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- PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
- DEPUTY PRINCIPAL (ACTING)
- ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL PRIMARY
- ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL FORMATION & IDENTITY
- SCHOOL NEWS
- YEAR 9 CAMP - MT TAMBORINE
- SLIME TIME - YEAR 11 STUDENTS LAUNCH SCIENCE CLUB!
- STUDENTS THINK OUTSIDE THE SQUARE
- ITALIAN ART & GETTING SCHOOLED IN THE ART OF MAKING PIZZA!
- DEFYING GRAVITY
- IT'S UP FOR DEBATE!
- CELEBRATING CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK - TUESDAY 30TH JULY
- CAN IT FOR A CAUSE
- THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS
- SPORT
- THANK YOU FROM P&F COMMITTEE - EISTEDDFOD
- UPCOMING EVENTS
- WOOLWORTHS EARN N LEARN - THANK YOU FOR 'STICKING' TOGETHER!
- LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS - SNOWFLAKES IN STANTHORPE
As a busy Semester 1 comes to an end I would like to congratulate all the students on their learning and involvement in school life so far this year. It was very pleasing to see the good results and positive comments on so many report cards. I encourage all students to reflect on their successes and the areas they can improve in, and come back prepared to work with their teachers to be the best they can be.
I am pleased with the good work that our staff have put in across the school. Thanks to all staff for their efforts. We are committed to providing the best opportunities for our students. Strong leadership, quality teaching and learning, fair and consistent practices and timely communication are what we are consistently striving to achieve.
I also would like to thank the P&F Committee for their support and contributions this semester. Their work and advice adds significantly to the success of the school.
Similarly, I am very grateful for the advice and direction that the School Board provides to me. We have a number of exciting changes planned for the school over the next six months. The Board plays an important role in helping to shape that change.
Finally, congratulations to Father Brian who celebrated the 50 year anniversary of his ordination this week. Father shared that experience with a visit to our students during the week.
Have a safe and restful semester break.The final weeks of Semester 1 have certainly gone quickly, with students working positively towards completing assessment requirements. I congratulate all students on an excellent Semester and the strong academic results that are evident in the Semester reports. In relation to Semester reports, these will be mailed out towards the end of Week 10. Please take the time to work through the feedback within these reports, and as always, I encourage parents to contact the relevant staff or myself if you wish to discuss anything contained within these reports. For secondary parents, Parent Teacher Consultations will occur in early Term 3, providing an excellent opportunity for parents, students and teachers to discuss Semester 1 and collaborate to set academic goals for Semester 2. Further information relating to the online booking system for Parent Teacher Consultations will be sent in a broadcast shortly.
In Week 9, Andrew Kendall and myself spoke with the Year 5 and 6 students in relation to secondary schooling at St Joseph’s School. We emphasised the strong academic history of our school, the supportive and nurturing learning environment offered, and the quality teaching and learning. In particular, we presented the improved and diverse curriculum offerings that are planned for 2020 and beyond. In early Term 3, we will present to all parents the expanded subject offerings in secondary at the upcoming Year 6 into Year 7 Parent Information Night. Below is a summary of the expanded offerings planned for the Senior School (Year 11 and 12) in 2020.
In Week 10, a variety of important and valuable experiences have taken place. The Year 9 students, under the care of Mr Stone and Mrs Rhymer, attended camp at Mt Tamborine. Year 10 students completed three days of work experience across various industry sectors. This experience will provide some useful real-world experience in careers of interest as we lead into the Senior Education and Training plan meetings in early Term 3. A huge thank you to all the employers who have provided this support to our Year 10 students during this placement.
The Year 11 students participated in a First Aid qualification and commenced the formal leadership program as they transition into the Year 12 leaders for 2020. The Year 12 non-OP students completed work experience or structured work placement with their School Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship (SBA) employer. Again, we thank the various employers who have kindly provided this opportunity to our students. The Year 12 Queensland Core Skills (QCS) students completed intensive workshops at the Queensland College of Wine and Tourism (QCWT) and on-site at St Joseph’s School. The first two days, at QCWT, involved specific sessions focusing on each of the three different test formats. Following these practical sessions, practice test sessions were undertaken to reinforce the strategies developed in the workshops.
