4 November 2020

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents & Guardians

Welcome to Week 5 as today is officially the halfway mark for the Semester.

Last week I was lucky enough to attend the wonderful ‘Activities Week’ days that our Year 6 students took part in due to our regular camp being cancelled twice. I had a wonderful time with the students (even if my old knees did not) and wish to commend them on their behaviour. I would like to thank Miss Ward, Miss Biddulph and Miss Guest for giving up their time and especially Mrs Hamilton for essentially organising two school camps in an effort to ensure our Year 6 students finish the year with some great memories and experiences in what has been a challenging 2020.

Seeing the students work and laugh together made it all worthwhile.

Our Prepies held a beautiful Prayer Assembly last Friday to celebrate World Teachers Day. Our youngest students thanked our teachers and all of our support staff for the wonderful work they do in providing opportunities for our children to learn and grow. I would also like to thank our wonderful P&F Association who provided lunch for the entire staff last Friday. It was very touching, and much appreciated by all.

Over the last year, the P&F and School Board have been reviewing certain elements of the school’s uniform policy. One such element will be the introduction of school branded, formal navy socks. The design selected can be viewed in the attached image.

I am pleased to inform you that Wearitto have emailed me to confirm that these socks are now in stock in a two pack for the costs of $13.50.

We have moved to these socks for a number of reasons. Earlier this year I did a sock audit with the 6 student leaders from Year 6. They found a large number of students were wearing black socks rather than navy. I have since done a little investigating and have found that navy socks are now quite hard to find due to their popularity at a number of schools. On a side note, the student leaders also found three students on that particular day had no socks on at all which came as a bit of a shock to us all.

These socks are not yet mandatory uniform and I do not require you to rush out and get them straight away, however, after the first Term of 2021 these socks will become the only option for the students who will be wearing navy socks with their formal uniform. Until that time, both the new school branded socks and plain navy socks will be acceptable.

On the subject of uniforms, I will remind you of Wearitto’s online ordering facilities. Currently their physical store is still under COVID social distancing procedures and have recommended that people order online to reduce potential frustrations regarding these processes come next January. Jump on to the link below to order online.

Ashley Gray began her new position at Joey’s today. Ashley has a wealth of experience and connections in working with the indigenous community. Ashley has also held the same position as an Indigenous ESO at Sacred Heart Yeppoon before joining us. I am sure you will all make Ashley welcome as she and Jess Ivers become a great team in supporting our indigenous families.

Green ‘Confirmation of Enrolment 2021’ forms were sent out to all families a couple of weeks ago. Please fill these out and return them to the school office (or your child can put it in the office bag) as soon as possible. This information is essential to both the staffing and financial planning for the 2021 school year.

If indeed you are not planning to return to Joey’s in 2021 for whatever reason, I would appreciate you making contact with myself as soon as possible. We have waiting lists in quite a few of our year levels and parents wanting to move their children to our school next year will find it easier to put plans in place now rather than in January when uniforms and booklists have usually been purchased. Thank you for your understanding on this matter.

Don’t Forget….

• Remembrance Day. Wed 11th Nov @ 11:00am
• P&F AGM. Wed 11th Nov (Time TBD due to State of Origin clash)
• NAIDOC Day. Thurs 12th Nov
• TCC Year 6 Student Orientation Evening. Mon 16th Nov @ 5:00pm TCC
• Emmaus Year 6 Orientation Day. Thurs 26th Nov @ Emmaus
• Second-hand Uniform Sale. Sat 28th Nov in MPA (time to be confirmed)
• Annual Awards/Semester 2 Academic Awards. Mon 30th Nov @ 9:00am in MPA
• Year 6 Graduation Dinner. Wed 2nd Dec @ 6:30pm Frenchville Sports Club
• Semester 2 Report Cards 2020 posted to Parent Lounge Wed 2nd Dec @ 12:00pm
• Year 6 Fun Day. Thurs 3rd Dec
• End of Year Mass/Graduation/Leadership Handover. Fri 4th Dec @ 9:00am in MPA

Kindest Regards
Bernard Fitzgerald
Principal - St. Joseph’s Catholic School Park Avenue

Happy every day. Learning every day.

APRE REFLECTION

This week, we're staying put in Ethiopia, but moving south to the region of Hawassa (also spelled Awasa) on the shores of the lake of the same name (can you find it on the map and track your way there?) In this place, only 3% of the population is Catholic, with over half professing a Protestant faith. This week we will learn about an order of Catholic Sisters who have saved countless lives through their nutrition programs. We'll learn their story and see how one family's life has changed dramatically over the years. As we go, think about how nutrition is important in your daily life.

Follow this link and you’ll find all the videos, activities, and reflections we are exploring at school.

Scripture reflection

Luke 4:18-19

He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
In the reading from Luke, we hear about Jesus' mission. What do you think mission means? In what ways can you live mission in your home? At school?

Bernadette Brennan
Assistant Principal Religious Education

CURRICULUM NEWS

Important Curriculum Dates:

Book lists for 2021

A note has gone home and a message has been posted on the SkoolBag App notifying families of the process for ordering book list equipment for 2021.

