3 February 2017

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s News

PRINCIPALS NEWS LIVE!

Dear Parents and Caregivers

Welcome back to school for 2017. I trust that the Christmas vacation has served you well and you and your children are ready for another busy year at St Joseph’s School.

It has been a great start to the year here at St Joseph’s. A special welcome to the many new students and their families to our school this year. We also welcome back all of our continuing students and their parents. As I walk around the school it is obvious our students have settled well albeit, a few little jitters especially on the first day. I also thank all staff for the way that they have prepared for the start of school year.

In December last year, OP results were released to our Year 12 students, and I am pleased to report these students performed very well. All of our OP students (100%) achieved an OP between 1-15, while many of our non-OP student’s take up full time positions in trade and as trainees. These are excellent results highlighting the excellent teaching that St Joseph’s offers from Prep through to Year 12. Congratulations to our 2016 Year 12 Graduates.

2017 promises to be another very busy year for our community. There are many ways that students and families can get involved. Research shows us that a close relationship between families and their school improves learning outcomes for students. This newsletter, parent paperwork and the school website are great ways to find out what is happening in and around St Joseph’s. I hope you enjoy this first publication for the school year.

On Wednesday we celebrated the opening mass for the school year. I thank Fr Brian for leading us. His support of the school is wonderful and it is a blessing to have him as our priest. Congratulations to our student leaders and seniors for 2017 and wish them all the best as they lead the student body in our Mercy values.

On personal note I would like thank the community of St Joseph’s for such a warm welcome that myself and my family have received since coming to Stanthorpe. It has been wonderful to meet many of you already.

I pray that your year at St Joseph’s School is a positive and successful one, and that we work together to ensure our children receive the best Catholic education possible.

Phillip McGreevy
Principal

Leader’s News

I consider it to be a privilege to be the Assistant Principal on the Primary Campus this year. Having been at St Joseph’s since January 2016, I am well aware of the traditions that this school values, the high expectations which come with such traditions and also the sense of community which welcomes all newcomers and makes you feel as if you have been here forever! I am looking forward to continuing to work with the staff on the Primary Campus who never cease to amaze me with their professionalism and dedication towards the students in their care. We will look to build on the strong foundations already present to create further opportunities to prepare your children for their role as responsible, creative, thoughtful and respectful citizens in the 21st century.

To provide some background, I have been teaching for 23 years, both in the UK and Australia. I worked in two state primary schools in England as classroom teacher, Head of Religious Education and also Head of Year. Prior to moving to St Joseph’s, I spent 10 years in the Junior School at St Hilda’s on the Gold Coast, taking on the role of Head of Curriculum. Teaching is my passion and something I have wanted to be involved in since I was 8 years old.

I enjoyed meeting many parents last year and I look forward to getting to know more of you as this year continues. I encourage you to introduce yourself to me and to play as full a part in school life as you are able, as I see the education of your children as very much a partnership.

I have been appreciative of the way in which my husband and I have been welcomed into the Stanthorpe community. We feel very much at home here and since buying a house in the area last year, are very keen to play a full part in the community. You may see us frequenting the many excellent coffee establishments, walking our two English Springer Spaniels along the creek or enjoying a glass of wine at one of the local wineries.

This year – and beyond – fills me with much anticipation and excitement. I look forward to being able to share this with you, the students and the teachers.

Mrs Sarah Yates

School News

NEW TEACHING STAFF

Hello, my name is Brian Carmichael and feel fortunate to have the opportunity to work and live in Stanthorpe. I originally grew up in Wynnum and have taught in Wynnum, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and recently in Ipswich. My wife, Rebecca and I are looking forward to watching our children Sophie (3/4T) and Lawrence (1M) grow within the catholic ethos at St Joseph’s. I will be with the following classes, 7A science, 7B Math, 8B science, 8 IT, 11 math A, and senior biology. I am looking forward to meeting parents and caregivers of students. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Brian Carmichael.

Having just moved to Stanthorpe from Brisbane, I am really excited to be working at St Joseph’s School and welcomed into the community. This year I will be teaching several subjects across the Secondary campus, including English, Religious Education, Business and Legal Studies. One of my biggest passions is travel, so I’m looking forward to exploring this beautiful region and becoming part of the community.”
Miss Aimee Caulston

I am delighted to be joining the St Joseph’s school community in my role as Learning Support Teacher in the primary. Previously I have worked as a classroom teacher at Sacred Heart Sandgate as part of Brisbane Catholic Education. I spent a number of years in Preschool and Prep before moving up to Years 5 and 6, then down to Year 3. The aim of my role is to assist students, teachers, staff, parents and carers to best address the learning needs of all the children within our school. This may involve making adjustments and modifications to enable all students to successfully access the curriculum. Please don’t hesitate to contact me should you have any concerns for your child. I am available at school on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning each week.
Mrs Madonna McGreevy

Week 1

Induction of school leaders

Congratulations to our school leaders who were inducted at the start of year Mass on Wednesday 1 February.

This years school leaders are

Captains : BJ Perrett and Katie Yates
Leaders: Eve Perrett, Jessica Westerhout, Justin Carter and Megan Kay
Sports Captains: Megan Berlese, Melissa Cannavo, Jessica Smith, Jacob Adams

School Leader News - Katie Yates

As a part of my Mercy Value of Options for the Poor, I am re-establishing the Homework Club that was introduced last year. Implementing the homework club into a Tuesday afternoon after school allows students to revise on what was achieved throughout the lessons of that day and provides a chance to complete homework or assignments with the additional help from teachers who will be supervising this club along with me. Homework Club also offers a place for integrating all grades from Years 6 through to Year 12, all working together to improve their studies and achieve better understanding in their academics over afternoon tea. With many willing and approachable teachers with specialities across both Humanities, Sciences and Mathematics, Homework Club lets the students have further help with their own teachers whilst gaining further insight through others as well. Homework Club will start from Tuesday the 14th of February (Week 4) and will reoccur every Tuesday from 3:30 to 4:30pm until the 14th of March (Week 9).

