2 December 2020

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents & Guardians

Well done to our Semester 2 Academic Award winners last Monday morning. It was wonderful to see so many children being recognised for their achievement within the classroom environment. Hopefully we will be able to return to inviting all of our parents to attend rather than having to zoom these events out next year.

Due to the unusual nature of 2020 and the challenges it has presented us with, we also held our Annual Awards on Monday as well. These are the awards that would have ordinarily been the centrepiece of our Annual Presentation Night that was originally scheduled for last Thursday evening. It is with great pleasure, that in this year of great turmoil, that we were still able to acknowledge the wonderful efforts of our students.

The Joey’s 2020 Annual Award winners are:

Spirit of St. Joseph’s Award – Riley Roser
Leadership Award – Grace Lloyd-Jones
Encouragement Award – Katelyn Whiting
Kelvin Hill Award – William Littleboy
Luke Monaghan Award for Special Achievement – Lachlan Senini
School Dux – Rayna Andersen
Principal’s Recognition Award – Jake Kowald

Congratulations also to Joeys Grandparent and awesome volunteer, Del Boaler who received this year’s St Joseph’s Diocesan P&F Community Spirit Award. This award would have normally been presented all the way back in March at our St Joseph’s Feast/Grandparents Day. As we were unable to celebrate together then, it was wonderful to acknowledge Del’s contribution before the year has ended.

As you will be aware, we will be providing staggered pick-up times this Friday due to the final stages of our Capital Works project. These processes were detailed in my letter to all families last week. Please let your child’s classroom teacher know if you will be taking your child(ren) home at 11:00am or 3:00pm on Friday. Younger siblings of Year 6 students are welcome to finish the day after mass and leave for the day if their older siblings are leaving at that time. As always, students wanting to leave with another child’s parent must have written permission to do so from their parents.

On Friday afternoon, my staff will be attending our end of year function directly after school. Please be aware that this function cannot commence until all staff are present. This will mean that all staff, including the front office staff, will be unavailable after 3:00pm this Friday afternoon. Thank-you for your understanding on this matter.

A reminder that Semester 2 reports will be posted to Parent Lounge later today, Wednesday 2nd December. Please ensure you have your login details in order to access Parent Lounge.

The school office will be closed as of Friday the 4th of December with Mrs Megan Crosthwaite available till then for all those parents who wish to finalise their school fees for 2020. The office will then close for the Christmas period and reopen on Monday the 11th of January. In matters of extreme emergency, I as Principal, can be reached on 0438212868 over the break.

I hope you have a great last week and a happy, holy and most of all safe Christmas holiday break. We look forward to working with you again in 2021.

Don’t Forget….

• Year 6 Fun Day. Thurs 3rd Dec
• End of Year Mass/Graduation/Leadership Handover. Fri 4th Dec @ 9:00am in MPA (Year 6 parents issued tickets as well as incoming Year 5 student leader’s parents due to graduation, leader induction and limited physical space. Sorry, no other parents will be permitted. This event will be zoomed out)
• Office closes, Friday 4th December 2020
  Office Reopens, Monday 11th January 2021

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

Happy every day. Learning every day.

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.

A message will be put out to parents regarding the collection of the book packs as soon as the delivery date is confirmed.

Semester 2 Report Cards

Semester 2 reports will be available for viewing through Parent Lounge today Wednesday, 2nd December.

Academic Awards

Congratulations to all students who received an Academic Award on Monday’s assembly. All of these students have worked extremely hard and should be proud of this achievement.

I would like to wish all of the members of the St Joseph’s school community a very happy, safe and holy Christmas break and I look forward to working with you all in 2021.

Kind Regards
Deanne Senini
Assistant Principal Curriculum

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Congratulations to the following students & staff who will celebrate their birthday this week and over the holidays. They are: Nate Barber (Yr 3), Jaxson Balderston (Yr 2), Trey Batchelor (Yr 6), Olivia Bragg (Yr 3), Maddison Clarke (Yr 5), Izabelah Zerafa (Yr 2), Juliet Horton (Yr 2), Emilee Thompson (Yr 2) Amelia Gray (Yr 1), Mackenzie Zanette (Yr 5), Angus Turner (Yr 6), Lilly Beal ((Yr 3), Braxton Kane (Yr 3), Charlie Rowley (Yr 6), Corben Emerson (Yr 1), Amelia Pedersen (Yr 2), Emily-Rose England (Yr 1), Tayte Mooney (Yr 1), Kiara Carpenter (Yr 4), Madeleine Watson (Yr 2), Angelina Halil (Yr 6), Eden Jackson (Yr 1), Connor Fulwood (Yr 3), Ava Geiszler (Yr 6), Tauryn Schneider (Yr 4), Logan Kane (Yr 5), Jaison Henaway (Yr 2), Saba Schoneveld (Yr 4), Mrs Farr (Yr 2), and Mrs Watson (Yr 2).

