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- PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
- DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
- ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL PRIMARY
- ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL FORMATION & IDENTITY
- PROJECT COMPASSION
- ST VINCENT DE PAUL WINTER APPEAL
- UQ SCIENCE AMBASSADORS
- STEAM CONFERENCE
- YEAR 5's ESCAPING THE COLD
- RADIO CADETS
- POM POM CREATIONS
- BRAIN BEE CHALLENGE
- LIBRARY NEWS
- MERCY MEALS
- AUSTRALIA'S BIGGEST MORNING TEA
- STAFF JERSEY DAY for STAFF WELLBEING
- NEW STAFF
- ROSIES - FRIENDS ON THE STREET
- UNDERSTANDING HEARING HEALTH
- SCHOOL UNIFORMS FOR SALE
- SPORT
- UPCOMING EVENTS
As I announced earlier this week, St Joseph’s School has received a Level 3 Visible Learning+ Certified School Award (the highest level possible) from Corwin which recognises the exemplary work the school has done to embed Visible Learning principles at all levels within the school; acknowledges the work of our teachers to develop visible learners; and recognises their success in being evaluators of their own impact on student learning.
This is a significant award for the three and half years the school has put into our Visible Learning Program with the aim of improving teaching and learning across the school. It has been a very successful program and the improvement in both the students and teachers has been significant. St Joseph’s School is now seen as a “Lighthouse School in Visible Learning” for all 31 schools across the Toowoomba Diocese with regular visits by other principals and teachers to learn from us.
For some of you, what we mean by ‘Visible Learning’ may be a bit of a mystery. In order to provide yourself greater clarity, I urge you to read the letter to families I sent out this week. It provides details about what Visible Learning is and how we imbed it in our school.
Importantly, parents and carers should be reassured that whilst there are some practices that they may not have experienced in their time at school (like flexible learning spaces), Visible Learning is about understanding and applying those influences on students learning that have the greatest impact on learning. Those influences have been around for many years.
It is also important to remember that school is a long journey from Prep to Year 12. At St Joseph’s School we are about preparing lifelong learners, that is, students who can continue to succeed in their learning once they finish school. Too often students who succeed at school struggle in their tertiary years. A visible learner is a student who has ownership of their learning and will be successful throughout life.
God Bless
As we near the end of Semester 1, it is wonderful to move around the school and see the exceptional work being done in the teaching and learning spaces. It is a credit to the teachers, school officers and students to see the positivity and collaboration in the learning environment, with all working together to improve and maximise learning opportunities.
Following this theme, I would like to recognise the wonderful work recently of two of our newest staff members and valued school officers. Firstly, Mr Patrick McCosker, a member of our school board and parent, joined our teaching staff this year to support the continuation of the Certificate II Engineering course over at the Trade Training centre. Pat has been a wonderful addition to our staff, bringing with him much expertise and passing on the real-world application of the metal fabrication skills he has developed through his career to the engineering class. The students have been so excited to work with and learn off someone as skilled and talented as Pat.
Secondly, our new groundsman Mitch Hurtz has been assisting in the Year 9 and 10 Tech studies classes this term. Mitch brings with him to the school 20 years experience as a qualified mechanic, and in our Year 9 Tech studies class the students have commenced an automotive unit to supplement the wood-based coffee table project. The students are excited to be pulling apart some ride on mowers, with the plan being to restore these to their former glory ready for auction or sale. The students will be looking at all aspects of this process, from stripping the engines down and rebuilding them to preparing the panel work and deck for re-painting. In the future, we hope to expand into restoration of some second-hand motorbikes. I thank Mitch for the awesome work he is doing and the knowledge and skills he is able to pass onto the students. As a teacher, it is fantastic to be able to stand back and see the enthusiasm and energy displayed by these students in this space.
Finally, congratulations to Lisa McPherson, our exceptional Senior Chemistry and Junior Mathematics and Science teacher, who was awarded the Rotary Pride of Workmanship award recently at a dinner at the QCWT. Lisa is well deserving of this award, as it acknowledges the wonderful work that Lisa is doing in the teaching and learning in her classrooms. Well done!
God Bless
Matthew Brown
Deputy Principal
As you would expect, the last two weeks have been very busy and with just over two weeks to go until the end of term, there is not much sign of things slowing down!
