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- PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
- DEPUTY PRINCIPAL (ACTING)
- ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL PRIMARY
- ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL FORMATION & IDENTITY
- SCHOOL NEWS
- BOOK WEEK PARADE
- BOOKS, BEARS & BLANKETS PICNIC
- NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK
- YEAR 5 & 6 TRANSITION PROGRAM
- YEAR 5 & 6 VISIT COBB & CO MUSEUM
- YEAR 11 STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT LOCAL HISTORY
- STUDENTS REFRESH AND REFLECT
- EKKA DISCOVERY DAY
- STUDENTS BECOME "MATH-MAGICIANS" IN FIRST MATH CLUB!
- STAFF
- SPORT
- THE WIZ MUSICAL - FRIDAY 23RD & SATURDAY 24TH AUGUST
- YEAR 7 - 9 SUBJECT INFORMATION NIGHT
- CHILD PROTECTION WEEK
- PARENT POLL - THE RESULTS ARE IN
- UPCOMING EVENTS
I have been really pleased to see the wonderful community spirit at St Joseph’s School over recent weeks. The Book Week Parade and ‘Books, Bears and Blankets’ picnic are fun days which bring together the whole community, young and old. My thanks to the staff and students for their organisation and participation and to all families and friends who attended.
The Assumption Mass last week was also another great event for the school. Assumption Day is a chance for Christians to celebrate the heavenly birthday of the Virgin Mary, an exceptional female role model. At St Joseph’s School we aim to be inclusive, regardless of one’s faith or beliefs and the mass was one where all were involved and valued as members of our community. Thanks to Fr Brian for celebrating the mass with us.
Finally, I would like to congratulate Darius and Katie-Lee Jansink on their selection in the Queensland School Sport Track & Field Team to compete at the 10-12 years Australian School Sport Track & Field championships in Darwin from 18th-23rdSeptember. They join Alex Waterworth (Cross-Country) as worthy State Representatives.
Recently, the school hosted a Year 7 2020 Open afternoon and information night for interested parents and students from across the Stanthorpe district. It was an excellent afternoon, full of fun-filled activities and great conversations about the positive future direction our school is heading. As part of this night, I outlined to parents the exciting future plans for Secondary, in particular the expansion of curriculum offerings through to the Senior schooling phase. In the near future, a middle school information night will be held on 4th September to enable parents of students in Years 7-9 to receive information about middle and senior school curriculum offerings. All are welcome to attend.
Th Year 5 & 6 classes continued the transition to secondary program, with Mrs Stanford’s class enjoying a busy, challenging and fun filled three days this week. Mrs Charlton’s class is due for their visit in Week 7.
Please keep in your thoughts and prayers our OP-eligible Year 12 students as they make final preparations for the QCS test in early September. We wish them all the best for this important part of the final year.
Finally, a huge congratulations to students in Years 5 - 12 who participated in the online science championship as part of National Science Week. St Joseph’s School entered five classes into the competition with students collectively answering 107,622 questions correctly. The St Joseph’s School Year 11 & 12 Chemistry class placed first, with our Year 10 Chemistry class coming a close second. To place both first and second in the nation-wide competition is a commendation towards St Joseph’s School student’s determination, teamwork and enthusiasm for the Sciences. Well done to Mrs Lisa McPherson, Mrs Brooke Butson and all the science students!
Matthew Brown
Deputy Principal (Acting)
ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL PRIMARY
Another busy fortnight on the Primary Campus saw 204 entries submitted to the Crisps Art Show at the Stanthorpe Art Gallery, 32 students attending a Futsal competition in Brisbane, Year 5 and 6 students visiting Cobb & Co Museum in Toowoomba, the second Prep Open Morning, the ‘Books, Bears and Blankets’ picnic, sporting success for some of our students at a representative level, 5/6S completing their transition week on the Secondary Campus, two of our teachers attending a two-day Visible Learning Conference in Melbourne, and finally Book Week!
Book Week is always a popular week in the school calendar, especially with the book character parade. This year was no exception with the students displaying an array of costumes. Given the theme this year of ‘reading is my secret power’, there were many superheroes in the parade as well as a number of other well-known and well-loved characters. Thanks especially for the work done by Mrs Lesley Grant and Ms Josie Gangemi in the lead up to Book Week. They transformed the library and ensured that there were special activities each day for the children. This year we also raised money for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) QLD through a gold coin donation. MS is a condition which affects a large number of people in Australia and for which there is currently no cure. We were delighted to be able to contribute money towards ongoing research and the support of those with the condition and their families.
