25 October 2018

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

It has been another busy start to the term and the end of the year is fast approaching. Plans are in place to celebrate the successes of our students and prepare for 2019.

Awards Night

On November 1 we celebrate the wonderful achievements of the students in 2018. I invite all students, parents and caregivers to come along to the Awards Night to help acknowledge those students who have excelled in the classroom, in sport, culturally and serving others. The night will also showcase the highlights of the year and include some live performances by our talented singers, musicians and performers.

Professional Learning

The student free day earlier this week provided the staff with an opportunity to share practices and successes across the Toowoomba Diocese with a view to improving outcomes for our students. The Primary hosted the Primary teaching staff from our Catholic schools at Warwick, Allora, Inglewood and Goondiwindi to “Celebrate the Journey” of success and improvement in 2018. The Secondary teachers went to St Joseph’s College, Toowoomba and met in subject groups with other schools to prepare for the introduction of the new Senior Schooling curriculum and Australian Tertiary Admission Rank in 2019. Our Administration staff also met with other school staff in Toowoomba to help them grow in their jobs. Collective teacher efficacy (the collective belief of teachers in their ability to positively affect students) is the single most important influence for improvement of student outcomes in schools. Teachers working together towards common goals, sharing experiences and practices in a data informed way, is the key to high collective teacher efficacy. The student free days are important to helping achieve this, and we commend our staff for their dedication to our students and each other.

SchoolTV

I would also like to remind parents and caregivers about SchoolTV, the online resource available to all St Joseph’s School families, which addresses the modern day realities faced by schools and parents who increasingly need clear, relevant and fact-based information around raising safe, happy and resilient young people. This month they provide a special report about dealing with the stress of exams and finishing schools for Year 12 students. Click on the graphic below to access the report or go to:

Have a good term.

God Bless,

Andrew Kendall
PRINCIPAL

LEADERSHIP NEWS

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL ADMINISTRATION-SECONDARY

This past week Year 10 students and parents have been meeting with me about subjects and future pathways. At the end of Year 10 students complete a Senior Education Training Plan (SET Plan) that identifies their possible career pathways, whether it be towards entry at a University in Australia or to the many and varied workforces available to today’s youth.

With the new senior schooling system beginning in 2019, our Year 10 students are well abreast of what it will encompass for them. Students are regularly talking about ATAR ranks and the newly titled, “General” and “Essential” subjects that we offer at St Joseph’s.

I appreciate the conversations that these interviews create and being a part of the journey that our Year 10 students and their parents are about to embark on in 2019.

God’s blessings

Linda Perrett
Assistant Principal Administration-Secondary

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL ADMINISTRATION-PRIMARY

Earlier this week we had the pleasure of welcoming teachers from Inglewood, Goondiwindi, Warwick and Allora to the Primary Campus. The purpose was to celebrate the successes of our students and schools across 2018. From our perspective, there was much that we were able to share including our reading data which, to date, has confirmed that the reading strategy is certainly having a significant effect on the level of decoding and comprehension of the students across the Primary Campus. We also shared our Visible Learning journey to this point and included student voice around the three key questions, ‘Where am I going?’, ‘How do I get there? and ‘How will I know I have been successful?’. In recent weeks students in Years 4 – 6 have also enjoyed great success in Mathematics competitions both in Stanthorpe and Warwick. Success however, is not limited to academia; as a school we are conscious that our aim is to assist students to become the best person that we can be. Whilst we still have a few weeks to go before the end of the school year, we have much to celebrate in terms of growth of individual students across many fields. With that in mind, we must congratulate Katie-Lee Jansink and Alex Waterworth who both competed for the Darling Downs team at the State Athletics Championships in Cairns last week. Both competed extremely well against strong competition. Katie-Lee made the finals for both the shot put and discus and in the shot put, she achieved a personal best throw and finished 8th out of 35 competitors.Congratulations to both Katie-Lee and Alex on their achievements.

In recent weeks we have conducted many enrolment interviews for new students – some have subsequently started at St Joseph’s and others will join us in 2019. It makes me very proud to take these families around the school and for them to be greeted in such a welcoming way by our students and I am sure that this community atmosphere, where everyone is concerned about the well being of those around them, is one of the reasons why parents choose to send their children to St Joseph’s School. Thank you to all who contribute to this.

Sarah Yates
Assistant Principal Administration-Primary

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (APRE)

Advent – A Season of New Beginnings

Initially I had reservations around writing an article about Advent which this year commences on Sunday 2nd December. But then I was reminded of seeing Christmas trees and decorations already in shopping centres and department stores and thought, perhaps it was a timely reminder of our journey to Christmas before commercialism takes over.

