eNews Term 3, Week 1, 2023

Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, saint for all Australians

August 8^th

On August 8, we celebrate the Feast of St Mary of The Cross MacKillop, the co-founder with Fr Julian Tenison Woods of Catholic Education.  August 8, 1909, is the day she died in Sydney at the age of 67.  In reflecting on the life of Saint Mary MacKillop to write my Newsletter article I began to think about the amazing woman she was.  Even from today’s perspective the things she achieved from such a young age and for a woman during those times are incredible.  She was only 24 years old when she began the school in Penola.  She was and is truly inspiring for us today and embodies so much of the Australian spirit. An online article from ‘Paracatholic’ put it this way.

“The term ‘Aussie Spirit’ is often heard in sporting conquests; in times of natural disasters; in local settings; in national settings; in the ANZAC tradition; in reaching out to help foreign countries when needed; or indeed when simply lining up waiting to get on public transport!  The ‘Aussie Spirit’ often refers to a mixture of grit, resilience and humour underlined with a sense of mild disregard for egotistic authority whilst still being prepared to ‘go into bat’ when needed or giving someone a ‘fair go’ in any given situation.  

Mary MacKillop was the epitome of the ‘Aussie Spirit’.  She certainly ‘went into bat’ for those struggling with their lot, regardless of who they were or where they were.  She believed in and acted on the sense of a ‘fair go for everyone’.  And she certainly demonstrated a willingness to be a ‘disrupter’ in an authoritarian environment if it meant she was able to continue the work for which she took her vows.

Mary MacKillop showed us how the ‘Aussie Spirit’ is about seeing the worth and dignity of every person made in God’s image and likeness – she saw Christ in every person she met. 

Mary MacKillop showed us how one aspect of the ‘Aussie Spirit’ is about standing up for the lives and dignity of the needy and defenceless, the vulnerable and disadvantaged.

Mary MacKillop showed us how the ‘Aussie Spirit’ is also about having hope in a world that seems fractured and polarised.

Mary MacKillop showed us how the ‘Aussie Spirit’ is about facing great challenges with vision, passion and creativity.

Mary MacKillop showed us how the ‘Aussie Spirit’ is about challenging the status quo in times of hardship and envisioning new ways of living and sharing the Good News.”

Saint Mary MacKillop’s motto through life is one that we could try to live by:

“Never see a need without trying to do something about it”

At St Joseph’s School we are inspired by all Mary MacKillop achieved and remain dedicated to providing a comprehensive education that extends beyond academics, encompassing social and emotional development.  We are committed to creating an inclusive and compassionate environment where all individuals are valued and supported.  We must foster understanding and empathy so that the legacy of Mary MacKillop can live on, and our students can become responsible and caring members of society.

We will celebrate the life of St Mary MacKillop with activities for our whole school community on Tuesday, August 8 and then on Wednesday, August 9 Fr Philip will celebrate a whole school Mass for us at 9:30am in the church and Parish Centre.

Mrs Deb Holland
APRIM

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 back to Semester Two. Hard to believe we are already moving into August! I hope you have had a great time with your family and friends at home and that you managed to get out and about even though the weather was not that warm. The students are already settling back into the school routines and engaging with their learning which is lovely.

This semester we welcome a large number of new staff. Firstly, we have eleven new Education Support Officers (ESOs). The ESOs in St Joseph's School play a vital role in working with classroom teachers to support all learners in their classrooms and, in some cases, individual students to guide them in their learning environments. We are fortunate to have at least one ESO in every classroom. I'm pleased to welcome to our community Analysse Barr, Zoe Fulgrabe, Nikita Jenkins, Sarah Kennedy, Debbie Kuchel, Finlay Malone, Lauren Taylor, Trudy Shirvington, Emmanuel Slattery, Amy Thulborn and Hannah Taylor.

In addition, Mr Oscar Dearman has resigned as a Middle Years Wellbeing leader and teacher at St Joseph's School. To replace Oscar, we are fortunate to have Mrs Monica Doherty join St Joseph's teaching team from Saint Anthony's Catholic School Edwardstown this semester. Mrs Doherty will have the role of Assistant to the Principal, Wellbeing and teaching in the Middle Years building. Last term, we announced the two new Year 2 teachers, Mrs Erica Sharplin and Mrs Rachel Wells, who have settled in well to our school environment.

