15 September 2017

Newsletter Articles

Message from the Principal

As the term draws to a conclusion, I would like to thank all the staff, students, parents and the parish community for your support throughout the term. My family and I are grateful to be in a wonderful school and such a welcoming community. It is a great honour for me to be appointed principal and I look forward working together over the coming years to achieve the best outcomes for the students of St Joseph’s School.

My vision of all students at St Joseph’s is that they are excelling in all they do, that is, they are doing the best they can and feeling the best they can. I hope to build on the great work that the staff do here, as well as implement a number of measures for improvement across the school in terms of staffing, resources and educational programs.

One such improvement is the recent employment of Mr Scott Stone as the new Manual Arts Teacher at St. Joseph’s School. He came to us from Shalom College in Bundaberg (1400 students) where he was the Head of Industrial Technology and Design. Mr Stone is a very experienced and successful teacher with 33 years’ teaching experience in TAFE, Secondary and Special Education, and is a Boilermaker by trade. At Shalom his responsibilities included the establishment of a Trade Training Centre, relevant resources and VET certificate courses. At St Joseph’s School Mr Stone is keen to further develop our metal/engineering courses and to develop regular access to the Granite Belt and Border Trade Training Centre, located on the state high school site. The Trade Training Centre is a regional shared facility available to St Joseph's School, Stanthorpe State High School, Inglewood State School and Texas State School. Mr Stone is also working towards the refurbishment of our existing workshop which will assist us in the future development of vocational courses and the implementation of new senior subjects. We welcome Mr Stone to our community and thank him for the excellent work he has done so far. His wife, along with one of his three daughters and two of his granddaughters, will join him here in Stanthorpe at Christmas. They are all looking forward to their new life in Stanthorpe. Mr Stone is also a keen soccer player as well as a senior referee and enjoys running (when fit!).

I would also like to thank Mr Wayne Craven, who has been here for the last three weeks teaching Mathematics in the secondary school. Mr Craven has fitted into the school exceptionally well and has won the respect of the students and his peers. We wish him well on his return to Brisbane.

In recent weeks, we have been conducting enrolment interviews for new students for 2018, particularly for Prep and Year 7. We have also had several information nights for students transitioning from Year 6 to 7 and Year 10 to 11. St Joseph’s School has a bright future and is the most caring and safe schooling environment in the region. I hope to see you all make the journey with us through to Year 12. If there is any further information you need to help you make decisions about your child’s future at St Joseph’s please do not hesitate to contact me.

Finally, I would like to congratulate all the students for their efforts and success throughout Term 3. They are a credit to the school and why we all come to school each day.

I wish you all a happy and safe holiday.

God bless.

Andrew Kendall
Acting Principal

School News

Article Primary News

This week we welcomed Scots PGC College Choir and Pipe Band from Warwick to the Primary Campus. They were on a two-day, seven-concert trip and joined us to share their talents. The harmonious singing of the choir followed by the volume and precision of the pipe band held the Primary students spellbound. I wonder how many students felt inspired by the performance to maybe join our school choir or to take up playing the drums or bagpipes!

It led me to reflect on the opportunities that the students in the Primary classes have experienced this term. Our intent as we plan the program for the children is to provide a variety of experiences to broaden and deepen the academic, social, physical, creative and spiritual aspects of each one of them. This term some students have participated in a forensic science workshop, others have competed against their peers and those from other schools in sporting events whilst some have spent time with residents at Villa Carramar. All have contributed art pieces to the Crisps Art Show and shared in Mass and liturgy services. We have picnicked with our bears and escaped to different lands as book characters. All this and more, as well as learning about such things as rocks formations, how to tell the time, naming the continents and oceans, knowing what the identifying features of an information report are and improving reading comprehension. Students have grown in confidence, shown resilience when faced with challenging situations and nurtured friendships. It has certainly been a very busy term full of rich learning opportunities and we are all now ready for a refreshing holiday!

One of the many pleasurable things about being part of the St Joseph’s School community is the way in which the students always give of their best in so many ways and so willingly give of their time and talents to support others. The manners of the students is also something that has been commented on by some of the new relief teachers we have employed this term – such good manners are not displayed in every school they visit! Parental support is an important component of our success and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those parents who have supported us in any way this term. Finally, I would like to recognise and thank the staff for their hard work this term. As always, their commitment to your sons and daughters has been evident in everything they have done.

I hope that you enjoy a peaceful and restful holiday period and we look forward to seeing you again on 3 October.

Sarah Yates
AP Primary

Secondary News

This past two weeks has been busy for our Year 12 students. Our Year 12 students have been actively involved with primary classes two mornings a week, assisting with prayer and the start of the school day. Feedback by staff and students has been that it an extremely positive interaction and that both that all students are enjoying these mornings.

In this past week Year 11 and 12 have completed a two day exam block and finalised their Term 3 assessment. At this time each year Queensland Secondary Schools prepare for a verification process whereby teachers compile assessment and profiles for all Year 12 Authority Subjects. In mid October panels meet in the various districts meet to confirm a school's judgements. There are five secondary staff from our staff who are panellists and attend this meeting day. Our Year 12 students not only await for the confirmation of their achievements by panels, they will also by Week 7 next term get their QCS Test results. Year 11 students this week completed their First Aid Certificates with a 100% success rate! Well done, Year 11's. Year 10's have been continuing their weekly visits to Carramar on a Wednesday afternoon during Pastoral Care lessons. Students continue to enjoy these opportunities to live out the Mercy values of the school.

