Term 3 Week 3

What's on at St Joey's

Principal's Messages

Dear Parents and Carers,

I want to begin by thanking all the the St. Jospeh’s students, staff, parents and carers for welcoming me to lovingly into your community. It has been a busy, but lovely first two weeks here as Principal. It was a wonderful introduction into the whole community last Friday, when we celebrated Grandparents Day.  It is always so encouraging to see so many of our grandparents and special people attending our school celebrations. I take this opportunity to thank our amazing staff for their combined efforts in preparing the morning tea, serving you and the preparation the students for the beautiful liturgy, including the decorations around the cola and the whole school joining in for our closing song. It truly was a special day and I enjoyed meeting some of the wonderful families in our community and thank those who travelled far distances to attend.

To all our grandparents, thank you for all the gifts of life and faith you have given us.

Huge congratulations to Georgia Chorley, Bede Hartcher and Lauren Sievert who performed in the MN Diocese ASPIRE Production of ‘Disconnected’ which took place at the Civic Theatre Newcastle last week. Georgia and Bede were both part of the vocal ensemble and Lauren was in the instrumental stage band ensemble. Our Stage 2 & 3 students attended last Thursday and loved the show, with staff saying it was the best production yet!

Diocesan Athletics Carnival

This Wednesday we have a number of students representing St. Joseph's in the Diocesan Athletics Carnival.  Congratulations the following students who will be competing on the day:

Summer Biddleston, Kalani Britt, Alice Dunkley, Frankie Gruschka, Owen Keegan, Aria Lee, Evie Nall, Spencer Nall, Lochlan O'Brien, Rory O'Brien, Cora Phillips, Eli Smith, Mefi Tauveli and Reid Tindall.

We wish them the best of luck and know they will represent our school with honour and respect.

We share our deepest sympathy to Mrs Karen Peacock and Miss Issy Peacock on the sudden passing of Karen's mother, Issy's grandmother. Prayers to Florie Evennett and her family who recently lost their mother and grandmother. Also, to Olive Hale and her family with the loss of their father and grandfather. We pray that your loving memories bring you comfort.

Attendance Matters!

I would like to continue to encourage consistent school attendance throughout the term. It is vital that students attend school every day unless sick, as missed time is missed learning opportunities. Repeated absences and late arrivals can affect learning as well as impact on social interactions, causing students anxiety and stress. Absences should be recorded by parents on Compass and any extended leave for holidays need to be applied for using the Extended Leave form available upon request from the office.

SchoolTV @ Student Wellbeing

Raising confident and happy children in a modern world can be hard work! Often one of the biggest challenges can be sourcing relevant and reliable information that you can draw on to support their wellbeing.

As such, St. Joseph’s is excited to remind you of an award-winning resource on our school website. The resource, SchoolTV, includes evidenced-based information and practical strategies to build parent, carer and educator knowledge and confidence across a range of mental health and wellbeing topics.

The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle supported St. Joseph’s to add SchoolTV to our website in response to feedback received from parents and carers who said they are seeking greater support in understanding the challenges their children are experiencing, as well as practical strategies for ways they can assist them. 

SchoolTV features interviews with leading wellbeing experts and researchers from around the world, on topics including:

Mental Health (encompassing grief and loss, anxiety, trauma and depression).

Healthy Bodies (including mindfulness, body image, sleep, eating disorders, diet and nutrition, physical activity and exercise).

Cyber Safety (encompassing cyberbullying, digital reputation and managing screen time).

Positive Parenting (including friendship and belonging, blended families, resilience, positive parenting and understanding adolescence).

School Survival (encompassing school refusal, school transitions and exam jitters).

Diversity and Inclusion (including multiculturalism, neurodiversity, respectful relationships, gender diversity and supporting children with a disability).

These topics are presented in a variety of ways including videos, factsheets, podcasts and SchoolTV also includes recommendations for additional resources including books, apps and other websites.

At present, there are resources for Friendship and Belonging available, plus some extra ‘special reports’ available. From time to time, we may also promote key topics contained in SchoolTV for families either through Compass or our newsletter, when they coincide with student learning and/or matters arising in our school community.

Importantly, SchoolTV complements initiatives already underway in our school including our Student Wellbeing and Pastoral Care Policy and the “Wellbeing Together” Student Learning and Wellbeing Framework.

Our staff are familiar with SchoolTV, and as such, I am confident that this shared knowledge between staff and parents will assist us all in partnering together to better support children and young people’s learning, safety, mental health and wellbeing.

