6 June 2023 (Term 2 Week 7)
Principal's News
Dear St Joseph’s Community
Last Sunday, we celebrated Trinity Sunday. The Trinity provides for all of us, an image of a perfect relationship, something we can all strive towards in our relationships with one another. The Trinity is one of the most challenging mysteries of the faith for Christians to comprehend. St Augustine, writing in the 4th and 5th Centuries, provides us with a beautiful model for understanding the nature of the Trinity.
He begins with the big idea that God IS love itself. But what does this mean, because love cannot exist outside of a relationship? For love to be present requires a ‘lover’, someone who gives of their love; a ‘beloved’, one who receives and returns this love; and the ‘love’ itself that flows between the two. For Augustine, God the Father was the ‘lover’; Jesus the Son was the ‘beloved’, and the Holy Spirit was the love that flowed between the Father and the Son and which spills out into all creation for us to share.
Understood this way, the love we pour out to our family and friends is a sharing in the love that God has for his Son (and for us too). At St Joseph’s, we seek to unite our love with that of the Trinity in order to grow all of our students academically, socially, physically and spiritually.
Passing of Lyn Rowling’s Father
We keep in our prayers Lyn Rowling and her family, whose father passed away recently with the funeral Mass held last Friday. We pray for the repose of the soul of Peter Thurtell.
Parental As Anything Podcast
In this episode of the Parental as Anything Podcast, parenting expert Maggie Dent shares some advice for what happens when the real world dulls in comparison to the digital world our children are spending time in. Help: Life outside screens has no meaning.
Staff Spirituality Day
Last Wednesday was our Staff Spirituality Day. This is a time for our staff to join together in prayer, guided by Bishop Greg. Our staff engaged in three modules, led by the spiritual direction of Bishop Greg, to consider and pray about our relationship with our shared vocation of Catholic education. This was a lovely opportunity to take time for stillness and silence.
Tell Them From Me - Parent Response Feedback
A huge thank you to our families for their responses to the Tell Them From Me survey. We had a significant increase in the number of respondents from parents and we have seen some great improvements.
We will be analysing this data with the staff over the coming weeks and will share the findings back to parents as we progress the analysis.
School Review
A reminder that during Week 8, our school will be having our three-yearly school review. This is a positive and affirming process for our school and will help to shape the agenda for our next three-year Strategic Plan from 2024-2026.
We are still in need of parents who are able to meet with reviewers to answer questions about how our school is progressing against the nine domains of the National School Improvement Tool. Parents will meet with the three reviewers in small groups on Wednesday, June 14, from approximately 2:30pm - 3:10pm.
Please complete this Google Form to indicate you are able to attend. Your voice will help us to shape the future directions of our school.
Seesaw
Seesaw has gone live! You should have received a letter home with a QR code to join your child's class and see photos of their learning journey. If you are having any trouble, please contact your child's pastoral teacher. We hope you are enjoying seeing some of our learning experiences.
A huge thank you to Mrs Crosby for all of her work in setting Seesaw up for our community.
DO WE HAVE THE CORRECT INFORMATION?
It is important that the school has your correct contact details. If you have moved house, changed jobs or are in any doubt about what contact numbers (including Emergency Contacts), address and email details we have on record, please contact the school to check and if necessary, update your information.
Acknowledgement to Country
Jingi Walla ( Jin-gee-wah-la ) Hello….
As we journey on this land of the Bundjalung Nation on which St Joseph’s stands, we pay our respects to the Elders - the past, present and emerging leaders of the Bundjalung Nation. We acknowledge and respect their culture, their heritage and their beliefs as stewards of the land, sea, the earth and heavens, animals and vegetation.
Learning & Teaching News
Learning Conversations
Learning conversations are underway here at St Joseph’s. These conversations are with the teacher and student, both discussing and identifying the student’s strengths, areas for growth and what they enjoy most at school. The teacher guides this discussion and supports the student in being able to reflect on their learning so far this year.
This semester, we have narrowed the focus of these conversations to three key questions: “As a learner, my strengths are”, “As a learner, my areas for growth are”, “As a learner I enjoy”. These conversations are attached to the grading component of the student report. Reports will be sent out to parents in Week 10 via Compass and further information will be provided about booking a Teacher-Student-Parent/Carer meeting with your child’s Pastoral teacher early next term. If you have any questions around this, please send me an email or call the school.