Two weeks ago, we collected reading data from all the students on the campus. The purpose of this was to track each student's progress to date and to look at ways of maintaining or accelerating the growth moving forward into Semester 2. As part of our work in the area of Visible Learning, the collection, analysis and using of data to inform next steps in the learning journey has now become more commonplace and purposeful. It happens at designated times as set by Toowoomba Catholic Schools but also on a daily basis as teachers work with the students to find the best way forward for each of them. Associated with this is the use of specific and timely feedback and improving how we do this for the benefit of all learners is an area of focus for us this year.
To be a part of the local community is very important to us and in recent weeks, we have become involved in preparations for the Snowflakes in Stanthorpe weekend with the completion of snowmen images. Part of this has involved some of the children learning to knit. I would like to thank Wendy Hine for volunteering her time to teach the children to knit and to Sue Fleming for creating the images for us to use. Kaye Clear and Glennis Rossow also assisted with the pom-pom preparations. Thank you to them both.
Last week, 75 of our students enjoyed a movie night whilst their parents took advantage of a few hours of 'quiet time'. Thank you to Mrs McNichol, Mrs Charlton, Mrs O'Dea and Mrs Campbell for their organisation of the event.
Also last week, 28 students from across Year 3 - Year 6 participated in a STEAM Day at St Mary's School in Toowoomba. The purpose of the day was to encourage students to explore the links between the five areas of the curriculum and to imagine how they might utilise these in innovative ways in the future. The students were a credit to the school as they engaged in the activities and the Year 6 students, who presented as part of the 'Expo', should also be proud of their achievements. Thank you to Mr Page and Miss Thompson for their organisation of the day.
Finally, I encourage all parents to read the Primary Campus newsletter which is issued each fortnight as it contains more information about what the students are involved in than can be included here. It also provides parents with updates about the major academic projects we are involved in, namely Visible Learning and Inspire Maths. As always, we welcome your thoughts, comments and questions about all that is happening on this campus.
With God's blessings
Sarah Yates
Assistant to the Principal Primary
Our Mercy School
As a Mercy school, our charism and tradition are key to our identity; from eras past to where we are today and into the future. Our tradition and charism have grown and developed over the past 146 years, and are proudly reflected in our values, mission and action, building names and iconography.
As a Mercy school, we uphold strong links to the Mercy Order, acknowledging the determination, faith and courage the sisters exhibited in establishing and maintaining our school.
As part of our connection and gratitude to the Sisters of Mercy is the support we show to projects and competitions they facilitate. Many students from Years 7 to 11 are currently preparing artwork and creative writing pieces to enter into the Students Art Prize based around one of two scriptures - “What does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 (Years 7, 8, 9) and “Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” Isaiah 1:17 (Years 10, 11, 12). Year 12 students are entering the Mercy Youth Awards by photographing the everyday things that they do to live life to the full and help build and maintain good mental health. As a school we look forward to our involvement in these events and sharing our works with our school community.
God Bless,
Megan Mahoney
Assistant to the Principal Formation & Identity
We happily announce that the total money raised for Project Compassion came to a grand total of $888.40.
We would like to thank everyone who participated in any of the activities held and donated their spare change to this cause. We are looking forward to seeing what our money has done to help one of the countries in need, especially due to the impacts of COVID-19. Taylah and I would like to give thanks particular to the students and staff who were so willing to support our project.
Finally, we would like to give congratulations to all the competition winners from this year – Year 6, McAuley 4, and Margaret O’Dea for winning the Test Your Knowledge competition.
Taylah Whiticker & Karla Brien
Year 12 Students
Our annual St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal was launched on Monday, 17th May under the direction of Mini Vinnies and Teen Vinnies.
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.
Both Teen and Mini Vinnies have been promoting the appeal and we continue to encourage families and students to make donations.
Donations can be left at the Office or in the Well Being Hub on the Secondary Campus, and will be gratefully received through until the end of Week 9, 18th June 2021.
With many thanks in anticipation of your continued support for this very worthy cause.
McAuley 4 with their collection for the St Vincent De Paul Winter Appeal
UQ Science Ambassadors work in partnership with University of Queensland to promote and celebrate Science in the Secondary setting.
