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GLASSHOUSE PERFORMANCE
Our performance is quickly approaching …. only 4 weeks to go! Practices at school continue the process of getting ready for this exciting school activity. A reminder to please carefully check the note that has come home to you for requirements on costumes and props. If there are any questions around this please speak to the teachers involved for advice ahead of time to ensure success.
RESILIENCE BUILDING
We hear a lot about building our children’s resilience, and we know it is really important for them to be able to manage bouncing back after a disappointment or setback and grow in confidence for future challenges. There are plenty of pieces of advice out there, but I came across a short video this week that has three simple things that we can focus on with our children that could be of use in this area.
VISIT FROM CONSTABLE WENDY FOR KINDERGARTEN AND YEARS 5 AND 6
On Wednesday, Police Liaison Officer, Constable Wendy Hudson, visited our school as she does each year to speak with students in Kindergarten, Year 5 and 6 about areas of responsibility they have to keep themselves and others safe. In Kindergarten, it was about knowing how to be safe in the community, which followed on well from their Bravehearts visit the day before.
It was sobering for our Year 5 and 6 students to hear about the significance of choices they can make and the consequences that result from poor choices. There were some hard hitting messages that Wendy wants children to listen to and follow, with frustration in giving clear messages to children in her visits and then seeing that a number have not taken their learning on board, evident in them being delivered the consequences by police later on. These are some of the same frustrations that schools experience, largely related to the misuse of the internet and devices.
Key messages that all parents and children must know:
Cyber Bullying includes misuse with intent to harrass and intimidate others through text messaging, phone calls, emails, web creations and all social media. Cyber bullying can now inflict a 2 year jail term and from the age of 10 any child can be arrested and charged with crimes including the areas below.
Social Media sites including, and not limited to, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Tick Toc are for people above 13 years of age. Anyone who has one of these accounts has ticked that they have read and understood the conditions of use, which clearly state that children need to be 13 years and over. If parents are giving permission for these to be used under the age of 13, they must have access to and check their children’s accounts at least weekly. Between the ages of consent by parents to have these accounts and 18 years of age, children have to understand that this is the responsibility of their parent and do not have the right to hide this from them. From the age of 10, children can be arrested and charged with serious misuse.
Pictures Online that are sent or posted can be accessed over a long period of time and even if deleted are able to be found and used by anyone. Any pictures including nudity that are forwarded is considered a crime. Sending and forwarding photos of any person under the age of 18 can carry jail time and can also affect a long term ‘digital signature’, criminal record etc.
Online Gaming is increasingly violent. There has been an increase in the volume of reported cases to police where children have become violent towards their parents and carers for trying to manage the amount of gaming they do. This is a reportable offence for children aged 10 and over, and can lead to criminal charges. All children need to only speak to and allow into their chats etc, known friends during gaming sessions. Unknown “friends” can be adults posing as children to seek personal information. Children must never give passwords or personal details to anyone.
Graffiti laws have changed significantly. Any person who uses spray paint, textas, stickers, writing on toilet doors, carving into trees and other property without the owner’s permission in writing is commiting a crime. If caught they will be sent directly to court. It is illegal for a person under the age of 18 to carry spray paint or graffiti textas and they can be charged on the spot.
ST AGNES' FEAST DAY
St Joseph's Primary School is hosting St Agnes' Feast Day this Sunday 25th August at 5:00pm at St Agnes' Church. All are welcome to sing and participate in a combination of all schools youth music. There will be supper afterwards.
GROWING MINDS GARDEN WORKING BEE
We are so excited to finally be starting our work on the Food Forest. Our Sustainability Team have been planning and preparing and are ready to go tomorrow! Please join us if you can spare a bit of time to get this initiative off the ground (or maybe I should say into the ground). We start at 9:00am and will be going until we are finished. Please bring any tools that may have to make this a productive day. Photos will be in the newsletter next week.
COLOUR RUN
Another great event quickly approaching ….. only 2 weeks away! Our P&F have been working away behind the scenes on the preparation for our Colour Run on 6th September. We would greatly appreciate your support where you are able; filling bottles and bags with the coloured powder next Thursday 29th August from 2:00 - 3:00pm near the Primary COLA, setting up the obstacle course on the afternoon before and supporting the organisation on the day. We are pleased to let you know that our aim in raising funds is to purchase new shade tents in our sport house colours for any events that we have at school and in the community and to provide shade and shelter for students. Our goal is $12,000 but of course if we raise more, this will assist in this aim that benefits our whole school community.
BOOK WEEK
We engaged in some themes and practices around reading as a lifelong skill that supports all other learning this week. We played it a little lower key as we will have our major celebrations of Book Week in Term 4, when we will be joining it with National Grandparents Day. Don’t forget to save the date for Friday 25th October and remind grandparents and other friends who would love to be part of this to check if they will be able to make it.