Supporting Reading Comprehension at Home
The upper strands of the reading rope focus on language comprehension and include background knowledge, vocabulary, language structures, verbal reasoning, and literacy knowledge. The five areas of language comprehension should increase over time as the reader builds. The language comprehension strand gives the reader strategies to understand the content of what is being read.
Some tips for supporting this at home include:
- Ask your child to explain the text to you.
When children put what they have read into their own words, it helps in two ways:
- Firstly, as a parent, you know they have understood what they have read.
- Secondly, putting it into their own words actively helps them to comprehend and remember the information.
- Ask them questions
- What do you think this paragraph/story/page is about?
- What do we already know about the subject or characters? (Where is it set, who is in the story, what are they like?)
- What else might help us understand the information – are there pictures or diagrams that provide clues?
- Are there any words here that you didn't understand? (Then help them to look the word up in a dictionary or through an online search.)
- What do you think the main points were? (Perhaps underline them if the book is yours, or make notes. Some kids might even prefer to draw quick sketches if they are very visual.)
- Ask for clarification or to justify their thinking
- An easy prompt is “Why do you say that?” or “What makes you think that?”
- “Show me in the text where it says that?”
- “How do you know that?”
- Wait – take a breath, and let them answer in their own time
When we ask the above types of questions, the temptation is to rush in and answer, or to point a finger at the answer on the page. Don't.
- Learning is a process. Your child needs to make the connection from A to B to C in their own brain in order to be able to repeat the process later. If you point to "C", they haven't created this pathway in their own brain, and so they haven't fully comprehended the text.
- Ask a slightly different version of the question. Simply rewording a question can create a breakthrough for your child. Often just changing one or two words suddenly makes the answer obvious.
Mr Phil Crosby, Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching
Sport News
Athletics Carnival
Our Athletics Carnival will be held on Friday, 23 June. This year will see us joined once again by St Joseph’s Coraki for what we know will be a fun day.
If you are available to assist in any capacity on the day (e.g. age group support, timing, Long Jump/Shotput,canteen, etc.), could you please email me at linsey.macdonald@lism.catholic.edu.au
A Compass Event will be posted on the coming weeks with information about the day.
A Lunch Order form is being sent home with each student today. Orders and payment (correct cash) are DUE by NEXT WEDNESDAY, 14 June, to the school office please.
Rugby Gala Day
The Stage 3 Rugby team will travel to Coffs Harbour on Friday, 16 June 2023, to participate in a Rugby Gala Day alongside various schools in the diocese.
This Event has been published in Compass today. We ask parents who have received a notification about this Event to act on it upon receipt.
It is very important that you inform Mr Crosby as soon as possible if your child is unable to attend.
Miss Linsey MacDonald, Sport Co-Ordinator
Parish News
Children’s Liturgy of the Word – THIS Sunday, 11 June 2023
Leader on the day will be Mr Kurt Challinor
Children’s Liturgy helps your child/children grow in their faith and love of Jesus. We encourage you to bring your family to the 8:30am Mass at Our Lady of the Rosary Alstonville Church on Sunday, 11 June. The children accompany their family in the church at the beginning of Mass, and then when the Liturgy of the Word commences, the children leave to go to the hall to hear the Word at a level that they can understand. It is designed for children aged from 3 – 12. The activity sheet that follows the Gospel of the day, is age appropriate.
All of the Children’s Liturgy Leaders have been verified under the Working with Children Check process.
Please feel free to contact the parish office on 6628 3047 should you have any queries.
Parent Information Night for First Eucharist
The Parent Information Night for First Eucharist will be held on Wednesday, 28 June 2023 in the staffroom at St Joseph’s School Alstonville at 6:00pm. The meeting will address the meaning of the Sacrament of Eucharist and will be the opportunity to organise the various groups for home instruction. This will involve all parents from both government schools and St Joseph’s.
All children who are in Year 4 and beyond and who have received the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Reconciliation are eligible to receive First Eucharist. Enrolment forms for First Eucharist can be collected from the school office.
