1 February 2017

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE ACTING PRINCIPAL

Welcome back to the start of the 2017 school year, with our first official newsletter.

Even with the Australia Day holiday mid-week, it has still been a great start to the year with both new and familiar faces settling well into the school routines.

A very special welcome to all of our new families; we trust that you will find our fantastic school community to be very warm and welcoming.

As I mentioned in last week’s parent letter, we welcome a few new staff members this year – welcome to Mrs Alice Wayman, Miss Ellen Ferguson and Mrs Karen Fox into Years 4, 5 and 1 respectively. We also have Mrs Madelein Paap and Mrs Michelle Smith who have joined our staff as Teacher Assistants and congratulate Mrs Michelle Roberts on her appointment as our new Library Assistant for 2017.

Don’t forget that this Thursday, 2nd February, we will be having a Welcome Barbecue in the Multi-Purpose Area, commencing at 5:30pm and hope to see as many families as possible – please come along for a chat and a bite to eat. I will also take this time to thank the school’s P&F Association for what I know will be a wonderful night.

In Week 3, on Wednesday 8th and Thursday, 9th of February we will be holding Parent Information Nights for our Year 1-6 parents; each approximately one hour in duration.

Wednesday, 8th

• 5:00pm Yr 4 & Yr 5
• 6:00pm Yr 6

Thursday, 9th

• 5:00pm Yr 2 & Yr 3
• 6:00pm Yr 1

It is important for parents to attend these sessions, where possible. Information regarding both school and classroom procedures will be addressed, along with the distribution of new parent handbooks, discussions around behaviour, uniform, and where applicable, sacramental programs, school camps and the like.

We also welcome our new Parish Priest Fr. Matthew Maloney who has already met with the teaching staff and will soon begin regular visits to our school in order to meet the students.

As our new parish priest Fr. Matthew will be away this week, we have had to shift our opening school mass to Friday, February the 10th, Week 3. As noted last week, please be aware, our school LED sign was offline and displayed the original date which is incorrect.

Thank-you to all of our parents and students who have made a tremendous effort to begin the school year with both the correct school uniform and suitable haircuts. A reminder that due to Dance Fever in Term 1, all students in Years 1-6 will be required to wear their sports uniforms on Tuesdays and Fridays throughout Term 1.

On a side note, thank-you to all who have offered both their support to myself in my on-going role as Assistant Principal, while also offering their prayers and well wishes for Alan’s healthy return. It is much appreciated.

Don’t Forget …

• Welcome BBQ, Thurs 2nd Feb 5:30pm.
• Parent Information Nights, Wed 8th & Thurs 9th Feb.
• Re-scheduled Opening School Mass, Fri 10th Feb 9:00am.
• Bishop’s In-service Day, Fri 17th Feb (Pupil Free Day)

Have a great week.

Regards

Bernard Fitzgerald
St. Joseph’s PA Acting Principal

APRE REFLECTION

RELIGIOUS MATTERS

Vinnies Hamper Appeal

I recently received a letter from the St. Vincent de Paul Society expressing their amazement at the support our school showed in the Vinnies Christmas Hamper Appeal. Vinnies was able to create 83 hampers to be delivered to families within our community. In true Joey’s spirit we have once again had a tremendous impact on those in need.

Thank you for your ongoing support of this wonderful appeal.

Regards

Bernadette Brennan
St. Joseph’s PA Acting APRE

SPORTING MATTERS

Rockhampton District Selection Trials

Term 1

I have received details about Rockhampton and District Trials for the following Primary School sports happening in Term 1. If your child has the prerequisite skills and you wish for them to trial in the following sports you can contact me through the school office to obtain the appropriate trial forms.

