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- PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
- DEPUTY PRINCIPAL (ACTING)
- ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL PRIMARY
- ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL FORMATION & IDENTITY
- SCHOOL NEWS
- YEAR 10 STUDENTS EXPERIENCE THE WORLD OF WORK
- HEAD START ON STUDIES
- ROBOCUP COMPETITION 2019
- YEAR 3 & 4 LEGO MASTERS FINAL
- LIBRARY NEWS
- STUDENTS TACKLE THE EGG CHALLENGE!
- MAINTENANCE JOBS SPICE UP SCHOOL
- CAN IT FOR A CAUSE
- ST JOSEPH'S SCHOOL MUSICAL IS GETTING CLOSER!
- SPORT
- NEW STAFF
- RESULTS ARE IN! WHAT PARENTING STYLE ARE YOU?
- MS READATHON KICKS OFF IN AUGUST
- SNOW FLAKES FESTIVAL RAFFLE
- CELEBRATING CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK - EVENTS
- UPCOMING EVENTS
Welcome back for Semester 2.
QISSN & Confraternity Shield
Congratulations to our QISSN netball team who were awarded the ‘Captain Vivian Bullwinkel’ Perpetual Trophy - awarded to the team of the 2019 tournament that best embodied the Australian Army values of Courage, Initiative, Respect and Teamwork. Thanks to Mrs Mary Roberts, Mrs Bernadette Brunckhorst, Mrs Sandra Ellis and Mr Jacob Steele for their wonderful work with the QISSN team in Bundaberg (and Ms Aimee Coulston prior to the carnival).
Well done as well to Mick Mahoney, father of Lachlan Mahoney in Year 11 and husband of Megan, who was selected as honorary manager of the QISSRL (Confraternity) rugby league team. It is a great honour for Mick who has supported the St Joseph’s/Assumption College team over many years.
2020 Information Sessions and Open Day
On Wednesday 7 August we have a Year 7 2020 Open Day/Information Evening for current Year 6 students and their parents to present what the Secondary has to offer in 2020 and beyond. Please come along to see and hear what is on offer and learn about the new curriculum offerings and facilities students will have access to for 2020.
The opportunity is also available for 2020 Prep students and parents to come along to a morning information session on either 1 and 15 August.
Agricultural Science Facilities
As part of the school’s Masterplan we are planning to develop our Agriculture Science facilities. This will consist of two parts:
- A greenhouse, a butterfly house and mini-orchard on our vacant block on Corundum Street, and;
- A livestock and small teaching facility on 3.5 acres at Applethorpe
Agricultural Science students in Secondary in 2020 will conduct their lessons in these spaces.
Catholic Education Week
On Sunday we commence Catholic Education Week with a Mass in St Joseph’s Church at 8.30am. All students are encouraged to come along in full uniform to celebrate all that is good about being in a Catholic school like St Joseph’s School.
Whilst we are a “Catholic” school as such, I want all in our community to know that St Joseph’s School exists for all students and their families regardless of whether they are Catholic or not, church goers or not. The Mass this Sunday and our school liturgy on Tuesday at 11.30am are opportunities for us to all celebrate together as a community. Regardless of your faiths or beliefs, all are welcome.
Staff Change
Mr Dwain Macnamara has resigned from St Joseph’s School having been a Physics, Mathematics and Science teacher here for a number of years. We thank Mr Macnamara for his service and wish him well for the future.
Mr Brian Carey has commenced this week as our Senior Mathematics teacher. Mr Carey is a very experienced and well-liked Mathematics teacher who will do great work with the students. We welcome him to St Joseph’s School.
I would also like to welcome Mr John Mahoney to role of Campus Minister. Mr Mahoney will be working closely with all students as part of our spiritual development team.
Life Membership for Mr Mick Grew
Congratulations to Mr Mick Grew who was awarded life membership of Queensland Primary Schools Rugby League recently. Mr Mick Grew has given outstanding service and commitment to young rugby league players and the rugby league community over a long period of time. An outstanding and well-deserved award.
