23 August 2018

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

There is a clear improvement agenda across Toowoomba Catholic Schools. This is reflected in the many changes that have been implemented in St Joseph’s in the last 12 months and serves to build on the wonderful outcomes the school has been achieving for many years.

Recently we completed a quadrennial School Renewal and Improvement review which identified the great work of the staff and students that has been happening and provides recommendations that will help to shape a better school from now and into the future.

The following is an extract of the prologue to the final report.

The review team thanks the St Joseph’s School community for the open and trusting way in which they have approached this quadrennial School Renewal and Improvement review. The review team experienced an openness and trust across the school, with people speaking frankly about where they see the school’s strengths and areas for improvement. We believe we have received an in-depth and accurate portrait of the school.

The review team found many strengths, particularly in the consistently high academic achievements of the school’s students over many years. At the same time, it is clear that these achievements are not necessarily recognised in the town or acknowledged by parents. The school has a strong story to tell, and it is timely to refine and present it to the school community and to the wider community in a consistent and enthusiastic manner.

Among the affirming messages that emerge in this report are the way a coherent teaching and learning framework is evolving under the Visible Learning principles, the way teachers are differentiating their approaches to meet varying student capabilities and needs, the advantages to students of a coherent P-12 education, the educative and personal way in which the Catholic ethos is presented to students, the sense of community among adults and students, and in particular the academic achievements and success pathways for the future that the school is achieving for its students.

The full report from the review will be available on the school website from Friday 24 August.

St Joseph’s is the best option for P-12 education in the Granite Belt region. Over coming weeks I will highlight key aspects of our success story and let the school community know what we plan for the further.

God Bless

Andrew Kendall
PRINCIPAL

LEADERSHIP NEWS

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL ADMINISTRATION-SECONDARY

Secondary teachers have this past week begun the first, in a series, of sessions of the Toowoomba Catholic Schools, Reading Improvement Strategy.

Over these upcoming months teachers will engage in understanding the high impact strategies that can be used for effective teaching and learning. This week teachers investigated the Text/Context model and were able to apply elements of this model to the texts that they use with students. The strategy will provide a seamless transition from Year 6 to Secondary and encourages a common language around reading.

On Wednesday 29th August at 6pm, a Parent Information Session will be held in Frayne Room 2 for all students and parents of Years 8 and 9. The evening will present information about the changes to Senior Schooling in Queensland, as well as an overview of the elective subjects on offer in 2019. We look forward to seeing students and parents at this session.

God Bless

Linda Perrett
Assistant Principal Administration-Secondary

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL ADMINISTRATION-PRIMARY

In a recent Primary Campus assembly, a ‘Kid President’ video was played to the students during which they were encouraged to ‘do something awesome’ every day. In his very own style ‘Kid President’ suggested that each day is like a blank page upon which we can choose to write anything. We talked about the fact that on most days there will be sufficient positive experiences to fill at least one page – if not more. On other days, we might make wrong choices and find that it is not as awesome as we hoped. What shows strength of character however, is how we react when we find ourselves in this situation. Do we accept we made a mistake and learn from it? Do we blame others for what happened, believing it was nothing to do with us? Do we accept the consequences graciously and move on? Part of being involved in a community such as St Joseph’s is

• learning to have that strength of character and a growth mindset to see disappointments as opportunities.
• to have the courage to stand up and be counted when you witness something that you know is wrong.
• to accept the consequences for our actions.
• to be humble enough to say that you made a mistake and
• being forgiving of others who seek it.

Our desire at St Joseph’s is that each person be given the support and guidance to be the best that they can be. This is not just limited to academic best but incorporates all aspects of each individual.

Thank you to all those parents who supported our ‘Books, Bears and Blankets’ Picnic last week as we officially launched Book Week 2018. The Book Character Parade was also a great success, with a lot of thought having gone into the outfits.

Congratulations to the following students who will represent the Granite Belt at the Darling Downs Athletics Trials to be held in Toowoomba on 28 August:

Alex Waterworth, Claire Danzey, Katie-Lee Jansink, Darius Jansink, Darcy Daddow, Harry Wren, Jaiden Morello, Lily Savakov, Kael Einam, Addison McCosker, Billy Gallaway, Brigid O’Dea and Aryanna Davie.

We wish them well in their events.

Sarah Yates
Assistant Principal Administration-Primary

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (APRE)

Spiritual Formation through Retreat Experiences

An important aspect of providing faith formation opportunities for St Joseph’s students is through the retreats held for Year 3 to 12 each year. These occasions provide opportunities for students to develop their own spiritual growth and faith formation.