My name is Monica Doherty, and I am delighted to be at St Joseph's School for Semester Two. I have received such a warm welcome from the school community and have spent my first week connecting with students, staff and families. I have heard such good things about St Joseph's school, and I am delighted to join such a passionate and enthusiastic team of educators. I have enjoyed getting to know the students and building relationships with them. The students have been the perfect hosts and have taken the time to welcome me with conversations or a quick hello in passing.

I emigrated to South Australia from Scotland sixteen years ago, and I have had a varied and fruitful career in Catholic Education. I am a passionate educator and leader who works collaboratively with others to help students reach their full potential both academically and holistically. Every child matters, and this is a continual focus as we journey with them throughout their time at school. As we progress through this term, I look forward to building on those key relationships, establishing deeper connections and contributing in any way I can to the already flourishing and excelling St Joseph's Murray Bridge.

Term 3 New Students 
This semester we welcome ten new students to the school as part of the mid-year Reception intake. Miss Xue Tong is the classroom teacher, supported by Miss Georgina Kooistra and Mrs Lynne Liebich in Room 1 next to the school canteen. Later this term, the students attending Joey's transition will join this group on their non-kindergarten day.  
Welcome to Kamil Allouche, Kasie Bustamante, Oliver Drexel, Izabella Elliot, Octavia Esma, Oscar Jonker, Kaylee Joy, Damon Petras, Louis Rowe and Parker Williams.

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. 

Pets visiting St Joseph's School
At St Joseph's School, we prioritise the health and safety of our staff, students, and visitors. Therefore, we have guidelines regarding the presence of animals on school premises. Except for local wildlife, pets such as dogs and other animals are generally not permitted on school grounds unless deemed appropriate by the Senior Leadership Team.

We do recognise that there may be certain circumstances where animals can contribute positively to the educational environment. For example, service dogs are always welcome. Additionally, with prior notification from classroom teachers and permission from the Senior Leadership, animals may be allowed to visit classrooms for specific purposes for a short time, such as prearranged show-and-tell sessions or when a teacher cares for a small classroom pet.

However, it is essential to note that any animals brought onto school grounds, approved by the Senior Leadership, must always be appropriately restrained. This can be achieved by using a lead or keeping them in an enclosed compartment. In the case of dogs, they must be controlled on a lead by a responsible person who is at least 16 years old and capable of restraining the animal.

Furthermore, the temperament of the animal is crucial. Only animals with a temperament suited to being around children and crowds should be brought onto the school grounds. Fearful, timid, or dominant animals may not be suitable for such environments and should not be brought onto the premises.

Lastly, we kindly request that animal hygiene standards be maintained at all times. To maintain a clean and hygienic environment for all community members, we ask that any animals approved to visit, particularly those that pose a risk of dropping fur, feathers or faeces, be appropriately contained. This can be achieved by ensuring adults have bags for droppings, and animals are kept in a box or travelling container on school premises.

Catholic Schools Open Week
August 21-27, 2023 (Term 3, Week 5)

Open Week in Catholic schools is held annually each August. It is an excellent opportunity for public members to visit our school and discover the wonderful learning opportunities we offer at St Joseph's School.

Mrs Ros Oates
Principal

Throughout the first semester, our students had an immersive experience in learning the Chinese language and culture. They engaged in a variety of activities, including hands-on experiences, social activities, interactive ICT activities for Chinese, rhymes, dances, songs, games, role play, and character recognition and writing. These activities explored familiar themes such as numbers, family, friends, hobbies, interests, pets, and the environment, enabling them to develop real-life communication skills in the target language. Our students also gained fascinating cultural knowledge that will serve them well in the future. I would love to share some pictures of the fun and engaging activities our students participated in while learning Chinese.

Reception
At Foundation level, the Chinese language learning program is based on the Early Years Learning Framework and takes into account each student's previous language learning and experiences. Students are encouraged to communicate with their peers, teachers, familiar adults, and students from other classes. Through play-based and action-oriented learning, they enhance their communication and interpersonal skills while using Chinese. The program provides ample support through modeling, scaffolding, and revisiting to ensure students' success.

