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Michael Gray, Principal
The highlight last week for me was the opportunity for families to visit our Library Resource Centre to browse, and purchase from the many books available from the Book Fair. While students also enjoyed delving into books they did enjoy presenting, via costumes, their favourite books and characters. What was incredible was the diversity of interest on display, the quality of the costumes and the engagement of all to ‘Book Week’, thank you everyone.
In this digital time it is heartening to learn that our families, staff and students all value the importance of both the digital world and book platforms for learning, information and enjoyment. We recognise that too much digital connection can harm, so too do hate books, poorly written propaganda, sexist photography in magazines and aggressive print advertising.
The challenge for schools, families and our wider community is supporting young people to develop critical thinking, build comprehension skills, provide access to quality digital and literacy education, support age appropriate supervision and up-hold a child safe environment. In our democracy people do have the right to speak, digital technology is critical for future success and books can bring wisdom, history, story, insight, scientific knowledge and fun.
Importantly, complementing books and the digital world was NAIDOC Week. This special week in the first nations story in Australia, which we celebrated last week, highlighted with our students the richness of story to cultural heritage, passing on family history, traditions and sharing knowledge. Certainly, two weeks at St. Joseph’s that have been insightful, engaging and challenging, thanks all!
Regards,
Michael Gray, Principal.
Happy Birthday to children celebrating their birthday this week.
Leilani Baulch, Levi Coates, Vincent Uzkuraitis, Juliette Smedts, Eli Smith, Ella Down, Alfie Van Engelen, James Beaumont, Amelia Harris, Liam Hose, Claire Benson, Reeve Shields and Pippa Van Zelst.
“This week we had retreat week, we enjoyed all our class activities and loved spending time with classmates and friends. We enjoyed our Bike Ride, visiting Flagstaff Hill, Mini-golfing, going to Lake Pertobe and playing games in the Botanic Gardens.
We appreciate and thank the St Joseph’s and Emmanuel staff, students and teachers who put their time and effort into this amazing and fun retreat week for the grade 6’s.”
Arliyah Kelly E2
“Retreat week was an enjoyable and relaxing experience for the year six classes. Each day we did something new and enjoyable. On Monday, we had bike riding and archery and this was fun because everyone got to try something new. On Tuesday, we went to Active Sportz for Cricket and Soccer. It was a great time to catch up with friends and play some games. Wednesday we went to Lake Pertobe for mini golf and pizza. Then our classes were taken to Flagstaff Hill for a self-guided tour. We were the very first group since lock down! Although it was really hot, everyone enjoyed wandering around and looking at the historic buildings. Thursday was equally hot but a relaxing and entertaining day out at the Botanic Gardens To top it all off we had Book Week and got to dress up for the last time at St Joseph’s!”
Hannah O’Keefe E5
“This retreat week we had fun doing many exciting activities. We loved seeing everybody participate in activities and have fun. It was nice to see everyone smiling after a tough lockdown and we all enjoyed trying new things as well as learning new skills. Thanks to all the teachers and people who made this week happen we are very thankful and grateful. We found out from the experience, ‘Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness.”
Mataya Murfett and Kooper McInerney E3
Thanks to all for a FANTASTIC Book Week! Friday’s Dress up was wonderful. Over the next few weeks there will be photos added to the newsletter. We appreciate the effort everyone put into their costumes.
Just a reminder that the Book Fair is here until Wednesday after school around 4:30 PM.
It has been so affirming to see the importance that our community puts on books and reading. A big thanks for all the support we have received for this.
Again, thank you everyone.
Lyn, Emily, Maureen Jo and Elise
It is becoming increasingly obvious that some parents are choosing to drop students off whilst in the loop line but still on Botanic Road. A reminder to parents that this is a "no standing" zone and is a huge inconvenience to other parents who are trying to do the right thing.
There is nothing wrong with dropping students off at the Queen's Road entrance or at the Tennis Courts.
Raffle tickets for our school raffle have been sent home with a copy of our 2020 Fair Sponsor booklet which highlights all valuable contributions made by various businesses to our school.
There will be 3 tickets in each book to be sold for $10 each. The raffle will be drawn at 12 noon on Friday 11th December, 2020. We thank families for their support with this fundraising activity which is supported by the school's PSA.
1st Prize
Thermomix TM6 (latest model) valued at $2,268
2nd Prize
$300 voucher from the Fair Sponsor of your choice (see sponsor booklet)
3rd Price
$200 voucher from the Fair Sponsor of your choice
Dates for Term 4, End of Year and 2021
Parents encouraged to view our school calendar for dates and times of upcoming events. The calendar is accessible via our SZApp and our website.
On the calendar you will find key end of year dates and key dates into 2021.
We regularly update the parent calendar with cancellations, postponements and changes.
Sharing of food items in the classroom
As our school community grows we have more students enrolled who have been diagnosed as having food allergies or intolerances. To support all needs we have procedures for the sharing of food items in the classroom. At times some classrooms will have a shared morning tea, lunch or afternoon tea. This is a supervised event and all families are advised of this via a letter sent from the classroom teacher.
This ensures all children's individual needs are met and catered for.
To ensure the inclusion of all students please adhere to the routine for the sharing of food items within the classroom.
Celebration of Birthdays
At St Joseph's we celebrate children's birthdays as a school by presenting the child with a Birthday Certificate at our whole school assembly. Each classroom celebrates birthdays in different ways. Some classes have a special chair for the day or a badge to wear, most classrooms have birthdays displayed in the room.
For the purpose of an individual child’s celebration or birthday we are now advising an icy pole or Zooper Dooper be a recommended option for these occasions. It is not compulsory to celebrate all birthdays through the classroom.
Icy poles can be dropped into the school office. Please label with child's name and room number and let the classroom teacher know. Average classroom numbers are Foundation (22), Year 1 (19), Years 2 (24) Years 3/4 (25) and Year 5 (23) and Year 6 (23).
Christmas Cheer
It is lovely that children at times choose to give Christmas cards to their friends at Christmas time. We encourage students to NOT include chocolates or candy canes with their cards in line with this sharing of food guidelines.
Emmnauel College are transitioning to SZApp for 2021. We have provided some easy to follow instructions for adding another subscription to SZApp.