29 August 2018

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Congratulations to all of the students and coaches who participated in last week’s netball grand finals. We were very pleased to come away with a victory in the Senior A netball and a hard-fought runner-up in the Junior B. Most importantly though was the manner in which the girls participated. I was extremely proud to hear of the great sportsmanship and camaraderie they showed and the excellent manner in which they represented St. Joseph’s. Similarly, I would like to sincerely thank and congratulate all the supporters who went along and cheered for the teams – a wonderful show of school spirit from the entire community. Well done to all involved. To the Senior B side to be up 17-0 at quarter time and go on to dominate 38-5 by final time and be crowned as the best Primary school netball team in Rockhampton is a huge achievement. Now the excitement begins as they prepare for the State Primary School Cup in Bundaberg in just over a fortnight.

Well done to all the staff and students who took the time to come in costume for Book Week. It was a great week and it is always fun to see the sheer enjoyment on the faces of our students during our annual Character Parade. Good times as always.

Parent Lounge is now open for parents to log on and book Parent/Teacher interviews in Week 9. These interview times will run from Monday the 10th to Thursday the 13th of September. Further details can be found in Mrs Senini’s Curriculum Matters section of this newsletter.

Our school’s Student Protection Contacts will be attending the National Protective Behaviours Australia Conference in Brisbane later this week. As the protection of our students is always our number one priority, our team will be attending this conference as a form of Professional Development as well as a way to ensure that our policies and processes at Joey’s are as up to date as they can possibly be. In 2018, the Leadership Team identified the need to have more of our staff engaged in various forms of Professional Development as a way to foster greater capabilities within our staff while also empowering them to be the best educators possible. Sometimes this means that certain staff are not always available due to attending these sessions. Please be assured that if needed, there is always someone present that can attend to any issues that may arise.

I realise that Term 4’s swimming program is still some time away, however to be prepared I am asking if there are any volunteers in our Joeys community who have a bus license and would be able to drive the multiple shuttle run from the school to the pool and back on Tuesday and/or Wednesday. Our swim program runs for 5 weeks beginning Tuesday the 16th and Wednesday the 17th of October and the ability to lower our transport costs have provided us with the opportunity to offer the program at a reasonable rate compared to private swim lessons. We are currently one of the few schools who still offer a swim program and with the safety issues around young children and water, I believe in the benefit of swimming being a skill for life and want to continue offering an affordable program to our Joeys families. Please let Mrs Brennan know if you are able to assist.

Please remember that acceptances for the first round of Prep offers for 2019 need to be back at the office by this Friday so we can then begin to look at potential second offers as soon as possible.

Finally, I hope all dads and grandads have a wonderful Father’s Day this Sunday.

Don’t Forget …

• National Protective Behaviours Australia Conference 2018, 30th-31st Aug
• Prep 2019 1st acceptances due back, Friday 31st Aug.
• Father’s Day, Sunday 2nd Sept
• National Child Protection Week 2018, 2nd – 8th September
• School Disco, Thursday 6th Sept.
• Parent/Teacher interviews, Week 9

Have a great week.

Regards.
Bernard Fitzgerald
St. Joseph’s PA Principal

APRE REFLECTION

For most of us, Father’s Day is a special opportunity to let our dads and grandads know how much we love them and how grateful we are for them and for all they do for us.

But for some of us, Father’s Day carries a feeling of sadness. This day might be a reminder that our dad or grandad has passed away, or that we don’t have the opportunity to see our dad as often as we’d like, or that our relationship with our dad is not as good as it might be.

This week, we hold both the joy and the sadness of Father’s Day in our hearts as we pray.

In the gospel stories and parables that Jesus told, we get an image of God as a loving parent – a father – who only wants the best for us and whose love is greater than anything we can measure.

