29 April 2020

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

As is the case with many things in 2020, Saturday’s ANZAC Day celebration was like none other in over 100 years. With COVID-19 unfortunately entrenched in our vernacular, it was wonderful to see so many people pull together to acknowledge those who serve in the armed forces during these challenging times.

I was very proud of the behaviour of our students who were extremely reverent during our Joey’s ANZAC prayer assembly last Friday. It was a bit of a first as we also had many of our families join us via zoom through Mrs Brennan’s computer.

As we have completed our first week of Learning from Home, I have to also mention how well our school community has committed to being positive and making the best of a challenging situation. As I visited each classroom last week it was very evident that our students are working hard but also deeply missing being able to talk regularly and connect with their friends. I spoke with our students on Friday and reminded them that we too need to remain positive and that what is happening at the moment will only be temporary, noting that the precautions we are currently taking are so we can ensure that we protect our community and can return to a certain degree of ‘normality’ as soon as possible.

To our parents taking on the challenge of Learning from Home, I appreciate your effort, patience and commitment to your children’s safety and education.

To our parents that are essential workers, I applaud your tireless work in aiding those in our community during these tough times. I assure you, your children as always, are safe with us.

To my fantastic staff, I continue to be amazed at your commitment to our students and your ability to adapt, prepare and deliver educational opportunities in ways that we could not have imagined that we would be doing only a few short months ago.

Please remember to continue to be patient and understanding with each other.

On to Week 2 of Term 2.

Kindest Regards
Bernard Fitzgerald

ANZAC REFLECTION

Please have a look at the below link (if you haven’t already seen it on our App), of all the videos and photos of ANZAC Day that were sent to Mrs Brennan. She has done a truly wonderful job of compiling the iMovie. Thanks Mrs Brennan.

CURRICULUM NEWS

Welcome back to what is a very different time for us at St Joseph’s. I’d like to thank all of our community for the way they have embraced the change to schooling this term. Thank you to parents who have taken on the challenge of assisting their children to learn from home.

A special thanks to our wonderful staff here at school. Our teachers were given little notice that the way they normally do their job was going to be very different. Our teachers have worked exceptionally hard to develop ways of continuing to deliver high quality educational tasks to their students. I am extremely proud of the genuine care our teachers are showing for both the students learning here at school and for those learning at home. If you have any concerns regarding supporting your children to learn from home, please feel free to contact your child’s class teachers.

COMPETITIONS

Literary Competition:

Students in Years 5 and 6 are invited to enter the 2020 Independent Education Union literary competition. To enter this competition, you need to write a poem or short story. If you are interested in entering this competition, please see Mrs Senini for more information. This competition closes on Friday, 19th June.

Art Competition:

Students from Prep – Year 6 are invited to enter the 2020 Independent Education Union Awards for Excellence in Art Design competition. The task is to produce a piece of artwork that best reflects the theme: Perfect Places. If you are interested in entering this competition, please see Mrs Senini for more information. This competition closes on Friday, 24th July.

Regards,
Deanne Senini
Assistant Principal Curriculum

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

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

They are: Laythen Schneider (Prep), Paige Brydon (Yr 1), Lucia Jarrett (Yr 2), Olivia Kaufman (Prep), Evelyn Boswood (Yr 2), Jacob McLean (Yr 4), Kaidyn Stuart (Yr 4), Matilda Ballinger (Yr 3), Monica Bartsch (Yr 3), Addison Millar (Prep). And also Mrs Wayman, Mrs Johnson, Mrs Chapman (Yr 5) and Mrs Schoneveld for their birthdays last week.

Have a great day.

P & F NEWS

The ANZAC Day prayer assembly held last Friday to pay our respects to those who served and continue to serve our country was well received. The ceremony was viewed via Zoom and had the ability to reach our whole Joeys community, in what was probably a first. Whilst not the normal way to conduct an assembly, we thank the staff for using technology to allow those who were not at school to view this special occasion.

Due to social distancing restrictions, our next P&F Meeting due to be held on Wednesday 13th May, may not be held at the school. We will try to host this as a Zoom session, and all are welcome to take part from the comfort of their own home. Like many things, this is unchartered territory, so we will endeavor to make it work. Details will be given closer to the time.

On a lighter note, we hope you enjoy the Jabbering with Joeys segments that are back after a short hiatus. They are a fun way to get to know our staff and it gives us something else to talk about.

Have a great week!

Reminder:

Wed May 13th: P&F Meeting 6:30pm Zoom session. (Further information to be provided when available).

Thanks
Joeys P&F

JABBERING WITH JOEYS

Jabbering with Joeys – Issue 6

This week we’re finding out about our two long-serving Prep Education Support Officers Beth O’Brien from Prep M, and Kristie Sloan from Prep G.

Name: Beth O’Brien
How long have you been at Joeys?: 14 years
Favourite Food: Raspberries
What did you want to be when you grew up?: a Dancer
Favourite Music: Country
Coffee or Tea: Tea
Favourite subject at school: Art
Hobbies outside of Joeys: Family, gym and camping
Favourite book/movie: Charlotte’s Web
Favourite colour: Blue
Best “Dad” joke: Why do you never see elephants hiding in trees? Because they’re so good at it.
Favourite thing about Joeys: The feeling of a family community.

Name: Kristie Sloan
How long have you been at Joeys?: I have been at Joey’s for 9 years, 6 years in Prep
Favourite Food: Thai food
What did you want to be when you grew up?: An Interior Designer
Favourite Music: RnB/Rap and Rock music
Coffee or Tea: Coffee
Favourite subject at school: I really enjoyed Art at school
Hobbies outside of Joeys: Watching footy and spending time with family and friends
Favourite book/movie: Growing up my favourite book was Matilda from Roald Dahl. I have way too many favourite movies but I do love watching comedies and old 80s action movies.
Favourite colour: Blue and turquoise
Best “Dad” joke: Why did the cookie go to hospital? Because he felt crummy
Favourite thing about Joeys: The best thing about Joey’s is our community spirit.

Next up to the plate is another diligent member of the leadership team; our APC, Deanne Senini

Name: Deanne Senini
How long have you been at Joeys?: This is my 8th year at Joeys
Favourite Food: There’s way too many to list but chocolate is my main weakness
What did you want to be when you grew up?: A Police Officer
Favourite Music: Pink, Guy Sebastian, Katy Perry
Coffee or Tea: Definitely tea. I can’t stand coffee
Favourite subject at school: Maths
Hobbies outside of Joeys: Hanging with the fam, watching Netflix, attending fitness classes (particularly boxing fitness classes)
Favourite book/movie: I like to read anything by James Patterson, however, I am currently making my way through the Harry Potter series so that I can try to understand the fascination my daughter has with Harry Potter. As for my favourite movie: Point Break (the original version).
Favourite colour: Teal
Best “Dad” joke: Knock knock. Who’s there? Cargo. Cargo who? Car go ‘beep beep’.
Favourite thing about Joeys: The community spirit. You always feel loved and supported at Joeys.

MESSAGE FROM COMMONWEALTH BANK (School Banking)

The health, safety and wellbeing of our communities and our people remains our highest priority. Due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding coronavirus, the School Banking program will remain on hold. We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you informed with any updates including how we will be managing Dollarmite tokens for students.

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

FRIDAY PIZZA

Friday Pizza is unavailable until further notice.

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