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- PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
- DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
- ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL PRIMARY
- ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL FORMATION & IDENTITY
- SchoolTV
- FILM WORKSHOP
- VIETNAM VETERANS DAY
- ST VINCENT DE PAUL WINTER APPEAL
- MEALS ON WHEELS
- YEAR 10 SCIENCE
- YEAR 11 CHEMISTRY
- SPORT
- RUN CLUB
- RAAP
- BOOK WEEK DRESS UP PARADE
- HAVE YOU LOST SOMETHING ?
- UPCOMING EVENTS
This year is the 20th year anniversary of the graduation of St Joseph’s first Year 12 class. Until 1999, Year 10 students only had one option for Senior schooling. Leave St Joey’s and head over to the State High School (or move out of town). For many, this was a daunting and disappointing situation. However, thanks to the leadership of Principal John Mula and his staff, in 1999 the school embarked on its successful Senior schooling journey.
The Senior Class of 1999 graduated, rang the church bell (creating a new school tradition) and have moved onto successful lives and careers.
The attached stories and letters from past staff, including John Mula, tell the story of their journey and congratulate the school and current group of Year 12s.
- St_Joseph_s_20_Years_by_John_Mula.pdf
- 20_Years_of_Senior_Education_by_Laurel_Lynch.pdf
- Congratulations_St_Joey_s_by_Patricia_Tancred.pdf
- The_Lead_Up_to_Senior_by_Pamela_Sullivan.pdf
Over 20 years, St Joseph’s has proven itself to be an excellent school for Senior education. This is proven through the outstanding results the Seniors have achieved in OPs over the years and the successful transition for students from school to tertiary studies and career pathways. Overriding all this, is the quality of students the school produces, that is, young men and women centred in the Mercy values, ready to make a difference in the world, the type of person so important for a thriving and caring community.
Today, our Seniors are leading the way again under the new Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) system and ATAR system. They are supported by a highly professional and competent staff guiding and mentoring them on their journey. I am confident that St Joseph’s School is the leading Senior school in the region.
God Bless
In recent times, I have spoken to the students across the school about the wonderfully positive things being done within our school community. From the excellent work being done through the Faith in Action programs, particularly Meals on Wheels and the St Vincent DePaul Winter appeal, through to exceptional Lip Sync Battle that took place over a number of weeks, it has been wonderful to highlight the positive influence that these events have not only amongst our students, but within the community. I highlighted to the students that this is what the essence of Catholic Education is and that as a school community, we should be focusing always on the positive aspects of what we do in our community. Importantly, I asked students to reflect on how each of us, as individuals, can move our mindset away from some of the negative influences that can sometimes cloud the landscape, and instead, focus on how we can each positively impact on the lives of others within our school community every day.
Over the last week, Year 12 students have finalised summative internal assessment associated with General syllabus subjects. This is an exciting time as it marks the final stages of preparation for the External Assessment block in October. The students, along with their teachers, are focused on consolidating their mastery of Unit 3 and/or 4 concepts in preparation for these examinations. We, as a school community, wish them luck in this preparation and are confident they will perform to the best of their ability come October.
Year 10 students and parents have been involved in SET planning over the last few weeks, and I thank the students and their families for the open and positive communication that took place over the course of these meetings. Brooke Butson and I were excited and impressed with the diversity of interests and dreams that formed the basis of senior schooling and post school pathways of these students, and we look forward to sharing the journey as these students transition into Year 11 next year.
God Bless,
Matthew Brown
Deputy Principal
ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL PRIMARY
Learning is a very social activity. It is when learners are able to collaborate on a project, share their thinking, question each other and have to work towards an outcome that is acceptable to all, that deep learning can occur. This is why, when you walk into a learning area on the Primary Campus, you would expect to hear 'productive noise'. In recent weeks, I have visited many classrooms where learners are being taught how to communicate with others so that their learning is enhanced. It's not about having the loudest voice or delivering a monologue and expecting others to listen and accept what you are saying. We are teaching the students to be confident when delivering their point of view by thinking first, to be able to justify what they are saying, to listen respectfully and actively when others are speaking, to build on the comments of others and to disagree with someone by being 'soft on the person, hard on the content'. We encourage dialogue and the opportunity for everyone to have a voice. As adults, it is important that we model appropriate and effective behaviours for the children.
