Week 10 - Term 1 Newsletter 2021

Principals Message

Dear Families and Friends,

Welcome to our final newsletter for Term 1 2021, what a fortnight it has been! Thank you to all our families who supported us as we worked through staff availability and student supervision. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with those affected by the flooding. Hopefully, Term 2 will be less dramatic. It was wonderful to see so many families at our St Joeys' Archibald Prize night on Tuesday. This was a great way to celebrate both the creativity of our students and the wonderful community here at St Joey's. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all families a happy, safe and holy Easter. 

Parent-Teacher Interviews

As a result of the recent flooding, we have rescheduled our Term 1 Parent-Teacher interviews. These interviews will now be held in Week 2, Term 2 (Monday 26th - Friday 30th April). Please note Kindergarten Interviews will be scheduled for Week 3 due to Mr Hitchings on leave.

You will need to use the link below to book a new interview time.  All parents/caregivers are encouraged to attend these meetings so we can discuss your child’s progress thus far, set learning goals for the term and identify ways we can each best support your child.

Please follow the instructions below to make a booking:

• STEP 1: Go to www.schoolinterviews.com.au & Click 'Make a Booking' and enter the code '864f4' 
• STEP 2: Enter your details
• STEP 3: Select the teachers you wish to see
  
• STEP 4: Select the appointment times that suit your family best

When you click FINISH your selected bookings will be emailed to you immediately. If you do not receive your email, please check your junk-mail, or enter the event code again and check your email address spelling. Update your details if the email address is incorrect.

Pupil Free Days

A reminder that that MONDAY 19th APRIL is a Professional Learning Day for staff focussing on spirituality. School will resume for students on TUESDAY 20TH APRIL.

Please add the following Pupil Free Days to your calendar:

• Term 2 - Staff Parish Retreat (Monday 19th April)
• Term 2 - PROCLAIM - ALL Lismore Catholic Schools (Wednesday 5th May) 
• Term 2 - Reading & Comprehension PD Day  (Friday 25th June)
• Term 3 - Mercy Values & RE Curriculum PD Day (Monday 12th July)
• Term 3 - Digital Technologies PD Day (Friday 17th September)

Cross Country and Colour Run

Due to the adverse weather last week we will now hold our School Cross Country and first-ever Colour Run on THURSDAY 22nd APRIL.  Due to the addition of our Colour Run, our Cross Country will occur from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm. After the completion of the Cross Country all students will have the opportunity to participate in a Colour Run around the oval. Obstacles will be set up for the students to maneuver through as well as colour stations. White shirts make the colours pop so children can wear a white/ light shirt throughout the Colour Run. Students should bring a change of clothes to wear home.

Please see an order of events to assist with parent attendance:

• 11:30 am - Cross County begins
• Kindergarten & Year 6 Buddies (1 Lap)
• Stage 1 (2 Laps)
• 8 & 9 Year olds (4 Laps - approx 2km)
• 10 year olds (4 Laps - approx 2km
• 11 & 12 year olds (6 Laps - approx 3km)
• 1:30 pm - Recess break and change into Colour Run clothing
• 1:45 pm - Colour Run & Obstacle Challenge 

Maclean Show Day

Whilst Wednesday 21st April has been declared a half-day public holiday, we have made the decision to keep the school open as normal. All classes will continue to operate as per their timetable however families who wish to take advantage of this holiday are encouraged to attend and support our local Maclean Show.

Thanking you,

Dale

Leaders of Learning

Learning in Infants

This term both Kindergarten and Stage 1 have been working on developing ownership of learning. When students feel ownership over their learning, they care more, apply more effort and receive feedback more readily. Engaging students leads to a more collaborative and focussed classroom, which will lead to better academic achievement. Research tells that that some of the most powerful ways to get students to take ownership is to give VOICE and CHOICE. Our teachers have been asking children to vote for what tasks they would like to do, sought feedback about what tasks they enjoy, allowed students to choose from a 'menu' of tasks and nominate when they believe they are ready to be assessed.

In the photos below you can see the Must Do and Can Do activities in Stage 1. Children have a mandatory task they need to complete (the Must Do), then they can choose from 3 additional activities (the Can Do). Students move their photo to indicate what they are currently working on. In Kindy, the Maths Bump It Up wall relates to counting. Kindy can tell Mr Hitchings when they think they are ready to be assessed for their counting skills. When they can successfully demonstrate each skill, they move their avatar.

Mrs Bailey 

Learning in Primary

This week Stage 3 went on a local excursion to The Peach Farm. Ray and Edwina Cameron are the owners of the farm at Mororo. Ray took the students on a tour of the farm and showed them how they are developing their own micro ecosystem based on companion planting, composting and recycling food scraps to create a chemical-free environment for their animals and produce. The students fed the animals and picked beans and rosellas straight from the plants. It was clear to see that Ray and Edwina are completely committed and passionate about their environment and caring for the planet.

If you haven’t visited the Peach Farm yet it would be a great family outing for the holidays. The excursion was a culmination of learning in science where the students have been growing their own plants. They have gained a wealth of information with which to move forward next term when they decide what plants to plant in their vegetable gardens. 

Mrs Mullins

S3 Excursion to The Peach Farm

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Mission & Values

This week we celebrated one of the most important weeks on the Liturgical Calendar, Holy Week. We always celebrate the life of Jesus with an Easter Liturgy where each class retells a part of Jesus' story as it told in the Gospels.   The following scriptures were retold by;

Year 3 - Jesus chooses his disciples

Year 4 - Palm Sunday: Jesus enters Jerusalem for the feast of Passover

Wombats (K and S1) - The Washing of the Feet

Koalas (K and S1) - The Last Supper

Stage 3 - The Stations of the Cross

Our leaders were our shining stars again as they led the liturgy. Our students were also amazing given they had very little time to rehearse due to the floods last week.

