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- Change to Winter Uniform
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- Parent Assembly
- Mind Matters
- #LitFest2444 - Pens, Paper, Pixels
- What's On Next Week ...
- Advance Dates for Your Diary
- This Week's Notes
We appreciate your support in return to school processes this week that have evolved over this COVID-19 time to keep everyone safe. With most students back at school, it has been a good week for seeing how everyone is managing to settle into routine and overcoming the nerves that come with returning. We are so proud of our students, parents, carers and staff for their strength and resilience in change.
Summary
Supporting Families:
- Please remember that we are here to support learning for our students, but also to assist in the challenges that we are able to help overcome for our community to feel supported. If you have any concerns and are in need of support, please let us know as we are only too happy to assist.
Attendance at school:
- Please remember to complete attendance messaging as normal if your child is sick or otherwise absent from face to face school.
Social distancing:
Adult social distancing is still to be followed by staff and parents:
- No parents, carers or visitors are to be in the school grounds except office attendance.
- No volunteers or tutors (eg. Canteen, Band) are able to visit until notified.
- Staff are to maintain distance from each other and other adults, continuing hygiene practices.
Drop Off and Pick Up:
Continues as followed in Week 5.
- Please understand that the current drop off and pick up arrangements are the best structure for our school and will continue until changes are communicated. Parents and carers are not to wait at the bus gate or any other school area and ask children to come to them.
- Walkers - if you have asked your child to walk home or to a parent or carers workplace from the school grounds, you must provide a note that will be copied by the office and the original will be kept with the child to show the duty teachers. This gives you and your child responsibility for safe passage.
Traffic:
- The car park that is outside the administration entrance is not for drop off or pickup in fine or wet weather unless you have a disabled family member who requires the disabled car space. We have parents, carers and students who need to have access to this car park to use the disabled space and have a card to be able to do so. We share this car park with Joey’s House and all car spaces are allocated. It is a very busy entrance and unauthorised use puts children, parents and carers at risk of injury.
Help keep our community safe by:
- Parking and turning safely and legally around the school.
- Not making U-turns and three-point turns during pick up and drop off amongst traffic.
- Making sure your children enter and exit the car at the kerb side.
- Keeping children buckled up until the vehicle has stopped.
- Modelling calm, safe and considerate behaviour.
Illness:
- Children must remain at home if they have any cold or flu symptoms. If they present unwell at school they will be sent home. This also applies to staff members.
- 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 (9th June):
- Blended Learning ceases, all staff and students are to be on site for compulsory attendance and students are to wear winter uniform.
- Focus on English, Maths and Religious Education with other learning areas integrated.
Kindergarten 2021 enrolment interviews:
- From Monday 1st June to Saturday 20th June, children entering Kindergarten in 2021 will be interviewed for enrolment. Permission to be granted for one parent and child to enter the office with social distancing and surface cleaning between interviews.
Our community:
- Congratulations to students who participated in the St Joseph’s Primary Olympics. Well done to the winners who are published in our Sport Spotlight article in this newsletter.
- Continue to enter your talents in our Virtual Joey’s Got Talent show.
- Our amazing Faith Choir will feature in Monday morning’s school online prayer.
Term 2, 3 and 4 School Calendar Events/Activities
While it is difficult to predict what is ahead for the remainder of 2020 with the impacts of COVID-19, we are attempting to plan ahead for Term 3 and 4. The Hastings’ Catholic Schools Principals, Catholic Schools Office staff and Parish Leadership Group meet regularly to review events and activities for Term 3 and 4.
We ask for community support and understanding in navigating these decisions as we move into Semester 2. It is essential to remember that no one can predict the future and decisions are made in the interests of all community members and strict regulations that must be followed at all times, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic which could be part of our lives for some time to come. We are working as a Parish and region to consider all options over many months of planning, to come to the best decisions for all. As time moves on and conditions become clear with all advice and guidelines that must be followed, we will provide alternatives where possible under the current situation. If you would like to provide feedback or input into future options, please make contact via our school email account or phone. Students will also be given opportunities to contribute where appropriate.
Consideration has been given to a number of areas to decide on how to proceed:
- Safety of external activity sites for students due to COVID-19.
- Venue availability at planned time and alternate possible future time.
- Financial impact on families and local businesses now and into the future.
- Uncertainty of COVID-19 virus spread as restrictions are relaxed or lifted.
- Catering for our school community under the Federal and State Government 3 Step Framework for a Covidsafe Australia.
Current status of events and activities:
- Staff Development Day - Monday 20th July - cancelled
- Students return to school for Term 3 on Monday 20th July
- No excursions or incursions for the remainder of Term 2
- P&F Meetings
- No physical meetings until further notice
- Plan to hold a Zoom meeting in the coming weeks - to be advised
- Sacraments, school masses, prayer services and assemblies
- Not to be conducted until further notice
- School events with parent involvement
- Not to be conducted until further notice
- Athletics Preparation and Events
- To take place with staff and students only
- Year 6 Camp
- Term 3, Week 6 - Communication directly to Year 6 families via emailed letter today
- Glasshouse Performance
- Term 3, Week 8 - Cancelled for 2020
- Creative Arts Team considering a lower key alternative creative opportunity in Term 4
- Port Macquarie Dance Eisteddfod
- Term 3, Week 10 - Cancelled for 2020
Tess Koning
Principal
NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK
27th May to 3rd June is Reconciliation Week. The theme for this year is 'In this Together'. We began the week acknowledging our history and our committment to reconciliation between all Australian people, past and present. Thank you to our Indigenous Assistant, Caleb Smith, together with Savannah Beard (6H), James Hiam (6MH), Harlie Flemming (6H), Milla Swain (6MH), Peyton Harris (6MH) and Jack Banks (6H) for leading our prayer on Monday.
