shepherd
And walk in his ways.

Amen.

Today marks the start of the Lenten season, a time of preparation for Easter, and a time during which all classes will be involved in Project Compassion, through Caritas. Across the next six weeks each class will have a Project Compassion box in their room and students are asked to make donations into the class box, where possible. Many thanks to all of the parents for their donations yesterday for our Shrove Tuesday Breakfast. Additionally, students were asked to bring a gold coin donation to contribute to the breakfast and we raised $293.00 to commence our Lenten project. A great effort!

Unfortunately last Thursday heavy downpours arrived causing the cancellation of our Welcome BBQ. Thank you to everyone for their understanding regarding the cancellation, though there was little that could be done. This week however, there is another opportunity for parents to get together at school during our Parent Information Nights. This Wednesday 10th (tonight) and Thursday, 11th February we will be holding Parent Information Nights for Year 1-6 parents; each approximately one hour in duration.

Wednesday, 10th

• 5.00pm Yr 1 & Yr 6
• 6.00pm Yr 5

Thursday, 11th

• 5.00pm Yr 2 & Yr 3
• 6.00pm Yr 4

Interschool sport commences this week for all eligible students in Years 4-6 (i.e. 10 years and up). Every student has been allocated a Season 1 sport, based upon the preferences they submitted and has been informed of the equipment required for their chosen sport; for example, shin pads for soccer. Please check with your child that they are organised for this Friday.

A reminder that next week, Friday 19th February, is our Bishop’s Inservice Day. This is a faith development day for all school staff members in the Rockhampton area and so is a Pupil Free Day for students. This will be hosted at The Cathedral College and as such the office will be closed on Friday, 19th.

Importantly next week on Saturday, 20th February we will be celebrating the first of our Children’s Masses for the year. These are always special celebrations during the year and I would encourage you to mark these on your calendars and attend where possible.

Don’t Forget …

• Wed 10/2 - Parent Information Night;
• Thu 11/2 - Parent Information Night;
• Wed 17/2 - School Board Meeting @ 5.30pm;
• Fri 19/2 - Bishop’s Inservice Day – Pupil Free Day;
• Sat 20/2 - Children’s Mass @ 6.00pm.

Have a great week!

Alan

SPORTING MATTERS

Basketball Trials

If your child is interested in trialling for Basketball (boys & girls 10 –12 yrs) on the 16th of February at St Mary’s School, please print off the form that is in attachments, or come into the office and collect one. Paperwork will be required from your child at the trials.

Friday Sport 12/02/2016

OZ TAG

Girls Pool B 12:45pm
St Joseph’s PA Maroon v Frenchville White on Field 8

Girls Pool C 12:45pm
St Joseph’s PA Blue v St Mary’s Red on Field 5

Boys Pool A 1:35pm
St Joseph’s PA Maroon v Glenmore on Field 2

Boys Pool B 1:35pm
St Joseph’s PA Blue v RGS White on Field 3

Due to the number of teams nominated this year, games will be played at the Saleyards fields on the Southside (off Gladstone Road), and at Rockhampton Grammar School.

SOCCER

Yr 5 12:40
St Joseph’s PA v RGS @ RGS
St Joseph’s PA 2 v Mr Archer @ Elizabeth Park

Yr 6 1:35
St Joseph’s PA v RGS @ RGS

AFL

12:30
St Joseph’s PA v Frenchville SS on Field 1

1:30
St Joseph’s PA v Crescent Lagoon SS on Field 1

Games are played at Kele Park, which is off Western Street on the Southside

CURRICULUM NEWS

Term 1, Week 3

ICAS

The University of New South Wales will, once again, be running the International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) in 2016. These competitions are open to any children in Years 3 to 6, and some of the competitions allow the year 2 children to participate, (Science, English & Mathematics). Those children wishing to be involved can participate in the areas of Digital Technologies, Science, Spelling, Writing, English and Mathematics.

Dates and costs associated with the competitions are as follows:

These competitions are a great way for students in our school to compare their academic achievements against students in other schools around Australia. If you would like more information please visit the UNSW website:

It would be appreciated if anyone wishing to enter any of the competitions could return the permission slip (sent home last week) to the office, along with entry fees by Monday 21st March (beginning of Week 9 - Term 1).

DANIEL MORCOMBE CHILD SAFETY CURRICULUM

Weeks 3 and 4 focus:

Prep – Year 2

Lesson Objectives:

Students will:

• review the meanings of recognise, safe and unsafe
• use LOOK, SOUND and SMELL clues to help recognise unsafe situations

Year 3-6

Lesson Objectives:

Students will:

• be able to explain and provide examples of ‘risk’ activities
• identify how risks can be assessed
• be able to provide examples of how risk affects personal safety and the safety of others

Information about the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum can be found at

I encourage you to talk to your child(ren) about the week’s session to re-enforce the important message of being safe.

If you have any questions about the program please feel free to come and see me.

LITERACY CORNER

Reading:

Learning to read involves children learning skills in comprehension, fluency, accuracy and expanding on their known vocabulary. This week’s skill comes under the heading of Comprehension.