Toowoomba Catholic Schools Awards Nomination
Congratulations also goes to Mrs Angelina Sims who has been shortlisted for a Toowoomba Catholic School Excellence Award for her exceptional contributions to the school over many years. The awards ceremony will be held on 1 August in Toowoomba.
Financial Pressure
I appreciate that in the current financial climate some families might be suffering financial stress. If that is the case, the school would be more than willing to consider a request for a fee concession.
My belief is that no family should be denied an opportunity to attend St Joseph’s School for financial reasons. Families are encouraged to arrange a confidential meeting with me if you are affected.
Have a great semester.
Welcome back to all students and parents, from what was hopefully a restful and enjoyable mid-year break. Semester 2 is well underway, and students and staff are already working hard and engaging with enthusiasm in the teaching and learning process. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Dwain Macnamara, who resigned early this term, for the tremendous work he did during his time at the school and we, as a school community, wish him all the best for the future. Further to this, we welcome on board Mr Brian Carey, a very experienced senior Maths teacher who will take the Year 11 and 12 Senior Maths classes for Semester 2.
In Week 2, Brooke Butson (Head of Curriculum) and I met with Year 10 students and parents to commence work in developing their Senior Education and Training (SET) plans. This document informs post-school pathways and subsequent curriculum offerings to ensure that the school can work collaboratively with students to achieve success in their Senior schooling and provide the necessary pathways to post-school study and employment.
In Week 3, secondary parents and students are invited to attend the Parent Teacher consultation night on Wednesday 31st July commencing at 3.30pm. This night provides an opportunity for staff to meet with parents and students to discuss academic progress and plan for future success in all curriculum areas heading into Semester 2. If you wish to book a time for this night, please check the broadcasts sent out via Parent Paperwork.
On Wednesday 7th August, there will be an Open Day on the secondary campus showcasing the enhanced curriculum offerings on offer at St Joseph’s School from 2020. This open day will commence at 4.30pm, where secondary students will take families on a guided tour of the secondary campus. Students will be able to participate in some fun activities and parents will be able to talk to staff about what we have on offer at our school. This open day is open to any parents and students, particularly those students in Years 5 and 6. The open day will culminate in an information session, where Mr Andrew Kendall and I will present the enhanced curriculum offerings for secondary, and key information for the transition of Year 6 students into secondary in 2020 and beyond.
As always, please feel free to contact me to discuss any questions or concerns you may have. To all members of our school community, may the loving presence of Jesus continue to support us through the remainder of this school year.
“Live Jesus in our hearts, forever.”
Matthew Brown
Deputy Principal (Acting)
ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL PRIMARY
Every day presents itself with opportunities to learn something new. For the students who have recently returned from their Winter holidays, learning has recommenced in many ways across the Primary Campus.
Visitors to the classrooms on the first day back would have remarked how engaged the students were – but that is what we experience every day. Our students are keen to learn, they are curious about things, they ask great questions, they assist each other to learn and when learning is challenging, they are beginning to show greater resilience.
As a school we have introduced ‘persistence’ as a learning disposition this term. Persistence is defined as the ability to continue with a course of action despite difficulty or opposition. The teachers will be encouraging the students to develop this disposition and I will include resources for parents in the fortnightly Primary Campus Newsletter.
Learning is not only reserved for the students; the teachers are also embarking on a period of learning related to our journey to becoming a 'Visible Learning' school. Each one of us is undertaking an ‘impact cycle’ which involves reflecting on the areas of our practice which can be refined to improve learning outcomes for students, researching and implementing strategies to address this and then determining the impact it has had for the students.
One teacher has commented recently that there are obvious parallels for the teachers and the students as they challenge themselves, encounter problems, seek solutions and reflect on the outcomes. It does us good as adults to experience something which the students in front of us experience.
Particular highlights for this term include Book Week (incorporating the ‘Books, Bears and Blankets’ picnic and the annual book character parade), Catholic Education Week, three Mathematics competitions for older students, the Crisps’ Art Show, a Primary Schools Futsal competition, a Catholic Schools Netball competition and of course the school musical, ‘The Wiz’. Year 5 & 6 students will also be visiting Cobb & Co in Toowoomba and we will be hosting the TSS choir later in the term.
