14 May 2015

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s News

Parents and Caregivers

As you would all know by now, the School’s major fundraiser in 2015 will be a Fete to be held on Saturday 31 October. A very enthusiastic Steering Committee has been established, consisting of around 20 members. Each brings to the committee a different set of skills and and experiences which will ensure that the planning phase of the Fete is well considered. The Committee has been meeting for the last two months, and preparations are in full swing.

In our 140th year, the St Joseph’s School Fete is a fitting way to mark this occasion. The Committee has finalised the following areas in preparation for the Fete:

• Rides and amusements (Primary Campus)
• Seeking expressions of interest from local commercial food retailers to hold food stalls;
• Seeking expressions of interest from market stall owners to operate their stalls;
• Machinery auction (Secondary Campus)
• Fireworks
• Live entertainment
• 140th year memorabilia.

Each of these areas has been established as sub-committees, with a designated coordinator. An update on the progress of Fete preparations is provided at each P&F Meeting, the minutes of which are available on the P&F Noticeboard on the Primary Campus.

In addition, the School has designed a special brand to commemorate the 140th year.

This logo will be featured on special edition letterheads, our social media and email correspondence as a way of both celebrating this momentous occasion, and advertising the major fundraiser.

In the coming weeks, coordinators of the various sub-committees will be making requests for assistance from the School community, and I know that you will respond generously.

Dr Michael McCarthy
Principal

Leader’s News

“Among our tasks as witnesses to the love of Christ is that of giving a voice to the cry of the poor.” (Pope Francis 6/14/13)

Over the last couple of weeks giving a voice to the cry of the poor has been truly evident in the actions and contributions of St. Joseph’s students. Students have been busily donating a mountain of cans to our Vinnies Winter Appeal “Can it for A Cause”. Our boxes have been overflowing with a wonderful range of canned foods ready to keep the winter chill away, together with blankets, socks and beanies. These items will be presented to our local St. Vincent de Paul group who will pass these on to families in need throughout our district.

World news may have moved on from the earthquake that hit Nepal last month; however the devastation and destruction remains raw and widespread. Our “Chips for Charity” fundraiser held last week was a huge success with almost $1 000 being donated to Caritas to assist with earthquake relief. Many thanks to staff and students who supported this venture. Special mention to the Year 12 Religion and Ethics class who assisted with distribution and clean up, as well as those who helped me to cook over 70 kilograms of chips!

Finally, National Families Week will be launched this Friday and to celebrate the magnificent role families play in our community, we will be holding a family picnic this Friday on the primary oval commencing at 12:40 pm. Families are then invited to stay for play time or join in the family feud challenge to be held in the library.

Megan Mahoney
APRE

School News

Year 5 & 6 Camp

The Year 5 & 6 Camp to Lake Moogerah was a fantastic experience for all the students. We were all taken out of our comfort zones and had to work together as a team to achieve positive results.

When we left Stanthorpe the forecast predicted massive storms on Thursday and Friday so we changed our hike and camp to Wednesday night. This was a great idea because luckily the heavy rain held off until Friday morning.

All the students were fantastic and our instructors emphasised, on several occasions, that our groups were the best behaved they had experienced. We were spilt up into 4 groups (2 groups of Year 5s and 2 groups of Year 6s) and throughout the camp we completed activities including Archery, Canoeing, Bush Skills, Initiatives, High Ropes and the Flying Possum. All the activities were great but the Flying Possum and High Ropes were the most challenging and fun, and the canoeing got everyone wet and laughing!

The hike and camping out Wednesday night was very muddy and tiring but we worked as a team in putting tents up and down, preparing and cooking our meals, and encouraging each other during the navigational hike back to base the next morning.

On Friday morning we completed our final two activities in pouring rain with great attitudes and massive smiles on our faces. A huge thank you must go to our instructors Matt, Johno, Brady and Jason and all their support staff who made every moment fun, challenging, safe and memorable.

We arrived home wet, tired and muddy but very proud of our teamwork and achievements in all aspects of the camp. Sorry parents for the muddy clothes but every bit of mud was earned!

Mr Phil Irvin
Year 6 Teacher

4M UNO – Community Activity

A group of Yr4 kids, including myself, play UNO with Charlie Buda and his carer, Aaron, from Granite Belt Support Services.

We play each fortnight for 45 minutes.

Charlie enjoys playing with us and he makes up nicknames for some of us. He calls Billy “Billy Boy” and me “Giggles.”

There is always lots of laughter in the room and small groans of disappointment when things don’t go our way.