If you have any questions about SchoolTV, or the topics contained within the site, please get in touch with the staff listed on the site or, me directly.

NAIDOC celebrations this week at SJC

NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced back to the Aboriginal rights movement, and on Australia Day 1938, protestors marched through the streets of Sydney to highlight the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

This protest was one of the first major civil rights gatherings in the world and was known as the 'Day of Mourning'. This later became 'Aborigines Day', and in 1955, it was decided that it should become a positive celebration of Aboriginal culture, heritage and achievement, rather than a protest.

Today, celebrations consist of range of traditional and contemporary activities. There are many gatherings of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people coming together to celebrate and share with non-Aboriginal people the strengths of its First Nations People. This important event helps build positive relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, enabling a deeper understanding of our differences and similarities. NAIDOC week is an opportunity for all Australians to eliminate bias and discrimination by reflecting and reconciling the wrongs of the past to facilitate hope and build a fairer future.

It is important for children and teens to have an understanding that we do not need to assimilate into one culture in preference over others. Difference is a great thing and our society can only benefit from a range of world views and experiences. This Special Report offers caregivers suggestions on how to celebrate ‘NAIDOC Week’.

Here is the link to our SCJ SchoolTV resources and the official NAIDOC website:

Here at St. Joseph’s, we are blessed with the very talented and passionate Aboriginal Education Teacher, Mrs Danielle Shaw. She has been very busy planning an awesome day for us here on Wednesday this week. The schedule of the day begins with an Opening Ceremony, Closing Ceremony and a range of engaging rotational workshops. 

The workshops will include:

•     'Traditional Dance' workshop led by Hilary McEntyre, a proud Worimi woman and owner of the local business, 'Dreamtime Dance Company'. Hilary will teach students traditional moves and dances using her voice and clapping sticks 

• ''‘Traditional Torres Strait Islander Music’ workshop led by Toby Cedar, a local Torres Strait Islander knowledge holder, artist and musician. Toby will lead students in a traditional Torres Strait Islander song and will also display some traditional Torres Strait Islander dhairi art he has expertly made.

•   ‘Traditional Tools and Weapons’ workshop led by proud Worimi man, Mauri Perry. Mauri will showcase different Aboriginal tools and weapons- explaining their traditional uses.
• ''Local Bush Tucker Tasting' Workshop led by Stephanie Phoenix, local 'Numa Ngarra' business owner. Aunty Stephanie will explain the importance and significance of using resources from the environment for food and medicines. Students will have the opportunity to smell, feel and taste different ‘bush tucker’ plants and meats
• 'Weaving' Workshop led by Kirsty Keelan, a local Awabakal woman and knowledge holder. Kirsty will explain the importance and significance of weaving for various Aboriginal nations. Students will then weave their own creation.
• 'Reflecting on Cultural Art' Workshop led by local cultural artist, Deborah Jackson from Antakarinja Nation. Deborah will explain the importance and significance of art as way of cultural expression and connection to family and Country. Students will then have their hand-print painted onto their own class calico artwork. Each class will then keep this artwork after artist, Deborah Jackson has included her own additions to each creation.
• 'Yolungu Traditional Indigenous Games' Workshop led by school staff members.

This Thursday we also celebrate the Feast of Mary McKillop and have our ‘Never See a Need’ fundraiser. That afternoon, we will be celebrating the Olympic games through a variety of fun activities and games.

Friday, we have our school public speaking finals and congratulations to those students who have made it through to the finals.

Next week is National Science Week plus the netball, touch football and tennis gala days. Wow, what a busy two weeks we have coming up and sometimes you don’t realise until you write it all down!

I’m looking forward to celebrating these great planned events in the coming weeks and continuing our partnership in all aspects of St. Joseph’s school life.

Have a great week!

Kate Wilson   

Assistant Principal

Goal setting has become an integral part of our students' educational journey here at St Joseph's, particularly in the areas of writing, mathematics, and personal development. In writing, students are encouraged to set specific and achievable targets. These can range from expanding their vocabulary and experimenting with new styles, to mastering the nuances of grammar and sentence structure. By setting these clear goals, students can track their progress and celebrate their achievements, which motivates them to continue improving their writing skills and express their thoughts with greater precision and creativity.

In math, goal setting helps students focus on understanding complex concepts and mastering problem-solving techniques. Whether it's aiming to improve their mental strategies, tackle more challenging equations, or gain a deeper understanding of place value, these goals provide a roadmap for success. 

