4 September 2014
Newsletter Articles
Principal’s News
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
It would seem that the last few weeks have been all about tests and results. Our students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 completed the NAPLAN tests in May and the results have just been released by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA). Parents of these students should have received a report for their child.
In last week’s Border Post, our school’s results were published according to the percentage of students who reached the National minimum standard across each of the test areas. This information showed that the vast majority of our students met this standard. There is no denying that these are good results, but NAPLAN is a point-in-time test which is only useful when considered against the other forms of assessment conducted in classrooms throughout the year. Nevertheless, NAPLAN data can be useful for identifying trends across year levels, particular students, and cohorts of students. The School undertakes a process of data analysis in order to enhance and confirm the work of teachers and students in the classroom.
Parents of Year 12 students (and the students themselves) will be happy that the QCS Test is finally completed. The QCS Test is a standardised test undertaken by every Year 12 OP (Overall Position) eligible student in the State. The results from the test contribute to the calculation of the OP, so it’s a high-stakes exam. Students have undertaken 100 minutes per week of explicit preparation for the QCS Test, and I know they entered the two days of testing with confidence. I would like to thank Mrs Michelle McCarthy for her work with students, and also to Mrs Linda Perrett for preparing for the two days of testing – students enjoyed hearty breakfasts on both days. I know each student did their best, and this is all anyone can ask of them.
Our Year 10 students are about to embark on the Senior Education & Training Plan (SET Plan) process for Year 11 & 12. This discernment process is often one of both anxiety and excitement as students look towards the final two years of school. Parents may recall a time when Year 10 was considered the final year of compulsory education, with student being awarded Year 10 certificate. This is no longer relevant, particularly in an employment market where completion of Year 12 is considered to be the minimum standard of education. If we look to the annual report Australian Jobs 2014, the unemployment rate for students completing Year 12 is lower than for those who have only completed Year 10 or a Certificate I or II qualification. This highlights the importance of careful thinking about career pathways and the completion of Year 12. Linda Perrett (Assistant Principal, Secondary) and I will be facilitating this process with parents and students, and we look forward to this opportunity for open discussion each year.
As the Term draws to a rapid close, keep encouraging your children to work hard and do their best right up to the close of the Term. We know they are working hard and that extra encouragement may spur them on to last the distance.
Leader’s News
Not all learning takes place in the classroom sitting down at desks as for our year seven students can attest. Over the course of the school year Jared Hitchener, Michael Lancuba, Zach Nettle and Aaron Kay have been involved in a gardening project that they named the Garden Gurus. Their project, with only limited guidance from me was to re-establish the previous vegie garden that is beside the Prep rooms. Whilst the project has been difficult at times with problems faced and solved the boys have worked very hard and extended the original concept to include and maintain the Prep/Year One garden as well. This project was a practical application of the boy’s Maths, Science and English skills. The reflection on what they have achieved in this project is below, it has been my pleasure to work with these young men.
David Fleming
APA – Primary
During the second term the Garden Gurus program began. We started by digging up all the weeds so that we could get all of the planting done for our vegetable garden. We all did the PH test for the soil and discovered that the soil would be perfect for our vegie garden.
In the time we have been working on the garden we have had to complete a large number of tasks. We have all visited Cherry Lane nursery for plants and Walls Concrete for sugar cane mulch. We planted climbing beans, wombok, red cabbage, cabbage, shallots, broccoli and leek.
One highlight for us was when we had a live feed with the Gardening Australia presenter Costa Georgiadis and our question was the first one answered.
After we had planted the seeds and seedlings we planned and installed an irrigation system. We have fertilised and watered the garden each week as well as establishing a composting program. Another task that we have undertaken was the pruning and mulching of the back garden at school (We got our classmates to help) and filled Mr Fleming’s ute with green waste. We have also repaired leaking taps. During last week’s lesson we harvested the womboks and shallots. We are planning to put tomatoes in during the next few weeks.
The gardening project has been a lot of hard work but also very rewarding as we applied our Science and Maths knowledge to a practical problem as well as improving our writing as we wrote letters to a people for advice and support.
