14 October 2016

Newsletter Articles

Principal's News

Dear Parents and Carers

Welcome back to Term 4 and a busy one at that.

On Wednesday 26 October, we will hold our annual Awards Night which is an opportunity to recognise academic, cultural and sporting distinction and excellence. It is always a wonderful evening where students from across the school are acknowledged for their hard work and contribution to the school over the year. We also take this opportunity to announce the 2017 School Leaders.

Our Year 11 students have started the application process for student leadership positions, which will be finalised by an interview and address to the student body. This is a significant undertaking for students, not only because it is often extra and difficult work, but is also an exercise in risk and courage. I wish all our leader aspirants the very best throughout the process.

We are all looking forward to the St Joseph's School Fete to be held on Saturday 29 October. The Fete Committee has been working hard over many months and, during these last few weeks, we are putting the finishing touches on the event. This is the major fundraiser for the school and all members of our school community have been called upon to make a contribution in some way. If you are yet to respond to the request for donations (reminder sent out last Friday), I ask that you please attend to this as soon as you can. Last year was a great revival of the fete experience at St Joseph's and this year will be another great family and community event. There will be rides and amusements for the children, market stalls and a live band and a few drinks in the evening for the adults, great food, showbags, entertainment, and a fireworks display which can be enjoyed by the whole family. Please support this great event.

Over the holidays, I and a few other staff members, escorted our students to the bi-annual Ski Trip to Perisher. As some will attest to, I was a reluctant starter on this trip due to suffering some serious injuries from the previous ski trip (though my colleagues thought this highly amusing). In the end it was a great trip (sans injury!), the students were brilliantly behaved and got into the spirit of the trip. As a Principal, these kinds of experiences with students are always very humbling. I recall that when, for the first time, I clicked those skis into my boots, glided towards the students in my lesson and unceremoniously fell over at their feet, there were guffaws and bellows of laughter. One student added: "Can you stay in our group? I need the entertainment." Where's the respect? On another occasion, on my first traverse up the mountain on a t-bar shared with one of our Year 11 students, she deliberately (!) shoved me off the apparatus at exit in order to save her own skin. I, once again, bit the ice and snow much to my chagrin and was wholeheartedly derided and taunted by my charges. The student responsible was entirely remorseless, I might add. Despite these minor mishaps, the trip was a great success, not only because students were a credit to themselves and the school, but also because staff were willing to give of their own time to make the trip possible. I offer my thanks to Linda Perrett, Alyssa Taylor, Michelle McCarthy, and Angie Sims for generously assisting as supervisors.

Dr Michael McCarthy

Leader's News

At the moment I am completing Senior Education Training Plans with our Year 10 students and their parents. The creation of this 'plan' starts in pastoral care when Year 10 students begin to think about the subjects that they will study in their senior years and also the career pathways that they may take when they leave school. Last week parents attended an information evening that explained the Queensland Certificate of Education and the OP system. This is the final year that the OP will be discussed, as Queensland moves to a new senior schooling model from 2018. Thank you to the many parents who attended the evening and your commitment to your son/daughter's future schooling. During Week 7, Monday 14th – Wednesday 16th November, Year 10 students will participate in an exam block. This experience will provide them with an opportunity to sit a series of exams, under controlled conditions, preparing them for similar blocks in Years 11 and 12. Each student will be provided with details of the exam block in the assessment calendars that have been emailed to students this week.

This week has also seen some early morning rises for our staff and students. Monday morning two teams of Under 13 players, with Mr Way and Mrs Ellis, headed to futsal finals in Toowoomba. Both teams played against some tough competition and in all games displayed sportsmanship. On Wednesday Year 11's travelled with Mrs McCarthy, Mr Shorter and Mrs Grant to a tour of Queensland Ballet. Students were enthralled by the action at Queensland Ballet and by the live theatre that they experienced at "Singing in the Rain".

This year our annual Awards Night will be held on Wednesday 26th October. Students are acknowledged for the academic and extra-curricular activities that they have engaged in during the school year. In the upcoming week parents will receive a parent paperwork that provides details of the evening for those students receiving awards. We look forward to the evening and meeting with parents to celebrate our students successes in 2016.

God's blessings
Linda Perrett

School News

Younger Year Mini Olympics

Backroom Vegas set to rock the Bathersby Stadium once again

A Fete wouldn't be complete without a fireworks display. On Saturday 29th October, the night sky will light up with the wonderful effects of "Ka-Boom Fireworks" and is sure not to disappoint. A delicious BBQ, wood-fired pizzas and other treats will be available for sale and a bar will be operating. The Stadium will then transform into a rock arena when Brisbane band "Backroom Vegas" returns due to popular demand. After entertaining the crowd at last year's Fete, Backroom Vegas is super keen to belt out favourite tunes and keep the party going until late.

Backroom Vegas provides a high octane, huge energy performance from these experienced musicians. Providing a great mix of popular rock, pop and the occasional RnB hit with a rock twist, Backroom Vegas knows how to adapt to any crowd and make any night out with them enjoyable from first song to final singalong anthems.

"Stu, Kenny and I loved playing at St Joseph's last year and we are very excited to perform an updated version of 'Sisters of Mercy' for the town of Stanthorpe. Will be quite the rock anthem! Lead singer of Backroom Vegas Paul Vercoe said. "We have a new bass player called Ray who is what some would call a "virtuoso" but we'll let the crowd be the judge of that. Looking forward to seeing you all again in beautiful Stanthorpe and hoping we can sell ALL of the community there and make this an unforgettable night."

The St Joseph's Fete will be held on Saturday 29th October commencing at 12pm. There will be carnival rides, mobile laser skirmish, food, market stalls, novelty games and non-stop entertainment for the afternoon as well as Simon Shazam the roving magician. The live band will follow on from the fireworks display which is scheduled for 7pm. Join in the fun at the St Joseph's Fete.

