6 August 2015

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s News

Dear Parents and Caregivers

Last week was a great celebration of Catholic Education Week, with an activity marking each day:

• On Monday, we ran a pop-up soup kitchen in the Piazza;
• On Tuesday, we attended the launch of Catholic Education Week in Warwick;
• On Wednesday, our Primary students created a prayer chain which concluded with a liturgy;
• On Thursday, students enjoyed a pizza lunch, with all proceeds going to the local Food Bank.
• On Friday, all staff attended Bishop’s Inservice Day (and students had a day off).

One of the highlights of the week was a presentation by Orange Sky – a charity established by two young men who were past students of St Joseph’s College (Gregory Terrace) in Brisbane. Orange Sky is a mobile laundry service for the homeless.

One of the highlights of the week was a presentation by Orange Sky – a charity established by two young men who were past students of St Joseph’s College (Gregory Terrace) in Brisbane. Orange Sky is a mobile laundry service for the homeless.

The address from these young men highlighted the importance of living out the message of the Gospel. As a Catholic school, our primary aim is to educate our young people not only in the curriculum, but also how to be a living witness of the Gospel by responding to Jesus’ call:

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

The work of Orange Sky Laundry demonstrated to me and (hopefully) to students the potential of a Catholic education.

The Athletics Carnival was a great success and we were fortunate to have excellent weather for both the 5-8 years old and 9 years-Open track and field events. David Fleming will be coordinating an opportunity for parents to provide feedback on the Carnival which will inform our future planning.

Finally, congratulations to all of our Secondary students who trialled at the Border Districts athletics on Tuesday, and good luck to our Primary students as they make their preparations for the Granite Belt Athletics Carnival to be held on 11 and 13 August.

Dr Michael McCarthy
Principal

Leader’s News

The University of Southern Queensland has a very positive relationship with St Joseph’s School. Last week our Year 10 students attended the USQ ‘Beyond Camp’ and Career Day. With only 56 places at the camp, St Joseph’s School, with 24 students attending was definitely in full force. Students attended varying industry visits during Wednesday which included the Empire Theatre, Ausstereo, the Toowoomba Magistrates Court and Grand Central. Students were housed overnight in the Macgregor College, where students live when attending USQ. Students were able to tour the USQ campus and talk to current students about their experiences of university life. On the Thursday students then attended the USQ Careers Day with students from the local and outlying area. Many students returned from this experience with an appreciation for life at university and also with some clear goals for their future career pathways. We thank USQ for their continued support of our students and school. This experience along with work experience (held at the end of Term 2) provides students with an insight into the various careers and is always extremely beneficial to our students. Students have written letters to each of their employers and thanked them for their support of this very valuable program. This week Year 10 students and their parents have engaged in completing Senior Education Training Plans with Dr McCarthy and me. We look forward to offering our students to the best possible Catholic environment and senior schooling in the upcoming two years.

This is a busy term for our Year 12 students who work diligently towards completing their senior school studies. This week our Year 12 students attended a one day QCS Test (Queensland Core Skills Test) workshop with Bill and Chris Gilmore. Feedback by students from these sessions was very positive with students feeling more prepared for the upcoming tests on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd September. Year 11 and 12 students will have two study days/workroom and block exams from Monday 7th September to Friday 12th September. Students will be required to be in attendance for these exams. If a student is absent he/she needs to provide a medical certificate to the school Administration Office. Students, when not attending exams are to be under the guidance and care of parents. All students received the Exam Block timetable with assessment calendars at the end of Week 1 this term.

Mrs Linda Perrett
AP Secondary

School News

Year 11 Camp

Year 11 attended a Leadership Camp at Emu Gully, Helidon. The Camp activities are built around epic ANZAC events. They are good fun, team building, provide a ‘hands on’ history lesson, and help develop leadership. More importantly, they confront participants with the ANZAC character values of courage, self-sacrifice, perseverance and mateship.

The purpose of this camp is to prepare students for their final years of schooling and the responsibilities that come with being School Leaders.

“I liked everything, there was so much to do, but my favourite was the Kakoda Challenge (mud pit) it was fun, challenging and cold!! Shannon Bourke.

The students had a wonderful time, learnt lots of great skills while having fun and working together.

Year 11 students have also been working with Gail Smail on their CPR accreditations this semester.

Book Week is a much loved event in St Joseph’s Calendar.

This year’s theme, “Books Light Up Our World” encourages us to focus on the delight and wonder our children and young people gain from immersion in quality literature.

Book Week takes place in Week 7 with displays and activities in the library all week. Come in and soak up the fun and atmosphere! The short-listed books and winners will be on display.

On Wednesday 26th August commencing at 9.00a.m in the Bathersby Centre our famous Book Parade will take place.

As usual students are encouraged to come dressed as their favourite book character. We continually stress with the children that homemade, inexpensive costumes put together with everyday items are preferred. We also encourage them to see us in the library or their teachers if they are “stuck” for ideas.

All are welcome to join us for our fun filled parade and little brothers and sisters are also invited to dress up and join in!

Please contact library staff should you require any further information. We will be talking with the children and updating families in the lead up to Book Week.

Lesley Grant
(Teacher-librarian)

Year 4 Meditation

Throughout this year the Year 4 students have been practising Meditation on a weekly basis.

In Semester One, we began by using the “Smiling Mind” Meditation programme and have now moved on to “Open our Hearts” programme written by Michael Mangan.

The students look forward to this special time each Monday afternoon and are becoming more in-tune with their minds, feelings and thinking.

They enjoy this quiet time in the middle of their busy day.

Libby: It relaxes my whole body and it makes me all calm.

Chloe: it calms me down and relaxes me.

