Week 8 - Term 1 Newsletter 2023

Principal's Message

2023 School Goals

Each year as part of our School Improvement Process we set School Goals with the aim of continually striving to improvement develop as a school community. As has been the case in previous years, our 2023 Schools Goals have again been set or shaped around the 3 Domains:

• Catholic Identity & Mission
• Learning & Teaching
• Pastoral Care & Wellbeing

Part of this is to be both strategic and deliberate in ensuring all that we do at St Joey's is aligned and purposeful in ensuring that our students 'achieve the fullness of life' and ensure they are 'known & valued'. Focusing our School Goals around these 3 Domains ensures it is aligned with our 'Head, Heart & Hands' Framework embodied through 'Learning, Values & Behaviour'. Please see below our 3 Goals and the intended outcomes of these goals for 2023:

• MISSION GOAL - All students will have a shared vision and commitment to evangelise as people of Mercy.
  
• Intended Outcome 1 - All students will have a common understanding of the Mercy Educational Values (MV).
• Intended Outcome 2 - All students will recognise the Mercy Educational Values (MV) in the behaviours of themselves and others.

• LEARNING GOAL - All students will become confident, creative and competent writers.
• Intended Outcome 1 - All students will achieve the expected growth and performance in writing.
• Intended Outcome 2 - All students will become assessment-capable learners in writing.

• PASTORAL CARE GOAL - All students will feel socially and emotionally nurtured and supported by the school community.
• Intended Outcome 1 - All students’ social, emotional and mental well-being will be supported through the refinement and reinvigoration of the school’s Continuum of Care.
• Intended Outcome 2 - All students will feel a deep sense of belonging and connectedness from their school experiences.

Pupil Free Days

Throughout this year the school will be undertaking a number of Professional Learning Days which will result in Pupil Free Days. These days are essential in ensuring staff  develop themselves as educators and,also support the direction of the school. As you can see from below all these days are aligned with our Vision and come under our 3 Domains, that is, Teaching & Learning, Catholic Identity & Mission and Pastoral Care & Wellbeing. Whilst we understand the implications these may place on our families, we appreciate your support for these days:

• Term 2 - Indigenous Cultural PD Day (Monday 24th April)
• Term 2 - CSO Proclaim Staff Day (Thursday 1st June)
• Term 2 -  Literacy PD Day  (Friday 30th June)
  
• Term 3 - Mercy Values PD Day (Monday 17th July)
• Term 3 - Staff Parish Retreat (Friday 22nd September)
  

Additionally this year, all staff will be attending twilight PD later in the year which will not impact school days.

School Cross Country

Students have begun Cross Country training on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays this week. Whilst normal uniform should still be worn on these days, students may wear joggers to and from school to allow them to participate comfortably in the training.

Please note that our School Cross Country will be held next Friday 31st March at 9:30 am (final events should conclude by 11:30 am). All parents and family members are welcome to attend and cheer on the students. Please see an order of events to assist with parent attendance:

• Kindy (1 lap)
• Stage 1 (2 laps)
• 8yr & 9yr (4 laps - approx 2km)
• 10 yr (4 laps - approx 2km)
• 11 yr (6 laps - approx 3km)
• 12 yr  (6laps - approx 3km)

Easter Liturgy & Art Gallery Walk

Unfortunately, we will not be going ahead with our Visual Arts night which was originally scheduled to occur on Tuesday 4th April. There is a clash with the McAuley Catholic College Open Night and we are conscious that the majority of our Year 6 families may be attending. We felt it best to adjust to an alternative format.

As such, I would like to invite all families to our Easter Liturgy and Art Gallery Walk on Thursday 6th April from 11:00 am. Please see below an approx. timeline of events if you are unable to attend for the full duration:

• 11:00 am - Morning Tea & Coffee for parents (whilst students eat lunch)
• 11:3 0am - Time in the playground whilst students play and opportunity to view Art Gallery 
• 12:00 pm - Students to return to class get props & costumes for Liturgy Performance
• 12:15 pm - Easter Liturgy & class performances to occur
•  1:00 pm - Visual Arts awards presented
• 1:10 pm - Easter Raffle drawn

We appreciate your understanding regarding this change and look forward to still being able to showcase our students wonderful artworks.

