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- PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
- DEPUTY PRINCIPAL (ACTING)
- ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL PRIMARY
- ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL FORMATION & IDENTITY
- SCHOOL NEWS
- WHERE ARE THEY NOW? PAST STUDENTS OF ST JOSEPH'S SCHOOL
- LET'S RUMBLE! WELL-BEING INITIATIVE
- A JOURNEY BACK TO ANCIENT ROME
- JOEY'S STUDENTS STAR IN CPR COMMERCIAL
- YOUNG WINE MAKERS
- YEAR 9 VISUAL ART
- BOOK FAIR 2020
- 2019 YEARBOOK
- CHRISTMAS APPEAL
- FREE LAUNDROMAT FACILITIES
- UPCOMING EVENTS
Last week we had some special visitors to St Joseph’s School who reminded us of the importance of our Mercy values and what it means to be a good human being.
Courage for Care, a volunteer-based not for profit organisation that empowers individuals to stand up against prejudice and discrimination, shared their experiences and message with our Year 7-10 students. Amongst the group were two Holocaust survivors who shared their amazing stories.
The presentation included the following quote from Eli Wiesel, another Holocaust survivor:
“What hurts the victim most is not the cruelty of the oppressor, but the silence of the bystander.”
For our students we ask them to make our Mercy values their lived experience.
- Mercy and Justice
- Compassion
- Human Dignity
- Respect
- Option for the Poor
- Service
By living out these values we hope they are not “bystanders” but are truly great human beings.
God Bless
It seems every week I have a conversation, in passing, with a friend, colleague or family member about how the year has flown by and as we hit the halfway point of Term 4, it is hard to believe that the 2019 school year is reaching its climax. Last week saw the culmination of school for our Year 12 students as they completed their final exams. It has been a wonderful year for our Senior students, and we wish them all the best as they graduate and head, with positivity and enthusiasm, into the next exciting chapter of their young lives.
The awards night was a tremendous celebration of the talents and achievements of the students in our school community. I congratulate all those students who received awards as it is the reward they so richly deserved after the hard work they have put in across the year. Well done!
Finally, congratulations to the Year 10 Young Winemakers, Mr Armstrong and Mrs Rhymer on their success in winning the Champion School at the recent Australian Small Winemakers Show. Further to this, the same wine, the 2019 Rose, received a silver medal at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show. A truly wonderful effort and testament to the great work done year in, year out by the students, staff and our industry partner Ballandean Estate.
Matthew Brown
Deputy Principal (Acting)
ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL PRIMARY
We are now halfway through Term 4 and the end of the academic year is almost in sight. Last week we welcomed children from C&K to our Prep classroom and it was lovely to see the way in which the Prep students interacted with their visitors. It is hard to remember them a year ago as they embarked on their first foray into ‘big school’. Such a lot has happened for them this year. Over the next two weeks we will hold two ‘Prep Practice Mornings’ for those commencing school in 2020. This is an important part of the transition process and I thank Mrs Glenda McNichol and Miss Hollie Grasso for the work that has gone in to preparing for these days. I have also had the pleasure recently to speak with a number of students who will be joining us across the rest of the Primary Campus in 2020. We look forward to welcoming all the new families to the St Joseph’s School community, where I am sure they will be made to feel very welcome.
Over the next few weeks students across the campus will be undertaking ‘Rumbles Quest’. This is an online survey presented as a video story where the students will be asked questions related to their social and emotional wellbeing. All information is de-personalised but it will provide us with valuable data that we can use moving forward into 2020 and beyond. Schools are very good at using academic data to improve learning paths and outcomes for students but few reliable tools exist for assessing the social and emotional wellbeing of students. ‘Rumble’s Quest’ has been sourced from Griffith University by Mrs Cathy Mills and I thank her for her organisation of this project.
In relation to ‘Rumble’s Quest’, our Visible Learning journey and also our focus on the Gospel values, I encourage parents to ask their children the following questions about their day at school:
- What did you learn today?
- How did you show resilience today?
- What was the best part of the day? Why?
- What made you happy/sad today? Why?
- How did you show the spirit of Jesus today?
Please feel free to share their responses with the teachers.
Sarah Yates
Assistant to the Principal Primary
ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL FORMATION & IDENTITY
The Journey
As our Year 12 students have now completed their final exams, students are now at their annual retreat to Camp Leslie Dam. These couple of days provide an opportunity for Year 12 students to consider their journey; the path they have taken and the road that lies ahead. It is a chance to reflect and reminicise about their Joeys journey, and to consider, wonder, and acknowledge their future.
As well as activities and a movie night, students will also participate in a meaningful prayer ritual and affirmation activities based on the theme of "The Compass of our Lives".