This year the first Sunday of Advent occurs while we are still at school. Advent signals the beginning of a new liturgical year and brings with it hope and promise, transformation and change, longing and light. Week by week candles are lit on the Advent wreath as the birth of Christ, the light of the world, draws closer. Advent is full of symbolism and meaning – the Advent wreath, Advent calendar and Jesse tree are examples of traditions associated with Advent. Over coming weeks, these traditions will be explored as we prepare for the joy of Christmas.

What is advent again?

Megan Mahoney
Assistant Principal Religious Education

SCHOOL NEWS

COLOUR RUN

The Annual Colour Fun Run was held in the last week of school and was well worth the wait. This year’s event included an inflatable obstacle course made up of a giant mix of inflatable obstacles. There was dance music from the Police Blue Light Disco and a variety of fun activities including Oztag, sack races and the favourite, a ‘Teacher Knock ems’, where students aimed to knock down obstacles with teacher’s photos on them. During the ‘Colour Fun Run’ students were ‘bombed’ by teachers with coloured powder and ‘hosed’ by the Rural Fire Brigade.

The event raised much needed money for St Joseph’s School and for the Drought Appeal. The day was all about participation and students were treated to a great day of fun as a reward for their fundraising efforts. Family support is key to St Joseph’s fundraising success and we thank all families and students for their massive efforts leading up to the day.

Year 3 & 4 students visit the Cobb & Co Museum

St Joseph’s Year 3 and 4 students enjoyed a trip to Cobb & Co Museum at the end of last term.

The museum staff ensured that the day was full of Science, History, Geography and plenty of hands on activities. The program on offer looked at the transfer of energy, travel in the early days of transportation and spatial perception. Also included was a Murri Trail walk through sections of Toowoomba's Queen's Park to discover plants used by the First Australians.

The students also had a chance to browse the exhibits in the 'Hanging Basket' category of the Festival's competition.

Granite Belt Maths Team Challenge Term 3

The end of Term 3 saw the culminating activity of our problem-solving program for the Year 5 and 6 students. After two terms of Maths Olympiads and a month of lunch time practice, 16 students represented St Joseph’s School in the Primary section of the Granite Belt Maths Team Challenge. Traditionally St Joseph’s students have performed well in this competition. 2018 was to prove no different with our Number One team winning first prize and our second team placed third. Our third team finished in sixth position, just 8 points behind third place. Well done to all students on your commitment to your ongoing learning and acceptance of the challenge offered.

The winning team was made up of Claire Danzey, Claire Williamson, Jacob Hennoste, Clancy Moncada and Sam Ellis. Third place went to Jo Petroccitto, Sophie Brunckhorst, Maggie Gallaway, Freya Creer and Sophie Carmichael. Other students who competed were Patrick Brown, Taneisha Marino, Sonny Fraguas, Heidi Favaro and Michael Gasparin. Thanks to Monique Wust and Kim Badcock for helping to supervise.

Our Secondary team also competed in the Year 7 Challenge. After finishing second in 2017, a mere one point turned the tables with our team winning by one point. Well done Hannah Widderick, Taylah Organ, Eliza Telfer, Eloise Knight and Sophie Day.

Warwick State High Maths Team Challenge

On Wednesday October 10th, 12 St Joseph’s students, accompanied by Mr Fleming and parents, competed in the annual Warwick State High Maths Team Challenge. This competition really requires the four-member teams to work together to ensure questions are answered accurately but also quickly.

At the end of the second round only 12 points separated the 30 teams in the competition. The room was really buzzing as the younger Year 4 students joined with their Year 5 team mates solving challenging questions together. At the end of the second last round St Joseph’s ‘One Team’ was in equal first place with the hardest round of the event set to decide the winner. Our ‘Number One’ team of Sophie Brunckhorst, McKayla De Mamiel, Jack Brown and Harry Wren nailed four out of five questions to pull away to win by ten points. A very pleasing result.

Our other teams made up of Magnolia Mills, Heidi Favaro, Sophie Carmichel and Eden Shatte and Sonny Fraguas, Liam Telfer, Jayden Green and Jaiden Morello both finished in the top ten of the competition. Thanks to many parents who supported the students.