• Basketball – Boys & Girls (10-12yrs) - Week 3
• AFL – Boys (10-12yrs) - Week 3
• Netball – Girls (10-11 yrs & 10-12yrs) - Week 6
• Rugby Union – Boys (10-12yrs) - Week 8
• Touch Football – Boys & Girls (10-12 yrs) - Week 8
• Soccer – Girls (10-12yrs) - Week 8
• Hockey – Boys & Girls (10-12 yrs) - Week 9
• Tennis – Boys & Girls (10-12yrs) - Week 9
• Soccer – Boys (10-12yrs) - Week 8
• Rugby League – Boys (10yrs, 11yrs & 12yrs) Girls (11-12yrs) - Week 9

Please be aware that for your child to attend these trials as a 10 year old student that they would need to be exceptional as they will be competing against students up to 12 years of age.

Friday Inter-school Sport

Inter-school Season A sport commences next Friday 10th February for all children aged 10, 11 and 12 (born 2007, 2006, 2005.) The sports we are participating in this year are OZ Tag and soccer. Season A runs through until week 2 of term 2 when the finals are held. Student preferences will be collated this week and children will be notified of their teams. Draws will be published in the newsletter each week.

Students playing in inter-school Soccer are required to have their own socks, boots & shin pads as safety equipment. Please ensure children have sufficient sized water bottles to take with them.

If you are spectating and wish to take your child home after their game it is imperative to let the teacher with the team know.

Have a great week

Bernadette Brennan
St. Joseph’s PA Acting APRE

DANCE FEVER

In the beginning

CURRICULUM NEWS

Welcome back to the 2017 school year. I trust everyone has had a wonderful break and are ready for another productive school year.

Important Curriculum Dates – Term 1

ICAS

The University of New South Wales will, once again, be running the International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) in 2017. These competitions are open to any children in Years 3 to 6, and some of the competitions allow the year 2 children to participate. 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: www.eaa.unsw.edu.au

It would be appreciated if anyone wishing to enter any of the competitions could return the permission slip (sent home this week) to the office, along with entry fees by Monday 6th March (beginning of Week 7 - Term 1).

Parent Information Nights

Our Parent Information Nights will be held next week on Wednesday 8th and Thursday 9th February. This is an informal evening where the teachers in each year level will present the curriculum they will be covering this year. This evening also allows our teaching staff to discuss expectations and procedures in their particular classrooms as well as school procedures and expectations.

Start Smart Sessions

During week 4 all students from Year 1 – 6 will be involved in a session on being money smart hosted by the Commonwealth Bank. These sessions were presented last year and the students really enjoyed the experience.

It’s never too early to teach children the value of money. Research indicates that it is crucial to develop financial literacy skills from an early age. The Start Smart Primary program teaches these skills in a way that students can understand and enjoy. It was developed with a panel of leading specialists in primary education, cognitive development, instructional design and financial literacy.

Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum

Throughout Semester One, our school will be implementing the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum with students in all year levels. The curriculum is based on principles of best practice in child safety education and centres around three key messages: Recognise, React and Report. Through a series of lessons, students will learn how to recognise, react and report when they are unsafe or find themselves in situations that can have a significant detrimental effect on their physical, psychological or emotional wellbeing. The Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum links very closely with the Australian Health Curriculum. Therefore these lessons will be delivered by Miss Tennille Kerrisk as part of our Health Curriculum on a Tuesday and Wednesday. The Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum has been mandated by our Diocese to be actively taught in all of the Rockhampton Catholic schools each year.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this program please don’t hesitate to contact either Miss Kerrisk, Mrs Senini or Mr Fitzgerald.

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

Week 2 Lesson Objectives:

Prep – Year 2

Students will:

• explore what safe and unsafe means

Years 3 - 4

Students will:

• develop a definition for ‘safe’
• gain an understanding of situational awareness using environmental clues

Years 5 – 6

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.

LITERACY CORNER

This year as a regular part of the newsletter I will be discussing one reading and one spelling strategy parents can use with their children at home to consolidate what is taught in class.

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 Accuracy.

