29 March 2023

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE ACTING PRINCIPAL

St Joseph’s Learning Spaces

We often have people ask us how our rooms operate and why we do what we do. Over the term, I will share with you the reasons why we love our teaching and learning spaces and philosophy.

Reason Number One: Small group workshops allowing for target teaching according to need.
Reason Number Two: Our rooms enable students to move regularly.
Reason Number Three: Our learning spaces enable regular collaboration opportunities.
Reason Number Four: Our learning spaces help build positive relationships.
Reason Number Five: Increased level of engagement
Reason Number Six: Teacher Expertise
Reason Number Seven: Our rooms allow teachers to spend time checking in pastorally with students. While one teacher starts the day with the students, the other teacher can do check ins with students who require this additional support.

Year 6 Camp

Year 6 are currently having a great time at Chaverim Outdoor Education Centre. They are enjoying spending time with each other, stepping out of their comfort zone with physical activities, working together, trying new food, helping with jobs (setting the tables, washing up, sweeping out their dorms etc) and building new friendships. I hope they really value this opportunity, and it remains a highlight for them for many years to come.

School Board

The school board members for 2023 are:

Bernard Fitzgerald (Principal)
Dane Coughlan (Board Chair and Parish Representative)
Pat McDevitt (Diocesan Representative)
Ann McCutcheon (Staff Representative)
Parent Representatives:
Melissa Bell (Secretary)
Sally Compagnoni
Paul Stewart
Jill Kaufman
Lorinda Goodsall

I thank them for their commitment to this important ministry in our school.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Parent teacher interviews are scheduled for week 2 of next term. Parents will be able to book an interview through parent lounge over the holidays. Bookings will open at 8am on 3rd April and close at 5pm on 16th April. This is a great opportunity to talk to your child’s teachers about their progress.

Second Hand Uniform Shop

The school second hand uniform shop is located at the top of the ramp of the stage area and is open Wednesday and Friday mornings from 8:00am – 8:45am.

I thank everyone for their support of me in the role of Acting Principal during Term 1. I have really enjoyed the experience and feel we have achieved many things throughout this term. We look forward to welcoming Bernard back next term. I wish everyone a happy and holy Easter and a wonderful holiday break.

Upcoming Events:

• Year 6 Camp: 27th March – 30th March
• Last Day of Term 1 – 31st March
• Easter Holidays – parent lounge open to book parent teacher interviews
• Parent Teacher Interviews – 24th April – 28th April (excluding ANZAC day)
• ANZAC Day March – 25th April

Regards,
Deanne Senini
Acting Principal

St Joseph’s 2022 School Improvement Priorities:

• Prayer
• Family Partnerships
• Increased Learning Gain & Achievement

RELIGIOUS MATTERS

5th Sunday of Lent

I am the resurrection and the life.

John 11:1-45

Scriptural context – Jesus wept

‘Jesus wept’ is the shortest verse in the New Testament. Just two little words carry a world of emotion and speak volumes about Jesus. Pope Leo I used this verse to highlight the two natures of Jesus, pointing out that in his humanity, Jesus wept for the death of his friend, but in his divinity Jesus raised Lazarus to life. Lazarus and his sisters were close friends of Jesus and Jesus is clearly emotional about the death and its effect on Martha and Mary. That Jesus is about to restore Lazarus to life does not deny the grief and mourning at Lazarus’ death.

@Liturgy Help – Greg Sunter

Project Compassion Fundraisers; Meal Deal & Line of Coins

A reminder that this Thursday, March 30, we are fundraising for our Caritas’ Project Compassion Appeal. A meal deal has been offered through QuickCliq and we will be challenging one another to see which class can make the longest line of coins.

End of Term Prayer Celebration

Also on March 30, we will share a Prayer Celebration to conclude our term. This will be presented by the Junior Joeys Student Group and will be centred around the journey of Jesus on Good Friday. All community members are welcome to join us at this celebration.

Holy Week

The days and week before Easter, also known as Holy Week, can be a wonderful time for encouraging children to understand the significance of the days before Christ’s crucifixion and the resurrection. Holy Week, also known as Passion Week, is the week before Easter, beginning with Palm Sunday and ending on Easter.

Across Rockhampton, there are many opportunities to celebrate the events of this important week. Each occasion is unique and recalls how Jesus prepared for his death on Good Friday and his joyful resurrection on Easter Sunday.

The dates, times and places for these opportunities are below. It would be wonderful to see some of our Joeys' families joining our wider faith community over Holy Week. Everyone is so welcome and our parishioners love seeing families come along.

