27 October 2021

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL - Bernadette Brennan

Welcome to Week 4.

As you are aware I am leaving Joey’s at the end of the year. I am pleased to announce that Mrs Elizabeth Carter has been appointed to the role of APRE commencing January 2022. We welcome Elizabeth as a permanent member of the Leadership Team and are excited to see her use her gifts and faith to enrich our school community.

World Teachers Day is this Friday for Queensland schools. We celebrate the service that all staff at St Joseph’s offer to ensure this is a school that enriches the lives of all and empowers the community to uphold the mission of St Mary of the Cross Mackillop. Our PREP class will lead a special Prayer Assembly in the MPA at 10:30 am on Friday.

Last week the school board gathered for the Annual General Meeting. We are pleased to welcome Dane Coughlan as the new Board Chairperson. Dane is a parent, teacher, and active member of the parish. He is currently part of the Enhancing Catholic School Identity team at TCC and will be great in partnership with parents, parish, and principal. We thank Matt Thompson for serving as chairperson this year.

Dane

Unfortunately, as students graduate and leave our school, so do their families. We are grateful for the service of Michelle Brook and Jason Conway on the school board. Their commitment has supported the spirituality and organisation of the board, fulfilled the school’s potential as an option of education for all and provided advice for Bernard over several years. We wish them well and hope they remember they are always ‘Joeys.’

2022 calendar dates have been added to the events on the Skoolbag App. These will continually be updated as new events are confirmed. Many dates are pending the release of the Catholic Education Diocese of Rockhampton calendar.

Calendar Dates – as listed in Events on Skoolbag

Term 4 2021

Week 4

• Friday 29th OCT Day for Daniel. – Wear a red shirt & World Teachers Day

Week 5

• Wednesday 3rd NOV TCC Year 6 Small Group Workshop 9:30am – 1:00pm
• Saturday 6th NOV OLHC @ 6:30pm Children’s Mass & BBQ

Week 6

• Wednesday 10th NOV P&F AGM in the Library @ 6:00pm

Week 7

• Monday 15th NOV TCC Year 7 Orientation Evening. 5:00pm – 6:30pm
• Tuesday 16th NOV Mike Kelso, AD Schools Rockhampton Term 4 Visit

Week 8

• Monday 22nd NOV in MPA @ 8:35am Semester 2 Cultural Assembly.
• Thursday 25th NOV Emmaus Year 6 Orientation Day
• Thursday 25th NOV Presentation Night in MPA @ 6:00pm

Week 9

• Monday 29th NOV Semester 2 Academic Awards in MPA @ 9:00am
• Wednesday 1st Dec Semester 2 Reports posted to Parent Lounge
• Wednesday 1st DEC Year 6 Graduation Mass in OLHC @ 6:00pm
• Wednesday 1st DEC Year 6 Graduation Meal @ RLC
• Thursday 2nd DEC Year 6 Fun Day
• Friday 3rd DEC @ 9:00am End of Year Mass & Leadership Change Over.
• Friday 3rd DEC 2021 Office Closes @ 3:15

Term 1 2022

• Monday, 10th January 2022 Office Reopens
• Thursday afternoon, 20th January 2022 (1:30 – 3:30) Resource Drop-off Day
• Monday, 24th January 2022 Term 1 Commences

Bernadette Brennan
Acting Principal - St. Joseph’s Catholic School Park Avenue

St Joseph’s 2021 School Improvement Priorities:

• Writing
• Parent Engagement
• Social Emotional Learning

RELIGIOUS MATTERS

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus gives sight to a blind man.

Mark 10:46-52

Living the Gospel – Faith

What does faith bring to our lives? The man in the Gospel was physically blind, but how are those that can see also blind? The challenge for us all is to really see others and to see Jesus in others. When have you walked past somebody who is hurt? When have you not seen the work of Jesus in your life?

Even though many were telling him to be quiet, the blind man bravely called out to Jesus. His faith in Jesus was rewarded and his sight was restored. This was a miracle but what does it mean for us today? We are called to be true disciples of Jesus. This often means being brave and following him when those around us are not. If we follow His call, just like the blind man, our faith will be rewarded. We will see Jesus at work in our lives.

@Liturgy Help – Greg Sunter

Children’s Mass is coming up again; 6 November is the date for our next celebration. Our Children’s Mass is followed by a BBQ. Please look at your family calendars to see if you can come. We’d love you to join us!

Vinnie’s Christmas Appeal will start in Week 5 of this term. Joey’s has generously contributed to this in the past and we look forward to doing so again. Each week, the students will be asked to donate a specific item type.

WEEK 5 – Snacks (no chocolate please)
WEEK 6 – Drinks
WEEK 7 – Tins
WEEK 8 – Christmas

When you donate, consider what your family likes to enjoy at Christmas, this is usually what other families would like too!

