Week 2 - Term 2 Newsletter 2024

Principal's Message

Dear Families and Friends,

Welcome back to what is shaping up to be another wonderful term of learning and community. A big thank you to all the families and students who attended last week's ANZAC Day March. We could not have been more proud of the  students that represented our school.

We are so grateful for the fantastic Parish School we are a part of. It was lovely to see all the siblings and parents join us in the commemoration ceremony. Thank you to Hailen & Roo for laying the wreath on behalf of our school. Also a further thank you to all the Stage 3 students for leading the school ANZAC Liturgy last Wednesday - this was an important time for us, as a whole school, to reflect and acknowledge those who have served our country.

School Improvement - Parent Survey

As part of our focus on school effectiveness, St Joseph’s will be participating in an online survey for students, teachers and parents to provide feedback on their experience of our school using an online survey – Tell Them From Me (TTFM®). The surveys are an important part of our whole school evaluation and planning process. The survey window will be from Week 2 -Week 4 this term, and communication has already been dispersed via Compass.

We would like to invite you to complete the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Partners in Learning survey from Week 2 -4 this term. As we value the role of parents and carers within our school community, we would greatly appreciate your feedback. The information you provide will be used to maintain our commitment to working together in partnership further to improve student learning and wellbeing in our school.

The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. You will be able to access the parent survey on your computer or mobile device when the survey window opens. 

We would like to invite you to complete the survey using this LINK. 

 The student survey will also provide valuable feedback on what our students think about school life, how engaged they are with school and the different ways teachers interact with them. The survey measures include such topics as emotional and social well-being, physical health, and behaviours and attitudes linked to student success. The survey also allows students to give their thoughts and feedback in open-ended question responses. 

Parent Forum - Term 2 Meeting

Just a reminder that Tuesday, 21st May (5:00-6:30 pm), we will be holding our Term 2 Parent Forum meeting in the School Library. 

It would be wonderful to see some new faces after our Term 1 meeting & AGM had a good group of families sharing their voice and expectations for the year ahead. Whilst our Executive Positions are filled, we are always looking for new parents who would like to be involved in 'Parent Voice & Parent Community', which is the main focus of our Parent Forum, please know that ALL PARENTS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND each Termly meeting.

If you have any questions, want an item added to the agenda, or are interested in any of the above positions, please get in touch with Lauren Kirkland, our Parent Forum Chairperson (lozzacdk@gmail.com).

2025 Kindergarten & Little Joey's Enrolments

Whilst I acknowledge that our Little Joey's program will not be starting until Semester 2, I encourage all families to make contact with the School Front Office immediately, and if you know a family within the community with a child that is school-age in 2025, please encourage them to seek an enrollment form from the school or make a time to have a school tour with me.  

Please be advised that as part of our 2025 Kindergarten enrolment process, that we also require all siblings enrolment applications for Kindergarten to be submitted by Friday 31st May. 

These enrolments are to be completed within Compass and can be found in your 'menu' under settings and using the 'Family & Enrolments' tab, alternatively you access it via our school website.

Currently based on Little Joey's Expression of Interest forms, we will be having a waiting list for Kindergarten next year & I would like to ensure all siblings have a place. Please note that whilst I am currently conducting enrolment tours & interviews for new Kindergarten families, this is not required for current families. If you have any questions regarding this or require assistance with the online enrolment process, please don't hesitate in making contact with the Front Office.

Class Term Overviews

Please find attached below, Term Overviews for all classes. These Overviews are important in letting you know what topics or areas of focus your child will be engaging with each subject through the course of the Term. Also within the document is a copy of your child's timetable, so that you can not only be aware of what they are covering each day but a point of reference for asking 'how was their day' etc. Please note 'hard copies' will be sent home with all students on Monday. 

