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- Sport Spotlight
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Hi everyone,
It is hard to believe there is only one more week to go for this term! We still have plenty to do to finish the term and hopefully some of the great work that has been happening at school will find its way home to share with you.
Staff change for Term 4
Our lovely Kindergarten teacher Mrs Sarah McKinnon is due to have her baby during Term 4, so will be finishing work at the end of Term 3. We have employed Mrs Naomi Currall to replace her in KM for Term 4. Naomi has recently moved to the area with her family and is delighted to be joining our team. She is visiting several times before the end of the term to get to know the school and especially, the children in KM. We welcome Naomi and know that she will take good care of KM.
Transition to school - Kindergarten 2021
Starting school is a major life transition for both children and their families. There is a combination of challenge and excitement connected to this experience. As it is a time of change for families, we are always looking at how we develop a sense of belonging.
COVID-19 restrictions during 2020 have continued to prevent us from inviting children and families on site as we normally would do. We are currently developing innovative ways in which we can develop the sense of belonging and create connections. We look forward to sharing these with you during Term 4 and will keep you updated on how you can access our offerings.
Challenge for Week 10 - Let’s see who reads the newsletter…
A couple of weeks ago I challenged our students to give me a great story to describe why I had a big bandaid on my head! It was so much fun to hear their imaginative responses such as: I used to be a unicorn, I had to hide my superhero powers, I had a headache from dealing with some cheeky staff members!
This week I will throw out a challenge to the children to do with their families. The response that is closest to complete for these 40 rebus images will win a prize! A rebus is the use of letters and words, used as images to tell a common word or phrase.
You can send your responses in on a note, email or get your child to use their technology skills to submit it. Please only one response per family. All answers must be submitted by Thursday 24th September at 9:00am so the winner can be decided and awarded their prize on Friday.
Tess Koning
Principal
Here is a beautiful hymn to fill your house this week
Nathan Porter
Assistant Principal Mission
CHILDREN AND THE BENEFITS OF FRIENDSHIP
We all remember our first childhood friend. The one we woke up excited to see inside the school gates. Play dates filled with adventure, fun, and laughter.
Even now, as adults, our friends remain a hugely important part of our lives, from sharing problems, asking for advice, uncontrollable laughter and good times, sharing our life events and proudest moments, our friends help each of us define who we are.
For children, making friends is a vital part of growing up and an essential part of their social and emotional development. Attributes such as social competence, altruism, self-esteem, and self-confidence have all been found to be positively correlated to having friends. Studies have found that friendships enable children to learn more about themselves and develop their own identity. Furthermore, as children mature, friends are able to help reduce stress and navigate challenging developmental experiences, especially during teenage years.
However, it is not only the social and emotional benefits; friends can positively influence children’s health. Studies have shown that children who played frequently with active friends were far less likely to mention barriers for not exercising, such as low self-esteem, feeling self-conscious or lack of enjoyment.
As it is not always easy for children to know how to manage friendships and learn how to keep and make new friends, it involves a number of skills young children need to learn and develop. For some children these skills come very naturally, easily moving to and from friendship groups, sharing their experiences and opening up to new people. For others, the world of friendships can be much harder to navigate.
It is beneficial for children to manage and build their own relationships, even though as parents and carers we may want to take responsibility or interfere. There are ways we can help our children navigate friendships, become more confident and help to build and develop their social skills.
- Help your child to develop positive social skills from an early age. Help them to understand the importance of sharing, taking someone else’s feelings into account and listening to each other. These can be supported by organising plenty of opportunities for your child to meet lots of different people.
- Demonstrate to your child how friendships work by letting them see how you behave with your friends.
- Help your child find other children with similar interests, such as through a swimming club, dance class, footy team or theatre group – children choose friends based on similar and shared hobbies.
- For older children who may be feeling shy or anxious offer them some icebreakers to start conversations with others and role-play what they may say to someone.
- Help them to find new areas of interest or help to boost their confidence in everyday situations.
Childhood friendships are full of ups and downs. Sometimes you might be faced with your child falling out with their friend. Arguments are a natural part of friendships, however, sometimes it can be hard for children and young people to manage and understand them. Sometimes these conflicts may seem small and trivial to us, but can knock a child’s confidence and they blame themselves.
