13 June 2023 (Term 2 Week 8)
Principal's News
Dear St Joseph's Community,
Last week, we celebrated the Feast of Corpus Christie, the Body of Christ. On this Sunday each year, we recall the Last Supper and Christ’s gift of the Eucharist which we regard as the source and the summit of our shared Catholic faith. God so loved the world that he sent his only Son, Jesus, to share in our humanity. Through the Eucharist, we are united with Jesus, sharing in his divinity. We pray for the members of our community who will soon receive their First Holy Communion. We know that in receiving the Eucharist, these young people will be strengthened in faith and filled with the grace to continue to bring love and joy into the world; to build God’s kingdom on earth.
Corpus Christie also has another meaning. St Paul, in First Corinthians, explains that Church itself is also a representation of the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). St Paul reminds us that we are each blessed with our own unique gifts that we share for the good of all in our community (Romans 12:6). We see these gifts expressed each day in our school with our students, their families and our staff using their unique gifts to grow and love one another.
School Review - Parent voice needed!
Our School Review beings tomorrow. We are still in need of parents who are able to meet with reviewers to answer questions about how our school is progressing.
Parents will meet with the three reviewers in small groups TOMORROW, 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.
We look forward to sharing with the community the commendations, affirmations and recommendations from the report when the document is shared with us.
Pupil Free Day Reminders
A reminder that we have two Staff Development Days coming up. These will be devoted to professional learning on the revised NSW Curriculum for English and Mathematics and the development of our three-year strategic plan. The dates are:
- Friday, 30 June
- Monday, 17 July
School Uniform Reminder
A couple of reminders in relation to wearing the school uniform.
- The school shoes should be black, soft, polishable leather – not suede or skate shoes. Nylon sneakers are not a part of the school uniform.
- Jewellery is not allowed; however, students who have pierced ears may wear sleepers or studs.
We ask for parent’s support in ensuring their children are wearing the correct school uniform each day.
Mrs Patricia Steele - Long Service Leave
Patricia, who does such an amazing job on our administration team, caring for students and supporting the running of the school, will be taking Long Service Leave from the end of the term. Patricia will be taking some time to travel with her husband and to spend time with her family. She will return for the second semester in 2024. We will greatly miss Patricia in her absence, and we wish her safe travels and a very well-deserved period of rest and recreation.
Reports & Learning Conversations
Our reporting period is well underway, with teachers engaging in Learning Conversations with students to inform the written comments components of these academic reports.
Our Parent/Carer-Student-Teacher conversations with your child's pastoral teacher will be held in Weeks 1 and 2 of Term 3, before and after school.
These will be available to book under the Conferences section of the Compass app. The Conferences bookings are not yet live, and we will send out a Compass notification when they are. This will likely be by the end of this week, or early next week.
UPDATE: These are now available to book under the Conferences section of the Compass app or website. This page of the Compass for Parents Website has instructions to show you how to book.
Your child's attendance at these meetings is essential. It is an opportunity to share successes and engage in discussions about their learning improvement areas. This active involvement is a key part of making these conversations productive and meaningful.
I inadvertently left access open to parents before we were ready to open the Conferences up for bookings, and some parents may have already made early bookings. If you have booked a time when your child's teacher will not be available, or if you have booked with a teacher other than your child's pastoral teacher, they will be in touch to let you know. This was my mistake for leaving this open, and I apologise.
We look forward to the opportunity to disucss your child's learning with you.
BRAVE Parenting Web Event
Together with David Kobler from Your Choicez, Parent Assembly will be hosting the BRAVE Parenting Web Event.
The BRAVE Parenting Conversations webinar will empower you to discuss the tough topics with your teenager. Young people are in desperate need of conversations with people they can trust. They need reliable information and guidance around how to navigate these challenging and difficult topics. In this 75min webinar we will share information to assist you in:
- Equipping young people with an understanding of Positive Masculinity in a world with damaging stereotypes.
- Empowering young people to consider the qualities and attributes they want to be known for.
- How to help teens navigate an Image-Based society that places so much emphasis on the physical.
