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GOING RED FOR DYSLEXIA
Thank you for supporting us today with raising awareness for Dyslexia through allowing your children to wear red. We will continue to share information with students across October to help them understand, encourage and support all children who find learning difficult, especially those with Dyslexia. We would like to share another video this week from students who have Dyslexia and show what is significant to them.
St Joseph’s Primary Values
The staff at St Joseph’s are undertaking important work to define who we are as a Catholic school community. We are seeking your valued input by completing this short survey linked. Your input along with student perspectives will contribute to the work planned during our Staff Development Day (Pupil Free) on Friday 5th November. Many thanks for your contribution to this important work.
Online survey link - https://forms.gle/bCBo1oEHAdoMvjcK7
COVID NSW ROADMAP vs LEVEL 3 RESTRICTIONS
While restrictions are being eased and changed in the wider NSW community under the NSW Roadmap, schools remain at level 3 restrictions. We have been under these restrictions since our return from lockdown, and it is expected this will remain in place until at least 1st December 2021. We will continue to inform families of any easing to these conditions, particularly later in the year when we are preparing to celebrate our Year 6 Graduation.
COMMUNICATION PLATFORM FEEDBACK
We are working with the CSO to make some changes to our school communications via our website, newsletter and facebook page. To aid us in providing the best structure for these, we would like families to assist with a short Google Form. If you could please complete this, we would appreciate your feedback.
Link to online feedback form: - https://forms.gle/rGpc8emL9dedBwY2A
CLASS PLACEMENTS FOR 2022 SCHOOL YEAR
This term, teacher teams in each grade will begin the complex process to organise students to create two class core groups for 2022. Children will complete a sociogram to identify a small number of peers they believe they work well with. Teachers will work to place students with a minimum of one of these peers, ensuring the reason for the choice is valid. Considerations for organising classes include, but are not limited to, assessment data, peer dynamics, learning and behavioural needs and the ratio of boys and girls. It is important to remember that while we have two class groups in each grade, students will work across the grade during parts of their learning time and will spend lunch breaks together.
If you are aware of a specific factor that their current teacher may not know, for your child to be a successful learner, please submit a written response to the Principal by the beginning of Week 4 (Monday 25th October). You can email to: sjpport@lism.catholic.edu.au
Consideration is given to factors stated, but requests are not guaranteed, as teachers consider the best interests of all students in the planning process. Requests from previous years will not be referred to and only written responses to the Principal received by 25th October will be considered.
THINKING OF OUR COMMUNITY
Our sympathy goes out to John Dal Santo (6B) and his family for the recent loss of his Grandfather.
WELCOME
This week we welcomed a new student to St Joseph’s. Charlize Miller has started in KSC and we are so pleased to have Charlize and her family join our St Joseph’s community.
celebrating faith
Our Lady of Fatima
This week we celebrated the anniversary of the miracle of Fatima, 13th October, 1917. Our Lady of the Rosary appeared to three children with a message for the world; to pray the Rosary. Our SRC students led a Rosary for every class, using beads to recite the prayers. Together, we prayed for our world and the end of Coronavirus; that all may come to know the saving love of Mary, who leads us to Jesus.
Learning Together
Road Safety (Part 2) - Walking together safely to and from school
Walking to and from school is a great way to spend time with our children. It also provides an opportunity to discuss safe and healthy behaviours.
Here are a few things you can do to help keep your child safer as a pedestrian:-
Discuss with your child about being alert in the road environment.
- Practice walking to school to ensure they know where the safe places are to cross eg. traffic lights and pedestrian crossings.
- Hold your child’s hand. Sometimes children need help to spot dangers eg. cars coming out of driveways.
- Remind your child to STOP! LOOK! LISTEN! THINK! and explain why they need to do this.
All age children need reminders about walking to and from school. They are never too old to hear these safety messages.
School Uniform
As we have returned to school we have noticed a growing number of students arriving at school in a variety of jumpers, socks, shoes and jewellery. All students are expected to wear the prescribed uniform. If a student has to wear the incorrect uniform for a particular reason, a note is required from the parent. For the remainder of the year, sports uniforms can be worn on any day if students have grown out of their summer uniform, due to the new uniform coming in 2022. However, they must wear correct items of the summer or sports uniform.
