Term 2 Week 9
Principal's message
Dear Parents and Carers,
In last week’s reading during the weekend mass, there was a part that really connected with me. The reading spoke about the positives that come from having faith in God such as the peace and grace bestowed upon our very way of being because of our faith. The reading went on to say...
‘...But that is not all we can boast about; we can boast about our sufferings. These sufferings bring patience, as we know, and patience brings perseverance, and perseverance brings hope, and this hope is not deceptive, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given us.’ (Romans 5:1-5)
Although it seems unusual to boast about our sufferings, I likened this to the opportunities that our sufferings provide for personal growth or to witness the patience, perseverance and hope referenced in the reading in our own lives. I think the reason I connected with these words was because of the recent events within our community and the absolute patience, perseverance and hope that I have observed in our community response to the flooding event. Some of the losses in our area have been unimaginable, and I don’t underestimate the trauma and need for support that will exist for a long time, but what I have also witnessed is the hope that is nourished through the pulling together of many people to provide the emotional, physical and financial support needed in the short and longer term for those in need. The actions and responses of our community and communities beyond our own have filled me with this sense of hope.
This week you will have access to your child’s Semester 1 Student Report in Compass online. I encourage you to read through your child’s report with your child prior to meeting with teachers next week. This is an important part of the culture of feedback in our school connected with your child’s learning and one of the ways we build a shared understanding of how we can work together to make sure your child can grow and become the best version of themselves.
As this is our final newsletter for Term 2, I remind families that the final day of Term 2, Friday 4th July, and the first day of Term 3, Monday 21st July, are Pupil Free days. Primary Schools have a number of new syllabus documents over the next couple of years to introduce. The final day this term will focus on the new Human Society and Its Environment Syllabus, and the first day of next term will focus on our Wellbeing goals.
Best wishes for the final couple of weeks of term and the winter break.
Yours sincerely,
Brooke Stephens
Assistant Principal
Manning Region Spelling and Maths Bee
Last week, I had the pleasure of supporting our students as they represented our school in the Manning Region Spelling and Maths Bee at Holy Name Primary School, Forster. They competed against students from all five schools in the Manning region, and the competition was tough!
Our students were outstanding, and I was incredibly proud of their efforts. Remarkably, all of our students placed 2nd in the Spelling Bee and 3rd in the Maths Bee. They represented our school with pride and demonstrated excellent sportsmanship throughout the day.
We now wish our Manning friends the very best of luck as they head to the Diocesan Spelling and Maths Bee, taking place this Friday at Rosary Park, Branxton.
ICAS Assessments
What is ICAS?
ICAS is an online academic competition that gives students the opportunity to challenge their higher order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Writing and Digital Technologies.
ICAS results are in-depth and meaningful, and ICAS evaluates student performance against other competition entrants across the state and nation. The data reveals student strengths and weaknesses and can help you recognise and support your child's academic journey.
Learn more about ICAS here: (icasassessments.com/products-icas/).
Stay tuned for St Joseph's ICAS registrations.
Attendance Matters
We have seen a significant improvement in our student attendance rates, and I would like to sincerely thank all our families for partnering with us to support this progress. Regular attendance is a key factor in student learning success, and we are continuing to work towards our goal of all students achieving an attendance rate above 90%.
We understand that every family has unique circumstances. As part of our ongoing commitment, we will continue to connect with and support families whose children's attendance is falling below the expected standard. Open and honest communication is essential. By working together, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions or concerns regarding this matter.
Kia May Wall
Assistant Principal.
Religious Education Coordinator
Vinnies Winter Appeal
This year, St Joseph's is focusing on collecting specific items to help those in need during the colder months, especially those families affected by the recent flood. We kindly ask for donations of the following:
- 🧦 New winter socks
- 🧣 Scarves
- 🧤 Fingerless gloves
- 🛁 New towels
In addition to the appeal, we will be hosting a Pyjama Day on Thursday, 3rd July. Students are encouraged to wear their favourite pyjamas to school (with appropriate footwear) and bring a gold coin donation. All proceeds will go towards supporting the Vinnies Winter Appeal and helping flood victims in our community.
Your generosity and support make a significant difference in the lives of those less fortunate. Thank you for your contributions and for helping us make this appeal a success.