BRAVEHEARTS K-2 'DITTO'S KEEP SAFE ADVENTURE SHOW' - CHILD PROTECTION
On Tuesday this week our K-2 students enjoyed a visit from ‘Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure Show’. Some of our friends from our Parish preschools also joined us for the morning. Our students had a great time and we hope that they shared with you what they learned about being safe and knowing how to seek help if they feel unsafe. The Activity Books provided by Bravehearts for our students will help to start the conversation with them about this very important topic.
Tess Koning
Principal
BOTTLING AND BAGING WORKING BEE
Next Thursday 29th August from 2:00 - 3:00pm near the Primary COLA we will be having a working bee to bottle and bag the coloured powder in prepartion for the Colour Run. We would love as many helpers as possible if you can make it! The more helpers the more colour we can have ready for the children on the day.
PIZZA PREFERENCES
It's time to let us know which pizza flavour preference your children would like for their special lunch on Colour Run day.
Please submit your online order by Friday 30th August via this link:
https://forms.gle/1sjsKzCemLW9HaMh9
OR download, print, complete and return the order form below.
If your child prefers not to have the Colour Run sponsorship special pizza lunch offered as a treat by the P&F on the day please make sure they bring along their normal packed lunch or normal canteen orders will also be available.
We’d also like to give a HUGE SHOUT OUT to
DOMINOS PIZZA LIGHTHOUSE BEACH for their support of our
2019 Colour Run fundraising initiative!
Don't forget to send your completed sponsorship forms in by Tuesday 3rd September to be able to be a part of the day and be included in the count for the AWESOME prizes.
Regards
St Joseph’s Primary School P&F Committee
THE SPHERO WATERCRAFT CHALLENGE
This week Year 5 students were engaged in a STEM challenge which asked them to design, make and test a watercraft powered by a Sphero to carry a mini teddy across a small body of water in the least amount of time. The watercraft had to cross a designated distance and around floating obstacles. Students needed to consider buoyancy, density, surface area, and what types of materials float in water.
The watercraft challenge was phase one of a project collaboration between St Joseph’s Primary School, St Peter’s Primary School and Newcastle Education University Students. This partnership is providing our students and teachers with the opportunity to learn from each other whilst showcasing their engagement with STEM.
After lots of experimentation in teams of four, students put their ‘watercraft’ through its paces and created an imovie, which was shared with our partner school. Their imovies had a two minute time limit and needed to include the following:-
- Detailed diagrams of their design with explanations as to why they chose each material.
- Video footage of their watercraft in action.
- Results - Time taken for their watercraft to complete the water course.
- A reflection.
From this point the imovies were shared with St Peter’s where they will be judged by their Year 5 teaching staff. Five teams will be chosen to move into Phase Two, where they will work with Pre Service teachers from the University of Newcastle to become our ‘Tech Experts’.
The day was a hive of creativity, presistence and resilience. Students were engaged in every facet of their project and we look forward to sharing them with you in the near future.
Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching
MIGRANT AND REFUGEE WEEK
St Joseph’s acknowledges the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office and celebrated Migrant and Refugee Week. 3 Gold opened the week with Monday Morning prayer that focused on the difficulties that refugees and migrants face around the world today. The video of young Hazna warmed the hearts of our students. We’d like to share it with you today.
YEAR 6 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION TEST
In June, our Year 6 students sat the Sydney Catholic Schools 2019 Religious Education Test. We are proud to announce that within our clever cohort were 2 High Distinctions, 13 Distinctions, 28 Credits.
Congratulations to you all.
1 GREEN ARE HOSTING
1 Green will be hosting the Monday Morning Prayer Assembly this coming week on 26th August and would like to warmly invite all families to join us.
ST JOSEPH'S MEDITATES
On Thursday 12th September, St Joseph’s students will join with other schools across the Diocese and participate in a joint Christian Meditation experience. This falls on RU OK Day and is an opportunity to help students recognise that God is alive in their life and in the life of the school community through the Holy Spirit.
FATHER'S DAY
Ann Thurgate
Assistant Principal Mission
Don't forget you can order online by 8:30am- it's so easy!!
- Go to www.flexischools.com.au
- Click “Register Now” to create account
- Top-up your balance
- Start ordering immediately
If you have a spare morning a month please volunteer at the Canteen - more helpers are always needed. Your children will love having you help at school and the rest of us will really appreciate it also!
Our Volunteers for Week 6 Term 3
Monday | You are welcome to join us |
Tuesday | You are welcome to join us |
Wednesday | You are welcome to join us |
Thursday | Avril Ferraro |
Friday | Robyn Hunt |
We ask that if you are unable to attend on your rostered day it would be very much appreciated if you could organise your replacement and let me know. This would really assist me enormously. Thank you.
