1 March 2018

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

On Sunday evening I was fortunate to be able to attend the Combined Churches Harvest Thanksgiving Service at the Stanthorpe Civic Centre. It provided a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together to give thanks to God for the work, the workers and the produce that are integral to the agricultural and production industries in this district.

I was particularly taken by the following lyrics in one of the songs that was sung during the service.

Praise the Maker, Son and Spirit,
one God in community,
calling Christians to embody
oneness and diversity

These words reminded me of our St Joseph’s School community. Whilst we have a majority of Catholic students and staff, in reality we are a mix of denominations and beliefs, a real mix of people. At St Joseph’s all are welcome no matter what your faith and beliefs are. What brings us together are the Gospel values (what Jesus said, what Jesus did and what He told us to do). Respect for the life and dignity of each individual is one of those values.

I pray that everyone in our school (students, staff, parents and caregivers) at all times demonstrate respect for each other. In doing so we support each other’s growth and learning. In doing so we make our school an excellent learning environment. In doing so we ensure that we are a valued part of the Granite Belt community.

Andrew Kendall
PRINCIPAL

LEADERSHIP NEWS

Assistant Principal-Secondary: Linda Perrett

On Tuesday 20th February, the Secondary campus hosted employers from the local area who are engaged in the Agricultural Industry. Tanya Codd, Field Officer from the Department of Employment and Training, presented the Cultiv8 program as well as an overview of the Agricultural Tour which occurred this week. Our students attended two days in the field visiting local employers and learning about what it takes to work in these businesses. Our students were extremely excited to be able to have this opportunity.

With upcoming changes to senior schooling in Queensland, St Joseph's School will be providing many opportunities for students to understand their choices for both University and the workforce. All of our senior years teaching staff are engaging in professional development, preparing them for changes to the current system. Year 10s will engage in work experience during the last week of Term 2. A parent paperwork will be emailed home shortly to provide further details of this experience.

Tanya Codd at the recent presentation of the Cultiv8 Program.

Assistant Principal-Primary: Sarah Yates

In the last newsletter, I talked about the importance of students having a growth mindset as they progress through their learning journey. In recent weeks, I have spent time with students across the Primary Campus and have seen many of them demonstrate such an approach. One student for example, who initially struggled with a task, received additional support and scaffolding from the teachers and persevered to complete the task. Their delight in having done so was very tangible. I witnessed another student shout out with glee at having conquered a Maths problem-after showing great persistence. These are only two examples of some great learning experiences for the students across the Primary Campus. Parents have a role to play in the cultivation of a growth mindset by considering the language they use when discussing their child’s learning.

Last week we held an information session for parents regarding reading and, in particular, how parents can help to support their child in the development of reading and comprehension at home. Thank you to all those parents who were able to attend and thank you to Mrs Campbell and Ms Thompson. Some of the strategies we talked about included:

• Make reading part of the daily routine in your house
• Model good reading practices
• Have plenty of reading material available around the home – and a variety
• Make reading enjoyable – not a chore
• Talk about the book – before, during and after reading
• Don’t compare students with others
• Don’t be overly concerned with reading levels
• Share the reading/chorus read
• Discuss what you/they have read
• Encourage them to use picture clues to aid understanding
• Read to your children – this way you can enjoy more complex books
• Be encouraging
• If they are becoming frustrated, take a break
• Get involved in activities which involve reading eg baking a cake
• Become members of the local library
• Use audio books
• Make children aware of environmental language – eg road signs, shop signs

Please contact the teacher to discuss your child’s reading progress further.

Primary students have been busy preparing for Lent and activities in readiness for the Apple & Grape Festival.

Assistant Principal-Religious Education (APRE): Megan Mahoney

Faith in Action Service Program: As a Mercy school it is important that our Mercy tradition continues to be the lived experience within the community. Students and staff are given opportunities to live the Mercy values through our “Faith in Action Program”. For secondary students this program incorporates visiting and interacting with community members in various organisations. These include visits to Blue Care (Year 7); delivering meals with Meals on Wheels volunteers (Years 8 and 9); visiting and interacting with residents of Carramar and Villa Carramar (Year 10) and working with clients from Endeavour (Year 11). Year 12 students are involved in supporting their school leaders in their chosen projects and promoting school activities and awareness campaigns. On the primary campus students in Year 5 and 6 will also be visiting Blue Care, Granite Belt Support Services and Carramar throughout the school terms. Involvement in these programs enables students to live the values of respect, service, dignity and compassion, as well as appreciating the value and worth of all who are created in the image of God.

