18 June 2024 (Week 8 Term 2 2024)
Dear St Joseph’s Community
We are fast approaching the end of the term, I would like to acknowledge the hard work of all of our students. We have been working hard at building reading, writing and numeracy stamina these past two terms, and we are seeing some excellent early signs of positive growth in our data.
Coming up in week 10, on Tuesday and Wednesday, we have our Parent Teacher Interviews. These will be short and sharp 10-minute optional opportunities for parents to meet with their child’s teacher to touch base about their learning progress after reports are released at the end of week 9. We look forward to celebrating your child’s achievements and some next steps in their learning. More details about reports and Parent Teacher Conferences are below. Bookings will be released on Compass for parents to book this Wednesday afternoon.
With the long weekend, we have our first assembly in a few weeks this Friday. We look forward to celebrating lots of student achievement and to acknowledging NAIDOC week.
This week, we welcome two Enrichment Tutors undertaking their placement training in learning support. Mrs Pucci will join Kindergarten and Mrs Waller will join Year 4. They will be with us for two weeks and rejoin us again later in the year.
On Saturday night, I look forward to joining our Stage 2 students and their families for the Vigil Mass in the church for our second Parish School Family Mass for 2024. Our students have been preparing well for this Mass, and it is an important opportunity to make connections with our beautiful and welcoming parish family. Thank you to our Stage 2 team and Mrs Jones for putting this together.
This week, we welcome Ms White, who has returned from her final teaching practicum. I know she has been missing our students a great deal while she has been away, finalising this last part of her teaching degree.
WELCOME TO OUR NEW STUDENTS
Last week we welcomed a new student into Year 2, Maxim Rognon. This week, we welcome Jacob Darnell also into Year 2. A huge welcome to you and your families into the St Joseph’s School family.
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
In this week’s Gospel, Mark 4:26-34, Jesus shares the parables of the growing seed and the mustard seed. These parables illustrate the Kingdom of God, emphasising that even the smallest seeds can grow into the largest of plants, symbolising immense growth and potential from humble beginnings.
Jesus was attempting to describe what it means to build the Kingdom of God. Jesus, the Son of God, enters into the world in the most powerless way possible, as a baby born into Roman subjugation in a poor, desert corner of a vast empire. Like the mustard seed, a short number of years after Jesus’ resurrection, the apostles had spread the ‘Good News’ throughout that empire, and had begun the important work of building the Kingdom of God here on earth. Caring for the poor and needy, the sick and vulnerable, of these early Christians, it was said: “see how they love one another” (Tertullian). It is my hope that this is what people say about our staff and students too.
You are invited to listen to Bishop Greg’s Homily from Sunday’s Mass.
SCHOOL COMMUNITY GROUP MEETING
We’d love your feedback on what meeting times might work the best for you. Here is a very short survey to collect your thoughts. We have currently earmarked Tuesday, the 3rd of September, as our next meeting date. The time will be informed by your survey feedback.
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.
MINIMISING CLASS DISRUPTION
A short reminder of the importance of our instructional time, especially during Mathematics and English blocks. If possible, please try to schedule appointments outside of these times. We understand this isn’t always easy, and we truly appreciate your efforts to support our students’ learning.
UNIFORM REMINDER
As we move into the colder weather, a reminder that students should be wearing the correct school bomber jacket and tracksuit pants as a part of our uniform. These are available to purchase from our uniform shop, which is open Friday mornings and afternoons. Students also require their hats to play, and school shoes should be black, polishable leather shoes.
Understanding the K-6 student report
“Parents want to know what was taught and how well their child has learnt it, as well as where improvement is needed....... (NESA, 2023)”
For further information about the new K-6 English syllabus click here.
For further information about the new K-6 Mathematics syllabus click here
The report comments will be structured using a bulleted list. The bulleted list will highlight Areas of Achievement and Growth to celebrate and 1-2 Learning Goals for students to continue working towards. The teachers will provide comments that have been developed for the school by the Catholic Schools Office using syllabus language from a range of content areas.
The report template will indicate the level of knowledge and understanding students have achieved for each of the focus areas within English and Mathematics and the other key learning areas. For Kindergarten, these will be expressed as: Working Towards, Working At or Working Beyond. For years 1-6, these will be expressed as Extensive, Thorough, Sound, Basic and Elementary.
