4 August 2021

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Welcome to Week 4.

I would like to pass on my congratulations to the staff and students of Emmaus College who were involved with the production of their 2021 musical, FAME. I was lucky enough to attend last Friday evening on opening night and I am always amazed at the wealth of talent shown in the Arts in acting, singing, stage production and music from our youth. It was also wonderful to see so many past Joeys students involved in such a wonderful event.

Our NAIDOC Day celebrations were wonderful last Thursday with many people coming together and celebrating the theme, ‘Heal Country.’ Mrs Ivers and Mrs Gray have worked very hard along with other community members to provide a wonderful day that celebrated the culture of our land’s ancient people. While wandering around the school I was delighted to see the smiles and hear the laughter of our students enjoying the day. I have also been inundated by students and community members who mentioned how delightful it was to see staff and students get up to take part in some Indigenous dance at the end of the day. As those who were there would attest to, dancing is not one of Mr Fitz’ strongest abilities.

Well done to our CAPRAS Cup team who competed as one of only six nominated teams (4 of which are Catholic Primary schools) at Emmaus College last Saturday.

Our team drew a tough Pool having to play back-to-back games against St Anthony’s and St Peter’s for the carnival. After the Pool games, the team defeated Parkhurst State School at the end of the day for 5th. Thank-you to Miss Hamilton and Mrs Brennan for all the preparation in the lead up to the day. The team played well and had a blast.

This week we welcome Kira Tickner to Joey’s who has taken on the role as our new Arts teacher for the remainder of the year. Kira is a new graduate teacher who recently completed her final in school Practical Placement with Ann McCutcheon in Year 2. Kira has a specialist Arts degree and is looking forward to becoming a part of the Joey’s family. I am sure you will all make Kira feel welcome.

Congratulations to Harper, Cooper, Emma, Flynn, Caitlyn, Audrey and their families as these students celebrated the Sacrament of First Holy Communion at Our Lady Help of Christians last Saturday evening. Due to the large group that have taken part in the Sacramental program and COVID last year, a group of students will be taking part in the Sacraments over a number of weeks rather that one large celebration like we have had in the past.

It was wonderful to host our first Children’s Mass in nearly 18 months at Our Lady Help of Christians church on Saturday evening. Having our school and parish community come together to celebrate the Eucharist was a delight to see.

I am aware that Saturday’s mass clashed with a number of community events and that we have not hosted a school led celebration in some time, but we will be endeavouring to have these events become significant events on our Joey’s calendar once again.

Have a great week.

Don’t Forget …

• Upper Ninja Warrior Playground installation. Week beginning Mon 2nd August. (Postponed due to COVID)
• Prep 2022 offers emailed out 20th August.
• Season B Sport Grand Final Day. Friday 27th August.
• Father’s Day. Sunday 5th September.

Prep 2022 Orientation Day. Thursday 21st October in term 4.

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

St Joseph’s 2021 School Improvement Priorities:

• Writing
• Parent Engagement
• Social Emotional Learning

RELIGIOUS MATTERS

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus is the bread of life

John 6:24-35

Today's gospel is the second in a series of five continuous readings from John. Last week we heard the story of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Food, particularly bread, is a key symbol in this cycle of readings. Here Jesus calls himself the 'bread of life'. He is the food that nourishes and sustains the whole of creation.

@Liturgy Help – Jenny Close

Liturgical Celebrations Coming Up

*OLHC – Our Lady Help of Christians church – next to school
*MPA – Multipurpose Area (Basketball court)

Peer Support

In Peer Support children will discuss skills and how to communicate their feelings and needs to others. The children will discuss skills they use when participating in a variety of activities. When children understand they already have many of the skills needed to succeed, they can feel more confident when trying something new. The children are asked to identify events which trigger different feelings.

Encourage your child to remember the skills they have used in one activity when trying something new. Also encourage your child to communicate their feelings and needs.

Children’s Mass

We had a wonderful Eucharistic celebration with our students and their families on Saturday night. To top it off we also had another 6 students receive Jesus in communion for the first time. Thank you for joining the community and we look forward to our next celebration with hopefully many more children.

Sporting Success

Congratulations Slade and Finn. These boys were successful in their events at the recent Rockhampton District Athletics trials. They will now compete in Mackay on the 23rd and 24th of August.

Top effort boys!

Capras Cup

Lift Up Your Voice to The Lord! Sacred Concert

Bishop Michael is encouraging the performance of sacred music in our Cathedral and has invited schools and people from the Capricorn Coast to perform on the 8th of August. This is in addition to the Rockhampton Musical Union concert on Sunday 15th August.