These students are enthusiastic about Science and assist in Science Club activities as well as plan for National Science Week activities here at St Joseph's.
Wednesday 2nd June, saw students from Year 4, 5 and 6 embark on an early bus ride to St Mary's Toowoomba to particpate in the Youth Entrepreneur and STEAM conference.
What a great way to stay out of the cold and enjoy a good old game of Table Tennis.
On a cold and windy Wednesday, students from Year 5 put their skills to the challenge and worked on their hand eye co-ordination.
Students welcomed the challenge and thoroughly enjoyed the warmth of being inside.
Tune in to Ten FM (98.7FM Stanthorpe or 89.7FM for Tenterfield) from 8am - 10am on Saturday 12th June to hear our radio cadets Teresa Pozzebon, Grace Roberts, Ryley Simcocks and Noah Taylor on their radio show 'Radio Cadets'. They have been participating in a 6 week radio training program and have worked hard to deliver this content for the community.
This will be their first broadcast. Listen in to show your support!
Congratulations to these students for the successful completion of the Presenter Training. We look forward to listening to these radio stars of the future.
Each class at St Joseph’s Primary has been asked by Mary Findlay to create a mural for display at the upcoming Stanthorpe Snowflakes Festival.
The scene on each one is a Snowfigure - each with its own personality and shape.
All students have made pom-poms for decoration on the murals and the Year 5 students are decorating the figures with colourful hats and knitted scarves.
The murals will be displayed in the Exhibition Centre at the Showgrounds during the Festival. Please be sure to find them to see the great creative work that has been done by the students.
The Brain Bee is a competition open to Year 10 students in Australia as well as New Zealand. It is sponsored by the Australasian Neurological Society.
These Year 10 students, as well as Elizabeth Nash (absent from picture), spent several lunchtimes in Term 1 learning about the brain. From this, the students then completed an online test as part of the competition.
Bronte, Taylah, Eliza, Mikayla and Elizabeth, should be commended for their hard work, as learning about the brain is outside of the Year 10 Science curriculum.
Our Library staff, Mrs Stanford and Miss Gangemi have been busy stocktaking the Library's Junior Fiction collection.
Items that are older than 20 years old have been culled from the collection to allow space for new titles. Due to this, there are now large number of Junior Fiction books that are going free to a good home.
So parents and students, please come and have a look at the signed trolley and grab a book or two.
Earlier this year, Teen Vinnies launched a new initiative called 'Mercy Meals', a way for our school community to reach out to those who may need a hand.
Sometimes families may be faced with challenging or difficult situations due to illness, accidents or bereavement. Or sometimes face exciting yet stressful times, like the arrival of a new baby! During these times a meal is very welcome and this is where Mercy Meals can assist.
If you would like to be involved in helping to support families in our school community by making a meal, this would be greatly appreciated. Meals can be dropped to the main office and will be collected promptly for freezing.
If you know someone who is having a difficult time and would appreciate a meal, please contact the Office.
Many thanks for your support of this great initiative.
Staff from both Primary and Secondary recently held fundraisers to help raise money for a very worthy cause - Australia's Biggest Morning Tea. Supporting Cancer Council Queensland helps to raise funds to assist with vital cancer research, run lifesaving education programs and help the thousands of Queensland families affected by cancer each year.
Teachers and staff on the Primary campus put on their best dressed outfits and wore their "mad hats", all while getting in the sprit on their "Mat Hatter's Tea Party".
Displays of tea pots, clocks, quotes and decorations from Alice in Wonderland adorned the walls and tables of the staffroom along with some delicious and very tasteful food (the tea cup bisuits made with marshmallows, ticktok bisuits and musk lifesavers, were a real treat).
Congratulations to Mrs Yates and Miss Gangemi on winning Best Hats, Mr Page and Miss Canavan for winning Best Dressed and Mr Fleming for winning the Hot Trivia.
Staff on Secondary put their baking skills to the test and took part in a "Bake Off", where teachers had to vote on their favorite cake/slice/cheesecake.
With so many tasty treats to taste test and vote upon, it was a hard decision but ultimately Mr Citrigno took out the win with his very scrumptious and delicious cheescake.
Together, a total of $342.60 was raised.
Thankyou to all staff who contributed in any way to this very worthwhile cause.