In recent weeks, year levels on the Primary Campus have been working together on different topics. Year 2 and Year 3 students have been running around the oval each morning, clocking up laps which have been converted into kilometres for their journey around Queensland. In mixed year level groups each Friday, they have 'visited' locations and found out much about the towns and regions on their journey. Prep and Year 1 students have, for many weeks, been sharing their love of books and last week, they enjoyed the opportunity for some 'arty fun'. No glitter was involved but there was plenty of paint to keep everyone happy!
The relaxation of COVID19 restrictions has meant that inter school sport has resumed with soccer and netball games against Stanthorpe State Primary School held last week. For some, it wasn't a comfortable game as they complained about their soccer boots being too small for them - an unexpected outcome of the Coronavirus pandemic. However, the results were in our favour and the students are looking forward to more games this week.
This week is Well Being Week across the school. Our students have been involved in a number of activities designed to highlight the need for us all to look after ourselves and each other. They have enjoyed yoga, dance fit, hot chocolate, meditations and a pyjama day throughout the week. In the busyness of school life - and life in general - we need to remember to make time for ourselves. If we are not looking after ourselves we will not be able to look out for others.
With God's blessings.
Sarah Yates
Assistant to the Principal Primary
ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL FORMATION & IDENTITY
Living Water - Senior Praxis Program
The Senior RE Praxis “Living Water” Course allows students to enrich their own spirituality by listening and responding with their heart to numerous service opportunities.
As a key component of the program, service to our school and wider community has been somewhat challenging for our students in recent times, yet our Year 12 students have found a valuable and enriching way in which to serve their school community.
During past weeks, Year 12 students have been sorting through the mountains of archives and memorabilia collected by the Alumni Association in preparation for the establishment of a history room. Students have enjoyed seeing old uniform styles, school magazines, workbooks and photographs of past eras. They have particularly enjoyed sourcing photographs of family, friends and staff from past years, and had a chuckle here and there as they marvel at the fashion, hair styles and trends of past decades.
Megan Mahoney
Assistant to the Principal Formation & Identity
RIDING THE CORONA COASTER
Across Victoria, students and their families are experiencing challenging times with the state being in various stages of lockdown yet again. However, this second wave of the pandemic is now also beginning to impact other areas of Australia and New Zealand. Riding this corona coaster and navigating the ups and downs of the current reality is proving to be confronting for many people. The coronavirus has turned our lives upside down with some students returning to remote learning and parents continuing to juggle the home environment.
The uncertainty of not knowing what will happen next may have an impact on many students and their families. There is a concern that mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and substance abuse, will increase, especially amongst young people. In the coming weeks, it will be vital for adult carers to reduce the stress levels at home and make life seem more manageable.
As an adult carer, it will also be essential to look after your own wellbeing during this time. Ensure you make time to de-escalate your own nervous system and maintain your sleep routine, healthy eating habits, get some regular exercise and reach out virtually to friends and family.
In this SchoolTV Special Report, families are encouraged to embrace the guidance offered to help minimise the impact of this corona coaster. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.
If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.
Here is the link to your special report https://stjosephs.qld.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-riding-corona-coaster .
Students changed roles on Friday, ditching the books and becoming actors in a short film they created with The Noosa Film Academy.
Oscar winning Greg Huglin stepped students through the ins and out of film making and directing, and helped them storyboard, film and edit their own original short film in a full day workshop.
Students learned about planning scenes, blocking and framing on camera, overlapping scenes and dialogue, and how that all connects during editing to make a seamless film. This is part of a project called The Kindness Umbrella, stories of passing on kindness, that will be part of the Mary Poppins Storytelling Festival.
Students engaged well in all aspects of the day and it was a great experience in a sector of the Arts industry.
This week, the Senior Modern History class commemorated Vietnam Veterans Day, the 54th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.
Norm Steele, who served in 8RAR in Vietnam came to speak with students and gave them an invaluable first-hand account of his time. They also conducted a service to remember all those who served and have fallen in wars, especially the Vietnam War.
We thank Norm for his service for our country and his wife, Bernice for their time this week.
ST VINCENT DE PAUL WINTER APPEAL
With winter well and truly upon us, our school community once again looked at ways to support the St. Vincent De Paul Annual Winter Appeal.
