22 April 2016

Newsletter Articles

Principal's News

Dear Parents and Caregivers

Over the break I had the pleasure of attending the Lions Youth of the Year district final, in which our School Captain, Lillian Manahan, was a participant. The Lions Youth of the Year competition is a nation-wide competition held by the Lions Club each year for students in Years 11 and 12. Students are required to submit an application, sit for an interview, respond to impromptu questions to an audience and present a prepared speech.

In order to compete at the district final, Lillian won the Stanthorpe and regional competitions. She focussed on gender equality in her speech, which was powerful presentation of the quiet injustice which still exists between genders in the workplace. Although Lillian did not progress beyond the district level, the way she represented herself, family and school was exemplary. Lillian continues a long tradition of success for St Joseph's School students in this competition.

Some of you may know that I was on leave for the first week of this term chaperoning my son, Finn, as he performed in Queensland Ballet's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. As I sat in the wings of the Playhouse Theatre and watched these amazingly talented dancers perform one of Shakespeare's comedies to ballet, I was reminded of the powerful importance of the Arts generally, and specifically for young people.

Our students engage with The Arts through the Australian Curriculum (Music, Drama, Dance, Art, Media), but St Joseph's School continues to seek out occasions for students to participate in co-curricular opportunities which further expose them to performance and other forms of artistic/creative expression. Notably, the biennial School musical and the instrumental music program are part of this strategy, but we have recently sought expressions of interest for students to see other performances both in Toowoomba and Brisbane.

We recognise the costs (both time and money) are high, but so are the benefits. Not only does the research tells us that students who undertake activities aligned with The Arts perform better in school, these experiences also encourage students to think deeply about ideas which are relevant to all human beings. While these experiences are entertaining, they are also inherently educational.

In the coming weeks, we have over 100 students traveling to Toowoomba to see 52 Story Treehouse; we will have a number of students with tickets to Little Shop of Horrors and we will be seeking expressions of interest in the production of Matilda, which opens in November this year. In addition, our Year 11 English students will be participating in workshops with the Queensland Ballet as part of their studies for the term and Primary Campus students will attend the Brisbane Writers' Festival.

Take a look at a summary of some of the research which suggests that education in The Arts is good for young people's intellectual development: 10 Studies on the Arts in Education

Finally, Mrs Marissa Moncada is on leave for Terms 2 & 3 and in anticipation of other staff leave in Semester 2, the school has appointed Esther Witten and Yasmine Allan (pictured). Miss Witten will be teaching in the area of Business, and Mrs Allan is teaching in the Humanities. We welcome Esther and Yasmine to St Joseph's School.

Dr Michael McCarthy
Principal

Miss Esther Witten and Mrs Yasmine Allen

Leader's News

The Easter Season

Last term Ash Wednesday signified the beginning of our Lenten journey towards Easter. This year our focus was not on what we could "give up" but on sacrifices of love that could be given. During our Lenten journey a number of events were held including participation by staff and students in Lenten programs, prayer gatherings, and fundraising for Project Compassion which included coin lines, a fish n chip Friday and the inaugural 20 000 steps Walkathon. Again, the generosity of students and families was overwhelming with a staggering $2 900 being donated to Caritas.

On our return this term staff and students gathered together to celebrate the joy of the resurrection of Christ, highlighting the gift of new life given to us through the resurrection. Using water as a reminder of our baptism and new life, students were invited to bless themselves as a symbol of nourishment and blessing in body and spirit.

For the next fifty days, our Easter journey continues as we remember the events following the resurrection of Jesus. The first 40 days commemorate the time between Jesus' resurrection and His ascension into heaven and the last 10 days commemorate the time from the ascension to the receiving of Holy Spirit by the apostles on the first Pentecost. As our Easter season continues may each and every one of us experience a blessed Easter.

Happy Easter,
Megan Mahoney
APRE

School News

Eisteddfod

St Joseph's Prep to Year 7 Students are busily preparing recitations for the approaching Border District Eisteddfod. Students will perform a short poem in front of a judging panel on Thursday 2nd June with some students electing to perform a second recitation in Italian.

By now students will have selected their poems and we ask that parents please encourage their children to practise their pieces at home, as well as at school.

UQ Archaeological Excursion

On Wednesday 23rd March Senior Biology and Ancient History students had the opportunity to participate in an archaeological excursion to the University of Queensland in Brisbane. Through practical experience students were able to learn the methods used by archaeologists, both in the field and in the laboratory, to study and interpret sites containing historical artefacts.

Firstly a site, divided into sections, represented different time periods and was excavated to uncover various artefacts. This proved to be an engaging activity for students, who were able to perform the intricate process of locating and removing these artefacts before analysing them to interpret their chronological differences.

Participants also studied a makeshift burial site where they interpreted the nature of the burial to determine whether it was ritual or unprepared. They recorded what jewellery or weapons lay near the bodies, and how the grave was structured, before determining that the burial was ritualistic.

Following lunch it was time to evaluate skeletons. A replica skeleton based on a discovery by archaeologists was provided to students along with samples of material and jewellery. Students identified the age, stature and sex of the skeleton by measuring and studying the growth development of different bones. Others identified unknown materials found around the body using microscopes to compare them to similar samples.