Students in Years 3-6 work with adults from Toowoomba Catholic Schools and the local community to develop and express their spiritual growth and the Mercy charism. Year 6 focuses strongly around leadership and the leadership shown by Jesus during his ministry. Students in Years 7 – 11 participate in half day retreats working with the Real Talk team on topics including beauty and strength, relationships, and living in the digital world. Year 12 participate in a two day retreat in their final week of school, working with staff and the Real Talk team as they reflect on their school years and look forward to what lies ahead.

These retreats, together with other prayer and meditation experiences contribute to the journey of each individual towards wholeness.

Megan Mahoney
Assistant Principal Religious Education

SCHOOL NEWS

VISITING WITH THE ELDERLY

On Tuesday 7th August, the Year 10 students visited the residents of Villa Carramar. Later in the week, Ben Boland who is the chaplain from Villa Carramar, came to speak with the Year 10's about interacting with the elderly and people with dementia. Year 10 Pastoral Care Teacher, Aimee Coulston gained some feedback from her students after Mr Boland’s talk and the recent visit to Carramar. These were some of the comments.

• The experience of visiting Carramar and the visit by Ben was very helpful as it showed us that we should treat the elderly just like we would treat our friends but in a completely different way.
• I learnt how to connect and talk more with my Nana, as she had a stroke and then an aneurism at 42 and she is mostly paralysed and has no memory of me whatsoever.
• I enjoyed how Mr Boland related topics so that we know how to act around our Grandparents.
• In this talk of value and just general understanding of the elderly, I learnt that the reason I talk a lot without thinking is because of inhibition.
• I found that the experience was interesting as it was the opposite of what I usually expect from old people, due to my experience with my Grandmother.
• I thought that the talk was very interesting. I learnt to treat the elderly and disabled like extremely valuable people, and to let them have power over their own lives.
• Today I learnt that we all have to be patient with everyone. Also we should treat everyone with respect.
• From the Carramar visit and talk I learnt many things, including how to better interact with elderly people and what sort of questions to ask. From the talk I learnt how to better engage with those suffering from dementia, and how to respond to tough situations you may be put in while talking to an elderly person.
• I have learnt how to properly interact with the elderly and how to handle complicated situations when it comes to conversations with them.
• I thought that the talk and the visit was very interesting and I did enjoy it. I learnt how to interact with the older generation and the talk that Mr Boland gave us was very interesting and informative.

The recent visits to the residents of Carramar provided invaluable experiences for the Year 10 students.

2019 PREP ENROLMENTS

The 2019 Prep Enrolments have begun. The enthusiastic Preps-to-be waited patiently with their Mums and Dad for their turn to meet with the Principal, Mr Kendall and Mrs Yates for their enrolment interview. Such a moment can be daunting for these young children, however, the excitement and eagerness to begin their schooling life was evident as they confidently took part in their interview.

An Open Morning and Open Afternoon were held in the past weeks, encouraging families to come and visit the current Preps and their classroom, and meet Glenda McNichol, the current Prep Teacher who will also teach this class next year. Children from the Kindy and Child Care facilities have been enjoying a number of visits to St Joseph’s School to immerse themselves in what our school has to offer. A number of sessions have also been arranged for Andrew, Sarah and staff members to visit these facilities and be available for a meet and greet as well as answering any questions.

We continue to encourage parents to visit us and witness for themselves how starting Prep at St Joseph’s School will provide a nurturing start to school life for their child as well as set them up for academic success from an early age.

St Joseph’s Prep offers a range of subjects as well as an encouraging atmosphere for the children to settle and develop within. We are looking forwarding to 2019.

The 2019 Prep class will comprise of existing families but many new families will join the St Joseph’s School Community.

CULTURAL SHOWCASE EVENT

The Year 11/12 BCT Class are busy at work putting the finishing touches to their upcoming Cultural Showcase Event to be held on Saturday 1st September from 10am-12noon. The program is packed with various entertainment items which will be presented by our students, including dance, recitation and performance from the St Joseph’s Choir. Static displays of school artwork and Manual Arts projects will also add another element to this event.

As a special feature, past student and parent of St Joseph’s School, Julianne O’Brien will compete in a Celebrity Challenge against the Mayor and a special guest. The challenge will be effortless but add some fun-filled entertainment.

Due to the generosity of many within our community, a mutli-draw raffle with great prizes will be up for grabs, including a signed Queensland 2018 State of Origin Jersey. The students have decided that the funds raised from this raffle will be ear marked for the 2018 Light the Night Leukaemia Fundraiser. It is another example of the St Joseph’s Mercy Values our students display.

Tickets are on sale now for $10 at the School Office and includes morning tea. Tickets will also be available from the door.

