23 November 2016

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE ACTING PRINCIPAL

Over the weekend, at the end of our school Children’s Mass our parish community was notified that commencing January 8th of next year Fr Don White will take on the priestly leadership role of Pastor to the South Mackay Cluster of Parishes.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the contribution Fr Don has made to our community over the last eight years. Fr Don, has been a fantastic presence in our school community, and we thank him for his dedication, guidance, leadership and faith filled service and may God continue to guide and bless him during his future endeavours.

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, 24th November. The evening will be held in the school Multi Purpose Area beginning promptly at 6:00pm. Each grade level 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 on the night.

The theme is ‘Carols by Candlelight’ with multi-coloured LED candles available to purchase from your child’s classroom teacher for $3.00. Please remember that there should not be torches nor naked flames brought along as they are unsafe alternatives.

The night is anticipated to conclude at approximately 7:30pm and it would be lovely to see as many of our students and their families come along and attend.

Next Wednesday evening, 30th November we will be celebrating our Mass of Thanksgiving for the Year 6 students, which will mark the culmination of their primary schooling. The evening will commence with mass in OLHC Church at 6:00pm followed by a presentation & dinner for the students and their parents in our Multi Purpose Area. Parents and children will need to be checked off our list before entering the MPA for dinner. I am sure it will be a memorable night for all those who are involved.

Drawing our school year to a close will be our End of Year Mass next week on Friday, 2nd December. We will be celebrating with a whole school Mass commencing at 9:00am. The Mass not only provides us the opportunity of fare welling our Year 6 students for the final time, it will also incorporate the induction of our student leaders for the 2017 school year.

We must also be aware that we share Friday’s mass with the Parish so I request that we leave the parking spaces directly outside the church vacant for the use of our parishioners.

Please remember that during all of these celebrations that we not use the parking in the mall car park as retailers in the mall have previously complained that there is no parking for their patrons.

In an effort to try and alleviate these parking issues we will be making parking available on the grassed area beyond the end of the Multi Purpose Area during all three celebrations.

School reports for the second semester will be sent home with students this coming Tuesday, 29th November. Please keep an eye out for these as they will be coming home with your child in their school bag.

Class lists for the 2017 school year will be displayed at school on Thursday, 1st December.

Don’t Forget …

• Thurs 24/11 - School Presentation Night
• Tues 29/11 - Reports sent home
• Wed 30/11 - Year 6 Mass of Thanksgiving & Dinner
• Thurs 1/12 - Year 6 Fun Day
• Thurs 1/12 - 2017 Class Lists Posted
• Fri 2/11 - End of Year Mass & 2017 Leader Induction

Wow, that was lots of information!

I hope you have a great week.

Regards
Bernard Fitzgerald
St. Joseph’s PA Acting Principal

APRE REFLECTION

Coming Towards an adventure!

This Sunday 27th November is the First Sunday of Advent. The liturgical year begins with Advent, a word derived from Latin ad meaning ‘towards’ and venire meaning “come” or “arrive.” During Advent we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ. It is the act of coming towards and adventure.

The Advent season can be celebrated in families with an advent wreath. The wreath is a symbol of the advent of Light into the world. The gradual lighting of the four candles, one each Sunday helps to maintain our expectation and hope in Our Saviour’s coming into the world.

This prayer may be enjoyed with children as you light the Advent wreath candles and commence the adventure that is to be had as we prepare for the Christmas season.

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, king of the universe.
You sent your Son to be the Light of the world and to
spread his light of love to all.
As we light the candles of this wreath
May its growing brightness remind us of the approaching
nearness of your Son
So that the day of His coming may find us prepared and
filled with joy.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

Regards
Bernadette Brennan
St. Joseph’s PA Acting APRE

RELIGIOUS MATTERS

1N Prayer Assembly

1N will be leading us in Prayer this Friday at 11:40am in Our Lady Help of Christians Church. The Year One class will be sharing “Let’s All Go To Bethlehem” which focuses on the Christmas story.

Final Children’s Mass for 2016

Our final Children’s Mass with the Our Lady Help of Christians Parish was held on Saturday evening. It was lovely to have many of the Joey’s community come along to celebrate. The Year 5 students took over the role of mass readers and should be commended on the great their great job. It was particularly nice to have many of our Year 6 students attend their last children’s mass as St Joseph’s Park Avenue students.

Last Week of ‘Vinnies’ Christmas Hampers

This is the last week of the Vinnies Hamper Appeal. As a school community we are continuing to collect items for the ‘Joey’s Christmas Hamper Appeal’ until Monday of week 9. A representative from St. Vincent de Paul Society will be attending Monday’s assembly to receive our hampers.

