eNews Term 2, Week 7, 2023

Refugee Week 2023
(18^th June – 24^th June)

Refugee Week is Australia’s peak annual activity to raise awareness about the issues affecting refugees and celebrate the positive contributions made by refugees to Australian society. Originally celebrated in 1986, Refugee Week coincides with World Refugee Day (20 June).

The Refugee Council of Australia has chosen Finding Freedom as the theme for Refugee Week 2023 in Australia. Today, more than ever, we need a global movement to demand the safety and rights of refugees are protected. In Australia, it is the responsibility of our government, and each one of us to ensure people forced to flee from their homes can live with dignity and with hope.

A ‘Refugee’ is a person; young or old. Not a label, but a human being with a beating heart just like you and me.  And the refugee experience can be prolonged. Today there are more refugees than ever, and only by standing together with refugees can we begin to change this. 

Refugee Week provides an opportunity for the Australian public to recognise and better understand the courage and contribution of refugees. People from across the world who have sought and, in some cases, found, safety in Australia. Hearing their stories during refugee week reminds us that these powerful people are defined by so much more than their past. People who today are making many valuable contributions to Australian society and who show immense courage and resilience.

Refugee Week is an opportunity for ordinary Australians, advocates, faith groups, schools, politicians, organisations, artists, and communities to show their support and stand with refugees.

As a child, Jesus himself experienced migration and how it feels to be a refugee for, as the Gospel recounts, in order to flee the threats of Herod, he had to seek refuge in Egypt together with Joseph and Mary.

Murray Bridge and our school and parish community are made up of many different cultures and in recent times we have seen many new families migrating here from all over the world which has enabled our communities to embrace and experience different ways of doing things, different foods to eat and celebrations. It may appear they have nothing to offer but being hospitable can change our lives and lead us to the welcome that truly matters: the welcome into the hospitality of God that lasts forever. I look forward to the continuing evolvement of our country and Murray Bridge Community as we assist new refugees and migrants settle into our communities.

WHEN WE WELCOME THE STRANGER, WE WELCOME CHRIST.

This year St Joseph’s is supporting St Vincent de Paul for their annual winter appeal. This year the focus is on the homelessness crisis devastating older women. Any donations to the Winter Appeal are directly supporting those most in need in our local community. Together we can provide basic essentials to resolve dignity in times of need. Your donation can help remove a major stress for families. Your support also helps dedicated volunteers to work with people living in poverty, and provide assistance when life is tough.

A big thank you for your support of our Pyjama Day last term for the Vinnies Winter Appeal.  We are pleased to announce that through your generous donations we were able to raise $650.00.  This money will go to support those in need in our community as we know there are many who are finding it very hard this winter.  This term we will continue to collect any good warm clothing, blankets, sleeping bags etc that you are no longer using. These can be placed in the bins in the office area.  

Dear parents, carers, teachers, and students, 
Welcome to Week 7, the colder winter days, and the final weeks of Semester 1. I hope you all enjoyed the break of the King's birthday long weekend.

Life Buoyancy Institute
On Tuesday, June 13, our St Joseph's School staff, including our school counsellor, occupational therapist and speech pathologist, commenced 'Impact' Training with David Kelly and Dr Ivan Raymond from the Life BuoyancyInstitute Foundation (LBi) at the Bridgeport Hotel. LBi is partnered with St Joseph's School for the next three years, and together we will build a strategy guided by the Resilient IMPACT training with our whole school community. The training day on Tuesday provided us all with core knowledge and skills to apply in responding to all student needs. As pictured above, part of the day was learning about brain development and functioning and strategies to assist all staff in supporting all students' wellbeing, resilience and positive behavioural outcomes. In future, we will unpack further the 'What-What-How' strategy, develop Growth Action Plans personalised to student needs and develop our pastoral care programs and wellbeing initiatives. 

Semester One Reports
Our staff will use the CESA program called SEQTA to report on your child's learning over Semester One. This report will be printed and distributed to families in Term 2 Week 10. In future it may be sent as an electronic document to families via email. So please ensure your school contact email is current. For any recent changes, you will need to notify the administration staff. 

Mrs Annette Lamont and Mrs Meghan Rowland have been involved in a series of professional learning sessions to lead the reporting process via SEQTA with the teachers. Special thanks to Annette and Meghan for facilitating several staff meetings to guide and support teachers with navigating the SEQTA Marks book and Reporting modes. Our teachers must also be commended on their diligence and commitment to recording and writing these reports to inform parents and carers about the academic and pastoral care of their child/ren this semester.

Allied Health – Speech Pathologist and Occupational Therapist 
This week we welcome to our community our new Occupational Therapist (OT), Ebony Jenkins, who will join Nikki Snell, our Speech Pathologist at St Joseph's School. Ebony has ten years of experience working as an OT across various settings, including vocational rehabilitation, aged care, pediatrics and disability sectors. She looks forward to working across our three Partners in Inclusive Practice (PIP) Schools, St Joseph's School Murray Bridge, St Francis de Sales College and St Catherine's School. Our employed allied health specialists, including our School Counsellor, Fiona Graff, work approximately two days per week at St Joseph's School to support the teaching staff and students' wellbeing and learning opportunities. 

