3 September 2015

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s News

Dear Parents & Caregivers

Our role as parents and teachers is to encourage each child to do their best and to reach their God-given potential. We invest a great deal of time and energy into our children in order to achieve this heady objective because we understand that education, in particular, is the key to unlocking the life potential of a child and setting them on a positive life trajectory.

From time-to-time, we will often hear students make a comment that they are not “good at something”, whether this be Mathematics, English, Physical Education and so on. On occasion, parents and teachers will reinforce this notion by making statements such as “I was never good at English at school…” or “Her sister struggled in Maths as well…” It is as if there is some genetic predisposition to being good or bad at certain subjects or school tasks.

While I am not suggesting that every student can be a master of all things, I would suggest that students can perform well or better in areas of apparent weakness at school; it’s a matter of persistence rather than genetics.

This area of improvement is broadly defined as a growth mindset. A growth mindset suggests that talents and abilities can be developed through effort, persistence and good teaching. This is how students thrive. However, there are three limitations which hold students back:

1. A belief that talents and intelligence are fixed traits;
2. A lack of resilience and persistence;
3. Poor mental health.

If we consider #1, it could be concluded that we are the authors of this belief about the fixed nature of intelligence and talent. When our children are young, particularly when they begin to interact more with the world around them, we find ourselves praising them for their intelligence rather than for their effort. Every time I praise my child for good work by proclaiming “you are so smart” I reinforce the idea that intelligence is something that comes naturally; that we are born with; something which is the luck of the draw. What I should be praising is his/her effort; his/her persistence in completing the work to such a high standard; and persisting with the work despite being tired or distracted.

Let’s think about our annual Awards Night. Do we reward students for their achievement alone? Do we recognise the effort, persistence and resilience required of a student to be awarded the Dux of the School, or the McAuley/Davadi awards and so on? By failing to do so, we communicate the subtle message that these achievements are achievable by a select, talented few. We are saying to those students who did not receive an award that unless they have the natural ability, they cannot achieve at this level. That’s wrong.

But this isn’t some kind of feel-good, progressive educational philosophy. It is supported by science. We know through neurological research that the brain is very adaptable and can be changed, not unlike other parts of our bodies. In fact, childhood through to adolescence marks the time when the brain is extremely malleable, and new connections are formed every time we are introduced to a new activity/skill/way of thinking. Each time we practice these, we strengthen those connections in the brain which gives way to improvement. This area of brain science is termed neuroplasticity, which asserts that the brain can be changed with repetition, practice and persistence.

As a school and as parents, we should focus our attention on effort, persistence and resilience when it comes to our children’s academic performance. Given our brain is adaptable and malleable, it is important that our children hear the right message about achievement, potential and ability.

Dr Michael McCarthy
Principal

Leader’s News

NATIONAL CHILD PROTECTION WEEK

NAPCAN (National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect) was co-founded in 1987 by Rosemary Sinclair AO and Christine Stewart OAM. Since then NAPCAN has made a significant contribution to the safety and wellbeing of Australia's children and young people by raising public awareness of child abuse and neglect and its impacts, and by developing and promoting effective prevention strategies and programs. We all have a role to play in making sure our students are safe. Child Protection Week begins this Sunday on Father’s Day

The important message for child protection week is that everybody has a part to play in keeping our children safe. To find out more about how you can play your part; not only this week but all year round click on the link below. Remember we all have a part to play in keeping children safe.

David Fleming
APA

School News

Fiji Visitors

Over the past two weeks St. Joseph’s School has enjoyed the opportunity to host staff and students from Naiyala High School in Fiji. This school cultural exchange program has allowed students and teachers from our school and Naiyala the chance to experience the culture and life of a neighbouring country. As well as participating in classes and lessons, our visitors were also given the opportunity to explore our local area, with visits to Symphony Hill Wines, Girraween National Park, the Stanthorpe Museum and other local sites. Our visitors also enjoyed the opportunity to hold and feed some of our native animals with visits to local wildlife carers. Another highlight was a day trip to Toowoomba to see the Japanese Gardens, USQ and Picnic Point.

