17 February 2021

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Welcome to Week 4.

I would like to begin by thanking the parishioners and Fr Frank for sharing their Ash Wednesday mass with the St Joseph’s school community. It was wonderful to see the entire community celebrating the commencement of Lent together focusing on Prayer, Fasting and Alms Giving over the next 40 days.

In regard to our new car park, it has been designed to be a shared space with Our Lady Help of Christians and the Parish. To help with this, I ask that each Friday morning, and for any shared celebrations like today, that the car parks closest to OLHC church and the school’s administration building be left for the use of our parishioners and the priest for when they attend mass.

Your co-operation in this matter is much appreciated.

Last week we spoke about our theme for 2021 in celebrating the 150th Anniversary of St Joseph’s universal patronage of the church. Throughout the year we will be exploring what makes St Joseph such a righteous man.

I am also taking the time to share our priorities for 2021. These are the three areas in which the school community will be particularly focusing on throughout the year.

St Joseph’s 2021 School Improvement Priorities:

• Parent Engagement
• Writing
• Social Emotional Learning

A reminder that tonight we will be holding our School Board AGM. The meeting will be held in the new library. The meeting will begin at 5:30pm.

Finally, please note that our annual Bishop’s In-service Day for staff professional development will be held this Friday the 19th of February. Due to all staff attending this day it is a Pupil Free Day for all Catholic Schools in Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast.

Don’t Forget …

• School Board AGM, Wed 17th Feb @ 5:30pm
• Mike Kelso – Assistant Director visit to St Joseph’s Park Avenue, Thurs 18th Feb
• Bishop’s In-service Day, Fri 19th Feb (Pupil Free Day)
• Year 12 Indigenous Students Commencement Mass, Fri 26th Feb @ St Joseph’s Cathedral
• Season A inter-school sport commences, Fri 26th Feb.

Have a great week.

Regards
Bernard Fitzgerald
Principal
St Joseph’s Catholic School, Park Avenue

APRE REFLECTION

6th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Mark 1:40-45
Jesus Cures a Leper

This is the second of three gospel readings about healing: last Sunday a woman with fever was revived, today a man with leprosy is cleansed and next week a paralysed man is forgiven and made whole. It is apparent that God's work of creation is an ongoing process in which Jesus plays a part. Through his hands the creative and nurturing power of God is at work in the world.

@Liturgy Help

You Can Do It!

You Can Do It! Education’s vision is to help develop the full potential of children of all ages to become highly successful and happy people through strengthening their belief in themselves.

The YCDI! Education framework incorporates the latest research into the social and emotional characteristics of students and how they influence positive and negative outcomes (e.g., achievement, relationships, wellbeing).

CHARACTER + ATTITUDES + SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SKILLS = POSITIVE OUTCOMES

Positive outcomes are what we are trying to achieve at St. Joseph’s Park Avenue.

VIRTUES AWARDS

You may have seen or heard about our new Virtues Awards. Virtues are the qualities and attributes of the human spirit. We have all the virtues; some are just stronger in our character than others. In late 2019 some of the Joey’s staff participated in The Virtues Project. The Virtues Project helps educators create positive, empowering cultures and environments where the children are developing their character while learning and growing.

While we are trying to develop character through all the virtues, we chose 7 virtues for St. Joseph’s Park Avenue. Each year has a focus virtue to learn about and strive to develop throughout the year.

PREP: The Virtue of Kindness

Kindness was selected for the Preppies as this is a key quality to have when commencing school. As they learn to make new friends and get along with the other children, kindness will be at the forefront of new relationships.

YEAR 1: The Virtue of Independence

Now that the students have had a full year of school, it’s time to develop some courage and take more responsibility for themselves.

YEAR 2: The Virtue of Perseverance

Learning is getting more challenging and the students need to persist with their tasks. This year they develop the determination to succeed and the will to carry on. It’s the time to commit to learning and overcoming obstacles.

YEAR 3: The Virtue of Faith

In Year 3 many children participate in the sacramental program and develop their relationship with God. It’s time to start believing in self and wondering about purpose.

YEAR 4: The Virtue of Justice

Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop firmly held the virtue of Justice. She worked to be fair in everything she did and is a great model for the Year 4 students. They spend much time looking into being just, thinking for themselves and having the courage to stand up for the truth.

YEAR 5: The Virtue of Diligence

Learning continues to be challenging and now the students are in the Upper Precinct the expectations go up another notch. The students need to develop diligence in their character to get on and do what needs to be done, concentrate and strive for excellence.

YEAR 6: The Virtue of Zeal

Before the students leave primary school, they need to understand purpose and passion. It’s around now they discover what brings them joy and it’s time to persevere in enthusiasm and become self-aware of their values.

Virtues are what’s good about us and we can all develop our virtues to be the best version of ourselves.