So, let’s remind ourselves of the extraordinary, boundless love of our God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

@ Liturgy Help

Mass times

Weekday

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

Bernadette Brennan
APRE

RELIGIOUS MATTERS

What’s Happening this Term

Children’s Liturgy of the Word – This Saturday

Our Lady Help of Christians is starting Children’s Liturgy of the Word on the first Sunday (Saturday evening) of each month. LOW is a ritual for the proclamation of God’s Word with Children appropriate to their understanding. At the commencement of Mass the children are taken out of the church to the Media room and are exposed to the readings of the day with a child friendly explanation, some songs and follow up activities.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word dates for the rest of the year are:

Saturday September 1st @ 6:00pm
Saturday November 3rd @ 6:00pm
Saturday December 1st @ 6:00pm

Bernadette Brennan
APRE

SPORTING MATTERS

Congratulations Senior A Netball

What an end to the season for these girls! They went through the Season B interschool sport competition undefeated and followed through with an impressive 38-5 win in the final over St Anthony’s. Congratulations to the girls who have been training since the commencement of the school year. Special mention to their coaches Mrs. Erin Tranberg and Miss Georgia Agius for their dedication and commitment to this group of girls. The season may be over but the training continues, as they now focus on preparation for the QLD Primary Schools Cup (formerly Samsung Cup) - a two day carnival in Bundaberg in two weeks’ time.

Congratulations also to the Junior B netballers who made it to last week’s finals. These girls played a tough opponent in St Mary’s and were defeated 17-3. Great effort girls.

Up-Coming Events

Bernadette Brennan
APRE

CURRICULUM NEWS

Important Curriculum Dates

SCIENCE WEEK EXPO

On Thursday 16th August we held our Science Week Expo. I’d like to thank all the students who put in an entry. I was extremely impressed with the time and effort put in to the presentation of the projects as well as the way the students were able to discuss their project.

The judges from CQUni were also very impressed with the quality of the projects. A large part of the marks given by the judges were based on how well the students could explain the science behind their project.

Congratulations to our winners:

Prep – Year 2 category

• First place: Tom Compagnoni – speed of plant growth
• Second place: Humbal Salam - water filtration

Year 3-4 category

• First place: Keely Brook – solar powered pet cooler
• Second place: Hugh Ballinger – beehive made from recycled material

Year 5 -6 category

• First place: Breanna Gear – environmentally friendly toad control
• Second place: Nick Thompson – biodegradable fishing hook

BOOK WEEK

Last Thursday we held our annual Book Week Character Dress Up Day. It was lovely to see the number of students who participated and the amount of effort put in to the costumes. It was a wonderful atmosphere and I thank everyone involved in the day. It was also great to have our Kindy students join us for the character parade.

Congratulations to our winners:

Prep – Lucia Jarrett and Benson Perkins
Year 1 – Maggie Wooler and Xavier Boswood
Year 2 – Mackenzie DaSilva and Lachlan Applewaite
Year 3 – Paige Barron and Colby Bartley
Year 4 – The whole Year 4 cohort for their team costume of 101 Dalmatians
Year 5 – Miranda Brunton and Xavier Rooney
Year 6 – Karen Messmer and Zac Wilson

JOEYS IN JAMAS

Last Thursday evening we held our bi-annual ‘Joeys in Jamas’ evening. This was very well attended and enjoyed by all. It was great to see so many parents sitting with their children either enjoying a book together or a game. Thank you to Mrs Michelle Roberts who helped me organise the event.

BOOK FAIR

This week we have our annual Book Fair. Book Fair is set up in the Media Drama room. Book Fair will be open from 27th August through to 31st August.

Opening times are as follows:

Monday to Friday – 8:30am – 9:30am
Monday to Thursday – 3pm – 4pm
First Break each day for students to make purchases

Thank you to Mrs Michelle Roberts and her band of helpers for setting up and running Book Fair again this year.

BOOK FAIR COMPETITION

Congratulations to the following students who won the colouring / poster competition. Each of these winners have won $10 to spend at Book Fair:

Audrey Brady
Coco Barnes
Connor Johnson
Mackenzie Zanette
Katelyn Whiting
Sarah Marlin
Ariana Upton

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.

PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS

The second round of Parent / Teacher interviews for 2018 will be held in Week 9 of this term. The interviews will be held from Monday 10th September through to Thursday 13th September. Parent Lounge is now open to parents to book an interview. Parent Lounge will close at 5pm on Tuesday 4th September.

