Week 6 - Term 2 Newsletter 2022

Principal's Message

Sorry Day & Reconciliation Week

This week, we came together to celebrate 'Sorry Day' and National Reconciliation Week. Sorry Day is an opportunity to pay tribute to Stolen Generation members and remember those who have passed into the Dreaming. Having a national Sorry Day was a recommendation of the 1997 ‘Bringing Them Home’ report. Thank you to our student leaders for leading us in this liturgy, reminding us of the importance of acknowledging our past and, more importantly, ensuring our future is one where we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples histories, cultures, and futures.

Reconciliation Australia’s theme for 2022, Be Brave. Make Change, which urges the reconciliation movement to have the courage to stand up for equality and justice for all and hopefully more impactful action. In addition, our Stage 3 students attended the 'Closing the Gap' Day at the Maclean Showground. This day allowed our students to be embedded in culture and create awareness of the 'Close the Gap program' to all youth within the Clarence Valley.

Semester 1 Reporting

At this time of the year, teachers are finalising students' assessments and Semester One reports. I frequently hear them talking and discussing work covered, results gained and effort applied to decide on a final grade. Reporting is not an easy process, and there is much time, thought, and deliberation put into the final result. It becomes an even more difficult task when teachers must teach all day and then work on their reports after school and at weekends.

I thank all staff for their commitment to ensuring that students' reports are a true and accurate reflection of their progress and encourage you, when these go out later in the term, to make a time to meet and discuss your child's report with their classroom teacher.

Kiss N Drop Zone

You will note that most of the works to our new Kiss N Drop, Bus Zone and new pathways are mostly finished; however, some minor works are to be completed before the council signs off on the project. In the interim, we have been advised that families can use this area for short-term pick up/drop-off (i.e. 5/10min), but we ask that no families use this area for long term parking between the hours of 8:00-9:30 OR 3:00-4:30 (as per the signage).

Winter Uniforms 

As we begin to feel the cool change of winter, we have started to notice non-school jumpers and other attire appearing on students. A reminder to all families of our Winter Uniform options outlined below. Whilst I understand that sometimes uniform items either go missing or need washing, we ask that if your child is out of uniform, a note be provided to the student to present to the class teacher. 

GIRLS Winter Uniform

• Maroon & white check top
• White plain long-sleeve shirt under check top (optional)
• Maroon skort with maroon/black tights (optional) OR Maroon/Black Pants 
• Black lace-up shoes/joggers (low cut)
• White socks
• School jacket or jumper
• School hat
• Maroon, white or yellow ribbons/headbands

BOYS Winter Uniform

• Maroon school shirt with white and gold trim
• Plain Black shorts OR Maroon/Black pants
  
• Black lace-up shoes/joggers (low cut)
• Black socks
• School jacket or jumper
• School hat
  

Kind regards

Dale

Leaders of Learning

Maths at home

Research tells us that when schools and homes work in partnership, academic outcomes for students are greatly improved. The numeracy@HOME project has developed a website for families filled with activities, videos, tips and information to support young children’s maths learning during everyday activities. Check out Numeracy At Home to find out more. 

In K-2 we have been working on Whole Number. The following ideas to support this learning at home come straight from numeracy@HOME.

Organising Objects to Work Out Totals

Learning that we can arrange collections of objects, actions and sounds in many different ways but that the total number stays the same is important mathematics learning for young children.

House Hunt Find… 

• six things organised into twos. • five things that are organised into three and two. • four things organised into twos. • four things organised in different ways.

Comparing 

When children re-arrange small collections, encourage them to describe the total each time and notice that it stays the same. • How many are there now? • Is the number of cards the same? • Are there more now? • Are there fewer now? How can you check?