Please support these students for this exciting event.

The Year 11/12 BCT Class with some of the multi-draw prizes including the signed State of Origin Jersey that will be up for grabs at the Cultural Showcase Event.

TALKING WORMS

As part of their investigations into worms, Year 1 and Mrs Stone visited the Secondary Campus last Friday morning, to have a look at the worm farms and find out how to care for worms.

The students helped to feed and water the worms, had a look at worms of different sizes, and then watered the herbs with the 'worm juice' they collected.

It was a “worm” filled day for these students.

EXPERIMENTING

This term, the Year 10 students are studying motion as part of their Physics unit, and are doing some practicals in preparation for an upcoming Extended Experimental Investigation.

Experimenting preparation!

SCIENCE

The Year 8 Agriculture students enjoyed an afternoon in the sunshine last Monday, planting radishes in their garden beds.

These students had fun in the sun planting.

YEAR 10 PROJECT BASED LEARNING

In Project Based Learning this term the Year 10 students were set a task to create a project that benefits people globally. Project Based Learning is an elective subject that requires students to plan and implement a project, giving students the ability and the opportunity to better themselves, as well as their local and global community.

As a group, these students decided to create hygiene survival packs for women in impoverished countries. Working with Rotary, these packs will be sent to Fiji for distribution to women in need. The Primary students were included in this very worthwhile project and each child was given a slip of paper to identify what product they needed to donate to help complete the packs.

Last Thursday, students were invited to dress in denim to raise awareness for women in countries who lack the basic necessities for personal hygiene and grooming. Secondary students were asked to donate a gold coin which assisted the fundraising to purchase further personal grooming products for these packages whilst Primary students were asked to donate products.

The Year 10s have been busy finalising these packs this week, ready for distribution in the coming weeks. A huge thank you to all who supported this wonderful initiative and for helping St Joseph’s School continue living the Mercy Values.

The Year 10 students have worked together to assist with the hygiene survival packs for those less fortunate.

EKKA EXPERIENCE

As part of St Joseph’s School ongoing commitment to offering students a breadth of educational opportunities relating to the curriculum of Science, Geography and Agricultural Science, Year 7 students travelled to Brisbane last Friday to experience the Brisbane Exhibition (EKKA).

The EKKA, which is held at the Brisbane RNA Showgrounds, brings together primary producers, manufacturers and retailers, as well as industry specialists and experts. This excursion always offers students a unique educational experience which, in turn, broadens their understanding of various concepts across the curriculum.

The day was an insightful and enjoyable adventure for these students and accompanying teachers, Ms Cullinan, Mr Steele and Mr Barker.

The EKKA was thoroughly enjoyed by the Year 7 students and accompanying Teachers.

YEAR 11 LEADERSHIP CAMP

The Year 11 students embarked on their 3 days camp last Monday to help prepare them for their final years of schooling and the responsibilities that come with being School Leaders. All students are expected to be leaders in their own way at St Joseph’s School, regardless of whether they hold a leadership title. Importantly, all senior students play a key role in this respect in Year 12.

Held at Emu Gully in Helidon, an Outdoor Education Facility 17kms east of Toowoomba, the students participated in camp activities that are built around the epic ANZAC events. Students developed team building and leadership skills, and were provided with a “hands on” history lesson, whilst having a lot of fun. More importantly, the students were encouraged to embrace the ANZAC character values of courage, self-sacrifice, perseverance and mateship. These values align clearly with the St Joseph’s school values.

Thank you to Mr Carmichael and Ms Coulston for attending the camp.

The Year 11 Leadership Camp activities are built around the epic ANZAC events.

DISCO SUCCESS

Last Friday the Primary campus held a disco to raise money for the Netball girls heading to the Queensland Primary Schools Netball Carnival in Bundaberg. There were lights, strobes, disco balls, dance games featuring netball skills, jiggling, and grooving, twisting and most importantly loud music!

Both the Prep to Year 2 and the Year 3 to Year 6 discos were well attended by children, staff and parent helpers. The sausage sizzle, drinks and treats were very welcome after some very serious dancing. There was much excitement as a boy versus girl dance off was called, but the call for a teacher dance off appeared to fall on deaf ears – it looks like the staff might need to work on their dance skills before future discos!

Thank you to all for making the night such a wonderful experience for the children who attended. A special thank you to the Stanthorpe Blue Light Committee, who very kindly lent us the music tailer. The kids raised the roof off the Multi-Purpose Room and there are already requests for a follow up disco or similar social gatherings.

Disco Fever hit the Primary Campus last Friday evening.

