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Michael Gray, Principal
Dear Parents, Guardians, Students, Staff and our Wider School Community
Kindness and Grandparents Day
Being kind is an intrinsic part of being human. From reinforcing a sense of identity to creating new connections there are many reasons why we promote “Being Kind” at St. Joseph’s. I have shared some of the reasons below for your reflection about kindness; I’m sure there are thousands of other great reasons too.
In fact kindness, identity, care, support and connection drive what we all experienced last Friday. Our students invited their grandparents to visit classrooms, engage meaningfully in learning activities and interacted in a beautiful caring manner which speaks to what is truly beautiful and special in our world. It is the special relationship between young and older people that Christ spoke about love in John’s Gospel, 15:12: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." Grandparents present in our school on Friday certainly shared love with all.
In my view there were three important drivers to this day. The drivers are powerful forces for life, learning and love. These include our Parent School Association investigating options for the day and supporting it with resourcing; our Community Co-ordinator, Mrs. Catherine Lee, along with our school staff planning the day and preparing great classroom activities. These activities focused on relationships, communication and engagement. Finally, the linchpin of the day are our young people and their grandparents. Each connected with pride, love, care and an amazing sense of fun.
Finally, a very big thanks to all for your commitment to the day; especially the Senior School families who sent along donations for our shared morning tea, our grounds staff for set up and tidy up afterwards; all our staff for their enthusiastic support of the day and our administration team for coordination. I especially acknowledge parents for your great background work and who I’m sure went to great lengths to have family here. While many were able to attend we do also share our thoughts and prayers with the many grandparents not able to be part of the day. This may be due to distance, health or having passed on. We remember, pray and reflect on the gift that each of our grandparents are to us all, we thank them for their vision, wisdom and while not always present physically they are with us in spirit.
Thoughts on Why Spreading Kindness is Important
1. Being kind is contagious
Recognise that warm, fuzzy feeling you get when witnessing an act of kindness? Psychologists refer to this as ‘moral elevation’, and it helps explain why kindness is catching. According to research published in the US Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, even reading about kind acts can elicit moral elevation, making us more likely to follow suit.
2. Kindness helps to create identity
Whether it’s giving up your seat on the bus for a stranger or inviting a struggling friend for dinner, being kind makes the giver feel good, as well as (hopefully) the beneficiary. Most of us want to think of ourselves as kind, so acting in that way reinforces our sense of identity, making us feel satisfied and proud of who we are.
3. Empathy is instinctive
Human brains are hardwired for empathy, because we associate those near to us – friends, partners, family members – so closely with our own selves, say psychologists. It stands to reason, then, that being kind to cheer someone up makes us feel good too. We’re putting something right, but also sharing in the relief that they feel.
4. Being kind creates connection
“Kindness is the social glue that connects individuals within a community,” say those at the organisation Random Acts of Kindness. It’s more than a pleasing soundbite: being kind holds the key to all sorts of social connections. Volunteering or even simply donating some money to charity opens up a whole new circle of people to be connected to.
Regards
Michael Gray, Principal
PSA Meeting
Our PSA will meet this Tuesday 30th July, 2019 in the staffroom at school. All are welcome to come along to attend and hear about what is happening at our school this term.
2019 Art Fundraiser
The PSA will be running their annual fundraiser to raise additional funds for the Art Department.
This year your child's artwork will be available as a Diary, Notebook or Sketchpad.
These items will be available for ordering in Term 4 with delivery in plenty of time to use these items as Christmas presents.
Region Hockey Finals - Dimboola
Congratulations to both our boys and girls hockey teams who will compete in the Regional Finals this Thursday in Dimboola. The bus will be leaving at 6:00am. The first game for our school will be played at 10:00am. Please be reminded that the payment for the bus can be made through the SZ App prior to leaving thanks. Children will also be provided a copy of the draw this week.
Hooptime - Sports Report
Well done to everyone who tried out for the upcoming 3/4 Hooptime Tournament last Friday and attended the Saturday morning training sessions in preparation for the competition. A big thankyou to Mr Gray and Mike McGorm for their support in the selection trials. This Year St Joseph’s have entered two teams into the ¾ Competition: All Star Boys and All Star Girls
Selection Process - Hooptime
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Traditionally, the amount of interest demonstrated by St Joseph’s students far exceeds the number of places available, and as such experienced players are – as best as possible - strategically placed into All-Star teams.
Hooptime Rules strongly encourage schools to enter their best boys and girls teams regardless of whether they play representative or domestic competition.
Unfortunately, this selection process means that some students will miss out. We apologise for any disappointment caused in those cases. |
Congratulations to the following students who have been selected in 2019:
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Year 3/4 girls |
Year 3/4 Boys |
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Ruby McKinley |
Blake Wood |
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Poppy Monk |
Logan Heffernan |
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Harper McInerney |
Oliver Rae |
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Amy McGorm |
Gano Akoch |
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Milly Morley |
Paddy Sell |
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Bridget Cameron |
Will Ralston |
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Hannah McMeel |
Lewis Gommers |
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Addison Conheady |
Jimmy Stevens |
Training for both 3/4 teams will be held in the hall this Friday at 11:30am.
Girls Footy
Congratulations to our team of footballers who competed in the Division Finals last Friday the 26th July. Our first match was against East Warrnambool. East kicked the first 2 goals. We fought back and kicked the next five goals, so we came through with a win. We had a game break and then, it was our turn to play Moyne District. They were the team to beat and they defeated us 6 goals to 2.