Finally, I wish all students, parents, families and staff a safe and happy mid-year break. I hope everyone returns fresh and ready to engage in a busy and productive Semester 2.
Matthew Brown
Deputy Principal (Acting)
ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL PRIMARY
With this newsletter comes the end of Semester 1. It has been an eventful Semester with so many opportunities available to every student across varied domains. It is important to us as a school that we don’t just help the children to grow academically but that we offer possibilities for spiritual, social, emotional and cultural growth. Amongst other things, this semester has seen some or all of the students perform in the Border District Eisteddfod and the Stanthorpe Busking event, participate in Life Education with Healthy Harold, compete in sporting events at school (local and district level), undertake learning around building and nurturing friendships, engage with members of the community, donate produce to people who are in need, show respect by commemorating ANZAC Day and learn about what it means to be resilient. This is as well as undertaking exciting learning projects in the classrooms. I would have to say that each and every student in the Primary classes has grown in so many ways. We have witnessed it as staff, and I am sure parents would also have seen it. This is a time of celebration; it doesn’t matter where you are compared with other students, but it matters that we celebrate the growth – however small and in whichever domain - of each individual.
Today we shared affirmations of each member of the Primary Campus during our School Liturgy. This was an opportunity to celebrate our personal strengths and growth with each other, as recognised by our peers. We certainly are all special in the eyes of God and each person contributes to the life of St Joseph’s School in their own unique way. Everyone here is valued for who they are.
My thanks are extended to all the staff on the Primary Campus who have worked tirelessly for the students this semester and also to the students who give us such joy each day. I trust that all families will have the opportunity to spend some quality time together over the next two weeks and to show how important each individual is to the family.
Sarah Yates
Assistant to the Principal Primary
ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL FORMATION & IDENTITY
Living Water
Recently I attended the launch of The Living Water Praxis program, a program offered to students in Term 4 Year 11 and concluding in Term 3 Year 12. The program is an experiential service learning program which enables students to reflect on who they are and who they can be, both as individuals and as part of the wider community. Through prayer, liturgy, social justice, reflection and advocacy, students have the opportunity to engage more authentically in their own lives and the lives of others through living the Gospel values.
One of the speakers at the launch of the program was Jesuit Priest Fr Richard Leonard (pictured in the centre below) who referred to the capacity of the program to form character and build relationships. He highlighted the need for our young people to know the compassion and sense of dignity they bring to others. Through entering the lives of other people as ‘guest’ students will understand that communication is not what is said, but rather it is what is received.
Megan Mahoney
Assistant to the Principal Formation & Identity
FROM THE VOICE OF CATHERINE MCAULEY-FOUNDER OF THE SISTERS OF MERCY
Coming editions of our newsletter will feature inspiring quotes from Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy. As a Mercy School, we are inspired by the passion and commitment of the Mercy sisters in their work at St Joseph’s School from 1875. Following on from the last newsletter, below is a brief description of the establishment of the Sisters of Mercy in Stanthorpe (Source: Fr Brian Connoly, Stanthorpe Border Post 2016).
The Sisters of Mercy arrived in Stanthorpe on 9 Feburary 1875, represented by Sisters Mary Agnes, Emilian, Muredach and Malachy. The first school was formerly the Globe Hotel which was located where the presbytery now stands. In 1907, the old hotel building was replaced with a new school, which was added to in 1919 when the old church was moved and converted into classrooms. Compared to modern standards, the living conditions of the Sisters were very basic and they made many peronal sacrifices to provide a Catholic Education for the children of the Granite Belt. As well as teaching the academic and religious subjects, the Sisters of Mercy also made a major contributon to the cultural life of the Granite Belt through music, speech and drama.