It is also important to remember that:-
- Hair should be neat, clean and of the student’s natural colour. Hair should be styled off the face for both boys and girls. Extremes in hairstyles are not permitted. Shaved in patterns are not permitted. Long hair must be tied back from the face in the interests of hygiene and safety using elastic, ribbon or headbands in the school colours.
- A school hat is required and to be worn correctly and a policy of ‘No hat - play in a sun safe area’ is in place.
- Nails are to be kept clean and trimmed. Nail polish is not permitted.
- Jewellery is not permitted except for simple studs, sleepers or medical bracelets.
Please refer to the Parent Handbook for further information if required or contact the School Office. Thank you for assisting us by ensuring your child/ren are in the correct school uniform each day.
Squid Game
It has been brought to our attention that some students are watching ‘Squid Game’ on television or through YouTube. It has been reported that some students are talking about this at school and beginning to replicate the games at school. This show depicts “extreme violence and gore” and is rated MA for mature audiences. If your child is watching Squid Game please discuss with them that this type of behaviour is not accepted at school. We know that children are very impressionable, and with these games, sometimes they can’t see the difference between virtual and real. Thank you for your assistance.
PIRLS
PIRLS is the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study. This is one of the world's longest running international studies of reading literacy. It surveys Year 4 students in around 60 countries, examining achievements in relation to different curricula types, instructional practices and school environments. The results are used by governments and policymakers to improve reading education all over the world.
In Australia a sample of schools are selected along with one sample class. On Tuesday 19th October 4F will be participating in the PIRLS assessment. Please note this is not an assessment to evaluate performance of any individual. No data is published anywhere. The data collected assists in monitoring our educational system and provides relevant information without revealing any identities.
Applications for student travel in 2022 opened on Tuesday 12 October 2021.
Please see the below flyer for useful information to assist with student travel enquiries.
UNDERSTANDING DIFFERENT CONCEPTS
Here are some definitions of the language we use to speak about mental health and well-being. It helps us work together from a space of shared understanding and meaning.
Mental health
Mental health is the general state of a person’s mental well-being. Similar to physical health, we all have a current state of mental health, which can change over time, and in response to the world. It’s also sometimes called “mental well-being”. Just like there are things we can do to improve our overall physical health, there are things we can do to improve our overall mental health in a way that works for us as individuals.
Social and emotional well-being
This term originated with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and is often preferred to “mental health”. It describes the social, emotional, cultural, and spiritual well-being of a person, and acknowledges the ways these can interact to impact a person’s well-being. The term also recognises the importance of connection to Country, and that policies (past and present), past and current events, social attitudes (such as racism), and intergenerational trauma can all impact an individual’s social and emotional well-being.
Mental distress
A term used to describe a negative experience a person may be having, rather than a diagnostic term. It can present at any point of the “wellness” to “illness” spectrum. Everyone will experience mental distress, not just people who have been given a mental health related diagnosis.
Mental ill-health
A state where our mental health negatively impacts on our ability to think, feel and respond to others. This may occur in response to life events and stressors and may resolve over time or when stress is reduced. However, if it is ongoing or worsening, it’s important to seek help in a way that is safe for you.
Mental illness
This term is generally best to avoid. Many people with lived experiences of mental ill-health don’t apply this term to themselves, it’s important to check with people what terms they prefer.
The term “mental illness” can add to social stigma surrounding mental health, so it’s important to understand what it refers to, and to avoid using it where possible.
Mental illness refers specifically to a clinical diagnosis. These diagnoses usually describe various mental health symptoms which can interfere with an individual’s cognitive, emotional or social abilities. The “illness” diagnosis-based medical model of mental health is only one way of understanding mental health.
Individuals who receive a diagnosis may strongly identify with their diagnosis as a way to understand themselves and find support, or they might not, as the diagnosis might not appropriately describe their experience.
