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- Prayer Focus
- Leader's Message
- Parent Assembly
- Year 7 2022 Orientation Day
- Mind Matters
- Class Placements for 2022 School Year
- Sport Spotlight
- Sunshine Cafe
- Creative Corner
- School Activity Accounts
- PBS (Positive Behaviour Support)
- School Travel for 2022
- Student Awards
- What's On Next Week ...
- Advance Dates for Your Diary
- This Week's Notes
Update on New Uniform Orders for 2022
Following the announcement of our new uniforms being introduced for the start of the 2022 school year, the Uniform Store has received many inquiries about the availability of the new uniform items. While we know parents would like to be prepared, there is still a wait on their arrival. To keep you informed, we would like to offer you the process for purchase of the new uniforms - this information is directly from the Uniform Store.
New uniform items will be available for sale from when the Uniform Store opens for January trading on 4th January 2022.
- Lay-by is available prior to that time:
- Sizing can be gauged using the existing uniform items.
- The lay-by will be set up and a deposit taken.
- Progress payments can be made.
- Lay-by can be collected in January.
- Sizing will be checked at the time of collection and adjusted if required.
P&F Colour Run
While the activity you have seen this year with our P&F committee has been small, they have continued their commitment to our school and children through regular meetings and planning on how they can support the school in bringing our community together. While COVID has again dictated what can take place with all of our great ideas, we are pleased that it can’t dampen one special event we have all been looking forward to. Our Colour Run will not be a fundraising event for 2021, but a fun event for our school to celebrate our resilience and strength to be positive at a tricky time. We are hopeful that restrictions will ease in December, so we are planning for it to take place in the last few weeks of the year. We will let you know of the date when we confirm it and fingers crossed we will be able to welcome families on site to share with us. It will go ahead with just students if this is our only option.
WELCOME
This week we welcomed back to St Joseph’s Huxon Jones in 1R. Huxon and his family started with us in Kindergarten and after a move away, they have returned to Port Macquarie. We are so pleased to have Huxon and his family continuing in our St Joseph’s community.
Congratulations
Special congratulations to Sequoia McCarthy (KSC) and her family who welcomed a baby girl named Raven Rose.
Celebrating Our Faith
Socktober Shootout!
All students will participate in our Socktober Shootout next Friday 29th October to mark the end of Mission Week. This campaign has raised funds for underprivileged children in Thailand and helped out students to think of others and learn the importance of gratitude for our own circumstances in Australia.
Students are allowed to wear CrAzY socks to celebrate the day and their House Colours. The use of sports equipment will be suspended for the day as we experience what some children from around the world experience, using homemade balls from recycled materials. These are called sockballs. Over the course of the week, students are encouraged to make their own sockballs using recycled materials; old socks, discarded clothing, plastic bags, string etc. A video on how to make these is shared so that you can ensure your child has theirs ready for next Friday. Students will use their own sockball to play with for the day and to have 5 penalty shots in order to score for their House (Macquarie, Hastings, Oxley, Mitchell).
It is not too late to register your online support via the Socktober website. Please go to the relevant links below to register and to help in our fundraising bid for the children of Thailand and for our House’s total tally.
Oxley - https://www.socktober.org.au/fundraisers/oxley
Hastings - https://www.socktober.org.au/fundraisers/hastings
Mitchell - https://www.socktober.org.au/fundraisers/mitchell
Macquarie - https://www.socktober.org.au/fundraisers/macquarie
Community Values Survey
What have you experienced in your encounter with the St Joseph's School community? What are the values that define us as a community? Please have your say by completing this short survey and let us know what is important to you.
This survey goes towards the staff learning during the Pupil Free day on Friday, 5th November. Our goal is to define the values that underpin our Catholic school community now and into the future.
Learning Together
During Week 4 and 5 our students in Years 2 - 6 will complete their ACER PAT Mathematics and Reading tests. ACER’s Progressive Achievement approach is used in thousands of schools in Australia and around the world. The approach focuses on assessing and monitoring student growth over time and is underpinned by an understanding that students of the same age and in the same year of school can be at very different points in their learning and development.
These tests are designed to provide objective, norm-referenced information to teachers about their students’ skills and understandings in a range of key areas. The Mathematics test assesses students’ skill and understanding in the six strands of Number, Algebra, Geometry, Measurement, Statistics and Probability. The Reading test assesses students’ reading comprehension skills, vocabulary knowledge and spelling.
Why do schools use PAT tests?
- They provide a measure of student achievement in each learning area.
- There is a common achievement scale for all tests within a learning area.
- They are mapped to the Australian Curriculum.
- They provide overall descriptions of the types of skills mastered and those still to be developed based on test performance.
- They can be used to inform teaching and learning and to assist in planning effective and targeted learning programs.
A healthy education system has multiple assessments (large-scale and small), each designed to suit the purpose at hand. Standardised tests are an imperfect measure by nature, and cannot be expected to measure children’s learning as competently as the teacher who spends hours with them every day.
On the other hand, individual teachers’ judgments cannot map learning across the entire education system. We may be experts on the progress of our students, but we cannot compare that progress with students in the school down the road, let alone a school in another state or territory. Standardised assessment provides the best birds-eye view of where the system is working, and where additional attention is required.