The game after that we played Warrnambool Primary School. It was a really close game and unfortunately we lost by only 1 point. Sadly, we didn’t make it through to the semi finals, but we had a great day!
Well done to all the girls who participated. Thanks to Mr McMillan and Jason McDonough for coaching us on the day.
Sports Practice this week
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Monday |
Girls and Boys Hockey |
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Tuesday |
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Wednesday |
5/6 Boys and Girls Hooptime Girls and Boys Hockey |
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Thursday |
Boys Football Girls Teeball Boys and Girls Volleyball |
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Friday |
Boys Football 3/4 Boys and Girls Hooptime |
Andrew McCombe, Physical Education and Sport Co-ordinator
First Eucharist is a Sacramental Program for Grade 4 students who have been baptised and confirmed.
Please complete this form and make a $25 contribution payment, to meet the cost of materials, through CDFpay (our online ordering system).
A kit containing the materials and information to prepare your child for the Celebration of First Eucharist and details of your Family Group will be available to collect at the Parent Information Meeting at 7:00pm on Tuesday 13th August 2019 in the Gathering Space at St Joseph's Church.
After school parents groups meet at the school at 3:30pm and evening groups meet in the home at a time arranged by the families in the group.
Please contact the Parish Office on (03) 5562 2231 if you have any queries.
Key Dates
| Thursday 8th August 2019 | Complete enrolment form |
| 7pm, Tuesday 13th August 2019 | Parent Meeting at St. Josephs Parish |
| 8:30am, 10:30am and 6:00pm - Sunday 15th September 2019 | Celebration of the First Eucharist Sacrament (nominate your preferred time at the Parent Meeting) |
Disco Tickets
Tickets to this years disco will once again be $5 and can only be puchased via CDFPay. Ticket sales close on Friday 2 August.
Volunteers
Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to help out at the disco. The final roster is attached. If your name is not on the list, you will not be required at the disco as there is a cut off of volunteer numbers in the hall and we always have so many willing to help in the junior section that not all can be accommodated!
School Disco Poster Competition
Congratulations to everyone who entered the poster competition. We had around 100 entries this year and it was such a tough decision choosing the winners, they were all amazing. The standard was really high, so well done for all that entered.
Major Winners will come home with a note tonight with all the information regarding their prize and Minor Prize winners will come home with a Frostbite Gift Voucher.
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Major Winners |
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Junior |
Middle/Senior |
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Milla Delany – C1 |
Charlotte Smedts – D1 |
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Alfie Woonton – C1 |
Monty Darcy – D2 |
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Archie Gardner – C1 |
Archie McGovern – D2 |
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Harrison Williams – C2 |
Blair Lyons – D3 |
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Jaxson Byron – C3 |
Kayla Wallace – D3 |
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Emelia Kelly – B1 |
Nate Hansford – D4 |
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Amelia Roache – B6 |
Pippa Ward – D5 |
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Sienna Johnson – B7 |
Jessica Bushell – E1 |
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Minor Prizes |
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Junior |
Middle/Senior |
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Archie Shiells – B1 |
Sienna Byron – D1 |
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Pippa Main – B6 |
Sienna Addinsall – D7 |
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Amelia Austin – B6 |
Isaac Duncan – D5 |
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Billy Main – B6 |
Casey Carlin – D3 |
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Lewis Austin – C1 |
Blake Wood – D5 |
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Roisin Hansford – B2 |
Stella Lawlor – D4 |
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Jay Moloney-Smith – B3 |
Hannah Smith – E1 |
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Ethan Thomas – B5 |
Kiera Byron – E1 |
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Chloe Vu – B6 |
Hayley Wilson – E1 |
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Daisy Martin – B7 |
Lucy Shiells – E5 |
Disco Rules
The following rules are also in place at the disco:
- Dancing at the disco should be fun and is encouraged, but no running up and down the hall.
- Be careful of one another – we don’t want people getting hurt.
- The chill out room is again in the drama room, so that if anyone needs to take a breather from the disco they can go and sit down in that area – however it is a quiet area to relax, no dancing or being loud in this room.
- No throwing of food, particularly lollies – please put rubbish in the bins around the hall.
- No lingering in the toilet areas – please use the toilet then go back out into the disco.
- No glow sticks or glow bands – when these break they stain the floor so we do take them off the children, so please do not bring them.
- Reminder, that mums and dads cannot come into the disco unless they are on the volunteer roster so please do not be offended when we ask you to stay out of the disco as this is due to child safety laws.
- Most of all, have a fun and safe night with your friends!
Thursday 8 August, 2019, Orders close 3pm Tuesday 6 August
Once per term the PSA run a Pizza Day as a "special occasion" lunch option and to raise money for the PSA.
Children can choose from either Garlic or Hawaiian pizza (Gluten Free options available) which are ordered via CDFPay (Canteen ordering system) and provided by Pinkie’s Pizza who are one of our major school sponsors.
There are no canteen orders on Pizza Days and children not wanting to order pizza should bring their lunch from home.
Sorry, no late orders can be accepted.
Thank you to all our canteen volunteers. We are in need of a few more volunteers for Term 3. Training is provided and one shift a term is all you need to commit to.