8 August 2018

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

I would like to begin this week’s newsletter by saying what a pleasure it is to announce that Mrs Bernadette Brennan has been successful in her application for the full time APRE position at St Joseph’s Park Avenue. As Bernadette is currently in the role, her appointment will take effect immediately. I would like to thank Bernadette for her commitment to the Joeys community while in the acting role over the last couple of years and I look forward to continuing to work with her in the future. Congratulations Bernadette.

Today is the Feast Day of Australia’s first Saint, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. To celebrate both Mary MacKillop and the Josephite Sisters importance to our Joeys community, this Friday at 9:00am we will be participating in a Prayer Assembly to mark St Mary of the Cross MacKillop’s Feast Day. All are welcome to come along and attend in Our Lady Help of Christian’s church.

Congratulations to Indigenous Liaison Officer, Simone Giles on a very successful NAIDOC Day celebration last week. Even though I was conducting Prep interviews throughout the day, I was able to see how much our staff and students enjoyed the day while also seeing how impressed our new visiting families were while touring the school. Thank-you to all of our presenters, including many past parents and students, as well as our P&F for suppling our hugely successful sausage sizzle. Well done to our beautiful students as well as anyone who was involved in making the day a huge success.

Last Saturday’s 6:00pm mass at St Joseph’s Cathedral was a fantastic culminating celebration for this year’s Catholic Education Week. It was wonderful to see so many of our staff and students in attendance.

As noted last week, we have an extremely busy time coming up as our 9-10 years rugby league players will be taking part in the upcoming Capras Cup competition at Rockhampton High School on Saturday, 18th of August from 9:00am till approximately 4:00pm. The team has been both trialling and training very hard in preparation for this event. The day then culminates in a Children’s Mass in OLHC church at 6:00pm. Even though this will be an extremely busy day, it would be lovely to see many of our community come along to celebrate Eucharist together. In addition, we will be holding another school disco this Term on Thursday the 6th of September in Week 8.

Don’t Forget…

• Saint Mary of the Cross - Feast Day Prayer Assembly, Fri 10th August @ OLHC 9:00am
• 2019 Prep Enrolment Interviews, Weeks 2-4 Term 3
• National Science Week, 13th – 17th August
• CAPRAS Cup Gala Day, Saturday 18th August
• Children’s Mass, Saturday 18th August @ OLHC 6:00pm
• SJPA Science Week Expo Evening, Thursday 16th Aug @ 5:00pm
• Book Week, 20th – 24th August
• School Disco, Thursday 6th September.

Have a great week.

Regards
Bernard Fitzgerald
St. Joseph’s PA Principal

APRE REFLECTION

Why is Mary MacKillop important to us?

Like Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, we want the best opportunities for the children in our communities. Be it as a parent, teacher, grandparent, care-giver, guardian or a friend, we are passionate about protecting the children in our care and in pursuit of a great education that will prepare these learners for their future.

Mary was a remarkable woman who relied on her protection from God to provide not only an education for neglected children, but care to the poor, aged and terminally ill. As a united community, this week we remember St. Mary of the Cross and are grateful for her achievements, as she inspired a movement of hope for children across Australia. She led the many Sisters of St. Joseph to open schools across the nation.

Today we enjoy the opportunity to provide a Catholic education to the children enrolled at SJPA and give thanks to St. Mary for her vision and mission.

Bernadette Brennan
APRE

Mass times

Weekday - NIL this week

Tuesday 9.00am Holy Family
Wednesday 12.00 Noon St Mary’s
Thursday 8.00am Emmaus College (Yaamba Rd)
Friday 9.00am Our Lady Help of Christians

Weekend

Saturday – Vigil
6.00pm Holy Family
6.00pm Our Lady Help of Christians

Sunday
7.00am St Mary’s
9.00am Holy Family

RELIGIOUS MATTERS

Catholic Education Week Crosses

Last week we asked the students to design a cross that showed one of two things: where they see God (who is God) or show their understanding of empathy. The crosses can be seen throughout the school and some of the children’s thinking about their crosses are listed below.

