26 November 2015

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s News

Dear Parents and Caregivers

On Tuesday night we had our Fete debrief, which saw those present dissect the event to identify the positives and pitfalls. I am pleased to announce that the Fete raised just over $20000. These funds will be used to upgrade power in the Bathersby Centre and purchase furniture for selected classrooms. The committee unanimously agreed that we should hold the Fete again in 2016, and a portion of the funds raised from this will seed fund the 2016 Fete. So, please claim the date of 29 October 2016.

Congratulations to all our Year 6 students who competed in the Lecturette competition on Monday night. There were 7 places available for the finals next Monday night, and our students took all 7. We wish our finalists all the best for next week. (Photos attached)

St Joseph’s Lecturette Finalists

Teachers are busy writing reports which provide parents and caregivers a summary of their child’s progress across the Semester. It is important that children sit with their parents to discuss the report. Celebrate the successes and encourage your child to rise to the challenge of improving where they need to. If, for some reason, there are errors in relation to your child’s report, please email the school over the vacation period. We will respond.

Our final Mass for the year takes place next Thursday where, as a school, we will celebrate with Year 6 students and their parents as we mark the end of Primary education and look forward to the transition to Secondary. This is a significant milestone for these young people as they begin the journey towards adolescence and young adulthood. We will celebrate with students and their parents during a luncheon following the Mass.

We are now well into Advent – a time of waiting. Rather than the usual Advent prayer, take a look at this video which captures the essence of the season of Advent.

Have a peaceful and restful Christmas and I look forward to welcoming students back in January.

Dr Michael McCarthy
Principal

Leader’s News

With the year quickly drawing to a close both staff and students have been involved in organising and participating in numerous culminating activities and events. Last week we enjoyed retreat with our Year 12 students at Leslie Dam near Warwick, followed later in the week by our graduation mass and dinner. On Friday morning the school gathered to farewell our 2015 Year 12 cohort as they embark on a new chapter in their lives.

Our end of term Mass is to be held on Wednesday, 2nd December at 12 pm, where we will also acknowledge our Year 6 students as they complete their primary journey and prepare for a new journey into secondary education. Our Year 6 students and their families will then gather for a light lunch.

With Christmas approaching, students on both campuses have been focusing assembly prayer on the season of Advent. Although the first Sunday of Advent is not until this Sunday, Year 9 students have been preparing rituals for the last four weeks, allowing students to understand the meaning of each of the four Sundays of Advent, the advent wreath and its candles, and our individual preparation for the birth of Jesus.

With this in mind, may we all take the time to remember the true meaning of Christmas and the message of peace, joy and hope it can bring to all.

Wishing all families a happy and holy Christmas and a safe holiday season.

God bless,

Megan Mahoney
APRE

School News

Important dates for the next 2 weeks

Friday 27th November:

Final Day for Year 10 and 11

Tuesday 1st December:

Primary Dance Fever Concert - 9:30 to 10:30am (Prep to Year 2/3 9:30 to 10am and Year 3 to 6 10 to 10:30am)

Wednesday 2nd December:

Primary Breakup Pool Party
Prep Excursion to WIRAC
End of Year Mass 12pm
Christmas Carol Evening – 5:30pm

Frida 4th December:

Final day for Term 4 – Half Day. School finishes at 12pm.

Year 4 news – Celebrate a Citizen Day

Year 11 News

Future Leaders Showing the Way in Science

Week 7 saw an opportunity for the Year 11 Chemistry students to demonstrate and pass on their knowledge and skills to the Year 8 cohort. After studying chemistry of the human body this year, promising Year 11 students developed their communication skills and consolidated learning by imparting their knowledge onto younger students. This was a unique opportunity for the Year 8 Science Students to begin to understand some quite advanced concepts of diffusion, osmosis, rates of reaction and cellular respiration. Learning through practical application is the corner stone to all science knowledge and this is embedded strongly in the St Joseph’s Science Curriculum.

Library News : BOOK FAIR

All This week!

Selling is underway before and after school.

The Fair will provide a wonderful opportunity to grab some quality Christmas gifts at reasonable prices.

All are welcome to come on in, browse and soak up the exciting atmosphere that our Book Fairs always generate. For further information, please contact the school library.

Lesley Grant
Teacher-Librarian

We remind all students to return their loans for 2015 before the end of the school year.

