Week 8 - Term 1 Newsletter 2024

Principal's Message

2024 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 2024 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 2024:

• 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 1 - English Syllabus PD Day (Friday 12th April)
• Term 2 - Staff Parish Retreat(Monday 29th April)
• Term 2 - CSO Proclaim Staff Day (Thursday 30th May)
• Term 2 -  English Syllabus PD Day (Friday 30th June)
• Term 2 - School Review & Improvement PD Day (Monday 19th August)
• Term 3 - Indigenous Cultural PD Day  (Monday 22nd July)
• Term 3 - Pastoral Care PL Day (Friday 22nd September)
• Term 4 - Learning Collaborative PD Day (Monday 14th October)

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 Monday - 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 Tues 2nd Aprilat 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)

Parent-Teacher Interviews

Just a reminder that our Term 1 Parent-Teacher interviews will be held next week (Monday 24th - Thursday 28th March) whilst there are still timeslots available for all classes, online booking have now closed. However, all parents/caregivers are encouraged to attend these meetings so we can discuss your child’s transition into the new school year and together set important learning goals for Term 2 and identify ways we can each best support your child. If you would still like to attend one of these meetings please call the Front Office on Monday and they will be able to let you know any available timeslots (please note due to teacher preparation, 'on the day' booking requests may not be available).

Kind regards

Dale

Upcoming School Dates

Term 1 Dates:

• Parent Teacher Interviews (Week 9)
• Thursday 28th March - Easter Liturgy (Week 9)
• Good Friday 29th March (Week 9)
• Easter Monday 1st April (Week 10)
  
• Tuesday 2nd April - School Cross Country (Week 10)
  
• Monday 8th April - Visual Arts Night (Week 11 - CHANGE OF DATE)
• Tuesday 9th April - Zone Cross Country (Week 11)
• Wednesday 10th April - St Joseph's Days NEW DATE  (Week 11)
• Thursday 11th April - SRC Fun Day (Week 11) - Last day of Term 1

Term 2 Dates:

• Friday 12th - Staff Develeopment/Pupil Free Day
• Mother's Day Stall (Wednesday 7th May - Week 2 TBC)
• Mother's Day High Tea & Liturgy (Friday 10th May - Week 2)

Leaders of Learning

Literacy Intervention

What is Intervention?

Intervention in literacy refers to targeted support provided to students who may require extra assistance in spelling, reading and writing. It's a personalised approach aimed at addressing individual needs and ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed academically.

Identifying Students for Intervention

We use standardised testing to identify students who may benefit from literacy intervention. These assessments help us pinpoint areas where additional support may be needed, allowing us to tailor interventions to effectively meet each child's specific needs.

Our Programs

MiniLit and MacqLit are evidence-based literacy intervention programs used to support students of all ages. Teachers work with small groups of students, using structured materials daily during our Literacy block. 

MiniLit:

• Tailored for young learners in Years 1 and 2
• Focuses on explicitly teaching the relationship between sounds and letters, emphasising the critical role this knowledge plays in reading.

 MacqLit:

• Designed for students from Year 3 to 6
• Focuses on enhancing reading and spelling and emphasises building independence, accuracy, and fluency in reading.

By implementing these programs, we're committed to providing the necessary support to ensure every child reaches their full potential. Literacy intervention allows children to become more confident and proficient readers, setting a strong foundation for future academic success.

Mrs Senz, Mrs Mullins & Mrs Mclennan

Leader of Mission

2024 Sacraments

Each year, the Sacramental program is organised through our school to help our students receive the Sacraments of initiation into the Catholic community.

In 2024 we will be offering the following Sacraments;

• Year 3 - Confirmation (for students who have been Baptised). Monday, 17th June (Term 2, Week 7) at St. Mary’s Church Maclean.
• Year 4 - Reconciliation and First Holy Communion (for those Baptised and Confirmed only). Sunday, 8th September (Term 3, week 8) at St. Mary’s Church Maclean.

All preparation for these Sacraments will take place at school, where students will undertake a number of retreat opportunities in preparation for receiving these Sacraments and developing their own faith formation. More details will follow closer to the Sacrament. Older children who may have missed these Sacraments are also welcome to participate.

Please email me at louise.senz@lism.catholic.edu.au if you would like your child to participate in these Sacraments.

Term 1 Parish School Mass

All family and friends are warmly invited to attend our Parish School Mass on this Sunday, 24th March, at St. Mary's Church commencing at 8:30am. This mass will be led by our students and staff.

This Mass celebrates Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter Sunday, where Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jersusalem. It also marks the beginning of Holy Week.

Holy Week 2024

Holy Week is a very sacred week in the church year. Holy Week, the final week of Lent, begins on Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter. Holy Week is a time when Catholics gather to remember and participate in the Passion of Jesus Christ. The Passion was the final period of Christ’s life in Jerusalem. It spans from when He arrived in Jerusalem to when He was crucified. The three great ceremonies of this time are the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Thursday night, the Celebration of the Lord's Passion on Good Friday afternoon, and the Easter Vigil on Saturday night. Our school community is welcome to attend these ceremonies. 

Mercy In Action Award

This week's recipient of our prestigious Mercy in Action award is Gemma Buckley. Gemma recieves this award in recognition of the way she demonstartes HOSPITALITY in our school. Gemma always intereacts with her peers and teachers in a bright and cheery way, ensuring everyone around her feels welcome and included. Gemma makes everyone feel like they belong.  Gemma, congratulations and thank you for making our school a leaceful and happy place to be. 