Year 7 News

At the end of last term, the Year 7 students participated in the Sharon Rowen Memorial Walk, starting at the Piazza. This walk remembers the work of a remarkable local advocate for people living with disabilities. We joined members of the community, the mayor, GBSS and many other St Joseph's classes on the walk, from Farley Street Piazza at 10am, and finished at the Whistle Stop Garden.

The Year 7's are looking forward to an enjoyable but busy term. In English, they are looking at 'Heroes in Film and Literature'. This requires the students to read a novel and complete a range of activities based on their novel and the film 'The Lion, Witch and Wardrobe'. They will explore what it means to be a hero and construct a report, which compares and contrasts the qualities society admires in its heroic characters.

EARLY DEPARTURE FROM SCHOOL

Parents are reminded of the following procedure relating to the early departure from school.

• Parents must notify the Office Administration staff of their child's early departure from school either in writing, via email or phone call to the Office staff.
• All students must report to the office to receive an Early Departure Slip. This will be presented to the classroom teacher and the Office staff member at the time of departure.
• All students must be signed-out by a parent or designated adult family member. Please do not ask Office staff to permit your child to walk into town or to meet you in the carpark. The school has a duty of care to your child which cannot be legally discharged by allowing students to leave school grounds during school hours.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Emma Melton's Great Cycle Challenge

Secondary Teacher Emma Melton is currently completing the Great Cycle Challenge Australia to help raise money to fight children's cancer.

Emma's goal is to raise at least $500 in sponsorship by cycling at least 500km on her mountain bike during the month of October.

If you would like to support Emma in this fantastic cause please follow the link below.

Sports News

St Joseph's Primary Campus Swimming Carnival - Wednesday the 16th of November

Points system for the carnival will be as follows:

50 metre events - First 10, Second 6, Third 4 plus 3 points for participation for all other competitors.
25 metre events - First 3 points, Second 2 points, Third 1 point plus 1 point for participation for all other competitors.
12 metre events – Width strokes, Kickboard, Woggle and Novelty Events – 1 point for participation.

Please note that all times are approximate and the Lunch Break will only be taken if time permits.

Age Champions will be awarded for the 8 to 12 years age groups.

All students aged 5, 6 or 7 will be awarded certificates for completing 50 m events at Assembly on Friday November 20.

P & F News

"St Joseph's School P & F Trivia Night" 2016

This year saw the return of our Trivia Night with the theme of "A Night at the Movies". We were very pleased to get 13 teams on the night and people went to a great deal of effort with their costumes and teams, a huge thanks to everyone.

This year we were again very fortunate to receive generous donations of round sponsorship money and donations for the multidraw raffles from both the business and school communities, which was absolutely outstanding. We were most overwhelmed, and thank everyone so very much.

I would like to give a very special Thank You to the committee who all worked so hard to make our Trivia Night such a success! - Dan O'Dea, Julianne O'Brien, Kirsten Widderick, Peter Alldridge, Rob Reeves, Kylie Beckett, Gianna Blaxland and Jen & Chris Wren.

We approached Mick & Ann at Jester Hill Winery to sell their wine on the night. They were very generous with what they provided us with, and we thank them very much.

Congratulations to our winners for the night with the team – Gold Class taking home 1st Prize of $240.00 along with wine donated by Michael Hayes & Rumbalara Winery, Movie Marathon Octet getting 2nd with $180.00 and 3rd place going to If you enjoyed the Movie you'll love the Book with $80.00. The Wooden Spoon was awarded to the Charlie Chaplins.

Best Team Name went to "If you've seen the Movie you'll love the Book" and the Best Dressed Team was "The Addams Family". Karen Smith received Best Dressed Female & Nathan Shatte received Best Dressed Male.

We also had prizes for lucky chair, A3 sheet, Coin Toss, True/False Quiz & Whose Favourite Movie is That?

Our MC on the night was Rob Reeves, he did an amazing job with keeping the night flowing and us all entertained. Thank you so very much Rob. Thank you also to those who helped us on the night, Michael O'Brien, Glen Brunckhorst and Michael McCarthy.

A special thank you to Jen & Chris Wren for the fantastic decorations and photo booth. You both did an absolutely wonderful job.

We would like to thank everyone who donated on the night towards the Kloppers family, we were able to donate $200.00 from the P&F to the family in the wake of their recent tragedy, which goes to show what a wonderful community we are a part of.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS & DONORS FOR THE NIGHT

Becketts Pest Control - Stanthorpe Vet Care Services
Wrens Valley - Bent & Haynes Farms
Granite Belt Realty - Connor House
Central Motors - Poole's Produce
M & J O'Brien - Jester Hill Wines
Sue Fleming - Granite Belt Cleaning & Hospitality
Howard & Sons Mitre 10 - Hotel Stanthorpe
Furniture One - Stanthorpe Print n Copy
Michael Hayes - Rumbalara Winery
Foxy's Bakery - Wallangarra Railway Cafe & Museum
Stanthorpe Jockey Club - Zest Pastries
Dan & Kayelene O'Dea - McDonalds Stanthorpe
Wilshire & Co - Richard & Glenda McNichol
Robbo's Fresh Seafood - Stanthorpe Taxis & Limousine
Michael & Megan Mahoney - Maddies Gift Gallery
Beauty on High - Grace & Jean Photography
Netpro - Shane & Natalie Carlson
Shaun & Judy O'Reilly - Lifestyle Footwear
Pat & Kelly McCosker - Pink Poppies
Soul Pattinson Chemist - Chris & Jen Wren
Gleesons Mercery - Sharon Hitchener Hair
A Betterway to Print