Student Pulse Surveys
During weeks 5 and 6, all South Australian Catholic school students are asked to complete the CESA Pulse Check. This check has been designed to allow students to provide information about how they feel about school. The information provided by students will give our school valuable feedback to help our school improve its care for our young. This survey is designed to help us help our students to become, as per the mission of Catholic Education South Australia, thriving people, capable learners and leaders for the world that God desires.

CESA Covid-19 Update
• Schools should continue to emphasise that students, staff and site visitors showing COVID-19 symptoms should stay away from school until acute symptoms (runny nose, sore throat, cough and fever) have cleared. 

• Staff are required to notify the school if they return a positive COVID-19 test. 

• Families should notify the school/centre if their child returns a positive COVID-19 test.

Transition to Reception Program/s 
At St Joseph's School, we have two opportunities for parents to meet with the school Leadership staff before their child/ren starts school or for their child/ren to transition into the schooling environment in preparation for 2024.  

School Tours 2023/24 'NEW' Enrolments & JOEY's Transition 
New parents/carers or those who wish to meet with the Principal or Deputy Principal before their child/ren commence school in Term 3, 2023, or January 2024 will have the opportunity from Monday, June 19, until Friday, June 30. (Weeks 8 and 9)

Please contact the administration office on 85342000 to make an appointment for a tour and discussion about the educational opportunities provided at St Joseph's School. 

Mid-Year Intake (child/ren beginning school Term 3, 2023 – for child/ren who turn 5 years of age before October 31, 2023)

For parents and carers with children who are beginning their Mid-Year schooling journey in Term 3, July 2023, you will have the opportunity to meet as a group with the Principal, Mrs Ros Oates, on Monday, June 26, at 2.30 pm in the Performing Arts Centre. This meeting will inform you about your child's transition day on Friday, June 30 and what to expect for the start of schooling in Terms 3 and 4 this year. Please book your attendance at this meeting with the administration office on 85342000.

JOEY's Transition to Reception Program (beginning Week 3 in Term 3, 2023 – for child/ren who turn 5 years of age after November 1, 2023, and before April 30, 2024)
While not compulsory, there is a valuable opportunity for parents and carers of children to form connections with friends, teachers and the physical school environment before commencing formal schooling on Monday, January 29, 2024.

For parents and carers with children beginning their school journey in 2024, you will have the opportunity to meet as a group with the Principal, Mrs Ros Oates, on Friday, July 28, at 2.30 pm in the Performing Arts Centre. This meeting will inform you about the JOEY's program commencing in Week 3, Term 3, 2023. 

This year due to interest already registered with the school, the parents and carers of children will be able to select a full day (the same day each week), for one day per week, that complements their kindergarten days. e.g. Kindy days: Monday, Thursday. JOEY's chosen day could be Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday. ONLY 1 day per week.  

There are two periods over Semester 2 for JOEYS.

Term 3 – Week 3 until Week 8, Term 3 (6 days in total)
Term 4 – Week 1 until Week 7, Term 4 (7 days in total)

We host a very special JOEYS Liturgy Graduation at the end of the Year in Week 7, Term 4. Parents, caregivers, and families are invited to join us for this special occasion.  

Mrs Ros Oates
Principal

Reception PE classes have been exploring the fundamental movement skills of running, dodging, hopping and leaping. Through minor games, students have explored working as a team and independent participation. The current focus has been throwing and catching and kicking in a range of activities.

Year 1 and 2 classes started the term developing their fundamental movement skills with a focus on large ball skills and applying these in a range of activities. Their focus is now on movement patterns in gymnastics, practicing balance and body control in jumping and landing, rolling, and swinging.

Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 classes have been focusing on invasion sport skills and concepts in Basketball, Netball and European Handball. Developing their movement skills, understanding of game rules, attack and defensive concepts and teamwork through small-sided games. 

7-9 - HPE
Middle years students have started this term by working to develop offensive and defensive skills in Invasion games through modified and small sided soccer games. Students will then aim to transfer skills and understanding of tactics learnt from the soccer unit into a field hockey unit.

Congratulations to our 15 school athletes who competed in the F Grade Div 2 Secondary Schools Athletics Carnival held at Santos Stadium during Week 11 last term. This is the first time in the school's history of competing in this event. All students participated with sportsmanship and an eagerness to succeed, both on track and field.

Overall, St Joseph's Murray Bridge came 6^th out of the 10 competing schools in our division, which is a fantastic effort.

Special mention to our athletes that were able to win a place in their respective events.