Our farewell assembly featured a traditional dance from the students as well as a heartfelt letter of thanks read by one of their teachers. The experience, for both ourselves and our visitors, was one of appreciation and gratitude; appreciation for the opportunity to meet and experience the Fijian culture and people and gratitude that St. Joseph’s School has provided this opportunity for us all.

With Mike Hayes at Symphony Hill Wines

Granite Arch, Girraween National Park.

Megan Mahoney

Bodies, blood and medicine at MERF

Year 11 and 12 Biology students attended an excursion to QUT’s Medical Engineering Research Facility on the 25th August accompanied by Mr Warwick, who much to the delight of students found it very difficult to enjoy the experience with the anatomy of the preserved human body . The students were very enthusiastic and stayed very close to the anatomy presenter and participated with touching and looking as much as possible.

The students then had a chance to test their muscle strength, flexibility, breathing/inhalation strength, experience vision impairment from brain injury/concussion and alcohol simulation in a session with physiology measuring devices. The strong messages of the day were to dissuade students from smoking, and drinking and driving – which was relevant to their age group and resonated with the group – preparing for schoolies week soon.

Katherin Henney
Head of Mathematics & Science

A MERF Excursion – A Students view

A five-year-old dead body, drunk goggles and a fake body fat blob. All that could sound like a ghoulish, childish prank, but it’s not. It’s part of what the Year 11’s and 12’s experienced during their excursion to QUT MERF, Medical Engineering Research Facility, on August 25th.

When I first came to St. Joseph’s as an exchange student, I knew I would have had the possibility to experience such things I could only dream of in my home country. But I could not really believe my ears when our Biology teacher, Miss Henney, told us where we would be going. And, in particular, what we were going to see: the body of an elderly lady who her donated to the MERF (Medical and Engineering Research Facility, QUT) for scientific purposes. Said like that, it could sound a bit inappropriate, immoral and even disrespectful, but it was nothing like that. It was the most serious, interesting and educational school trip I have ever joined.

Even if I am an aspirant medicine student, I cannot say I was feeling very confident as we were approaching the facility. You don’t happen to see a dead body in your daily life and we all felt under pressure to maintain our composure. But as soon as we met our guide, hearing his briefing along with a couple of jokes, the atmosphere became much more pleasant and relaxed. And I couldn’t help laughing when I saw myself wearing a hair net. The visit was very entertaining and engaging and, though some were still a bit reluctant, most of us got as close as we could to the body. Our guide proved his knowledge showing us the various tissues, organs and vessels and telling us some interesting facts about our body. But it wasn’t a boring, academic conference: it was a pleasant talk and we had some fun, while maintaining respect for the donor.

After a quick lunchbreak, we went for an interactive physiology lesson. Testing our own strength and flexibility, measuring each other’s blood pressure and trying- and failing- to perform a laparoscopy, everyone had a good time and got to learn something. And I can’t express how fun it was to watch our classmates and teachers wearing the drunk and upside-down goggles.

Looking back at it, I do believe it was a very rewarding and enjoyable experience for us all. On my part, it strongly confirmed my future plans, however, it might have sobered the aspirations of others about the possibility of undertaking a medical career. And, last but not least, someone else may have realised organs and blood are something they would rather see on TV than in real life... as Mr. Warwick has!

Giulio Coppola

Science Week

St Joseph’s students have been involved in many activities to celebrate Science Week in 2015. This year’s theme is based on the International Year of Light and is ‘Making waves – the science of light. ‘

In each class students have studied an aspect of Science that involves Light.

The focus for each lesson has been to;

• be fun for the participants
• be focused on quality science outcomes
• be supportive of our schools science curriculum
• encourage our students to want to try more science

Classes have measured lengthening shadows, made rainbow bubbles and examined heating of objects using sunlight. Students have engaged in Science as they theorised as well as tested and observed the effect of light on their world.