Liturgical Celebrations Coming Up

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

Parish Bulletin

North Rockhampton Parish Bulletin

Elizabeth Carter
Acting Assistant Principal Religious Education

CURRICULUM NEWS

ICAS Results

Congratulations to the following students on their recent ICAS assessment results:

Sam Conway (Year 6)

• ICAS Science: Credit (top 20% of participants in Australia)
• ICAS Mathematics: Participation

Mackenna Kinlyside (Year 6)

• ICAS Science: Participation

Connor Fulwood (Year 4)

• ICAS Mathematics: Participation
• ICAS Science: Participation

Thomas Compagnoni (Year 4)

• ICAS Mathematics: Credit (top 31% of participants in Australia)
• ICAS Digital Technologies: Merit (top 46% of participants in Australia)
• ICAS Science: Credit (top 30% of participants in Australia)
• ICAS English: Credit (top 32% of participants in Australia)

Kelsey Kinlyside (Year 3)

• ICAS Mathematics: Participation
• ICAS Science: Participation

Elizabeth Compagnoni (Year 2)

• ICAS Mathematics: Credit (top 19% of participants in Australia)
• ICAS Science: Credit (top 33% of participants in Australia)
• ICAS English: Participation

Premier’s Reading Challenge

Congratulations to the following students who participated in the Premier’s Reading Challenge:

Kiara Coughlan, Sophia Coughlan, Logan Gudgeon, Isla Honeyball, Oscar Jarrett, Alexis Lyons, Lilly Oliver, Ruthie Perkins, Gracie Simpson, Laylah Thomas, Matilda Wooler, Jake Baker, Ella Coughlan, Juliet Horton, Lucia Jarrett, Kelsey Kinlyside, Emilee Thompson, Madeleine Watson, Quinn Rooney, Amelia Horton.

Day for Daniel

Students are invited to come to school wearing a red shirt with their sports shorts on Friday, 29th October to celebrate the annual Day for Daniel. During this day students will participate in activities reminding them of the three key messages of Recognise, React, Report. Please note that students in Years 4-6 who leave the school for sport will need to change into their normal sports shirt before sport on this day.

Regards,
Deanne Senini
Assistant Principal Curriculum

FINANCE NEWS

TERM 4 FEE ACCOUNTS DUE FOR PAYMENT

Fee Accounts for Term 4 are now due

Term 4, 2021 Fees were due for payment on Monday 25th October. If you foresee difficulty in paying Fees, please see Bernard or Megan to discuss this.

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. When your card expires, please remember to present your new one to Megan so that you continue to receive the discount.

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).

CLASSROOM NEWS

Yr 2

Welcome to Term 4 in Year 2. We are still working very hard in all our subjects. Here are some highlights.

Maths: We have been weighing objects on scales and learning all about division. We decided division and sharing was a hard concept, but we’ve used lots of tools to help us problem solve our way through. Here are some photos that prove we love working out problems.

Religion: We are learning about how God started our wonderful world and how we are co-creators in this journey. Our stewardship of the earth is important and we have enjoyed working out what we, as Year 2 students, can do at St Joseph’s to help the environment.

English: Should children have homework? Should children be made to wear a uniform to school? Should Year 2 children have a bedtime? These are some of the persuasive topics we have looked at in English this term. We have also explored persuasive texts through books such as ‘What pet should I get’ (Dr. Seuss) and ‘The true story of the three little pigs’.

We are now getting ready to write our own piece to persuade others to save water.

Science: In science we did an experiment about the water cycle. Water is heated up from the sun. It turns into water vapour through a process of evaporation. The tiny droplets cool down and form clouds. When the clouds get too heavy the water droplets fall to the ground as precipitation. Some of the water collects underground and the rest goes back into rivers and lakes. This repeated process is called the water cycle.

HASS: In HASS we have enjoyed looking at how changing technologies have affected people’s lives over time. Over time there have been many changes to technologies, entertainment, toys, transport and school. Here is a photo of some of the objects we have looked at.

HEARTKIDS 2021 WALK

Congratulations to Year 2 student Eden Jackson for being chosen to be the Ambassador for the 2021 HeartKids Walk. HeartKids is an organization that supports children and families with congenital and childhood heart disease. It is the only national not-for-profit organisation solely focused on supporting and advocating for all people impacted by childhood heart disease.

Eden leading the way on 17th October 2021 from Kershaw Gardens for the Rockhampton HeartKids Walk.

Each child’s beads are special and unique to them and are a reward for all of the hardships the children face whilst in hospital. The children feel a sense of achievement for their courage and the beads help them to tell their story, trace their unique journey and forge relationships with other children.

Eden shared her story and her Heart Beads with her fellow Year 2 students.

Well done Eden for being so brave!

EARLY YEARS PRECINCT

What’s going on in the Early Years Precinct?

Lately there has been so much enthusiasm and excitement in our rooms. Last Thursday the Preppies visited grade 1 for the entire day. Whilst in grade 1 for the day with Mrs Hannah and Mrs Roati, they did some English and Maths workshops to experience life in grade 1, as well as practise our fine motor using playdoh and scissors and glue sticks. As our Grade 1 virtue is independence, lots of the Preppies were spotted working hard to do things expected in Grade 1 everyday such as carrying and unpacking their own bags, packing away their own materials after a workshop and working independently and collaboratively. At the end of the day the Preppies were proudly displaying their crowns they made to show that they are ‘ready for Grade 1’.

As the Preppies visited the grade 1 room and teachers to help transition them into the next year level, the current grade 1’s visited their year 6 buddies. They worked collaboratively with their buddies, getting to know them better and seeing what life is like in the upper precinct. They thoroughly enjoyed their day and are grateful to Miss Young, Miss Hamilton and Miss Thackeray for helping them learn for a day.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Congratulations to the following students who will celebrate their birthday this week. They are: Tate McArthur (Yr 3), Jacob Wall (Yr 3) and Audrey Smith (Yr 4).

Have a great day.

KEYBOARD LESSONS

Leanne Voss will continue to offer Keyboard lessons in 2022 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 and in the newsletter for both new and continuing students.

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