FIVER FOR A FARMER

Recent media reports have highlighted the struggle farmers are facing throughout Queensland and New South Wales as they battle drought. As a school we are holding several fund raising events to show our support to farmers of our nation, the first being a sausage sizzle and dress as a farmer day. This event is being coordinated by Prefect Hunter Murphy in support of his Mercy value, Service. This P-12 event will be held on Friday, 24th August and for $5 students are invited to dress as a farmer and receive a sausage in bread and popper. Additional sausages can be bought for $2.

A street stall will also be held on Saturday 8th September. If you are able to assist with donations or volunteering for this street stall, please contact the Office. All monies raised will be donated to Rural Aid, supporters of Buy A Bale.

Prefect Hunter Murphy is coordinating the Fiver for a Farmer fundraiser for this Friday.

MRS STONE AND HER YEAR 1 READING SUCCESS

Recently, I was amazed as I listened to child after child read well beyond the books for this time in Year 1. In fact 50% of my class are reading early Year 2 literature and picture books with confidence and success and all of them are progressing well.

Reading doesn’t happen by chance. It is a skill that needs nurturing from birth, a firm foundation in language (especially talking) and the belief that it is achievable. Parental support, patience and encouragement is vital to the success of a young reader. If you believe they can, then they’ll believe they can.

One of the main factors in their reading success is our Home Reader Program. Thank you for making time during each week to listen as your child practises reading, consolidating skills they learn in class and building a diverse general knowledge base to draw on in their reading, writing and discussions at school. It is a privilege as a teacher to partner with parents to grow confident, literate students for our future.

The Year 1 students are a reading success!

USQ LEGAL STUDIES MOOTING COMPETITION

Last Friday the 17th of August, 5 of the Year 11/12 Legal Studies students travelled to Brisbane with the Year 7 Ekka students, to visit the Supreme Court of Queensland.

Upon arriving at the courts, the students met with Angie, a representative of the courts who showed them around and gave them an overview of how the court process is done.

The students watched two sentencing cases where they gained an insight of real-life sentencing processes. From this experience, these students all witnessed how legal jargon and protocol is used to determine a person’s sentence. Thank-you to Mrs Muller and Miss Coulston who accompanied the students.

LIBRARY NEWS

BOOK WEEK FEVER

The Books, Bears and Blankets Family Picnic was held last Thursday to launch Book Week 2018. Staff, students and families gathered on the Primary campus oval with their lunch, favourite book and fluffy toy to join in the reading celebration. A lovely day was enjoyed by all who attended.

BOOK WEEK IN THE LIBRARY

The library is a hub of excitement and activity with Book Week festivities in full swing. Thank you to Josie who has created beautiful book and author displays and also to the Year 5/6 students who have festooned the library with an undersea wonderland. Each lunch hour this week many students are involving themselves in treasure quests, problem solving and art and craft activities.

This year’s theme of “Find Your Treasure” has given us much scope for highlighting Australian stories and authors who have enriched our reading with memories, laughter, reflection and inspiration.

Thank you to all families for your amazing support of Book Week, and especially the Book Parade. It is always a calendar highlight and the imagination and hard work that goes into costumes each year is incredible. Thank you all P-12 staff who enthusiastically embrace the spirit of Book Week in spite of the incredibly busy term we have.

Everyone is welcome to visit the library over the next couple of weeks, to enjoy the atmosphere and displays and meet the winning books for 2018.

Book Week Parade photos will feature in the next newsletter.

INTRODUCING STAFF

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.

My name is Megan Hines and I am the Bursar, managing the financial affairs of St Joseph’s School since January 2016. My responsibilities include arranging purchase orders, creditor invoices and payments, issuing school fees and receipting, counting tuckshop monies and fundraising events and banking. I also follow up outstanding debts and arrange debt collection when needed. My role also includes reconciling petty cash, bank, credit cards and loan accounts, monthly Bas for each month and term reviews which are completed for Toowoomba accountants and audit preparation at the end of each financial year. I also organise and oversee any maintenance required and provide back up for the Front Office.

You may see me around the school during the majority of holidays as I am full time and not school term based. I am available for contact during this time. If there is any issues that you may have with your school fees (yes, I know no-one wants to pay them) please feel free to contact me on my direct line which is 4681 5903 or email me on Megan.Hines@twb.catholic.edu.au.

Even though my role may be draining, staring at a computer screen all day and trying to keep everyone happy, it is rewarding to see students entering the school with smiles on their faces.

I was raised in Ballandean, then moved north to Stanthorpe. I am married to Peter, who is another local, and we have two children Taryn and Ryan which we are very proud of (most of the time).