"We must strive to do ordinary things, extraordinarily well."
Catherine McAuley
This week, twenty-one Year 9 students travelled to the Queensland Conference and Camping Centre (QCCC) at Mt Tamborine for school camp from Monday 24 June to Wednesday 26 June. The outdoor education experience was filled with group activities and exercises, designed to test the group’s ability to problem solve, work together, overcome difficult physical demands, and organise and plan independently.
Some of the outdoor activities included a survivor challenge, giant swing and ladder, climbing wall, archery and mountain bike riding. While the students ended up very muddied and a little bruised after some of the activities, they handled each situation with strength and spirit.
Camp teachers, Mrs Emma Rhymer and Mr Scott Stone, were very impressed with the student's resolve, patience and ability to work with each other to achieve results. The message to students before departing was to not leave the personal growth on camp, but to take it back into their everyday school experience. Year 9 students are now well placed to move into Senior School at the end of the year, with the camping program playing a large part in progressing their development.
SLIME TIME - YEAR 11 STUDENTS LAUNCH SCIENCE CLUB!
Year 11 students have launched a lunch time Science Club, where they invite younger students to participate in activities designed to engage and enthuse students’ love of learning in science. The first club was held on Thursday 13th June with Year 7 and 8 students and the second club was held on Thursday 20th June with Year 5 and 6 students. During their lunch, students made non-newtonian slime which behaves as both a liquid and solid! The club also provides the Year 11 students with the opportunity to develop their leadership and mentoring skills.
STUDENTS THINK OUTSIDE THE SQUARE
Earlier in the school year, ten students from Year 5 and 6 were selected to compete in the Computational and Algorithmic Thinking (CAT) competition. This competition has been part of our maths school curriculum for a number of years, and forms an important part of our Problem-Solving Program.
Designed to test the ability to solve real world problems, students complete a series of questions of increasing difficulty during a one hour online examination.
Other aspects of this program include weekly lessons targeting Problem Solving skills, Maths Games and Olympiad Contests, The Australian Mathematics Challenge and the annual Granite Belt Maths Team Challenge.
This year, 7 of our 10 competitors Magnolia Mills, Jaiden Morello, Sophie Brunckhorst, Liam Telfer, Heidi Favaro and Mckayla De Mamiel received Participation Certificates, Erin O’Dea and Jacob Hennoste received Credits, Jack Brown received a Distinction and Harry Wren received a High Distinction. Harry was also recognised with an Excellence Award for achieving a perfect score! Well done to all competitors on being selected to compete and on the excellent results achieved.
ITALIAN ART & GETTING SCHOOLED IN THE ART OF MAKING PIZZA!
As part of their LOTE studies, St Joseph's School Primary students recently completed art pieces on the theme of a Gelateria (ice-cream shop) for submission into the Calligram Competition. The Calligram Competition is launched each year for students from Prep to Year 8, with students designing a calligram (text arranged in a way that it forms a related image) using Italian words. It was a bumper year for entries, with students excelling in their artworks! Congratulations to the following students and good luck in the competition:
- David Kendall (1)
- Aiden McCosker (2)
- Fletcher Heads (2)
- Lily Tuvukica (3/4T)
- Georgia Petrie (3/4T)
- Jye Marino (3/4C)
- Vayda Heads (3/4C)
- Faith Lancaster (3/4C)
- Luca Pompetti (3/4T)
- Juliette Pompetti (5/6C)
- Sienna Berlese (5/6S)
Meanwhile, Year 1 students have also had a hands-on Italian lesson at the Valente's Kitchen at the Secondary Campus. With the help of parents, 15 pizzas were cooked and eaten by the class. Thank you to Mrs Muller & Mrs Stone, Bec, Cara, Katrina, Naomi, Kitty, Claire, Lauren and Mrs Wilson. Without your help, the morning would not have been possible! The recipe for the pizza bases is below for those who would like to make some tasty Italian pizzas during the school holidays:
Year 1 Pizza Base Recipe
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 teaspoons sugar, dissolved
- 2 teaspoons yeast, leave to froth for 5-10 minutes
- 3-4 cups plain flour, add gradually to make soft playdough consistency
- Knead into ball and rest in covered bowl til doubled in size
- Punch down and knead briefly, leave in bowl for 30-60 minutes
- Cut up, knead and roll for pizza bases
Lastly, congratulations again to all Italian students who practiced and performed at the Border District Eisteddfod. It was great to see so many St Joseph’s School families supporting students, helping at home with extra practice and sharing what they love about Italian!
