5 May 2017

Newsletter Articles

School News

Secondary news

Tuesday 25th of April marked Australia’s annual Anzac Day, which did not go unnoticed by our school community. The services began on Monday afternoon with a touching ceremony lead by Mrs Megan Mahoney, Assistant Principal – Religious Education, and Year 11 students. This commemoration continued with fifty students enduring an early start to attend the 5:30am Dawn service, followed by the Gunfire Breakfast provided at the RSL. After a hearty breakfast our six school leaders, as well as several other students attended the St Joseph’s Parish Mass prior to the March at 10:30.

It was extremely gratifying to see the number of students that arrived to March and show their gratitude for the Anzacs, with 140 of our students attending and many of our teachers as well. All should be congratulated on the manner in which they behaved and presented themselves on the day. The events then continued with our six school leaders attending the RSL commemoration service alongside Assistant Principal – Secondary, Mrs Linda Perrett, and concluded with the laying of the wreath at Weeroona Park. The support shown by our students towards Anzac Day is commendable, and we hope to see this support grow in the future as it has in the past.

Justin Carter

PRIMARY NEWS

Year 1M

Year 1M had a very busy but productive Term 1 and are now ready to tackle Term 2 just the same.

Term 1 saw year 1M learning about the history of our school and church. Students enjoyed looking through old year books and photos where they observed the changes in teaching staff (from Nuns and teachers,) uniforms over the years, able to identify some of the teaching staff past and present and even find their own parents in the photos and books. Students have enjoyed the short walk around the primary and secondary campus’ acknowledging the name plaques on the school buildings and who they have been named after. We are looking forward to hopefully visiting the Convent in the very near future.

Year 1M have also found Art very exciting - taking a walk around the school yard looking at different shapes in the environment and the various shapes on buildings. They also explored the different types of textures that objects around the environment have. Students were able to use the iPads to take digital photos of these different elements in our environment.

The class has also been very busy with their writing and learning about ‘Information Reports’. Students had the opportunity to pick an animal of their own choice and write down information about where the animal lives, what it eats, its predators and an interesting fact about it. Some of the animals the students chose to write about were the: echidna, cheetah, Tasmanian devil, chickens, dogs and horses.

Throughout last Term, students also enjoyed reading and maths groups with parent volunteers, PE and rugby league sessions with Mr Grew and Jimmy.

Yes all that and more happened in just ten weeks! Term 2 is shaping up that way if not busier. Term 2 brings - Cross Country, ANZAC Day March, Eisteddfod recitals, basketball sessions and much more.

Glenda McNichol
Year 1M Teacher

Year 2S

We had a very busy first term and we are looking forward to a term 2 that is just as busy. On reflecting on first term in Year 2 some of the favourite things that came to mind were:

• swimming lessons- some points of mention were swimming the entire pool and being able to collect objects from the bottom of the pool at the deep end.
• birthdays – with cakes and ice blocks to celebrate with
• German lessons with Mrs Gerster
• and PE – especially the NRL clinics with Mr Grew, Jim and Scott.

We are looking forward to preparing for Eisteddfod and our class poetry recital and students doing individual poetry pieces.

NCCD

As you may be aware, each year the Australian Government requires schools to compete Data Collection on School Students with Disabilities. The term ‘disability’ (as per the Disability Discrimination Act 1992) also encompasses students who have been identified as having learning difficulties or medical related conditions.

The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability provides Australian schools, parents, education authorities and the community with information about the number of students with a disability (including learning difficulties and medical conditions) in schools, where they are located and the adjustments they receive.

The data, once collected, identifies the number of students in each school. The personal details (name, gender) of all students remain confidential after the data has been collected at a school and diocesan level.

Please find attached the Parent factsheet that provides further information about the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data. If you require further information please contact either of the Learning Support teacher's, leigh.muller@twb.catholic.edu.au (Secondary) or madonna.mcgreevy@twb.catholic.edu.au (Primary).

SCHOOL COMMUNICATION: Information for Parents and Carers

The importance of communication between school and parents/carers cannot be underestimated. Indeed, we know that parent engagement in school, which is facilitated by good communication, contributes to improved academic outcomes for students. This week’s parent teacher interviews are a positive approach to communication about your son or daughter’s education at the school.

