29 May 2015
Newsletter Articles
Principal’s News
Dear Parents and Caregivers
There is nothing else worth writing about when we have just had two great nights of the school’s production of Annie.
Those who attended will agree both nights were thoroughly entertaining. The highlights are best told in pictures, so take a look at the gallery below and also on our Facebook page. On Saturday night I acknowledged all those who had contributed to the Musical, the organisation of which started in October 2014. Congratulations to all of those staff, parents and friends of our school for your tireless work and peerless contribution to what is always a complex and time consuming endeavour. The fruits of your labours were plain to see on Friday and Saturday nights.
What was particularly fantastic about this production was the age range of student performers. Our youngest were aged 6, and the oldest 16 years. Indeed, the average age of students performing in the Musical was around 10 years of age. These students showed great courage and perseverance over a very long production period, and their attitude and behaviour was exemplary. They are such a credit to their families and our school – congratulations students!
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Dr Michael McCarthy
Principal
Leader’s News
Musical 2015
What a wonderful journey over 80 of our students from years one to twelve have been on for the past few months. Under the guidance of Mrs Leigh the students of St Joseph’s once again shone brightly on the stage at the Civic Centre last Friday and Saturday night.
There were outstanding performances from all members of the cast and it was a pleasure to see the students grow in confidence as the months of rehearsal really paid off. This truly was a whole school community event with dedicated staff, parents and students forming a great team. This year we can also say that it was truly a Stanthorpe Community event with many members of our band having little or no direct link with St Joseph’s school.
There are so many people that need to be thanked for making this event such a wonderful experience for our students. To Pauline Leigh for her direction, Natalie McCosker and Michelle McCarthy for the work with the band, Sue Fleming and her band of helpers produced stunning sets, Juliette Reeves and her team for the fantastic costumes, Sandra Kay and Rachel Gibb for the acquisition of props, our talented make up crew, Charlie Patane for his expertise with sound (under difficult circumstances on Friday night) and to the staff who helped with rehearsals and in the background during the shows. A special thank you to our secondary students who assisted with curtains and staging, parents are still talking about your enthusiasm and willingness to get stuck in and do your job.
Finally, congratulations to our wonderful students for your commitment and willingness to test yourselves.
Eisteddfod 2015
The annual Stanthorpe and District Eisteddfod commences on Thursday the fourth of June at the Civic Centre. Many students from St Joseph’s will be competing. I encourage as many members of our school community to come along and witness our talented students in action.
David Fleming
AP Primary
School News
Go make a difference
“Go Make A Difference” was the theme for a concert attended by 17 of our Year 11 students at USQ last Tuesday. Conducted by renowned musician and youth minister Steve Angrisano, the day centred upon how each of us can truly make a difference in whatever capacity we choose. Stories were shared, songs were sang and laughter rang out as we all enjoyed the energy and enthusiasm of Steve as well as several guest speakers and students from other secondary schools. Our students had the opportunity for a photo and conversation with Steve at the conclusion of the day. Feeling uplifted and invigorated we returned home, ready to make a difference in our own and others’ lives.
Mrs Megan Mahoney
Year 7 News
As we begin the downhill side of Semester 1, students are busy completing assessment items. This term, students have been studying a wide variety of topics in their subjects. In History, students are learning about Ancient Egypt; in Geography, they are assessing the liveability of places; in English, students are analysing and transforming poetry and in Religious Education, they are learning about the structures of the Catholic Church.
In Pastoral Care this term, we have included activities to strengthen self- esteem, social relationships, resilience and cyberbullying. We have aimed to respond to the needs of the students by establishing specific structures to promote strong student-student and teacher-student relationships, cooperation and trust. Sgt Dachs spoke to the students about a variety of issues, including internet safety and has also invited the 7’s down to the station for a tour and to become more familiar with the work of the police. As a fundraiser for the GBSS, the students have been busy baking an assortment of biscuits and slices and making Hot Chocolate, to sell on Thursdays at Morning Tea. We are hoping to raise funds for a much needed Ipad and app, in which students can use to communicate with others.
Year 7’s have really transitioned well into high school and are continuing to have new experiences, make new friends and are finally getting used to having different teachers and classrooms for each subject.