This term we will also have our Prep Open Mornings for prospective students for 2020. These are being held on 1 August (9:00 – 10:15am) and 15 August (11:15am – 12:40pm). On both occasions parents and their children will be able to see the current Prep students engaged in activities as well as talk with Mr Andrew Kendall, Mrs Glenda McNichol and myself.
Sarah Yates
Assistant to the Principal Primary
ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL FORMATION & IDENTITY
Teaching Judaism
The study of Judaism and Jewish culture in Religious Education throughout the Prep - Year 12 curriculum is an important aspect of the program, enabling students to understand the Jewish faith, its history, rituals and place in first century Palestine and today.
Last week I had the opportunity to travel to Sydney and participate in a program facilitated by the Sydney Jewish Museum. One day focused on the rituals and history of Judaism, while the second day explored the holocaust. Many opportunities were presented to engage in the Jewish history and culture including a visit to the Great Synagogue, conversation with holocaust survivors and celebrating Shabbat with a Jewish family.
An intense and enriching experience, the significance of this religion in establishing dialogue and connections in the world today is integral to the lives of our students.
Megan Mahoney
Assistant to the Principal Formation & Identity
FROM THE VOICE OF CATHERINE MCAULEY-FOUNDER OF THE SISTERS OF MERCY
Following on from last term, upcoming 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.
YEAR 10 STUDENTS EXPERIENCE THE WORLD OF WORK
In the last week of Semester 1, Year 10 students participated in work experience as an opportunity for them to observe a pathway they are interested in, and to assist them with their career decision making. Students were able to experience the world of work at a number of local businesses including;
- Stanthorpe Vet Care
- Southern Downs Veterinary Service
- Outrite Computers & Gaming
- Stanthorpe Hospital (Stanthorpe Health Services)
- Mobile Maintenance Service
- Queensland College of Wine Tourism
- A Betterway to Print
- Andrew Petrie Metering & Electrical
- Speranza's Mobile Welding & Fabrication
- Pierpoint Motors
- St Joseph's School Tenterfield
- Glenisa Cattle Co
Year 10 is an important year for decision making and includes a significant amount of preparation for the student's senior phase of learning. Thank you to the above businesses who hosted our students, as well as Mrs Catherine Oag for her hard work in placing the students.
Year 11 student, James Humble, has recently been accepted into the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) Head Start Program to study his first module in Psychology. The USQ Head Start Program is a great way to get started on university studies if you are a high-achieving Year 10, 11 or 12 student and would like to study tertiary subjects whilst still finishing secondary school.
This program was offered by St Joseph’s School to allow James the opportunity to kickstart his learning in a potential career while experiencing university life at USQ. Upon successfully completing this program James will be eligible to gain credit for the courses he completes through Head Start for any relevant degrees he chooses to study at university after completing Year 12.
James will commence his course in Semester 2 (early July) with support from St Joseph’s School teaching staff. James should be congratulated for his commitment to further study.
The opportunity to access the Head Start Program is one of a number of initiatives St Joseph’s School is offering to both university and work (vocational) bound students to give them early opportunities to access their career and study choices.
On Tuesday 23rd July, six Year 7 students attended the Robocup Junior Regional Competition at Toowoomba Christian College in Highfields. Robocup Junior is an interschool competition which challenges students to assemble robots capable of taking part in a number of 'battles'. This year St Joseph’s School entered two teams in the soccer division of the competition, where students were tasked with designing, engineering and programming robots to compete in a dynamic game of robot soccer against an opposing pair of robots.
The St Joseph's School teams finished well in the competition, winning some of their rounds, drawing in others, and suffering a few nail-biting defeats. At the core of these competitions is the essence of learning and collaboration. It was also fantastic to witness our students finding solutions to complex issues!