We ask you to support this event and join our amazing performers from the Capricorn Parish and Schools as they sing and play beautiful Sacred Music and hymns that will be enhanced even further by the incredible acoustics of the Cathedral. The Lift Up Your Voice to The Lord! Sacred Concert is at St Joseph’s Cathedral on 8 August 2021 commencing at 2:00pm

Bring a gold coin donation and your voices as you will be asked to join in with Congregational singing of hymns!

Bernadette Brennan
Assistant Principal Religious Education

CURRICULUM NEWS

INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN SCIENCE WEEK

National Science Week is celebrated during the week of 15th – 21st August, which for us, is Term 3, Week 6. The 2021 theme is: Food: Different by Design. This year we are going to celebrate Science Week by organising an expo of displays for our students to engage with.

We are hoping to get some experts to volunteer their time to teach our students something interesting about Science or Technology (if that sounds like you or you know someone who might be interested, please let me know).

As well as these professionals from our community, we’d love for some of our own students to run a display. It doesn’t have to match in with the theme but simply be something to do with Science or Technology that they are interested in.

Some ideas:

• Teach the community about the importance of bees and how they help us
• Explain how a volcano erupts
• Show how to filter dirty water
• Become an expert on a natural disaster and teach the community what you know
• Teach the community how to make soap
• Show off your coding skills with a robotics display
• Design a solar powered vehicle

Please note, this is not a competition but simply a way of celebrating Science by sharing our knowledge and passions. Also, parents don’t need to be present on the day as long as the student can talk to their topic and their display.

Attached below to complete and return to school if your child would like to prepare a display for our expo.

Attachment 2021 Science Week Nomination

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer your expertise and time, please contact me through the office or via email: deanne_senini@rok.catholic.edu.au.

Additional to our expo, the Emmaus College Astronomy Club has invited us down to Emmaus on the Tuesday evening of Science Week to explore the night sky through their telescopes. More details will be provided closer to Week 6.

Regards,
Deanne Senini
Assistant Principal Curriculum

CLASSROOM NEWS

Prep

Prep has been very busy stepping up our learning, especially with our reading and writing. Students are beginning to record words using their sound and letter knowledge and developing sentences. They are working hard to make their sentences exciting as we investigate books like ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ and various Fairy tales. Last week students celebrated NADIOC DAY by learning about Indigenous culture and connection to the land through daily activities and on Thursday the whole school came together to celebrate. Last week was also Catholic Education Week and the students have participated in church mass and discovering why Prayer was important to Jesus and his disciples.

This week is our first school excursion to the Pilbeam theatre to watch the production of Pete the Sheep and the students are very excited to go on the bus.

In maths and science, we are investigating measurement and positional language inside and outside the classroom. We are also using our outside learning environment to investigate and form conclusions in science. Students are making predictions and completing experiments to test items that sink and float. Identifying our 5 sense – taste, sight, touch, hearing and smell. Students are also examining if objects are natural, or man-made and sharing their thoughts on their decision making.

FINANCE NEWS

Fee Accounts for Term 3 are now Overdue

Term 3, 2021 Fee Statements were emailed and posted to Parent Lounge on Thursday 15th July. These are now overdue for payment.

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).

INCLUSIVE CURRICULUM

NCCD – Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability

Every year, in August, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). The NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability.

It is now a legislative requirement for the school to inform you if your child will be included in the NCCD. Your child’s teacher would have discussed this with you during your Semester 1 Parent/Teacher interview.

If you would like to access other information about the NCCD, this is a link to the NCCD Portal

If you have any questions about the NCCD, please contact the team in Inclusive Curriculum through the office.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Congratulations to the following students and staff who will celebrate their birthday last week and this week. They are: Makenzy Austin (Yr 6), Marley Austin (Yr 6), Lani Duncan (Yr 5), Lilly McLoughlin (Yr 6), Delany Andrews (Yr 4), Alyssah Pettett (Yr 1), Nate Bidgood (Yr 3), Luke Bowman (Yr 2), Egan Cass (Yr 6) Chelsea Holden (OSHC) and Mrs Senini (Office)

Have a great day.

DRAKES SUPA IGA

Drakes Fundraiser for St. Joseph's Cathedral

I thank you for your support of this project which has raised over $40,000, of which the school community has played an important role. Please continue to support the Cathedral by shopping at DRAKES using your key tag and receiving the benefits.

If you have not been part of this fundraiser you are invited to get a key tag from your local School or Church and shop at your local Drakes, one cent in every dollar you spend will go to the Cathedral. No Fuss, only benefits.

Hoping to see you at Drakes

Stay Safe

Shirley Hopkins,
Co-ordinator, Drakes Fundraiser for St Joseph's Cathedral