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- Prayer Focus
- The Principal's Report
- Change to Winter Uniform
- Celebrating Our Faith
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- Creative Corner
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- Mind Matters
- #LitFest2444 - Pens, Paper, Pixels
- What's On Next Week ...
- Advance Dates for Your Diary
- Student Awards
Thank you all for your support with the Blended Learning environment over the past four weeks and for many of you also at the end of Term 1. We have been excited that students have returned gradually in the last two weeks and look forward to welcoming all students on Monday.
Summary:
Supporting our Families
- Please see the infographic for ways in which our school can support your family. If you have any concerns about anything and are in need of support, please let us know as we are only too happy to assist.
Week 5 and 6:
- All classes will return to school on Monday 25th May, for the full five days each week.
- Blended Learning will be available from home for those who are vulnerable, however with staff back on face to face teaching, there will be less contact during the day for students at home. If you require assistance, please contact teachers via email and they will respond when they can, or if urgent, call the office.
Attendance:
- Please remember to complete attendance messaging as normal. Students learning from home in Week 5 and 6 will not be marked as absent, as long as a message from home is received by the school office to indicate they are doing so.
Social distancing:
- Adult social distancing is still to be followed by staff, parents and carers:
- No parents or carers are to be in the school grounds except office attendance.
- No volunteers are able to visit.
- Staff are to maintain distance from each other and other adults and will continue hygiene practices.
Drop Off and Pick Up:
- Drop off - Children are to be dropped off at the front gate with staff ready to assist parents and carers if required.
- Pick up - Kinder to Year 6 - parents and carers are to wait outside the gate at the far end of Warlters Street (near the Year 5 classrooms). Social distancing is still required while waiting for teachers to assist children to come to you as you walk through the pick up area. In wet weather, it will be the same process but with students being collected inside the hall. There will be marked areas to assist.
- Buses will be as usual via the bus gate for all Grades - no parents or carers are to congregate where buses collect.
As our whole school community returns, there is an increase in traffic. Please remember the importance of keeping our school and community members safe by:
- Parking safely and legally.
- Always turning legally around the school.
- Not double parking as it puts children at risk.
- Not using manoeuvres such as U-turns and three-point turns.
- Making sure your children use the Safety Door (rear footpath side door) to get in and out of the car.
- Reminding your child to stay buckled up until the vehicle has stopped in the drop-off and pick-up area.
- Modelling calm, safe and considerate behaviour.
Illness:
- Children must remain at home if they show any signs of cold or flu symptoms. If they present unwell at school they will be sent home. The same applies for our staff, who will not be allowed to “soldier on”.
- If any family member is being tested for COVID-19, the school needs to be informed and students should not attend school until the results are returned as negative.
Week 7 onwards:
- From Tuesday 9th June - after the long weekend, Blended Learning ceases and school returns to normal with all staff and students on site. Students are to wear their winter uniform.
- Learning will continue to focus on English, Maths and Religious Education as priority subjects to the end of Term 2, as these are the areas which will be reported on for Semester 1. Teachers will provide learning which integrates other areas into each week.
Kindergarten 2021 enrolment interviews:
- During the coming week, families who have submitted enrolment forms for Kindergarten 2021 will receive an email to explain how they can book an enrolment interview. These are expected to take place from 1st June 2020, with more details on the format of the interview to be included in the email received.
Our community:
- We have loved the Joey’s Olympics entries! Thank you.
- This week we launched our Creative opportunity for children to showcase their talents ... look out for the information in the Creative Corner Article of this newsletter.
Principal
As the weather is cooling it is time to prepare for the change to Winter uniforms. This will take place on Tuesday 9th June. This is the week starting after the June long weekend.
If you are unsure of items required for Winter, please visit our website where you can find information in our Parent Handbook or the St Agnes’ Uniform Store website via the link below. The St Agnes' Unfiorm store has reopened with the revised hours of operation from 1:00pm - 5:00pm, Monday to Friday. Online ordering has also resumed with click and collect and delivery available.
NATIONAL SORRY DAY
Next week is a very important week for Australia and our Indigenous culture. National Sorry Day is held on 26th May each year to acknowledge and recognise the Stolen Generations, those that were forcibly removed from their families and communities. On this day people have the opportunity to come together and share in the healing process for those impacted by this event.
NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK
Following Sorry Day is National Reconciliation Week which runs from 27th May to 3rd June each year. The theme for this year is ‘In this Together’. The organisers could not have foreseen how appropriate this would be, given the current COVID-19 crisis. Next week is a time to reunite, adjust and harmonise with what is important to us. Reconciliation Week encourages us to continue to build relationships between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is a time for all Australians to learn more about our shared histories, cultures, achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. At St Joseph’s we will be incorporating additional Aboriginal and Indigenous cultural learning experiences during this time.
If you would like more detailed information please see https://nrw.reconciliation.org.au/
We look forward to sharing some photos of both events next week.