On Tuesday 23rd July the final of the Year 3 & 4 Lego Masters challenge was held! The 8 teams in the final had to deconstruct a dinosaur and then rebuild their own creation using all 135 pieces! All 8 teams are to be commended on their very creative builds. Secondary Digital Technologies Teacher, Mr Jacob Steele, filled the role of “Brickman” and judged the final. Congratulations to the winning team of Natalie Gasparin, Sasha Kendall, Georgia Petrie and Lily Tuvukica for their winning build - the Bull Frogodile!
THANK YOU FOR DONATION
Thank you so much to Tiziana Zorzi-Houweling who has donated three lovely Early Years Information books to the library to commemorate the 50 year anniversary of the first moon landing. Tiziana is a past student and the founder of St Joseph’s School Alumni Association. She and her family now live in Dallas, Texas U.S.A and we always love catching up with her. Our students really enjoy information books so they will be well read!
BOOK OF THE YEAR
In library lesson time, either with Mrs Lesley Grant or Miss Erin Canavan, a number of our classes are focussing on reading, exploring and enjoying the short-listed finalists for Children’s Book Council Book of the Year. The Early Childhood section has some great reads this year. It will be interesting to see which one the students choose as the winner. Will they agree with the judges choice? Probably not!
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Heads and Tails Insects! By John Canty | Themes: Insects; problem solving; life cycle You can only see my tail. What insect am I? Follow the clues to discover which beautiful insect awaits you on the next page!
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Rainbow Bear By Stephen Michael King | Themes: Familiy, creativity, humour, colour, polar bears, arctic environments. Bear likes to dive into the deep blue ocean, blowing bubbles and turning somersaults. He wakes with the sun and sleeps with the moon. One morning, Bear is shocked to discover that his coat has changed. Is Bear dreaming? Or are two cheeky Polar cubs responsible?
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Tricky’s Bad Day By Alison Lester | Themes: Family, Nature, Emotions, Resilience, Belonging. Poor Tricky! Nothing is going right for him! Then Dad has an idea. Outside it’s wild but there’s a lot to explore ….
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Here Comes Stinkbug! By Tohby Riddle | Themes: Acceptance, Individuality, Resilience, Belonging, Friendship. Stinkbug can rreally stink. But when it starts bugging his friends, Stinkbug wonders if it is time to stop doing what stinkbugs do best …
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Noni the Pony rescues a Joey By Alison Lester | Themes: Safety, Family, Australian animals, animal behaviour. Can Noni and her friends help the lost baby wallaby find a way home?
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The Dress-Up Box By Patrick Guest and Nathaniel Eckstrom | Themes: Acceptance, Family, Change, Belonging, Friendship, Play. The Frolleys have to move from their beloved houe at 32 Sunshine Avenue to a place with dripping taps, stinky carpets and ants. But they have brought something with them that can turn any house into a home.
BOOK WEEK
During Term 3, as always, we celebrate Book Week! This year Book Week falls during Week 6 from Monday 19th to Friday 23rd August. Two very popular events involve the whole school.
Firstly on Thursday 15th August as a lead-up to Book Week, we enjoy a “Books, Bears and Blnkets” picnic at lunch time. All parents, family members and friends are welcome to attend and share lunch with the children on the Primary oval. More information to come!
Secondly our annual Book Parade falls on Tuesday 20th August from 9.00 - 10.00 am in the Bathersby Centre. Students dress as their favourite book character and parade with their class in front of the whole school audience. I am sure that many of the students are already talking about their costumes at home! It is a big favourite on the school calendar!
This year’s Book Week theme is “Reading is my Secret Power.” No doubt quite a few superheroes will be attending the Book Parade! More information to come, but please see us anytime in the library if you have any questions about Book Week.
ACCESSIT: ST JOSEPH’S SCHOOL NEW LIBRARY DATA BASE
We have transitioned to a sparkling new library system that is both user friendly and inviting for students and staff. It can also be accessed from home at https://au.accessit.online/STJ26.
We encourage students to utilise AccessIt at home; not only will they have the library database at their fingertips, they will also have links to other resources such as World Book Online, EBSCO databases (Secondary) and ebooks. Students login with their usual username and password (only once for each home device).
