29 May 2014
Newsletter Articles
Principal’s News
National Families Week
Over the period of the 15th – 21st May, St Joseph’s School celebrated National Families Week 2014. The aim of National Families Week was to celebrate the vital role that families play in Australian society. The 2014 theme for National Families Week was 'Stronger Families, Stronger Communities'.
This year's theme highlighted the important role families’ play as the central building block of our communities and that community wellbeing is enhanced by family wellbeing. In order to celebrate National Families Week and to make it a time to celebrate with our families and share in the enjoyment of family activities, St Joseph’s School invited parents and family members to participate in a number of activities. On Monday morning parents attended the secondary school assembly and this was followed by a tour of the secondary school, the convent and morning tea. The tour was a highlight and it was so wonderfully led by Mrs Judy Lee, who was able to share her amazing knowledge of the history of the convent and the school. On Tuesday family members were invited to share a picnic lunch and play time with their children on the primary school oval. This event was a great success and a large number of mums, dads and grandparents joined their children for a lovely lunch in the beautiful sunshine. Finally on Thursday night family members were invited to participate in a ‘Back to the Future Evening’ at school in the secondary school. Participating in Maths, English, Legal Studies, Art, Drama, Music, Home Economics, Science and Study Skills classes allowed parents to return to the years of their school days and before sharing Pizza and drinks while reminiscing.
These activities gave us the time to reflect on the critical role that families play in teaching, supporting and nurturing children especially as they grow. It is a well-publicised fact that parent engagement in school life and in children’s learning greatly enhances student learning and outcomes. As a school community St Joseph’s School highly encourages family participation and engagement in school activities and greatly appreciates the amazing generosity and commitment of our families.
On behalf of St Joseph’s School, I would like to thank all the family members who were able to attend these events and to congratulate the St Joseph’s School staff and students on the wonderful activities that occurred over the week.
Congratulations Anna!
Congratulations to Anna Yates on her successful application to be part of the female only Flight Camp to be conducted at the RAAF Amberley base from the 10-13 June 2014. This program is designed to promote female occupations in the armed forces. Opportunities like this are quite rare and unique and Anna is greatly looking forward to the opportunity. During her time at the RAAF base, Anna will participate in a range of work experience activities including:
- 82 wing fast jet simulator flight
- Leadership activities
- Air Force Physical Training
- Presentation by 33 Squadron KC30 Multi Role Tanker Transport Aircraft
- 36 Squadron C17 Globemaster experiential
- Security Forces experiential
- Simulated weapons shoot
- Military Working Dog Handlers and puppies
- C17 Globemaster experiential flight
- Air Traffic Control
We wish Anna all the best as she undertakes this wonderful opportunity.
Channels of Communication
St Joseph’s School highly values the partnership that it has developed with its parents and the wider community through open and clear communication channels. As a reminder of the appropriate channels of communication I have endeavoured to provide an overview of who parents should contact in particular circumstances.
In the primary school parents are encouraged to speak to the classroom teacher/s as their first point of call. Following on from this discussion parents are welcome to contact the Assistant Principal Primary, Mr Fleming.
In the secondary school, parents have the following contacts;
- Pastoral – individual Pastoral Care teacher or the Pastoral Care Coordinators - Ms Miiller (Years 8-10) or Mr Brown (Years 11-12)
- Academic – individual classroom teacher or Heads of Curriculum – Mrs Parakas (English/Humanities), Ms Henney (Mathematics/Science) or the Assistant Principal Secondary, Mrs Perrett (All other curriculum areas and school based traineeships).
- Sport – Mr Philp (Sports Coordinator).
- Faith Programs or Religious Education – Assistant Principal Religious Education – Mrs Mahoney
I hope this overview assists in making it easier for you to contact the relevant person you require and as always you are more than welcome to make an appointment to see Dr McCarthy or myself in his absence.
Kort Goodman
Acting Principal
Leader’s News
The Effect of late arrival to school
Whilst it may seem trivial to some, arriving late to school can have long term social and emotional, as well as educational harm, for students. Within the first few minutes of the school day a raft of information, settling in and socialising occurs between the teacher and the students, as well as among the students themselves. The beginning of the school day is like the beginning of a movie or the opening chapter of a book; the beginning of class equips students with critical background and organisational information necessary for deeper understanding. When students miss this framing information their learning suffers. Missing out on this important time can also lead to students feeling left out, and in worst case scenario, isolation from the student’s peers.
In the typical classroom (while at times it may seem like chaos to an outsider) the first ten to fifteen minutes is a vital time to set the tone for the day ahead. In our school the first part of the day will typically see the following take place;
- The majority of the students are greeted individually
- Prayer occurs
- The school role is marked
- Notes and money are collected
- Letters are given to students
- The day ahead is outlined
- Teaching and learning begins
- Reminders of upcoming events are given
- Tuckshop orders are collected
The other side to this recurring tardiness is the disruption that is caused to the other students learning.
