Term 4 Week 5

What's on at St Joey's in November

Principal's Messages

Dear Parents and Carers,

It is great to see our school back to its usual Term 4 busyness. After 2 years of COVID restrictions which impacted the events, sports and excursions we were able to have, we are so pleased to be back to normal.

Our Stage 3 students enjoyed their overnight camp on the shores of beautiful Lake Macquarie. They enjoyed the water sports of canoeing, sailing and raft building as well as rock climbing, archery and volleyball. The camp gave the students a chance to try new activities and to develop their team work and leadership skills. Thank you to our teachers Mrs Hill, Mrs Davis, Mrs Ridgewell and Mr Fox who gave up time with their own families to ensure our students had a wonderful time.

Stage 2 students had a fantastic time at the Hunter Valley Wildlife Park and again I say huge thanks to our staff and parent volunteers for making this day a success.

Congratulations to Jack Bennis winning the Diocesan Maths Bee last week and to Will Foxon placing 4^th in the Diocesan Spelling Bee. A fantastic achievement!

Last week we offered an online puberty education night to parents and students in Year 5 & 6, Things are Changing. The session linked to the work being taught in Stage 3 Personal Development lessons and gave parents an opportunity to have open discussions with their children about changes faced when growing up. The school subsidised the cost for parents but unfortunately the take up was low with only 22 parents of 79 joining the session. We will rethink this offer next year as there was not the take up to warrant the cost.

This week we welcome our 2023 Kinders for the 3^rd time in support of their transition to school. We look forward to seeing them again and are so proud of our Yr 5 buddies who have been showing such great leadership skills during the visits.

Applications are now open for 2023 student leadership positions. I look forward to reading applications from our Year 5 students and to learning of their aspirations to be a school councillor or sports captain for next year.

Our fundraising efforts are well underway this term with the Crazy Camel closed and the GR8 Race open. Thank you to Natalie Evans for organising the Crazy Camel art sale with nearly 300 items purchased. I’m sure there will be some great Christmas gifts this year. Please see the GR8 Race flyers posted on Compass and below in the newsletter. Please pay the $20 entry fee via QKR and sign up for the fundraising app and for volunteering on the day. We are hoping this day will be a huge success with your help!

Deepest sympathy to the Mitchell family on the passing of Keesha and Lilly’s grandmother. We pray that your loving memories will bring you some comfort at this sad time.

As the term progresses, please keep in touch with your class teachers and with myself if needed. I have some recruiting to finalise before classes for 2023 can be finalised but we will have a “Step Up” afternoon on Tuesday 13^th December so students can go to their 2023 classrooms and meet their teachers.

Please keep up to date with the many events planned for the end of the year by checking Compass and our Important Dates above.

Have a wonderful week!

God Bless,

Kate Drake

News from the Assistant Principal

Last week, the executive staff from all schools in the Diocese were invited to a conference about “Leading Learning Collaborative” a framework the entire Diocese has adopted over the last 3-4 years. The work is focused on the work of Dr Lyn Sharrett who designed 14 Parameters for a successful learning environment The 14 Parameters are a well-researched, evidence-proven framework for system and school improvement.

Each school has been working towards achieving these parameters and it would now mean that moving between schools in the Diocese as a teacher or a student is more seamless than ever before. It has created unity as a diocese and allowed walls and barriers to be broken down as we all work together with the common.

The focus of this week has been the gathering of teams from all 58 schools to continue our work with the learning framework, the 14 Parameters.

The research reminds us that when educational systems work collaboratively as a diocesan, the achievement of students increases more than in schools that have worked individually.

The gathering of all schools was a profound celebration of our learning journey, and highlighted:

• The value and importance of the system having in place a learning framework for all schools
• The power of the collaborative culture the LLC journey has unlocked. This is not only within a school team, but between schools and between system and school.
• The importance of being committed to the core belief (#1) that every young person can be a successful learner
• We have in place a world-class learning framework. The important next step is to KEEP IT IN PLACE, utilising the right drivers.