Families are asked to donate items this week to their child’s classroom hamper where possible. Please ensure that all items have an expiry date that would reach into early 2017 allowing ample time for the St Vincent DePaul Society to distribute the food to those who are less fortunate than us in our own local community.

If you are able, please help support this worthwhile cause.

Toothpaste / Toothbrush Appeal

Last Friday the members from the Associates of the MacKillop Gate Ministry came and collected the toothpaste and toothbrushes we had been gathering for the care packages for men and women who, upon release from correctional facilities, have little or nothing. The Joey’s response to this appeal in such a short time was outstanding and the members were clearly overwhelmed by the generosity of the families from our school. In light of the great work of Mary MacKillop in caring for the less fortunate of our society donations for this cause are still welcome.

PRESENTATION NIGHT

Presentation Night is this Thursday 24th November commencing at 6pm. Presentation Night is the celebration of another year of learning for all students. Each class performs a song in accordance with this year’s theme Carols by Candlelight. Throughout the evening a variety of awards will be presented to students for a diverse range of accomplishments. The school has purchased coloured LED candles for the evening. These can be bought for $3 from each student’s classroom teacher. The candles will be labelled and given out to the students on the night.

Please be aware that we should not have naked flames or torches at the event.

Regards
Bernadette Brennan
St. Joseph’s PA Acting APRE

SPORTING MATTERS

2016 Swimming Carnival

Beautiful weather provided the perfect backdrop to a successful night at the annual swimming carnival last Wednesday. The number of nominations this year exceeded all expectations. Many swimmers challenged themselves to swim further and in more strokes than previous years. Great displays of sportsmanship could be witnessed after many of the races; students assisted each other from the pool, handshakes were common gestures and words of congratulations echoed beside the pool. The Year 6 students who assisted in the pool to maintain the safety of our younger swimmers completed their job well and we are grateful for your help.

Congratulations to the swimmers who were awarded Age Champion.

The winners of the Hume Family Trophy for 2016 with the highest number of aggregate points were Daly.

The winners of The Agius Family Trophy was MacKillop.

The winners of the Open Medley Relay were The Teachers.

Many thanks to the P&F for the continued financial support they provide annually to the swim program and for cooking and serving the BBQ at the carnival. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Finally, thank you to the staff that assisted in the smooth running of the carnival to ensure all the swimmers had a great experience. The pressure of the quickly setting sun and diminishing light was easily combated by the great organisation and teamwork of the marshals, starter, supervising swimmers, place getters, and scorers.

Regards
Bernadette Brennan
St. Joseph’s PA Acting APRE

CURRICULUM NEWS

BOOKLISTS

2017 Booklists have been sent home. Please check with your child that they have received it. Once again Capricorn Educational Resources (CER) in Alexandra Street have offered to give a generous amount of money back to the school when Joeys parents purchase their school supplies from them. Of course you are able to purchase your child’s supplies from wherever you wish however I have worked closely with the ladies from CER and they guarantee supply of the correct equipment. Teachers put a significant amount of thought and time into developing the booklists so I ask that you provide your child with all the equipment listed. If purchasing from CER you are welcome to drop your order into school before the end of Term or take it directly to CER.

PREP SCRAPBOOKS

The Prep ABC Scrapbook on the booklist for 2017 is now available for purchase from the school office.

Regards,
Deanne Senini
Assistant Principal Curriculum

FINANCE NEWS

TERM 4 FEES were due on Tuesday 25th October

Fee Accounts for Term 4 were due for payment on Tuesday 25th October.

If your account remains unpaid, these are now 6 weeks Overdue. Third and Final reminders will be sent this week.

If paying by Direct Deposit, please use your Account Number (6 digit number on your Fee Statement) as the reference.

If you are unable to settle your account, your immediate contact with either Bernard or Megan is requested to advise when the account will be settled.

CLASSROOM NEWS

The Year that was in 3T

What a great year of growth we have experienced in 3T. This year we have enjoyed nurturing our own vegetable patch and enjoying sharing our produce.

We decided to redo photos that we had taken earlier in the year which shows how much we have grown throughout the year.

We cannot measure the personal growth but the students have worked hard to become independent workers and are showing more personal responsibility for their learning. I am very proud of my class and I wish them all the best for their venture into flexible learning in Year Four.

From Mrs Tennyson and the students in 3T

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Congratulations to the following students and staff who will celebrate their birthday this week. They are: Samuel Conway (1M), Callum Richardson (2F), Nate Smith (2F), William Wessels (2H), Chloe Crosthwaite (PW) and Mr Hosie (4H) Have a great day.

NATIONAL DISABILITY INSURANCE SCHEME

Do you know of someone who has a diagnosed disability? If the answer is YES then PLEASE READ THIS….