Year 6

A very exciting beginning of their final Semester of Primary School education has seen the Year 6 class being very active in Transition Activities, the Year 2/3 Buddies project and general school work. Every Wednesday the Year 6s go to the Secondary Campus for general lessons in the Frayne Building and then stay for lunch with the other students. They are loving the freedom of lunch play and, along with their weekly lessons of Music and Italian, are acclimatising very well to the High Secondary Campus. During the last Term even more lessons will be planned at the Secondary Campus with the generous support of the teachers taking transition lessons as the end of the year draws closer.

While most of their thoughts are on next year the students are still very busy being leaders in Primary. Year 6 buddy up with Year 2/3 every Tuesday to read to each other and create Art and Geography pieces.

The Year 6s are also doing a lot of work in the classroom. The focus is on Maths, Science and Religion and of course the English Lecturette in Term 4! Their Earthquake creations, Book Week, Athletics Carnival and Science and Maths experiments at the Secondary Campus have been the highlights so far this Term.

Phil Irvin

Sports News

RUGBY LEAGUE CLINICS

For three weeks the students of St Joseph’s are participating in Rugby League Clinics prior to our Year 3 to 6 students and some Secondary boys participating in Gala Day Carnivals in Warwick in September.

The aim of this program is to;

• Provide students with the opportunity to develop skills (physical and social) in a supportive non-competitive environment
• Foster a love of physical activity

Our Secondary girls are also preparing for a league tag day in Term Four training at lunch time. On behalf of the school we would like to thank NRL development Officer, Jim Stevens, for his support and expertise.

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

P & F NEWS

Palgrove – 2015

I would like to start by thanking all involved with the lead up preparations for Palgrove and of course my Helpers for the day. It can’t happen without you.

Thank you to Jodie Cosmo, Juanita & Amelia McMeniman, Marion Saxby, Karen Green, Jen Wren, Sally Balch and Kim Thompson for helping prepare and make sandwiches, many hands make light work. John Buda, Jim Ellis, Sandra Kay, Jen, Sally & Jodie, thank you for volunteering and taking the time to come and serve and help make the day run as smoothly as it did.

Thank you to Remo Raccanello and Pete Gleeson, who again had a fabulous day on BBQ duty. I’m so pleased to have these guys on board, not only for cooking the BBQ but for using vehicles and the extra time and effort they put in to take loads of gear out to Palgrove and back.

In the morning, crowds seemed to be down on the year before, but by sale time the numbers were back on par. Sausages on bread, along with bacon & egg burgers were popular. As some young children attend the sale with their parents it was great to be able to offer these, as well as hot milo & poppers. By 2.30pm we had sold in excess of 225 steak burgers & all but 9 packs of the pre-made sandwiches.

We had beautiful cupcakes made for us, again by Maria-Nella Di Mauro and some of her students, which we are very grateful for and appreciate the efforts put in. These were popular and sold quickly.

The Nemeth family again donated a beautifully crafted stock whip to raffle on the day. This was received extremely well, selling 117 tickets making $234. The winner of the whip was from a farm in NZ, a regular at the Bull Sale. He had keenly admired the whip and bought $60 worth of tickets to get the ball rolling.

We are so pleased the weather was so lovely for the sale, and that it turned out to be such a successful day for David & Prue Bondfield as well as for the P&F. Final profit amount to come.

Liz Alldridge – Palgrove Coordinator

A Reminder that DESIGN-A-BRICK paver orders are due by the end of this term. Don’t miss out!

Get your order in as soon as you can. Order forms are available via the attached link or from the school office. If you have any questions, please contact Nat Raccanello on 0427 168 927.

Our next P&F Meeting will be on Tuesday evening the 27th October at 7pm in the school library. Please come along, we would love to see you there.