This week sees the culmination of many weeks of hard work with the two performances of ‘The Wiz’ musical. It is fitting that this musical was chosen, given that it is the 80th anniversary of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ this year. Also, given the theme of the story, it has very important messages for our students. Dorothy reminds us that dreams are always possible if we keep believing, whilst the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Lion found all the traits they were looking for within themselves as opposed to thinking that someone else (the Wizard) could provide them. It is also a story of great friendship and the power that people, united in a mission, can have. I do hope that as many families and friends as possible will support the musical performances on the weekend and perhaps take the opportunity to explore the themes with the children.
Finally, congratulations to those students who will be celebrating their first communion this weekend. This is a special time for them in their spiritual journey and our prayers are with them all.
Sarah Yates
Assistant to the Principal Primary
ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL FORMATION & IDENTITY
A Career's Future...
On Monday I had the opportunity to sit in with Year 11 & 12 students during their session with Career Development Practitioner Mrs Karen Browning. Karen spoke about a range of topics including career journeys, knowledge of self and influences, jobs of the future, enterprise skills, technical skills and post-school pathways.
The session provided students with some new and innovative thinking around careers and employment for the future. Karen also suggested students investigate The Career Explorer, a short survey to find possible career options based on interests, talents and skills. You might want to check it out also!
Karen also worked with staff and parents in the afternoon providing a vast amount of information and answering numerous questions around careers for the future.
From flying uber cars to space travel, future careers and employment opportunities are boundless for our next generation and beyond.
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.
Wow! Bam! Kapow!
What a wonderful Book Week Parade we had on Tuesday 20th August! Parents, teachers, students and children from Rainbow Kids, came together to celebrate the theme 'reading is my secret power!'. Book characters included wizards, pirates, fairy tale favourites, lots of superheroes and many, many “Where’s Wallys!”.
Thank you to our amazing and supportive parents for encouraging children to use their imaginations when creating their costumes, and for providing reading opportunities beyond the classroom. Thank you also goes to the teachers and students for their enthusiasm, participation and sense of fun!
MS Reading Challenge
Throughout the month of August our Primary students are participating in the MS Reading Challenge to raise awareness for Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Initiated by Mikayla Osborne in Year 5/6F, we are all focussed on reading as much as we can as a gesture of support. At the end of the month, prizes will be awarded to a student from each class who has demonstrated ongoing commitment to and persistence with the challenge. During the Book Week Parade, students, staff and parents also donated a gold coin, with money raised going to the MS Foundation to support further research.
BOOKS, BEARS & BLANKETS PICNIC
In anticipation of Book Week kicking off on 17th August, Prep students hosted a ‘Books, Bears and Blankets’ picnic on Thursday 15th August on the Primary campus oval. All kinds of soft toys made an appearance, including teddies, monkeys and even a multi-coloured cat! Can you spot yourself in one of the photos?
After playing games, reading books and eating a picnic lunch, it was time to go back to class!
The final Prep Open morning was held prior to the picnic, providing prospective 2020 Prep students with the opportunity to meet teachers, view the facilities and participate in the picnic! Interviews for prospective 2020 Prep students commenced this week.
National Science Week is Australia's annual celebration of Science and Technology. To celebrate all things 'Science' a number of activities were held from 10th - 18th August!
Many departments on the Secondary Campus joined together throughout the week to provide our budding scientists with a variety of fun activities including making badminton rockets in HPE and Science!
Across at the Primary Campus, the Year 3/4PC class also did some experimenting for National Science Week. They investigated examples of physical and chemical weathering related to their Science unit and then made a cup and ball catcher.
ST JOSEPH'S SCHOOL WIN NATION-WIDE SCIENCE COMP!
St Joseph’s School have been triumphant in the Education Perfect Science Championship, beating 1,830 other participating schools across the country to take out both first and second place!
The competition, part of National Science Week, invited students from Year 5 - 12 to participate in a 7-day online event that required classes across Australia to answer as many science-based questions as possible. By answering questions correctly, students received points which went towards awards and prizes.
Students collectively answered 107,622 questions correctly. The St Joseph’s School Year 11 & 12 Chemistry class placed first (pictured below), with our Year 10 Chemistry class coming a close second.