If your child has fallen out with a friend, take some time to have a conversation with them about how they feel and how their friend might be feeling. Share some advice and help them to understand that there are always ups and downs in friendships. Offer some next steps and follow up when they get back from school.
(Courtesy of Life Education)
Jeannine Ucdereli
Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching
Our new Mass schedule began on Tuesday 1st September. The new schedule includes Masses at St Agnes' Church Lake Cathie, St Francis of Assisi, Christ the King and St Bernard’s at Telegraph Point. Please refer to the Parish website or the Parish bulletin for details of times and locations.
It is great to have St Agnes' Church in Hay Street back in action after the completion of maintenance works (see progress photo).
As per the Government's COVID guidelines we are still required to keep a record of the contact details of anyone who attends a Mass service. If you would like to attend Mass there are a number of ways you can book in to do so:
- Phone the Presbytery on 6583 1024.
- Book online via the Parish Website (go to Mass Times then click on the 'Book into Mass here' button and follow the prompts).
If you are vulnerable, unwell or unable to attend Mass in person, don't forget that each Sunday at 8:00am, Bishop Greg Homeming celebrates Mass at the Carmelite Monestary in Goonellabah, which is live streamed via the Lismore Diocese YouTube channel (click here to view the site).
Science Experiments
This term in Science Year 3 has been exploring the topic “States of Matter”. As part of the unit, the children had to design, conduct and evaluate their own experiment which demonstrated a change of matter. Each group then presented their findings to the class. There were many talented young scientists of the future!!
Technology in Mathematics
This week the children have been measuring and ordering lengths. They had lots of fun using the app “Measure” on the iPads as a measuring tool. The children also used their estimating skills to program Spheros to draw lines of different lengths.
STOCK SHORTAGE
Unfortunately there is a supply issue at the moment with our most popular item, the Sour Blue TNT. In the meantime we are trialling another flavour, Sour Watermelon. This has been updated on Flexischools and can also be bought over the counter at Lunch 1 for $1.00 each.
FLEXISCHOOLS REMINDER
Please remember the cut off time for daily orders via Flexischools is 8:30am.
Please also check you have confirmed your order and received your confirmation emails to ensure your order has been placed.
Introducing Birthday Buckets! - Starting Term 4
What are they?
Birthday Buckets are a great way for your child to celebrate their birthday at school and share a treat with their classmates. Each bucket will contain a Quelch ice block for every student in the class (and may be even the teacher!)
Quelch ice blocks are 99% fruit juice which means they are great for children with allergies so everyone in the class can enjoy them.
How much do they cost?
Just $10.00 per bucket.
The bucket will be decorated for your child’s birthday and collected during the day as directed by the teacher to share with their class. The buckets are reusable and will need to be returned to the canteen.
How do you order them?
They can be ordered via Flexischools on the day you would like your child to share them or can be ordered in advance. Alternatively, if you don’t use Flexischools, you can call the school office to order directly from the Canteen.
When will they be available?
Birthday Buckets are available every day starting from the first day of Term 4, Tuesday, 13th October.
Kim Goldie
Canteen Coordinator
KM | Braxton Beresford | Jenson Jarvis | Evie Ervine |
KS | Hamish Brockenshire | Emerence Young | Ashvik Thapa |
1B | Brayden Johnson | Jake Kaandorp | Savina Fernando |
1R | Toby Hamilton | Sonny Hancock | Harry Slater |
2S | Ayla Moss | Eden Pope | Aidan Shoby Alias |
2T | Indhi Kingsmith | Lilly Smith | Hayley Ylias |
3BH | Charlie Burns | Emily Meehan | Sophie Lawrence |
3D | Marlee Hearne | Eli Collier | Lilliana Anderson |
4B | Lilly McKern | Kruz Batterson | Anabelle Hicks |
5G | Millie Paine | Axel Davidson | Sydney Forsyth |
5H | Isaac Angland | Ella-Yindi Jenkin | Mia Cameron |
6MH | Lachlan Burns | Kiara Tattersall | Jai Watts |
On Monday 14th September, ten Year 5 students were selected to participate in the Port Macquarie Hastings Council (PMHC) virtual Future Think Youth Summit. We were lucky enough to connect with a variety of schools across the Hastings area planning for the year 2050. During these challenging times, this was a great opportunity for students to connect with peers from other schools. Participating students joined the event from the Maker Space at school.