Lastly, it was wonderful to come together as a school community through our beautiful Mother's Day High Tea & Mother's Day Liturgy today. A big thank you to all the mothers and significant women who could join us in these two school events. We appreciate everything you do for your children and the nurturing presence & guidance you provide them. Also, thank you to Mrs Mead (High Tea) & Mrs Senz (Liturgy) for their tireless work in making these beautiful school events possible. Have a lovely weekend.

Kind regards

Dale

Upcoming School Dates

• Diocesan Cross Country (Tuesday 21st May)
• Parent Forum Meeting (Tuesday 21st May)
• S2 & S3 Netball Schools Cup (Thursday 23rd May)
• Pupil Free Day (Thursday 30th May)
• 'Close the Gap' Day - Stage 2 & 3 (Tuesday 4th June)
  
• Confirmation - St Mary's Church Maclean 5pm (Monday 17th June)
• Winter Appeal - Pyjama Day (Thursday 13th June)
• Athletics Carnival ( Friday 21st June)
• Last Day of Term 2 (Thursday 4th July)
• Pupil Free Day - Staff Development Day (Friday 5th July)
• First Day Term 3 (Tuesday 23rd July)

Leader of Learning

Positive Psychology in the Classroom

As teachers, our focus is often on academic success, yet it is essential to pause and reflect on the emotional well-being of our students whilst at school. At St Joseph's, we believe in fostering not only academic excellence but also emotional well-being. At our staff development course last week, we learned about the power of positive emotions and how they contribute to a thriving learning environment, as well as assist students in being ready to learn.

The Science Behind Positivity

Positive emotions, like joy, gratitude, and curiosity, play a vital role in shaping a child's development. Research consistently demonstrates the benefits of cultivating positivity in children. When children experience positive emotions, their brains become more open to learning, creativity flourishes, and they develop stronger social connections.  We learned about the ways in which teachers can promote positivity in simple, easy ways, such as:

• Using Brain Breaks - 2 —to 5-minute breaks during lesson transitions or tasks that have a high cognitive load. They can include activities such as breathing exercises, rhythm tasks, movement, and music routines. Brain breaks offer benefits to increased focus and productivity, helping students ‘get ready to learn. ' 
  
• Playing Music - Calm music helps to bring heart rates down and promotes a settled, ready-to-learn environment.
• Have Consistent Predictable Routines -Regular timetables and visual schedules create a sense of security and stability for children, provide a solid foundation for emotional well-being, and reduce anxiety, especially during times of change or uncertainty.
• Sitting in a circle—The simple act of sitting in a circle embodies principles of inclusivity, collaboration, and communication, creating a supportive environment where children can thrive socially, emotionally, and academically.

By nurturing a culture of positivity, we lay the foundations for student success and well-being, creating an environment where every child feels empowered to thrive emotionally and academically.

Mrs Senz, Mrs Mclennan and Mrs Mullins

Leader of Mission

Mother's Day Celebration 

I'd like to express my gratitude and congratulate our Year 6 leaders for their outstanding leadership during today's Mother’s Day celebration. It's always one of the most cherished events at our school, and today was no different.

The students presented hand-drawn portraits of their mums, along with a personalised travel mug designed by their children specifically for them.

We sincerely hope all the mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunties, and other special women enjoy a day of rest and relaxation this Sunday. You are all truly exceptional, and we thank you for everything you do for the students of St. Joseph’s, especially the nurturing presence & guidance you provide them.

Mercy Value - Service

It's impossible to quantify the value of mothers. Their impact on the world is immeasurable. Mothers play a crucial role in shaping history as they nurture and guide their children through life.

Mothers and grandmothers are among the most influential figures in the world. I want to commend you for the love, devotion, and service you provide to your children. Remember that every sacrifice, every sleepless night, every trip to the doctor, every school function attended, every moment spent cleaning up after them, and every activity you chauffeur them to is an investment in their future.

Even when it feels like your efforts go unnoticed, know that you are shaping the world by being a mother. One day, all your years of dedication will be rewarded when your children grow into adults who contribute positively to society, all because they had a wonderful mum.