It was a beautiful re-enactment and made even more special by our students and their performance. 

I would like to wish all our families a very happy, safe and special Easter.

Mrs Mullins

Easter Liturgy - Remembering Jesus

Class News - Kindy

This week Kindergarten and Stage 1 travelled back in time to experience what life was like in the past. A highlight for all students was getting a glimpse of an olden day classroom, other hits included: farming and agricultural equipment (particularly the tractor), horse and cart, boats and other tools used in everyday jobs. It was great for them to see how far the human race has developed and how much easier, convenient and safer the world is for us now. We hope everyone has a great Easter break and the Easter Bunny pays a visit.

Mr Luke Hitchings

Class Awards

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

Principal Awards:  Kal-El Randall, Sam Kirkland, Mitchell  Kennedy-Morris,                          Makenzee Dahlenburg

Class Awards:

Pastoral Care - School Counsellor

Exploring Character Strengths – SELF-REGULATION

What is self-regulation?

“It is a set of skills that enables children, as they mature, to direct their own behaviour towards a goal, despite the unpredictability of the world and our feelings”.

Essentially self-regulation is the ability to manage emotions and behaviour in accordance with a particular situation. It means being able to resist highly emotional reactions to upsetting stimuli and having the tools to calm yourself down when you get upset. It also involves adjusting to changes in expectations and being able to handle frustration without an outburst. 

What does it look like in practice? 

It means there is space between what we FEEL and what we DO. When strong emotions arise, it may be helpful for children to learn to take 3 deep breaths before reacting.

• If we have an issue with someone, we tell them calmly and  not in front of others  
• We can stop and think before we give our opinion about something. We can say to ourselves before we  speak: “Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?” 
• We don’t point and laugh at people when they do things differently  
• When we feel frustrated by how someone is playing, we can tell them how we feel in a helpful and calm way  

Click here for some more information about helping kids with self-regulation and some helpful strategies to assist kids to grow self-regulation.

Mrs Kate Naylor - School Counselor & Art Therapist

Pastoral Care - School Chaplain

Chaplaincy

It's been another generous year for Project Compassion. Funds are yet to be tallied however our class winners are Stage 2 who raised around $150. Their efforts will be rewarded in Term 2 with hot delicious pizzas! Thank you to all our families and community who donated to this worthy cause.

SRC Fun Day

Laughter, fun and sweat were smothering St Joseph’s Oval on the 25 metre Inflatable Ninja Warrior Course on Wednesday. Students (and teachers!) were challenged, voices were loud, legs and arms were everywhere. What a fantastic day SRC! Can’t wait for the next one. Thank you Mr Layland for providing such a fun experience for our school. 

St Joseph's Playgroup

At playgroups parents and carers get together with their young children for a couple of hours each week to connect, learn through play and most importantly, have fun. Essentially, a playgroup is one of the first and most important social networks for children and families.

We invite all our families and local community members who are interested or would like more information to please contact Juana Mead on 66452340.

Ms Juana Mead

School Sport

The Lismore Diocesan Winter Sports Trials for rugby league was held on Tuesday at Iluka. Jai Adamson and Jack Robinson both enjoyed the experience and put in huge efforts. Mr Randall referred to Jai as a tackling machine. I am sure both will come away with plenty of knowledge around the game and hopefully, they will back it up and give it another crack next year. Well done boys we are proud of you.

Term 2 Sport

I am glad to announce that we have received funding for Term 2 through the Sporting Schools Funding program. We have organised to use this funding to run a School Tennis Program with Alan Jurd from the Lower Clarence Tennis Association at the Ryan Park Tennis Courts. We hope all students enjoy this learning experience.

Mr Luke Hitchings

School News

We are currently looking to replenish our Lego collection to provide another creative play option for the students.  In the spirit of recycling and reusing, we are asking if any families have any old Lego they wish to donate to the school. Any donation will be very gratefully received!                                                                                                                    Miss Belle Moore

St Joey's Archibald Prize

It was wonderful to see so many families attend our Inaugural St Joey's Archibald Prize. The sense of community we pride ourselves on was well and truly evident as parents chatted and picnicked, while kids played, laughed and chased each other around the oval. With an easing of Covid restrictions, we look forward to more opportunities to celebrate together in Term 2. Winners of this prestigious event were: 

The Archibald Prize

Infants - Jesse Bennett, Primary - Ella Boon

Young Artist Award

Infants - Emily Dahlenburg, Primary - Josie Chapman

People's Choice Award

Infants - Kahiah Cook, Primary - Mia Connolly

Ms Zietsch

St Joey's Archbald Prize

School Events & Dates

TERM 2

WEEK 1

• Monday 19th April -Staff Development Day
• Tuesday 20th April - Children Return to School
• Wednesday 21st April - Maclean Show Day
  
• Thursday 22nd April - Cross Country and Colour Run

WEEK 2

• Wednesday 28th April - Clarence Zone Cross Country 
  

WEEK 3 

• Wednesday  5th May-PROCLAIM  Pupil Free Day
• Friday 7th May - Mother's Day Celebrations

Notes Sent Home

Please find below links to the following School Notes that were sent home in the last fortnight:

Community News - Tennis Camp