  Things you might see around each classroom that highlight our commitment to this journey include:

  • Student learning goals
  • Learning Intentions and Success Criteria
  • Walls of co-constructed student and teacher work (including Bump it up walls) – not just “Pinterest perfect” walls

  One example of the many ways we have embraced this journey is captured in this 5min video put together by the Comms team at the CSO.

  A big congratulations and thank you to Miss Karen Nolan and Mrs Kathryn Hill (St Joseph’s Pedagogical Mentors) who also presented our school professional learning journey at this conference.

  Lastly, thank you to our incredible staff who over the last few years have committed to reflecting on their practice to ensure improving student outcomes is at the forefront of all our work at St Joey’s.

  
  

with every best wish,

Nikki Norley

Assistant Principal

From the Office of Safeguarding

News from the Religious Coordinator

Meet Fr Tony- Podcast with Nyah and Ivy M

Recently, Nyah and Ivy were able to use their podcasting skills to interview our Parish priest Fr Tony. They did a wonderful job asking him about his life as a priest, hobbies and about his school days. It is an insightful podcast, so tune it when we release it via Facebook this week.

Mini Vinnies Christmas Appeal

With increasing prices of everyday goods, the local conference of St Vincent de Paul has requested assistance in the form of pantry items to meet the needs of many locals in need this Christmas. Please consider the lists of pantry items below and donate what you can by the 29^{th of} November 2022.

Kinder – lollies 

Yr. 1- pretzels, nuts, popcorn, 

Yr. 2-Tinned ham, fish 

Yr. 3. cordial soft drink 

Yr. 4 rice, pasta sauce, pasta 

Yr. 5 long life milk, tea, coffee, milo,  

Yr. 6- chocolates, shortbread, biscuits 

We will have a cake stall on the 29^{th of} November and students may wear a Christmas shirt.

Thank you for your support

News from the Primary Coordinator

News from the Primary Co Ordinator

Kinder 2023 Play and Learn Session 3

We enjoyed our second Play and Learn session with our Kinder 2023 students a few weeks ago. It is lovely to see the wonderful relationships developing between our future Kinders and our future Year 6 leaders. We can’t wait until this Friday (11th November) to see our new friends once again.

PBL

For the next 2 weeks of Term 4 we are focusing on the Make Good Choices value of our SJC matrix.

One way to support your child make positive choices in a variety of settings is to give them strategies and talk through situations before they happen. If there is one particular trigger e.g. person, environment or situation, then modelling and practising a response may help them make a more positive choice the next time it happens. Developing decision making capabilities in our students fosters greater resilience and self-efficacy both now and for the future.  

The following video (more appropriate for our K-2 students) emphasises the value of mindfulness strategies, like breathing, to allow thinking space and support positive choices.  

You can find it here.

PBL Awards

Congratulations to the following students:

Have a wonderful fortnight!

Karen Nolan

Happy Birthday to the following students

We wish the following students are very happy birthday for the month of August /November

Newcastle Jets

As the A-League and A-League Women 2021/22 campaigns prepare for launch, we’ve been lucky enough to secure our place as part of the Jets: LEARN 2022 program.

This term, Stage 2 have been getting active and improving their football skills, as they take part in digital lesson plans, led by the footballing superstars at The Newcastle Jets.

The Jets: LEARN program features four-weeks of lessons that includes instructional videos, a lesson plan for teachers and a worksheet to track results. The content also aligns with the Stage 2 PDHPE curriculum.

Jets: LEARN is part of the overarching Jets: CONNECT program, which sees star players from the club connect with their community.

We are lucky to be one of the winning schools for the Jets: Learn program and today had a face-to-face lesson from some of our favourite Jets payers. The school was also gifted a soccer sports pack.

News from the Classrooms

Stage 1 enjoyed their excursion to the Reptile Park and had fun getting up close to many of the creatures living there. Thank you to our parent helpers who also made the day possible. 

Congratulations to our competitors at the Diocesan Spelling and Maths Bee. Jack Bennis was the winner and Maths Champion for Stage 3. Will Foxon came 4th in the Spelling for Stage 3. Unfortunately, Zivah couldn't attend, but we congratulate her on making the DIO Spelling final for Stage 1.

