STEM MAD - Congratulations, We're going to Melbourne!

STEM MAD is designed to acknowledge and promote STEM learning initiatives that address real-world problems and demonstrate how students in Catholic schools take action that matters. Student teams were invited to design a product, service or innovation to Make A Difference (MAD) to others or the environment. The projects needed to include a working model or digital prototype in order to be accepted to participate in STEM MAD National. This is a competition with other dioceses in Australia.

St Joseph's had 3 teams participating this year from across Years 5 and 6. Our groups focused on "inclusion" and they designed a disability friendly clothing line with help from therapists at the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, a Buddy Bot to support emotional regulation and a door alarm system.

This week we were informed that Year 6 students Matilda Coleman, Jackson Coleman, Gene Smith and Amelie Obeid have won a place in the STEM MAD National event in Melbourne for their project "Adaptive Designs". I would like to thank our teachers, Emma Francis and Eloise Wilson who have guided and supported the team these past few months

We wish the team the very best as they head down to Melbourne next month. 

Have you seen our new art installation?  

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Jodi Daley for her inspiring paintings which are located adjacent to our Indigenous Garden. Please see more in our Yarning Circle - Indigenous News article this week.

100 Days

This week Kindergarten students celebrated their 100th day of Kindergarten. They were very perplexed at their teachers as they arrived dressed as if they were 100 years old.  See more in the Sharing our Learning article this week.

Space to Science

This week I had the pleasure of spending time with Year 1 students who took me to space one day and then on an investigation the next. The students were very excited to tell me all about their rockets and what all the ‘contraptions’ were used for. I asked if I could go into one of the rockets, however, I was promptly told that I was too big! The very next day, I spent time with the students during investigative play. I learnt how to build using playdough and toothpicks, overseen by my foreman I was then instructed on how to scientifically label a diagram correctly.  

One of the most pleasurable parts of coming to school every day is the conversations you have with the brilliant minds that surround you.  

There are a few special days coming up this term including a Police Liaison visit on Monday 15th August, National Science Week - open classrooms on Wednesday 17th August, Book Week celebration on Friday 26th August and the P&F hosted Father's Day Breakfast, Prayer Assembly and Colour Run on Friday 2nd September. We are inviting you to be a part of the learning and fun. I look forward to seeing you all and watching you experience the joy I have every day. More details for these special days will be sent home soon.

Siren Practice

During Week 4 we will be listening to our new warning alarm system. Students will hear the Fire Alarm and Lockdown Alarm. In the coming weeks we will practise these drills so we are prepared in the event of an emergency occurring in the future.

Nut Allergies

Just a reminder that it is our intention to endeavour to make our school environment as safe as possible for all. We do have a small group of children who have a severe allergy to nuts. Exposure to nut products for these children will trigger a serious reaction. Such a reaction could be fatal if not treated quickly and appropriately. For this reason we are asking your cooperation to help reduce the risk for these children.

Our school has a Nut and Allergy Aware Policy. In real terms this means not sending:

• Peanut Butter;
• Nutella; or
• foods which contain nuts (eg: crunchy nut biscuits/muesli bars with nuts).

Tell Them From Me - Partners in Learning Survey

We would like to invite you to complete the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Partners in Learning survey. As we value the role of parents and carers within our school community we would greatly appreciate your feedback. The information you provide will be used to maintain our commitment to working together in partnership to further improve student learning and wellbeing at St Joseph’s Primary School. 

The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. You can leave the survey and return at another time if that is more suitable.

This week we emailed and sent via sms to you the below link to be able to access the parent survey on your computer or mobile device: http://tellthemfromme.com/t4fs3

Thank you for taking time to complete this survey.