Term 2 - 2021 - Week 9

Dear Parents and Caregivers

In this weekend’s gospel, Jesus addressed a person called Jairus “Don’t worry (or be afraid), just have faith.” This Gospel story is given to us as Good News to nourish our faith in Jesus, to relight our hope in his power over death itself.   While Jesus was addressing death with Jairus, how often do we apply this message of hope to belief in our own lives.  Often in this day and age, with so much information at our finger tips, our choices and discernment often cause great stress.  Our challenge is to have faith.

End of Semester

This is the final newsletter for the semester and I am struggling with the fact that we are half way through the year already.   This week saw the Winter Solstice come and go, which our days begin to get longer.

In the holidays please remember to put the Term 3 Pupil Free Days, Monday 19 July and Friday 27 August 2021, into your family calendars as these dates will be Pupil Free Days for Reception to Year 7 students.

Middle School

Thanks to those parents who attended the information session last Tuesday or Wednesday where we discussed everything about what 2022 will look like for families and students commencing Year 7 or 8 in our Middle School.

At the evening we handed out the Year 7-9 Curriculum document; - 

https://www.stjomb.catholic.edu.au/files/15416/Curriculum_Guide_2021_V11.4_Sonja.pdf

I have attached the links to the video recorded session for those who couldn’t attend.

Info Session Part One – Introduction

https://youtu.be/7yj-8jR-RrE

Info Session Part Two – Student Wellbeing

https://youtu.be/Q3kkl-zqs7A

Info Session Part Three – Curriculum Offerings

https://youtu.be/HZ3Q0EuWqvY

Info Session Part Four – Uniforms

https://youtu.be/gybHcGIj2SM
Info Session Part Five – Fees

https://youtu.be/Dr7ddL-1G6U

Info Session Part Six – Further Questions

https://youtu.be/eGgdt6YnvZM

Next term Mrs Lamont commences at St Joseph’s to work with students and fine tune our work to-date to ensure that it is meeting students’ interests which will be very exciting.

Middle School naming process

This Wednesday we will be sending out a letter regarding a process community consultation on the most appropriate name for the new Middle School building due for completion in October.

In this letter we will also share an internal fly-through of the Middle School building which will also be available for viewing on Facebook or at the Front Office. 

Reports

Next Friday reports will be distributed via email. If you don’t receive your child’s Semester 1 Report please contact the School Office.

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD)

Our school will be collating data to contribute towards the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). All government and non-government schools in Australia from this year are required to participate annually in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability. The Data Collection will provide all Australian schools, education authorities and the community with nationally consistent information about the number of school students with disability and the level of adjustment being made to enable the students to access and participate on the same basis as their peers. Student’s personal details will be de-identified in the data collection and aggregated information will be provided to Catholic Education SA, who will further de-identify and aggregate the data before providing the data to the Department of Education. The information needs to be reported by Wednesday 21 July. There are no consequences for not participating in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data. Please notify Mrs Smith if you do not wish to be included in the data collection. More information is also available on the Department of Education website:

https://education.gov.au/nationally-consistent-collection-data-school-students-disability

Late for School

For the beginning of next term, it is always worth remembering some simple, effective, tried and tested ways of maximising your child’s experience at school. Nothing is more basic than being in school and being in school on time.

This is our responsibility as adults, aside from the legalities of ensuring our kids get an education we have this moral obligation. All parents know that there are times when absence and lateness can’t be avoided, and we make allowances for these; but repeated patterns of lateness, especially have a deep impact on your child’s learning.

There is clear evidence from across the country that children whose attendance is poor and children who do not arrive in school on-time tend to achieve less than others. Being late for school has a negative impact on your child’s learning.

Being late for class often means important instructions are missed and the class is interrupted. Children often feel uncomfortable and on the outer with their peers. Being Just ten minutes late every day adds up to an hour a week of lost learning, which accumulates to one week of missed school a year!  It is essential that children arrive on time ready to settle into their work. Arriving at least 5 minutes early before the bell allows your child to interact with their peers and teacher and get themselves ready for a busy day of learning. Attending school regularly and arriving on time helps prepare children for the real world, where punctuality is expected.

Therefore, I am writing to ask you to help us in making sure your child gets the best education possible whilst they attend St Joseph’s.

Thanks to Volunteers

I’d like to extend our thanks to everybody who has generously volunteered their time in some way, shape or form across the course of the semester. Parental support, involvement and participation in school life is something that we actively encourage and need, to be able to undertake many of the memorable events and excursions and to ensure that day to day necessities such as the canteen happen. 

We are still looking for parents with a Catholic Church Police Clearance to assist with the Year 5, 6 and 7 Netball Carnival at Priceline Stadium next Thursday 1^st July, please contact Mrs Baulderstone  rachel.baulderstone@stjomb.catholic.edu.au if you can assist.

Term Two concludes this Friday at 2:20 pm.

Safe Holidays!

Brady Stallard

On Friday June 11th 12 children from St Joseph's were Confirmed by Archbishop Patrick O'Regan, these are their reflections.