Tuckshop

Secondary Tuckshop

2015 has once again been a great year for the Secondary tuckshop. Thank you to all our dedicated workers and baking mums. We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year and a great holiday

Tuckshop will be commencing Monday 8th February 2016

Sharon Hitchener and Michelle MacDonald

Primary Tuckshop

Since taking on the role of Tuck Shop Convenor I have spoken to friends in other parts of the country and have heard many schools no longer have a Tuck Shop as they don't have enough volunteers to run it. We are so fortunate in our school community to have so many people who have been willing to volunteer. On behalf of all the students, I would like to thank all the mums, dads and grandmothers who have given up their time to work or bake for the Primary Tuck Shop this year, especially those who have filled in when someone can't work. Some of our volunteers will be moving onto the High School next year, so there will be vacancies for others to come and volunteer too. The Tuck Shop will be closed on the last day of school but will re-open at the beginning of the second week of term on Monday 1st February. I wish you a very happy Christmas and relaxing school holidays!

Bec Telfer

School Banking Volunteer

We are needing a parent volunteer to coordinate the student banking for 2016. If you have an hour a week and would like to assist please see Santina in the office. A huge thankyou goes to Jen Wren for her time in organizing and coordinating the student Commonwealth Banking for 2015.

Sport News

Wednesday the 18th of November saw the annual Primary Campus swimming carnival take place in near perfect weather conditions. After six lead up lessons the students were ready to take on the challenge offered at the carnival. For some of our students this is an opportunity to gain selection to trials but for most the day is all about participation and challenging yourself.

The day begin with the 5 to 7 year aged students participating in 12m events with pool noodles and kick boards as well as the formal strokes of Butterfly, Backstroke, Breast Stroke and Freestyle over 12, 25 and even 50 metres. Well done to all our younger students on the way they participated and congratulations to Mr Irvin and the Year Six class for all their help.

The competition proper commenced at 10 o’clock for our students aged 8 to 12 years. From the outset it was obvious that the competition was going to be close with many races being decided by tenths and even hundredths of seconds. It was great to see so many of our students challenging themselves to swim further than they had in the past. A highlight of the day was the cooperative nature of the students which made the carnival run so smoothly. A special thanks to Webb Plumbing and A and K electrical for trophy sponsorship and the Smails and staff for their great help and support.

At the end of the day the carnival was decided by a narrow margin of less than 50 points with Davadi victorious for the first time since 2007 as the champion house. McAuley were awarded the Spirit Trophy.

AGE CHAMPIONS & RUNNERS UP - 2015
8 YEAR OLD BOY CHAMPION	William Kay (19)
8 YEAR OLD BOY RUNNER UP	Isaac Kay (18)
8 YEAR OLD GIRL CHAMPION	Jade Poole (18)
8 YEAR OLD GIRL RUNNER UP	Katie-Lee Jansink (8)
9 YEAR OLD BOY CHAMPION	Lachlan McNichol (18)
9 YEAR OLD BOY RUNNER UP	Sam Ellis (13)
9 YEAR OLD GIRL CHAMPION	Freya Creer (16)
9 YEAR OLD GIRL RUNNER UP	Molly Koek (14)
10 YEAR OLD BOY CHAMPION	Billy Webb (24)
10 YEAR OLD BOY RUNNER UP	Jordan Waterworth (20)
10 YEAR OLD GIRL CHAMPION	Kiara Smith (23)
10 YEAR OLD GIRL RUNNER UP	Caitlyn Hennoste (15)
11 YEAR OLD BOY CHAMPION	Brayden Spiller (22)
11 YEAR OLD BOY RUNNER UP	Nathan Webb (19.5)
11 YEAR OLD GIRL CHAMPION	Isabel Kay (23.5)
11 YEAR OLD GIRL RUNNER UP	Charlotte Widderick (20.5)
12 YEAR OLD BOY CHAMPION	Ky Rashleigh (24)
12 YEAR OLD BOY RUNNER UP	Matthew Biddulph (19)
12 YEAR OLD GIRL CHAMPION	Shaylah Daniells (24)
12 YEAR OLD GIRL RUNNER UP
TOTAL POINTS	McAuley = 577.5 Davadi = 598
OVERALL WINNER =	Davadi = 598

P&F News

Wow another year has flown by and now is the time we reflect on all the things that have made 2015 one of the most memorable. We get ready to say goodbye and good luck to the year 12’s who we have gotten to know and love over the past years, we wish them well and all the best for whatever lays in wait for them. And we prepare to say hello to the Preps of 2016, who are ready and waiting to experience the wonderful journey that awaits them at St Joseph’s.