Pilgrimage Activity: Heartfelt Letters of Gratitude
During Catholic Schools Week, students embarked on a meaningful pilgrimage that included various activities aimed at fostering community spirit and gratitude. One particularly touching activity was the writing of notes of encouragement and thanks to organisations that played crucial roles during the recent floods. Among these heartfelt gestures was a beautiful letter penned by kindergarten students to Essential Energy.
Primary Coordinator Report
It is amazing how quickly a term goes by! The Relationships that Rock theme this term culminated in the Yr 6 PB4L team running some teamwork games at lunchtimes this week and in the next fortnight they will be helping out on the playground with conflict resolution on the infants play area. Peer mediation empowers students to resolve conflicts and build positive relationships with the help of older mentor students.
Term 3
We are currently looking at our behaviour data for this term to determine what we need to address next term. The general theme will be more friendship-based skills and strategies to empower our children to act appropriately to maintain friendships. We will also identify ways the students can be accountable for their words and actions. Recognizing what is within their control, such as their own words and actions, is a healthy way to understand their interactions.
As staff we are still working on delivering appropriate strategies to students that need extra support. We will continue to provide small group or individual instruction on social/emotional skills for the students that require extra time and support to learn new skills. We will continue to provide feedback to our students to set them up to have positive, safe relationships with their peers.
As caregivers, we would love to see you engaging with your child about their school day. Please remember the Hero, Hardship and Highlight prompt questions you can use to start the discussion. Asking your child to focus on 2 positive areas helps your child think more positively and notice the good things that may happen throughout the day.
Loretta Riddiford
Primary Coordinator
Pedagogical Mentor Years 3-6
Primary Teaching and Learning
Parent teacher Interviews
Please take the time to schedule an appointment with your child's classroom teacher to discuss their progress. This meeting is an excellent opportunity to gain insight into your child's academic and personal development. To make the most of this discussion, consider these five guiding questions:
- How is my child learning?
- This question helps you understand the methods and approaches being used in the classroom and how your child engages with them. It provides insight into their learning style and the strategies that are most effective for them.
- How are they doing?
- Inquire about your child's overall performance, including their strengths and areas for improvement. This will give you a comprehensive view of their academic and personal development.
- How do you know how they are doing?
- Understanding the assessment methods and tools used by the teacher to gauge your child's progress is crucial. This includes formal assessments, classroom observations, and feedback mechanisms.
- How can they improve?
- Ask for specific strategies and suggestions on how your child can enhance their learning. This might involve focusing on particular skills, adopting new study habits, or engaging in additional practice at home.
- What support can I provide and can you provide if they are struggling?
- Discuss the resources and support systems available both at school and at home. This includes extra help from the teacher, tutoring options, and how you can assist your child in their learning journey.
Additionally, make sure to ask, "When will we check in again?" to establish a timeline for follow-up meetings. Regular check-ins ensure that you stay informed about your child's progress and can address any concerns promptly.
Tarnya Jones
Pedagogical Mentor Years 3-6
Sports News
🏅 Primary School Athletics Carnival – A Day of Fun, Friendship & Fierce Competition! 🏃♀️🏃♂️
Last Friday, Joey’s came alive with color, cheer, and community spirit at our much-anticipated Annual Athletics Carnival! Held at Tuncurry, the day was filled with excitement as students from Year 2 to Year 6 competed in a range of track events.
Our young athletes showed incredible determination and sportsmanship, giving their all on the field while cheering loudly for their classmates. House spirit was on full display, with creative chants, and supportive high-fives making it a truly inclusive celebration.
We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our dedicated staff, volunteers, and families who helped make the day run smoothly. Whether it was setting up equipment, timekeeping, or providing snacks and encouragement, your contributions were invaluable.
Above all, the day was a fantastic reminder of what makes our school so special – teamwork, resilience, and a whole lot of fun. We’re already looking forward to next year’s carnival!
📝 Regional Athletics Notes Going Home Today – Please Return Promptly!
We’re excited to announce that Regional Athletics is just around the corner, and selected students will be bringing home their permission notes today!
These notes contain all the important details about the upcoming event, including dates, location, and what students will need on the day. If your child has been selected to represent our school, please take a moment to read through the information carefully.
To help us with planning and organisation, we kindly ask that all signed notes be returned as soon as possible. The sooner we receive them, the smoother the lead-up to this exciting event will be for everyone involved.
Thank you for your continued support, and congratulations to our talented athletes—we can’t wait to see you shine at Regionals!
Yours In Sport
Tarnya Jones – Sport Coordinator
Awards
