12 June 2019

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE ACTING PRINCIPAL

As mentioned in the last couple of newsletters, as part of our school improvement cycle, we are asking parents to complete a survey regarding the operation of our school. The feedback we gain from this survey will help guide us to plan the next stage of our school improvement plan.

You should have already received an email inviting you to participate in our school satisfaction survey. The email will provide you with a personalised link to the survey. Surveys are open until Sunday, 23rd June. If you haven’t received an email with your personalised link, please let the office know.

It’s important to note that the surveys are anonymous and, as such, participants are not identified in any way.

Semester One report cards will be posted to Parent Lounge during the last week of this term. If you are having difficulties accessing your Parent Lounge account, please drop in to the office as report cards are no longer distributed as hard copies and are only available through Parent Lounge. The Parent Lounge link is:

Next week we welcome Mrs Sheila Thorne to our staff. Sheila will be providing Visual Arts lessons to all of our students. A letter went home last week introducing Sheila. A copy of this letter can also be found in the parent notes section of the Skoolbag App.

Mrs Bernadette Brennan will be taking some well-earned long service leave during the last two weeks of this term. We wish Bernadette an enjoyable break.

Don’t forget:

• Thursday, 13th June – Rockhampton Show holiday
• Monday, 17th June – School Photo Day
• Thursday, 20th June – Under 8s morning
• Monday, 24th June – Semester One Academic Awards Assembly
• Reports available on Parent Lounge at the end of Term 2
• Prep Enrolments for 2020 due by the end of Term 2

Kind Regards,
Deanne Senini

APRE REFLECTION

Pentecost

John 20:19-23

The feast of Pentecost celebrates the power of the Holy Spirit coming upon the disciples and energising them to set about their mission of continuing the ministry of Jesus. There are frequent references in the gospels to Jesus being ‘filled with the Spirit’. It is this Spirit with which he was filled that he breathed upon his disciples; it is that same Spirit that we receive sacramentally in Confirmation. For the weeks following the death of Jesus the disciples had lived in fear and confusion, not fully understanding what had happened and not really knowing what to do. When they realised that the Spirit Jesus had breathed upon them was really present and urging them to action they finally had the courage to begin the mission that Jesus had entrusted to them: to spread the Good News of Jesus and continue to realise his message in the world.

@Liturgy Help

“Come, Holy Spirit”

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
5.00pm Holy Family
6.30pm Our Lady Help of Christians

Sunday
7.00am St Mary’s
9.00am Holy Family

Bernadette Brennan
APRE

RELIGIOUS MATTERS

What’s Coming Up in Term 2

What’s Coming Up in Term 3

Prayer Assembly Time Change to 10:30am

You will notice the prayer assembly times above have changed. In the interests of less disruption to the curriculum and to maintain optimum productivity in classrooms, the decision has been made to bring the prayer assembly times forward to 10:30am. This change allows Friday lunch times to remain the same as the rest of the week and those students involved in interschool sport an opportunity to prepare for sport and board buses in a timely manner.

Stewardship

At the recent Diocesan Assembly, “Stewardship of time, talent and treasure” was mentioned several times. If you would like to know more about this, you are invited to hear Joe McCorley talk about it and some possibilities for our parishes. You are welcome to come at either of these times on Wednesday 19 June from 4:00-5:30pm at the Resource Centre at the Catholic Education Office or from 7:00-8:30pm at Holy Family Church Hall. Please RSVP to Nicole on 4994 8100 or to Nicole_Butler@rok.catholic.edu.au by Monday 17 June.

Bernadette Brennan
APRE

SPORTING MATTERS

Friday 14th June

Netball

Junior E @
St Joey’s v Mt Morgan on Grass 13 @ 1:10pm
Junior B @
St Joey’s v St Paul’s on Court 2 @ 1:50pm
Senior E @
St Joey’s v RGGS on Court 10 @ 1:50pm
Senior C @
St Joey’s v St Joseph’s Wandal on Court 11 @ 1:50pm
Senior B @
St Joey’s v St Peter’s on Court 7 @ 1:10pm
Senior A @
St Joey’s v Waraburra on Court 3 @ 1:50pm

Hockey

1:00 – 1:15
St Joey’s Blue v Stanwell on Grass 5
St Joey’s White v Glenmore 1 on Grass 6

1:20 – 1:35
St Joey’s Gold v Mt Archer on Grass 5
St Joey’s Maroon v Glenmore 2 on Grass 6

1:40 – 1:55
St Joey’s Blue v St Mary’s 3 on Turf 3
St Joey’s White v Stanwell on Grass 1

2:00 – 2:15
St Joey’s Gold v St Mary’s 4 on Turf 3
St Joey’s Maroon v Mt Archer on Grass 1

Rugby League

Yr 5 C 12:45pm

St Joey’s v Frenchville SS @ Frenchville SS

Yr 5 A/B 1:45pm

St Joey’s v Frenchville SS @ Frenchville SS

Yr 6 A 12:45pm

St Joey’s v Berserker/Mt Archer @ Mt Archer SS

Bernadette Brennan
APRE

CURRICULUM NEWS

Important Curriculum Dates – Term 2

Premier’s Reading Challenge

The Premier's Reading Challenge (PRC) is an annual state wide initiative for state and non-state schools and home-educated students up to Year 9, and children attending early childhood centres. Over the past 14 years, more than 12 million books have been read, and in 2018 alone, 181,000 school, early childhood and individual readers participated in the challenge with more than 2.46 million books read throughout the PRC reading period.