Beyond academic pursuits, personal goals are equally important in fostering a well-rounded approach to improvement. Students are encouraged to identify areas they want to improve, such as enhancing their organisational skills, building resilience, or developing better time management habits. By setting and working towards these goals, they learn valuable life skills that will benefit them both in and out of the classroom. Personal goals also promote self-reflection, helping students to understand their strengths and areas for growth, and encouraging a mindset of continuous self-improvement.

Through the process of setting, pursuing, and reflecting on their goals, students at St Joseph's gain a deeper understanding of their own capabilities and potential. This practice not only supports academic achievement but also builds a strong foundation for lifelong learning and personal growth. By cultivating a goal-oriented mindset, our students are well-prepared to face future challenges with confidence and determination.

This Tuesday we will have a Growth Mindset incursion that involves a creative show. The show introduces a cartoon boy named NED who is on a very important mission: to find his mindset. Led by clues and memorable characters, he overcomes Mt. Everest’s toughest obstacles, uncovers inner-treasures on a Caribbean island, and grows his brain while repairing a sputtering spaceship. Throughout the performance, our students discover how to activate their growth mindset to overcome social, emotional and academic challenges.

Warm regards

Kathryn Hill

Assistant Principal

office of Safeguarding

Primary Coordinator

PB4L – Positive Behaviour for Learning focus: Care for Belongings

In the hustle and bustle of school life, it’s easy for students to overlook the importance of taking care of their belongings. We work together with students to make sure they are organised at the start and end of each day.

Student responsibilities of their belongings at school include:

• Keeping bags neatly on bag racks and hooks, zipped up.
• Eating their fruit break and lunch, including putting away their container and lunch box.
• Having a water bottle each day, labelled with their name.
• Disposing food scraps in the compost or garbage bin.
• Having a pencil case that contains the equipment for the day. Most frequently used items are lead pencils, scissors, a rubber, sharpener, glue and blue pens (Stage 3). Topping these supplies up mid-year is helpful.
• Borrowing and returning library books each week, in a library bag.
• Tidying their desk space during and at the end of each day.
• Sharing classroom resources, such as whiteboard markers and mini whiteboards, maths equipment and clipboards and returning them to their correct locations.
• Taking care of personal and school laptops, ensuring they are fully charged and in a sturdy case.
• Tidying common classroom and playground areas and equipment after activities.
• Wearing or bringing a hat and jumper or jacket each day, especially with unpredictable weather. Labelling of these items is so important for school organisation of lost property.

  Why do we practise taking care of our belongings?

  Encouraging responsibility of personal items for children builds good habits and can having lasting impact on their organisation and accountability. It is not only important for maintaining students’ own property but also for fostering a sense of respect and organisation of communal property that benefits everyone. A well-organised and clean space contributes to a more focused and efficient learning environment. When students are responsible for their belongings, it helps keep our classrooms and common areas tidy, shows respect for their own possessions and those of others, and helps to build essential life skills.

News from the Religious Coordinator

Celebrating St Mary of the Cross MacKillop’s Feast Day

We will celebrate the Feast day of Australia’s very 1^st Australian saint this week . We are also following the example of Mary by also helping those in need. Children are to bring in a donation to support CatholicCare to feed, house and support the disadvantaged. Children will come to school in their sports uniform. Olympic events will occur after lunch. See below for details,.

Parish Mass Visits this term

We will again be attending Parish Masses this term.  They will occur once a term per stage. Family and community members are welcome to join us St Mary Immaculate Catholic Church Charlestown.

The dates are Stage 1 -4^th September, Stage 3 /ES1- 11^th September and Stage 2-18^th September. Each Mass starts at 9:30am.  

Religious literacy Assessment

On Monday the 19^{th of} August year 6 will complete a Diocesan wide RE Literacy Assessment. The Assessment aims to measure knowledge developed in the primary years and consists of multiple choice and longer answer questions. This year the test will be completed on BYOD devices.  Please ensure children bring devices charged on the day as per usual. The assessment also provides important program data for the Diocese.

On the 30^{th of} August we will celebrate Father’s Day. The afternoon will start at 12:30pm with a hot food option (available via QKR) details to come, an afternoon of activities with a Father’s Day song and prayer to complete the celebrations. We hope you can come along. 