Miss Tracey Cullinan
Year 9 Business
Developing skills of entrepreneurship, Year 9 Business students are putting into practice the knowledge and skills about small businesses from Term 1 with their own business ventures. Choosing to run food stalls, four groups had to consider the 4Ps – product, price, place and promotion – to run their own venture for 3 weeks, in charge of marketing and making their own food to sell at morning tea. Profit raised is going to charity to support the devastation in Nepal, but also will be analysed to evaluate the success of their group ventures. They have shown excellent team work and enthusiasm on their tasks so far – with only one week left, which group will be the most successful entrepreneurs?!!
Developing skills of entrepreneurship, Year 9 Business students are putting into practice the knowledge and skills about small businesses from Term 1 with their own business ventures. Choosing to run food stalls, four groups had to consider the 4Ps – product, price, place and promotion – to run their own venture for 3 weeks, in charge of marketing and making their own food to sell at morning tea.
Profit raised is going to charity to support the devastation in Nepal, but also will be analysed to evaluate the success of their group ventures. They have shown excellent team work and enthusiasm on their tasks so far – with only one week left, which group will be the most successful entrepreneurs?!!
Mrs Courtney Mason
Performing Arts Update
This term has proven to be a busy one for both the students and myself. There is the upcoming Eisteddfod for both Primary and Secondary students, as well as the multiple class projects underway.
On Primary Campus this term the Year 4’s are writing their own short class plays; Prep are working towards recording their class fairy tales with the focus on a very special dragon; the Year 2 & 3’s are creating their own characters that will come to life through classroom activities, and the Year 1’s are creating alternative ways of drawing sounds and playing instruments. Other Primary students are putting on their creative hats, as the Year 5 and 6’s begin work on their school songs in Week 5, displaying their developing lyrical writing and Ukulele playing skills.
The busy term continues on Secondary Campus with students in Music and Drama working hard to complete their assessments on time. Brainstorming has begun between the Year 10 Music and Drama classes as to what contribution they can make to the upcoming school fete. Everything from fairies with balloons and students performances, to talent quests have been brought to the table, so whatever they decide it will surely be both colourful and exciting (possibly involving lots of sound and glitter).
The Performing Arts sector has also been able to celebrate the completion of the Performing Arts classroom on Secondary Campus, with all instruments unpacked, tuned, and even some displayed. A special thanks goes to Mr James Way, Mr Stephan Pace, the Year 10 Music class and the Year 12 Manual Arts class for all helping to get the classroom up and running as a fully functioning teaching, learning and performing space.
Miss Emily Daughtree
St Joseph’s Fete-Can you help?
Preparations are well underway for the School Fete and 140 Year Celebrations to be held on Saturday 31st October. This is the major fundraising event for the School and is shaping up to be a fun-filled and successful day.
Amongst the many stalls that will feature at the Fete, the Committee will be running a second-hand book and plant stall. Please contact Angie on 4681 5904 if you have any books no longer required or can assist with potted plants and seedlings.
Reminders and Updates
School Fees and Invoices
Many of you will be aware that this terms School Fees have now been issued.
There are many camps on in the next month and it has not gone unnoticed that some accounts are larger than normal, particularly those families that have 2 or 3 children going on camp.
The School is not demanding that you pay your fees all at once and in fact we are happy to accept a number of instalments to help pay off these accounts over the next two months. These instalments can be made either at the office or by direct transfer.
We do ask if you use a bank transfer directly to the School’s Bank account that you include in the details your surname, account number (found on the right hand side of your statement under the School’s details) and then what the payment is for only if you wish to pay a specific bill eg Camp. If you don’t nominate a bill we will just start at the top and work our way down the outstanding accounts.
We do ask if you use a bank transfer directly to the School’s Bank account that you include in the details your surname, account number (found on the right hand side of your statement under the School’s details)
and then what the payment is for only if you wish to pay a specific bill eg Camp. If you don’t nominate a bill we will just start at the top and work our way down the outstanding accounts.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about your account.
Paul Campbell
Bursar
P & F News
Our “Design-a-Brick” fundraiser is well under way and we have received our first small shipment of pavers. They look great. We have a display in our school office, where you can see and touch the finished product. We have both the hand-drawn and engraved samples for you to see. Next time you are at the school pop in and check them out!
A reminder that Pie Drive orders are due by this Friday 29th May. Orders will then be available for collection from the Bathersby Centre on Thursday 11th June between the hours of 11am and 12pm and later that day between 3pm and 4pm. Special thanks to Jen Wren for once again coordinating this fundraiser.
Our next P&F Meeting will be held at 7pm on Tuesday 23rd June 2015. Everyone is welcome to attend and we love to see new members. Your input is very important to us. Please consider coming along. A reminder will be on the school Facebook