Teen Vinnies promoted and encouraged students to participate in the Lip Sync Battle where students and teachers could perform, dance and lip sync to their favourite tunes. A donation of tinned food was the entry fee for participants and audience members.
Primary students were encouraged to bring along cans to their classes, where a final tally will be taken culminating in a pizza lunch for the class with the most cans.
Jelly Bean guessing was for Secondary students, with every can brought in, a guess could be made.
A sausage sizzle was held in conjunction with the finals of the Lip Sync Battle, where students saw a great display of dance and lip syncing.
Thanks to John Mahoney, Teen Vinnies and School Prefect Melissa Petroccitto for all their efforts in co-ordinating all these great events and ideas. We have enjoyed performances from all ages and witnessed some exceptional talent.
Supporting the Winter Appeal enables staff and students to live out our Mercy values in the simpliest of ways, through assisting the poor, showing compassion, and ensuring dignity to those in need.
We have donated to date well over 600 cans with a final drop off happening this week.
Well done and congratulations - an amazing effort !
Last week, the Year 8 students assisted with the Stanthorpe Meals on Wheels program as part of their community service. This involved helping to get the meals ready, delivering the meals with the regular volunteers and then assisting with the post-delivery clean up. The students commented on how well organised the program is, and the fact that different dietary requirements are catered for. They were also impressed by the meals themselves.
When asked about their experiences, the students all commented on how nice it was to get to meet some of the older people in our community. They were pleasantly surprised at how delighted the Meals on Wheels clients were to see them, and to share their stories with the different groups each day. Our students also remarked that is was good to see some of the different ways people can help the elderly in our community, and that it was nice to know that they were out helping too.
A very big thank you goes to the Meals on Wheels volunteers who drove our students around and showed them how to prepare the meals. They made the students feel very welcome, and the Year 8's thoroughly enjoyed their brief escape from their normal daily routine.
Year 10 Science students were tasked to investigate the effect of mass on different rubber band configurations. This is part of the Year 10 Science unit on Physics.
Students form an informed hypothesis, which they then perform the prac, record the observations and then finally graph mass vs extension to look for a relationship.
Year 11 Chemistry students investigating how rate of reaction changes as surface area changes.
Records
Please note Athletics record below for Darius Jansink which was ommited from last fortnight's newsletter.
Name | Event | New Record | Previous Record |
Darius Jansink | 11 Years Shot Put | 12.29m | D Musumeci 10.13m 2009 |
Selection for the St Joseph's Run Club occurred last week where students set themselves the challenge to run 16 laps of the Secondary oval in 25 minutes. Congratulations to the 17 students from Year 6 - Year 12 who gained successful selection in our first St Joseph's Run Club.
The St Joseph's Run Club is a minimum 3.5km track, extending to greater distances for those who take up the challenge.
Thank you to Miss Thompson, Mr Steele and Mrs Rhymer for taking time out of their day to encourage the team around the course.
Some of the Year 6 students were asked on there way back to school, why they love running, with nearly all answering "the exercise/fitness part", with one student agreeing with Miss Thompson in that it is battling your mind and different parts of the body as different parts want to give up and others continue.
Another student mentioned that because it is a pretty flexible sport, you can do it more informally and chat with a buddy.
The St Joseph's Run Club is a minimum 3.5km track, extensing to greater distances for those who take up the challenge. Run Club is held Tuesdays 12.45-1.10pm at Quart pot Creek Parkland.
Year 11 students were recently visited by the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services’ (QFES) to present the Road Attitudes and Action Planning program, an initiative of operational firefighters, which provides a preventative strategy to reduce vehicle crashes by young drivers.
It encourages young people to think about road safety so that they can make informed decisions to mitigate risks and consequences by planning ahead.
The students found the presentation helpful and said that it really made them think about the consequences involved with complacency and peer pressure out on the road.
More information regarding road safety and action planning can be found in the links below.
Road Attitudes and Action Planning
www.qfes.qld.gov.au/community-safety/freeprograms/Pages/raap.aspx
An item of jewellery has been found on the Primary campus.
If you have lost anything and believe this may be yours, please present to the office to describe the item.
26 August | Year 8 to 9 Information Evening |
31 August - 2 Sept | Year 11 Leadership Camp |
4 September | Student Free Day |