27 February 2018

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Message

Principal Welcome, Michael Gray

Hello to all our school parents, guardians, staff, students and friends of St. Joseph’s.

This is Edition Three of our 2018 school newsletter. In talking with families over the last few days and to clarify an important point; this new newsletter is distributed on a Tuesday each fortnight. Everyone who has registered their email address will receive a notification when the new document is available. The newsletter can then be accessed digitally or printed. Over the two weeks that the newsletter is active it can be read online, anywhere at any time. After this time it is available under Newsletter Archive. Importantly the school calendar, forms and rosters will be available as long as necessary.

To support this communication process, it is also important to add the SZapp app. This app compliments the newsletter and makes access via a smartphone extremely easy, clear and efficient. The calendar is updated on a daily basis to include all relevant school events.

Any other newsletters for families that we may also distribute will be generally be released on a Tuesday. For example, last week we sent out Issue 1 of our Fair News. The Fair document is dedicated news about our fair. It includes rosters, classroom request, fair arrangements and any special additions to the fair program.

There has been an initial stunning response to request to support our fair. Your commitment to our students is exceptional. By end of the first day of the Fair News being uploaded 55 people had replied. I especially thank each who have responded so promptly. I encourage all to review the Fair News as there are many and varied ways to contribute to the Fair. Our coordinators are well underway and your support especially to the roster is affirming to them and the great voluntary support of St. Joseph’s

While speaking about events and support I thank the many who attended the Foundation BYO Picnic last week. I was an apology but I especially thank Catherine Lee (School Leader (Community) and Teacher) for the coordination of the program. We had stunning support from our senior students and Sharyn and Andrew (Maintenance Team) for supply of the pancakes. A great night for all.

Another wonderful social opportunity for parents is fast approaching. On Friday 2nd March at The Cally Hotel, parents can gather for nibbles and a drink. This casual social event provides the chance for all to renew old friendships and meet new school families. More information is included below in this newsletter.

This last week many students have attended the dental van. This service has been an excellent opportunity to support our student’s health. I thank the Smiles on Site Team for their work.

Thank you to everyone for taking the time to attend our recent parent teacher interviews. Communication, honesty and a shared vision for your child’s learning are factors that have extremely positive effects on a child’s approach to life and learning.

Another incredible learning and cultural experience available this term for family consideration is the Japanese Homestay Program. We are looking for only three more family placements but especially without a pet. If you can help please contact. More information is included below in this newsletter.

At our first assembly several weeks ago I shared with our students the following statements as a focus for this year. We looked at a video clip of a young cyclist that in my opinion lives this statement. I shared it with our students to encourage them to do their best. I also showed this video because his exploits certainly captured the students’ attention. I warned the students about safety etc but afterwards I asked them to share their insights. They said words like imagination, persistence, practice, trying again and again. I found our students’ responses inspirational. The best element of this discussion is that the students have put their words into action spending the first weeks this term getting off to a great start. If you have a look at the video the “outtakes” highlight the rider’s persistence, a point the students really well understood.

St. Joseph’s Parish Update: Father John recently announced the appointment of Kathleen Card to the new position of St. Joseph’s Parish Pastoral Associate. Kathleen’s role is to support parish life, sacramental programs, pastoral care and liturgy. Kathleen has met staff and very much looking forward to supporting St. Joseph’s.

In conclusion and just for family information with the dry summer we are currently watering our ovals. This water is captured from the roof of the school stadium, stored under the hall and then pumped into our water tanks at the back of the school. If extra water is required to fill the tanks they are topped up from a bore. This re-cycle system was installed over the years and was completed with the hall several years ago. It is a great example of using limited resources wisely and helps to ensure the grounds stay in good condition.

Regards,
Michael Gray, Principal.

Teacher Awards

Week 3

Gold Box Winner

Congratulations to this week’s Gold Box winners Sean Kavanagh and Brohdi Hosking – Team helping in ICT. Sean and Brohdi get to go to the pool for a swim.