Strategy – Check for Understanding

This strategy teaches children to stop frequently and check or monitor whether they understand what they are reading. This is typically a quick summary of what they’ve read, starting with who and what.

Spelling:

Strategy – Across and Down Words: Write each of your spelling words across and then down. See the example below.

Example:

FAST
A
S
T

Regards,

Deanne Senini
Assistant Principal Curriculum

FINANCE NEWS

Fee Accounts for Term 1 were emailed or posted at the end of last week
(5th February)

If you have NOT yet received your account, please contact Megan in the office immediately to arrange re-issue and to also check your address details on file.

Can you please ensure to use your Parent Codes on any Direct Debit Fee Payments so that we can allocate to the correct account. This is the 6 Digit number on the top right hand side of your Account.

CLASSROOM NEWS

1M’s INCREDIBLE ADVENTURE

What a great start we’ve made this year! We are all settling in well and enjoying the start of our schooling adventure. We are learning what it means to be part of a great learning team and how we can be the best ‘us’ we can be. Make sure you ask your child about our class rules. They should be able to share both the words and actions by now.

In English, we’re learning to recognise and write a recount. We are retelling stories, our lunchtimes and weekends. We hope to write our own recount by the end of the term. Reading is such an important part of our English program. If you would like to read with us during the school day please see Mrs McCutcheon.

Our Science unit is called Up, Down and All Around. We will be investigating observable changes that occur in the sky and landscape. We will be investigating different features of our school and then we will predict if in the next 2 weeks they will move or change – we’ll see.

In Religion this term we are exploring the Sacrament of Baptism. Our unit is called Welcome to the Family. We will be looking at the different families and groups we are a part of and how we celebrate together. This ties in well with our History Unit – Let’s Party Australia.

Parent information session is tonight - Wednesday 10 February at 5.00pm. During this session Miss Noake and I will outline our units of work for this term, talk about classroom routines, discuss homework, sight words and answer any questions you may have. It would be great to see you all there.

Mrs McCutcheon and 1M

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Congratulations to the following students who will celebrate their birthday this week. They are: Alysha Munster (5C), Harrison Lentell (5C), Grace Lloyd-Jones (2H), Amaya Murphy (PM), Levi Ramm (3T), Oliver Smith (1N), Abby Richardson (4M), and Jacinta Dives

WALL PLANNER

Our new 2016 Wall Planner went home last week. This calendar has all of our happenings throughout the year on it. If your planner did not make it home, please call into the office and pick up another one.

VOLUNTEERS INDUCTION SESSIONS

WPH&S Volunteers Inductions are necessary for the safety of your children. Therefore we ask that all parents who generously volunteer their time to the school, either in a classroom or in the tuckshop, attend a very brief induction regarding maintaining a safe environment for the children of St. Joseph’s.

These sessions only take about five minutes and are available after assembly on a Monday morning with Deanne Senini, or with Ray Carrington on Friday mornings at 9.00 am. Tracy Wren will also be conducting induction sessions in the tuckshop, if you are helping out in there.

Thanks,

Ray Carrington

UNIFORM SHOP

Our uniform shop is run by VOLUNTEERS of the school and is open

Monday morning from 8:15- 8:45 and
Tuesday afternoon from 2:45 - 3:15
Friday morning 8:15 – 8:45

Please feel free to drop by any uniforms you no longer need to sell. Proceeds can go back to you or you can donate it back to the P & F.

FRIDAY PIZZA

Meatlovers, Chicken and Aioli and Hawaiian Pizza are available every Friday for $1.50/slice. Please have your order in a Brown Paper Bag with your name, class and order on it, with the money in side.

Please use a brown paper bag with child’s name and class written on the front.

TUCKSHOP IS UNAVAILABLE ON FRIDAYS

YR 7 2017 EMMAUS INFORMATION EVENING

TENNIS

Rockhampton Junior Tennis Association’s 2016 season will start on Saturday, January 30, with fixtures ($10/session) held from 8.00 – 11.00am Saturdays, and from 4.00 – 6.00pm Tuesdays.

Coaching ($12/lesson) will also begin on January 30. Register any Saturday at Rockhampton Regional Tennis Centre, Victoria Park, or by phoning (07) 4927 1436. Qualified coaches and experienced supervisors are employed.

TUTORING

D2A Tutoring, Rockhampton has vacancies for Prep to Year 12 students for Term 1, 2016.

Individual, affordable, fun. One-on-one sessions in a nurturing environment with an experienced teacher and tutor. D2A Tutoring, Rockhampton is celebrating 10 years of providing professional and effective tutoring to Rockhampton's students. Morning, afternoon and evening lessons available.

Phone Jody 0400 378 843 or 0749 210 663.

PARK AVENUE HOCKEY

Join us in our love of Hockey!

Calling all new and existing members the Park Avenue Brothers Hockey Club are holding their sign on for the 2016 Season, on Valentine’s day Sunday 14th February, 3 to 7pm at Church Park, 161 Glenmore Road.

Fun and games all afternoon!

Catering for all ages Juniors and Seniors.

To find out more information come along, find us on Facebook or ring Rachael on 0477178564 or Robert on 0407 118 220.