The primary into secondary transition program has commenced at St Joseph’s School, with Year 5 & 6 students participating in a three-day program on the secondary campus.
Students took part in a variety of subjects, such as Tech Studies, Digital Technology (robotics), Home Economics, Art, Drama, PE, Agriculture, Maths and Science. The students rotated through classrooms and teachers to get a feel for what secondary schooling is like, as well as sharing time with the Year 7 cohort as part of normal Pastoral Care lessons.
As part of the transition program, classes also visited the school’s new ag plot at Applethorpe where they performed a soil test to determine the soil texture at different locations in the paddock.
At St Joseph's School we pride ourselves on providing an educational and spiritual 13-year journey for students from Prep-Year 12 that ensures a seamless transition from year to year. It is always a delight to see the different age groups interact so easily and students remarking that their transition to secondary school was made 'easy' through the many cross-age activities and events organised on both campuses throughout their education.
YEAR 5 & 6 VISIT COBB & CO MUSEUM
On Monday 19th August students from Year 5 & 6 visited the Cobb & Co Museum in Toowoomba. The focus of the excursion was to learn about the "olden days" with students able to view and learn about old telephones, typewriters, cameras, transportation, crafts and trades. Students had a lot of fun learning and thinking about how our way of living has evolved over the years.
YEAR 11 STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT LOCAL HISTORY
Year 11 Modern History students took a drive on Monday 12th August to learn more about our local history. They were joined by Mr Roger Willis, from Amiens History Association and took the Armistice Way to Amiens Legacy Centre, learning about the Pikedale Soldiers Settlement Scheme along the way. Students found it fascinating to learn about the legacy of so many World War I returned soldiers and the amazing work of locals in researching and restoring our not-so-ancient past.
As part of their overall personal and spiritual development, Year 11 students recently attended a half-day retreat experience at the Savina Lane Wines Cellar Door at Severnlea. Students enjoyed a pizza lunch at the cellar door together, before commencing retreat activities. The experience provided an opportunity for students to revitalise, reduce stress and strengthen friendships with their peers. The retreat is particularly special because it is one of the last times students will relax and renew together as a group, and helps to prepare them for Year 12 and their final year of school.
Year 7 & 9 students enjoyed a memorable and unique hands-on learning experience when they recently visited the Ekka Royal Queensland Show on Friday 16th August.
Year 9 Students went as part of their agricultural studies and had the opportunity to explore the Agricultural Hall featuring plenty of 'ag-ucational' activities, including the Field to Fork interactive rural journey. Students also got the chance to look at the different beef breeds on display and talk to studs and industry professionals about which cattle breeds would be most suited to our school ag plot.
Year 7 students also had a busy day taking in all the displays and activities relating to their Science, Geography and Agricultural Science studies, as well as completing an EKKA treasure hunt! At the end of a busy day, students were able to check out the Showbag Pavilion and enjoy some rides!
STUDENTS BECOME "MATH-MAGICIANS" IN FIRST MATH CLUB!
Year 7 & 8 students have become “math-magicians” during the first lunch time Math Club held on Friday 9th August!
During the first session, students investigated a maths trick where they initially thought about the number of times each week they would like to eat chocolate. Students then crunched some numbers (and a chocolate bar) and their age was revealed at the end of the equation! Students then also invented their own math tricks, and of course, devoured the chocolate!
Senior students from Year 10 - Year 12 mentored the younger students during the session, with the Year 11 students responsible for planning the activities and publicising the club at school assembly.
Designed to develop leadership skills, Year 11 Students also host a lunch time Science Club for the younger grades. Thank you goes to Mrs Lisa McPherson who gives up her lunch break to also help run the clubs!
We are pleased to announce the permanent appointment of Mr Matthew Brown to the position of Deputy Principal at St Joseph’s School, Stanthorpe beginning in 2020. As Acting Deputy Principal, Mr Brown has successfully led the Secondary through the implementation of the new Queensland Certificate of Education. He has also worked closely with the School Leadership Team, Middle Leaders, teachers and support staff to implement positive change throughout the Secondary and develop broader curriculum offerings, as well as provide strong support to the Primary campus.