STUDENTS TACKLE THE EGG CHALLENGE!
Year 11 & 12 Chemistry students are currently studying gas laws. They were given a hard boiled egg, a conical flask, matches and paper, and instructed to get the egg in and out without breaking it, using only the supplies they were given! Gas laws can be a challenge for many secondary students, but the class tackled the challenge and with the assistance of Mrs Lisa McPherson managed to get the egg out unbroken!
MAINTENANCE JOBS SPICE UP SCHOOL
Staff have been busy again over the school holidays assisting with several maintenance projects around the school including;
- Primary
- Break out room at the back of Year 1 – Installation of acoustic tiles, air conditioning unit and a fresh coat of paint
- Back room of Prep - Installation of acoustic tiles and a fresh coat of paint
- Year 5/6C - Fresh coat of paint
- Secondary
- Artroom - Fresh coat of paint
The maintenance projects will ensure our facilities remain functional as well as more modern. Thank you goes to Mrs Megan Hines, Mr Scott Kerridge and Mr Frank Gallo for their work during the break.
The plans for the secondary toilet block have now also been finalised with work due to commence before or during the September holidays.
The Can it for a Cause initiative ended on Friday 19th July, with over 520 cans of soup, spaghetti, baked beans and stew received from students and families.
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. Thank you to everyone who donated!
ST JOSEPH'S SCHOOL MUSICAL IS GETTING CLOSER!
School musicals always require dedication, time and effort from all those involved to ensure its success. Many hours of rehearsing and planning go into delivering the best performances for both nights. Under the guidance of Musical Director, Mrs Pauline Leigh, students are eagerly rehearsing and fine-tuning their roles to ensure they deliver an enjoyable and memorable performance.
It must be acknowledged that hosting musicals for St Joseph’s School is not about raising funds for the school. Musicals are a showcase of the student’s talents and recognising what they can achieve. It is the culmination of the commitment and enthusiasm from staff, students and volunteer parents who band together in supporting such projects.
Save the date and coming along to the St Joseph’s School musical, “The Wiz” on Friday 23rd August and Saturday 24th August. The musical will be held at the Civic Centre. Tickets will be available from the school office from Monday 5th August. The School Office is open 8am-4pm, Monday to Friday. Tickets costs are $15 for adults, $10 for secondary students, $5 for primary students and $10 for concession holders and will also be available at the door.
STATE CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP
Alex Waterworth (Year 6) and Jaiden Morello (Year 5) competed in the State Cross Country Championship in Highfields, Toowoomba on Sunday 21st July.
Alex ran a personal best on the day of 10.28 minutes and placed 6th in the competition, qualifying him for the Queensland Cross Country Team where he will travel to Sydney for Nationals on 22nd August to 27th August.
Jaiden Morello also showed great determination, placing 50th with 11.56mins. Both Alex and Jaiden should be extremely proud of their efforts!
BUNDABERG QISSN & CONFRATERNITY SHIELD CARNIVAL
During the school holidays, the St Joseph's School girls netball team travelled to Bundaberg to compete in the Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Netball (QISSN) Carnival. The carnival allows regional Queensland teams the opportunity to play against girls of all abilities and mix with the best of the best from Independent schools throughout Queensland.
The girls played skillfully in all of their games and received compliments from the umpires, representing St Joseph's School and themselves exceptionally well. As a result they were awarded the 'Captain Vivian Bullwinkel' Perpetual trophy for embodying the Australian Army values of Courage, Initiative, Respect and Teamwork.
Lachlan Mahoney also travelled to Bundaberg, joining Assumption College Warwick to take part in the Confraternity Rugby League tournament. Lachlan missed out on playing last year due to an injury but bounced back and played really well throughout the tournament!
Thank you to Mrs Mary Roberts, Mrs Bernadette Brunckhorst, Mrs Sandra Ellis and Mr Jacob Steele for their wonderful work with the QISSN & Confraternity Shield team in Bundaberg (and Mrs Aimee Coulston prior to the carnival).
