18 March 2022

Catholic Education South Australia
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Term 1 - 2022 - Week 7

 
 
 
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St Joseph

The world has been a worrying place in the past few months.  Every time you turn on the news or scroll through social media, there’s another tragedy.  It’s overwhelming and can make you feel helpless.  It becomes easy to think that your actions don’t matter, that the world’s problems are too big or people are too far gone.  We can’t let those thoughts become our lifestyle.  We need to continue to choose kindness when it’s most difficult, because that’s when the world needs it most.

Every single time we choose kindness, we’re making the world a better place.  There is no gesture too small.  We can be an example.  We can make an impact.  We can make a difference. Kindness or being kind is one of those words that we often use to describe someone or an action when we can’t think of another ‘better’ word to use.  It may seem like a simple word but when you really think about it, it is a very powerful word.  Acts of kindness and kind words can build us up and improve our self-esteem.

The manner and words we use when we speak to each other have more power than we think.  How many times have you pondered on or been hurt by someone in what they have said to you.  Research is continually showing us that the words parents and teachers use to their children can have a massive impact on how that child feels about themself and their place in the world.  If you are continually being told that you are ‘dumb’ or ‘stupid’, the message will eventually take root and you will believe it and may become unwilling to try or have a go at anything.  Likewise, if you are being told that you are ‘loved’ or ‘special’ because of who you are, faults and all, you will be more willing to take on the challenges in life.

Words of praise and encouragement nourish self-esteem and strengthen relationships.  Words spoken with enthusiasm stimulate interest and motivate learning.  Challenging words can express our high expectations and prompt us to excel.  Skilful questioning can promote deeper thinking and reflection.  Our gift of speech can build up both the community and those we work and play with. As Thumper said in the classic story of Bambi, “If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything.”

Our school’s motto is “In All Things Kindness”, words given to us by St Mary MacKillop.  Mary MacKillop chose St Joseph as an example for the young women who followed her, beginning the Sisters of St Joseph and establishing St Joseph’s schools. From the little information we find in the Bible about St Joseph we get a picture of a kind, thoughtful man who was a good husband to Mary and step father to Jesus.  A man who listened to and trusted God even when he was asked to do things that would make him feel uncomfortable.  Like Mary MacKillop, St Joseph is a wonderful example for us to follow.

We celebrate St Joseph’s Day on Saturday, March 19th and on Friday, March 18th we will have a whole school celebration beginning with Mass led by our Year 6 students.  This will be followed by fun activities through out the day in our Year levels.

 

 “IN ALL THINGS KINDNESS”

 
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St Joseph's Day

Our Year 8 Leaders assembled a special St Joseph Day Momento for all children

 
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Principal's Message

Principal's Prayer

"Let love guide you in all you life" (1873).

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, pray for us.

Dear parents, carers, teachers and students, 

 

From the Principal

Welcome to Week 7. Only four weeks until we prepare for Easter celebrations. This term is flying, and amidst the trials and tribulations of COVID outbreaks, building and uniform hold-ups, the staff and children have remained steadfast in their endeavours to enjoy every day and engage wholeheartedly in their learning.  

We will continue to manage COVID cases as they arise in the safest and best possible way. I hope to invite parents and carers to attend our Holy Week ceremonies and Easter Raffle draw, especially in the last week of this term. Updates will continue to be sent out via email and Seesaw. Thank you to all parents and carers for their ongoing understanding and support in receiving these updates, sometimes daily, during these trying times. A reminder that if your child is home learning, our teachers will do their best to provide as much continuity of learning as is possible for each child's circumstances. Please allow a reasonable amount of time to enable teachers to contact you and set any work, if necessary, as they still have daily teaching to attend to with the class. 

State Election

With the State Election this weekend, Catholic Education SA has been actively engaging with the major political parties to ensure they are aware of and commit to matters of importance. I shared with the community via Seesaw a Political Party Comparison Booklet earlier this week. The booklet provides information about the two major political parties in South Australia and their position regarding the issues raised by CESA. I have also written to our Local MPs about these important issues, including student funding for Catholic Schools, Capital Funding, COVID 19 responsibilities and more. For more information, refer to  https:///www.cesa.catholic.edu.au/news/state-election

Student Leaders 2022

As a result of the school expansion into Year 8 (2022) and Year 9 (2023), we are in the process of reviewing the Student Leadership process across all year levels. The Student Voice Council (SVC) for 2022 is currently being planned by leadership, with additional ideas and a new format that aims to provide more opportunities for students. We aim to ensure that the SVC roles in each year level provide regular opportunities to listen to and act upon students' voices. We strive for all those students involved to build their confidence, attempt challenges, and contribute as positive role models to their peers and within the school and broader community. More information will follow in future newsletters.

