Megan Mahoney
Assistant to the Principal Formation & Identity

For this new approach to reading to be successful, one of the key factors is teachers and parents/carers working together to support the children in developing this skill.

How can parents support their child with reading at home?

One of the biggest indicators of successful reading comprehension is the ability to draw on background knowledge. By sharing a range of texts with your child and discussing the contents with them, knowledge is being built. We encourage you to use a wide variety of books and other stimuli, including such items as picture books, books with illustrations and no words and age-appropriate documentaries. The focus is on authentic texts and not those where the text is predictable and where clues are sought from pictures or a repetitious pattern of words.

Our focus at school is around decodable texts which are those which relate to the sounds that have been taught within the classroom and where learners break down (segment) words by their sounds before blending the sounds together again to form the word.

We also encourage you to talk about vocabulary with your child. This will not only assist their reading and comprehension, but there will also be an impact on the quality of their writing as they begin to utilise a more varied and sophisticated range of words.

Tuesday 27th February, Year 6 students were involved in a Leadership Retreat.

This was an opportunity for students to explore in more detail what it means to be the leaders of the Primary campus and consider how key people in our school’s history might be able to guide us in this responsibility.

As part of this significant event for the Year 6 students, they were presented with their Primary Leader badges which were first blessed by Father Gonzo.

Congratulations to our Year 12 students - Claire Williamson, Brigid O'Dea and Annaliese McCosker who competed in the Lions Youth of the Year on Monday 27th February at the Stanthorpe International Club.

The Lions Youth of the Year  program has a proud history in encouraging and fostering leadership skills in Australian students approaching the end of their high school years.

By emphasising qualities like contribution to the community and school, public speaking, academic skills, sporting and cultural involvement, Youth of the Year aims to bring forth the next generation of outstanding young Australians.

All girls performed admirably, both amongst themselves and against the talented competitors from Stanthorpe State High School. A heartfelt congratulations to Annaliese, the School Captain, on her victory! Her advancement to the next round in Goodiwindi on March 17 is certainly a testament to her skill and dedication. Wishing her the best of luck as she continues to compete!

Thankyou to Stanthorpe Lions for hosting the night and to our Curriculum Leader Mr Joseph Shorter for working with the girls to prepare them for the night.

The first Primary Disco of 2024 which was held on Friday 23rd February was a fantastic event!

Mrs Campbell and 5C deserve a big round of applause for organizing such a fun evening. Father Gonzo must have kept the energy high with great music, and it's wonderful to hear that many families contributed raffle prizes and baking to make the event even more enjoyable.

Kudos to the staff who supervised the evening, ensuring everything ran smoothly. With all the energetic dance moves, it's no wonder there were some tired children that night!

It sounds like a memorable and successful event for everyone involved.

On Wednesday 21st February, students were fortunate to be visited by the Courage to Care team.

This program equips students to navigate our diverse society with insight for deeper understanding, acceptance and inclusion. This is done through insight into the Holocaust and the stories of a Holocaust survivor.

The team had students explore their own attitudes and actions and provided them with tools to develop more empathetic responses, and the language to be an upstander, not a bystander.

On Thursday 22^nd February, the Year 10 cohort had the opportunity to hear first hand stories from several people regarding their experiences and work with refugees and asylum seekers.

Year 10A were visited by Anne Hilton and John and Linda Brady, all of whom have had significant and life changing experiences in working with refugees and asylum seekers both in Australia and across the world.

Anne described her experiences working with refugees in detention centres in Darwin, sharing with the students the profound impact this had on her at the time and today.  Linda and John described their incredible experiences working with refugees in Uganda and the unforgettable mark it left on their lives, leading them to return 23 times.

Year 10B were able to hear the stories of 3 staff from TRAMS (Toowoomba Refugee and Migrant Support) detailing not only their personal stories, but the work they continue to do with refugees and migrants arriving in Toowoomba, integrating them into the community, schools and the workforce.

The students were deeply and profoundly moved by these individuals and we thank them for their time in sharing their experiences with us.

“Be grateful for what you have, because you don’t know when it will be taken away”.

“Take a stand for what you think is right”.

“If the door is closed, it’s not your door to go through.  It it opens, take that door”.

