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DEVICES AND PHONES FROM HOME
Each year we require parents and carers along with their children, to read and sign to acknowledge their agreement to follow the school policy and protocols on the appropriate use of technology. While we know that technology is a wonderful tool for communication and learning, students in Primary school are still learning how to use this safely and respectfully and it is the responsibility of parents and staff to play their part in monitoring this. We remind parents and carers to adhere to the signed acknowledgement in the user agreement, while supporting their child to do the same, or students will be unable to have a device at school. Our full policy and agreement are readily available if you need to refer to them.
This week we draw your attention to the commitment made by families and students when signing the agreement around mobile phones (see excerpt from policy below). Staff will be checking in the next few weeks that these are in fact being used in accordance with the agreement (the main part of which is being handed into the office at the beginning of the day). It is parents’ and carers’ responsibility to also abide by these protocols.
Mobile Phones
Students are discouraged from bringing mobile phones to school. However, it is appreciated that for some health monitoring reasons and after school communication for working parents, etc. it may be convenient for your child to have a mobile phone. We do advise parents and carers to contact the office if a message needs to be passed onto children. Please do not attempt to contact children whilst at school. If it is necessary for your child to have a mobile phone at school, then the following rules apply (unless it is for medical reasons):
- The phone is switched off upon arrival at school (contact during the day should be directed through the office).
- The phone may be switched on after the child has left the school grounds.
- If a child does not abide by these rules, the phone will be confiscated and taken to the front office to be collected by the child at the end of the school day.
SPORT ACTIVITIES IN TERM 4
Updates to the way in which schools will engage in sport activities from 1st November to the end of Term 4 have been communicated to schools this week. There will be a little more flexibility in how we can utilise sport opportunities in our school setting, but still limitations on how we can experience sport outside of the school setting. Many pathway sport events have been postponed and cancelled across the year, which has been really tough for our students, but out of our control.
In addition, due to defined conditions that schools must follow around venue use, numbers, travel and mixing of cohorts, we will not be engaging in previously planned swimming activities for Term 4. We had been planning for what we could possibly do behind the scenes, but had not yet communicated what this would have looked like to families, due to our understanding that restrictions would not be loosened until at least 2nd December. We are also aware of financial pressures on families, so didn’t want to ask for commitments to activities until we were sure of what was happening. No families will be billed for swimming activities for Term 4, but we will plan ahead and communicate with you around what the start of 2022 will look like with the preparation for our Swimming Carnival.
P&F Colour Explosion Fun Day
As we informed in last week’s newsletter, the P&F in collaboration with the school are planning for our 2021 Colour Explosion Fun Day. As we are ever optimistic, while also being practical, we are working on the new date being Tuesday 7th December. Our hope is that easing restrictions will allow families to join us on site for this event. If this is not possible, it will go ahead with students. We will continue to inform you of the progress as we prepare.
Celebrating Our Faith
Socktober Success!!!
Thank you to all for the incredible support for Socktober which has managed to raise an amazing $3,428. This total has absolutely eclipsed previous Socktober efforts ($452 last year) in a show of amazing support that highlights the school community’s mission to make a difference to the world. Despite our own struggles during a challenging time of lockdowns, we have still been able to find ways to support those in need.
Socktober Shootout!!
Our Socktober campaign came to a head with a great finale; The Socktober Shootout!! Students kicked goals for their Sports House in an effort to take out the inaugural "Socktober Cup”. The students have enjoyed making their own sock balls and placing themselves in the shoes of children who come from poorer nations. This has helped students develop greater empathy for children in need.
We are pleased to announce OXLEY as Winners of the Socktober Cup. Please see below for the Shootout results tally.
Grandparents Day - Sunday 31st October
On behalf of all students and staff at St Joseph’s, we would like to acknowledge the invaluable contribution to the lives of students, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren... all of us here at St Joseph’s. Our grandparents who were often our wisest teachers as children snuck us treats for simply smiling. May God’s blessings find you healthy and happy this Sunday!!
Kinder students enjoyed completing Grandparents Day art.
Learning Together
Semester 2 Reports
As a result of COVID 19 interruptions our Semester 2 reports will look very different. This report will be based on the teaching and learning undertaken during this disrupted period of schooling. The report will focus on the fundamental knowledge, skills and understanding in English and Mathematics. While rich learning has taken place in the other areas of the curriculum, our teachers will focus on individual students' learning achievement and growth that will guide future learning in these two core areas of the curriculum.