Sports News

Congratulations to Kobe Williams, Tanner Tindell and Reid Tindell who all played in the TFW 9s Under 9s football tournament in Sydney, in their Valo Devils team. The boys did an exceptional job and they won the championship. 

Congratulations to Hamish Kirkman for representing our school at NSW PSSA athletics on the 19th of October. Hamish placed 9^th in the 1500m race and beat his Personal Best time. He also placed 6^th in the 800m race. Well done, Hamish.

Futsal Champion

Sophie W attended the National Schools Futsal Championships in Brisbane during the holidays – playing for the Northern NSW U11 Girls team.

The team came away undefeated and won the grand final – Northern NSW 11 Girls Champions.

In addition, Sophie was selected in the “All Stars” team for the second time at Nationals level (Keeper). (Selected by Coaches and Referees across the age group)

Well Done, Sophie! This is an amazing achievement!

Aboriginal Education News

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Aboriginal Education

Term 4 is certainly proving very busy and exciting at St Joseph’s. It’s always wonderful working with our students.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education with Stage 3

Throughout this term, I have the pleasure to work with our stage 3 students each week. We have been exploring different topics which celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, and cultures as well as raise awareness of some aspects of Australia’s history. Students loved learning more about and listening to Indigenous RAP artists Baker Boy and Mau Power. Sharing stories and passing on knowledge is integral to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. These artists continue this practice through their contemporary means of RAP.

Students have also investigated some of Tasmania’s history- including Van Diemen, the voyage of Abel Tasman and the consequences of settlement for Tasmanian Aboriginal groups.

We are now exploring Aboriginal Heroes of Australia’s Frontier Wars. Students were intrigued to learn about the bravery and resilience of the remarkable Tasmanian Aboriginal woman-Truganini (1812-1876).

In relation to the Australian Frontier Wars, there is a very powerful and confronting documentary on SBS- ‘The Australian Wars’ (rated M- not suitable for children).  As parents and caregivers of our children, this is a great opportunity for you to broaden your own knowledge of Australia’s history.

https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/tv-series/the-australian-wars

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council Conference

During week 10 of last term, I had the incredible pleasure of attending the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council conference in Townsville. Joining me were our Catholic Schools Office Aboriginal Education Officers as well as other education officers, principals, and educators from our Diocese. Meeting amazing First Nations Australians from across the country was a huge highlight and sharing in their incredible stories of trauma and healing was both inspiring and a privilege.

These experiences have allowed me to build my own awareness of First Nations histories peoples and cultures and I have loved sharing this knowledge and stories with staff and students at our school.



26^th October: Uluru returned

Uluru is returned to traditional owners, the Anangu people in 1985.Use the below link to learn more about this significant event

https://deadlystory.com/page/culture/history/Uluru_Handed_Back_to_Anangu_People

28th October: Battle of Pinjara

The Battle of Pinjarra happens in 1834 in Western Australia. Click on the link below to learn more about this very sad event in Australia’s history.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-26/the-scars-of-the-pinjarra-massacre-still-linger-185-years-on/11639642

30 October: Racial Discrimination Act

The Racial Discrimination Act took effect on the 30^th October in 1975. Click on the below link to learn more about this significant legislation

https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-social-justice/publications/know-your-rights

Danielle Shaw

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Teacher







P &F

P &F Meeting 14 November @6:30 all welcome!

Canteen News

If you are able to assist in the school canteen please email Natalie Evans nattthebatevans@gmail.com or 0400413448

Uniform Shop

All enquiries to email:

chl.uniformshop@mn.catholic.edu.au

ORDER via the QKR App

OOSH

The before and after school care at St Joseph’s is provided by St Nicholas OOSH, Diocese of Maitland Newcastle.  Open form 7am-8:30am and 3:00pm-6:00pm. 

Please contact Taylor for further information.  

TAYLOR CEFAI  
NOMINATED SUPERVISOR | ST NICHOLAS OOSH    
P 0429 435 571     M  0429 435 571   
Email taylor.cefai@stnicholasoosh.org.au Visit us online www.stnicholasoosh.org.au  

Healthy Eating Snippets

Cinema in the park