Mercy In Action Award

This fortnight's Mercy Award goes to Zoe Brett in recognition of displaying the Mercy Value of Hospitality. Zoe's genuine welcoming nature and thoughtfulness towards others have not gone unnoticed. Whether lending a helping hand, watching over our younger students, offering a kind word, or simply brightening someone's day with her warm smile, Zoe consistently demonstrates the true essence of hospitality.

Congratulations Zoe!

Mrs Senz

Awards

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

Principal Awards

Our Class Award winners this week are: 

Class News - Kinder

Welcome to Term 2! I’m delighted to share the latest highlights from our Kindergarten classroom as we continue to make exciting strides in our learning.

In Literacy, Kindergarten have been mastering the skill of retelling events from familiar stories. They are learning to summarise key events, characters, and settings in their own words. This enhances comprehension and reinforces their ability to recall and discuss stories effectively. Through guided writing activities, our students are crafting simple sentences with a clear subject-verb-object structure. They are gaining confidence in expressing themselves through basic sentence constructions.

In numeracy sessions, Kindergarten are practising the art of counting a collection of objects and ensuring they get the same total each time they count. Kindergarten have also been busy learning how to compare two groups of quantities, determining the differences to make the groups equivalent.Through interactive lessons, Kindergarten are discovering concepts such as "how many more" or "how many less" are needed to balance out different sets of objects.

Thank you for your continued support in making our classroom a vibrant hub of learning. We look forward to sharing more exciting updates with you throughout the term!

Mrs Bennett

Bullying & Friendships

What is Bullying?

At the heart of Catholic Education lies a commitment to the well-being and safety of every student. This is the first of a series of articles on Bullying and Friendships designed to raise awareness and foster empathy, communication, and understanding. 

Understanding bullying helps students and parents distinguish between regular conflicts and actual bullying. This helps avoid confusion and ensures that the right help is given when needed. It can also empower you as parents to engage in prevention efforts proactively. By teaching your children about respectful behaviour, empathy, dignity, courage, and inclusion, parents can help prevent bullying from occurring in the first place.

Bullying refers to the unwanted, repeated and intentional use of words or actions against a student or a group of students to cause distress and risk to their wellbeing. Watch What is bullying?

Bullying means behaviour that has three (3) key features:

1. It involves the intentional misuse of power in a relationship;
2. It is ongoing and repeated; and
3. It involves behaviours that can cause harm.
   

A student can acquire power through advantage, such as social status, popularity, an advantage in size and strength, number of allies, age, skill, or membership in a socially defined dominant group, which could be based, for example, on wealth or gender.

Behaviours that do not constitute bullying include:

1. Mutual arguments and disagreements;
2. Not liking someone or a single act of social rejection;
3. A single episode of hurtful words or actions
4. Isolated incidents of aggression, intimidation and/or violence

Indirect bullying (also known as covert bullying) is not always immediately observable and acknowledged as bullying. Indirect bullying can be discreet and anonymous, and the person experiencing the bullying behaviour may not realise it until after it has occurred.

Examples of indirect bullying include:

• Spreading rumours: Sharing false or harmful information about someone to tarnish
  their reputation.
  ● Gossiping: Engaging in negative discussions about a person without their
  knowledge.
  ● Social manipulation: Encouraging others to exclude or reject a person from social
  groups.
  ● Cyberbullying: Using digital platforms to harass, intimidate, or spread harmful
  content about a person.
  ● Stealing: Discreetly and repeatedly stealing personal belongings
  

When parents understand what bullying entails, they can effectively communicate with their child about their experiences at school, in the community and online. By using the correct terminology and understanding the dynamics of bullying, parents can encourage open dialogue and provide the necessary support.

Watch Bullying and Conflict with your child.

School Sport

We're off to a fantastic start this term! At the zone cross country, our students exemplified our school's Mercy values and made us proud. A special congratulations to Sophia Wright for her outstanding 2nd place finish, earning her a spot in the upcoming Diocesan Cross Country event later this month.