If you have any questions about the ACER testing please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher for further clarification.
The Mental Health Month Theme is ‘Tune In’. What does this mean and how do you do it?
To “Tune In’ simply means being present and being aware of what is happening within you and around you.
Below are some tips on how you can ‘tune in’ to yourself as well as how you can ‘tune in’ to others.
TUNE INTO YOURSELF
Tuning In to yourself can start with checking in with yourself and asking a simple question: “what can I sense right now?” See, touch, taste, smell, and listen to the world around you and experience the way it makes you feel. You can also ask the question “how do I feel right now?” Identifying what you feel can improve awareness of your surroundings, help focus your mind and understand what is going on inside you.
Tuning in to yourself can also mean identifying things that help or harm your own mental health.
For example, exercise may help improve your mental health and engaging in conflict might negatively impact your mental health.
How can I tune in to myself? Do something creative
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Meditating
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Learning about and practicing Deep Listening (Winhangadhurinya in the Wiradjuri language; Dadirri in the Ngan’gikurunggurr and Ngen’giwumirri languages)
- Finding silence
- Connecting to Country and Ancestors
- Going for a walk
- Being in nature
- Journaling
- Practicing self-care
- Doing something creative – drawing,
painting, knitting - Creating a morning ritual
TUNE IN TO OTHERS
Tuning into others can build positive connections. Can you imagine what other people might be feeling and why? Does someone you love seem a bit down? Maybe you can head over and help them out with a chore or task, or just sit and have a casual chat.
Alternatively, if you’re having difficulty connecting with others, it can help to let them know that. Sharing with others that things are a bit tough right now could help them understand how you’re feeling.
How can I tune in to others? Connect with friends
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Asking others how they are feeling
- Sharing a hobby
- Teaching them about something you love
- Helping with chores
- Playing games
- Staying in together
- Chatting on the phone
- Sharing a cuppa
From: https://mentalhealthmonth.wayahead.org.au/tune-in/ (accessed 18/10/2021)
Kelly Russell
School Counsellor
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.
Grade Sport Uniform Days
Leah Toole and David Lynch
Sports Coordinator and Assistant Sports Coordinator
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
Glasshouse Concert Art Competition
We would like to thank all the students who entered their Artworks into our Glasshouse Concert Art Competition. There were many entries, all of high quality. The chosen Artwork will be used for promoting our concert in 2022, with runners up being included in the brochures and DVD cover.
Big congratulations to our winner Matilda Kos in Year 6
Congratulations to our Runners up:
Maya Marshall (Year 4)
Aaron Biju (Year 6)
Olivia Austin (Year 4)
Aislinn Suveesh (Year 4)
Charli Robinson (Year 4)
Luna Tyson (Year 4)
Young Archie 2021
Congratulations to the following students who participated in the prestigious Young Archie 2021 competition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales:
Elsie Enriquez, Phoenix Charnock, Bonnie Russell, Zara Lawrence, Millie Paine, Lawson Bentley, Matilda Kos, Emerence Young, Spencer Searle, Axel Davidson.
A special congratulations goes to Jasmine Howell and Aaron Biju for making the shortlist, which was the top 10%.
Yours in Creative and Performing Arts
Leah Toole
Creative Arts Co-ordinator
Student Activity Accounts were sent home last 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.
PBS (Positive Behaviour Support)
MJR REWARD
Ashton Giurrissevich (KSC) and Zane Mitchell (KSC) received three bonus MJR crosses for displaying positive behaviour. At our whole school assembly they were each awarded a certificate of appreciation.
Applications for student travel in 2022 opened on Tuesday 12th October 2021.
Please see the below flyer for useful information to assist with student travel enquiries.
KBC | Ivy Cutler | Ellie Lawrence | Elvis Scott |
KSC | Morgan Marlowe | Isabelle Mat | Johns Mejo |
1R | Ethan Tony | Matihias Bridger | Elijah Van den Boom |
2S | Tilly Scott | Elsie Steadman | Jake Kaandorp |
3H | Lilly Chapman | Jessica Dennes | Isla Schneider-Smith |
4F | Lucas Lynch | Jesse Johnstone | Ruby Holmes |
4MG | Maya Marshall | Chloe Widdison | Aryan Vishanth |
5S | Baxter Matthews | Riley Tattersall | Oliver Hanks |
6B | Ella-Yindi Jenkin | Taj Davis | Keely Newton |
6H | Matthew Kelly | Matilda Kos | Macey Stewart |
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 |
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Monday 8th November |
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Wednesday |
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Friday 12th November |
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Week 7 - Term 4 2021 |
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Monday 15th November |
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Tuesday 16th November |
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Wednesday |
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Week 8 - Term 4 2021 |
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Monday 22nd November |
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Wednesday |
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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
St Joseph's School Community Values Survey
Class Placements for 2022 School Year
Decoration and Clean Up Committee information
Year 6 Sensitive Issues_Personal Growth and Development Day
Community Feedback - New Website
Teddy Bear's Picnic
Updated Plan for Kinder 2022 Orientation and Transition