Strategy – Use pictures, illustrations and diagrams

Yes it is ok for children to look at the picture to help them work out a word. It is a common misconception that looking at the picture is ‘cheating’. At Joey’s we actively teach this strategy to the students and encourage them to use the picture to help provide clues to what they are reading.

Illustrations give clues about the meaning of words and text. Paying attention to the pictures may also confirm the meaning of words. Students learn to cross check which means asking themselves: do the pictures match what I think the word means and does it make sense?

Spelling:

At St Joseph’s we teach spelling using a word study approach. Students learn different strategies and rules associated with spelling. They also participate in various activities to help consolidate their learning. Below is a strategy / activity you can do at home to assist your child/ren to master their current spelling pattern.

Strategy – 3D words. Use play dough or clay to sculpt your spelling words. This strategy provides children with another way of seeing their words which will hopefully help them to visualise the words when they are writing.

Regards,

Deanne Senini
Assistant Principal Curriculum

YEARLY PLANNER

Last Monday you would have (or should have) received our Yearly Planner for 2017. We hope that you find this very useful throughout the year for upcoming events.

If you DID NOT receive this, please pop into the office.

We would like to also thank the businesses that sponsor this calendar. They are advertised down both sides and across the bottom. And if you would like your business on here, please contact Classroom Calendars on the number located on the bottom.

FINANCE NEWS

2017 FAMILY INFORMATION UPDATE (Cream)

Family Information update forms (Cream) were sent home last week with students.

These forms are to confirm or update your address, your contact and emergency contact details for students attending St Joseph’s.

Forms were due back MONDAY 30th JANUARY 2017.

ALL forms MUST be returned to the school (Even if all details are correct or unchanged)

2017 - TERM 1 FEE ACCOUNTS

Fee Accounts for Term 1 will be issued by the end of the week.

If contact was made with the school regarding outstanding fees and your circumstances have changed, your immediate contact with the school is also requested.

DIOCESAN FAMILY DISCOUNT (Orange)

A Diocesan family discount form was sent home towards the end of the 2016 school year.

This form is used to calculate the discount you are eligible for if you have other students at St Joseph’s (same family) or attending other primary and secondary schools in the Rockhampton Diocese.

If this form has not been returned, the school is unable to incorporate discounts you may be eligible for.

CLASSROOM NEWS

Prep

Our Prep students have made a fantastic start to 2017. We are amazed at the wealth of knowledge each and every one of the students bring to the classroom and their curiosity about each other, and the world around them.

It is such an important time so the Prep team has been busy helping students become familiar with their new surroundings, classroom rules and establishing new friendships.

In our classrooms we are beginning to focus on letter and sound recognition. We are also looking at a number of the week. Our daily activities will focus on improving and refining our fine motor skills with scissors and creative activities.

We are looking forward to a fantastic year ahead filled with faith, learning and new opportunities.

Miss McLeod, Miss Whittaker, Mrs O’Brien, Miss Sloan & Miss Beak.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Congratulations to the following students and staff who will celebrate their birthday this week. They are:

Stevie-Lee Dixson (5C), Seth Passmore (2F), Jackson Seierup (4W), Mercedez Dougan (5C), Luke Gilson (5C), Matari Tanner (1F), Calan Gear (6B), Mia Bolck (1M), Laine Hockings (3A), Zachary Wilson (5C), Mrs Brennan and Miss Agius Have a great day.

LIBRARY NEWS

This week St Josephs School Library was fortunate to receive a very generous donation of 25 beautiful picture books from the Gilson Family. These books will make a wonderful addition to our Junior Fiction collection. Thank you!

Thanks

Mrs Roberts

SCHOOL COUNCILLOR

Counselling is a tool that is commonly used to assist people who are experiencing a transition, change or difficulty in their life. Counselling enables someone to talk about a problem or difficulty with someone who is trained not to be biased or judgemental. Most people who go to a Counsellor find that they do most of the talking, because they are the person who is the expert in their life.