Year 11 & 12 Ski Trip

After a busy Term 3, Year 11 and 12 students embarked on a 14 hour bus trip to Ski Rider at Mt Kosciuszko, with Mrs Perrett, Miss Coulston, Mr Barker and Mr Steele. After a short stop in Jindabyne, students embarked on their first lessons at Smiggins Holes where they began to find their ski legs. Students were very determined to get up the mountain after the first lesson. After additional lessons, students gradually worked their way over the Perisher, where they were challenged with longer, more difficult runs, although found that with team work and persistence, they were able to overcome these challenges with ease (and with a few stacks along the way). On the bus trip back to Ski Rider each afternoon, the group shared stories about the random acts of kindness students had done throughout the day, as well as who had had the funniest, most epic stack. Students enjoyed having some freedom to explore the mountain at their own pace, rides on the ski lift to have enormous hot chocolates at Midpoint and the sense of achievement felt each day after conquering new heights (and having sore muscles and shins at the end of each day!). The group were extremely grateful for Jared Crisp who came along with us, drove our bus each day and played our Trip Song ‘Shotgun’, along with all the memorable jokes and stories.

Year 11 & 12 Excursion to Dreamworld

On Thursday 18th October Miss Coulston and Mr Macnamara took 18 Year 11 and 12 students to Dreamworld to take part in field work activities. The Year 11 and 12 Business Communication and Technology class attended a Marketing Conference to give them an understanding of Marketing and Brand Management and how it occurs in a business.

Dreamworld provided the Year 11/12 physics students the opportunity to experience uncommon forces on rides such as the ‘Tower of Terror’, ‘The Claw’ and the Roller Coaster. They experienced weightlessness on the ‘Giant Drop’ for five seconds and collected primary, real time data for can analysis and evaluation. The Mathematics B students will be presented first-hand with situations that can be modelled mathematically and compared with the collected data. They will also consider the objectives of such theme parks as fun and enjoyment with a strong emphasis on safe operation and safety to the customers.

This excursion proved to be an extremely valuable learning experience for students.

Design Technology

Prep students are looking at the use of recyclable materials for Design Technology in Term 4. They will be using weather proof materials to design an outdoor bird feeder to place outside in the garden for the birds.

They worked on weather proof materials in Science last term and this term will be collecting recyclable materials, then determining those that are weather proof in order to start to plan their bird feeder design. The bird feeder will also require a perch and opening for the birds to feed from, so there will be a lot of thinking and planning ahead.

The Preps are very excited about this project and look forward to completing their bird feeder so that they can watch the birds come and feed from it.

Possible Cultural Exchange Program, Fiji

St Joseph’s School recently received a letter from Alumita Ciwanacagi, Principal of Magodro, our sister school in Fiji. Their Year 10 students are excited about a possible cultural exchange program with St Joseph’s School. The Principal wrote:

“We really want to thank you and the other girls for the effort and sacrifice in trying to help the less fortunate students in our school. These students are really less fortunate and have been staying in the rural area most of their lives. Most of them come from farming backgrounds and struggle to come to school.”

“We are really grateful and honoured to be helped by you girls and this is really something that will inspire these students to be able to do and touch lives of those that are in need.”

“Please thank your teacher for us and we are so blessed to be associated with you all.”

MUSIC: COUNT US IN DAY (MCUI)

Count Us In is Australia’s largest school music participation program. It is the education program of Music Australia, working with partners around the country to support music in schools. This year, the 2018’s music mentor is Justine Clarke – a face well known from Play School and as the host of The Justine Clarke Show.

On being the 2018 MCUI mentor, Justine says, “I’m thrilled to be part of this program that promotes music education, creativity and community in one loud and joyful song that’s heard right across the country.”

Earlier this year, Justine joined five talented student songwriters from around the country, who came together to write this year’s MCUI song, “One Song”. A song for students, written by students.

MCUI is Australia’s largest school music advocacy and participation initiative, growing steadily since 2007. Every year, students take part, for free, learning the song in the lead up to Celebrations Day which sees students all around the country sing the same song, on the same day, at the same time.

Last year, more than 3,000 schools and over 660,000 students took take part in the program, providing students and teachers with the opportunity to develop their music skills and simultaneously perform with schools around the country in a celebration of music.

St Joseph’s Primary students are excited to be part of this amazing initiative this year. Celebration Day is on Thursday 1st November.

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 Kayelene O’Dea. I am a teacher on Primary campus. I have lived in Stanthorpe for just over 13 years. My husband Dan is the police officer in charge of the Stanthorpe Road Policing Unit, he has also this year taken on the role of P&F President. Dan and I have 4 children, who were all born in Stanthorpe. Brigid is in Year 6 (so making the transition across the road to secondary campus next year), Erin is in Year 4, Maggie is in Year 2 and Liam is in Year 1.