Many people who have received diagnoses prefer not to use the term “mental illness” as it reduces complex experiences to a medical diagnosis.
Mental illnesses are diverse, and each can occur with a varying degree of severity.
The preferred term is “person/people with a lived experience of mental illness/mental ill-health” though if referring to an individual, check how they would like to be referred to.
It’s important to use person-first language, that is “person with a lived experience of mental ill health” rather than “mentally ill person”.
(Retrieved from: https://
Kelly Russell
School Counsellor
MEDICATIONS
Please be mindful of informing the school of any diagnosis or change in medical condition for your child so that school plans and records are current and accurate. This is especially important for those students with Asthma, Anaphylaxis, Diabetes, and other medical illnesses.
CONTACT DETAILS
Please also let the school know if any contact details including phone numbers, address and emergency contacts have changed for your child.
Student Medical Appointments and Early Departure
We strongly encourage parents to organise medical appointments outside of school hours (Start 8:55am and Finish 3:10pm) but are conscious that this is not always possible. For your convenience if you have to make a medical appointment for your child during school time please be aware of our breaks for your planning as there will be a delay in getting your child to the office if they are out at lunch play:
Lunch 1 is at 11:00am - 11:40am
Lunch 2 is at 1:40pm - 2:10pm
Hometime messages
If there is a change to your child's hometime travel arrangements please let your child know before they leave the house or write a note to your child's teacher. Some parents also write a "H" (homelines) or a "B" (buslines) on their child's hand. We understand that plans may change during the day and ask that you phone the office Aunties on 6583 3848 between the hours of 8:30am and 2:30pm. This enables us to ensure that your child gets the message in a timely manner. Do NOT email the school or message your child's teacher directly as it may not be seen in the timeframe you require. If an emergency occurs or there is a late change to your child's home time plan we will do everything we can to get the message to your child after 2:30pm. Please be aware that a warning school bell sounds at 3:00pm for classes to prepare to leave the class for hometime at 3:10pm which makes it difficult to guarantee that a message will get to your child.
Student Activity Accounts were sent home this week with your child. These statements are separate to the school tuition fees collected by St Agnes' Parish Administration. We kindly ask that you finalise your school accounts as soon as possible, if you haven’t already done so. If you have a plan in place with the school, the statement is for your records only.
For your planning we will be billing your account in the next couple of weeks with 2022 Book Pack costs as well as finalising any credits due to you for events that didn’t go ahead due to COVID restrictions.
Please ring Aunty Antoinette in the school office to organise a payment plan if you are experiencing any financial difficulty.
Individual and small group instrumental lessons can continue but will be tutored in grade groups.
The new timetable has been emailed to parents and will be placed on student morning messages.
Creative Arts Virtual Gallery - Faith in the Future
Recently some of our students' artworks and the Glee club singing, were chosen to be displayed in a Lismore Diocese Creative Arts Virtual Gallery.
Here are our creative entries:
Yours in Creative and Performing Arts
Leah Toole
Creative Arts Co-ordinator
volunteers
Unfortunately we still cannot have volunteers in the canteen until further notice.
BIRTHDAY BUCKETS
Birthday Buckets are always very popular with lots of excited children coming to collect them to share with their classmates for their special day.
How much do they cost?
Just $10.00 per bucket.
The bucket will be decorated for your child’s birthday and collected during the day as directed by the teacher to share with their class. The buckets are reusable and will need to be returned to the canteen.
How do you order them?
They can be ordered via Flexischools on the day you would like your child to share them or can be ordered in advance. Alternatively, if you don’t use Flexischools, you can call the school office to order directly from the Canteen.
Fruit for Crunch’n’Sip
Fruit can be ordered in a lunch order for Fruit Break (Crunch’n’Sip) but please remember to let your child know that it is part of their lunch order and that they will need to collect it from the Canteen. Fruit can be ordered with over the counter lunch orders or Flexischool online orders (preferred method).
CANTEEN REMINDERS
- Flexischools cut off time for daily orders is 8:30am. You can place your orders the day before, or at the beginning of the week, to make sure they are in on time. The cut off time is set to ensure that there is enough time to process, prepare and pack all of the lunch orders each day.