Save the Date – Community RUN DIPG event

Many in the community joined us last year to support the local RUN DIPG event. We are creating a TEAM SJC again. The run/ walk is on Sunday 22^nd September starting at Liles Oval Redhead.  See- https://rundipg.org/run-4-run-dipg-24/  

When registering there is a question - Are you participating AS A TEAM? Choose existing team and Look for Team SJC .  If you have any questions, contact clare.paff@mn.catholic.edu.au.

Class News

                               Year Five and Six Public Speaking 

Public speaking in Years 5 and 6 has been an exciting journey of growth and confidence building. Students have excelled in both prepared speeches, where they thoughtfully crafted and delivered presentations on a variety of topics, and impromptu speaking, where they demonstrated quick thinking and adaptability. These experiences have not only enhanced their communication skills but also fostered a supportive environment where every voice is valued. The skills they've developed in public speaking will serve them well beyond the classroom, empowering them to articulate their thoughts and opinions in any setting.

My New Gallery

Learning Support News.

Hub News

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Teacher

Aboriginal Education 

NAIDOC 2024 Wednesday 7th August

This Wednesday 7^th August we will NAIDOC 2024, a very significant event in our cultural calendar.

This is an amazing day for all our students and staff, and we warmly invite parents and families to join us for the Morning Ceremony (8:55am-9:25am) and the Afternoon Ceremony (2:20pm-2:40pm).

The theme for NAIDOC 2024 is KEEP THE FIRE BURNING! BLAK, LOUD AND PROUD.

Leading our 2024 NAIDOC day will be myself and Aunty Stephanie Phoenix, a proud Worimi woman and descendant of the Gringai Clan who has deep cultural knowledge and connection with community.

We will also welcome to our school numerous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members to facilitate various hands-on workshops that celebrate First Nations peoples, histories and cultures.

Students are invited to wear out of uniform in either Aboriginal flag colours (red, black, yellow), Torres Strait Isander flag colours (green, blue, white) or anything that celebrates NAIDOC 2024.

We certainly hope to see you there.

Significant Cultural Dates

4^th August: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day

Children’s Day is a time Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities, and all Australians, celebrate the strengths and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

It is a chance for us to learn about the importance of culture, family and community in the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

Please click on the below link for more information

https://www.snaicc.org.au/

9^th August: United Nations International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

First declared by the United Nations in 1994, the International Day of Indigenous Peoples aims to strengthen international awareness and cooperation for solutions to the problems faced by First Nations people in areas such as human rights, development, the environment, education and health. The day marks the first meeting of the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations, held in Geneva in 1982.

There are an estimated 370 million indigenous peoples in some 90 countries around the world. They make up less than 5% of the world’s population, but account for 15% of the poorest. They speak an overwhelming majority of the world’s estimated 7,000 languages and represent 5,000 different cultures

Please click on the below links for more information.

https://www.un.org/en/observances/indigenous-day

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Teacher

Danielle Shaw

Garden Group

This week students have been pulling out our carrots, which are finally ready to eat.

We are making plans for Spring crops and looking forward to the abundance warmer weather brings.

Our keen gardeners have been happily munching on herbs and planning a new garden gnome space.

We are planning climbing cucumbers, leafy lettuce and tasty tomatoes for Sept and hope to participate in the upcoming Green Fair!

Happy Birthday to the following students

We wish the following students a very happy birthday.

P&F News

Canteen News

Kelly our Canteen Officer would love to see you if you have a spare couple of hours to assist in the canteen. Volunteers need to be registered with our CSO, by following this link: https://www.mn.catholic.org.au/people/volunteer/

Once cleared please sign up for a shift. The children love to see you here!

https://signup.zone/ZYkfNzsbws83p9yHM

Uniform Shop

Just a reminder that the uniform shop is open every Tuesday and Friday mornings for purchases. This week the uniform shop will only be open on Friday as we have our whole school incursion on Tuesday so there will be no assembly or shop open this week only.

We are asking for any donations of secondhand uniforms your child/children may have outgrown. We are hoping to offer a second uniform sale towards the end of the term. We would appreciate any donations in preparation for this. 

All enquiries to email: our volunteers. Shop open Tuesday (not 6/8/24) and Friday at 8.45- 9.15am

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 Michelle for further information.  

MICHELLE BIRCH 
NOMINATED SUPERVISOR | ST NICHOLAS OOSH    
P 0429 435 571     M  0429 435 571   
Email michelle.birch@stnicholasmn.org.au   Visit us online www.stnicholasoosh.org.au