Mrs Bailey

There’s no way to overestimate the importance of learning from the people around us. When we’re open to learning from others, we benefit from their experience as well as our own and we can inherit their wisdom and knowledge. Learning from others is not a passive process, but one that requires work and commitment on our part. Research shows that we learn best from others when we do certain things:

Exchange roles: Learning is a two-way street. Connecting and exchanging with key stakeholders around shared development challenges catalyzes considerable results.

Collaborate: When we realize we don’t have to acquire knowledge on our own. Collaboration and sharing make it twice as rich.

Find the smartest person in the room: Who’s the expert in this area? Who has the deepest well of experience for us to draw from?

Invest in yourself: Take a risk and do something out of your comfort zone. It’s okay to fail. It's okay to take a chance. Start with small steps and build from there. 

Learning through collaboration, reflection and feedback are encouraged and valued at St Joseph's.

Mrs Mullins

Mission & Values

Liturgical Calendar

Pentecost  - The Birth of the Church

This Sunday, 5th June, we celebrate Pentecost as the end of the Easter Season, 50 days after Easter Sunday. The Holy Spirit gave the apostles the courage to be missionaries and united them as one body. For this reason, Pentecost is seen as the birth of the Church.

Yr 6 Incitare  Retreat

This week our Year 6 students attended the Incitare Retreat at McAuley Catholic College in Grafton. The students participated in hands-on activities and small and large group discussions, where they talked about being brave and trying their hardest to live a Christian life. Thank you to Ms Zietsch for attending the retreat with the students and ensuring all students had a great day connecting with students from other schools to build relationships.

Reconciliation Week - Mercy Value: Justice 

Justice means understanding the difference between right and wrong and being reasonable and making sure that people are treated equally. Throughout his life, Jesus taught justice. He fed the hungry, defended the oppressed, and loved the outcast. This week, our Indigenous students, together with the assistance of Mrs Waghorn and Mr Randall, led the school in liturgy to celebrate Reconciliation Week and acknowledged justice for First Australians.

The National Reconciliation Week 2022 theme, “Be Brave. Make Change”, is a challenge to all Australians to Be Brave so we can Make Change for the benefit of all Australians.

This year, we ask everyone to make change beginning with brave actions in their daily lives – where they live, work, play, and socialise.

At St Joseph's Maclean, we acknowledge we all have a role to play in reconciliation, and in being a part of it, we build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, histories, cultures, and futures.

The Biggest Morning Tea - Mercy Values: Hospitality, Compassion and Service

This week our St Joey’s kids helped support the Cancer Council by raising awareness of those people affected by cancer through the act of giving free biscuits to members of our community. This simple act of kindness was well-received by all, and the children gained a first-hand experience of giving without expecting anything in return. A great way to show our Mercy Values of hospitality, compassion and service.

Class Awards

Our Principal's Award winners this week are:

• Kindy - Max Cook
• Stage 1 -  Sophia Wright
• Stage 2 - Sandon Chapman
• Year 5 -  Billy Opalniuk
• Year 6 - Makenzee Dahlenburg

Our Class Award winners this week are: 

Class News - Stage 3

Stage 3 Camp

Week 5 saw Stage 3 bussed off to Tyalgum Ridge Retreat, high inside the northwest perimeter of the Tweed Valley.

The “Green Cauldron” is surrounded by the eroded crater of one of the world’s largest known extinct volcanoes. Ancient rainforests, fast-flowing creeks, waterfalls and outstanding views are all features of T.R.R. and, albeit VERY wet, were beautifully on display during our time there.

Over the 3 days at the retreat, students (and their fearless and amazing teachers) experienced activities such as high ropes & the flying fox, canoeing, BMX bikes, archery, rock hopping, low ropes, baby goat cuddles, camping skills, team-building skills and waterfall walks. Phew! We were busy… and MUDDY!

We finished the camp with a trip to DreamWorld. There was something for everyone; rides; big and small, food galore, amazing animals and shops upon shops!

Thanks, Stage 3 for a fantastic experience of bonding, team building, laughs and, of course, mud.

You were a delight!