• Alesha Dawe (Year 8) – 1^st Place in U14 High Jump, 2^nd Place in U16 Triple Jump
• Brenah Morrison (Year 9) – 1^st Place U15 Triple Jump, 3^rd Place U15 Long Jump, 3^rd Place U15 Discus
• Kianzie Gonzales (Year 8) – 2^nd Place U16 100m Hurdles, 3^rd Place U13 100m, 3^rd Place U13 400m, 3^rd Place U13 200m
• Archer Zilm (Year 8) – 2^nd Place U13 Discus
• CJ Tano (Year 8) – 3^rd Place U16 Triple Jump
• Jayden Iredale (Year 8) – 3^rd Place U16 Discus
• Bailey Motbey (Year 9) – 3^rd Place U15 High Jump
• Mary Huang (Year 7) – 3^rd Place U14 80m Hurdles

Well done to all athletes involved who all represented St Joseph's with pride.

In future Athletics events, students will represent the school wearing our new school athletics singlets. We look forward to seeing our students participate in future events in style!

SAPSASA State Football Carnival
Congratulations to the following Year 6 boys for their participation in the SAPSASA State Football Carnival held at West Beach during week 4 this term. 

Hamish Hankin, Kane Fiegert, Chace Fiegert, Kaden Chamberlain, Josh Roberts, Eli Smith-Lindsay (Chace absent from photo above).

5/6 SAPSASA Knockout Netball
It was a tough day at Mt Barker playing St Francis de Sales and Eastern Fleurieu School. The team all put in a gutsy effort and had fun together but the other schools were very strong. Thank you to Miss Sophie McLeod for coaching, Mr Luke McGlew for driving the bus and the parents who supported the team.

5/6 SAPSASA Knockout Football.
Congratulations to the Year 5/6 St Joseph’s football team who have successfully made it through to the 2^nd round of the School Sport SA Knockout competition. The boys were able to beat both Unity and Nairne Primary convincingly. We look forward to the next round later this term against Bordertown and Aldgate Primary.

5/6 Rugby Tackle
Students had a great day of tackle rugby against Mannum Community College and Unity College. Run by NRL SA, the day started with a clinic about safe tackling and receiving tackles. St Joseph’s had two teams in the boys competition with one team finishing the day undefeated and the other finishing 3^rd. Well done to Charlie Ireland was our only girl representative who played in a mixed schools team.

Students taking part in a tackle clinic prior to the carnival starting.

Our two St Joseph’s boys’ teams facing off in a tight game.

Cross Country
14 students participated in the Murraylands Cross Country Event. The track was 1km around the Unity oval and scrub land with the 11 and 12 Year Old age group running 3 laps and the 10 Year Olds running 2. From these races, the top 6 runners in each age group (and under a set time limit) were selected to represent the Murraylands District at the State Cross Country Finals. Congratulations to Josh Roberts, Jaxon McKenzie, Jack McCauley and Archie Popplewell on their selection.

Josh Roberts on his way to winning the 12 Year Old Boys 3000m.

1000m done, 2000m to go for Leo, Jaxon and Kaden.

Upcoming events – 7/8 Boys basketball, 7/8 Girls Netball, 5/6 Basketball, 5/6 Boys Football (Round 2).

We currently have a vacancy for a Cleaning position.

Commencing as soon as possible

Days of Work would be Monday to Friday from 3:30pm, totalling approximately 12-15 hours per week during school terms.

If you are interested please contact Carol Rowland, Business Manager to discuss 8534 2000.

Starting School This July?
Like all Catholic schools across South Australia, St Joseph's School will continue to offer free mid-year Reception enrolment intake for students who turn five on or before October 31, 2023, to reduce the financial burden on families. Please see the common questions below about children being ready to start school.

When can my child start school?

St Joseph's School offers two intakes per year for children starting Reception.
Term 1 enrolment – for children who turn five years on or before April 30.
Term 3 enrolment (Mid-Year intake) – for children who turn five years on or before October 31.
 

Why a Mid-Year intake?

A large body of research shows the benefit of high-quality early learning and care experiences for children in their first 1,000 days of life and the years before school.

Students who start in Term 3 are likely to spend 18 months in Reception before progressing to Year 1. Reception students who join a 2023 mid-year intake at a Catholic school will get free tuition in Terms 3 and 4.

The free intake includes tuition fees and compulsory charges. It will exclude uniforms and extra-curricular costs.

Please call the administration office, 85342000, to make an appointment with the Principal to discuss enrolment and mid-term intake or tour the school.

It is pleasing to see over 90% of the students in their correct school uniform. If you need a to order a uniform you can contact Vinnes.

Book a Fitting
A rerminder from Vinnies - 'Please book any future appointments online, or call the store direct and we can book a fitting for the same day if needed. That way we won’t get double booked and the parents won’t be disappointed if asked to wait or come back at a later time.'

Vinnies are updating their website and a new on-line ordering service will be availbale soon. In the meantime please make a booking online at https://vinniesuniformshop.simplybook.me/v2#/book for a suitable time. Opening hours at Vinnies in Murray Bridge are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:30 – 5:00 pm. Please call the Store Manager Rochelle on (08) 8532 6699 if you have any questions.

Here is the latest The Southern Cross newsletter and the online edition of The Southern Cross June 2023.