30 October 2015

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s News

Dear Parents and Caregivers

It’s all systems go for the Fete this Saturday. The Organising Committee has been working extraordinarily hard to make sure this event is a success, not only from a fundraising perspective, but also as an enjoyable experience for the local community.

The day commences at 11:30am, with rides, amusements, show bags, memorabilia and novelty games all on offer on the Primary Campus. Rides are $5 each or parents can purchase unlimited rides for $30. The rides and amusements will be operating until 4:30pm. Starting from 12pm, a number of community organisations, dance schools and music groups will be performing the Multipurpose Room.

Tickets in a raffle for $1000 cash will be sold throughout the day, and patrons are strongly encouraged to visit our Silent Auction stall where thousands of dollars of lots are ready to be bid upon.

Corundum Street will be closed from 10am to accommodate a display of classic cars, and to make traversing to the Secondary Campus safe for all involved. When you get there, you will be welcomed by an animal nursery and 20+ stalls selling everything from cakes, vegetables & fruit, jewellery, cleaning products, second-hand clothes, and candles to name a few.

For those wanting something to eat during the day, there is plenty on offer. In addition to the usual Fete fare, there will be a BBQ operating all day offering gourmet Italian hotdogs and steak burgers, as well as wood-fired pizzas and decadent pancakes.

From 4pm, DJ King (aka Kieran King) will be playing an array of music to ensure the atmosphere of celebration continues, at which time the bar will open as we look forward to fireworks at 6:45pm. At the conclusion of the fireworks, we will draw the Passport (children’s) draw (Galaxy tablet + headphones) and the $1000 cash raffle.

From 7:15pm, live band Backroom Vegas will play until 11:30pm. During the night, we will be auctioning 2 lots: a signed 2015 Cowboys jersey and tickets to Stanthorpe Rocks. We will also finalise the Silent Auction results, and hopefully send a few families home with some prizes.

A reminder that child-minding is available from 7-10pm for parents wanting to listen to the live band and enjoy a few refreshments.

If you haven’t already told everyone you know, please continue to promote this event which raises money for your children.

Dr Michael McCarthy
Principal

Leader’s News

Daniel Morcombe Education Program

All would be aware of the wonderful work that the Morcombe Foundation has done to support students in developing protective behaviours since the horrendous events surrounding the disappearance of their son Daniel. The Catholic Education Office has mandated that all schools must undertake this program as of 2015. It is a rich and practical curriculum and with the school holiday period approaching it is an appropriate time for this to be a focus on the Primary Campus.

The Primary message of the program is for the students to be able to RECOGNISE dangers, REACT by getting to a safe place and to REPORT using their five. I would ask that all parents support the schools work with this program by discussing the ‘Five’ with your children. The ‘five’ are adults in the student’s lives that they know and trust. This list may include parents, grandparents, uncles, aunties, older cousins/siblings, teachers, police officers, sport coaches; the list depends on each child circumstances.

More details regarding the program can be found at http://www.danielmorcombe.com.au/

Swimming Carnival

The annual Primary Campus years swimming carnival is fast approaching and all classes are busily preparing to participate. This carnival also serves as a selection trial to the Granite Belt trials in 2016. All students from 8 to 12 years who swim to the required qualification time are selected to represent St Joseph’s at this carnival held early in Term One each year. Our younger students will also participate with events being developed to match each child’s ability. Some events may even take place in the wading pool.

A full and detailed outline of the day will be emailed home closer to the day of the carnival (Wednesday November 18).

David Fleming
APA- Primary Campus

School News

Year 2 News

The students in Year 2 are very excited that the weekend of the fete is almost here. Over this Semester we have all been producing some amazing art pieces to put on display at the fete. The students have been learning a lot of different techniques and elements of art and then using these newfound skills to produce some art of a particularly high standard! Last term we studied the links between art and literature. We read a story together and then used elements of that story to create our art pieces. The illustrations from the books The Gruffalo, Giraffes Can’t Dance, Bilby Moon, A Year on Our Farm, Snow Day, Princess and the Pea, How the Birds Got Their Colours and One Fish Two Fish Blue Fish have never looked so appealing. This term we have been discovering some of the world’s most famous artists and creating a piece of work that would make Picasso, Monet and Pollock proud of the future of art. We would encourage everyone to come and view the wonderful display of masterpieces that we have created, you never know which of these talented artists are about to become the next Van Gogh!