The challenge is not a competition but aims to improve literacy and encourage children to read widely for pleasure and learning. Students can participate in the challenge within their school or as individual readers (home-educated students or students whose schools are not participating in the program).

For a student to successfully complete the challenge they must read or experience the allocated number of books for their year level during the reading period. Students who complete the challenge have their efforts recognised through the receipt of a Certificate of Achievement signed by the Premier of Queensland.

Why read?

Literacy skills are vital to ensuring children have the best chance to succeed in their schooling and life. The PRC is an opportunity for students to be enthusiastic about reading, writing, authors and illustrators. Reading a variety of books builds vocabulary and knowledge, improves spelling and comprehension, can improve confidence and is also a great way to relax.

To successfully complete the PRC, students must read or experience the number of books indicated in the table below in English or additional languages. The requirement for Year 5 through to Year 9 students to read 15 books acknowledges that older students are likely to select longer, more complex books that may take them longer to read.

If they have time, students are welcome to read more books than the challenge requirements. They just need to record them on another reader record form. All books will go towards Queensland’s total PRC tally.

The following activities can be counted towards the challenge:

• reading independently
• shared reading
• being read to (Prep – Year 2 for books written in English; and all year levels for additional languages).

The following literature forms can be counted towards the challenge:

• printed books
• e-books, virtual books and digital publications
• graphic novels and comic books
• audio and braille books
• newspapers, magazines and recipe books
• books in additional languages (other than English).

Your child should have received a reader record form. This is not a compulsory school activity, however, if your child would like to participate, please complete this form as they finish each book and return it to the school office once completed. It would be appreciated if these forms can be returned by Friday, 23rd August.

WOOLWORTHS EARN AND LEARN

St Joseph’s has registered to participate in the 2019 Woolworths Earn and Learn program. This program runs from 1st May through to 25th June. In the past, thanks to this program, our school has been able to order a large variety of resources to support our students in their learning. If you are purchasing groceries from Woolworths, please start collecting the stickers. There is a collection box in the office as well as a box at the Parkhurst and Stockland Woolworths stores. Last week’s count had us with 16 000 points.

UNDER 8s MORNING

Our annual Under 8’s morning will take place at St Joey’s this term on Thursday 20th June. 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 or know of any organisation who might like to set up an activity for the morning, please don’t hesitate to see me. Thanks to the generosity of the P&F, students will be provided with a sausage on bread for first break.

ICAS ASSESSMENTS

Students are invited to participate in ICAS assessments in 2019. This year the ICAS assessments have moved to an online format and are occurring later in the year. These assessments are designed to recognise and reward academic excellence. The assessments are based on the curriculum for each relevant year level. These assessments are designed to allow students to demonstrate a deeper, integrated and thorough level of learning.

If you’d like to participate in the 2019 ICAS Assessments, please complete and return the sheet which should have made it home with students, along with the payment to the school office. Orders for these assessments will close Friday, 2nd August.

BIG BOOK SWAP

Next term, during book week we will be holding our bi-annual big book swap. The way the big book swap works is that families go through their reading books and donate any books no longer needed. Students then get to choose a pre-loved book from the donations to take home. If you have any books which you’d like to donate to this year’s big book swap, please bring them to Mrs Michelle Roberts in the library.

Kind Regards,
Deanne Senini
Assistant Principal Curriculum

FINANCE NEWS

TERM 2 FEE ACCOUNTS NOW OVERDUE

Fee Accounts for Term 2 are now 4 Weeks overdue and need your Urgent Attention.

These were due on 14/5/19.

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?

If paying by Direct Deposit, please use your Account Number as the reference

(this is the 6 digit number on your Fee Statement).

CLASSROOM NEWS

Yr 1C

This term we have been very productive and have had lots of fun along the way. Over the last couple of weeks, we have been exploring folktales. Year 1C have been looking at The Gingerbread Man and we formed groups and found the setting, plot, characters, problem and solution of the story. We found that the text was very repetitive and worked on doing an innovation of The Gingerbread Man within each group. This involved changing the characters and the setting. The groups then had to sequence the beginning of their innovation and act it out to the class.

The skills the students were developing and practising during the innovation activity were; turn-taking, decision making, problem solving, negotiation, communication and listening skills. At the end of the week we read the story, The Lamington Man, to see another innovation of The Gingerbread Man. The students thought it was fantastic and compared their stories to the text. This week we will be looking at other well-known folktale innovations (Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Little Red Riding Hood). 