Mrs Senz

Class Awards

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

Principal Awards

Class Awards

Class News - Stage 3

In Stage 3, students have been deeply immersed in their assigned novels: "Storm Boy" for Year 6 and "The Wild Robot" for Year 5. Using these novels as a focal point, students have been able to recognize narrative elements to incorporate into their own writing, master the art of crafting vivid settings and character descriptions, and enhance their reading fluency through practice.

In Maths , Year 6 students have been actively involved in activities centered on fractions. They are currently grasping the concept of recognising the significance of the number one as representing the whole, as well as comparing and representing fractions. Additionally, they are tackling problems that involve the addition and subtraction of fractions. Year 5 have been learning all about perimeter, and the practical aspects of applying this skill to measure distances within the school, and on town maps.

In Science, we have just wrapped up our 'micro farming' experiment. We have been learning that making sustainable decisions can come with a lot of challenges for our farmers. We were on strict water restrictions when growing our alfalfa crops, and unfortunately, some of our farms didn't produce any yield. Making decisions as a farmer is a tough gig! 

Mrs Senz & Mrs Kinsella

Pastoral Care - School Chaplain

Social Justice- Caritas Project Compassion

Partnership in action  

The work of Caritas Australia is only possible with the dedication, passion and tenacity of our local partners who implement the programs. They are the heroes on the ground, working tirelessly behind-the-scenes every day to create a better future for their communities.

Caritas Australia partners with the Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ) to support communities living in urban slums in the Philippines. FCJ runs a number of programs that include house renovating, food processing, basic literacy skills, urban gardening, upcycling and income generating activities. They also have a clinic visited weekly by a doctor and community nurse. 

Caritas Australia partners with Caritas Samoa to assist communities to have increased access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene to ensure human health and well-being by providing water tanks and sanitation facilities.

Caritas Australia partners with the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi through the A+ program. Since 2016, the A+ program has helped 7,397 families across Malawi improve their food security, access to basic water and sanitation, boost women’s income generation and strengthen child protection.  

Please donate to Project Compassion.

Together, we can help vulnerable communities face their challenges today and build a better tomorrow for all future generations.

You can donate through Project Compassion donation boxes, online by visiting  caritas.org.au/project-compassion or by calling 1800 024 413.

SRC Initiatives

 We're delighted to share some upcoming initiatives organised by the Student Representative Council (SRC) that will surely enhance our students school experience:

1. Easter Egg Hunt: Get ready for a fun-filled Easter Egg Hunt! Students will have a blast searching for hidden eggs around the school grounds.
2. Ninja Warrior Course: students test their agility and strength on our Ninja Warrior Course. It's a fantastic opportunity for them to stay active and challenge themselves.
3. SRC Meeting:The SRC meetings are led by our dedicated SRC captains and occur every second week.  These meetings are a great way for students to voice their ideas, concerns, and contribute to the school community.

We believe these initiatives will not only be enjoyable for students but also help foster a sense of camaraderie and involvement within the school.

Ms Juana Mead - School Chaplain

School Sport

The first term has been incredible with many of our students achieving remarkable sporting feats, representing the school at Zone, Dio, and soon Polding levels. Additionally, all students have actively participated in the Rookie Rollers program, honing their fundamental movement skills for future sporting success. We extend our gratitude to the Maclean Greens team for providing support and efforts in accommodating us over the past few weeks. For the remainder of the term, students will engage in a teacher-led rookie rollers program.

Looking ahead, we have the Cross Country event on Tuesday April 2nd (Week 10) and the Color Run to follow shortly after. Stay tuned for more information on both these events. The practice cross country sessions held during Week 8 were a success, and we look forward to continuing to hone students' cross country confidence and excellence through our practice cross country sessions to be held Week 9 (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday) from 1:20 to 1:40. We again encourage students to bring their runners and extra healthy snacks on these days.

For further updates and details, please keep an eye on Compass. Thank you for your continued support.

Anthony Gilchrist - Sports Coordinator

Creative Arts

The Little Mermaid

On Friday 15th, Stage 2 & 3 students from St Joeys had the gift of a live production by Clarence Coast Theatrical Society, performing DISNEY'S The Little Mermaid.

Students and staff were mesmerised with Ariel, Urzula, Sebastian and Flounder (Roxy Bailey!) in particular, plus the remaining cast and whole chorus of other underwater creatures and supporting roles. Cast members showcased their skills in singing, dancing, gymnastics, quick costume changes, multiple roles and of course dramatic performance!

We thank LLTS for their amazing performance and cannot wait until the announcement of their next musical. We are so grateful for this opportunity to experience and support creative arts/ drama performances in our little community.

The remaining shows are being performed at the Maclean Civic Hall on the following dates and times:

• Friday 22nd: 630pm
• Saturday 23rd: 630pm
• Sunday 24th: 2pm

Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for 11 yrs and under. They are available at the Maclean Flower Box or at the following link.

Library News

Our second issue of Book Club for 2024 closes next Friday 29th March. Make sure you have your orders submitted to LOOP by that date to get free postage. If you have lost your copy feel free to grab a copy from the library or have a look online here.

Happy reading!

Mrs O'Brien

Parent Forum

Thank you to all that attended out Silent Disco - it was great to see the kids dancing and having fun with their friends.

Our ever popular Easter Egg Raffle will be held after the Easter Liturgy next Thursday 28th March. Thank you to families who have bought in donations - we will continue to take donations up until Wednesday 27th - the more prizes the more chance the kids have to win!

Sold & unsold raffle tickets are to be returned to the front office by Wednesday - more tickets are available from the office.

Lauren Kirkland - Parent Forum Chairperson

Community Notices