MATHS GAMES TO PRACTISE NUMBER SENSE
Concepts covered: Place Value and addition
Equipment: Dice (6 sided), paper and pens
Good questions to ask while playing: “What are you hoping to roll?”; “How did you work that out?”
Concepts covered: Variety of concepts (e.g. even/odd, square numbers, prime numbers, greater than/less than etc.)
Equipment: Paper and pens, deck of cards
Good questions to ask while playing: “Why did you choose to play that card?”; “Is there another reason for the card you just played?”; “What would you do differently the next time that you played?”
WRITE ON 2024 - WRITING COMPETITION
Entries are now open for students to write a short, imaginative text of up to 500 words using the artwork here as inspiration. The annual WriteOn competition allows students to develop their writing skills and if their entry is selected for inclusion, become a published author. Students are welcome to work on these at home and bring to Mr Crosby for feedback. Entries are due to the school on 24th June.
To find out more and to enter visit nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/nesa/awards-and-events/writeon-competition.
HOT CHOCOLATES FOR THE VINNIES WINTER APPEAL
Hot Chocolates this Thursday
We can’t wait to serve hot chocolates this Thursday to raise money for the Vinnies Winter Appeal. Please bring a gold coin donation to enjoy a hot chocolate at recess on Thursday. Gluten-free cocoa powder and lactose and dairy-free milk will be available.
COMMUNITY REWARDS DAY ‘Together, we are stronger’
To celebrate the end of Term 2, our students' hard work, and the care they show one another, we will have a celebration day on Monday, July 1st. The theme is ‘Together, we are stronger’, and students will engage in various team-based activities and games in vertical house groups throughout the afternoon. Our Year 6 students are planning and leading the games on the day.
Students are invited to wear casual clothes in their ‘team colours’ for the day. This could be a sports team, group, or team they barrack for. Please bring a gold coin donation for the Vinnies Winter Appeal, which will support vulnerable individuals and families this winter.
PARISH SCHOOL FAMILY MASS - SATURDAY 22ND JUNE
All families are invited to join us for our Parish-School Family Mass this Saturday night at 6pm. Stage 2 will be leading special parts in the Mass and are hoping to see our school family there.
ATHLETICS CARNIVAL - FRIDAY 28 JUNE
Excitement is high at school for students as they prepare for our Athletics Carnival next week. As we are leaving school grounds, students will need permission to attend the day on Compass. This Compass Event also includes the information you will need about the run of the day (program to be uploaded by Week 9 Wednesday) and clothing requirements.
If you plan on taking your child home early on this day, please send an email to alstp@lism.catholic.edu.au, or alternatively they can bring in a written note to school.
RECOGNISE AND PRAISE YOUR CHILD'S REGULAR ATTENDANCE.
Recognising and praising your child's regular attendance is a powerful way to reinforce positive behaviour and encourage a strong commitment to their education. Here are some ways to effectively recognize and praise your child's consistent attendance:
- Verbal Encouragement. Regularly express your appreciation for your child's commitment to attending school. Use positive and encouraging language to let them know you notice and value their efforts.
- Positive Notes or Messages. Write short notes or messages expressing your pride in your child's regular attendance. Slip these notes into their backpack or lunchbox as pleasant surprises during the school day.
- Set Goals Together. Work with your child to set attendance goals for each term or semester. Collaboratively establishing achievable goals can instil a sense of responsibility and motivation.
- Celebrate Milestones. This strategy will be specific to the goals you set together. Acknowledge these achievements and make them special occasions for recognition. Encourage your child to reflect on their own accomplishments related to attendance. Discuss how their commitment contributes to their learning and the positive experiences they have at school.
- Positive Rewards. This does not have to be buying something. It can be a special family activity or extra playtime.
Positive reinforcement alone may not be sufficient to address deeper emotional or psychological factors contributing to school avoidance. Work closely with your child and school to identify the specific reasons for their reluctance to attend school.
School Fees Statements have been issued last week from CSO. If you have an outstanding balance and have not made alternative payment arrangements with the school, your School Fees account is overdue. Please make payment in full asap, or contact Caroline McInnes (6628 1009 or alstp@lism.catholic.edu.au) to discuss your individual circumstances. Caroline can assist you with arranging a payment plan for the remainder of the year.
All students are invited to enter the competition. Entries can be left at the library.
Parent Information Night for First Eucharist
The Parent Information Night for First Eucharist will be held on Wednesday 26th June 2024 in the staffroom at St Joseph’s School Alstonville at 6.00 pm. 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.