- Instilling in young people the importance of placing value on character over the way we look.
- The Why, How and When around talking to your child about the topics that really matter.
Parents can register via this link
Deepest Sympathy
We extend our sympathy to the Thorpe family on the recent passing of Bailey's and Lachlan's grandmother and to Mrs Natalie Graveson on the loss of her grandmother.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time.
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.
Mission News
Vinnies Winter Appeal
During Winter, St Vincent de Paul is one of the many wonderful charities that support people in need, in particular, those experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Our Stage 3 Social Justice Group, supported by Mrs Wagner, have come up with a number of wonderful initiatives to raise money for the Winter Appeal and educate our community about the importance of reaching out to others. All money raised will go towards the purchase of Nakie outdoor blankets for those who are sleeping rough. Each blanket is nearly $200 so every donation will make a difference. As St Mary MacKillop of the Cross says, we should never see a need without doing something about it.
Soup Day - Monday 19 June:
Please bring a gold coin donation!
How can you help?
- Instead of packing a sandwich, encourage your child to have a cup of soup and slice of bread on this day. This experience of solidarity with those who depend on the support of services such as soup kitchens, helps our students understand that we are one human family who are committed to the good of all.
- If there are any families who are able to donate a pot of soup for this, we would be very grateful. These can be brought to the canteen before school. Please email the school if you can help in this way: alstp@lism.catholic.edu.au
- If there are any parents or grandparents with 2 hours to spare from 10:45am - 12:45pm to help heat soup and serve it to our students, we would be very grateful. Please email the school if you can help in this way: alstp@lism.catholic.edu.au
Winter Woolies Casual Clothes Day - Thursday 29 June:
Wear your warm winter gear and bring a gold coin donation. We look forward to seeing everyone feeling comfy and warm if their hoodies, snoodies and trackies!
Parent Information Night First Eucharist - Wednesday 28 June
Children in Year 4 or above who have received the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Reconciliation are eligible to make their First Eucharist this year. Candidates and their parents are asked to attend our Information Evening on Wednesday 28 June, at 6pm in the school staffroom to learn more about the Sacrament. Please bring along your enrolment form which can be collected from the school office or collect one on the night.
Year 4 Accendere Retreat
On Wednesday 19 July, students in Year 4 will be participating in a retreat day led by Miss Clark and Mrs Keough. On this day, students may wear casual, sun safe clothes and covered shoes. They will have a special sausage sizzle lunch and enjoy activities that help them grow in friendship with each other and with Jesus.
Mrs Kate Jones, Assistant Principal - Mission
Learning & Teaching News
DIBELS Assessments
In Weeks 7-9, students will be assessed on their reading ability using DIBELS. These are short 1 minute assessments, testing students’ ability in letter naming, phonemic segmentation, nonsense word reading (phonetic decoding), word reading fluency, oral reading fluency and comprehension. Depending on what stage our students are in depends on which assessments they complete. DIBELS are used to regularly detect risk and monitor the development of early literacy and early reading skills. Each subtest has been thoroughly researched and demonstrated to be a reliable and valid indicator of literacy development.
Vocabulary
A strong vocabulary is crucial for our students to comprehend and engage with the texts they encounter. In order to develop age-appropriate vocabulary skills, one of the most effective methods is through reading books which contain some unfamiliar words, however, it's important to strike a balance. When students encounter an overwhelming number of words which they can't define, it can lead to frustration and dampen their motivation. Therefore, we aim to periodically focus on important vocabulary words, providing targeted support to ensure our students' continued growth and success.
Article- ‘ Young children’s words predict reading ability- 5 ways parents and caregivers can help grow them’
Sport News
Athletics Carnival
There is not long to go until the Joey’s Athletics Carnival!
The Compass event is now live for families to access. The schedule of events and map will be added to the Event next week. Please note, as this event is held off-site, permission MUST be given for students to leave the school grounds to attend.
Lunch orders are due TOMORROW (Wednesday 14 June), for the day; this is the only way to ensure that lunch can be received on the day.