This retreat is a wonderful way to conclude the year and offers our students a chance to strengthen and renew connections before they embark on a new chapter of their lives.
Staff and students of St Joseph’s School wish the Year 12's of 2019 all the best for the future and congratulate them on this milestone.
Megan Mahoney
Assistant to the Principal Formation & Identity
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? PAST STUDENTS OF ST JOSEPH'S SCHOOL
Hundreds of past students of St Joseph’s School are scattered throughout Australia and around the world, working across every industry. We’re proud of our past students and their achievements – big and small. In future newsletters, we will be highlighting a past student and sharing what they have been up to since leaving the Joey's gates.
BRIGID LYNCH
What year did you graduate?
I was a student at St Joseph’s School from Year 1 (1981) through to Year 9 (1989).
What were your favourite subjects at St Joseph’s School?
English and History.
Can you tell us about your time at St Joseph’s School? Is there anything you especially remember?
I really liked having classes in the old convent when I was at high school. There was a cupboard under a staircase that had some great graffiti from students long past.
Fr Lino Valente was such a warm and kind parish priest, and he was an integral part of the school community.
I also remember the tuckshop at Primary School. It had a fairly limited lunch menu; mince rolls or hotdogs in Winter, salad rolls or ham and salad rolls in Summer. We could buy a cup of cordial (red or green) for 5 cents!
What has been your journey since finishing school? Briefly outline your career path and what you are doing now. Have you always wanted to pursue the kind of career you have embarked on?
I had no idea what I wanted to do when I finished school. I studied Human Movement Studies when I was at university, but I didn’t want to be an exercise physiologist or PE teacher. After finishing uni I started working at Cancer Council Queensland, and that’s where I ‘discovered’ epidemiology. Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of disease at the population level. I really enjoyed working in epidemiology, so I completed a PhD in this research field.
After finished my PhD I moved to Calgary, in Canada, for two years to do a postdoctoral fellowship in cancer epidemiology. I then moved to Melbourne for a second postdoctoral fellowship, before moving into my current role.
I am a Principal Fellow in the Cancer Epidemiology Division at Cancer Council Victoria, and Honorary Principal Fellow in the Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Melbourne. Most of my research is about exercise and cancer risk, biological mechanisms underlying risk, and health outcomes for cancer survivors.
I have developed my own programme of work that will (hopefully) improve the lives of others. I also like research as I get to work with some amazing people from around the world, and I have lots of opportunities to travel to interesting places.
What do you believe St Joseph’s School has shown you/given you as a person?
The environment at St Joseph’s School was like an extended family, and students knew everyone throughout the school. My children attend a similarly small and tightknit school in Melbourne (St Dominic’s, Camberwell East) because I appreciate the benefits of this kind of setting.
What piece of advice would you have for current students at St Joseph’s School?
There is a great quote attributed to Churchill; “You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks.” Focus on yourself and what you can achieve; don’t pay too much attention to what others are saying about you. And don’t throw stones at any animal – it’s not nice.
LET'S RUMBLE! WELL-BEING INITIATIVE
St Joseph’s School is committed to the social and emotional development of our students and one of the greatest joys of teaching is watching children grow and develop through the years! Our school is very excited to be able to participate in a new well-being measure developed by RealWell, a not-for-profit initiative of Griffith University that draws on scientific research and practical innovation.
This term, students in Years 1 - 6 will be invited to participate in ‘Rumble's Quest’, an online game designed to measure each student’s perspective of their well-being. When children participate in ‘Rumble’s Quest’ they complete fun challenges and answer questions about the way they experience the world.
The questions are grouped into four areas:
- Attachment to School - how children feel about school
- Social Confidence - how children feel about themselves and how they relate to others
- Self Regulation - how children manage their feelings and actions
- Supportive Relationships – how children feel nurtured within secure environments
The challenges call on the following skills:
- Memory (in the Working Memory game children tap a sequence of squares in the same order they saw them light up)
- Attention (in the Attention and Focus game children search through a screen filled with many shapes to find all the ones that look the same)
- Concentration (in the Inhibitory Control and Flexible Thinking game children use the shape of objects presented on screen to decide whether or not to tap an object as soon as they see it)
The results of the measure will be used to track and plan the programs we are using in our school to help our students be the best they can be. For more information about ‘Rumble’s Quest’ you may like to view the following video at https://www.realwell.org.au/parents/
A JOURNEY BACK TO ANCIENT ROME
Year 7 students have been learning all about ancient Rome, including using evidence to support their claims of knowledge about how the ancient Romans lived. To finish off the unit students demonstrated their skills and knowledge of a particular group in Roman society, with Lochie Taylor entertaining the crowds as a gladiator! He also headed up to the primary school to share his insights!