“If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint’, then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced”

Vincent van Gogh

Mrs Kayelene O’Dea and Mrs Bernadette Brunckhorst.

Dance Fever

Mary and Antonio from Dance Fever have been working with the students developing their dance skills as well as providing the opportunity for fitness and social interaction. Our school has been invited to participate in a Hip Hop competition. All primary parents will receive an email regarding this in the near future. Both Mary and Antonio have been highly impressed with the students enthusiasm and behaviour!

Maths Olympiad and Maths Games

Over the course of the year a number of students in years Five and Six have had the opportunity to compete in the annual Maths Olympiad which has been running since 1987. Over 40 000 students across Australia enter this contest each year. The contest aims to develop the student’s ability to and interest in applying knowledge in a problem solving situation. This year for the first time the program has been extended to Year Four with the development of the Maths Games.

In the contest this year Travis Murphy achieved a top 5% placing whilst Mitchell Brunckhorst and Ethan Zamprogno were top 10% with Isabella Rossiter and Thomas Gleeson achieving recognition for scoring in the top 25% of all students. In the Year Four contest Hannah Widderick scored a perfect 20 out of 20 to achieve in the top 2% with Taylah Organ, Bindi McIntyre, Eliza Telfer and Taryn McCosker all gaining a top 5% finish with scores of 19 out of 20.

David Fleming
APA – Primary Campus

Year 9 – The Year That Was…

The Year 9s have enjoyed an extremely busy year, being involved in camps, volunteer work and excursions. They have encountered guest speakers in a welcoming manner, embracing the knowledge and experiences they have shared. They have tackled countless assessment pieces, tasks that developed subject specific skills which they will continue using years into the future.

Over all this time, and such a varied array of experiences, the Year 9’s definitely have some favourites, of both things done and things learnt. Below is just a snapshot of the year that was…

“Meals on wheels, because we helped the elderly” – Alesha Westerhout

“I learnt how to sew/ make a laptop case and pyjama shorts in Home Ec as well as cook different recipes” – Susan Coban

“I learnt how muscles work and about the brain” – Martin Dachs

“The most enjoyable event for me this year was Year 9 camp. I thoroughly enjoyed developing my teamwork and leadership skills and experiencing things outside of my comfort zone” – Ann Mary Vincent

“I have learnt the importance of putting as much effort into school to get the most out of it” – Liam Hitchener

“I have enjoyed my journey through science as we’ve learnt new things on excursions” – Hunter Murphy

“I enjoyed tech because you can make things that are challenging and fun” – Ebony McErvale

“Meals on wheels because we got to help the elderly and do something good for the community” – Samantha Blair

“I have enjoyed becoming an individual person and learning more about me within every class” – Celeste Buda

“I have enjoyed undergoing new and exciting experiences and going out of my comfort zone” – Emma Furness

Italian Penpals

Dear LOTE Parents,

I am planning to have Year 4-6 students correspond with Italian school children of the same age. We will be writing and posting letters, to build our ability in written Italian and to learn about Italian culture. We will not be emailing at this stage.

It is envisaged that students will do this as a school activity as I will be monitoring incoming and outgoing letters, to maintain an appropriate tone for students of this age.

However, there is the opportunity to continue the correspondence through holiday breaks. Please be aware, that should you allow your child to continue writing to their pen pal, (this would be excellent), but you would need to continue to monitor the content of the letters.

On our return to school in 2016, students will re-commence writing to their pen pal.

If this initial programme proves successful, I will explore the option of emailing pen pals directly. Once again, as parent, you would need to decide if you wanted your child to continue this at home, in addition to school time.

For the up-coming holiday break: please email me if you do want your child to continue corresponding through the holidays. I will assemble a list of interested parents.

Miss Leigh Cusack - Leigh-Ann.Cusack@twb.catholic.edu.au

FETE NEWS!