Parents are encouraged to ensure that their child arrives at school on time to guarantee the optimal conditions for learning. Getting to school on time offers the students valuable time to learn important social skills through interaction with their peers. It is enables them to develop good habits and routines for their secondary years and later in life.
Tips for Parents and Students
- Set you alarm 10 minutes earlier
- Pack your bag the night before
- Have lunches ready and in the fridge
- Organise the school uniform the night before
- Have time frames for each part of the morning eg. 8am finished breakfast.
- Have a set routine and stick to it.
- Ensure your child understands the consequences of not following the routine.
David Fleming
Assistant Principal
School News
Preps and the Letter ‘P’
The Preps have been delving deeper into their phonological awareness and exploring initial sounds. This weeks’ letter was the letter “p” and some of the activities included a Pyjama Party in the park and making paper bag puppets.
Picnics in the Park and Paper bag Puppets
Year 8 News
Students in Year 8 are now well and truly into the swing of the High School way of life with the following areas of study:
Science is looking at the study of rocks, classifying igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. Religion is looking at Baptism and Art has just completed screen printing. Maths has been looking at Measurement including area, volume and perimeter and the Year 8’s from Tenterfield have been at a distinct advantage while looking at the complicated issue of daylight savings time. English has seen some great creativity with an assignment based around fairy tales and Home Economics is making students very aware of the important issue of eating a well-balanced and nutritious diet. This is just a brief outline of the many interesting and diverse areas the Year 8’s are studying.
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Adjusting to Year 8 by Spencer Jensen So far Year 8 has been a rollercoaster ride with a change of campus, new teachers and a few new subjects. Most people say that high school is scary but I just found it as a change and personally I thought it was a breeze. High school can be a bit more stressful than primary school as the work is a lot more difficult and you receive a lot more assignments. Activities like studying and homework are annoying but they have to be done more so in high school with the workload that is expected. Time management needs to be better as you can’t just waste time doing nothing and you always need to be on task and hand in assessments on time. Despite all the fuss, I find high school to be a breeze and just a great time with my mates. |
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Sports News
Term 2 is always a hub of activity for the athletes at St. Joseph’s School Stanthorpe with a veritable buffet of sports on offer. For the sports coordinator this simply means more buses to organise, more permission slips to print, more jerseys to wash but most importantly more fun to be had. Last week saw the second round of the Bill Turner Cup and Trophy competitions hosted at the C.F. White Oval with our under-15 boys’ and girls’ soccer teams lining up against Toowoomba Grammar School and Harristown State High School respectively. Although both of the Joey’s teams saw their impressive run in the competition come to an end at the hands of these skilful Toowoomba teams, it is important that as a School we recognise their achievement. This was the first time that both our boys’ and girls’ teams have qualified for the Darling Downs semi-finals this millennium and the feat was accomplished on the back of commitment to their training, to their School’s culture and to each other. Congratulations to all students involved and a huge thanks to all those who came down to C.F.White oval. A special thanks is extended to our referees, the caretakers of the facilities and students and staff from TGS and HSHS for making the trek.
This week some of the St. Joseph’s School students involved in this competition may even have a chance at some sort of retribution against Toowoomba’s footballing elite, when the Secondary students send away 7 teams to the South West Queensland Futsal Titles on the Darling Downs. As always, the School community is right behind all of these teams that have thrown their hat in the ring for this competition and wishes them well. If the students involved with futsal show even half of the courage, fortitude and spirit of the Bill Turner squads, it is clear that we will continue our success from recent years. Good Luck.
Dominic Philp
Arts News
UKE CAN PLAY UKELELE
The Year 2s were rather excited to unwrap and start playing the long-awaited ukuleles! The ukuleles will be replacing recorders, and will form part of Year 1-7 students’ musical education. Many students will have ukuleles at home, and they are very welcome to bring these to school.
Year 2 Students with the school’s new instruments
Reminders and Notices
Don’t forget to get your Pie Drive Orders in, Orders Close12th June. If you haven’t received your order form please see the office.
Pick up June 24th in the Bathersby Centre: 11am – 12pm and 3-4 pm
Student Medications
Many students at some point throughout the year will require medication during school hours. If this occurs there is a strict procedure that needs to be followed. Medications will not be administered unless the following is complied with:
- A Medical Request Form MUST be completed and signed by parents outlining the medication, dosage and frequency of administration. This form is available from the school website and is provided on the link below.
- Medical Request Form and the medication should be placed in a clearly named and labelled container and handed into the office before school. In the case of primary students a note will also have to be sent to the classroom teacher to inform them of the time the student requires it.
Under no circumstances should a student be administering medication themselves.
Medications include natural medicines, Panadol and ibuprofen.
P & F News
Palgrove Sale Coordinator Required
Our thanks to Jen Wren for help as the coordinator of Palgrove for several years. Unfortunately Jen is unable to continue with this role in 2014 and we are looking for someone to take on this role for the Parents and Friends Association.
Palgrove is always a fun filled day for our volunteers and is a valuable fundraiser for our P and F. If you would be interested in taking on this role please contact the school office.
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Next P& F is 24th June at 7:00pm |