Liturgical Celebrations Coming Up

*SJPA – St Joseph’s Park Avenue
*OLHC – Our Lady Help of Christians church (next to St Joseph’s, Park Avenue)
*HF – Holy Family Parish Centre (next to Anthony’s School)
*MPA – Multipurpose Area (Basketball court)

PARISH NEWSLETTER

Elizabeth Carter
Assistant Principal Religious Education

CURRICULUM NEWS

THANK YOU

To all students, families and staff, thank you for your support and kindness as I navigated the Acting Assistant Principal Curriculum position this term. This has been a time for me to embrace Joey’s learning dispositions of:

• Collaboration
• Persistence
• Independence
• Resilience and
• Creativity

Being part of a learning community committed to educating the whole child and a team that recognises the needs of others is a real blessing.

PARENT-TEACHER INTERVIEWS

Parent-Teacher Interviews will be held in Week 2 of Term 2 (24-28 April, not ANZAC Day). All families are encouraged to book an interview to discuss their child’s progress. These interviews are a welcome opportunity for face-to-face meetings that may not yet have been had this year. Bookings can be made through Parent Lounge, and bookings will be open to parents/carers over the school holidays. If you have trouble accessing your Parent Lounge account, please see Tracey or Megan in the office; they will gladly assist you.

VOLUNTEERS

A massive thank you to all volunteers who joined us during Term One. We look forward to welcoming you back in Term Two. If you have not volunteered at Joey’s, there are various ways. If you’d like to volunteer in the tuckshop, please get in touch with the office or catch up with our 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 must complete a volunteer induction; this will happen in the office before you start. Even if you have completed an induction before, the induction must be done every year. If you are a grandparent or community member, please pop into the office and see Tracey or Megan to collect a Volunteer Blue Card Application. For this process, you will require a copy of your driver license certified by a JP or someone similar.

Please know that all you do to support the school community is appreciated.

Regards,
Brooke Black
Acting Assistant Principal Curriculum

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Congratulations to the following students who will celebrate their birthday this week and over the holidays. They are: Charles Towner (Prep), Nathaniel Oliffe (Yr 5), Prithik Suresh (Prep), Matilda Wooler (Yr 3), Matilda Hancock (Yr 2), Milena Lukic (Prep), Benson Perkins (Yr 4), Leon Stanley (Prep), Nahla White (Yr 3), Maggie Wooler (Yr 6), Magenta McBean (Yr 1), Caleb Wells (Yr 1), Mr Fitzgerald, Mr Tennyson (Yr 5) and Mrs Mac (OSHC).

Have a great day.

LIVING LAUDATO SI

Here’s a link to a great video that summarises Laudato Si’.

Holiday Activity

The holidays are a great time to start your very own veggie, herb or flower garden. It doesn’t have to be a massive project by any means. Here are a few ideas to get started, to create some colour, start with a pot of petunias or marigolds. For veggies, look at planting beans, beetroot, lettuce, broccoli, or pumpkin to name just a few!

Please take a picture of your newly planted garden and send them to kelson_tennyson@rok.catholic.edu.au I hope to share some pictures in next term's newsletter. Good luck and happy gardening!

OFFER OF FREE DENTAL TREATMENT

If you experience difficulty scanning the QR code with your phone the link below can be clicked:

If you still have trouble accessing the QR code, please ring 4920 6372 or email cqhhscaohs@health.qld.gov.au.

Oral Health Therapist, Natashia Rayner will be our health professional on site. Any enquiries please contact the school dental administrative team on 4920 7556 / 4920 6372 or Liza Pretorius on 4920 7553 during business hours.

Good oral health is an important part of healthy living, and we appreciate your cooperation and welcome any questions you may have regarding our service.

Parents will be responsible for ensuring their child/children attend at the agreed appointment times.

PARENT/CARER SURVEY – CATHOLIC SCHOOLS PARENTS QUEENSLAND

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Job Opportunity: Caritas Australia Diocesan Director for Rockhampton

Caritas Australia is seeking a passionate Diocesan Director for the Rockhampton Diocese. This paid role is appointed by Caritas Australia in conjunction with the Bishop of Rockhampton and promotes the work of Caritas Australia through fundraising, advocacy and relationships with schools and parishes.

The role is flexible, working 1 day/7.6 hours per week on average across the year and involves engaging with communities across the Rockhampton Diocese, supporting Caritas Australia appeals and coordinating volunteers.

Duties include:

• Coordinating Project Compassion including the Diocesan Project Compassion Launch
• Providing a communications pathway between Caritas and the Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton parishes and schools
• General administration tasks

For more information, including a copy of the role description and overview, contact the HR Manager on 4887 3090. To apply for the position, submit your resume and cover letter to hr@rok.catholic.net.au. Diocesan employees are encouraged to apply.

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