Students imitated and played with Chinese vocabulary using pictures, flashcards, picture books and repetitive language. 

Students recognised Chinese characters from forms of written expression. Students copied or traced high frequency characters, such as numbers, with attention to stroke order and direction.

Students recognised that characters have meaning, and exploring the connection between meaning and form.

Students identified Chinese characters, recited the numbers they have studied, and led their peers in reading aloud together.

Year 1-2
During Year 1 and 2, students build upon their prior language learning experiences in Chinese. The focus is on communication and collaboration with teachers and peers, through purposeful activities that involve listening, speaking, and viewing. Students interact with each other in Chinese, sharing information about themselves and their immediate surroundings through play-based and action-related learning. They use local and digital resources to explore Chinese-speaking communities in Australia, China, and diverse locations in an informal setting. Students receive ample support, including modeling, scaffolding, repetition, and reinforcement.

In their exercise book, students engaged in exercises to improve their Chinese writing skills. They learned to combine pinyin, Chinese characters, and English definitions accurately, which helped them create a vocabulary list.

Students created copies of components and characters by following the correct stroke order.

Students listened and participated in conversations with their teachers and peers and paid close attention to the rhythms and sound patterns. They also worked on imitating and practising the tones they heard.

Year 3-4
During Years 3 and 4, the Chinese language learning curriculum aims to expand on students' previous knowledge and language experiences. Through structured activities, such as listening, speaking, viewing, and some writing, students engage in purposeful and imaginative play while working with their peers and instructors. In familiar environments, they use Chinese language to interact with others, plan activities, and reflect their interests and abilities. Additionally, they have the opportunity to explore Chinese-speaking communities through both local and digital resources in informal settings. To aid their learning, students receive ample support through modeling, scaffolding, repetition, and the use of targeted resources.

Students participated in activities that involve planning and transacting with others, they used a range of familiar phrases and modelled structures. 

The students engaged in a fun activity where they sang a Chinese song they had learned. They had a great time exploring Chinese music during class while interacting with each other.

Year 5-6
During Years 5 and 6, students continue to develop their Chinese language skills through collaborative activities that involve listening, speaking, reading, viewing, and writing. These activities are purposeful, creative, and structured, and they allow students to communicate and work with their peers and teachers. Students use Chinese to exchange information and ideas about topics that interest them, their school, and their local community. They also have opportunities to engage with Chinese-speaking communities both in person and online. Throughout this process, students receive support from modeling as well as from digital and print resources, allowing them to work both independently and in groups.

Students processed information and ideas in a range of spoken, written and multimodal texts.

Year 7-8
During Years 7 and 8, students continue to develop their Chinese language skills based on their previous learning and experiences. They are encouraged to use Chinese language both in-person and digitally to communicate and collaborate with others both inside and outside of the classroom. They engage in listening, speaking, reading, viewing, and writing activities to share information, ideas, and opinions about the world around them. As they progress, they become more independent in their learning, working both individually and in groups, while still receiving feedback and support from their peers and teachers.

Students utilized various online tools, engaged in classroom online games, and learned to identify Chinese characters.

After learning new vocabulary words, students were tasked with creating storybooks using Chinese exercise books and adding relevant illustrations.

Children's Book Week 2023 will be here before you know it, from 19 - 25 August. This year's theme is 'Read, Grow, Inspire'. Watch out for updates as we plan for lots of fun actvities and read lots of wonderful books!

Vinnies Uniform Shops are all located within Vinnies Charity Stores and are serviced by appointment only, by making a booking ensures we have an appropriately trained uniform staff member onsite to assist with uniform fittings, selections, and purchases.

Parents can make a booking with Rochelle and the Murray Bridge Vinnies Uniform Shop Team by scanning the QR code or visiting Vinnies - Uniform Shop (simplybook.me)

We encourage parents to contact us by email (schooluniforms@svdpsa.org.au) for consideration of appointments outside available booking times.

For parents who prefer to personally make a selection, or complete fittings themselves, we welcome you at any time during normal Vinnies Shop trading hours (refer to vinnies.org.au for trading hours) – no bookings required. Vinnies Shop volunteers will only able to assist with finalising the purchase of school uniforms, it is recommended parents make a booking if assistance and advice in uniform fittings and selection is required.

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