The P&F have enjoyed a year of wonderful highlights and an enjoyment of supporting the school community. Once a month we get together to find opportunities that we can support the students, Teachers and Families any way we can.

Once again our merry band of helpers manned the Can Bar at The Stanthorpe Show. The Palgrove Bull Sale was next, a special mention goes out to the willing group of parents who, once again, helped out on these occasions. We also held another very successful Pie Drive.

This year we tried something different, A Paver Drive. This has been a huge success. At last count we had over 300 orders and can’t wait to see the finished product. The P & F have purchased some pavers that will tie the whole project together.

Through our fundraising efforts we have been able to donate $1000.00 towards the Bi Annual Musical, which I am sure you all enjoyed. We put $5000.00 towards the new area on the Primary campus, stay tuned for the many handball tournaments that we are sure will be held. $8000.00 was given to the school to help with the cost of a modular stage for the Bathersby Centre in the hope we can hold more functions in this space. We were able to install a sink in our P&F shed and we also donated $100.00 towards the Major Raffle for the Fete.

None of this would have been possible without the support of our Families and the many local businesses of Stanthorpe, who never cease to amaze us, with their generosity.

We would like to take this opportunity to encourage you all to come along to one of our meetings, as you will get a much greater insight to our wonderful school community.

We extend to you all our best wishes for a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Safe 2016. See you all next year.

Presbytery News

THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (29 November) is fast approaching.

St Joseph’s Parish would like to offer ADVENT SESSIONS for ALL children

in pre-prep, prep and primary school on the dates below.

We would also like to invite all students in primary or high school to participate in the FAMILY CHRISTMAS EVE MASS at 6PM on 24 December. The rehearsal times to be involved are also below.

ADVENT FUN & FAITH SESSION FOR 2, 3 and 4 year olds:

Any child in this age bracket is welcome to come along for an hour of Advent fun on SATURDAY 28 NOVEMBER, from 9AM to 10AM, in the Parish Centre. We will talk about the meaning of Advent and make something special to take home. Cost is a gold coin donation. Parents or other caregivers are asked to remain for the hour.

ADVENT FUN & FAITH SESSION for 5, 6 and 7 year olds:

Any child in this age bracket is welcome to come along for some Advent fun on SATURDAY 28 NOVEMBER, from 10.30AM to midday, in the Parish Centre. We will talk about the meaning of Advent and make something special to take home. Cost is a gold coin donation. Parents are welcome to remain or can drop off and pick up their child at the times mentioned.

ADVENT FUN & FAITH SESSION FOR 8 to 11 year olds:

Any child in this age bracket is welcome to attend, from 3.30PM onwards in the

Parish Centre, concluding with the 6.30PM Mass on SATURDAY 28 NOVEMBER. We will make Advent wreaths to be blessed at Mass. Parents are welcome to remain for the session or can drop off their child and then meet up for Mass. Parents will be asked to bring an afternoon snack. Cost is $5 per student.

CAN’T COME ON SATURDAY 28 NOVEMBER?

A HOLIDAY ADVENT FUN & FAITH SESSION for all primary schoolers (i.e. prep to Year 6) will also be offered on WEDNESDAY 16 DECEMBER from 9.30AM to Mass at 11.45AM. Parents are welcome to remain for the session or can drop off their child and then meet, before or after Mass, in the Parish Centre at 11.45am. Our Advent craft will be blessed during Mass. Cost is a gold coin donation.

REHEARSALS FOR THE 6PM CHRISTMAS EVE MASS:

ALL primary or secondary students are welcome to join in preparations for this Christmas Eve Mass. The first rehearsal and giving of roles will be after the 8.30AM Mass on SUNDAY 29 NOVEMBER, for an hour, in the Church. We will also meet on THURSDAY 17 DECEMBER, 10-11AM and 23 DECEMBER, 10-11am, in the Church.

Please register your child for ANY OF THE ABOVE SESSIONS
via the parish office email at stjosephsparish@halenet.com.au

For more information contact Selina on 4683 5391 or 0409 735 46