Playing cards teaches us to think really hard about what card to put down and to always be a good winner or a good loser.

Also it helps us to get along with other people and to take turns.

Next week a new group of six will have their turn to play.

Thank you Aaron and Charlie for giving us such a fun time.

Libby Nash, Year 4 student

Year 10 Visual Art

Illegal. Spray paint. Vandalism. Graffiti.

These may be the first things that come to mind when you hear the words Street Art, however in Visual Art, Year 10 students have been exploring this ever-growing and underappreciated genre of art that exists in towns and cities across the globe as a viable and powerful way to communicate and express opinions, concerns and educate the public on important social issues. Students are creating their own social commentary in a resolved street art inspired piece about a social issue, investigating themes such as technology overkill, body image, sexism, war and mental health.

We have referenced the work and style of street artist Jean-Michel Basquiat to kick start our explorations this term and constructed collaborative visual research pieces after we read about his history, themes, style and techniques.

Stay tuned for more from the Year 10s.

Year 10 Collaborative Artist Reference Brainstorming

Jean-Michel Basquiat

American painter and street artist concerned with racial inequalities, influenced by popular culture and challenging art traditions of the 70s art scene. His works, while seemingly random and child-like, are considered in their layering of colour, line, pattern, symbols, motifs and stylized figures and details that suggest emotional intensity and rebellion. Incorporating elements of his ethnicity, culture, city life and graffiti art, Basquiat’s art still attract viewers today.

Notary. 1983. Acrylic, oil stick and collaged paper on canvas (180.5 x 401.5cm).

Mrs Courtney Mason

Sports News

Granite Belt Cross Country

The students of St Joseph’s performed exceptionally well at the 9 to 12 years district Cross Country trials held at Severnlea. Five students- Rory McDonagh, Jenna Fox, Brigid O’Dea, Jordan Waterworth and Mac Rowen finished in first place in their divisions whilst Isobel Kay and Chelsea Debnam finished in second place.

These students along with Nathan Webb, Joshua Rowen, Matthew Biddulph and Taryn McCosker, who finished in the top 5 in their age groups, have gained selection to represent the Granite Belt Zone at the Darling Downs trials to be held in Toowoomba on the 26th of May. Well done to all competitors.

Reminders and Updates

School Improvement Survey

This year our school will be participating in a School Improvement survey managed by Research Australia Development and Innovation Institute (RADII). RADII are conducting these surveys in all Catholic schools in the Diocese on behalf of the Catholic Education Office. As well as school staff and students from Years 5-12, all parents are invited to participate in the survey. We hope the parent survey will help us to identify what we are doing well as well as areas for development.

RADII will send all parents a personalized invitation to complete the survey online. If both parents’ email addresses are on file at the school, the invitation will be sent to both parents. However, the survey will close once the first person has completed it.

The survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. You can complete the survey from anywhere you have access to the internet.

We encourage you to be very honest in your responses to the surveys. All responses go directly to RADII so they are confidential and anonymous.

When the surveys are completed we will share the findings with you.

If you DO NOT wish to have your contact details provided to RADII could you please notify the school by Friday 19 June 2015 via email.

The surveys will be undertaken during Catholic Education Week 26 July – 02 August 2015.

MUSICAL REHEARSALS

To purchase tickets for Annie please go to the Events Booking Tab in the side panel.

P & F News

Our monthly P&F Meeting was held on Tuesday 28th April in the school library. Thanks to all those who attended the meeting. Excitement is building for our 140 year Anniversary Fete which is coming up on Saturday the 31st October. Watch out for more information on what we have planned.

The P&F association has contributed $8000 towards a modular stage which will be used in the Bathersby Centre. We believe this will greatly improve the useability of the Stadium for events such as Awards Night and the Annual Showcase.

The P&F shed will be getting a sink with running water which will be of great benefit to the musical set construction team and the Apple and Grape float construction committee. This will utilise the existing tank and pump which are located at the shed.

Our Design-a-brick engraved paver fundraiser is well under way. We will be putting in our first order shortly, and will then have some pavers on display so you can see what the finished product will look like. Please remember to pass this information onto any past students or staff that you have contact with.

Please take the time to check out our P&F Notice Board which is located outside the Primary school tuckshop. This is where you will find the minutes of our meetings, as well as information on our current committee members and dates to remember. If you would like to see anything else incorporated on this board, please contact one of us. Peter Alldridge - President, Jo Fox - Vice President, Jodie Cosmo - Treasurer and Nat Raccanello - Secretary.

Hope to see you all at our next meeting - Tuesday 26th May @ 7pm in the Library.