SCHOOL NEWS

The Season of Lent and Ash Wednesday Mass

The Season of Lent began on Wednesday 14th February with the Ash Wednesday Mass and the traditional imposition of ashes on foreheads. Students from Years 3 to 12, staff and members of the Parish Community gathered at St Joseph’s Church to celebrate Mass. Later that day, the Prep to Year 2 students celebrated with a Liturgy.

Fr Brian Connolly said that each year, Lent reminds us to do penance, to deepen our life of Prayer, to experience God’s mercy and forgiveness in the Sacrament of Penance, and to engage in works of Charity, especially by supporting Caritas Australia through Project Compassion.

Students from both campuses marked the beginning of Lent with celebrations on Ash Wednesday

MEALS ON WHEELS

As part of St Joseph’s School’s “Faith in Action Program”, students of Years 8 and 9 have been involved in delivering meals to members of the Stanthorpe Community through the Meals on Wheels Program. This amazing program provides an opportunity for these students to offer service, dignity and compassion to people of the local community.

For many years, for one week a term, 2-3 students each day are picked up by Parish members, Keith and Dawn Allen at 10:30am, and are then transported to collect and distribute meals within the area. The students are returned to school by lunch time.

For this term and next term, the Year 9 students will be involved in this wonderful service activity. The Year 8 students will participate in Terms 3 and 4.

Year 9 students, Mya Perrett and Danielle Blair both said that they enjoyed the Meals on Wheels program with Mr and Mrs Allen. They were thrilled to meet some lovely elderly people from around Stanthorpe and even got to pat and feed a kangaroo during their trip. Both young ladies said they would be willing to participate in this experience again. Cooper Wren shared his experience about Meals on Wheels and said he liked helping deliver freshly made meals to our elderly while Eric Richards said Meals on Wheels is a wonderful service for our community.

Thank you to all those who support this valuable and worthwhile program at St Joseph’s School.

Meals on Wheels Parish volunteers Dawn and Keith Allen with Year 9 students, Eric Richards, Danielle Blair, Mya Perrett and Cooper Wren.

NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST BULLYING

On Friday 16th March, St Joseph’s School will be participating in the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence, along with approximately 2,000 schools across Australia. Activities have been planned for the day such as special lesson activities delivered by teachers from Prep to Year 12 and a morning tea for both campuses. Students will be invited to sign a pledge on the day during morning tea, to take a stand against bullying.

“On the day students are encouraged to come to school dressed in an orange shirt or clothes. Staff have purchased a special t-shirt in support of this day,” Head of Pastoral Care, Mrs Lorien Kirby said. “We will hold a whole school “Take a Stand Together” assembly for our students. The Student Council Representatives from both campuses will distribute wristbands and anti-bullying cards at the start of this special day,” Mrs Kirby added.

2018 Student Council Representatives are gearing up for this important day.

INTRODUCING STAFF & THE STUDENT LEADERS

In the first newsletter of the School year, the new teachers were introduced as well as a reintroduction of the Leadership. Every fortnight, a staff member from both campuses will provide a profile of themselves to allow the school and wider community to familiarise themselves with the staff at St Joseph’s School. The school operates with approximately 50 staff members who all have a special role to play in the effective functioning of the school.

LESLEY GRANT: I have worked as Teacher-Librarian at St Joseph’s since 2008 and enjoy being here immensely. This year I have changed from full-time to 4 days a week and Erin Canavan takes care of things on Fridays.

In the last 10 years, there has been a lot of change. We have gone from two separate campus libraries to a single school library, in 2011. Digital, online subscriptions which include eBooks and encyclopaedic and research databases have been added to the collection. Coding equipment, iPads and drones are now a part of the library catalogue.

One thing has stayed the same: the library is still a bustling place, full of resources and learning spaces but always with room for relaxing, reading, browsing and interacting with others.

All Primary classes are involved in a weekly library program that dovetails with Australian Curriculum requirements and focuses on information literacy, literature and digital technology throughout the year. Secondary teachers request sessions that focus on a specific element of their learning program, and are usually related to either literature or research. This teaching and learning is the most enjoyable component of my role. I feel privileged to be able to work and interact with the students.

Highlights of every year include our two Scholastic Book Fairs, the first of which takes place in the week beginning 12th March. Books, Bears and Blankets is a much loved family picnic which occurs in August, just before Book Week, and, of course Book Week itself is always a wonderful celebration of reading and the best of Australian literature.