Have a great day.

P & F NEWS

We hope everyone loved getting to know our staff a little more over the year. Congratulations to Margot Johnson on winning our end of year quiz, and a $15 Wearitto voucher. For all those playing along, the answers can be seen below.

A massive thank you to each and every person who has helped the P&F in any way this year. From the small amounts of Tuckshop and Breaky Club, to coming to our meetings, to NAIDOC day, to everything. We thank you and look forward to seeing your faces again next year in our brand-new school. We also say a big farewell to many of our volunteers as their youngest children graduate on Friday. Joeys is forever in your debt, and your contributions have been immensely valued.

See the rest of you in 2021!

Reminder:

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Thanks,
Joeys P&F

Jabbering with Joeys

Which staff member’s favourite colour is “Leopard print”?: Brooke Black

What is Mr Fitz’s favourite childhood book?: Grover’s There’s a Monster at the end of this Book

Who is the longest serving current member of staff?: Chelsea Holden (OSHC) – 18 Years (July 2002)

True or False: Mrs Brennan wanted to be a Police Officer when she grew up?: False – She wanted to be an Agricultural Scientist. Mr Fitz, Mrs Senini, Mrs Roati and Mrs Chapman wanted to be Police Officers.

What is Art Teacher Ms LaSpina’s favourite food: Mango

Which grade has 3 teachers?: Grade 2 (Catherine Farr, Kerrie Tennyson and Aimee Watson)

Who’s favourite music is House and DnB?: Kelson Tennyson

True or False: Ms Hamilton’s favourite subject was Maths and Art?: True

How many staff members are named Michelle?: 4 – Michelle Hannah, Michelle Roberts, Michelle Smith and Michelle Hoffman.

Lastly…who am I?: I wanted to be a dancer when I grew up. My favourite book is Charlotte’s Web, and I love Country music, raspberries and spending time with my family, camping and the gym. I’ve been a member of the Joeys staff for 14 years, and my favourite colour is Blue. These days I can be found in the lower school. Who am I? Beth O’Brien (Prep )

VACATION CARE

Please find attached the Program for Vacation Care for the upcoming holidays, along with the 2021 Booking Form

WEARITTO PROMOTION

Wearitto are having a promotion for all online shoppers. Shop for your School Uniforms before December 10 and you will be in the draw to win your entire spend back (up to $500). Orders must be purchased online. The address is at the link below:

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC 2021

Instrumental Music provides so many benefits to a child – please watch the attached link to a fantastic video about Music and the Brain:

Instrumental Music Learning and Brain Fireworks

Enrolments are now being accepted for new and continuing students to learn the following instruments:

FLUTE, CLARINET, SAXOPHONE, TRUMPET, TROMBONE, VIOLIN, VIOLA, CELLO, GUITAR & VOICE.

Please see the attached information letter for details on required year levels for each instrument, and a downloaded version of the enrolment form.

Enrolment is available online at the link below:

KEYBOARD LESSONS

Leanne Voss will offer Keyboard lessons again in 2021 for interested students in grades 1 – 6.

Lessons are of 30 minute duration and will be conducted weekly at school on a rotating timetable so that students do not miss the same lesson each week.

Students will be required to have access to a keyboard for practice, and also purchase a music tutor book and theory book. Lessons will generally be given to groups of 2 or 3 students with some individual lessons available when it is not possible to match students of similar musical ability. The lessons will focus on using a chord bass with an emphasis on utilising keyboard features such as different tones and rhythms.

Playing keyboard is an excellent extra curriculum activity to develop not only musical skills, but creative thinking, hand-eye coordination, concentration and commitment to task.

Enrolment forms are available from the office or below for both new and continuing students.

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