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Dear Parents
It is difficult to believe that next week we will be half way through the term! Time flies when you are having fun and learning.
We have had a number of visits from the Catholic Schools Office staff over the past few weeks and I have been so proud to be able to show them around our school. So many of them commented on the cleanliness of our school, how quiet and engaged our students are during learning time and how friendly, polite and well-mannered they are. I have worked at many schools over my teaching career and have to say that our students, staff and school community are something special.
Last week I took a number of our students to the Regional Swimming Carnival. I was so proud of the sportsmanship and behaviour of our school swimming team. They were an absolute pleasure to take and represented our school with pride. Thank you to Mr Knoke and Mrs Downie who helped to transport the team to Gloucester.
Parent Teacher Meet and Greet
Thank you to all the parents who have booked in through Compass for our Parent Teacher Meetings next week, we have had a fabulous response. This is a wonderful opportunity for our teachers to catch up with you and spend some time talking about learning goals for each student. At each classroom you will find a QR code to check in on the Service NSW app on your phone.
As we are still operating under COVID restrictions can you please assist us to follow our COVID safety plan by sanitising your hands on entering and exiting the room and signing in. If you are unwell or displaying COVID symptoms please reschedule your meeting time.
If you have not booked in, please make sure you contact the office or the class teacher to make a time to see them.
Pupil Free Day
Please note that the first day of Term 2, Monday the 19th of April will be a Pupil Free Day. Our teachers will be undertaking Professional Learning in the Religious Education Curriculum.
Road Safety
With many parents picking their children up and dropping them off at school Farquhar Street is very busy at school drop off and pick up time. Many parents are holding hands to cross the road which is wonderful to see, but I am concerned that there could be an accident. It is so important that we teach our children about road safety and how to cross the road safely. I encourage you to use the pedestrian crossing out the front of the museum when crossing the road.
School Fees
You will have received a notice from Mary in regards to fees for 2021 and our new billing method. If you are ever in the situation that you are struggling to pay your fees, please make a time to see me and I am more than happy to come to an agreement which supports you.
As we begin the season of Lent I ask that you please join me in saying a prayer that all people find a sense of community and belonging like we have at St Joseph’s.
God Bless
Making Jesus Real – Values of the week
Week 5 - I have a positive attitude
Week 6 - I am a bucket filler
Prime Minister Award
‘ Being a steward of creation’, ‘trying your best’, ‘speaking with kindness’ and ‘ being a responsible learner’ are some of the qualities that teachers consider when awarding ‘Prime Minister’ at our weekly assembly. It is an acknowledgement of the student’s efforts and they have the privilege of wearing the badge with honour, of suggesting a focus the school can work on, award Gotchas to other students at lunch time as well as earning Gotchas for themselves. Congratulations to Jett Bliss, Week 4 and Jaxon Osgood, Week 5.
MJR Awards
As part of our MJR system ,we acknowledge that the following students, Matilda Robinson has reached 100 Gotchas, Phoenix Knowles has reached 200 Gotchas and Caitlin Watters has reached 300 Gotchas. Well Done!
Regional Swimming Carnival
Our representative swimming squad travelled to Gloucester Pool to compete in the Manning Catholic Schools regional carnival. Thank you to Mark Knoke for being the Team Manager and accompanying the squad on the day.
We are very excited by the news that 6 of our students were chosen to compete at the Diocesan Swimming Carnival to be held on Thursday 25th February at Lambton Pool in Newcastle:
Eleanor Healy -8 yrs 50 Freestyle
Riley Knoke -Jrn 50m Butterfly
Scarlet Sheather -Jrn 50m Buttlerfly
Adena Campbell -11yrs 50m Breastroke, 11yrs Butterfly
Lacey Hillman -12yrs 50m Freestyle
Jake Guppy -12/13 yrs 50 Backstroke
Student Leaders
Last Thursday the school community witnessed the commissioning of our Year 6 school leaders who received a special blessing from Fr George. Congratulations to Angus Abbott, Charlotte Barry, Jett Bliss, Ella Bos, Ava Doherty, Nayte Foley, Maria Fresen, Jake Guppy, Georgia Hartley, Lacey Hillman, Nicole Jordan, Savannah Jordan, Kaylla Lulham and Tristian Minns.
Our leaders have many responsibilities around the school, from Health Hustle to running our Weekly Assembly and setting up the lunch seats daily. These things ensure the smooth running of our school and we are most grateful to have such a capable and responsible group of young people in this role!
Getting started in Year 6 2021
The students have had a great start to the new year. As well as getting used to being back at school, they are realising how many responsibilities we have. From keeping rubbish under control, to the sports shed, health hustles and looking after buddies, it is a busy time. The students have stepped up and they are all doing a great job and helping to keep St Joseph’s running.
Here are some thoughts from the students on the year so far……..