Nathan Porter
Assistant Principal Mission
RIDDLES
Riddles can be thought-provoking or funny brain busters. It is like a puzzle that you are trying to solve. Some of the best riddles get your mind thinking. Riddles help use our brains differently. Riddles create critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
This week I thought I would challenge your brains at home with some riddles and visual brain teasers. Feel free to email me your answers if you would like to. Have fun!
- What can you catch but not throw?
- I run, yet I have no legs. What am I?
- What kind of room has no windows or doors?
- I have holes on the top and bottom. I have holes on my left and on my right. And I have holes in the middle, yet I still hold water. What am I?
- You answer me, although I never ask you questions. What am I?
- What do you fill with empty hands?
VISUAL BRAIN TEASERS
Brain teasers are a great form of game-based learning that not only entertains, but also inspires some creative thought.
Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching
2021 KINDERGARTEN ENROLMENTS
Thank you to everyone who have completed their 2021 Kindergarten online enrolments.
For those who still need to complete their enrolment, please do so as soon as possible using the following link: https://stagnesparish.org.au/
Printed application forms are available on request by calling 6588 7444 or emailing enrol@stagnesparish.org.au.
As our Kindergarten 2021 Information Night was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, we developed a video that includes information from our primary school principals, outlining our holistic approach to learning, pastoral care and partnerships with families and the community. Additionally, there is really useful information regarding school readiness presented by Christy Ismay from the Catholic Schools Office. You can view the full video below.
St Agnes' Parish Education Team
The situation that is facing us regarding Corona-virus (COVID-19) is a constantly changing one.
Catholic Care of the Aged services including Residential Care, Respite Care, Home Care and Independent Villages remain operational in our community. It is our intention and our aim to be able to continue taking new admissions, to welcome and support individuals and their families at their time of need.
Our priority remains the health, safety and wellbeing of our residents, clients, team members and communities. To minimise contact and maintain the guidelines specified by the Australian Government, we have introduced several changes to the way our services are delivered.
We are enforcing mandatory sanitisation for staff and authorised visitors on the site, COVID-19 screening continues along with temperature checks to ensure reduced risk of exposure. Staff are utilising personal protective equipment (PPE) and practising high-level sanitisation procedures and our routine quality infection controls remain in place.
If you or someone you know is considering Residential Care, Respite Care or Home Care we are currently taking new admissions and would welcome the opportunity to answer any questions you may have. Simply contact our Client Relationship Team on 5525 3600, or email enquiries.cca@stagnesparish.org.au
ST JOSEPH'S PRIMARY SCHOOL OLYMPICS!

Thank you to the families who have emailed their entries to Ms Hatherly! Entries closed today. Winners will be announced next Friday 29th May.
Well done Zoe Little for your leadership and initiative.
ATHLETICS SELECTIONS
Athletics selections will take place on Thursday 25th and Friday 26th June, (Week 9).
All track and field events will be run over these two days, with training and recording in Weeks 5, 6, 7 and 8 at school. Unfortunately due to restrictions we are unable to have parent support for our usual community Athletics Carnival.
At this stage, we need to have completed the events by the end of the term to ensure we are ready for the predicted Zone Athletics Carnival in Term 3.
Yours in Sport
Laura Hatherly
IT'S YOUR TIME TO SHINE IN..
Virtual Joey's Got Talent
All of our talented young performers are invited to create a 1 minute video of themselves alone, with a partner or in a group, demonstrating ANY talent.
They are to be emailed to their teacher by Friday Week 6 (5th June). All entries will be voted on by their Grade. The finalists videos will be uploaded to YouTube and then voted on by all the students and teachers with the winners being announced before the end of Term.
In submitting an entry you are giving permission for your child's video to be uploaded into YouTube, possibly posted on our school Facebook page and appear in Joey's Jottings.
Best of luck we can't wait to watch our talented students SHINE!
Yours in Creative and Performing Arts
Leah Toole

DAILY SPECIALS
Daily specials are available each day at lunch starting from 50c each.
- Fresh fruit salad
- Salad cups
- Custard
- Jelly
- Pizza scrolls
- Jumbo cookies
- Frozen milk
LUNCH ORDERS
The canteen is operating as usual and lunch orders can be placed via Flexischools or by dropping them in the basket on the counter each morning.
VOLUNTEER NOTICE
We are still unable to have volunteers in the canteen at this stage until further notice.
Don't forget you can order online by 8:30am- it's so easy!!
- 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
Kim Goldie
Canteen Coordinator
The health, safety and wellbeing of our communities and our people remains our highest priority. Due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding coronavirus, the School Banking program will remain on hold. We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you informed with any updates including how we will be managing Dollarmite tokens for students.
In the meantime, here are some handy online resources for parents who wish to maintain momentum with their child’s financial education:
- Start Smart: these resources have been created to improve children’s money management skills, and is aligned to the Australian Curriculum and the National Consumer Financial Literacy Framework (https://www.startsmart.com.au/teacher-resources/primary-resources/).