Finally this week has seen two major fundraisers completed by the Year 7 and 9 classes. Tomorrow's Colour Run, organised by our Year 7's and teachers, Ms Cullinan and Mr Barker, will be a great day sure to see plenty of laughter and of course colour! The coloured powder and the inflatable obstacle course will be a highlight of the day. The Year 9's spent Wednesday making some of the lovelist lamingtons ever seen. Well done for their hours of commitment and teamwork by Year 9's, and Mrs Mahoney and Ms Melton.

Enjoy a restful two week break.
God Bless
Linda Perrett
AP Secondary

Trivia Night

To download a Team Registration Form please follow this link

Year 9 Lamington drive

Year 9 Students were busy this week in the kitchen preparing 1700 Lamingtons in aid of LifeFlight. LifeFlight is a world leader in aeromedical care and Australia's most diversified service with both a fixed and rotary wing fleet.

Bringing emergency, lifesaving medical treatment to seriously ill and injured patients around Australia and the world, students in Year 9 selected LifeFlight as a recipient for their fundraising efforts this year.

Libby Blomfield Visit

Students had a rare opportunity on Thursday the 14th to listen to and chat with popular author Libby Blomfield. Ms Blomfield, author of “Flat Out –Far Out” which is about a family who travels to Winton to be involved in a dinosaur dig, visited the St Joseph’s Library, taking time out of her busy schedule to spend time with students and share her passion for reading and writing.

Ms Blomfield will be holding at the Stanthorpe Gallery as part of their School Holiday Programs on Friday the 29th, 10am – 11:30am. (see flyer below for details)

Thank you to Libby for her time.

Holiday Prize Draw

The St Joseph’s P&F Association are running a Holiday Prize Draw!

Prize is your choice of either a:

2 NIGHT SYDNEY GETAWAY PACKAGE FOR 2 ADULTS
OR
5 NIGHTS GOLD COAST GETAWAY FOR 2 ADULTS AND 2 CHILDREN
TO THE VALUE OF $1500.00

The raffle will be drawn at the Trivia Night on the 28th October. Tickets are $2.00 and can be purchased in Administration.

If you are interested in taking a ticket book or two home to sell to family or friends, books can be collected from Administration.

We appreciate your support.

Earn and Learn

EARN AND LEARN TALLY:

19 500

Earn and Learn finishes on Friday 15th. If you have any stickers or half finished books at home please send them to administration the first day back of term. Every sticker counts.

Brisbane Writers Festival

Are you a secret wombat? Can you speak the language of these amazing creatures? Do you know just how important their poo is to our harsh Australian environment – especially after a bushfire? You would if you were a Year 3 or 4 student at St Joseph’s, who spent September the 6th traveling to the Brisbane Writers Festival to hear the wonderful Australian author, Jackie French speak about reading, writing and respecting the nature around us. Jackie’s talk was inspiring and made all who heard it keen to find a book to love. Some lucky Year 3 and 4 students were even able to have her sign newly purchased books.

To round out the creative day, students made the most of their excursion by spending time at GOMA, admiring and discussing the amazing indigenous artworks, designing some masterpieces of their own and taking in the street Art that decorates the blank walls of South Brisbane.

Thank you to teachers Amanda Thompson, Johanna Campbell and Phil Irvin for coordinating such a wonderful experience for the young students, as well as the parent helpers.

Casual Crossing Guard Needed

We are looking for a casual crossing guard to be on call for both St Joseph’s and the State Primary School.

If you are interested in this paid position please bring a letter of application and a copy of your blue card to administration.

Sport News

Congratulations to all of our students who took part in the Darling Downs Athletics. Special congratulations to those students who placed.

Alex Waterworth – 1st in 800m 9yr Boys
Katie Lee Jansink – 2nd 10Yr Girls Shotput
Georgette Forbes – 2nd in 13yr Girls, 6th 100m Girls
Jordan Waterworth – 3rd in 1500, 6th in 800m for 12yr Boy

Congratulations also of Georgette and Katie Lee who will compete in the State Titles in October.

P & F News

Annual Palgrove Bull Sale – 2017

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Sally Rowen for taking on the role of Palgrove Coordinator again this year. We can’t thank you enough for being so willing to give of your time to allow the P & F to cater for this event.

We are very fortunate to have parents that help for this event, year in & year out and also with parents who are helping for the first time. So, we offer many thanks to Marion Saxby, Liz Alldridge, Karen Green, Sarina Irwin & Amanda Bonner for helping prepare and make sandwiches, as many hands make light work. On the day we would like to say thank you to Sally Rowen, Billie-Jo Johnstone, Julianne Williamson, Sarina Irwin, Amanda Day & Dan Manahan for volunteering and taking the time to come and serve and help make the day run as smoothly as it did.

A Big Thank you to Remo Raccanello and Greg Day who had a great day on BBQ duty.

We are so fortunate to have the parents on board, who are willing to use their own vehicles and the extra time and effort they put in to take loads of gear out to Palgrove and back. Thank you to both Sally & Remo for your help.

Donors for the Day:

Chris & Jen Wren – Ice
Bent & Haynes Farms – Tomatoes
Granite Belt Cleaning & Hospitality – Containers
Amanda Bonner - Eggs

We had beautiful cupcakes & slice made for us, by the senior Home Economics students, which we are very grateful for and appreciate the efforts they put in. They went down a treat for those having a cup of tea or coffee.

The Nemeth family again donated a beautifully crafted stock whip to raffle on the day. This was received well, selling just shy of 100 tickets on the day. The winner of the whip, with Ticket No. 1 was from a property at Emerald, who was also fortunate to purchase a bull at the Sale.

We are so pleased that it turned out to be such a successful day for David & Prue Bondfield as well as for the P&F.

Our next P&F Meeting will be on Tuesday evening the 24th October at 7pm in the school library. Please come along, we would love to see you there.