The Counsellor does the listening and helps you to work out what your problem is and you can try to fix things. A Counsellor may be helpful if your child is experiencing depression, anxiety, changes within the family, grief and loss issues or even problems related to their school life such as bullying, relationship issues, homework, teacher or separation anxiety.

Lisa Hilliard is the School Counsellor at St Joseph’s this school year. If you would like to make an appointment to see her or talk to her in relation to your child, please contact Mrs Hilliard by speaking to one of the Administration Officers at the school.

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: 19th April
Location: Frenchville Sports Club, North Rockhampton

Register Now – Reserve a seat Places are limited

Thanks,

Kath Howell (Learning Support Coordinator)

TUCKSHOP NEWS

The Tuckshop is looking for volunteers who can help out with the preparation for lunches, particularly anyone that can help on a Monday or Tuesday. It does not have to be every week; any time you can spare would be greatly appreciated. If you would like to help out, please drop by the tuckshop any morning Monday to Thursday and let me know.

Also, a new tuckshop list was sent home on the first day of school. Please refer to the 2017 list for all current pricing.

Thank you

Sue Clarke

BREAKFAST CLUB

Breakfast Club is back up and running. For any new parents, this is a free service run by volunteer parents. It is offered Tuesday - Thursday before school.

Anyone who would be able to spare 15 to 20 minutes to help out on any of these mornings, would be greatly appreciated.

Also, donations of breakfast items such as margarine, jam, honey, vegemite, milo, cereal and fruit would also be greatly appreciated. (please remember no nuts).

We would like to thank the Joey’s community for their continued support.

Sue Clarke

CASSEROLE CLUB

We are in need of some frozen meals for our Casserole Club. These meals can be Stews/casseroles, mild curries, Spaghetti Bolognese, etc – whatever can be made, frozen, defrosted and heated.

We distribute these meals to families who are finding things a little tough from time to time. And as little as a frozen meal for dinner goes a long way. If you could help us out, please see Sue in the Tuckshop for some containers for the meals to go in. We do ask that you put the name of the meal and the date that it was cooked on the lid. Your help is greatly appreciated by all who receive.

Thank you

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 2:45pm - 3:00pm. Sue Clarke 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
Tuesday afternoon from 2:45 - 3:15
Friday morning 8:15 – 8:45

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

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC IN 2017

Enrolments for Instrumental Music are still open! A reminder to new, interested students as well as those wishing to continue that they should complete their enrolment as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a place in the program.

There are still a high number of vacancies on clarinet, trombone and trumpet and these instruments have had their hire fee reduced to only $16 per term.

Further information and the link to enrol is available at the link below. Some forms are also available at the school office, but enrolments must be online, or a scanned copy of the form emailed to Alexia_Lally@emmaus.qld.edu.au.

Any queries can be directed to Alexia Lally at Emmaus College (Yaamba Road) – 49235700/ Alexia_Lally@emmaus.qld.edu.au

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

KEYBOARD LESSONS

Keyboard lessons 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 or individual lessons are available for students in years 1-6.

Continuing students are required to re-enrol.

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

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

TRL JUNIORS

Please see attached flyer for the Where, When and how much

ROCKHAMPTON BASKETBALL AUSSIE HOOPS

Aussie Hoops is a 7 week learn to play basketball program for children in Yrs 1 – 6. Please see attached flyer for further details

Wanderers Hockey Club Sign On

The 2017 Sign on day is Saturday 4th February from 9am-12pm at 34 Water St Berserker.

Wanderers has been operating in Rockhampton for 70 years. We welcome all new and returning players from 4yrs and older. All players are encouraged to come and try for free on the day. There will be a sausage sizzle, mini games, ice blocks plus information about the season ahead. Hockey is a great family sport offering a range of skills, discipline and most of all FUN!

Contact Bridget for more info: wanderershockeyclub@live.com.au or find us on Facebook