Year 3/4T students are currently working through a Science Unit learning about contact and non-contact forces, how they affect us, and how we use them in our lives. Gravity and friction are two forces the class have been experimenting with and they are now currently looking at how they can use these forces to make mini rollercoasters for a variety of different balls. The properties of the different items (both the tracks and the balls) certainly affected the outcomes!
Debating and public speaking helps students to develop their research and critical thinking skills, improve their general knowledge and learn how to present a point of view and rebuttal. It's also a great way for students to develop their self-confidence while working in a team! On Wednesday 19th June, Year 7 and 8 students participated in a structured debate against Stanthorpe State High School on the topics of school moving to a 4 day week and changing the date of Australia Day.
Students have been guided and coached to develop their skills in communication, as well as their ability to think critically, by Mrs Mary Roberts and Mrs Courtney Law. Year 7 students enjoyed success, winning their round of debating, while Year 8 students unfortunately lost their round to Stanthorpe State High School, despite debating extremely well. All students have enjoyed sharpening their skills of persuasion and the competitive drive to win the argument! Our next debate for Year 7, 8 and 9 will be held in Week 4 of next term and our teams are already busy preparing.
CELEBRATING CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK - TUESDAY 30TH JULY
Catholic Education Week will be celebrated across Queensland from 28th July – 3rd August 2019. This annual event is held to promote the special ethos of Catholic schools and to highlight the great things that take place in Catholic schools every day. The theme for this year’s celebrations is: Many Voices. One Spirit.
Catholic education strives to make a difference in the lives of those in our schools and in the wider community by challenging young people to live out the message of Jesus and to reach their full potential as compassionate, contributing, life-giving members of society.
There are 306 Catholic schools in Queensland that educate around 149,000 students and employ more than 20,000 teachers and staff, and most will celebrate Catholic Education Week in some way.
We would like to extend the below invitation to all families to attend St Joseph's School's celebration of Catholic Education Week being held on Tuesday 30th July at 11.30am.
With cooler nights and chilly mornings, we often seek a hot meal and the comfort of warmth. However with the current drought and increasing living expenses, putting a hot meal on the table can be difficult for many families. In order to assist we are collecting cans of food which can be heated and eaten as a meal for donation to the local St Vincent de Paul Chapter. Items may include cans of soup, spaghetti, baked beans, stew or bolognese. Families who would like to donate blankets or other warm items are welcome to do so as well. Supporting the winter appeal enables staff and students to live out our Mercy values in the simplest of ways; through assisting the poor, showing compassion, and ensuring dignity to those in need. Donations can be left in the Primary Office or outside Mrs Oag's office. The Appeal will conclude at the end of Week 1 Term 3.
Thank you to all of our parents and volunteers who have given up their time in Term 2 to be helpers in classrooms, at the tuckshop, on excursions and coaching sporting teams! We recognise the vital role that you play in the education and development of students at St Joseph's School! Have a safe and happy holiday period and we look forward to welcoming everyone back when Term 3 commences on Monday 15th July.
BRONCO'S GALA CUP
The second gala day of the Bronco’s Gala Cup tournament in netball and rugby league was held in Goondiwindi on the 12th of June, where students played in the finals for the trophies in their divisions.
Two teams represented St Joseph’s School in the B Division Netball for Years 7- 10. Both teams played well all day, with the last game of the day a battle between the Year 8 and Year 9 St Joseph’s School teams to decide who would place 3rd. The result was a very close game, with the Year 9 team winning by just one goal, 11– 10.