I am very excited to for students to attend and look forward to seeing as many people there as possible!

Article Visitors Procedures

For all of our new and existing parents please be reminded of the Visiting and Student Early Departures procedures below.

Visitors the School

All visitors to the school during school hours must sign in and out of the visitors register in Administration. This includes classroom activities, tuckshop and meetings with teachers.

Student Early Departures

• If your child is to leave early please contact the school office either by phone or via a signed note for student to receive an early departure slip from Administration.
• Students Prep to Year 11 are required to be collected by a parent or guardian from the Administration building on the Primary Campus.
• Year 12 Students with an early departure slip are able to leave the school grounds unaccompanied by a guardian. Student are required to sign out before leaving.

Please note – Due to the Schools Duty of Care - students from Prep to Year 11 will not be allowed to leave the school grounds unaccompanied by a guardian under any circumstances.

School Banking

Student Banking will begin this week. Those students with accounts please bring your bank books on Monday to your classroom. If you would like your child to join the program, collect a form from administration. A huge thankyou goes out to Daniella Scalia who has volunteered to coordinate the program this year.

Annual School Fees

Term Fees will be sent to you via email in Week 3 of each term. If you have selected to pay you fees annually, a 5% Discount on Tuition Fees only will be applied. (Full payment of the annual fee must be paid within one month of invoice/statement date to receive discount. )

Tuition, all school levies, and textbooks will be billed for the school year with the family contribution of $125 added to your fees if requested.

Please notify Megan Hines by writing/email at Megan.Hines@twb.catholic.edu.au with a request for your fees to be billed as an annual fee by 10th February 2017.

GERMAN LANGUAGE CLUB – beginning Monday the 6th!

Achtung! Blitz, doppelgänger, siebentausendzweihundertvierundfünfzig…..want to learn German?

Come along to German Club on Mondays from 3.15-3.45 in Room 12 on the Secondary for German conversation lessons, for Beginners and Experten.

Secondary Tuckshop Coordinator

We are still looking for one or two volunteers to coordinate the Secondary Tuckshop which runs Monday and Friday’s. If you are able to assist in this please email Jemma in Administration – jemma.tripp@twb.catholic.edu.au.

Sports News

Reminders and Updates

TENTERFIELD SOCCER REGISTRATIONS

Registrations are now open for this season, so please be quick and register. We would like to have some preseason games, but to do this we need everyone registered early to get in for training and team numbers verified.

So to help you get your fitness levels up, we need your registrations as soon as possible so we can get these games organised.

Registrations are now open

Players can register via the link below
Click Players tab, then click
Register Now...
Look for Tenterfield Senior Soccer (Qld)

If any problems or issues please contact the club registrar

Ellen Counter 0472510169

P & F News

Welcome back to another St Joseph’s School year and a big Welcome to the students and families who new to our School and to the little ones starting prep this year,

As most of you are aware the P&F starts off the year with the running the Can Bar at the Stanthorpe Show. This requires families who are able, to volunteer and hour or two of their day either Friday or Saturday to help serve. We very much appreciate the support of those that put their hand up year after year and look forward to seeing some new faces as well. Thank you to everyone who has put their hand up to do a shift and support us on either one of the days.

Its enjoyable and a great opportunity to meet other parents.

This year we have kindly been given the opportunity to run the BBQ at Palgrove for a Cow Sale in March as well as the annual Bull Sale later in the year. We are extremely lucky to have such a generous family to work with in running these days, it is always a pleasure for all involved. I would like to thank the Bonfield family for the ongoing support of St Joseph's School.

The P&F is an important committee for our school we come together to discuss ideas and voice opinions and finalise decisions about things that are beneficial to your children and the opportunities and facilities of their school. We raise money through fundraising and events and hope to get as much support from our families at the meetings. Your ideas are important and valued and of great benefit for our kids..

I look forward catching up with you all throughout the year at our events and our monthly P&F meetings which are held on the last Tuesday of each month Starting with our AGM on the 28th February.

Thank you
Peter Alldridge
P&F President

Presbytery News

SACRAMENTS OF CONFIRMATION AND FIRST COMMUNION 2017

In November last year a group of twenty-seven children celebrated the Sacrament of Penance for the first time. These children will now be Confirmed on Friday 16th June at 6.30PM by Bishop McGuckin, and receive first Holy Communion in August.

There is an opportunity for parents of children from Year Four and upwards who did not or were unable to present their child last year for the Sacrament of Penance to do so now, so that they will be able to be Confirmed and receive Holy Communion this year. Please contact the Parish Office at the Presbytery 4681 2157 or stjosephsparish@halenet.com.au by Friday 17th February 2017 if you wish your child to join the Sacramental preparation group this year.

Grandparents may also be able to pass this information on to their children.

A Thankyou

On behalf of St Vincent De Paul Stanthorpe Conference, we would like to thank all those who assisted us in providing over forty hampers and food vouchers to families in our community at Christmas. The generosity of the Parish, parents, students and staff of St Joseph’s School, parishioners who gave donations of money and goods was wonderful. Vinnies is your local outreach service and we thank you