Bernadette Brennan
Assistant Principal Religious Education

CURRICULUM NEWS

VOLUNTEERS

In 2021 volunteers are welcome back at school. There are many different ways you can volunteer here at Joeys. If you’d like to volunteer in the tuckshop please either contact the office or catch up with our tuckshop convenor – Mrs Debbie Rooney. If you’d like to volunteer in your child’s classroom or perhaps another classroom, please approach the class teacher to see what activities are available to assist with.

Before beginning your volunteering, you need to complete a volunteer induction session with myself. These are offered on Monday mornings straight after assembly in the stage area and Friday afternoons at 2:30pm in the office. If these times don’t suit you, please contact me through the office or via email: deanne_senini/rok.catholic.edu.au to arrange another time.

Even if you have completed an induction with me before, the induction must be done every year.

To keep everyone safe, please follow the following safety requirements:

• do not volunteer if you are unwell
• sanitise your hands using the supplied hand sanitisers in each classroom or the tuckshop before and after volunteering
• maintain social distancing from any other adults

I look forward to welcoming many volunteers to Joeys this year.

OPEN AFTERNOON

I hope everyone who was able to attend the open afternoon enjoyed meeting their chid/ren’s class teachers and seeing some of the things their child/ren are working on this year. At the open afternoon, parents were given a handout outlining classroom procedures and an outline of planned curriculum. If you were unable to attend, this information is available on the Skoolbag app under your child/ren’s class notes section. I encourage you to have a read of this information. If you have any questions or concerns about your child/ren throughout the year, please make contact with their class teachers.

MEDICAL DETAILS

With the start of a new school year, please ensure your child/ren’s medical details are up to date. To check this information, log on to parent lounge and check the medical tab. Please update if necessary. If your child has a medical action plan, please make sure it is current. If it is due for renewal please drop a copy of the updated plan to the office or upload it to the medical section for your child in parent lounge.

It is essential for the school to have updated medical details on file. Your cooperation with this request is appreciated. If you have any questions regarding this process, please come and see me or email me at: deanne_senini@rok.catholic.edu.au.

Regards,
Deanne Senini
Assistant Principal Curriculum

FINANCE NEWS

School Fees for Term 1 were due for payment on Tuesday 16/2/21.

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 you currently have a direct debit set up with us, you do not need to do anything further.

If you have a means tested Concession Card and have not yet given a copy to the Finance Secretary, please do so as soon as possible.

All new families should have received your Parent Lounge Login details.

If you have not received these, please contact Tracey or Megan in the office.

If paying by Direct Deposit, please use your Account Number as the reference instead of names (this is the 6-digit number on your Fee Statement).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Congratulations to the following students who will celebrate their birthday this week. They are: Ella Perry (P), Gabriel Maker (Yr 5), Raven McKenzieWeeding (Yr 1), Benn Martin (Yr 3),Noah Wale (Yr 1), Adalyn Cann (Yr 1), Mace Downie (Yr 4), Sophie Lawrence (P), Jax Maas (Yr 3), Mackenzie Cavanough (Yr 2), and Jack Wooler (Yr 6).

Have a great day.

P & F NEWS

Thank you to all that were able to attend the first meeting of 2021. With what may have been one of the biggest attendances ever, it was wonderful to see so many new faces, and share in the exciting ideas for our school community for the upcoming year.

Our next meeting will be held Wednesday March 10th, commencing at 6.30pm in the Library.

The Uniform Shop is back in operation. Open Monday morning 8.15am to 9am; and Friday 2.15pm to 2.45pm. Please contact Katie Cornick via the school office or the P&F.

Every amazing school community needs a strong volunteer base. If you would like to donate your time, ideas, services etc please contact the P&F or complete the survey below. Remember, many hands make light work, and it all starts with “just one thing….”.

All of our volunteers will need an induction. Held each Monday straight after assembly in the MPA (stage area), or Friday afternoon at 2.30pm in the office. To arrange an alternative time, please contact Mrs Senini via the office, or email: Deanne_senini@rok.catholic.edu.au. Remember, inductions are required to be completed every year. Our volunteers will also need to obtain a Blue Card. Please see either Tracey or Megan in the office to obtain an application form. Although this process is quite simple, it can take up to 4 weeks to process before you can volunteer. Be sure to start this process as soon as possible!

Thank you for your continued support.

St Joey’s P&F

EMMAUS COLLEGE

Current, new and prospective families are encouraged to attend our upcoming Welcome to Emmaus event and witness all that our college community has to offer.

Take a tour of our facilities, meet our various Faculty representatives, and be immersed in the vast offerings of extra-curricular life here at Emmaus College.

Enrolment interviews for Year 7/2022 at Emmaus, will commence on Tuesday 9th March and therefore enrolment applications should be lodged before this date.

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