St Joseph’s Fete Special Cooking Class Offer

The St Joseph’s School Fete is fast approaching. The day is shaping up to be exciting and fun-filled. As a special feature, Zest Pastries owner/baker Stephen Lambert will be having a Chocolate Mousse and Berry Tart cooking class. Stephen’s demonstration will include the pastry making, making the chocolate mousse and decorating the tart. The pinnacle of the class is devouring this delicious treat. There are only 15 spaces and it’s first in, best dressed. The class will be held at the Home Ec. building at 12-1pm and costs $15. If you would like to be part of this sensational session, book your place with Angie Sims on 46 815904.

HAVE YOU BOOKED AN UNLIMITED RIDE ARMBAND? SAVE TIME ON THE DAY AND PREPURCHASE YOUR BAND IN THE OFFICE THIS WEEK.

Border Post Feature-St Joseph’s School Fete and 140 Year celebrations

The Fete commences at 11.30pm and will be held across both campuses. Activities on the Primary Campus will close at 4.30pm and continue at the Bathersby Centre with the Fireworks and Band until late.

Inside Program at Multi-Purpose Room (Primary Campus)

12.00-12.30pm - Stanthorpe RSL Band-sponsored by O’Mara’s Hotel
12.30-12.45pm - Dance Force
12.45-1.00pm - Granite Belt Senior Choir incl. the Granite Belt Junior Choir
1.00-1.15pm - Apple & Grape Ambassadors
1.15-1.30pm - Tre Amici
1.30-1.45pm - Break
1.45-2.00pm - The Ritz
2.00-2.15pm - Granite Belt Contempo Choir
2.15-2.30pm - Dance Force
2.30-2.45pm - Tre Amici
2.45-3.00pm - The Ritz

Outside Program –from 11.30am

• Carnival Rides including: Giant Slide, Rock Wall, Cup & Saucer, Clown Jumping Castle, Mechanical Bull and Mobile Laser Skirmish
• Food: hot chips, dagwood dogs, fairy floss, BBQ, wood fire pizzas, pancakes, Gourmet Italian Sausages
• QCWT, Ice-Cream Van, Navy Cadets with Snow Cones, Valentes Tea Room including cupcakes
• Various Market Stalls
• Face Painting
• Kids Show Bags and 50 special limited edition Show bags filled with goodies
• 140 Years memorabilia items
• Community Stalls such as Rainbow Kids, Apple & Grape, Bluewater Fishing Club, St Vincent De Paul, Scouts, Girl Guides and Commonwealth Bank
• School Stalls: Cakes in a jar, Sheep Bingo, Spelling Bee, Second hand books and plants, Cake and fruit and vegetable, paddle pop pick a prize, second hand clothing, Novelty Games, Workshop displays and 3D printing
• Show and Shine Car Show by Stanthorpe & District Sporting Car Club
• Animal Nursery
• Fire Brigade truck and police car display
• Zest Baker, Stephen Lambert’s Pastry Cooking Class: 12-1.00pm
• DJ King (4.00-6.45pm)
• Fireworks display by “Ka-Boom”
• Child-minding from 7-10pm
• Passport draw
• $1,000 cash raffle draw
• Brisbane band, “Backroom Vegas” performing at the Bathersby Centre with bar operating
• Signed NRL Cowboys Jersey auction by David Schnitzerling
• Silent Auction wrap up

Italian Book Bank

The St. Joseph’s Primary LOTE classes are coming on at a rate of knots! We are a creative bunch, and we love to read-even in Italian. But we have a problem: we have read all 5 of our Italian language books to death.

So, we are on the hunt for something new to read. In fact, we are dreaming big. We are going to make a LOTE Book Bank. We are seeking Italian language books in good order, that can be donated to the school for the use of LOTE students in years to come. The books can be for any age group, cover any suitable topic, and be information books, fiction, picture books, dictionaries and the like.

If you think you can help, please leave your donations at the main office. For queries contact the LOTE Department: 4681 5900.

Presbytery News

Care and Concern Ladies are looking for volunteers to be placed on a roster to bake cakes, slices etc. for funerals. Please contact

Phone – Cheryl 0412692651
Denise 4681 1672

*FOR SALE – Fisher Paykel 2 Drawer dishwasher, VGC, Limited use $400

Phone – Cheryl 0412692651
Denise 4681 1672