Nathan Porter
Assistant Principal Mission
BUILDING RESILIENCE
One of our values here at St Joseph’s is ‘I am resilient’. During the year students will participate in a variety of learning experiences to develop their understanding of and demonstrate resilience. When we talk about resilience, we are talking about a child’s ability to cope with ups and downs, and bounce back from the challenges they experience during the day. Building resilience helps children not only to deal with current difficulties that are a part of everyday life, but also to develop the basic skills and habits that will help them deal with challenges later in life. A resilient child recovers from challenges, but they’ve learned to do more than that. They actually hold a different mindset. A mindset of resiliency that deeply believes: I am not my mistakes, I can try again, things will get better, and I am not alone.
Resilience is important for children’s mental health. Children with greater resilience are better able to manage stress, which is a common response to difficult events. Stress is a risk factor for mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, if the level of stress is severe or ongoing. Being resilient is not always about feeling better or having fewer emotional reactions. It is about managing and responding to emotions in a healthy and positive way.
Some of things that help build resilience are:
- Mindset – Often children feel completely destroyed after failing a test or not making a sports team. If they learn that within them is a power to overcome any obstacle, they can pick themselves up and move forward. It is an important lesson, like the Japanese proverb, “Fall seven times, get up eight.” So instead of saying, “I failed. I am a failure,” a child with growing resilience would say, “I failed. I can try again. I have what it takes.” They can learn to endure disappointment and not get devastated by it.
- Connect – Children who grow resilience are connected to other people. Boys and girls that feel down on their luck–“bad things always happen to me,” aren’t displaying a sense of resilience and aren't well supported. They're alone most of the time. But children that have authentic relationships and can genuinely talk to someone that is nonjudgmental when mistakes happen can grow resilience. They learn that they aren’t their mistakes and that failure is a necessary step toward success.
Mental wellness and resilience is something we all can work on, just like our physical health. Look for opportunities to build your children’s capacity to deal with life’s ups and downs, learn from mistakes and have a robust sense of their own abilities. Promoting mental wellness and resilience is key for building strong stable young adults.
Here's another brain teaser to end the week...
How many blocks are in this tower?
Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching
2021 KINDERGARTEN ENROLMENTS
Thank you to everyone who have completed their 2021 Kindergarten online enrolments. Interview invitations have been emailed out and will be conducted between 1st and 20th June.
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
WINNERS OF OUR ST JOSEPH'S PRIMARY SCHOOL OLYMPICS!
Congratulations to the following Winners!
Tennis Bounce | Broom Throw |
Lucas Single (2S) | Alivia Johnson (2T) |
Sophie Holmes (6MH) | Oliver Mat (5G) |
Boot Toss | Head Toss |
Chayse Jones (2T) | Alivia Johnson (2T) |
Oliver Mat (5G) |
Xavier Mat (3BH) |
Sit Ups | Burpees |
Sunny Stapleton (2T) | Gemma Cooper (2T) |
Erin Little (6H) | Tori McGrath (5H) |
Creative Skipping | |
Lilliana Anderson (3D) | Annetta Yewdall (2S) |
Dakota-Rose Fletcher (2T) | Ruby Holmes (3D) |
Collect Objects | |
Tyler Mat (1B) | Xavier Mat (3BH) |
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. For more details please see the email that was sent to families on 26th May.
Yours in Sport
Laura Hatherly
INFANTS ART CLUB
Many children have been eagerly awaiting lunchtime clubs to start this week. It was great to see so many smiling faces join in the fun at Infants Art Club. We have so many hidden talents in our students and we love seeing them shine brightly as they discover these skills through new and exciting experiences.
If your child is in Kindergarten, Year 1 or Year 2 and would like to participate in Infants Art Club, let them know to come to the Kinder classrooms on Wednesdays at Lunch 1.
Yours in Creative Arts
Sarah McKinnon
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
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' Uniform 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.
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
KM | Hudson Bruen | Islah Kingsmith | James Hubbard |
KS | Isabella Connor | Eli Fletcher | Lewis Freeman |
1R | Cailin Daley | Neveah Fletcher | Emelia Stoner |
2T | Kyra Edkins | Jessica Dennes | Josie Shipp |
3BH | Lucy Bennett-Tonkin | Benji Connor | Sophie Lawrence |
3D | Anabel Shijo | Lucas Yates | Aislinn Suveesh |
4B | Maddyx Gray | Isabella Hawkins | Jaina Thakrani |
4F | Hayley Honeysett | Joseph Hunt | Jesse Leslie |
5H | Bailey Elphick | Zara Lawrence | Ivy Basanovic |
Following the recent easing of Coronavirus restrictions, we are currently assessing options to resume our School Banking program.
Each state is different and some schools are still operating with a mixture of home schooling and face to face learning which creates further challenges in resuming the program.
The School Banking program will remain on pause until further notice.
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 6 - Term 2 2020 |
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Monday |
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Wednesday 3rd June |
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Friday |
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IMPORTANT UPDATE TO STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAYS 2020
The Staff Development Day that was scheduled for Monday 20th July (Term 3, Week 1) has been cancelled. Students are to attend school as usual on this day.
Our other planned Staff Development Day (pupil free) is:
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- Monday 12th October (Term 4, Week 1)
Due to circumstances around COVID-19, this date may change.
Limited child minding places will be available and we will advise on how to register closer to the date if you require it.
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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Week 8 - Term 2 2020 |
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Wednesday |
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Thursday |
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Friday |
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Week 9 - Term 2 2020 |
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Wednesday |
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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.