19 August 2016

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s News

Dear Families

Parents of Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 students should have received a 2016 NAPLAN Student Report via your child last week. If you did not, please make contact with us. As a school, we consider the NAPLAN results against the other sources of data of student achievement we have available (school-based assessment, diagnostic tests and so on) to determine the reliability of NAPLAN results. Over the last few years, we have found that, when considering entire cohorts of students, the NAPLAN data are both reliable and provide teachers with useful information about the academic strengths and weaknesses of a group of students. These data are also analysed for patterns of achievement in specific Year levels over time. For example, in Year 5 across the period of 2012-2016, the school has achieved well-above the State average across all literacy strands (reading, writing, grammar, punctuation, spelling). These data confirm that the strategies we are currently using in these areas are progressing students’ learning and we need to further consider how we can consolidate and develop these to ensure this trend continues. Overall, students performed well across the five tests.

We are now approaching the time of year when our Year 10 students begin to develop their Senior Education & Training Plans (SET Plans). All students have or are in the process of laying the groundwork for these plans by engaging in a discussion with Mrs Michelle McCarthy about their future career aspirations and their academic strengths. These discussions help students in the planning process, and are followed by a final interview with me and/or Mrs Linda Perrett. If your child is not returning to St Joseph’s for Year 11 in 2017, please make contact with the school which provides us with important information for preparing for the following academic year. Mrs Perrett writes further about SET plans and parent information in her article below.

I want to offer my thanks for those parents who participated in the professional appraisals for me, Linda Perrett and David Fleming. These appraisals are an important part of our professional growth and contribute to the future development of our school. A number of our parents took time off work to participate in interviews, and all offered their invaluable perspectives in survey instruments. I can state on behalf of David and Linda that we appreciate your honest feedback.

Finally, as communicated to you last week, the Principal position has been readvertised and closes later this month. I will provide further details about the next phase of recruitment when the Catholic Schools Office provides me with the information.

Leader’s News

It is at this time of the year that we begin to plan and prepare for the movement from Year 6 to Year 7 and Year 10 to the senior schooling years. Year 10’s are in the process of preparing their Senior Education Training Plans, which will be a guide to the next two years of schooling. During Pastoral Care students are focusing on identifying their skills and capabilities and making decisions about which subjects will best suit their interests in year 11 and 12. St Joseph’s School aims to provide a variety of subjects in the senior school and students are greatly benefited by the small cohorts and the opportunities provided by teachers. The transition to Year 11 is a time for collaboration between students, parents and the school to guide and support our students as they move towards their future pathways. A parent information night will be held on Thursday 6th October in relation to Senior Schooling, from 6 pm in Frayne Room 2.

In the upcoming years the QCCA will implement significant changes to the nature of senior schooling in Queensland. In these past months our teachers have been engaging in the various trials occurring by the QCAA. Our Year 11 English cohort participated in the external assessment trial with excellent results. Mr Matthew Brown has been a peer assessment mentor for teachers from around the state in Physical Education and I was a marker for the external Geography trial. Our staff are continually supported to further their skills and pedagogy is we progress towards significant educational change in Queensland.

HOD’s Matthew Brown, Joe Shorter and Sarah Yates, with Year 6 teachers are currently engaged in developing an innovative transition program that will be delivered in Term 4. This approach will provide for a seamless movement for our students as they progress from Year 6 to secondary schooling. There will be a secondary experience day held during Term 4, which will include students from outlying schools.

Linda Perrett
AP Secondary

School News

Year 11 and 12 News

The Year 11 and 12 Legal students visited the Supreme and District courts in Brisbane on Friday 12 August. The students were able to view first hand, a number of interesting “real life” cases in both the criminal and civil courts. After lunch, the students were given a guided tour of the courts, library and an exhibition titled “ In Freedom’s Cause” which tells the story of Queensland’s legal community during the First World War.

Fete Excitement Brewing

Plans for the 2016 St Joseph’s Fete are well underway. After the success of last year’s Fete, the committee are broadening the amusement features to ensure no-one is disappointed. This year, Brisbane magician Simon Shazam who has over fifteen years of experience in ensuring events are a huge success will be a special feature. Simon specialises in creating an entertainment experience that everyone is sure to never forget.

The Fete kicks off at 12pm on the 29th October on the Secondary campus. The usual attractions such as carnival rides, mobile laser skirmish, raffles, delicious food and various stalls plus a programme of non-stop entertainment is guaranteed to keep all ages amused and create a delightful family-friendly atmosphere. Simon will be circulating the Fete with his roving magic for a few hours during the afternoon creating laughter and enjoyment and wrapping up with a special 45 minute magic show later in the afternoon.

“With the roving magic, I perform for small groups of people at a time and it’s performed close up, so everyone is able to experience it in their own hands. I do tricks with balls, string, rings and cards. Cards are signed and then I find people’s cards in amazing ways. In my special show, children are invited to the stage to participate, there is a mixture of comedy and magic and lots of laughter and amazement. A dove and a rabbit do make a magical appearance,” Magician Simon Shazam said.

Simon has spent ten years living in Japan teaching English and working as a magician part-time. One thing lead to another and Simon started performing magic at weddings. Simon recently returned to Australia to attend and perform at his brother’s wedding. Simon and his wife Noriko will spend half the year in Australia and the other half in Japan. “Magic is a big thing in Japan and there’s a big entertainment factor,” Simon said. “The bride is the star and I try not to take too much away from that,” he added. “What I love most about this job is I’m always learning. Every audience is different and I never know what to expect”. To keep abreast of new tricks Simon reads books, attends seminars and watches fellow magicians perform. “

Entertainment will continue with a spectacular fireworks display and the return of popular Brisbane band “Backroom Vegas” who will kick on until late.

The Fete is shaping up to be a memorable and fun-filled event. Claim the date to be part of the fun and frivolity at the St Joseph’s Fete on Saturday 29th October.

Angie Sims
Fete Co-ordinator

QISSN PIE DRIVE

St Joseph's School will be holding a Homestyle Bake Pie Drive this term. Funds raised will assist the QISSN 2018 team. Pie drive order forms will be sent home with the eldest in the family this week. All Homestyle Bake products are Queensland made and owned.

Pie drive payment is due to Megan Hines by midday Friday 26th August. No orders will be taken after 12 noon on this day.

Collection will be from the Bathersby Stadium from 12 noon – 2:00 pm & 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm Wednesday 7th September.

Sports News

Border Districts

21 Students represented St Joseph’s School at the Border District Athletics Carnival on Thursday 4th August. All students competed in their events not only to the best of their ability but with great sportsmanship. The following students are to be congratulated on achieving placings in the top 3 at this stronger level of competition:

Good luck to Anika Spiller and Hannah Debnam who will be representing the school and Border Districts at the Darling Downs Athletics Championships on the 1st and 2nd of September.

Parish News

FOR SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

INVITING PARENTS
TO PREPARE THEIR CHILDREN FOR THE SACRAMENTS

Children who are in Year three or older are at an age

when they can be prepared for the Sacraments.

Please contact the Parish Office
(4681 2157 or stjosephsparish@halenet.com.au)
if you wish to enrol your child to prepare
for the Sacrament of Reconciliation this year.

(Parent Night Sunday 11th September at 6PM)

four weeks of Instruction in October and November after the holidays.)

The children will be Confirmed

and receive their First Holy Communion in 2017.

Please contact Fr. Brian if you need advice or guidance.