Pupil Free Days Semester 1, 2022

Staff will be undertaking training days on Monday, April 4 (Week 10) and Monday, May 2 (Week 1 Term 2). There is NO SCHOOL for students on these days.  

We are exploring the possibility of Camp Australia providing OSHC facilities on the Student Free Day.

Online Awareness and Safety

Teachers are increasingly supporting students about their confusion, challenges and many times sadness after a weekend or holiday using online forums or 'chat' apps. In recent weeks there have been many reports from teachers where students have expressed problems while using online gaming and especially Snapchat. Unfortunately, this is filtering back into the classroom, affecting student wellbeing and behaviours.  

Parents need to talk to their children regularly about what they are doing online and make sure that they know that they should always speak to you or another trusted adult if they have any concerns. Please ensure the appropriate privacy settings are set up, and your child knows how to block and report other users if necessary.  

Did you know about Snapchat? Snapchat is an app used for messaging and sharing photos and videos. You must be 13+ to sign up.  Users can send messages (snaps) to others that can only be seen for a set time period, e.g. 10 seconds. Users can also upload snaps to stories which then disappear after 24 hours. However, Snapchat content can be easily copied by taking a photo screenshot to share and re-share the communication, which can be dangerous. I recommend you explore Snapchat with your child and suggest why certain options are safer, for example, setting your account so only friends (rather than everyone) can see your content and only those who you are friends with can contact you. 

Please talk to your child about being kind online, for example, only posting positive comments, don't say anything they wouldn't say in real life and treat others as they would expect to be treated. Teachers will inform parents of any concerns that come to school involving online problems. Attached to this newsletter is the latest eSafety parent guide to popular apps.  

In all things kindness,

Mrs Ros Oates

Principal

 

2022 State Election - Political Party Comparisons

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Parent Guide To Popular Apps

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School Board AGM Tuesday May 17th 7pm

Nomination Form Attached

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Inquiry Learning Year One - Mrs Rowland, Mrs Aunger, Mrs Nurse & Mrs Pearson

In Year One we have been learning about the four seasons of the year, and explored how they change the landscapes and the sky.  We compared how Australia’s seasons are different from China’s and discovered how the Ngarrindjeri people identify the seasons differently.  We created artwork and explained the changes that occur in each season.  We are now exploring how the changes in the weather are connected to each season. 

 

In Summer it is hot and some plants wilt.  Renzo Albanesi 

In Autumn, the leaves change colour and it is cooler.  Charlotte Lambe 

When it is Winter, the clouds are really heavy and it rains lots.  Aurora Wilkins 

In Spring, the blossoms grow and the bees buzz and it is warm.  Ollie Ireland   

In Summer, the sun shines bright and we sweat.  The trees grow apples.  Natasha Fresiello 

In Autumn, the orange leaves cover the ground and the sky sometimes gets cloudy.  Hailey McGrath 

In Winter, it is icy and the trees have no leaves.  Shaylee Hannaford 

In Spring, many baby animals are born and lots of flowers are blooming.  Isabelle Gates 

 
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PLEASE SELECT Read More for the full Term 1 Calendar

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All Things Sport - Joshua Law

Sports Day is just a week away and preparations are all but finished thanks to the Sports Day Staff Committee. Keep a look out for details on your child’s classroom SeeSaw for the full briefing, timetable and oval layout. We hope to see plenty of supporters at the Le Messurier Oval 25th March for a day full of active fun where participation is our key goal.

Year 5 and 6 students have the opportunity to participate in State Carnivals representing the Murraylands District in Softball (tryouts underway), Swimming (tryouts 4pm 25th March), Cross Country, Netball, Football, Soccer, Athletics, Cricket and Tennis. Information will be passed on to students as it come available from Bryan Wilsdon, District Convenor.