Congratulations also goes to Mr Mick Mahoney (father of Lachlan Mahoney) who was selected as honorary manager of the QISSRL (Confraternity) rugby league team. A great honour for Mick who has supported the St Joseph’s School/Assumption College team over many years. All round it was a wonderful week in Bundaberg for St Joseph’s School.
Campus Minister
Mr John Mahoney will be joining the St Joseph's School team in Semester 2 as the new Campus Minister. John will work with students across the school focusing on mission, values and spirituality on Tuesdays and Thursdays. John is a former Catholic priest and has had much chaplaincy experience.
Prep Teacher Aide
Mrs Hollie Grasso will be taking over as the dedicated Teacher Aide in Prep from the start of Semester 2. This will allow more flexibility for Mrs Jo Barker to do her Lab Assistant work on the Secondary Campus.
Year 12 Maths B and Year 11 Maths Methods Teacher
Mr Brian Carey has commenced as the Year 12 Maths B and Year 11 Maths Methods teacher. Mr Carey is a very experienced Maths teacher and will teach on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
A warm welcome to all of our new staff.
RESULTS ARE IN! WHAT PARENTING STYLE ARE YOU?
On 8 May 2019, SchoolTV published the Parenting Styles Special Report. As a part of this Special Report, a survey was included asking parents a series of questions allowing them to determine their own parenting style. These parenting styles were based on the research of Professor Diana Baumrind, a developmental psychologist at the University of California at Berkeley.
As of the 27 June 2019, SchoolTV had 4,412 parents across Australia and New Zealand complete the parenting survey.
Attached is a detailed report showing the results received from parent submissions across ALL SchoolTV schools in Australia and New Zealand relating to the Parenting Survey. Almost 80% of parents classified their parenting style as Authoritative (warm and responsive, clear rules, high expectations, supportive and value indepdence). You can view the full report and findings below.
MS READATHON KICKS OFF IN AUGUST
Every year, the MS Readathon helps raise funds for those living with multiple sclerosis, and in 2019 the event is celebrating its 40th year! The MS Readathon inspires kids to read as much as they can, all for this amazing cause. The rules are simple. Read whatever you like, as much as you can, throughout the month of August.
While we will not be registering as a school, primary school students who are interested in particpating can register now as an individual to take part in the MS Readathon by registering here https://www.msreadathon.org.au/register2019.
Thank you to the Student Council representatives who sold tickets in the Snowflakes Festival raffle late last term. Funds raised have been earmarked for an outdoor learning space linked to our identity (scheduled for completion in October).
Bec Telfer (pictured below with her children) was delighted to win the Saturday Family Pass valued at $60 and Mary McLucas was also thrilled to win the Sunday Family Pass which was valued at $45. Mary donated her prize to the Barker family who appreciated the kind gesture.
CELEBRATING CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK - EVENTS
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.
Several events will be happening on our campuses throughout the week and a warm invitation is extended to family and friends to attend.
Sunday 28th July
To celebrate the launch of Catholic Education Week mass will be celebrated in St Joseph’s Church at 8:30am. Students are invited to join in celebrating the liturgy and are asked to wear their formal school uniform.
Tuesday 30th July
A prayer liturgy will be held in the Bathersby Centre commencing at 11:30am. Family and friends are welcome to join all students in a special prayer celebration. Former students will speak about life at St. Joseph’s during their schooling years. A sausage sizzle will follow as well as guided tours by our senior students for those who are interested.
Monday 29th July – Thursday 2nd August
A history display will be set up in the library foyer near the reception area. A collection of photos, school uniforms and other memorabilia will be available for viewing throughout the week. Please feel free to pop in and have a look at the incredible history of St. Joseph’s School over the past 144 years.
We look forward to celebrating Catholic Education Week with you.
26 July | Student Council Sleep Week Free Dress Day (PJs) |
29 July- 3 August | Catholic Education Week |
1 August | Prep Open Day |
2 August | Student Free Day |
7 August | Year 6 into Year 7 Parent Information Night |
15 August | Prep Open Day |