Archbishop Patrick talked to us about our saints and told us not to be nervous.  I liked oil on my head because it was interesting to see how it felt.    Charlie

The best part of my Confirmation was when I was confirmed with the oil of Chrism because it felt good.   Annie

I think it was really exciting and I was nervous.  I was glad to see my family there.  I liked getting the oil on my head.    Peter

I liked going to the church to be confirmed because it was fun.   Diane

I was a little nervous and excited because it all happened so quick.  Archbishop Patrick liked my saint’s name because it was his name.    Allen

At Confirmation I got confirmed with the oil and I wasn’t afraid anymore.  Malikai

It was exciting because I hadn’t had a sacrament for a year.  We went up in a semi-circle and Archbishop Patrick came around and blessed us.    Oliver

I not only got confirmed but I received the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Russel

I was thinking about the sacrament and the oil that Archbishop Patrick put on my head.  It was very exciting and we had a party after.   Harry

When I was confirmed I received the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit.  I’ll use these to help people every day.   Alberto

At my Confirmation I was thinking of the flames on top of the disciple’s head.  I really liked getting the oil on my head, it smelt really good.   Ben

My Confirmation was exciting because I was getting confirmed. I got to meet the Archbishop and he was kind and friendly. I was sealed as Saint Luke.   Austen

On Wednesday 16^th June, St Joseph’s School took two Knockout Netball Teams from Year 6 and Year 7 to Mount Barker to play the first round of games.  It was a windy and freezing cold day in the Hills but the girls were excited and pumped! 

The Year 6 Team lead by Captain Lara Franke and Vice-Captain Ava Schubert certainly looked the part in their St Joseph’s netball uniform.  They came out strong and didn’t stop all day!  The girls were victorious in both of their games - St Joseph’s vs Eden Hills Primary 56-3 and St Joseph’s vs Mount Barker South Primary 32-1.  The triumphant Year 6 team are through to round 2.

The Year 7 Team lead by Captain Halle Jarvis and Vice-Captain Alexis Watkins had a strong start winning their first game against Eden Hills Primary by 7 goals. However, in their second game they had a harder task and were knocked out, losing by 7 goals to Mount Barker South. They played well and should be congratulated for their commitment and effort.

A huge thank you to Mrs Sally Nurse for coaching the Year 7 team, also to Lee Freaney and Alison Franke for umpiring all day!  Well done to all the parents and grandparents who came to watch and braved the weather.

Rachel Baulderstone

On Friday the 18th of June, the school Pedal Prix Team went down to Victoria Park in Adelaide to compete in the next race of the season, an event exclusively for Primary school students. In trying conditions, the team performed exceptionally well and never gave up. A big thank you to John Osmond, our team manager, and all of the parents for their support of the team. Thank you also to our sponsors, without whom we would not be able to race.  Our next event for the season will take place in Murray Bridge in September. 

On Thursday of Week 8, the Knockout Football team travelled to Unity College to compete against St. Francis and Unity in a round robin format to advance to the next round of the competition. We arrived to learn that St Francis won the opening match against Unity comprehensively, which would require us to be at our best to beat them. The St Joseph's boys' first and final quarters were very competitive with the tall side from Mt Barker, however we were unable to sustain the pressure in the middle stages of the match and were defeated by 6 goals. 

We then began our match against Unity in a blaze of glory, piling on 4 goals to 1 in the first quarter. After the first quarter the game was a very closely fought battle and we managed to hold on for the victory kicking into the breeze in the last quarter to win by 10 points. The entire team represented the school in a fantastic fashion, demonstrating great sportsmanship and committment to the cause all day. Notable performances on field for the day included Noah Hankin, Taj Garrett, Brodie Bates and Nate Baltussen.

Mr McLaren

Select Read More for more details.

This week during Spice PLAYGROUP the children visited the school garden looking for Creepy Crawlies.

Wellbeing School Project

At St Joseph’s School we value movement! We have linked up with The Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, South Australia (ACHPER SA) to facilitate and provide opportunities for our school to develop a better understanding of Active and Healthy Living and the importance of Daily Physical Activity.

Exciting Opportunity

ACHPER SA is the professional association for Health & Physical Education (HPE) in South Australian Schools. Our School has recently been successful in accessing some funding for a trial project in 6 SA regional schools made possible by funding from Country SA PHN (Primary Health Network). Our School is excited about this project, and we have accepted to participate in the trial. From this we have been able to access some quality professional learning and mentoring opportunities for our teachers. 

Guidelines For Healthy Growth & Development For Children & Young People

Is Your Family Missing Out On The Benefits of Being Active Every Day

Hello friends and families,

Select Read More 

Thanks to a government Sporting Schools grant, the Receptions, Year 1s and Year 2s have had four sessions of beginner Athletics with Athletics Australia coach Kathy Stolarski. Students have engaged in running, jumping and throwing activities to support their fundamental movement development.

Fr Vim is looking for someone to volunteer in the Parish Office for 2 hours each Friday. This would involve general administration tasks. If you are interested you can contact him through the Parish Office on 85311699.