We're also thrilled to announce Jacob McIntyre's incredible achievement! Competing at the Winter Sport Trials for Hockey at a Polding level, Jacob has advanced to the NSW PSSA stage—a remarkable accomplishment, competing against top students from across the region.

This term, all students will delve into Rugby Union, mastering fundamental skills like throwing, catching, running with the ball, and changing direction. Their enthusiasm and engagement during Friday's kickoff were truly impressive!

Here's to a term filled with growth, achievement, and teamwork.

Mr Gilchrist - Sports Coordinator

Pastoral Care - School Chaplain

Mother’s Day High Tea

Friday, our school community came together in a heartwarming celebration to honour the mothers, grandmothers, and significant women who enrich our lives in countless ways. The air was filled with laughter, warmth, and appreciation as we hosted a delightful high tea.

It was a joyous occasion witnessing our mums being pampered and cherished, served with love and care by our dedicated SRC team.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the Parent Assembly and Botero for their generous support in making this event possible. We are immensely grateful for their contribution.

A special thank you is also due to our incredible Student Representative Council (SRC) who volunteered their time and effort to ensure the success of this event. Chrissie and Emma, thank you for your invaluable assistance and unwavering support.

To all the wonderful women in our lives, we say thank you. Your love, strength, and kindness are the guiding lights that illuminate our path.

St Vincent De Paul Winter Appeal

As the crisp air settles around us, we're reminded that winter is drawing near. While we prepare to cozy up in our blankets and jackets, our thoughts turn to those who may not have the same comforts during the colder months.

At St Joseph's, we believe in the power of community and compassion, especially in times of need. That's why we're proud to announce our participation in the Vinnies Winter Appeal once again this term.

We invite our students to join us in making a difference by participating in a special event: Wear Your Pyjamas Day. On this day, students will have the opportunity to wear their favourite PJs to school and contribute to this worthy cause by raising funds.

More details about this initiative will be shared in the coming weeks through Compass.

Ms Juana Mead - School Chaplain

Pastoral Care - School Counselor

Raising Resilient Kids

An important part of the work I do with students is helping them to see their strengths and build
their resilience. So I thought it might be helpful to focus my newsletter contributions over the
next two terms on resilience building strategies parents can use with their kids (these work with
adults too!)

The five areas to be covered include Thinking, Habits, Relationships, Emotions and Strengths.

1. THINKING

Resilience research has shown that optimistic thinking as opposed to pessimistic thinking is
critical to resilience.

When good things happen, an optimistic thinker will view these events as a result of their own
efforts and indicative of more positive events to come. In contrast, pessimistic thinkers will
interpret positive events as temporary and unrelated to their own efforts.

On the other hand, when bad things happen, an optimistic thinker views the negative event as
temporary, specific to a situation and influenced by factors other than themselves.

Example: “We didn't win our game. We weren't able to practice this week. We’ll practice next
week and do better at our next game”.

Pessimistic thinkers view negative events as permanent, generalised and their own fault.

Example: “I’m hopeless at sport. We're going to lose all season”.

How can you encourage optimistic thinking in your child?

● Be a role model - talk openly about the specific and temporary causes of negative
events and highlight the positive things that happen.

● If you hear pessimistic thinking from yourself or others, positively reframe using more
optimistic language.

● Provide opportunities for your child to experience mastery and success in different
areas.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss further you can contact me at the school on
Thursdays and Fridays or via jessica.jones@lism.catholic.edu.au

Jessica Jones  - School Counsellor

Parent Forum

Lauren Kirkland - Chairperson of the Parent Forum

Library News

Welcome to the Library for Term 2.
Our 3rd issue of Book Club was sent out last week with some great prices and new titles, take a look!. Please have orders in by 20/05/24 use Loop for payments online.
A reminder that students are welcome to return and exchange their books weekly with their class. Books must be taken home in a library bag. I am always on the hunt for plastic bags or unused shopping bags, if you have any spare at home I would love them in the library. Happy reading!

Mrs O'Brien

Community Notices