I have been a teacher with Toowoomba Catholic Education since graduating from university in 1999. I spent the beginning of my teaching career in western schools having taught at St Mary’s Charleville, St Columba’s Dalby and St Joseph’s Chinchilla. I first started teaching at St Joseph’s Stanthorpe in 2006. I was on leave from St Joseph’s from August 2006 until 2014. It was during those years my four children were born. While on leave from St Joseph’s I worked at a number of small state schools around the Granite Belt. This year I am teaching one of the Year 2 classes. I was sharing the class with my sister Bernadette Brunckhorst at the beginning of the year, but since Nardia Stanford went on maternity leave I have been working full time.

Being a teacher is a hugely rewarding profession; seeing a child’s eyes light up after grasping a new piece of knowledge is invaluable. I enjoy working with children to help them reach their potential. One of the most rewarding and enjoyable aspects of teaching is seeing the moment when children understand something new, the moment when things ‘click’. The thing that really amazes me with teaching young children is the extraordinary growth and development they make throughout one school year. I love being a part of this development with children, knowing that as their teacher you have helped give them the opportunity to improve. You never know what each day holds and you are constantly challenged and surprised! I really enjoy, value and appreciate my association with the students, parents, staff and whole community of St Joseph’s and look forward to many more years in this great school.

My name is Sandra Ellis and I am the Middle Leader for Sport (Secondary) and a Mathematics and Physical Education Teacher. I have worked at St Joseph’s for 5 years at the completion of 2018 and I have enjoyed a wonderful sense of community and belonging within the school.

Being Middle Leader for all sporting activities on the Secondary Campus I complete the administrative tasks required to send students to a wide variety of sports accessed through the school. I have also had the pleasure of accompanying students to many of these sporting opportunities and enjoy witnessing the sense of achievement they get from representing their school. Sporting Carnivals are a very important part of my position, as Middle Leader I facilitate the smooth running of these carnivals. I enjoyed the added challenge of hosting the Border District Swimming Carnival in 2018.

I am also a Secondary Teacher of Mathematics and Physical Education with the privilege of teaching the current Year 12 Physical Education class. The most enjoyable aspect of teaching is the connection I build with students and the sense of accomplishment I feel when students have been in the pit of learning and they finally climb out. I value those moments when we can celebrate their success.

My role within the school is also as a parent as I have three children attending St Joseph’s spanning across both the Primary and Secondary Campuses. My Husband James is also seen around the school on a regular basis helping out with canteen and disco’s.

With the end of 2018 quickly approaching my focus is starting to shift to the huge task ahead in delivering the new Senior Physical Education Syllabus and the challenges that this poses within all schools. I have been regularly attending proffessional development sessions and completing numerous online courses to prepare myself for the changes to come. With the help of proffessional communities I have immersed myself in syllabus documents and I am looking forward to what lies ahead for all in the secondary teaching profession.

2018 YEARBOOKS REMINDER

Year books will only be ordered for those who have paid. You can order and pay at the School Office via phone or in person. Cost is $27. Time is running out, don’t miss out.

P&F ASSOCIATION

Annual Palgrove Bull Sale

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Michelle Mason for taking on the role of Palgrove Coordinator this year. We can’t thank you enough for being so willing to give 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 Liz Alldridge, Karen Green, and Kay Knight for helping prepare and make sandwiches, as many hands make light work. On the day we would like to say thank you to Michelle Mason, Jodie Cosmo, Julianne Williamson, Amanda Bonner, Deb Mattiazzi, Amanda Day & Dan Manahan for volunteering and taking the time to come and help set up and serve and help make the day run as smoothly as it did.

A Big Thank you to Remo Raccanello, Greg Day and Zane Osborne 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 Michelle, Remo, Jodie, Dan and Amanda for your help.

Thank you also to all the parents who made donations which helped, greatly with purchasing supplies.

We had beautiful cupcakes & slices 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 70 tickets on the day. The raffle was drawn by Prue Bondfield at the end of the day and the winner of the whip again this year was Ticket No. 1.

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.

TERM 4 SCHOOL BANKING

Well done to all students for remembering their school banking and saving each week. Just a reminder that the last day for processing deposits and ordering of prizes will be Wednesday 21th November. Thanks again for supporting the School Banking program.

Term 4 Rewards:

• Slushie Maker Cup
• Zoom Flying Disc

Terms 1-3 Rewards Still Available:

• Twister Power Handball
• Sparkle Glitter Pens
• Glow Light
• Mighty Boom Handball
• Heat Reactor Pencils

Please note: Secret Scratch Pads are no longer available.

UPCOMING EVENTS