Clear and defined School Communication procedures ensure that the ways we communicate with families is both efficient and timely. It is important for the School to ensure that teachers and school leaders are accessible, and the appropriate people are contacted in order to resolve issues and/or provide the required support and advice.

In relation to communication, parents and carers can expect the following:

• An acknowledgement of receipt of email correspondence;
• A maximum 48 hour turn-around of response to email queries;
• Timely access to information pertaining to teaching and learning (i.e. subject overviews for each Year Level/Subject; Assessment Calendars)
• Continuation of availability of teachers and school leaders for face-to-face meetings/interviews.

Guidelines for parents/carers – Contacting the right person for the best response

The school employs a variety of staff whose primary role is to support students in different ways. When a parent/carer makes contact with the school, they will be asked about the nature of the query. This question allows the office staff member to direct the call to the correct person. Enquiries can be categorised below.

As is always the case, if parents/caregivers wish to speak with the Principal or Assistant Principal directly, then this request can be made through the office or via email.

Please note that email is preferred by teachers as the initial method of contact. Email addresses of all staff are as follows:

First name.surname@twb.catholic.edu.au
Example: phillip.mcgreevy@twb.catholic.edu.au

The school email is stanthorpe@twb.catholic.edu.au and can be used for all general enquiries.

Past students relive Back to the 80s fun

It’s been ten years since St Joseph’s School presented “Back to the 80s musical”. Some of the students who were part of that cast have taken great delight in sharing their personal experiences of being part of this iconic musical.

“Playing Alf in ‘Back to the 80s’ at St Joseph’s School was a blast. Mainly because I knew all the songs from being on constant repeat at home-thanks to Mum and Dad,” Matthew Manahan recalls. “St Joseph’s School musicals were always great fun. From the backstage antics with cast and crew right up to walking ‘500 Miles’ on performance nights. It’s funny how things can come full circle. The writer of ‘Back to the 80s’ Neil Gooding is my Director on a show that I’ll be performing in July called ‘Paris’. No doubt there’ll be some Lauper played at some point.” Matthew adds, “Chookas to the cast and crew at St Joseph’s School for this year’s musical.” Leah Peters play the role of Alf.

Sophie Sims fondly remembers her role in the musical. “I played the role of Laura back in 2007 when I was in Year 6. “Back to the 80s” was the first St Joseph’s Musical production I was involved in and I had an absolutely amazing experience every step of the way. It was wonderful to work with and get to know the older students. The musical was a fantastic way to connect the school and as one of the younger students with a lead role, I looked up to the older students. It’s was such a fun, colourful musical with plenty of classic hits incorporated throughout. It was pretty awesome to be learning and singing these songs that our parents grew up with all the while gaining a greater appreciation for older music that I had never really heard of.” Sophie adds, “Good luck to this cast and crew for a fun-filled and successful musical.” Tiana Bray will portray the character of Laura.

Save the date to attend the St Joseph’s musical, “Back to the 80s” on Friday 21st July and Saturday 22nd July at the Bathersby Centre. Tickets will go on sale from 12th June.

Reminders and Updates

QISSN Pie Drive

St Joseph's School are holding a Homestyle Bake Pie Drive this term to raise funds to assist the 2017 QISSN team. All Homestyle Bake products are Queensland made and owned.

Pie drive order forms have been sent home last week with the eldest in the family with payment due to Megan Hines by midday Friday 19th May. No orders will be taken after 12 noon on this day.

Collection will be from the Bathersby Stadium from 12:40pm - 1:30pm Tuesday 30th May.

Sport News

CROSS COUNTRY RESULTS

After the deluge that was the last week of Term 1 and the postponement of the St Joseph’s Cross Country, a beautiful sunny day last Thursday created a picturesque backdrop for what would be four hours of competition and sportsmanship for St Joseph’s students. St Joseph’s Cross Country this year offered a challenging 4 - 6 km courses, with the recent rain and storms providing many a wet, rock and tree to scramble over. Students adorned in costumes and cross-trainers alike took to the running course to earn points for their houses and qualify for district competitions.

Throughout the day participation numbers were high from both Primary and Secondary Campus’s Davadi and McAuley houses, but it was Davadi that took home the Overall House Trophy.

Thank you to Net Pro, the McLucas Family, the Hilton Family, the Newman Family and the Staples Family for their sponsorship and time.

Parish News