- The Beanstalk: offers videos and fun activities for children to learn about money (https://www.commbank.com.au/personal/can/teaching-kids-about-money.html?ei=tl_visit-beanstalk).
School Banking
Commonwealth Bank
If you are interested in joining Mindful Month please register by clicking on the link below.
Kelly Russell
School Counsellor
Week 5 - Term 2 2020 |
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Monday |
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Tuesday 26th May |
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Wednesday 27th May |
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Thursday |
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Friday |
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Week 6 - Term 2 2020 |
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Monday |
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Wednesday 3rd June |
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Thursday |
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Friday |
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Week 7 - Term 2 2020 |
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Monday |
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Tuesday |
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Wednesday 10th June |
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Thursday |
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Friday |
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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.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAYS 2020
Our remaining Staff Development Days (pupil free) for the year are:
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- Monday 20th July (Term 3, Week 1)
- Monday 12th October (Term 4, Week 1)
Due to circumstances around COVID-19, these dates may change.
Limited child minding places will be available for each of these days and we will advise on how to register closer to each date if you require it.
KM | Braxton Beresford | For using a range of skills to read new books and for being able to retell the story. |
Buddy McGeoch | For sharing a lovely prayer of thanks to God and creating a beautiful illustration to match. | |
Karla Lucas | For using length vocabulary correctly when describing the distance of objects thrown as furthest and shortest. | |
KS | Hannah Cooper | For writing interesting sentences which include a range of sight words and the sounds of unfamiliar words. |
Harry Herbert | For wonderful participation during class games. | |
Oscar McHugh | For trying his best to learn new concepts in Mathematics. | |
1B | Wynter Stewart | For working hard in her writing. Great work Wynter! |
Sianna Karickal | For great sentence writing using her Magic words. Great work Sianna! | |
Georgia Bell | For working hard in her creative writing. Keep up the great work Georgia! | |
1R | Angelrose Sefin Vallooran | For a huge improvement with sentence writing and for sharing your kindness with us. |
Kingston Shooter | For working hard with reading and writing this week at school. | |
Sonny Hancock | For trying so hard to write with your broken arm and for an improvement in your expression when reading. | |
2S | Lilly Chapman | For consistently giving her best in all areas. Thank you Lilly. |
Annetta Yewdall | For improving in her reading and advancing two levels. Well done Annetta. | |
Ayla Moss | For consistently giving her best in all areas. Thank you Ayla. | |
2T | Dakota Fletcher | For her descriptive 'guess the fairytale' writing. Very clever! |
Lily Francis | For always showing that she's ready to learn. Keep it up Lily Rose! | |
Lucy Styles | For working hard to learn her Magic words. Well done! | |
3BH | Ariannah Beard | For her enthusiastic participation in the St Joey's Olympics. |
Emily Meehan | For writing a fantastic sentence about Captain Duffy that was full of adjectives. | |
Luna Tyson | For working hard to get her ideas onto paper and writing an amazing Sizzling Start to her persuasive text. | |
3D | Joseph Jarvis | For displaying great determination and concentration in our Olympics Challenge! You are a champion! |
Maya Marshall | For her positive attitude and lots of hard work during Home Learning! You are a star! | |
Misty-Lee Bennett | For her wonderful efforts when writing entertaining and persuasive texts during Home Learning! You are a star! | |
4B | Matilda Coleman | For her improving Sizzling Starts to her persuasive writing pieces. Keep up the great work Matilda. |
Joshua Hiam | For his improvement on his reading this Term. Well done Josh. | |
Matilda Beresford | For her work efforts during Blended Learning. You have produced some amazing work so far this Term Matilda. | |
4F | Amelie Obeid | For your engaging and very persuasive writing. Your Sizzling Starts are very cleverly written, drawing the reader in, backing them up with persuasive arguments and techniques engaging the reader right until the end. Well done Amelie. |
William Richer-Waters | For the effort you have put into your persuasive writing over the last few weeks. I am so proud of the effort you have shown and I cannot wait to see what you create next. Great job Will. | |
Riley Tattersall | For the effort you have put into your Blended Learning this week. You have demonstrated an extensive understanding of how we can talk to Jesus through prayer and nailed your persuasive writing this week. Outstanding job Riley! | |
5G | Jesse Steinhour | For his amazing effort and huge improvement in his writing. Fantastic job Jesse! |
Eva Francis | For a big improvement in her writing tasks as well as putting in extra effort with her Blended Learning. Terrific job Eva! | |
Riley Robinson | For his terrific organization and effort with his Blended Learning. Keep up the great work Riley! | |
5H | Luke Davies | For his high standard of work when Home Learning. Well done Luke!!!! |
Logan Evans | For his consistent work ethic throughout our Blended Learning. | |
Oscar Turner | For completing work to a high standard during our Blended Learning time. | |
6MH | Ansh Singh | For your ability to work independently and maturely. |
Savannah Beard | For amazing dedication to learning and continued persistence in Mathematics. | |
Lachlan Parke | For your excellent leadership and commitment to learning. |