In rugby league, St Joseph’s School students joined forces with Inglewood State School and Texas State School to become ‘St Texwood’. Despite some entertaining football, the opposition proved too strong for St Texwood, winning the game 38- 24. St Texwood placed fouth overall.
All students represented the school well and proved that as a school we are continually improving. Thank you to Mrs Courtney Law, Mrs Courtenay Mason and Mr Jacob Steele for attending with the students.
DARLING DOWNS ATHLETICS CARINVAL
On Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th June, 15 students from St Joseph’s School traveled to Toowoomba as part of the Granite Belt team to compete at The Darling Downs 9-12 years Regional Athletics Championships.
Many of our representatives achieved personal best performances on the day and it was great to see the effort, resilience and sportsmanship on display. To make a final or to ‘place’ in any event at The Darling Downs Athletics is an impressive achievement but for so many of our competitors to achieve such outstanding results at this level is very exciting. Alex Waterworth, Katie-Lee Jansink and Darius Jansink have qualified to represent the Darling Downs Team at The Queensland State Athletics Championships to be held in Brisbane later this year.
THANK YOU FROM P&F COMMITTEE - EISTEDDFOD
The P&F Committee would like to thank the Border District Eisteddfod Committee, along with Bec Telfer, for offering them the opportunity to contribute to their event by catering and providing the canteen over the 5 days of the Dance Section, from Wednesday 29th May through to Sunday 2nd June.
Firstly, a massive thank you to Kath O’Connor, who as the Coordinator, not only provided some delicious lunches and the scones on a daily basis, but took care of the canteen as well. The P&F Committee are very grateful to Kath for being so willing to take on this role as she gave generously of her time and experience.
A big thank you to the parents who supported the P&F Committee in many ways by volunteering their time helping in the canteen, donating baked goods, cooking and donating meals and ingredients.
The P&F Committee would also like to offer their thanks to Ann Richardson and Kylie Linton of the Stanthorpe Scout Group who ran the canteen last year and offered their assistance this year. Thank you must also go to the Linton family who donated the use of their coffee machine over the 5 days as well.
It was a pleasure to be part of such a wonderful community event that showcases the many amazing talents of our children.
28 June | Student Free Day |
30 June- 5 July | QISSN & Confraternity Shield |
15 July | Start of Term 3 |
22- 26 June | Student Council Sleep Week |
29 July- 3 August | Catholic Education Week |
7 August | Year 6 into Year 7 Parent Information Night |
WOOLWORTHS EARN N LEARN - THANK YOU FOR 'STICKING' TOGETHER!
The Woolworths Earn n Learn program has now finished! Thank you to everyone who participated. We look forward to sharing how many stickers we were able to collect and what great resources we purchase with the points earned!
LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS - SNOWFLAKES IN STANTHORPE
The Snowflakes in Stanthorpe committee is recruiting volunteers from Friday 5th - Sunday 7th July.
The areas where volunteers are required include:
- Workshop Supervisors (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) Supervisors will assist children in activities including but not limitied to Sand Art, Badge Making and Snow Globe Making.
- Igloo Making Supervisors (Saturday and Sunday) Supervisors will assist children in igloo making and to help ensure they are playing safely.
- Fun Run Supervisors (Sunday) A children's Frosty Fun Run is being held on Sunday morning at 9.30am. Supervisors are required to help set up and supervise the event.
- Cleanup (Sunday) Volunteers are required to help pull marquees down and stack chairs and tables on Sunday afternoon after 2pm.
All volunteers will get free entry into Snowflakes in Stanthorpe if they are able to commit to a minimum 4 hour shift. A Volunteer and Setup Day will be held on Saturday 29th of June where volunteer schedules and entry tickets will be provided.
Those interested can contact Donna Boswell at donnaboswell58@gmail.com or on her mobile 0419 261 604.