“Pray for refugees and remember, every time you open your laptop, read a book etc, think of the less fortunate”.

It's heartening to learn about St Joseph's School's "Faith in Action Program" and the valuable service it provides to the Stanthorpe community through the Meals on Wheels Program. This initiative not only delivers meals but also embodies values of service, dignity, and compassion, which are essential aspects of community engagement and social responsibility.

The involvement of Year 8 students, along with the support of staff, demonstrates a commitment to nurturing a sense of empathy and responsibility towards others from a young age. The appreciation expressed by the clients reflects the meaningful impact that such initiatives have on individuals and communities.

Continued efforts like these not only provide practical support but also foster a culture of caring and support within the school and the wider community. It's truly commendable work by all involved in making a positive difference in the lives of others.

Students recently took part, as a collective year group setting, to learn about Responsible Sexual Education and Personal Behaviors (PBRSE). These one-off classes provide valuable opportunities for students to learn about essential topics like safety, bullying, online behavior, and sexual education.

Focusing on social media and online safety is particularly relevant in today's digital age. Teaching students how to navigate social media responsibly, recognize potential risks, and protect themselves online is crucial for their well-being and safety. By addressing these topics in a structured and supportive environment, students can develop the skills and awareness needed to make informed decisions and engage safely in the online world.

PBRSE lessons also contribute to creating a culture of openness and understanding around sensitive topics, fostering healthy attitudes and behaviors among students. Providing this education helps empower students to take control of their own safety and well-being, both online and offline.

Continued efforts to integrate PBRSE into the curriculum ensure that students receive comprehensive education on important life skills, contributing to their overall development and preparedness for the challenges they may face in the modern world.

In 2024, the NRL Road to Regions campaign was launched, and students in Year 3/4 were fortunate enough to be part of this campaign when 4 representatives visited our school on Wednesday 21st February. 

The NRL Participation & Community team provides schools with the opportunity to have a free 45-minute session focussed on the powerful message “Simply your Best”. Using the platform of Rugby League, students are educated and inspired to simply do their best.  This can have a positive impact on students and the teams they are part of including their class, school, family, activity group or sporting team.

Thank you to the four presenters – Andrew Trapp, Michael Gunthorpe, Sarah Togatuki and Kezie Apps, for their time and for sharing such an important message with our students.

Wow! Half way through Term 1. By now students have settled into their lessons, ensemble rehearsals have commenced, and students should be developing a practice routine. When it comes to learning an instrument, we know that regular practice is the way to make progress. Beginner students should aim for 3 x 10-15 minute practice sessions per week. And with 10,050 minutes between each 30 minute music lesson each week, it sometime baffles teachers how so many excuses are made about lack of practice! 

So what should you as a parent be saying to your child to be supportive in establishing a practice routine? Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll offer some suggestions that you may want to try with your young musician.

“What did you learn about in your lesson today?”

This is key! Let’s move away from the idea that learning an instrument is learning to play particular pieces of music. It’s not! It’s about learning concepts: aspects of technique, landmark notes and reading, phrasing, expression, particular rhythms, expressing themselves, etc. Help your child to get WHAT CONCEPTS they are learning clear in their mind to focus their studies.

Stay tuned for more helpful conversations you can have with your child in the next newsletter. And - as always, feel free to discuss your child's musical development with their music teacher anytime!

Thanks so much! 
Maple Egerton

SAVE THE DATE

SCHOLASTIC BOOKFAIR - COMING SOON

It’s a fun reading event that brings the books kids want to read right into our school. It’s a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books for every reading level. In fact, some titles will be under $5.00!

The Book fair also provides an opportunity to pick up some great affordable gifts – and the gift of reading for enjoyment and knowledge is a lifetime one!

Book Fair dates: Mon 11th March – Fri 15th March

Shopping hours: 8.00am – 8.30am and 3.00pm – 3.30pm

We look forward to seeing you and your family at our Book Fair!

Friday 16th February, saw the official launch and blessing of the enhanced P-2 Nature Play Space.

Our heartfelt gratitude goes to Father Gonzo, P&F President Dan O'Dea, project manager Amelia Wilshire, as well as all parents and staff involved.

The students thoroughly enjoyed the cake and are truly excited about the new play area!