Please also note that I will be on Long Service Leave for the remaining 2 weeks of the term and in my absence Mrs Bailey will be Acting Principal. Have a restful weekend and looking forward to seeing you following our holiday break.

Kind regards

Dale

Upcoming School Dates & Events

Term 1 Dates:

• Parent Teacher Interviews (Monday 27th - Friday 31st March- Week 9)
• School Cross Country (Friday 31st March - Week 9)
• SRC Fun Day & Easter Egg Hunt (Wednesday 5th April - Week 10)
• Easter Liturgy & Art Gallery Walk (Thursday 6th - Week 10) 

Term 2 Dates:

• Pupil Free Day (Monday 24th April - Week 1)
• ANZAC Day (Tuesday 25th April - Week 1)
• Maclean Show Day - school remains open (Wednesday 26th April - Week 1)
• Clarence Zone Cross Country (Thursday 4th May - Week 2)
• Mother's Day Stall (Wednesday 10th May - Week 3)
• Mother's Day High Tea & Liturgy (Friday 12th May - Week 3)

From the Front Office

Administering Non-Prescription Medication (eg. Paracetamol) to Students - Reminder

A reminder to parents that when a student presents to the (school office/administration/sick bay) and is feeling unwell or experiencing significant or acute pain, a member of staff will contact their parent or guardian seeking permission to administer non-prescription pain relief (eg. paracetamol). If a parent or guardian can not be contacted, the student will stay in (the school office/administration/sick bay) however we will not be able to give them any non-prescription pain relief medication. Any previous permission to give non-prescription pain relief no longer applies. You will receive a phone call each time your child presents to the (school office/administration/sick bay) seeking consent.

Leader of Learning

Learning Intentions and Success Criteria @ St Joey’s

When you visit our classrooms at St Joey’s you will notice Learning Intentions and Success Criteria on the visual timetable and displayed around the classroom. 

LEARNING INTENTIONS describe what learners should know, understand and be able to do by the end of a lesson, session or unit. We often use the phrase “We are learning …”

SUCCESS CRITERIA are for the students to use to know if, and how well, they have met the learning intention. These are developed WITH the students. We use the phrase “I can...”

Learning Intentions and Success Criteria

• ensure all teachers and students know what they are going to learn and where they are heading. 
• provide the basis for feedback
• assist students and teachers in tracking and assessing student progress. 
• help students understand what improved performance looks like.
  

Mrs Bailey

Learning Intentions and Success Criteria in Action

Leader of Mission

St Joseph's Feast Day

It was a hot, humid day last Friday when we travelled to Brooms Head to celebrate St Joseph’s Feast Day, but the weather was no deterrent for the children who enjoyed the seashore and all the activities that were planned for the day.  Simply digging a hole in wet sand was one of the most popular tasks of the day!  We had sand modelling, giant quoits, relays, tugs-of-war, cricket, and filling buckets of water to tip into the holes!  Thanks to the helpers who cooked sausages so everyone could enjoy a sausage sandwich with their lunch.  Our leaders ran a beautiful liturgy after a beach walk, and they truly are excelling in their roles this year.  We learned a little more about St Joseph and why he is such a great man to follow and be our Patron Saint.

Happy St Joseph’s Day!

Parish School Mass 

One final invitation for families and friends to attend our Term 1 Parish School Mass this Sunday at 8:30 am at St Mary’s Church Maclean.  We have one mass per term in which the students assist in the mass, and all are welcome.

Hope to see you there.

Mercy In Action Award

This week's recipient of our prestigious Mercy in Action award is Avah Anderson. Avah receives this award for displaying the Mercy Value of Justice, which she demonstrates in all her actions and interactions with her teachers, peers and others in the school community. Avah always acts responsibly and makes sure everyone is treated fairly and justly.  Thank you, Avah, for making our school a fair and just place to live and learn together.