- Please remind your children if they have a hand written lunch order to drop it off first thing in the morning or if they need to pick up their fruit break items from the canteen.
- We do not offer an IOU service. If you don't use Flexischools and do not have cash for lunch orders you can pay in the office using EFTPOS. If there are any issues with providing lunch please call the office to discuss.
lunch orders
Canteen lunch orders can be placed via Flexischools or by dropping them in the basket on the counter each morning.
Flexischools is our preferred method for submitting lunch orders.
Reminder - Cutoff time for online orders is 8:30am
- Download the Flexischools app from the App Store or from Google Play.
Note: for iPhone and iPad please select ‘Allow’ notification - Click “Register Now” to create account
- Top-up your balance
- Start ordering immediately
- Alternatively Go to www.flexischools.com.au or you can find the link on the school website.
Don’t forget you can place your online orders days or even weeks in advance, making the morning rush even easier!
Kim Goldie
Canteen Coodinator
Sport Cancellations
Basketball Gala Day and Zone Summer Sports Trials have been cancelled.
Swimming Manager
Congratulations to our teacher Vanessa Goldstein who has received a Managers position for Diocesan Swimming in 2022. Vanessa has had extensive swimming coach training and we hope to be able to utilise her skills at the swimming pool later in the term.
Grade Sport Uniform Days
Leah Toole and David Lynch
Sports Coordinator and Assistant Sports Coordinator
KBC | Remy Collier | Scarlett Hamilton | Brakkx Partridge |
KSC | Frederick Agland | Zoella Cruickshanks | Lily Hillier |
1B | Oscar McHugh | Jacob Wittenberg | James Thorburn |
1R | Cleo Gawith | Aibel Shoby Alias | Koen Swaysland |
3D | Noah Alchin | Lucy Styles | Marielle Obeid |
3H | Indhi Kingsmith | Chase Mulligan | Jazmine Taylor |
4F | Joslyn Wake | Mayriah Spicer | Anabel Shijo |
4MG | Charlotte Pascua | Harrison Hoade | Blake Herbert |
6B | Sydney Forsyth | Cooper Preston | Cooper Waterhouse |
6H | Cooper Grant | Bronte Hood | Jasmine Howell |
Week 3 - Term 4 2021 |
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Monday 18th October |
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Tuesday 19th October |
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Wednesday |
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Thursday 21st October |
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Week 4 - Term 4 2021 |
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Monday 25th October |
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Wednesday |
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Friday 29th October |
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Week 5 - Term 4 2021 |
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Monday 1st November |
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Wednesday |
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Friday 5th November |
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Week 6 - Term 4 2021
Monday 8th November |
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Wednesday |
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Thursday 11th November |
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Friday 12th November |
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Please note these dates can change from time to time due to unforeseen circumstances and we will endeavour to advise you of any changes at the earliest possible opportunity. Our school Google calendar can be accessed via this link for additional advanced dates -
For your convenience 2021 school term dates are listed below. They are also located on our website. Click on the words “TERM DATES” on the home page.
TERM 4
Kindergarten to Year 6 commence classes Term 4 – Tuesday 5th October 2021
Staff Development Day (Pupil Free) – Friday 5th November 2021
Kindergarten to Year 6 last day of classes from Term 4 - Wednesday 15th December 2021
Other Holidays in 2021
Christmas Day - Saturday 25th December 2021
Boxing Day - Sunday 26th December 2021
Exuro - change of details
Graduation parent meeting follow up information
Updated Timeline to Student Leadership Positions for 2022
Kinder 2021 Term 4 Overview
Year 1 2021 Term 4 Overview
Year 3 2021 Term 4 Overview
Year 4 2021 PDH Sensitive Issues Growth and Development
Year 4 2021 Term 4 Overview
Year 5 2021 Term 4 Overview
Year 5 2021 PDH Sensitive Issues Growth and Development
Year 6 2021 Term 4 Overview
CANCELLATION - Mid North Coast Basketball Challenge
Year 6 End of Year Fun Day warning note to Parents