The Summit gave students the opportunity to have a voice in the formation of the PMHC Community Strategic Plan by sharing their brilliant ideas regarding the future of our region. Students realised that their opinion matters! Students also heard from inspiring people who make a difference to the world while exploring the themes of Connection, Creativity and Sustainability. It was filled with design and drama challenges that made the day hands on and fun.
Brianne Hoitink
Year 5 Teacher
Sports Star of the Week
Congratulations to John Dal Santo in 5H!
Year 2 Soccer Game Refs
A big shout out to our Year 6 students who referee the Year 2 soccer games held every lunch time. Our Year 2 students have good role models to follow and are learning the important skills of fair play, turn taking and good sportsmanship. Thank you for your leadership Year 6!
Sports Captains
Our wonderful Sports Captains spend every week doing many jobs around the school. They can be seen collecting sport equipment, setting up equipment, putting equipment away, pumping up balls, keeping our sports shed tidy and the tracking of our winning MJR house group. We appreciate all that you do every day Sports Captains. Thank you!
Summer Sports trials - Year 4 and 5
The Hastings Zone Sports Committee has invited St Joseph’s to send representatives to the Hastings Zone Summer Sports Selection Trials. These trials will be held in the form of a round robin Gala Day. The day will be held on Monday 26th October (Week 3 Term 4) with a backup date of Monday 2nd November.
If your child has the ability and would like to trial for this year’s Summer Sports Trials, they will need to have a nomination letter from their current coach in their chosen sport. Students may elect to trial in boys or girls Touch Football, Softball, Cricket or Tennis at Kempsey Sporting fields and Basketball at Port Macquarie Stadium. Please refer to the emailed note for more information.
Yours In Sport
Leah Toole
Shining Star of the Week
And the Oscar goes to…... Lily Chapman in 2S!
Lily dedicates one lunch time a week to Drama Club. She always attends with a big smile and a positive attitude. Her speaking skills and facial expressions have seen a vast improvement.
Congratulations Lily!
Visual Arts in Kindergarten
Kinder love painting and creating in their Visual Arts lessons.
Kinder have made mixed media tigers. They started with following a directed drawing lesson to draw the tiger, followed by tracing the drawing using black crayon. The tiger and background were then coloured using water colours and they finished it off with green leaves using a mixture of paper and cellophane to add a jungle scene. The finished product looks fabulous!
Week 10 - Term 3 2020 |
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Week 1 - Term 4 2020 |
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Thursday 15th October |
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Friday 16th October |
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Week 2 - Term 4 2020 |
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Thursday 22nd October |
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Friday 23rd October |
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Week 3 - Term 4 2020 |
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Thursday 29th October |
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Friday 30th October |
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Week 4 - Term 4 2020 |
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Thursday 5th November |
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Friday 6th 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 school term dates are located on our website. Click on the words “TERM DATES” on the home page.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAYS 2020
Our remaining planned Staff Development Day (pupil free) is:
- Monday 12th October (Term 4, Week 1)
Limited child minding places will be available on this day for those who are unable to organise care outside of school. Please contact the Office Aunties or email us at sjpport@lism.catholic.edu.au to book. We will need to have bookings finalised by 3:00pm Thursday 24th September.
2020 Intensive Swimming - Kinder to Year 2
Staffing Changes for Term 4
PBS 2020 Flowchart Outline
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER SCHOOL HOLIDAY TENNIS CAMPS
Camp 1 - Monday 28th September to 30th September
Camp 2 - Monday 7th October to Friday 9th October
To enrol please text or phone Greg on 0427 466 760 or email pmtc@bestit.net.au
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER HOLIDAY PROGRAM
The Program will run from the 28th September – 9th October (excluding weekends, and the Public Holiday on Monday 5th October)
Times: 8:30am-5:00pm
Cost: $30 per child
For all other information and requirements
please go to our webpage to find the Registration Form!