Mrs Mullins

Awards

Congratulations to the following students recognised at this fortnight's Awards Assembly:

Principal Awards

Class Awards

Class News - Stage 3

Stage Three have been getting ready for our ‘Avenue of Art’ walk on Thursday 6th April prior to the Easter Liturgy. We have been busy learning about Monet and innovating on some of his most famous artworks. Be sure to come along and see some of the amazing artworks.

Year 5 & 6 have also been working hard on writing and publishing their own narratives throughout the term. Both have been exploring different genres and have worked hard on hooking their readers in and using a range of language features. By the end of the term, students will have a published piece that will be compiled into a class book of stories that we can’t wait to share. Below you will see just a snippet of some of their stories.

Reef - My eyes shot open and I jumped out of bed straight away. I was so excited that I didn’t even bother with breakfast. I was over at the nets practising for the grand final as the blazing sun hit the lumpy hills off in the distance.

Billy - SPLASH! The cool ocean water hit Billy’s face as Reef jumped into the clear, cold water. They both had a day off and were doing their favourite thing together. Scuba Diving. They were having a good time swimming and having a look at the colourful fish gliding below them. All of a sudden Billy spotted something shiny.

Asher - The patrol stops. We’re on the side of a hill. All the kids get out and walk to the top. We watch Dad. He was trying to jump the patrol over the rocks without popping the tyres. It was useless. The patrol wouldn’t budge. Dad put the pedal to the metal and the patrol revved like a lion roaring after a fight. Triumph. The patrol reared. It launched up the hill like a rocket and rolled back to the starting point.

Avah - It was cold and the moon was like a glimmering light to victory. It was loud, I couldn’t even hear my own voice talking to my sister Lucy. We had a mission for our horrorbilly sick mother. “BANG!”  Fireworks have been lit, it was time for our plan to begin. 

Georgia - Lauren walked into the beautiful organised year 5 and 6 classroom. Lauren is an organised mess with a bad reputation. “Hey Lauren” Deb exclaimed with her peaceful, loving polite voice as she rushed into the classroom with Louise the helpful, generous young lady. BOOM! As Lauren fell over a chair. “Where’s the english books?” Lauren screamed as she picked up the chair. “Here's Avah’s book”, Deb whispered in an inside voice as she picked up the book. They started to read the intriguing story. “ Aggh” the girls screeched as they floated up into the air.

Meesha - Ding ding ding “Wake up you lazy but you have to go to school in ten minutes” shouted Sonny’s mum. Sonny leaped out of bed, got dressed then went to school, where Danny was waiting for him. They were best friends since preschool they were inseparable. “Hurry up, you're so slow, do you remember the teacher announced that we have a maths test tomorrow,” said Danny. Soon the bell rang and they both ran like cheaters to class.

Mrs Senz & Miss Ross

Pastoral Care - School Counsellor

COUNSELLING CONNECTION

Relaxation techniques – why we use them in counselling and why they help

Deep breathing

With its focus on full, cleansing breaths, deep breathing is a simple yet powerful relaxation technique. It’s easy to learn, can be practiced almost anywhere, and provides a quick way to get your stress levels in check.

Progressive muscle relaxation

This is a two-step process in which students are asked to tense and relax different muscle groups in the body. With regular practice, it gives them a familiarity with what tension—as well as complete relaxation—feels like in different parts of their body. This can help them react to the first signs of the muscular tension that accompanies stress

Body scans

This technique focuses the student’s attention on various parts of their body. Like progressive muscle relaxation, you start with your feet and work your way up. But instead of tensing and relaxing muscles, you simply focus on the way each part of your body feels, without labelling the sensations as either “good” or “bad”.

Visualisation and mindfulness

These techniques are used to help students focus on the present moment.

At school we use the 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding technique, naming:

5 things they can see

4 things they can feel

3 things they can hear

2 things they can smell

1 thing they can taste

For more information on relaxation techniques you can practice at home with the kids, click on the link below:

Bel Chapman - School Counsellor

Pastoral Care - School Chaplain

Social Justice- Project Compassion

Congratulations Families! Our Lent Day raised $152 to go towards Project Compassion. 