The NDIS supports people with a permanent and significant disability that affects their ability to take part in everyday activities. This scheme is currently being trailed in Queensland.

The scheme is designed to identify supports to help individuals

• Live their life as independently as possible.
• Achieve goals in education, employment, health and wellbeing.

It also focuses on early intervention where getting early supports can reduce the impact of disability on you or your child. PLEASE READ the attached flyer and attend this session if you are able. Other information and sessions are happening regularly and if you are unsure about whether or not you should attend or have any questions in general please ask and I can point you in the right direction.

Dates: 6th December 2016
Location: CPL Centre 39 Macaree St North Rockhampton
Time: 9:30.00am – 12.30pm

Register Now – Reserve a seat Places are limited

Thanks,
Kath Howell (Learning Support Coordinator)

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 Thursday afternoons from 1:30pm - 3:30pm. Sue Clarke will also be conducting induction sessions in the tuckshop, if you are helping out in there.

Thanks,
Ray Carrington

TUCKSHOP NEWS

As the end of year is upon us, we are starting to sell out of some items, in particular some ice blocks.

All efforts will be made to accommodate your children’s orders but in some cases a substitution may need to be made.

Any substitution will be made in consultation with your child.

Should you have any concerns you can catch me at the tuckshop before school from 8.20am.

Tuckshop will be available up until Thursday of next week. but will not be available on the first couple of days at the beginning of term 1, 2017

Thank you
Sue Clarke

UNIFORM SHOP

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

Monday morning from 8:15 - 8:45
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.

Extra Opening Hours

Shellie Harkin will be opening the Uniform Shop on the following dates from 5pm – 6pm. Monday 21st November, Tuesday 22nd November, Monday 28th November and Tuesday 17th January 2017.

Shellie will also open from 9am – 11am on Thursday 19th January, 2017

FRIDAY PIZZA

Meatlovers 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

DRAKES SUPA IGA

Simply scan your Drakes Supa IGA key tag and the checkout with your groceries, and automatically 1 cent of every dollar you spend goes to the Cathedral Conservation Fund.

Key tags are available from the office, local church or Drakes stores. Put it on your car keys so you remember to use it.

Key tags can be used at any Drakes Supa IGA supermarket in Queensland. Currently in our Diocese Drakes stores are located at

• Glenmore (North Rockhampton) - Gladstone
• Emu Park - Toolooa Street
• Calliope - Sun Valley

A NIGHT OF WINE AND ART

On Friday night the 25th of November at The Cathedral College Assembly Hall, the AZAR Dementia Unit invites you to A Night of Wine & Art. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased by calling Debbie on 0432 350 486 or Louise on 429 518 483. For more information, please see attached flyer.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC IN 2017

Are you wanting your child to learn a musical instrument in 2017? Enrolments have now opened!

All interested students can pick up an information note at their school office. Copies of these forms are also available at the link below. There is also an option to enrol online – just follow the link on the above webpage. Students currently enrolled in 2016 will receive their note in their instrumental music lesson in the next two weeks.

New and existing students must enrol for 2017 and a $10 enrolment fee is payable at time of enrolment, either in a sealed envelope with the child’s name and INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC, or directly to Emmaus College (either campus).

Enrolment forms will not be accepted at your school’s office after Week 7 – all enrolments after this time must be online, or handed to Reception at Emmaus College, Yaamba Rd campus.

Any queries can be directed to Alexia Lally at Emmaus College (Yaamba Road) - Alexia_Lally@emmaus.qld.edu.au.

KEYBOARD LESSONS

Keyboard lessons once again will be offered in 2017. These lessons are best suited for students with electronic keyboards, with focus on chord bass and utilising keyboard voice and rhythm features. Group and individual lessons are available for students in years 1 to 6.

Continuing students are required to re-enrol.

To enrol, please collect an enrolment form from the school office and return as soon as possible.

For more information or any enquiries please contact Leanne Voss 0447 414 730.

VACATION CARE

Vacation Care will operate until Friday the 16th December, then close for the Christmas period. They will be reopening on Monday the 9th of January. Times are from 7:30am – 6pm.

Program, prices and details etc are available by contacting me on 0408 703 482 or sjpa_oshc@rok.catholic.edu.au.

Please also see attached the Booking form and the Summer Program.

PIANO LESSONS

Piano lessons will be offered for 2017. Lessons include Theory and are given on a acoustic piano, students only need a keyboard to practice on at home providing it has no less than 66 keys. All existing students must enrol again if they wish to continue piano lessons in 2017. Limited spaces available. Please contact Lynette Anstey on 49333661 / 0419358485 / anstey.family@bigpond.com"