2022 Week 5 Term 4

Dear Parents

At 11.00 am on the 11th day of the 11th month each year we remember the moment in 1918 when World War I came to an end. On Remembrance Day, we honour Australian men and women who served in war and peacekeeping activities. We remember the courageous men and women who gave their lives during wartime and as a result of war.  As we remember the lives that have been lost, let us promise each other to work for the freedom of all who are oppressed in the world today.

Remembrance Day does not glorify war – it honours the memory of all those who laid down their lives for Australia. Our staff and students were very respectful of this moment and occasion, it was a reflective time for us this week.

I am very grateful that, for the most part, our parents trust the staff and the decisions we make for their child’s class placement. Children will be asked to complete a sociogram to identify friendships they believe they work well with, and teachers will ensure that every child is placed with at least one of these friends. Considerations include, but are not limited to, assessment data, peer dynamics, learning and behavioural needs and the ratio of boys/girls within classes. Teachers on specific classes will not be known at this time and requesting a classroom teacher for your child cannot be assured.

If you believe that teachers need to consider a specific factor for your child to be a successful learner, please submit a written response to the Principal by (Monday 21 November 2022). You can email to: brendan.kiely@lism.catholic.edu.au

Please understand that requests from previous years will not be referred to and only written responses received by Monday 21 November 2022 will be considered.

Final School Fees - Due Friday 9 December 2022

A reminder to families that 2022 school fees are due to be settled by Friday 9 December 2022.

For your information fee statements have been forwarded over the past weeks. We sincerely thank all families for their commitment in paying their fees, even through these uncertain times. Direct Debits continue to be processed.   

As always, if you are experiencing financial hardship, please contact the Principal to discuss assistance, payment options and extensions.

Leadership - School, Mission & Sports Captains

Student Leadership Policy

Our school is a partnership between teachers, parents, students and the community.  Student input into formal decision-making is integral to our mutual success as a school. Our student leadership is formed in a collaborative process which begins with identitfying our leaders and encouraging the behaviours we want our leaders to portray at St Joseph's School. 

Our Year 5 cohort, this week, have expressed their willingness to each other to be considered as the next School, Mission and Sports Captains of St Joseph's school which is a real honour and priveldge to hold.

We invite our parents to join with us to listen to the nominated children of Year 5 present their captains speeches. 

School Captains speeches -  Monday 21 November 2022 

Ogilvie Hall, 12 noon

Mission Captains speeches -Wednesday 23 November 2022

Sports Captains speeches -  Wednesday 30 November 2022

Sick Bay clothing

If your child received clothing from the Sick Bay during this Term, please return these freshly washed. This allows the Sick Bay to run smoothly for all our children. 

Children's Liturgy

Everyone is invited to our final Children's Liturgy for 2022 to be celebrated in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Wauchope tomorow evening Saturday 12 November 2022  at 6.00 pm Mass. 

The Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time begins with the Thirty-third Sunday of Ordinary Time. In the Sunday Gospel from Luke, Jesus teaches about the trials of discipleship; that those who endure for his sake will win the crown of life.

Remembrance Day Service

Every year the students at St Joseph's participate in a student-led Remembrance service. Today all staff and students had the opportunity to reflect on the day World War I ended.

During our service, we laid a wreath and participated in a minute of silence, marking respect for the servicemen and servicewomen past and present.

Thanks to the teachers and our student leaders for organising this special event.

LEARNING TO READ!

It has been such an exciting time watching our Joey's Juniors prepare for their journey into school next year. Each Wednesday for the past eight weeks, children who will be attending Kindergarten at our school in 2023, have been involved in Pre-Lit lessons led by our current Kindy teachers.

PreLit is a systematic, skills based program which builds the foundation for teaching a child to read. These skills are presented to children through fun activities, games and story-telling. Parents have been actively involved in these lessons with their children. 

This week, the story book was 'How to Catch a Star' by Oliver Jeffers. The children were so actively engaged: making predictions and discussing the different parts of a book. I was also amazed at how quickly the children were able to grasp an understanding of pulling words apart and putting them back together using syllables.

We will congratulate and celebrate with our Joey's Juniors for their attendance at these PreLit sessions later in the term. We thank the families of all our Joey's Juniors for their commitment each week in supporting this important stepping stone to learning to read.

This Term the Catholic Education Office Diocese of Lismore has allocated teachers an extra Staff Development Day. The reasoning for this allocation is to do with the major staff shortages and illness during Term 3, resulting from an increase in COVID19 cases, colds and influenza. The decision to provide this extra day was taken to ensure teachers have the time to focus on their teaching priorities with the new Curriculum/ Syllabus which comes into effect in 2023.

 
Please place this date in your diaries.

Camp Australia - Before and After School care will be operating on this day.

Your understanding is much appreciated.

Staff Development Day - Monday 28 November 22

Book Fair 

Book Fair will be held on Tuesday 15 November 2022, Thursday 17 November 2022  and Friday 18 November 2022, before school and during Lunch 1.

Some children may bring home a wish list. Any books from the list, plus extra books can be purchased using the online payment section. The form needs to be returned to Mr Poulton for the book to be received. You can give your child money for them to purchase books independently.

Eftpos will be available for those visiting the Book Fair.

The Book Fair will be a great opportunity to purchase Christmas gifts whilst supporting the Library. All funds raised go towards supporting literacy within our school.

Thank you for your support,

Mr Poulton

School Assembly

We welcome all families to our school regular assemblies to share in the achievements of the students at St Joseph's. The names of the award recipients will continue to be published in the newsletter prior to the assembly. 

Assemblies 

ES1 (Kindergarten) -  Friday 18 November 2022, 2.20 pm 

TBC - Friday 9 December 2022, 2.20 pm

TERM 4

Staff Development Day (Pupil Free Day) - Monday 28 November 2022

Kindergarten to Year 6 last day of classes for Term 4
Friday 16 December 2022

OTHER HOLIDAYS IN 2022

Christmas Day - 25 December (Public Holiday)

Boxing Day - 26 December (Public Holiday)

Mini Vinnies - Christmas Hamper

Zone Summer Sport Trials - Basketball

Year 4 & Year 5 students represented our school wonderfully at the basketball Zone Summer Sports trials at Port Macquarie. Well done to all players for their best effort.

Zone Summer Sport Trials - Kempsey

Year 4 & Year 5 students represented the School with great effort at the cricket and touch football Zone Summer Trials at Kempsey. All students played well in warm conditions. Final selection announcements to come soon.

Constable Wendy made a visit to all our Stages last week. She spoke about stranger danger,  social media, road safety and much more. Thank you, Constable Wendy for ensuring that all our students were able to learn some vauluable lessons.

A beautiful reflective service was held to celebrate "All Saints Day" at

Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Wauchope.

Over the last few weeks, Stage 2 students have participated in a school mystery, where History and Drama combined. They received post cards in the mail and on Tuesday they worked together to solve a range of puzzles enabling them to crack codes and find clues around the school to become history experts.

When the sun is out, the chickens come out to play!

Last week the environmental warriors let the chickens stretch their legs in the sunshine while pecking on some delicious food scraps from our student's waste.

Price increase

Due to distributors continued price increases we would like to advise that we will have a small price increase on some of our Canteen and Uniform Shop items. We have done our best to continue to keep our prices as low as possible for our families.

Thank you for your understanding.

Please check the new roster for any changes!