JOEY'S STUDENTS STAR IN CPR COMMERCIAL
St Joseph's School have partnered with Queensland Rural Medical Education (QRME) and Griffith University medical students on clinical placement to assist with the development of a 'Hands - only' CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) commercial targeting youth! The purpose of the commercial is to educate youth in the CPR Hands only method, as well as train employees and improve public health awareness.
Interested Senior students undertook an audition process at St Joseph’s School, with three lucky students successful in the acting roles for the commercial. Jordan Cosmo, Kiara Osborne and Eliza Telfer, will star in the video, alongside Councillor Cameron Gow, that was filmed on Wednesday 30th October at the Savina Lane Wines Vineyard.
Students spent a full day filming the video and we are all excited to see their starring role in QRME’s latest campaign once the production is finalised!
As part of our Young Wine Makers program, budding young viticulturists at St Joseph’s School have spent this year taking part in all stages of winemaking, ranging from caring for the vines and picking the grapes, through to producing and bottling the wine.
All of their hard work has recently paid off when the students won a silver medal and Champion school at the Australian Small Winemakers Show (ASWS), as well as a silver medal at the Royal Adelaide show for their 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Rose.
Working with local winery Ballandean Estate Wines with grapes grown at Severn River Valley Vineyards, students have enjoyed the process of tending the vineyard, picking grapes, monitoring the fermenting process and learning the art of fine winemaking.
Congratulations to our students, and thank you to the Puglisi family and Karin Perisec for mentoring and working with our students!
As part of their photography unit, Year 9 students practised capturing interesting compositions using SLR cameras with a photo field trip in the main street. Students were tasked with capturing the 'Hidden Details' of the Stanthorpe main street to consider ideas of 'concealment' - their unit focus. Photographer and parent Mrs Leah Osbourne supported students with technical and photography advice. Students will work through the creative process to select and edit photos to create a mini collection, before developing their own final photo series on their own chosen focus and interpretation of concealment.
The theme of our last Scholastic Book Fair for 2019 is Dino-Mite, where we hope you will Stomp, Chomp, and Read! 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 Christmas gifts – and the gift of reading for enjoyment and knowledge is a lifetime one!
Book Fair dates: Mon 11th Nov – Fri 15th Nov
Shopping hours: 8.00am – 8.30am and 3.00pm – 3.30pm
We look forward to seeing you and your family at our Book Fair!
Mrs Grant and Miss Gangemi
We still have limited Yearbooks available to purchase, so if you would like one and haven’t placed your order now is your chance to do so!
The 2019 yearbooks are $27 per copy and we are extending the deadline to book and pay to Monday 18th November. To confirm your yearbook order you must pay in full at the School Office by cash, eftpos or via direct deposit. Please include your surname and yearbook as a reference if paying by direct deposit. E.g. Smith Yearbook.
Yearbooks will be available for collection from the Front Office in the last week of Term 4. For further enquiries, either email stanthorpe@twb.catholic.edu.au or call the School Office on 07 4681 5900.
St Joseph’s School has always been strong supporters of the annual St Vincent De Paul Christmas Appeal. This year our focus for giving will be on our farming families experiencing tough times in drought conditions. While what we give will only be a small donation, our purpose will be to let these families, many of who have students at St Joseph’s School, know that we are thinking of them.
Mini Vinnies and Teen Vinnies will be encouraging students to donate items of food (non-perishable), or cash ($5 or $10) that will be used to purchase vouchers from local businesses, and will be used to make up hampers that will be given to families for Christmas. Food items and monetary donations will be handed over to our local St Vincent de Paul conference at our final school liturgy.
We are very mindful that many of our own families are struggling this year and we understand if not everyone can donate.
Primary students can bring their cash (in an envelope) or food item to their class rooms for collection. Secondary students can bring their donations to their PC teachers.
Many thanks in anticipation of your support and generosity of this very worthy appeal.
On Saturday 23rd November from 8am to 4pm, The Salvation Army North Brisbane in conjunction with The Salvation Army Southern Downs would like to offer free laundry services to in the Stanthorpe area. Residents at the Southern end of the region, who are on not on the reticulated water supply, can bring loads of washing to the Laundromat at 16 Railway Street, Stanthorpe. Also available will be free tea and coffee. Please share this information with anyone who may be interested.
Should you require any further information, please email Richard:mailto:richard.hardaker@salvationarmy.org.au.
11 - 12 November | Year 12 Retreat |
11 - 15 November | Bookfair |
12 November | Futsal Primary Schools Cup |
14 November | Year 12 Graduation Mass & Dinner |
15 November | Year 12 Farewell Assembly |
18 November | Year 5 Leadership Day Warwick |
20 November | Primary Swimming Carnival |