Annual School Fair

Sunday 25 March

Issue 1 of the Fair News is available from the School Fair tile on our app, SZapp, with Issue 2 being emailed and available on the App later today.

Some fun from last year’s fair

Our next Fair Coordinators Meeting is set for 7:30pm on Tuesday 13 March.

Sports News

Mark Gercovich, Sports Coordinator

Beach Safety

Senior school children have begun their beach safety lessons at the Warrnambool Main Beach near the surf club. Please check which days/times your child is attending and ensure they have all the items required (See the list below).

Beach safety session times

Please ensure you have: Towel, bathers, rashie or T-shirt, change of underwear, sunscreen (apply before you go) and a boogie board. If you do not have one and can’t borrow one, the school has some, please tell your teacher if you require a boogie board.

Water awareness: Fishing /Canoeing

Late last year the senior school journeyed to the Hopkins River to take part in some fishing and canoeing as part of their water safety and awareness program. They did their canoeing near the Blue Hole and learnt about using life jackets, canoeing skills, had canoe races and even a swim.

They then fished at the Hopkins bridge and just about everyone caught a fish. The children caught bream, mullet, salmon, pufferfish and trevally. They learnt about how to bait our hooks and lots of other information that will help them if they go fishing in the holidays. At the completion of the day every child received various giveaways and we would like to thank Daiwa Australia, Fisheries Victoria and the Tackle shack Warrnambool for these donation. Daiwa Australia not only donated a brand new rod and reel to be given away in each class but have since donated a new set of rods and reels ready for the next time the program will be run in 2019. We would like to thank them very much for their generosity.

Wellbeing at St. Joseph’s School

Maryanne Evans, Wellbeing coordinator

Friendship seats and buddy bench

At St. Joseph’s we have placed the seats in carefully selected areas in the school grounds, so whenever children have no-one to play with during breaks, they can sit on this seat and someone will come over and invite them to join in their games. There is a seat in the senior, middle and Junior playgrounds. The idea of the seat is to support children at school who experienced feelings of isolation, or who are feeling lonely or sad. In addition, we have found the seat has become a key factor in promoting friendship and kindness in students and helping to build a sense of community in schools.

It is important that students across the whole school, and the wider community, are introduced to the Friendship Seat, what it is for and how to help if they see someone sitting on the seat. This can be taught explicitly using role-play, incorporated into sporting and outdoor activities, classroom discussions and lessons across key areas of the curriculum.

Friendship Seats or buddy benches can help build stronger relationships within school communities, as younger students feel safer and older students feel valued and have a heightened sense of responsibility and connection with others.

The values behind the Friendship seat/ buddy bench.

Reconciliation

Welcome to the children who are participating in the Senior Reconciliation program. Participants attended Mass on Sunday 18th March where they were presented with the materials for this program.

Celebration of Sacrament
Thursday 15th March (5:30pm)
St Joseph’s Parish

A significant part of the preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation is reflecting on how we can make good choices that will have a positive effect on ourselves, on others and on our environment.

We can pray to the Holy Spirit to help us make good choices-

Come Holy Spirit
Strengthen in us the Spirit of Right Judgement,
So that we may choose wisely throughout our lives.
Strengthen in us the Spirit of Courage,
So that we may be able to follow the Way of Jesus,
Even when that may mean having to stand alone.
Fill us with your love, guide us in your ways.
Amen

Library Lesson Reminders

Lyn Hyland, Librarian

All classes are having Library lessons every week for 1 hour.

When returning books students place their books in the Library Tub in their classroom which will be taken to the Library

Juniors are allowed to borrow 4 books at a time and Middles and Seniors can borrow 6 books including 2 books from their Lexile reading level.

Helpers

The Library is looking for helpers to cover books. If you are able to give us some time - at home or at school, please see Lyn, Kath or Maureen in the Library.

Thanks for a great start to the year in the Library.