‘Working as a team and planning and planting our garden has been awesome!’ (Jared Hitchner)
‘Getting into everything made me realise how much I could. You just don’t stop if you are having trouble.” (Michael Lancuba)
‘If you work hard enough you always achieve.’ (Aaron Kay)
‘Working as a team can get you further that just by yourself.’ (Zach Nettle)
School News
Year 5
Recently as part of Catholic Education Week the Year 5 students walked to Blue Care to visit a group of their clients. After enjoying some freshly made muffins and juice, Cooper, Brayden, Jenna, Adam and Isabella performed the poems they recited at the Eisteddfod to entertain the enthusiastic crowd.
The children then worked in pairs to interview each of the people present to find out where they grew up, where they went to School, how they got there, what sports they played and what their first job was. The smiles on the faces of the people while they were telling the children about their childhoods were great to see. The enthusiasm with which the students approached the interviews and communicated with the people they were interviewing was heart-warming.
When they returned to school they used the notes they had taken in the interview to write an article about the person they had interviewed.
Mick Grew
USQ CAREERS DAY
Wednesday the 27th of August saw the Year 10 students from St Joseph’s converge on USQ Toowoomba alongside hundreds of other students from across Southern Queensland and Northern NSW for the University’s annual careers day. The day was specifically targeted at Year 10’s with sessions being designed to give all students a taste of life at University, TAFE or in the Defence Forces of Australia. Sessions ranged from Hospitality and Hairdressing to Law and Engineering, and gave all attendees the opportunity to get hands-on experience in what it is like to work in or study for a broad spectrum of vocations and careers. Some of the student’s favourite activities included (but weren’t limited to): plumbing a functional bathroom, designing a space suit out of everyday materials, getting an up close view of the inside of an army helicopter and getting a feel for campus life with various tours. Possibly most beneficial, however, was the opportunity to ask questions of teachers, lecturers, tradesmen and academics that parents and friends just might not be able to answer. All students participated spectacularly and should be congratulated for their inquisitive and enthusiastic attitude throughout the day; it was a truly engaging, worthwhile and fun experience for all involved.
Dominic Philp
Year 10 English Editorial
The Verona Chronicle by Emily Desgrand
Trivia Night
The St Joseph’s annual trivia night is on once more and gearing up to be another raucous and entertaining evening. P & F Secretary Jodie Cosmo is again leading the charge, alongside a group of dedicated volunteers, to bring you an event that is sure to challenge even the most trivia savvy mind. The St Joseph’s Trivia night, an event that is fast becoming a highlight in Stanthorpe’s social calendar, attracted over 250 challengers last year and organizers are hoping for just as much interest this year. To accommodate the large number of participants the Trivia Night will again be held at the school’s Bathersby Centre on the 12th September and promises laughs, games and even a chance of winning a prize or two kindly donated by one of the generous sponsors. Cash prizes await for the teams that take first, second, third and even the wooden spoon, along with fantastic Multi-draw Raffles drawn throughout the evening that range from NRL Cowboys Supporter Packs to Lunch for 2 at the QCWT.
A bar will be operating on the evening and BYO platters are most welcome. Cost is $10 per person in teams of 8 players. For further information please contact the school office on 4681 5900.
Dental Health
Dental Health has been a fun focus for the primary students this month with Mrs Sue Fleming from Granite Belt Dental visiting classrooms. Mrs Fleming has been visiting our younger students throughout the month of August with her side kick Norbit, educating students about good oral health. Mrs Fleming’s presentations aim not only to highlight the importance of dental health but also guide the children through what to expect when visiting the dentist. Sporting her scrubs, mask and usual good humour, Mrs Fleming left the students feeling like they had been visited by an enthusiastic tooth fairy who left them in fits of giggles and showbags. Thank you Mrs Sue Fleming.
P & F News
P & F Report
Well it's been a very busy month for the P&F Association in preparation for a busy period of fund-raising events.
