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SUPPORTING OUR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY
It has been a very distressing few days and weeks for our community and while we are hopeful that the worst is over, we know for some families there is still concern. As a Catholic community we will always offer prayers but would also like to be of service to anyone in need in a practical sense.
Thank you for your support of the school closures this week which were conducted with the best possible information available at the time to keep all safe. We will continue to monitor conditions and communicate with families about how we will keep students safe and calm at school and return to as much regular routine as possible. If the need arises, we will follow procedures at school to ensure safety and communication.
Our staff will support students each day at school to feel safe and secure, watching for any signs of worry and responding accordingly. The Pastoral Care team from CSO have given us information to support students to remain positive and avoid distress which I am sharing with you this week for use at home if you wish.
Above all, please continue to be safe and please contact me if there is anything you need that we can assist with.
This weekend, the Parish Youth Hub in Horton Street will be open from 9:00am to 3:00pm both Saturday and Sunday. Anyone affected by bushfires is invited to come and have something to eat, wash clothes, receive support in the way of care packages and speak to someone about options for staying somewhere if they are unable to be in their homes. Members of our Parish will be on hand to help, so please avail yourself of these services if needed.
Above all, please continue to be safe and please contact me if there is anything you need that we can assist with. All conversations will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and care.
Stay safe and God bless you and your families.
Tess Koning
Principal
REMEMBRANCE DAY 2019
On Monday, 2 Gold led the school prayer with a focus on Remembrance Day. The school was gifted with beautiful red poppies to help us all reflect on those who have and are serving our country through the armed forces. We pray with gratitude and love for their contribution to our country. Thank you Mrs Saunders for your work with these students. It was a lovely prayer.
Thank you also to Blake Moy, Kiara Hawkins and Ms Hatherly who attended the Port Macquarie Remembrance Service on Monday representing our St Joseph’s Primary school community. We were very proud of you.
YEAR 6 VISIT TO THE CATHOLIC CARE OF THE AGED
Last week Year 6 had a valuable opportunity to meet some of the residents from Mount Carmel and Maryknoll House. We shared colouring, books and card games. There were genuine conversations where students asked about the lives of the residents and listened to stories of what school was like many years ago. It was a lovely afternoon and meaningful to experience service in our community.
OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY
To our local community and further a field - our prayers are with you.
As our week draws to an end, we have all been so deeply in awe of the wonderful firefighters who have worked so tirelessly in horrendous conditions to keep us safe.
Our thoughts and prayers extend to all families in our region who have lost their homes and livelihoods and to those impacted by the fires in other ways.
God bless you all.
Ann Thurgate
Assistant Principal Mission
ICAS - UNSW GLOBAL EDUCATIONAL ASSESSMENTS
Towards the end of last term some of our students participated in the 2019 University of New South Wales International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS). The ICAS Assessments series is designed to assess students' ability to apply classroom learning in new contexts, using higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills. Students who participated chose which assessments they would like to complete. We had a number of students complete the following:- ICAS Spelling, Writing, Digital Technologies, Mathematics, Science and Technology, and English.
This week we have received the Digital Technologies results. We congratulate all students who participated and in particular would like to mention:-
Eva Francis (4 Gold) - Distinction. Based on Eva’s overall score, she is placed in the top 2% of Year 4 participants in Australia.
Erin Little (5 Gold) - Credit. Based on Erin’s overall score, she is placed in the top 13% of Year 5 participants in Australia.
Khussh Sachan (6 Green) - Credit. Based on Khussh’s overall score, he is placed in the top 36% of Year 6 participants in Australia.
Over the next few weeks we will receive the results for all assessments sat by our students and I look forward to sharing them with the community when they arrive.
Jeannine Ucdereli
Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching
CATHOLIC FAITH FOR CHILDREN
MASS OF THE ANGELS
Mass of the Angels
Will be held on Wednesday, 20th November
at the 5:15pm Mass.
Parishioners are invited to come together to pray for one another and for all who grieve the loss of a child. This Mass provides an opportunity for parents, grandparents, individuals and families to remember the ones in their lives who are no longer with them.
YOUTH AND FAMILY MASS
PARENT SUPPORT FOR SWIMMING CARNIVAL
Last call for all enthusiastic parents for the swimming Carnival! Ms Hatherly would love your support in organising and coordinating this year's Primary Swimming Carnival before the 12th December. Please contact the office or Ms Hatherly if you would like to support in any shape or form.
Yours in Sport
Laura Hatherly
Throughout this term Year 4 has been investigating Australian poetry. As part of our learning we developed Haikus which are a three line poem based on syllable patterns. Our recent bushfire crisis was our inspiration and we would especially like to congratulate Zayden Field, Laiken Richardson, Macey Stewart and Ella Hoade on their efforts. Their work has been submitted to the Australian Haiku Society as entries into the Gordon Young Brick Sphere project. This project will select Haikus that will be inscribed into a permanent exhibition. We wish our students the best of luck!
Our Term 4 School Captains, Kiara Hawkins (6 Green) and Blake Moy (6 Green), represented our school wonderfully at the Remembrance Day Memorial Service in town. Blake and Kiara paid tribute to those who fought and lost their lives for us in war.
PEER SUPPORT
Next week’s Peer Support session will focus on positive self talk. Children will need to practise talking positively to themselves. Your child will also learn to persevere, which will encourage them to keep trying in challenging situations. During the week encourage your child to use positive self talk.
Laura Hatherly, Leah Toole, Kate Mitchell and Holly Hough
Year 6 Class Teachers
We kindly ask that you finalise your school accounts as soon as possible. It is an expectation that all school accounts will be paid in full by Week 8 of Term 4 (Friday 6th December), with the exception of 2020 Book Pack costs. Statements were emailed home last week. Please ring Aunty Antoinette in the school office to organise a payment plan if you are experiencing any financial difficulty.
K Green | William Mackenzie | Indya McKenzie | Tilly Scott |
K Gold | Georgia Bell | Indii Love | Jake Kaandorp |
1 Gold | Josie Shipp | Emily Smith | Hayley Ylias |
1 Green | Kalani Berry | Gemma Cooper | Hannah Tony |
4 Gold | Zayden Field | Laiken Richardson | Sienna Edwards |
5 Gold | Amelia Dowd | Oliver Parker | Miah Grech |
Our Volunteers for Week 6 Term 4
Monday | You are welcome to join us |
Tuesday | You are welcome to join us |
Wednesday | Lorraine Bennett and Sally Marsh |
Thursday | Avril Ferraro |
Friday | Robyn Hunt and Sue Quinn |
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.
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
Annemaree Tonkin
Canteen Coordinator
Week 6 - Term 4 |
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Monday |
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Tuesday |
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Wednesday 20th November |
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Thursday 21st November |
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Friday 22nd November |
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Week 7 - Term 4 |
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Monday |
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Tuesday |
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Wednesday 27th November |
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Thursday 28th November |
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Friday 29th November |
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Week 8 - Term 4 |
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Monday |
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Tuesday |
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Wednesday 4th December |
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Thursday 5th December |
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Friday 6th December |
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Week 9 - Term 4 |
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Monday |
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Tuesday |
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Wednesday 11th December |
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Thursday 12th December |
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Week 10 - Term 4 |
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Monday |
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Tuesday |
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Wednesday 18th December |
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Week 1 - Term 1 2020 |
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Wednesday 29th January |
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Thursday 30th January |
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Friday 31st January |
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Week 2 - Term 1 2020 |
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Monday |
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Tuesday |
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Wednesday 5th February |
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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 school term dates are located on our website. Click on the words “TERM DATES” on the home page.