From Mrs Chapman

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Congratulations to the following students and staff who will celebrate their birthday this week. They are: Blake Fulwood (PG), Abby O’Sullivan (3M), Candice Bates (1C), Remee Horstman (1C), Lilliana Littleboy (PG), Quinn Rooney (3M), Harrison Yarrow (Yr 4), Nicholas Brook (Y 6), Charlee Dixson (1C) and Mrs Brosnan (Office).

Have a great day.

P & F NEWS

Our next P&F meeting is this afternoon (12th June) at 6:30pm in the staffroom. All are welcome to come along and check out what’s happening around the school.  We’ll also have our new Visual Arts teacher, Sheila Thorne, in attendance so if you or your children are particularly interested in all things Art, please come along and have a chat with her to see what she’s got planned.

Our QLD day homebake was extremely popular, selling out very quickly. Thank you all for your support.

Under 8’s day is fast approaching, so if you haven’t already, and are able to help, please see your P-3 class teachers. They’ll love you for it. We still need help to cook the BBQ, so if you can also provide assistance and help to serve, please let Amanda Conway know.

You must have a current Bluecard and have completed the Induction with Mrs Senini. These are after assembly on a Monday morning (in the MPA) or from 2:30pm on a Wednesday afternoon (in the office).

There’ll be no Coffee and Chat this coming week (17th June), as there’s no assembly due to School Photo Day.

Reminder:

Thanks,
Joeys P&F

PHOTO DAY 17TH JUNE

Please see the attached piece from MSP, our school photographers.

FROM THE SCHOOL COUNSELLOR

Anxiety! the word itself sometimes brings worry and confusion to the minds of parents.

So what is Anxiety?

In today’s busy world, it seems this word is used more and more and especially with children. The key first is to build our understanding.

Here is a quick 3 minute video to answer that question? What is anxiety?

Everyone feels worried from time to time, but these feelings pass when the stressful situation has passed. Anxiety occurs when these anxious feelings don’t pass, and happen for no obvious reason. It’s a serious condition that can be managed and minimised with the right tools.

Anxiety is an unpleasant feeling that people can have when they are faced with challenges, or situations they are worried about. Feeling anxious for short periods of time, from time to time is normal and can help you do well. Many people from all walks of life may feel anxiety from time to time. Many times anxiety can be a normal part of life, however when it persists it may be helpful to talk to someone about it. Physical signs of anxiety can include: sweating, a sore tummy or butterflies in the tummy, shaking, hot and cold flushes, a racing heart, a dry mouth, fast breathing, an urge to go to the toilet, tight muscles and difficulty concentrating.

Anxiety may be a problem if you are worried much of the time, feel tired, have difficulty concentrating, feel irritable, have tight muscles and are not sleeping well. For children, they need help from their parents to understand how their brain is working and to support them and reassure them they will be safe. Physical signs in their bodies of anxiety can feel scary and they do not understand.

If anxiety feelings are hanging around most of the time, you might need help to find some ways to manage it. It is helpful for teachers and school staff to know that a student may have signs of anxiety, as it is not always easy to spot from the outside. The school can work with parents to find ways to support a student’s learning in the class that compliments what parents are doing at home. This can help work together to minimise the impact upon their learning success.

It’s always a good idea to have a chat to a health professional like your GP or Psychologist if you feel like you need more information.

Here is a list of different websites that you may like to check out, if you want to build your knowledge about anxiety and ideas to manage it.

https://healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au/age-6-12/mental-health-conditions-in-children/anxiety/strategies-to-support-anxious-children

Meet yourself where you are with kindness 

Michelle Hoffman
School Counsellor
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday at SJPA
(07) 4994 8205

VACATION CARE FOR JULY HOLIDAYS

Please find attached the Vacation Care Booking form and Program for the upcoming holidays. If you have not already booked your child/ren in and are wishing to do so, please fill out the Booking form and get it into Chelsea to secure a spot.

PARENT LOUNGE

Changes to your address, phone number or work phone number can be made in Parent Lounge. Simply log in, go to the Parent Details tab, make your changes, and then submit.

Changes to Parent Lounge are that you can submit your child’s absentee days through here (but only for the current term). It will be similar to the way you do this on the Skoolbag app. Once accepted our end (when we log into our computer), this will be entered straight onto our system, and saves the double handling

ABSENTEES

Absentees can be done through the Skoolbag App. Click on our School Logo, eforms and then Absentee Form.

All notifications from the school are done through this app. Our weekly Newsletters are also posted to this app.

Please make sure that you have downloaded it.

SCHOOL BANKING

School banking happens every Thursday.

If you wish to start school banking, you need to open a Youth Saver Account at the Commonwealth bank, make no deposit and they will provide you with your banking book and details.

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 and Wednesday afternoon from 2:45 – 3:15.

Please feel free to drop any uniforms you no longer need so they can be 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 inside.

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 at 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