Firstly I'd like to extend thanks to our new Palgrove Co-ordinator Liz Alldridge, who, with the help of Jodie Cosmo and Linda Robertson organised a very successful fundraiser. A big thank you to all those who made donations to assist with running costs, and to those who gave their time to be there.
The Surfies, Pirates & Sailors Trivia Night is the next event coming up on the P&F social calendar, being held on Friday the 12th of September. It promises to be an exciting fun-filled night for everyone. There are many great prizes up for grabs with the multi-draw raffles, an Auction, prizes for the best dressed team and lets not forget the honour of the overall Trivia Champions.
Jodie Cosmo and her band of helpers are working hard behind the scenes to make this another successful evening. Be sure to get a team together, and get your team name with payment to the school by the 8th September 2014. The cost is only $10 per person with a maximum of 8 per team. It really is a night not to be missed!
As you all know, it takes a lot of time and organised teamwork to make these events work as well as they do. Thanks to those who continuously offer their help and support and for making these ventures so successful and enjoyable.
If you can offer help in any way shape or form with any of our P&F events, please contact me on 0438 157 195 or peteralldridge@hotmail.com Your help would be greatly appreciated!!
Peter Alldridge
P&F President
PALGROVE
Palgrove is over for another year and what a great day it was for all.
Thank you to Jodie Cosmo and Linda Robertson for sharing the load of planning and organising, and to Jen Wren who passed on all her knowledge and wisdom on how to prepare for and run the day. It really made it so much easier than I'd first envisaged.
Teacher Miss Maria-Nella Di Mauro, and her Home Economics class, baked some beautiful cakes, biscuits and slice to sell on the day and they were very popular with a hot cuppa. We know the time and effort all this takes and we appreciate it, so thank you.
Thank you also to the Thursday night crew for your sandwich making and onion cutting skills, and for giving up your time to help out.
To the families who sent in monetary donations we thank you for your generosity and really appreciate your support for these events.
Remo Raccanello and Pete Gleeson cooked up a storm on the BBQ, and with the help of Karen Green, Jen Wren, Marion Saxby, Sandra Kay, Rosalba Musumeci, and Paul Jansink, Linda Robertson, and Jodie Cosmo the day ran very smoothly. Thank you all for being there, you were wonderful.
We ran a raffle again this year, with the prize being a beautifully crafted Stock Whip made and very generously donated by the Nemeth family, renown Australian Whip makers. The whip was a hit with the sale goers, many buying several tickets at a time, and the winner was extremely happy with his prize!
A big thank you also to Prue & David Bondfield for giving our school the opportunity once again to cater at the Bull Sale and generously donating the “melt in your mouth” steak for the BBQ. It may have been a cold and rainy day, but it turned out to be a very successful event for the Bondfields and for our school. I look forward to doing it all again next year.
Liz Alldridge
Next P & F Meeting 7:00pm
16th September
Everyone is welcome.
Reminders and Updates
Reminder to Parents & Carers of Year 8 Boys & Girls and Year 10 boys only-
The Immunisation Clinic for Year 8 boys and girls, and Year 10 boys will be held on Monday 15th September for the Third HPV. The clinic will be held at the Parish Hospitality Centre during lunch time.
For any further enquiries please contact Angie Sims on 46 815904.
HOLIDAY FUN
The Stanthorpe Pottery Club will be holding their annual children’s workshop during the first week of the September school holidays. We would very much appreciate it if you would include a copy of the attached form with your school newsletter.
If you have any questions please contact the following club members: Maryke Miller (President) on 4681 0000, Yvonne Gray (Vice President) on 4681 1878 or Dianne Whitford (Children’s Workshop Co-ordinator) on 0488 054 151.
Parish News
For the St Joseph’s Parish Newsletter please follow the link below.
Congratulations to the St Joseph’s students who received their first Holy Communion last week.
Back row: Michael Westerhout, Samuel O'Donnell, Jason O'Donnell, Benjamin O'Donnell
Second Row: Lucas Wren, Ashley O'Brien, Grace Gibb, Kirra Daddow, Isabel Kay
Front Row: Alyssa Gasparin, Kiara Smith and Caitlin Hennoste