Lyn, Kath and Maureen

The Resilience Project

Maryanne Evans, Wellbeing Coordinator

St. Joseph’s, like all schools, is a social and learning environment which provides opportunities for children to confront and learn to deal effectively with the many day-to-day stressors that arise. A planned and strategic approach to this work can help children develop skills and gain a sense of connectedness, which acts as a protective factor. Hugh van Cuylenburg, Founder of the resilience project looks at ways to explicitly teaching children (and adults) about gratitude, mindfulness and empathy which the project has identified as the 3 keys to developing resilience.

How to Practise Gratitude

1. What was the best thing that happened to me today?
2. Who am I most grateful for today and why?
3. What am I looking forward to most about tomorrow?

Practicing mindfulness- Apps such as Smiling mind is a great way to practice.

Meditation can -

• reduce depression • reduces anxiety • improves decision making • improves ability to focus • reduce drug/alcohol abuse • relieves stress • prevents heart disease • lower blood pressure • reduce chronic pain • improve sleep • makes you less nervous

Practicing empathy

Every time you do something kind for someone else, your brain releases oxytocin. This can lead to: • increase self- esteem / confidence • increase energy • increase levels of happiness • increase levels of positivity

Resilience is something we all keep working on over the course of our lifespan. This, of course, begins in childhood and the patterns we develop then, will play a role in how we continue to deal with problems in the future.

Social emotional skills help children to understand themselves, to manage a wide range of emotions, and to seek help when necessary. It is also important to help children feel in charge of their own responses to feelings, and to have confidence in their ability to solve problems that arise, with support if necessary.

Doshisha Elementary School Host Family Request

Thank you for the wonderful response to our request to host students visiting from Doshisha Elementary School in Kyoto, Japan. We need assistance to place the last few students with a homestay family.

Please complete the online Host Family Offer form or contact the office

Canteen News

Thank you to all our returning and new canteen volunteers for supporting our school canteen. We are one of the few schools in Warrnambool who are able to operate a canteen 5 days a week. This is possible due to the support of the PSA and our canteen volunteers. We always need more volunteers so please consider if you have time, even if it’s only one shift per term. Training is provided and you can pick the day that suits you and even elect to be with a friend. A current Working with Children Check is required.

Parent Social Night

7:30pm, Friday 2 March

An invitation is extended to all parents and guardians to attend a gathering at the start of the new school year. It provides a great opportunity to meet new families and catch up and re kindle friendships.

Purchase drinks at bar prices, light finger food provided.
Venue: The Cally Hotel (Front Bar) Fairy Street Warrnambool.
Phone Jenny Callaghan for enquiries on 0408 529 123.

PSA News

Thank you to all the parents who came along to our first PSA meeting on Tuesday night lead by our chairperson Adrian Benson.

Items discussed at our first meeting included the Canteen Price Review, Traffic Survey, Parent Social Evening and Smiles on Site. Our Treasurer, Debbie Nankervis, presented an update on last year’s finances and parents approved the purchase of some large outdoor games included a giant outdoor games. Michael Gray presented a comprehensive Principal’s report including the school cooking program, upcoming Catholic community survey. Michael outlined the reasoning behind the new school timetable and invited parents for feedback.

Parents are always welcome to attend PSA meetings to be informed and contribute to the running of the school.

School Disco

Save The Date

The 2018 School disco will be held in term 3, on Friday 3rd August. This is always a big event on the calendar, so please mark it in your diaries early. The disco committee have a few people finishing up, and really need a few more helpers to assist with organising this really fun event. It is not a big time commitment, but we do need people to assist with the poster competition and decorations. If you are willing to help, please contact the front office.

Coles Sports for Schools

Thank you to families who have been bringing in the vouchers for the Coles Sports for Schools promotion. There are collection boxes in the foyer at school, in the senior school building and at the Coles Centro in Mortlake Road. Encourage your extended family to collect vouchers for our school.