Our Project Compassion journey introduces us this week to Thu from Vietnam. 

Thu lost his leg after stepping on a landmine in Vietnam. With your generosity, Thu can now earn extra income and support his wife as she recovers from a stroke.  

Thank you for supporting people like Thu. Your generosity is appreciated. 

SRC Funday

Our Student Representative Council (SRC) has decided that our SRC Fun Day will be on Wednesday, 5th April. Our students love complex activities and challenges that include mystery, so the day will be celebrated by inviting all students to wear mufti clothes, donate a gold coin for Project Compassion and hop around to hunt for eggs at our Joey’s Easter Hunt! Our Easter bunny helpers will be hiding over 1000 eggs for our students to find!

We invite all students to wear mufti clothes and bring a gold coin to go towards our Caritas Project Compassion fundraiser. Reminders will be sent out via compass over the coming weeks. 

Ms Juana Mead - School Chaplain

School Sport

Sport Round Up for Term 2 

Today was the final day of our Golf Program. Students have really enjoyed this opportunity and it has been great to see their skills develop over the term.

Next Friday is our school Cross Country from 9:30 am. All parents and friends are welcome to come and cheer everyone on as they make their way around the course.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Jacob McIntyre who recently travelled to the Winter Sports Trials in Grafton for hockey. From all reports, Jacob put in a huge effort and was unlucky to make the Dio team. Well done Jacob on making it this far.

Luke Hitchings - Sports Coordinator

Library News

Our library is more than just books! Different clubs operate every lunch and recess break- but one of the most popular things our students are enjoying at the moment is the ‘creative play’ space. We have a lovely new storage unit that stores dress ups, puppets, toy cars (and more), as well as a fun wall which will change themes every few weeks. Currently we have a cooking/kitchen theme, and I can confidently say we have many great chefs at our school! It’s fantastic to see the kids' imagination at work. 

Mrs Waghorn

Pastoral Care - Family Connect

Having difficulty getting to see a doctor?

A message from our Family Connect in Schools Worker Skye Pullen

Healthy North Coast GP Telehealth 1800 931 158 can provide free 24/7 one-off care when you’re not able to get an appointment with your regular doctor. They can provide:

• After-hours GP appointments and advice
• Information, diagnosis and treatment
• Prescriptions sent to your local chemist
• Medical certificates

The service is available over phone or via video link by contacting 1800 931 158 

An example of how this service may be helpful to families: 

• It’s Friday afternoon, you feel your child might need antibiotics but you can’t get in to see your doctor. 
• Your worried about your child’s health and you need to chat to a medical professional for advice and guidance of what you should do.

In medical emergencies always call Triple Zero (000)

For more information about Health North Coast GP Telehealth visit: https://hnc.org.au/gp-after-hours-telehealth/

If you would like information about how to access specialist medical services or therapies for children please contact our Family Connect in Schools worker, Skye Pullen.

Skye Pullen

0417 00 4779 or skye.pullen@socialfutures.org.au

Parent Forum

St Joseph's School Winter Fete - Save the Date

The Parent Forum has decided to hold a Winter Fete, fundraising for our new canteen. There will be further information on Compass over the coming weeks. We are aiming to have the Fete on Saturday 26th August beginning at 1:00 pm.

The following stalls will be run at the fete:

• Cake stall
• Tombola/guess the lollies in the jar/lucky dip
• Adopt a teddy bear/books
• Plant Stall
• Face painting/crazy hair
• Food and drinks stall - sausage sizzle, bacon and eggs, hot chips
• Devonshire tea
• Show bags/plaster painting
• Clay pot making

At present we are looking for expressions of interest for anyone intersted in holding a stall of their own products at the fete. If this is of interest to you please contact Bec Upston via text message on 0447 221 351.

Lauren Kirkland - Chairperson of the Parent Forum

Community Notices