Parish Hospitality Group
We will be holding a morning tea on June 27, following the Anointing Mass in Wardell at 10am. Everyone is welcome. If transport is required please contact the Parish office on 6628 3047.
Library News
Issue 4 of Scholastic Book Club is now open for orders. Colour brochures went home with students on Friday last week. Parents are asked to order online at https://bookclubs.scholastic.com.au. All orders must be placed by 9am, Wednesday 14 June.
The library has been a hive of activity lately with many students enjoying our lunch time activities. Students have been creating sloth art works based on the National Simultaneous Storytime where all Stages shared in the reading of “The Speedy Sloth”.
Thank you to those families who have been supporting their students with their reading. Borrowing from the library is phenomenal, with students reading widely and frequently. Students are being encouraged to share their reading with family members (including the family pets). Reading aloud is a great skill for students to practise. Have you shared a book with your children lately?
Please continue to help your students remember to bring their library books (and Take Home Readers) every week. We are trying to promote self-responsibility for our students!
Happy reading!
Ms Ros Kingsford, Library Manager
Stage News
In Stage 3 Mathematics, we have been learning about Chance - we designed board games to assess and discuss the elements of chance & probability.
Coming Events
Gardiner Chess Expressions of Interest
The Gardiner Chess Tournament will be held on Thursday, 15 June 2023, at Emmanuel Anglican College Ballina. Start at 9:30 am and finish around 2:30 pm.
This Tournament is open to students in Stages 2 and Stage 3.
To be eligible to attend, students should know the rules of Chess and be able to play confidently.
The cost of the Tournament is $22.
Expressions of interest are due by TOMORROW, Wednesday, 7 June.
We are also seeking parent volunteers to help to drive students from school to the event and back to school after the event.
Please complete this form to indicate your child's interest in this event.
The Social Justice Group are fundraising to be able to supply Vinnies with the Nakie blankets recommended for those "sleeping rough" this winter. These blankets are incredibly light, very warm and double as a wearable coat! The filling of these blankets is also made from recycled material, so we're even caring for our planet as well as people in our communities!
We will be holding 3 events to help raise money:
1. A Soup Day scheduled for Monday 19 June - gold coin donation
2. A Mufti Day (tracksuits & oodies) for Thursday 29 June - gold coin donation
3. A Cake Stall (donations from S3 families) for Monday 24 July - .20c to $2
We will also be advertising and fundraising along with the St Vincent De Paul volunteers at Our Lady of the Rosary Church at the weekend Masses.
Please dig deep this Winter to help the many people in our communities who are struggling, especially during the very cold months ahead.
Each Nakie blanket costs $200- we need your help!
Please click on the link below to see the school calendar to view upcoming events:
Celebrations
For Your Information
2024 ENROLMENTS
We are currently making contact with applicants to arrange Enrolment Interviews. We ask all existing families with siblings due to start school next year, to submit their enrolment applications as soon as possible. We have a high level of interest and limited places for Kindergarten 2024. Your early submission helps us to manage our offers of enrolment and guarantee a place for your child.
Have your say on the next National School Reform Agreement
Teachers, parents and students are encouraged to participate in a national survey to help shape the future of school education. The survey is being released today as part of the Expert Panel Review of the next National School Reform Agreement.
Survey participants can have their say on a range of issues, including:
- improving education outcomes;
- supporting student health and well-being; and
- supporting and retaining teachers.
The survey is available to complete here and will be open until Friday, 23 June 2023.
Covid RAT's available
We still have some RAT's available. Please contact the office if you would like a box.
Community News
Temporary closure of Rous Road
Ballina Shire Council wishes to advise that roadworks will commence at the intersection of Rous Road and Wardell Road, Lynwood, from Tuesday 13 June 2023 and continue for approximately two weeks (weather permitting).
Detours will be in place and local bus services may be re-routed.
For further information click on the link below or contact the Civil Services team on 1300 864 444.
For road closure and roadwork updates visit livetraffic.com
Have your say on the future of Shaws Bay
Ballina Shire Council is inviting the community to provide feedback on the future management of Shaws Bay in East Ballina.
Community members can have their say via a survey that is now open at Your Say Ballina. Submissions will close Friday 14 July 2023.
To get involved visit yoursayballina.com.au/shaws-bay-coastal-management-program
Click on the link below for further information.