Competitive Shot-put will start at school this week rather than at the carnival. We will be collecting names for competitive long-jump early next week.
Miss Linsey MacDonald, Sport Co-Ordinator
Rugby Gala Day
The Stage 3 Rugby team will travel to Coffs Harbour THIS Friday, 16 June, to participate in a Rugby Gala Day. Students will need to gather in front of the church by 6:15am to avoid missing the departure time.
An error was made when publishing this Event. The advertised and correct cost is $35, however some attendees have only been charged $30. Parents who have already paid the lesser amount will be billed a further $5. Unfortunately, you will be unable to pay this through the Event as this feature is a once only option. Instead, we ask that you make the payment the same as you would when you pay your school fees. You will see the $5 debit appear on your next Statement. Our apologies for any inconvenience.
Students will be given a school football jersey and socks this week which are to be washed and returned to school on the Monday following the event (19 June).
Please refer to the Event Resources in Compass for further information including the draw for the day. (Note the draw has been amended since the Event was first published.)
Mr Phil Crosby
Library News
Bookclub
A reminder that ORDERS CLOSE TOMORROW for Issue 4 of Scholastic Book Club.
Parents are asked to order online at https://bookclubs.scholastic.com.au.
All orders must be placed by 9am, Wednesday 14 June.
Stage News
Stage 1 Mathematicians
The Stage One mathematicians have been seeing collections in groups to work out the total number of objects. They have been subitising (i.e. the ability to instantly recognise the number of objects in a small group without the need to count them. For example, when a student rolls a dice they can instantly recognise the number of dots on the face of the dice.), and solving problems the ‘smart, easy and fast’ way because counting every single item takes too long! It is fun to see how smaller numbers make up larger numbers.
My New Gallery
Parish News
Parish Hospitality Group
We will be holding a morning tea on Tuesday 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.
Coming Events
Gardiner Chess
The Gardiner Chess Tournament will be held THIS Thursday, 15 June at Emmanuel Anglican College Ballina.
Best of luck to the following students who will represent our school: Finlay Baker, Katie Bullen, Nate Foster, Fisher Hunter, Jack Kubils, Zeke Kubils, Lily McVey, Lily O'Connor, Myf Richardson and Chloe White.
A canteen menu is now available to view in the Event Resources. Orders need to be written on paper bags and handed into the EAC Canteen on the morning of the Event.
Parents who have volunteered to drive students are asked complete and return the Parent Transport Form, which can be found in the Event Resources, as soon as possible.
School Assembly - We invite you all to our School Assembly this Friday, 16 June, from 2:30pm. Please see the following tips to assist you when you signing in.
Signing in to our Assembly:
SIGN-IN:
- Please use the displayed QR CODES or the ipad in the office to sign in.
- When asked what Organisation you are from, please enter: parent, grandparent, aunt etc.
- When asked who you are visiting, please enter a staff member's name (not your child's).
- COLLECT your name label from the office.
COLLECTING CHILDREN EARLY: If you are planning to take your child/ren with you at the conclusion of events, please complete a “How I am Getting Home” slip for each child, available from the office. (To: = your child’s name; circle the “With Parent after Assembly” option.) When you are ready to leave, give the slip to your child’s teacher and collect your child.
BOOM GATE: The boom gate is CLOSED from 3pm—3:45pm. Please DO NOT park in the car park if you need to leave during this time.
SIGN-OUT: Please remember to sign out when you leave.
Year 6 Book Stall Fundraiser
Due to the extraordinary generosity of our families, we had many more book donations than expected so have had to postpone our Book Stall so we can get through the wrapping process!
We’re hoping to reschedule to early next term, and will let you know the new date soon.
Year 6 is very grateful for your support for their fundraising efforts.
Please click on the link below to see the school calendar to view upcoming events:
Celebrations
For Your Information
Rainbow Region Kids Winter Vacation Club Program - BOOK NOW!
Community News
Ballina Shire Council wishes to advise that road resurfacing works on Cawley Place, Alstonville, have been rescheduled to commence from Wednesday 14 June 2023. Please click on the link below for further information.