My name is Bernadette Brunckhorst and I began my teaching career as a Secondary Mathematics/Science teacher in 1995 and taught on the Secondary campus for 3 years before moving on and teaching at Kempsey and Ballina.

After the birth of my second child I took a break from teaching. I returned to teaching in Early Childhood as a Kindergarten teacher in Ballina, Cairns and Stanthorpe. I returned to St Joseph’s as a Year 2 teacher in 2013.

My husband, Glen, and I have three children all of whom attend St Joseph’s School; Holli in Year 12, Mitchell in Year 9 and Sophie in Year 5. I enjoy playing and coaching netball and am very involved in our local association as Vice-President.

I currently teach the Year 2 class and over the years I have been involved in coaching netball teams on both the Primary and Secondary campuses as well as the Granite Belt teams.

The best part about working in Year two is being witness to the incredible growth and development that occurs throughout each year and knowing that you have the opportunity to have an impact on the lives of the children you teach. I also appreciate the fact that I work in an industry where I can participate in various sporting activities as part of the job. The QISSN and Primary Schools Netball Carnivals are highlights of my school year.

SECOND HAND UNIFORMS

A number of uniforms for both Primary and Secondary have accumulated from lost property for some time. Several opportunities have been offered to families to alleviate the ever growing pile by selling these at $5 per item and having a pop up shop last week. We thank Amanda Bonner for assisting with that.

Due to the increased volume of these uniforms, a small amount will be kept in lost property as second hand uniforms for sale, however, the remainder are being donated to Rotary who will send to Fiji with their shipping container.

SPORTS NEWS

BOYS RED LION FOOTBALL CUP

On Tuesday 7th August, students from St Joseph’s School were selected to represent their school in the Open Boys Football Team who travelled to Toowoomba. Students played in a round robin style tournament at Captain Cook Fields against schools and colleges from all across the Darling Downs.

“We took 10 boys out to the Red Lions Soccer Tournament in Toowoomba,” Secondary Teacher Jacob Steele said. “The boys played really well, creating a lot of opportunities over the three games. Teamwork, energy and skill were the key factors in claiming a 4-0 win, a 1-1 draw and a tight 1-0 loss. They narrowly missed out on advancing to the semi-finals.” Great work!

Well done to the boys who played so well.

GIRLS RED LION CUP

St Joseph’s played Stanthorpe SHS in the Red Lion Football championships to compete for a place in the finals. After a scoreless first half St Joseph’s scored a breakaway goal late in the second half. The goal was created through a strong clearance by goal keeper Shania Newman finding Anika Spiller in the perfect position to net a one on one contest at the other end of the field.

In defence Georgette Forbes was integral in shutting down their key attacking player never giving her an inch to move with the ball. It is always a great contest against Stanthorpe SHS and the girls all played with exceptional sportsmanship and skill.

Thank you to the officials volunteering their time to make the contest a fair and well-run event. Ray Mattiazzi as referee controlled the field well and both Rory McDonagh and Matthew Biddulph have again stepped up and officiated with decisiveness. Great to see young players giving back to both the sport they enjoy and their schools.

Congratulations girls!

BORDER DISTRICT RESULTS

St Joseph’s had a number of excellent results at the Border District Athletics trials held on Thursday 9 August in Warwick.

Congratulations to Georgette Forbes who again took out Age Champion for her age division (14 Years). Skyie McCosker was also just 1 point off the Runner Up Age Champion placing her 3rd overall in the 16 Years Age division.

Thank you to the Senior Boys, Lachlan Swan and Liam Hitchener who assisted with team management and in the Long Jump pit when not competing. These young men were again demonstrating the leadership qualities that are developed and encouraged at St Joseph’s as valuable skills to take into their lives after school.

Below are the students who placed in the top 3 for their events. Congratulations to all the students who competed.

FUTSAL CLINICS

On Tuesday 14th August, lunchtime Futsal clinics commenced for Primary aged boys and girls in Years 4-6 held at the Bathersby Stadium.

These sessions focused on skill development, game strategy and sportsmanship, and were facilitated by Mr Steele, Mr Brown, Mrs Ellis and the senior Year 11 & 12 Futsal teams. These clinics will operate until early September and re-commence in Term 4. Clinics are held during lunch times on Tuesday, Wednesday (girls) and Thursday.

These clinics were exceptionally well attended and the feedback from the students was very positive. This is a great opportunity for the Primary students to experience "life on the secondary", as well as receive some coaching from the senior students and improve their own skills whilst building positive relationships with other students in a fun and supportive environment. Through these clinics, the aim is to prepare students to travel away and participate in competitions with other schools, starting with a planned trip to Brisbane later this month.

UPCOMING EVENTS