Week 10 - Term 3 Newsletter 2023

Principal's Message

Dear Parents & Carers,

Thank you for a lovely last week of Term 3, I trust that everyone will be able to have a restful break with their families.

Term 4 Pupil Free Day

Just a reminder that next term, staff will have a Professional Development Day focusing on the new Year 3-6 English & Mathematics curriculum. During this day, staff will begin to unpack the 2 new syllabi that will begin being implemented in 2024.  Whilst I acknowledge the disruption Professional Learning Days can place on families, I do appreciate your understanding to allow to navigate these changes to the classroom learning.

Students return to school on TUESDAY 10TH OCTOBER. 

School Fees
Please note that all outstanding school fees for Term 3 must be finalised by Wednesday, 11th October (Week 1, Term 4). Thank you to those families who continue to pay their school fees on time. It is greatly appreciated. Whilst I acknowledge fees can sometimes place financial stress on families, school fees are our main source of income and necessary for our school to be a sustainable organisation.

If any family requires an extension on their term fees, please contact me to discuss a suitable payment arrangement or an approved payment plan that acknowledges your circumstances. To assist with the payment of school fees and other costs (i.e excursions/sporting events), the school accepts payment via Compass Pay, and Direct Debit. The School Office has an Eftpos Merchant Facility available, allowing families the opportunity to pay using a Credit/Debit Card.

Parent Forum - Consitution Change

The Catholic Schools Office requires all schools with a parent representative group that has fundraising capacity to adopt the new Constitution for School Community Forums to ensure uniformity of governing documents. Our Forum will be presenting this constitution for adoption at our Term 4 PF meeting to be held Tuesday 31st October (Week 4). The Constitution is provided here for your information.

School Spelling Bee

Congratulations to all the students who competed in our School Spelling Bee; it was wonderful to see the immense talent in our students regarding spelling. The finals were held last Thursday in front of parents and the whole school, with the following students being crowned our Spelling Bee Champions for 2023:

• Kindy Champion: Ahlia Connor
• Stage 1 Champion: Elyse Upston
• Stage 2 Champion: Alice Davis & Sam Kirkland
• Stage 3 Champion: Harry Cook

Well done to all our finalists who competed on the day: Zoe Brett, Olive Ardrey, Harry Cook, Tom Hourigan, Roman Hickling, Sam kirkland, Alic Davis, Oli Ward, Max Anderson, Lawson Bell, Elyse Upston, Oliver Want, Ahlia Connor, Torah Kelly, Will Martin & Callie Wright.

SRC Talent Quest

Thank you to everyone who attended our St Joey's Talent Show for 2023. It was a wonderful afternoon; full of wonder, laughs, and awe! Congratulations to all our student finalists who performed on the day as well as classes who were able to perform the music items they have been practising all term. Thank you to Miss Juana and the SRC Captains for organising such a wonderful event. A special congratualtions to our Stage Winners: 

• Kindy Champions: Ahlia Connor & Luna Wood
• Stage 1 Champions: Roxy Bailey & Tameeka Cleary Walker and Rose McLennan & Phoebe Senz 
• Stage 2 Champion: Oskar Bailey
• Stage 3 Champions: Hudson Ardrey, Huon McLennan & Tate Anderson

Correct School Uniform
When we return in Term 4, it is important that all students present to school wearing their correct school uniform (SUMMER). Please see our Parent Handbook for our Uniform Expectations as a number of our students are starting to wear black shorts that are not 'Plain black' shorts with various brands/logos.

Again, thank you for a lovely term. I trust you will have a safe and rewarding break with your families, and look forward to seeing you again in Term 4.

Kind regards

Dale

Upcoming School Dates

• Last day of term for students (Thursday 21st September)
• Staff Development Day (Friday 22nd September)
• Staff Development Day (Monday 9th October 2023)
• First day of term 4 for students (Tuesday 10th October)
  
• Soctober Celebration Day (Thursday 19th October)
• School Musical - Pre-school performances (Tuesday 24th - Thursday 26th October)
• School Musical - Family & Parents performance (Thursday 26th October 6:00pm)
• Year 5 Exuro Retreat (Friday 27th October) 
• Grandparents Day (Thursday 2nd November)

Leader of Learning

I don’t know how they teach maths at school now!
I have often heard this statement made by parents, so this week, I am including some PL (Parent Learning) on a topic we all know well…addition and subtraction.
Being ‘good’ at adding and subtracting is a useful life skill for everyone, and being able to do it  ‘in your head’ is really useful. We teach our students age-appropriate, efficient strategies for addition and subtraction together with estimating a reasonable answer.  I have included some strategies from our Maths Syllabus so that next time you are doing maths with your child...you can impress them with how ‘smart’ you are! 

Mrs Bailey

Mission & Values

Staff Spirituality Day

Tomorrow, our staff will attend a whole-school Spirituality Day at Brooms Head. This special day allows our dedicated staff members to take a break from their busy schedules and focus on their spiritual well-being. We will have the opportunity to connect with nature whilst engaging in prayer and spiritual reflection activities.  These days are led by the Bishop (via video recordings) and through such moments of renewal our staff can continue to inspire and guide your children effectively.

I wish everyone a wonderful holiday and will leave you with a prayer for the end of term.

Dear Lord,

As we conclude this term, we come before you with gratitude for the journey we've shared as a school community. We thank you for the knowledge gained, friendships formed, and the growth we've experienced.

Please bless each student, teacher, staff member, and parent.

Grant us guidance, inspiration, and strength.

Watch over us and our families as we look forward to a break.

May we return refreshed and ready for any new challenges.

Help us remember those in need, and may our community always be a source of support and kindness.

In your name, we pray.

Amen.

Mrs Mullins

Class Awards

Our Principal's Award winners this week are:

Our Class Award winners this week are: 

Winnie the Pooh - St Joey's Musical

SAVE THE DATE:

Thursday 26th October 6pm

An evening performance will be held for parents and the comunity on Thursday 26th October.

Dinner will be availbale to purchase from 6pm, with the show commencing at 6:30pm. Entry is by gold coin/s donation with the fundraising going towards the 2024 Joeys Creative Arts program.

School Sport

Touch Football Gala Day

On Friday, the 15th of September Stage 2 & 3 travelled to the Angourie Sports Complex to participate in the Yamba Touch Gala Day. It was a great day where students could put the skills we have been developing through our touch program throughout the term. More importantly, it was a chance for our students to interact and have fun with students from schools in the local area. Students played either 4 or 5 matches against teams from other schools with the main focus on fun and inclusion. This ensured all students got plenty of game time, allowing them to be active and work together as a team. Everyone had a great day, and I would like to thank all the staff and students for representing our school in this community event that helps develop relationships between schools and students from the area.

Stage 2 & Stage 3 Surfing & Swimming for Sport

During Term 4, Stage 2 & Stage 3 students are offered the opportunity to undertake a 6 weeks surfing program with Surf Camp Down Under. further information and an opportunity to book a place in our Surfing Program will go out in Week 1 next term.

Kindy, Stage 1 and those not particiapting in Surfing, we will be participating in Swmming & Water Safety at the Maclean Olympic Pool.  The program will involve elements of water safety (survival & rescue) as well as focusing on: body position, leg action, arm action and breathing to develop correct technique and competency in the water environment.

Mr Hitchings

Library News

Please see below the Clarence Valley Council Library School Holiday Program. Please note that events require bookings unless specified differently on the poster – bookings are made via their website. You can also book by calling the library or going to see them in person.

Miss Alesha

Parent Forum

Community Notices