As you will recall from last year, our Parents and Friends Association assisted the school to purchase a variety of bulk stationery items for classrooms in an effort to lower the cost of book lists for families.  This will happen again for next year’s book lists and I take this opportunity to sincerely thank the P&F for their generosity.

Please take the time to read the information in the note and consider placing your order soon. If you have misplaced your note, a copy can be found on the SkoolBag App under parent notes.

If you have any questions or problems with placing your order, please contact me by calling the school office or via email: deanne_senini@rok.catholic.edu.au.

PLEASE NOTE: THE OPTION FOR SCHOOL DELIVERY HAS NOW CLOSED. YOU ARE STILL ABLE TO PLACE ORDERS BUT THE PACKS WILL BE DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME.

Regards,
Deanne Senini
Assistant Principal Curriculum

CLASSROOM NEWS

Yr 4

INCLUSIVE CURRICULUM NEWS

Early intervention IS one of the most widely accepted strategies for supporting a student with reading difficulties such as dyslexia. Finding the right approach to a student’s individual learning is vital to building their reading confidence and instilling a love for literacy.

With that in mind we have recently purchased Reader Pens for the school. Students from Years 2-6 have access to the Reader Pens in their classroom with a number to be available in the library when it is in use. The pens do not take the place of learning to read but are an assistive technology tool to support the learning needs of our students.

The use of these pens in our classrooms have been successful in building confidence, fostering an enjoyment of reading and developing students’ independence.

For more information please visit the website is below.

NAIDOC DAY

NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is celebrated by all Australians and is a great opportunity to learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

NAIDOC Week 2020 has been postponed this year from July to the 8th to the 15th of November. We will be celebrating our school’s NAIDOC day on Thursday the 12th of November. Throughout the day the students will be creating, painting and weaving their way through many activities which reflect our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. There will be a range of activities and special guests to help us celebrate NAIDOC 2020.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Congratulations to the following students and staff who will celebrate their birthday this week. They are: Gabriell Brosnan (Yr 4), Royston Gibbins (Yr 6), Samuel Graham (Yr 6), Kaeli Kirkman (Yr 1), Wyatt Pedersen (Prep), Zanden Hallett (Prep), Hunter Arnold (Yr 2) and Mrs Tennyson (Yr 2TW).

Have a great day.

P & F NEWS

Our next and final P&F meeting for the year will be next Wednesday November 11th with our AGM at the earlier time of 5:30pm, and our final official meeting at 6:00pm. As our school takes shape, now’s the time to come and have your say about what we can accomplish.

Only 3 weeks left of our Jabbering with Joeys segments. After our final segment will be our quiz, so keep paying attention.

Reminder:

Wed Nov 11th: P&F AGM 5:30pm in the Inclusive Curriculum room.
P&F Final Meeting 6:00pm in the Inclusive Curriculum room.

Thanks,
Joeys P&F

Jabbering with Joeys

This week we visit Grade 5 and chat with long term teacher, parent and netball coach extraordinaire, Erin Tranberg, and our new-to-Grade 5 teacher Louise Chapman. We hope she’s loving the transition to the upper school.

Name: Erin Tranberg
How long have you been at Joeys?: 13 years
Favourite Food: Chocolate
What did you want to be when you grew up?: Olympic Swimmer
Favourite Music: Country
Coffee or Tea: Coffee
Favourite subject at school: English
Hobbies outside of Joeys: Shopping, watching sport, going to the beach, spending time with family and friends.
Favourite book/movie: Disney classics
Favourite colour: Black
Best “Dad” joke: Why did the student eat his homework? Because the teacher told him it was a piece of cake!
Favourite thing about Joeys: The people

Name: Louise Chapman
How long have you been at Joeys?: This is my second year as a teacher (I was a TA from late 2013-2014)
Favourite Food: Hot chips (well anything potato)
What did you want to be when you grew up?: Police Officer
Favourite Music: I listen to all types of music
Coffee or Tea: A lot of coffee during the day and a tea at night
Favourite subject at school: Maths and PE
Hobbies outside of Joeys: Netball / Fitness
Favourite book/movie: The Shawshank Redemption
Favourite colour: Blue
Best “Dad” joke: What would you call a sleeping bull? A bulldozer
Favourite thing about Joeys: The support and the importance of coming together as a school community.

FRIDAY PIZZA

• Pizza and Icy Cups to be ordered and paid for from outside the Year 6 room in the morning from 8:15 – 8:35am.
• Brown bags not required for pizza – students simply bring their money ($2 per slice) and tell the Year 6 students what you would like to order.
• Pizza slices will be delivered to classes in provided brown bags in tuckshop boxes at lunch time.
• Icy Cups will be delivered to the classrooms at approx. 2:55pm ready for home time.

Please note: There is a pizza order form available if you think this will be helpful to assist your child with the ordering process. Also, Icy Cups can sell out, so it is first in best dressed when ordering in the morning.

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