I always hope and pray that St Joseph’s library - and those of us who work here - provide the very best of learning spaces that spark interest, engage students and promote a love for reading. And, although we are avid and full supporters of this digital age, there is nothing better than seeing the delight on a child’s face when they connect with “that” book!

CATHERINE MILLS: I moved to Stanthorpe from Brisbane 3 years ago and haven’t looked back. I love the lifestyle and community of Stanthorpe and I am blessed to work at such a caring school as St Joseph’s. I even love the winters and have learnt to light a good wood fire. I have worked as a guidance counsellor for 8 years but I have experience as a psychologist for over 20 years (time flies!). I am a registered psychologist and teacher. I am also a mum to two beautiful girls, Magnolia and Sophia.

As a Guidance Counsellor I work alongside teachers to help support student learning, wellbeing and quality teaching. I work in classrooms, with small groups and individual students to help support a range of areas such as learning, anxiety, confidence, depression, problem solving, emotional regulation conflict resolution and more. I can also assist with psychological assessments to help gain a clearer profile of learning and wellbeing needs. I cannot do my job well without the support and involvement of parents and caregivers. I work three days a week across both primary and secondary campuses, currently from Monday to Wednesday. The remaining two days I work as the Guidance Counsellor at St Mary’s in Warwick. My office is upstairs next to the year 3 / 4 and 5 /6 classrooms and all are welcome to come in and say hello.

In a nutshell, I am one part of the support team at St Joseph’s, with the children at the centre.

INTRODUCING STUDENT PREFECTS

At the end of each school year, six students are elected as Student Leaders. These Student Leaders choose a Mercy Value and lead by example to their fellow students. Each fortnight, the Student Leaders will be introduced and relay what their Mercy Value is and what their plans are for 2018 as a Student Leader.

My name is Joshua Mahoney. I am a Prefect and my Mercy Value is Mercy and Justice. I am hoping to achieve a fundraising goal of $1,000 for the “Swags for Homeless” Organisation. This will help those who sleep on the street to have a warm and protected place to sleep.

Being a Student Leader means that we are a role model to the younger students of our school. We are also a helping hand for those who are struggling with their school work or just a friend that they can talk to.

After finishing Year 12 this year, I intend to have a gap year, then go to University to study a Bachelor of Law.

My name is Anika Spiller and my Mercy Value for this year is Dignity; meaning being worthy of honour and respect. I am planning to run an indigenous day in Term 3 where bandanas will be worn in order to raise awareness and recognise the different cultures that exists within the community and emphasis my Mercy Value.

To me, being a Student Leader means proudly and successfully representing the school and taking responsibility of spreading knowledge of the Mercy Values and morals through assemblies, community activities and within the general school and wider community.

Next year I plan to have a gap year working, before heading off to university and studying nutrition, dietetics and exercise science as this has always been something I have wanted to do. I cannot wait to see what the rest of this year brings and for many more opportunities to arise and take on the challenges that I am faced with.

LIONS YOUTH OF THE YEAR

Year 12 students Liam Hitchener, Anika Spiller and Ann-Mary Vincent represented St Joseph’s School in the Lions Youth of the Year contest on Monday night. They all performed very well in a strong field. We were particularly impressed with their thoughtful prepared speeches which included the topics, “Why we can’t live forever”, “The rise of technology in the workplace” and “Why being egalitarian is better than being a feminist”. Congratulations on a wonderful effort.

YEAR 8 PE EXCURSION

As part of the Year 8 Physical Education curriculum, students are examining equity and access to physical activity through the application of Figueroa’s Framework. As part of this analysis framework, students examine the impact community facilities have on allowing equitable access for all people to physical activity environments.

The assessment focus involves a comparative analysis of the Warwick and Stanthorpe Community pools. Therefore, students were involved in an excursion to the Warwick Aquatic Centre on Friday 16th February to examine the management of WIRAC and its ability to cater for the Warwick Community.

Students had the opportunity to interview the Assistant Manager of the facility who is in charge of the Aquatic Facility to gather information relevant to their task. Students were given a tour of the facility and a behind the scenes look at the mechanics involved in running the facility. The visit would not be complete without the chance to experience the facilities first hand by taking a dip in the water.

Feedback from the students was that they enjoyed the experience and gathered much needed research to make justified decisions on their analysis of this facility.

The Year 8 PE class enjoyed their recent excursion to WIRAC.

LIBRARY

New books!