Bindi: it helps me to relax when I am angry, frustrated, sad or worried. It helps me to control my anger and makes me be more loving to people and to be calm.

Ava: it relaxes me and gets all the “sillies” out of my mind so that I am ready to work again.

Taryn: it relaxes my body and calms me down. I find it fun because it refreshes my mind.

Rebecca Barber, David Fleming and Mary McLucas

Sports News

Athletics 2015

On a day that promised rain the Annual 9 to 18 years and 5 to 8 years Athletics Carnivals were held on Friday the 24th of July. Fortunately for all concerned the weather remained fine for the day and a great day was had. The overall winners of the Primary section were McAuley house and in Secondary the winner was Davadi. Overall house champions for the day with a very skinny margin was McAuley. The Spirit Trophy was awarded to Davadi on both Primary and Secondary for their constant cheering and support of team mates.

A number of records were broken during the competition with Charlotte Widderick now holding the 11 year girls record for Discus, Shania Newman, Spencer Jensen and Jessica Westerhout all setting new benchmarks in Javelin, whilst on the track Asbjorn Gaskell broke the existing 1500 metre record by more than ten seconds, and Billy Webb set a new sprint record in the 10 year boys 100 metres event.

Many people ensure the success of these events. On behalf of the students I would like to thank all parents and family members who helped on the day with the canteen and also for supporting the students in their endeavours at both carnivals.

Also thank you to the staff who prepared the students prior to the competition and also in running the Carnival on the day. The Carnival wouldn’t be as successful as it was without the support of the following sponsors: the Kay family, the Sullivan family, St Joseph’s Alumni Association, the Fleming family, Santina Leonardi, Bernard Petzler from Granite Belt Milk & Wholesale Foods and Neil Robinson from Stanthorpe Aerated Waters.

David Fleming

AGE GROUP	AGE CHAMPION BOY	AGE CHAMPION GIRL	RUNNER UP BOY	RUNNER UP GIRL
9 Years	Mack Rowen	Ava O’Reilly	Jye Cook	Felicity Dachs
10 Years	Billy Webb	Taryn McCosker	Jordan Waterworth	Caitlin Hennoste Ashley O’Brien helsea Debnam
11 Years	Joshua Carlson	Charlotte Widderick	Adam Raccanello	Mya Perrett Isabel Kay
12 Years	Ky Rashleigh	Phoenix Hawthorn Lara Beckett	Matthew Biddulph	Naomi McIntyre
13 Years	William McCall	Hannah Reeves	Lachlan Mahoney	Bridgette Kay
14 Years	Spencer Jensen	Brody Pearce Shania Newman	Lachlan Swan	Hannah Debnam
15 Years	Liam Hitchener	Abbie Reeves	Dylan Nash	Eve Perrett
16 Years	Regan Sullivan	Alyssa Mouws	Arwyn Reeves	Caitlin Debnam
Open	Joshua Mouws	Danika Newman	Kai Robertson	Alkeer Kamara

EVENT	NAME	NEW RECORD	OLD RECORD
11 year old Girls Discus	Charlotte Widderick	18.94	17.68
14 year old Girls Javelin	Shania Newman	18.04	16.55
14 year old Boys Javelin	Spencer Jensen	27.64	26.06
11 year old Girls Javelin	Charlotte Widderick	18.94	17.68
16 year old Girls Javelin	Jessica Westerhout	16.09	14.46
15 year old Boys 1500m	Asbjorn Gaskell	5.01.19	5.13.12
10 year old Boys 100m	Billy Webb	14.66	14.68

Congratulations Border District Qualifiers

Congratulations to the St Joseph’s students who on Tuesday qualified in the Border District Athletics Trials in Warwick.
Asbjorn Gaskell (1st – 15 yrs. 1500m) – time of 4m 53secs
Liam Hitchener (2nd – 15 yrs. High jump, long jump & triple jump)
Spencer Jensen (2nd – 14 yrs. Javelin)
Hannah Debnam (3rd – 14 yrs. 800m & 1500m)

Football State Championships

Well done to Anika Spiller and Ally McLellan who competed in the Queensland School Sports 13-15 Years Football State Championships at the Tivoli Sporting Complex, Tivoli, Ipswich on 23rd to the 26th Jul.

Over the three days, the girls played a total of five games against nine other teams from the South West Darling Downs division. This is the 3rd year in a row they have represented Darling Downs at this level and whilst they didn’t have any wins they continued to improve and gain valuable experience.

Well done girls Anika and Ally!

Reminders and Updates

St Joseph’s 140th Commemoration Memorabilia is now available for purchase. If you would like to order any items please follow the link below and send the completed order form to the school administration.

P & F News

Thanks to those parents who attended our July meeting, it was an informative meeting with lots of discussion and laughs. If you would like to have some input into things that affect your children at St Joseph’s, such as sports days and uniforms, please come along to one of our monthly meetings, we don’t know your thoughts or concerns unless you come and voice them at a meeting. Meeting’s are very informal and light hearted.

While things are coming along very nicely for the 140yr Anniversary Fete, to be held on the 31st October, our main focus this term is the annual Palgrove Bull Sale, where the P&F Association run the food stand. We once again thank Liz Alldridge and her team for coordinating this year’s event. The Palgrove Bull Sale will be held on Friday 21st August. A letter will be going out shortly asking for helpers.

A Reminder that DESIGN-A-BRICK paver orders are due by the end of this term. Have you got your order in yet? Don’t miss out! Order forms available via the attached link or from the school office. If you have any questions regarding the pavers, please contact Nat Raccanello on 0427168927.

Our next monthly P&F Meeting will be held on 25th August at 7pm in library. All Welcome.