• The dark represents the sad people. And the light represents the good people who show empathy.
• I see God in colourful things like rainbows, balloons, flowers and images.
• I see God when I dream and we sit and talk to each other.
• When I spend time with my Dad it reminds me of God.
• My cross represents people surrounding other people that aren’t feeling happy.
• The light colours are taking over the dark colours, which is a showing of empathy.
• For me, God represents hope. I see him being a light at the end of a tunnel or a rainbow after heavy showers. The rainbow is new hope and it shows mercy, just like God.
• I see God in the sky at night time.

Prayer Assembly

This Friday we celebrate together the feast day of our nation’s saint, Mary of the Cross Mackillop. Everyone is invited to join us at 9:00am at Our Lady Help of Christians. Keep an eye out as you move through the school for the St. Mary MacKillop portraits created by the children.

What’s Happening this Term

Peer Support

This week in Peers Support the children will be participating in activities helping them to identify and accept differences in people. Children will also identify ways they can demonstrate being caring through their actions.

Discuss with your child the importance of accepting differences in other people. Perhaps take time to identify and discuss the various differences people may have e.g. appearance, religion, culture, disabilities. Ask your child to share the qualities they appreciate in their friends.

Bernadette Brennan
APRE

SPORTING MATTERS

Athletics Representatives

In week 2, many of our students headed to Emmaus College to compete in the Rockhampton trials for athletics. What a successful day for the students of Joeys. The girls were awarded the B Schools Champions and we missed out on the overall B Schools Aggregate trophy by a mere 1 point. Congratulations to all our competing athletes, they participated with humility and have done us proud.

Four of our students were selected to compete last week at the Rockhampton and District trials; Abby, Braydon, Tendi and Hannah. Hannah was successful in being selected in the RDS team to trial for Capricornia in Emerald later this month.

Friday Sport 10/08/2018

Hockey

St Joeys 2 v Lighthouse Christian 2 on Grass 3 @ 1:00 – 1:15
St Joeys 4 v Stanwell on Grass 5 @ 1:00 – 1:15
St Joeys 1 v St Anthony’s 4 on Grass 3 @ 1:20 – 1:35
St Joeys 3 v St Anthony’s 2 on Grass 1 @ 1:20 – 1:15
St Joeys 2 v Crescent lagoon 1 on Grass 5 @ 1:40 – 1:55
St Joeys 4 v Frenchville 5 on Turf 1 @ 1:40 – 1:55
St Joeys 1 v Lighthouse Christian 5 on Grass 4 @ 2:00 – 2:15
St Joeys 3 v Lighthouse Christian 3 on Grass 6 @ 2:00 – 2:15

Netball

Junior E
St Joey’s v St Paul’s on Grass 13 @ 12:30

Junior D
St Joey’s v St Anthony’s on Court 5 @ 1:50

Junior B
St Joey’s v St Paul’s on Court 3 @ 1:50

Senior D
St Joey’s v Mt Morgan on Court 5 @ 1:10

Senior C
St Joey’s v Crescent Lagoon on Court 11 @ 12:30

Senior A
St Joey’s v RGS on Court 4 @ 12:30

Rugby League

6A’s
St Joeys v St Anthony’s @ Victoria Park Bottom @ 1:45

5A’s
St Joeys v St Peter’s @ Brosnan Oval (Emmaus) @ 1:45

5C’s
St Joeys v Gracemere Giants @ Brosnan Oval (Emmaus) @ 12:45

Bernadette Brennan
APRE

CURRICULUM NEWS

Important Curriculum Dates

PREMIER’S READING CHALLENGE

You should have received a letter explaining the 2018 Premier’s Reading Challenge. Every child is invited to participate in this challenge and read or experience a number of books over the next few months. The challenge runs from Monday 14 May until Friday 24 August.

This year the Premier has challenged all school students from Prep to Year 2 to read or experience 20 books, Years 3 and 4 to read 20 books and Years 5 to 9 to read 15 books. Experiencing books can include shared reading, listening to stories or reading picture books.

Every student who completes the challenge will receive a Certificate of Achievement signed by the Premier.