Throughout the year we regularly purchase Fiction and Information texts for students and teaching/learning resources for teachers. Students are important contributors to the process as we make every effort to provide for author, title and subject requests. We also focus purchases on teacher requests, lists of notable books and recommended books and suggestions from the diocesan teacher-librarian network. Parent requests are also most welcome.

For many years now we have purchased from Australian Standing Orders, a company that selects only the best of current Australian titles. This year we have also added book boxes for housing some of our large Picture Books for Older Readers collection. They are proving to be very successful as a visual prompt for browsing and borrowing– much more appealing than being lost on a shelf!

Everyone is welcome to visit the library. We are open from 8.15 until 4.00 each day and from 1.00 at lunchtimes. The junior Fiction area (Foyer) is the perfect spot for relaxing and sharing Picture Books with your little ones once you drop off or before you pick up your big boys and girls. We hope to see you here!

YOUNG WINEMAKERS AND THE A&G MASTERCLASS

Australian Winemaker of the Year, Mike Hayes will work alongside the 2017 St Joseph’s Young Winemaker students to participate in the 2018 Masterclasses he is hosting for the week leading up to the Apple & Grape Festival.

Mike Hayes invited last year’s Young Winemakers to partake in the Masterclasses during the Apple & Grape festivities to learn and experience as well as showcase their award winning Pinot Gris 2017. This is a wonderful opportunity for the St Joseph’s students to work alongside Mike who is such an icon and whose wealth of knowledge can only enhance these young adult’s winemaking skills.

The 2017 Young Winemaker group are eager to be part of these incredible sessions and continue to ride the wave of success they achieved last October when they took out Top Gold at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show-National Schools Wine Competition. This is the first Gold for the St Joseph’s Young Winemakers since entering the completion in 2015.

Secondary Teacher Mr Matthew Brown attended the first session with the students last Sunday at the RSL Club. “The Masterclasses are a wonderful opportunity for our students to work with and continue to learn from Australian Winemaker of the Year Mike Hayes. The students embraced this opportunity to interact with the public during the Apple & Grape Festival and help showcase the success of not only our schools Winemakers Program, but of all wine producers on the Granite Belt.”

St Joseph’s School would like to thank Mike Hayes and Symphony Hill for their on-going support of the Young Winemakers Program and St Joseph’s School.

St Joseph’s Young Winemaker students enjoyed their first Masterclass session with Mike Hayes recently.

NEW MOBILE PHONE POLICY AND LUNCHTIME ACTIVITIES

The St Joseph’s Mobile Phone Policy for Secondary students has been revised with several key changes put in place. Students can only now use their mobile phone whilst at school between 8:15-8:35am and after 3:10pm. Once the school day begins, their phones cannot be used and either safely tucked in their locker or their pocket and switched off.

Parents have been advised of this change and also given the specific reasons when students would be allowed access in special circumstances.

With this change, a series of lunchtime activities have been arranged to ensure the students are kept busy and active. Teachers have willingly given up their lunchtime to ensure a different activity is offered for each day of the week.

With the installation of the new school gym, Matthew Brown and Jacob Steele have kept senior students busy with a high intensity interval training format and various sparing skills at their gym sessions. The wheels are in motion to have gym activities extended to Year 7-10 students soon. Aimee Coulston has kept young ladies fit and active with Junior Netball Training each Thursday lunch time. The young ladies have been practising on Tuesdays also at the moment in preparation for upcoming competitions. During the lunch hours for Tuesday and Wednesday students are able to avail of extra assistance with tutoring with various subjects. Tracey Cullinan also offers art classes each Tuesday and Thursday for those who want to get creative. This enthusiastic and artistic bunch have been busy getting decorations ready for the Apple & Grape school float. During Wednesday and Thursday lunch times, Leigh Muller is offering students the opportunity to play board games while Andrew Barker has relished honing his chess skills with students each Friday with the Chess Club. Andrew advises that all ages and abilities are welcome. “The aim of the club is for students to enjoy the game of chess and similar board games, and to enjoy the company of others students in a friendly environment. Students will be able to learn the game even if they haven’t played before,” Mr Barker said.

Despite their busy schedules, the secondary teachers have taken on board this extra-curricular activity each lunchtime in the best interest of their students. The students have appreciated being able to try different activities and this has enabled to foster better relationships with students and especially for those who may struggle socially during these times.

Secondary Teachers have been keeping the students busy during lunchtime with various activities.

SECONDARY TUCKSHOP

Kathleen O’Connor comes to the St Joseph’s Secondary School Tuckshop with all the perfect credentials. Kathleen, or Kath, explained that as she already had her Food Safety Credentials it seemed only sensible to offer her services in the food preparation area.