It's been great in Year 6. Mrs Cleaver's desk is already messy. This year I realised I'm a great dancer and swimmer. Jake Guppy
In Year 6 I like being with my friends and buddy. Jett Bliss
What I really enjoy doing in Year 6 are doing all the jobs and looking after buddies. The 'Best' thing is Mr Cockroach in the sport shed, that Ella sadly killed. Kaylla Lulham
I have enjoyed having a buddy because they keep me entertained. Ella Bos.
I never realised that I had so much patience, I have to sometimes have patience with my buddy. I have enjoyed coming back to see my friends. Angus Abbott
I'm happy to be in Year six because I love having Mrs Cleaver. There are so many jobs and the health hustle activities are so much fun, especially dancing with friends. Ava Doherty
I'm glad to be in Year 6 because we get to help and care for the younger kids. Getting ready for the health hustle activities and dances was fun. Georgia Hartley
Year six is a lot of fun. We get to say hi to the teachers and our classmates. Nayte Foley
I like having my buddy at school. Maria Fresen
I enjoy having the Kindergartens to look after, being a leader of the school and taking on bigger responsibilities. I like doing harder and more work, so I get smarter and ready for high school. Mrs Cleaver helps me grow and get smarter. Lacey Hillman
I love maths. I love school. Nicole Jordan
I enjoy being in Year 6 because I enjoy taking care of my buddies, doing important jobs and learning about the stolen generation. Charlotte Barry
I love having a buddy because he is so cute and independent. Savanah Jordan
I love seeing my friends. Tristian Minns
Behaviour Management at St. Joseph's – PBS and MJR
Joey’s Wingham is committed to creating a positive environment where all students are able to learn. We are using the Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) and Making Jesus Real (MJR) systems because they involve a range of positive behaviour supports for all students within the school, implemented in both classroom and non-classroom settings.
Introducing, modelling and reinforcing positive social behaviour is an important part of a student’s educational experience. Teaching behavioural expectations, linking them to the real example that was Jesus and rewarding students for following them is both proactive and positive.
Each week, as part of the program, the classroom teachers will teach students expected behaviours. The same behaviours are taught across the school to help maintain uniformity and to ensure that all behaviours are taught throughout the year.
The weekly focus area is published in the school newsletter so that parents can discuss it with their child and reinforce these strategies.
Our school has 4 core behavioural expectations that reflect our community’s values.
Points: As part of the PBS and MJR Programs, “Gotchas” are given to students for positive social behaviours in the classroom and playground and for individual acts of great respect. These behaviours relate to our school-wide expectations of being safe, respectful learners and stewards of creation. Each Gotcha, which students collect, equals a point. These points are collated each week in the classroom and students can redeem these points for special privileges each Thursday.
Referral Forms:
In the instance of a student failing to meet the set expectations of being safe, respectful learners, the incident is recorded on a “Yellow Form”. This is an in-school referral system that assists us with tracking and monitorning student behaviour. We also use this data to inform our future focus areas at the beginning of each term.
If a student has three incidents referred via “Yellow Forms” in the space of a term, or is involved in a moderate or major incident, parents will be notified via a blue parent form. This process allows for opportunities to discuss behaviour expectations with the student, and to reinforce positive behaviour, whilst monitoring and recording any problem behaviour.
Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday
This week saw the beginning of the Church season of Lent - the special time when we look to God and do our best to live as God would want us to live, as we ready our hearts for Easter. Every year throughout Lent, many people pray, fast and give alms. These are the three pillars or traditions of Lent. During Lent, we take time to think about how the Holy Spirit can help us be more like Jesus. We take time to think about how we can care more about others.
In 2021 some of our traditions during this time of year had to alter a little but some stayed the same. On Shrove Tuesday we enjoyed pancakes wonderfully prepared by Mrs Yerbury and cooked by Mrs Yerbury, Mrs Saul and Mr B. This is a long standing tradition of our school and a small reminder of what is ahead for the season of Lent. The on Wednesday our school held a liturgy for Ash Wednesday to begin the season of Lent and to Launch our Project Compassion appeal for 2021.
Caritas Australia is the international aid and development organisation of the Catholic Church in Australia and is part of one of the largest aid and development networks in the world – Caritas Internationalis – working in over 200 countries and territories. Each year, Project Compassion runs during the six weeks of the Church season of Lent. Starting on Ash Wednesday, people across Australia are invited to help us raise awareness AND stand in solidarity with the millions of people in the communities across the world with whom Caritas work.
In each classroom there will be a Project Compassion box and we ask for you to give any small change you can. Even just some coins can make a big difference in the life of those less fortunate. Through our generosity and aspiring to “Be More”, we are assisting some of the world’s most vulnerable people build better futures for themselves, their families and their communities during this time of Lent. Families are also welcome to get a Project Compassion box for their home or workplace from the office or from Mr B.
Week 5 Mon 22 Feb-Thurs 25 Feb |
Parent Teacher Meetings |
Week 6 Friday 5 March |
School Cross Country |
Week 9 Mon 22 Mar-Wed 24 Mar |
Year 6 camp to Coffs Harbour |
Week 10 Thurs 1 April |
Last day of Term 1 |
TERM 2 Monday 19 April |
PUPIL FREE DAY |