Students will not be receiving A - E grades but rather comments around their dispositions towards learning and their overall engagement with learning.
Last semester we provided a hard copy of the Student Semester 1 School Report as well as providing access to it via the Parent Portal. This online system of providing student school reports will be our process moving forward in line with other Parish Primary Schools as well as the High Schools, which have been using this system for numerous years. We will no longer be sending home printed Student School Reports. Semester 2 reports will go live on Friday 3rd December (Week 9).
If you didn’t happen to register to use the portal at the end of Semester 1, please follow the below instructions in the link provided below to be able to access your child’s School Reports.
If you do not have an email address which is known to the school or you have changed your email address or provider please contact the Office Aunties to update your details.
If you would like to have a learning conversation in Week 10 about the report with your child’s teacher please contact them directly via email to arrange a suitable time.
Look at what has been happening in 2S this week
Challenge - to demonstrate their understanding of 3D Space the students made a 3D object. They had a great time working in small groups. Lots of trial and error but great learning and discussion.
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.
The 2 final ways you can ‘Tune In’ during mental health month are to ‘Tune In’ to your community and ‘Tune In’ to stigma.
TUNE IN TO COMMUNITIES
You can tune in to communities by considering groups and networks you are part of and the activities that take place within them. How can you make communities and activities more welcoming, open or easier to access for those experiencing difficulty with their mental health and wellbeing?
This might mean something specific, like hiring a bus to pick people up to go to community events, or more general, like thinking about community feelings after a natural disaster.
How can I tune in to communities?
- Joining a local hobby group
- Taking part in community rituals, ceremonies, and events
- Reviewing accessibility options for groups you are part of
- Reaching out to community members who might be isolated
- Starting wellbeing activities at work
- Attending free community events – libraries or councils often run them
- Creating a range of different options for people looking to connect
- Making sure your community/workplace/group takes part in Mental Health Month
TUNE IN TO STIGMA
You can tune in to stigma by considering the misconceptions, prejudice or barriers that you or others face regarding mental health and wellbeing. You can help increase understanding by making sure mental health and wellbeing are not taboo topics in your community, and letting others know if they are engaging in stigma-promoting behaviour.
How can I tune in to stigma?
- Challenging negative ideas around mental health
- Normalise talking about mental health and wellbeing
- Avoiding terms which can stigmatise mental health
- Engaging people with lived experience of mental ill-health as consultants
- Speak out about stigma when you notice it
From: https://mentalhealthmonth.wayahead.org.au/tune-in/ (accessed 25/10/2021).
The native Australian Flannel Flower is the floral symbol of mental health awareness in Australia.
It is a flower that needs to adapt to circumstances to continue to survive. It needs to be RESILIENT - just like people - especially at this time.
During Mental Health Month while you ‘Tune In’ to yourself or to others you might like to take a look around the Lake Innes Nature Reserve between Port Macquarie and Lake Cathie.
The flannel flowers are blooming. After fires and floods they have shown they are resilient - just like all of us who have endured some of the most challenging of times we have ever seen.
If you need help to ‘adapt’ in the current climate please talk to someone - your friends, family, GP or a telephone support service (Lifeline: 131114; BeyondBlue: 1300 22 4636) .
Kelly Russell
School Counsellor
KBC | Cody Ylias | Mary Verano | Scarlett Slater |
KSC | Duaansh Sachan | Zoey Smurthwaite | Daniel Shijo |
1B | Grace Gluckstern-Hill | Jack Rock | Runo Agbomiyeri |
2S | Eli Partington | Savina Fernando | Hardy Lin |
2T | Sonny Hancock | Toby Hamilton | Ivy-Lea Harris |
3D | Oscar McKern | Lily-Rose Francis | Josephine Shipp |
3H | Hannah Tony | Chayse Jones | Kyra Edkins |
4F | Sophie Hollis | James Reilly | Lucy Bennett- Tonkin |
5L | Mia Howell | Bailey Thompson | Hayley Honeysett |
5S | Cordelia Fazzolari | Anabelle Hicks | Lilly McKern |
6B | Hayley Rickard | Mia Cameron | Laiken Richardson |
volunteers
Unfortunately we still cannot have volunteers in the canteen until further notice.
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
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.
Week 5 - Term 4 2021 |
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Monday 1st November |
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Tuesday 2nd 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 11th November |
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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 17th November |
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Friday 19th November |
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Week 8 - Term 4 2021 |
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Monday 22nd November |
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Tuesday 23rd November |
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Wednesday |
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Sunday 28th 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