Ms Zietsch and Mrs Senz

School Sport

Lismore Diocesan Cross Country

Congratulations to Roo Coulson for his efforts in the recent Lismore Diocesan Cross Country Carnival. The carnival was held at the Clarence River Jockey Club last Tuesday and after running 2km in 9 minutes Roo finished in 21st position. We would like to thank Roo for representing St Joseph’s in such a gruelling sport that really requires a lot of character and determination. 

School Sport

Thanks again to the Sporting Schools Program, we have been able to book a Football Australia Development Officer to come into the school and coach our students. Today was our first day, and we have four more weeks ahead of us. During these sessions, the students will be participating in drills and games aimed at participation, skill development and, most of all, fun. Hopefully, the good weather continues so our students can enjoy this opportunity.

Mr Hitchings

Pastoral Care - School Chaplain

Community Connect - Project Compassion/Caritas

Thank you for joining us this Lent to raise much-needed funds for people living in poverty.

Your generous support will help to change the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people. St Joseph’s has raised $242.25. This money can provide a toilet for a family in Mozambique and also provide computer skills for two arts workers at the Djilpin Arts Centre in the Northern Territory.

Together, we can make a difference now and For All Future Generations.

St Vincent De Paul Winter Appeal

As the cool air blankets us, we are reminded that winter is approaching.  We think of those people less fortunate this winter. St Joseph’s will be once again participating in Vinnies Winter Appeal in Week 8. We will be inviting students to wear their pyjamas to school.

More information will be available over the coming weeks. 

‘VINNIES IS COMMITTED TO A MORE JUST AND COMPASSIONATE AUSTRALIA, WHERE NO CHILD SHOULD HAVE TO WONDER WHERE THEY WILL SLEEP EACH NIGHT.’ 

SRC/Community Leaders Initiatives

Every Friday between 2.50 pm-3.15 pm our SRC/Community Leaders will be serving tea/coffee/juice to parents at our Parent Pickup area. Please come and help yourself to afternoon tea. This is funded by our wonderful Parent Forum.

Ms Mead

Parent Forum

Term 2  -  Paint n Sip Social Night

The Parent Forum warmly invites parents, caregivers, and teachers to attend our Term 2 social night, a Paint n Sip Evening on Friday 17th June at 6 pm. The evening will be held at the school and will run for approximately 2.5 hours. Nibbles will be provided, and we ask that attendees BYO wine/drinks. It is $25 per person to help cover the costs of materials. We will be painting “The River” via a pre-recorded online video. The night aims to get our community together and have some laughs- who knows; we may have the next Picasso living among us! Don’t worry if you can’t paint- neither can we!!  RSVP is required for this night as we need to know the numbers to provide materials.
Please email your RSVP no later than 10th June to either Chairperson Lauren Kirkland at lozzacdk@gmail.com or Secretary Rebecca Upston at becuppo@gmail.com.
Unfortunately, we cannot offer a childcare option for this event. 
Thank you, and we look forward to your RSVP. 

The Parent Forum Team

Library News

Simultaneous Story Time

On Wednesday, 25th May our St Joseph’s students, along with over 2 million kids across Australia and New Zealand, tuned in to listen to Josh Pyke read his book ‘Family Tree’ for Simultaneous Story Time. It was a wonderful event and a great way to promote Australian authors, illustrators and publishers. We now have the book ‘Family Tree’ in the school library for students to borrow and enjoy. 

Premiers Reading Challenge

I’m thrilled to say some students have already completed their Premiers Reading Challenge (PRC) for 2022. There’s still plenty of time for those who haven't, as the challenge closes on Friday 19th August. The PRC is a great way to help students discover a love of reading as a leisure-time activity, and also helps to develop essential learning habits, being organised, meeting deadlines, being accountable, and valuing regular reading. 

A child who reads will be an adult who thinks. Proverb

Mrs Waghorn

Community Notices