St Joseph’s School is affiliated with SAPSASA and School Sport SA which allows our students to participate in their carnivals and events. The students in Years 5, 6, 7 and 8 have indicated their interests in School teams. From this survey, we will have the following sports teams offered:

                5/6 Boys Cricket (5/6 Girls Cricket cancelled due to lack of interest).

                7/8 Boys Basketball

                5/6 Boys Basketball

                5/6 Girls Basketball

                7/8 Girls Netball

                5/6 Girls Netball

                3-6 School Swim team (Catholic Schools Carnival)

                4-8 Cross Country

                5/6 Boys Tackle Rugby

                5/6 Girls Tackle Rugby

                5/6 Boys Football

                3-6 School Athletics Team (M/Lands District Day and Catholic Schools Athletics Carnival)

                7/8 Athletics Team

Other opportunities for individual students are offered throughout the year including 7/8 Secondary Schools State Swimming Carnival and Golf.

 
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SACPSSA Swimming Carnival Team - Deputy Principal Sonja Smith

The South Australian Catholic Primary Schools Sports Association (SACPSSA) Swimming Carnival for our school team this year has students from Year 3-6 competing on Wednesday 23 March at the SA Aquatic Centre in Adelaide. Our school team: Hugo, Sierra, Mary, Chloe M, Amelia, Chole T, Harper, Lulu, Kate, Charlie, Bridget, Peter, Harry, Matilda, and Giulio have been training on Wednesday nights with Mrs Smith, Mr Law and Mrs Liebich. For many of our swimmers, this is their first carnival experience, so we wish the whole team all the best and hope they have a fabulous day and enjoy the experience of swimming in a state-of-the-art competition pool. I know they will represent our school with great pride, enthusiasm, and effort, to be the best they can be throughout the carnival. Good luck!

 
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Junior Sports Day Captains

EDWARDS

Summer Williams & Lachlan Gates

STURT

Mary Scalzi & Oscar Chamberlain

CROWLEY

Addison Marshall & Dave Estillo

MacKILLOP

Olivia Nulty & Lucas Monaghan
 

 
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Senior Sports Day Captains

EDWARDS

Alexis Watkins & Archer Zilm

STURT

Miley Hammond & Michael Caspillo

CROWLEY

Ava Schubert & Elijah Rigney

MacKILLOP

Evelyn Ellis & Kianzie Gonzales

 
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Annette Lamont - Middle Years Leader

The Middle Years students are very excited as the Science Laboratory and the Food Innovation Centre are finally finished. The Science Lab looks amazing, with its benches for experiments, trolleys full of science equipment and chemical storage. Lessons began in the Laboratory today and over the next few weeks our students will study classification, ecosystems and animal and plant cells in their new learning space.

The Year 8 Science students will also use the Food Innovation Centre to create plant and animal cell biscuits next week. They have already allocated various lollies to represent the different organelles and will demonstrate their understanding through their creations. Next Term we will start our Barista Micro-credential so look out for the opportunity to order freshly made coffee or hot chocolate on cold winter mornings.

 
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This Weeks News

Hello friends and families,

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Mid Year 2022 and Term 1 2023 Enrolment Process Will Begin This Term

 

Volunteers

At St Joseph's School, we are fortunate to have our experienced and employed Canteen manager, Wilma O'Sullivan.  Now that our restrictions have eased, we are asking for parent volunteers to ensure the successful daily distribution of orders in the canteen.  Volunteers supporting Wilma, allow us to provide a quality service at very reasonable prices.

Being a Canteen volunteer is not at all hard work, but a great way to meet other parents in the school. 
 

All volunteers at St Joseph's School Canteen need to have completed the following:

▪ Working with Children Check (Free through the school)

▪ Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect – Education and Care (2 hrs online - Free)
https://www.plink.sa.edu.au/pages/externaldashboard.jsf?menuId=1104&locale=enGB&showbundlekeys=false#/?dashboardId=6
▪ Watch Food Handling Clip (Bug Busters) https://youtu.be/6WJXSy4o1tc

▪ Sign and return the Canteen 2022 Volunteer Form previously sent to families.

 

Traffic Reminders

We are only a couple of weeks away from opening up the drop-off and pick-up zone on Florence Street.  A reminder to all drivers that you are not to double park before entering the drop-off and pick-up zone on Mc Henry Street and no U-turns on this street. 

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