The day was an extremely beneficial experience which allowed students to experience the work of archaeologists, historians and scientists. Our time at the University of Queensland was a most enjoyable and an engaging experience, and we are thankful to both our teachers and the University of Queensland for enabling us to participate in event.

Year 11 news

The Year 11 PC class has been raising money this semester for the Stanthorpe Hospital who are in need of a reclining chair for the Children's Ward. The chair will be used by parents who have to stay overnight in the hospital with a sick child in the ward, giving them a little bit of comfort in such a distressing time. The fundraiser began in Lent, a time when we consider what we can do to help others and how best to donate our time to assist those in our community, a representation of God's care for us – which is parallel to a parent's love for their child.

During the course of Term 1 ham and salad rolls, and later pies and sausages rolls, were sold every Wednesday at lunch, which generated over $300. We are hoping to continue our efforts during Term 2 so that we can reach our goal of $900. The Secondary Students have been more than generous in supporting this fundraiser and we hope they will continue this generosity.

BJ Perrett

ANZAC DAY ARRANGEMENTS

Please see below the arrangements for ANZAC Day commemorations in Stanthorpe and Tenterfield.

STANTHORPE

• Dawn Service - 5:30am: War Memorial, Weerona Park
• Gun Fire Breakfast - following the Dawn Service at the RSL. The school will pay for all students in uniform attending the breakfast.
• Mass- 9:00am
• Parade - commencing at 10:30am: Students are to assemble in Folkestone Street (near CRT) by no later than 10:15am.
• Civic Service - following the Parade: RSL
• Wreath Laying - following the RSL: War Memorial, Weerona Park.

TENTERFIELD

• Dawn Service - 5:30am: Tenterfield Memorial Hall
• Gun Fire Breakfast - 6:30am: Tenterfield Memorial Hall (RSL Pavilion). The school will pay for all students in uniform attending the breakfast.
• March - 10:30am: Students are to assemble at the Telegraph Hotel by no later than 10:15am.
• Commemoration Service - 11:00am: Tenterfield Memorial Hall.

Students attending the services and Parade/March must wear the School Uniform.

• Primary students: normal school uniform, with hat.
• Secondary students will wear the formal uniform, including a blazer (Year 11 & 12) and felt hat (all Secondary students).

I look forward to the usual excellent representation by St Joseph's School, and thank families in advance for their support of this important day.

Year 12 News

The Year 12's have had a busy start to the year with many of them being involved already in a range of school activities. Together with the badge presentation to leaders, the cohort were pleased to receive their jerseys which they wear with pride. They're Yr 12's have already shown their leadership skills with organisation of a number of activities including leading the school assemblies every Wednesday, lunchtime basketball competition, assisting with the Primary Campus social, rallying team spirit for both McAuley and Davadi houses at the swimming carnival and cross country, and organising St Joseph's Feast Day activities which included cooking and serving of lunch, the 20000 steps walk and evening BBQ. Many of our students are also involved in School Based Traineeships/Apprenticeships and have received praise for their enthusiasm while at work. Individual students have also excelled throughout the term. At the end of last term, St Joseph's was represented at the Lion's Youth of the Year competition by our school captains Daniel Sims and Lily Manahan. Both students delivered wonderful speeches and Lily was fortunate enough to win both the local and regional competition.

This term, all Year 12's will be involved in an innovative fundraiser to be held on the 14 May. This will take the form of a High Tea and Fashion Parade of Wedding gowns through the ages. The main aim of this is to raise money to help subsidise the Year 12 Graduation costs. A big thankyou to all those parents and friends of the school who have kindly donated gowns and dresses for the Fashion Parade.

Mrs Leigh Muller

LIBRARY NEWS

A Timely Reminder

Thanks to Steve and Sue Pace we have the loan of an amazing display of World War I and II artifacts, photographs and memorabilia.

The display is located in the library foyer for students and families to They provide wonderful visual reminders of the sacrifices made by World War I and II service men and women.

Items include a WWI blood sample bottle, military aircraft artifacts and photographs, ID discs, tools, uniform pieces, utensils and medals.

Thank you again Steve and Sue for setting up and sharing your precious collection with us at this time of reflection on the ANZAC story.

Sports News

CROSS COUNTRY RESULTS

Congratulations to

Jack Spencer who attended the DD rugby League trials in Goondiwindi on Sunday

Kiara Smith, Hannah Widderick, Chelsea Debnam and Taylah Zahner who attended the DD Netball trials on Monday.

Also Brayden Spiller, Josh Carlson, Michael Westerhout, Nathan Webb and Cooper Wren who have been selected to attend the DD football (soccer) trials coming up in the near future.

Reminders and Updates

Volunteer Declaration – Child Protection

All volunteers at the school are required to complete the Volunteer declaration. This can be completed on the school website or please follow the link below.

School Photos

For families still waiting for school photos, Academy Photographers have advised they will be sending these shortly.

Should you have any issues with your photos, please contact either Angie Sims on 46 815904 or Academy Photography & Production directly on 1800 816 224.

Presbytery News