Annemaree Tonkin
Canteen Coordinator
YEAR 6 SOCIAL SKILLS
Year 6 have been helping Year 1 and Year 2 with their social skills at lunch time by reffing their soccer games. What a wonderful show of leadership and support of our younger students. Thank you Year 6 for giving up your lunch times.
K Gold | Izakk Partridge, Layla Dobson, Patrick Sleeman-Duncombe |
K Green | Harry Lawrence, Cailin Daley, Wynter Stewart |
1 Gold | Lucas Fernando, Eden Pope, Hayley Ylias |
2 Gold | Bodie Goold, McKenzie Newton, James Riley |
2 Green | Maya Marshall, Oscar Peirce, Lailah Watson |
3 Gold | Lucinda Giurissevich, Murphy Maher, Matilda Coleman |
3 Green | Oliver Hanks, Hayley Honeysett, Sam Cummins |
4 Gold | Phoenix Kitching, Matilda Kos, Zara Lawrence |
5 Gold | Peyton Harris, Olivia Green, Oliver Parker |
5 Green | Amelia Queripel, James Hiam, Isla Rutherford |
6 Gold | Emilijana Bosnjak, Esther Cummins, Jacob Queripel |
6 Green | Danica Bridgeland, James Cremmins, Dominic McArdle |
Busways School Service Changes - Update
Due to the completion of roadworks on Lighthouse Road, services will return to normal operations from Monday 2nd September 2019.
Busways drivers will also distribute this information to students on the affected services for the remaining days leading up to the commencement date.
For information regarding the normal operating path please refer to your Schools Timetable at https://www.busways.com.au/school-services/school-timetables (select “Port Macquarie Region” then your Schools name).
For further information please contact our Customer Service Team via email at infoline@busways.com.au or phone on 1300 69 2929.
TOUCH GALA DAY
88 of our Year 3-6 students participated in our Touch Gala Day yesterday at Tuffins Lane. A fantastic day was had by all.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS BLAKE
Blake Herbert (2 Green) was recently awarded NSW Game Fishing Association's Highest Point Scorer for his division after landing another Black Marlin and Shark as part of the competition.
Well done Blake, you should be very proud of yourself!
Yours in Sport
Laura Hatherly
Premier's Reading Challenge Deadline
A reminder that Student Reading Records for the NSW Premier's Reading Challenge need to be completed by 30th August. Please record all books online before this date, and try not to leave it to the last minute to avoid delays due to heavy website traffic.
The Challenge aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students, and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely.
If you have any queries please see your class teacher or Ms Gamack in the Library.
Dyslexia Support Mid North Coast are excited to be hosting SPELD NSW Executive Officer, Georgina Perry, in August and September to conduct a series of workshops.
PARENT WORKSHOP 2 - UNDERSTANDING LEARNING DIFFICULTIES
with Georgina Perry, Executive Officer SPELD NSW
Wednesday 11th September, 2019 at 6:00 – 7:30pm
Venue: Port Macquarie - venue to be advised.
Cost: $10
This workshop will help parents to understand:
- What are the specific learning difficulties in reading (dyslexia), writing (dysgraphia) and maths (dyscalculia)
- What are the signs that a child may have a specific learning difficulty?
- What are evidence based interventions and how they help children to read and spell
- What instructions and adjustments can support your child in the classroom.
This workshop is suited to parents and carers of children struggling with reading, writing, spelling and/or maths. Teachers, learning support and education professionals also welcome.
Please register via this link: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/understanding-learning-difficulties-tickets-66741103437
Year 5 Leadership Retreat - consent medical payment request and gear list
Tournament of Minds - Final details (selected students)
Colour Run Pizza, Popper and Icy Pole Lunch order form
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STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAYS 2019
As we are aware that parents and carers need to know about Staff Development Days so they can forward plan work arrangements, our remaining days (pupil free) are:
- Friday 27th September (Term 3, Week 10)
- Monday 4th November (Term, 4, Week 4)
For each of these days we will offer limited child minding places. Closer to each date we will advise on how to register for the child minding if you require it.
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 school term dates are located on our website. Click on the words “TERM DATES” on the home page.
2 x 5 block sessions with Soul Surfing starting Monday 26th August. 1 - 5 week block of the original and loved After School Surfing program. Only $130 and $100 Active Kids Vouchers welcome. School collection, afternoon tea and surf and earth til 5.30pm collection. 2 - 5 week block of KIDS YOGA. 4.00-5.00pm on Thursdays. Cost is $60. +++ For the adults - YOGA Mondays and Fridays, Soul Sisters October retreat and WOW adults weekend surf program. Soul Surfing servicing the whole family with healthy, fun and soulful programs. |