For more information about the Premier’s Reading Challenge, please visit:

UNDER 8s MORNING

Our annual Under 8’s morning will take place at St Joey’s in Term 3 on Thursday 13th September. This is a day where we celebrate the learning and development of our younger students. The day will begin with a short liturgy in the multi-purpose area. Following the liturgy the children will be free to investigate the various hands on activities prepared by our Prep – Year 3 teachers. Parents are most welcome to attend this part of the day. After first break students will head back to class where they will complete activities with their class for the rest of the day. Students in Prep to Year 3 are invited to come along to this day in free dress. It is essential that this free dress consists of clothing which is sun safe (no sleeveless shirts), a school hat and fully enclosed shoes. If you are able to assist your child’s teacher on the day please let them know as soon as possible. If you have any questions about this day please don’t hesitate to see me.

BOOK WEEK

Every year St Joseph’s celebrates book week. This year we will be celebrating book week with two official events. The first one is our annual character dress up day. All students from Prep – Year 6 are invited to come to school dressed as a character from a book. We will hold a parade in the MPA where all students can show off their outfits. This parade will start at 10:30am on Thursday 23rd August.

Our second event is our biannual Joey’s in Jamas evening. This evening is held in the school library and all students and their parents are invited to come along in their pyjamas and spend some time reading books together. PLEASE NOTE – THERE IS NO OFFICIAL TEACHER SUPERVISION SO ALL STUDENTS NEED A PARENT WITH THEM. This evening will begin at 5pm and conclude at 6:30pm. You are welcome to come along at any time during that 90 minute time slot.

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 – Predict what will happen; Use text to confirm

find out whether their predictions were true, partially true or way off. Using this strategy helps readers make connections to the text, think ahead and become more engaged.

Spelling:

Activity: Pass a Word

Pass or roll a ball back and forth with a partner. You say the 1st letter of the word and then pass the ball, your partner says the 2nd letter and so on.

Regards,
Deanne Senini
Assistant Principal Curriculum

FINANCE NEWS

Fee Accounts for Term 3 were emailed and posted on Parent Lounge on Monday 23rd July.

Term 1 Fees are due for payment on Monday 6th August.

Fee Accounts are now being published to Parent Lounge and will no longer be posted out in hard copy. You will need to Login to Parent Lounge to access your Fee Statement.

If you have an outstanding amount and are unable to make any payment, can you please make immediate contact with Bernard or Megan to advise your current situation?

Please remember to update your Concession Card if it has expired, as you are unable to get the Concession without a new card being presented.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

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

Nate Bidgood (PG), Egan Cass (3T), Charlie Harris (Yr 6), Grace Mundy (Yr 6), Harrison Hopkins (Yr 6), and Nicola Dobbs (Yr 4)

Have a great day.

JUNIOR TOUCH SEASON 2018

The Touch Football season commences THIS Saturday, August 11. Please check the Media/Drama room window for team lists and training days. Shirts will be handed out this week at training, so please make sure that your child has theirs before the weekend.

DENTAL CLINIC

Towards the end of last term, dental notes went home to every child. If you have not yet returned your form or you have misplaced it, pop in and we will give you another one.

This is a FREE service offered to school aged children, and is located just down the road before the Park Avenue State School in the little brick building.

2019 KINDY ENROLMENTS

St Joseph’s Park Avenue Kindergarten are currently taking enrolments for 2019. If you or family/friends have a child born between July 1st 2014 and June 30th 2015, they are eligible for Kindergarten in 2019. We currently have positions available in both groups for next year. Expressions of Interest forms can be collected from the Kindy, or emailed on request. Please phone 4994 9302.

SCHOOL BANKING

School banking every Thursday.

Please send your child’s banking book in so they can place it in the grey classroom-banking bag.

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 do not take long and are available after assembly on a Monday morning with Deanne Senini, and on Wednesday afternoons from 2:30pm - 3:00pm. Debbie Rooney will conduct induction sessions in the tuckshop, if you are helping in there.

Thanks

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.

The Uniform Shop has quite a lot of good second hand uniforms. Please feel free to pop in (at the opening times above), and have a look.

There are second hand Emmaus uniforms also.

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)
• Emu Park

POSITION VACANT: HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER

The Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton invites applications for the position of HR Manager. Reporting to the Director of Diocesan Services, the HR Manager is responsible for promoting a positive organisational culture that is focussed on Catholic values, performance and accountability. The position is full-time but consideration will be given to a part-time arrangement.

For further information or a copy of the Position Description and Key Selection Criteria, please call Vicki Oliver on 07 4887 3090 or email hr@rok.catholic.net.au .

Applications will close on Monday, 20th August at 9am.