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 – Infer and Support with Evidence

Readers figure out what the author is saying even though it might not be written down in the text. Using their background knowledge, clues from the text, illustrations and captions the reader makes meaning of the text. Not all authors tell the reader everything they want you to know. Students learn to be detectives by looking for clues or evidence in the text to figure out the meaning.

Spelling:

Activity: Rainbow Write
Write your words using a lead pencil. Then trace over your words with a crayon. Then trace a second time with a different coloured crayon. Finally trace a third time with a different coloured crayon. If you have traced neatly you should now see a rainbow.

Regards,
Deanne Senini
Assistant Principal Curriculum

FINANCE NEWS

Term 3 Fees are now THREE weeks overdue.

Term 3 Fees were due for payment by Monday 6th August. If these have not been paid, they are now 3 weeks overdue and reminder letters have been sent out. Your urgent attention to this matter would be appreciated.

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. Please note that Parent Lounge can be accessed through your phone but you will not be able to see your Fee Statements unless you are on a computer.

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.

CLASSROOM NEWS

Yr 1

We have been having such an exciting time in Year One. Firstly, we have the privilege of having Mrs Louise Chapman a Pre-service teacher from CQU in our room during Term 3 and Term 4. We warmly welcome her to our classroom. Say ‘hello’ if you see Louise around.

The students have engaged in many special events this term including NAIDOC Celebrations where we printed banners and learnt some energetic indigenous dances.

We have watched an entertaining circus performer teaching us about time and circles in ‘Circular Circus’.

Students from our class confidently participated in Science Week Presentations before CQU Science Professors, showing their immense knowledge about their chosen topic.

Families then proceeded to watch the stars through fantastic telescopes organised by Mr Barber and his team of enthusiastic assistants. We could clearly see Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, and the moon, which were fascinating. The children were astonished and adults too.

We have celebrated Catholic Education Week and displayed our brilliant crosses all over the school buildings. Our students made inspiring digital portraits for the ‘Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop Gallery’.

When ‘Josephine Can Dance’ came to town, we caught a bus to the Pilbeam Theatre to watch a captivating performance for all ages. Students linked the emotions to their drama unit.

Last week the students dressed in the most amazing costumes for Book Week and proudly paraded for the whole school to see.

Last Thursday night some of our students enjoyed a night with their parents in the school library making purchases at the Book Fair and reading books or playing table games.

In class, we are learning about half, time, and a description of the steps to solving ‘What is my number?’. The poetry unit, in English, will end with the students reciting poetry for our enjoyment as well as a learning achievement. In technology, Blue Bots have also come to year one. The coding of these is very exciting for the students to learn about. In Religion, we are learning about being Church and being part of the Church. We will continue to explore, investigate and learn with our classmates for the rest of the year.

Karen Fox and Michelle Hannah

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Congratulations to the following students and staff who will celebrate their birthday this week. They are: Isabella Cleland (Yr 6), Ella Bath (Yr 5), Ava Semple (Yr 1), Jacob Bennett (PG), Marhella Purcell (PM), Maycie Zanette (Yr 1), and Mrs H (Learning Support)

Have a great day.

DISCO - WEEK 8

In Week 8 on Thursday (September 6) Year 6 will be organising a school disco. You can come dressed as your favourite sporting team or as your favourite colour. Entry will be $2, There will be pizza for dinner on the night - but remember - orders need to be in by Wednesday September 5th. Chips, lollies and drinks will be for sale. There will be plenty of prizes to be won so make sure you come along ready to dance.  Disco starts at 5:30pm to 7:30pm

There will be fun, games and plenty of dancing.

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

POSITIONS VACANT - Secretaries, North Rockhampton Parishes

North Rockhampton Parishes are seeking two part-time secretaries to work at the Parish Centre at Holy Family Church, North Rockhampton. The roles support the parish ministries and administration. One of the secretaries will work from 9am to 2pm Monday-Wednesday and the other from 9am to 2pm Wednesday-Friday. Applications close: COB Wednesday, 29th August 2018. Please see our website below for the full details of this position or contact Vicki Oliver on 4887 3090 or hr@rok.catholic.net.au.