BORDER DISTRICT ATHLETICS
Ten students represented St Joseph's School at the Border District Athletics Carnival held on Thursday 15th August. Each student was nominated for different events and had to go up against the best of the best from other schools across the district. We had some outstanding results on the day:
- Claire Williamson came 1st in High Jump and 3rd in Triple Jump
- Brigid O’Dea came 2nd in the 1500m and 3rd in the 800m
- Caitlin Ellis placed 3rd in Javelin
All students represented the school well, with some students also placing 4th in their events. Well done to all students who were selected!
QLD Track & Field Championships
Congratulations to Darius and Katie-Lee Jansink who competed at the 2019 10-12 years Qld School Sport Track & Field Championships held at QSAC Brisbane on 15th & 16th August. Darius won both the 10 years Discus (PB throw of 35.20m) and the 10 years Shotput (PB Throw 12.57m - he was only 21cm off the state record!).
Katie-Lee placed 2nd in the 12 years Shotput with a throw of 10.93m. They have both been selected in the Qld School Sport Track & Field Team to compete at the 10-12 years Australian School Sport Track & Field Championships in Darwin from 18th – 23rd September, 2019. A wonderful effort!
Congratulations also goes to Alex Waterworth who competed at the Track and Field Championships last week placing 21st in both the 800m and 1500m events, despite having a cold! Alex will represent Queensland on Saturday 24th August in the National Cross Country Titles in the individual event and then on Monday 26th August in the relay event. Good luck Alex!
THE WIZ MUSICAL - FRIDAY 23RD & SATURDAY 24TH AUGUST
The St Joseph's School musical production of 'The Wiz' is this coming Friday 23rd August and Saturday 24th August! Students have been busy attending final dress rehearsals in order to perfect their lines and dance moves in the lead up to the event. Tickets are still available for purchase at the office. This is a major event for the school, so please come along and support our talented students!
YEAR 7 - 9 SUBJECT INFORMATION NIGHT
A subject information night for parents and caregivers of students in Year 7, 8 & 9 will be held at 6.00pm on Wednesday 4th September in the Frayne Building on the Secondary Campus. This information evening replaces the Year 8 into 9 Information Night previously planned for 21st August.
The purpose of the evening is to explain the curriculum (subject offerings) for students from 2020 onwards. Note that the curriculum has been expanded to cater for a wider variety of students needs and pathways. The new QCE system and ATAR (replacing OP's) will also be explained and the expanded access to vocational pathways and courses detailed.
We will also provide information about the expansion of facilities we have planned and outline the access for students to the Granite Belt & Border Trade Training Centre and Queensland College of Wine Tourism from 2020. We encourage all Year 7, 8 & 9 students and families to attend to see what the school has to offer from 2020.
This year one of the major activities we are undertaking for Child Protection Week is to participate in an online student protection survey. The Queensland Catholic Education Commission is coordinating a state-wide project to find out how effective our Student Protection Processes and Guidelines schools are. Parents, students and staff members in schools will be invited to participate in the survey.
Our school is one of 17 in the Diocese of Toowoomba that has been selected to participate in the survey, which will be administered during Child Protection Week. The survey asks questions about student protection and will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. Parents will receive an email that will have a link to the survey. Students will complete the survey at school and consent information will be provided closer to the date.
We are pleased to be part of this important project for continuous improvement and encourage your participation. If you have any questions about the survey please contact Barbara Woods at the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office on (07) 4687 4348 or by emailing barbara.woods@twb.catholic.edu.au.
PARENT POLL - THE RESULTS ARE IN
In the last newsletter, we introduced a Parent Poll where we will ask parents a range of questions from children learning and behaviour, to parenting styles and discipline.
In the last newsletter, we asked 'what is your biggest concern in raising your child'? The results are in, with 43% of parents listing mental health and depression as their biggest concern.
Young people feel lots of emotions as a normal part of growing up, and they may feel
unhappy sometimes for no clear reason. These negative feelings may stay with them, or come and go.
If you think your child's mental health is at risk please read the parent guide on Young People, Feelings & Depression available from School TV, talk with your child and consult your doctor.
What is your biggest concern in raising your child?
Poll is closed
Please note the polls are not intended to be a detailed exploration of the question, but are purely designed to be interactive and allow parents to understand that every family has different approaches to education and parenting.
23 & 24 August | The Wiz School Musical |
1 - 7 September | Child Protection Week |
2 - 4 September | Year 11 Leadership Camp |
3 - 4 September | QCS Test |
4 September | Subject Information Night - Year 7, 8 & 9 |
5 September | Crisp's Artshow |