Kath’s experience in catering comes from her previous experience as the owner of Vincenzo’s and as a busy Mum who brought up three boisterous boys. Kathleen said that if you didn’t become an expert caterer, you just wouldn’t have survived.

Kathleen’s previous association with the school was as a Primary School teacher for fifteen years. Those years have given Kath an excellent rapport with working with young people.

Year 11 student, Anna Calvisi is enjoying working alongside Kath, setting up the area prior to the arrival of the hungry students. Kath has thanked the parents who have supplied delicious slices and cakes to sell each Wednesday. After just 2 Wednesdays working in the Secondary Tuckshop, Kath is comfortable and confident in her new role. She is already assessing what students are favouring and planning future menus, with an aim to change the lunch options every few weeks.

Kath O’Connor is relishing her new role working in the Secondary Tuckshop.

PRIMARY TUCKSHOP

The Tuckshop has again proved popular with the students on the Primary Campus, especially on Fridays. Without a doubt the best seller is home baking. The Tuckshop is very lucky to be supported by so many families who are prepared to bake for the students. Along with traditional tuckshop fare, there are items made specifically for the tuckshop using local donated ingredients such as fruit crumbles, spinach pies and penne pasta with tomato passata. Strawberry crumbles will be available until the end of Term 1 when they will be replaced by apple crumbles.

It is great to see so many of the volunteers return this year, with some new faces joining the Tuckshop team. Next term is 11 weeks long, so a few extra volunteers will be needed to fill the roster. If you are keen to be involved please email me: rebaegan@senet.com.au

Bec Telfer who has co-ordinated the Primary Tuckshop for many years is a vibrant and energetic face around the school.

SECONDARY SPORTS NEWS

On Sunday 25th of February the St Joseph’s Junior Netball team and coach, Miss Aimee Coulston, travelled to Downlands College Toowoomba to play in the Laura Geitz Netball Carnival. The team played in Division 1, playing a total of 8 games across the day. The first game of the day set the standard for teamwork, with the girls beating Chinchilla 10 – 3. The positive attitude, determination and exceptional team work was maintained throughout the day, with the team winning two further games against Clifton (10 – 9) and Toowoomba State High School (11 – 1).

The St Joseph’s Junior Netball team enjoyed competing at the Laura Geitz Netball Carnival last Sunday.

BORDER DISTRICT WINTER TRIALS

St Joseph’s students have been trialling throughout Term 1 for various Border District Teams. Student’s from St Joseph’s have been selected in Touch, Cricket, Netball, Football, Rugby League and Swimming. Congratulations to all those representing our school at the Darling Downs level.

“TS KOOKABURRA" NAVAL CADETS

Designed for boys and girls 12 ½ -18 years. It is proposed that parents if possible accompany their child to the ex-Army depot in Anzac Street on either Thursday 1st or Friday 2nd March after school where they will meet the Captain of Australia Naval Cadets and her husband and ex Chief Petty Officer who is now Lt Commander of Navy Cadets.

They are bringing uniforms with them should anyone be interested in becoming members.

NOTICE TO PARENTS

ParentPaperwork is now EdSmart! You will have noticed Parent Paperwork have a new name. But nothing has changed about the application, everything is the same.

REMINDERS AND UPDATES

NOTICE: Tutoring classes from Year 2 to Year 8 with Kathleen O’Connor. Available for both morning and afternoon lessons. Phone 46 811 823 or 0490 788 385

PARISH NEWS

SACRAMENTS OF CONFIRMATION AND FIRST COMMUNION

Parents of children from Year 4 and upwards who missed the opportunity of preparing their children for the Sacrament of Reconciliation last year, are once again offered the opportunity so that their child can be Confirmed and receive First Holy Communion later this year. Please contact the Presbytery by Wednesday 7th March if you wish your child to join the Sacramental preparation group this year.

MASS AND MORNING TEA WITH FR LINO

Last year when Fr Lino needed to go into care at Lourdes Home (now St Vincent’s Care Services, Lourdes), there was no time nor was Fr Lino well enough for the Parish to wish him well and assure him of their support and gratitude. Now that Fr Lino has settled well at Lourdes, his niece Diana Sampson is bringing him back on Sunday 18th March for the 8:30am Mass, to be followed by a Parish Morning Tea in the Parish Hospitality Centre.

Everyone is invited to attend. Any donations of food and goodies for the morning tea will be gratefully appreciated.