Wednesday 2nd June was Staff Jersey Day for staff wellbeing.
Wellbeing Days help promote and support employee wellbeing and to champion better work and working lives.
Staff were provided with delicious hot donuts for morning tea which were throughly appreciated.
A special thankyou to Mrs Angelina Sims, our Wellbeing Officer who organised the event.
We would like to extend a warm welcome to 2 new staff members - Mrs Robyn Smith and Ms Sarah Day.
Robyn Smith commenced with St Joseph's on Monday 31st May as our new School Officer, Admin and Finance to support Mrs Megan Hines and will offer assistance in the Office. Robyn is working Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Sarah Day will be starting as a continuing teacher from the beginning of Semester 2. She is an experienced teacher having taught HPE and Maths for many years. Sarah will be taking Primary PE in Semester 2 while Mick Grew is on leave, as well as a class in Secondary. Sarah will be working Tuesday through to Fridays.
5.6 million Australians, that is one in four of us, are lonely almost all of the time or on a regular basis.
66% seek friendship as a remedy to loneliness.
Rosies reaches out to those most in need, people who are homeless or at risk, lonely, and socially isolated within our communities.
Whilst many organisations are increasingly providing awareness, support, and referral, Rosies focuses on providing friendship and unconditional acceptance during difficult times.
Over 98% of our work is funded through kind donations from our local community.
Please find the link to the newsletter below which details the impact that Rosies has in the local community which our students are such a large part of.
https://rosies.org.au/beta/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Inside-Rosies-Winter-2021-1.pdf
Toowoomba Catholic Schools are leading the way nationally in identifying hearing health as a key factor in children's learning success.
Engaging audiologists to assess and provide rehabilitation support to students, particularly in the western communities of the Diocese has been instrumental in the Hearing health program.
Coupled with this are information brochures for parents and students, and the 'Breath, Blow, Cough, Wash, Chew' initiative.
Parents are encouraged to use the resources provided below to aid in their child's hearing health.
For a small donation, you can be the owner of a 2nd hand Secondary Knit Jumper.
These jumpers are almost as new. We currently have 4 on hand in the Office.
Please call into the Office, is you are interested.
Darling Downs Regional Cross Country
In last fortnight's newsletter, a number of students were listed as having attended the Darling Downs Regional Cross Country.
Apologies to Year 6 student, Emily Robinson, whose name was accidently missed from being mentioned as having also attended the event.
Squash State Championships
Secondary student, Anika Rossington recently competed in the Squash State Championships held at Sandgate. The competition was held from the 26th - 28th May.
Over 3 days of competition, Anika came away with a 5 wins and 2 losses in both the singles and doubles competition.
Anika performed exceptionally well at the championships, finishing 9th overall.
Congratulations Anika !
The basketball competition at the Stanthorpe Fitness centre started mid-way through Term 1, wrapping up last week.
There were 6 teams from St Joey’s ranging from Years 4-10. In total, approximately 45 students participated in the competition with some playing a few games and others playing out the whole season.
It was fantastic to see everyone participating in a new sport, for most of them, and watching the teams gel more and more each week.
Sport is really a great opportunity for trying something new, staying fit and active and also for socialising with the wider community. I hope to see the numbers keep rising for basketball in the community !
Mr Citrigno
Secondary Teacher
2021 Grand Final Winners (9-11Yrs) - St Joey's Young Ballerz
Kael Einam, Hannah Petrie, Thomas Petrie, Kayleb Spiller, Mr Citrigno, Georgia Petrie (absent Liam Green)
| 10-11 June | Meals on Wheels - Year 9 students |
| 16 June | Broncos Cup, Round 2 - Stanthorpe |
| 17 June | Inter School Debating - Years 7-10 |
| 21-25 June | Year 10 Work Experience |
| 21-23 June | Year 8 Camp |
| 21-23 June | Year 9 Camp |
| 22 June | Year 11 RSA Course |
| 23 June | Year 11 First Aid Training |
| 24 June | Charlotte's Web Excursion - Prep to Year 3 |
| 25 June | End of Term Liturgy |
| Term 2 Finishes | |
| 27 May - 2 June | QISSN |
| 12 June | Student Free Day |
| 13 June | Term 3 Commences |
