Week 8 - Term 2 Newsletter 2024

Principal's Message

Semester 1 Reporting

Please be informed that Semester 1 reports will be sent home on Friday and will also be available digitally through the Compass App. These reports offer a concise summary of your child's achievements and their level of attainment over the past semester. The grades for each subject area provide valuable insights into your child's progress. It's important to recognize that the grading scale, which ranges from A to E, might differ from what you remember from your own school years. These grades are designed to indicate your child's level of proficiency in meeting the expected learning outcomes rather than to rank them. A grade of C means your child is "on track" and has met the expected grade-level standards, while other grades will indicate whether your child is exceeding expectations or may need additional support.

I would like to express my gratitude to all the staff for their dedication in ensuring that these reports accurately reflect each student's progress. If you have any questions or concerns, I encourage you to arrange a meeting with your child's classroom teachers to discuss the report in more detail. 

Staff Development Days

Just a reminder that on Friday, 30th June & Monday, 17th July we will be having 2 of our allocated Staff Professional Learning Days, which means the last day of Term 2 will be Thursday, 4th July & students return Tuesday, 23rd July.

Whilst we understand the implications these Pupil Free Days may place on our families, we appreciate your support for these days, as they are vital to the upskilling of our staff. Our end of Term 2 PL Day will be focusing on our work around Formative Assessment in the new English & Math Syllabuses, and following the holiday break, our staff will undertake a day on deepening our understanding of our local aboriginal culture , with a system led day called 'Crossing Cultures Hidden Histories'. 

School Athletics Carnival

I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the families who attended our School Athletics Carnival yesterday at Maclean Showground. Your support and cheering added an extra level of excitement, making the event a memorable day for everyone involved.

It was wonderful to see students, parents, and guardians coming together to celebrate our school's sporting achievements. The positive energy and camaraderie throughout the carnival created a lovely sense of community and belonging. We are proud of every student who showcased their talent, determination, and sportsmanship on the field.

We also congratulate the exceptional students selected to represent our school in the upcoming zone team. It is my understanding that this will be announced later this week. We wish you the best of luck as you head to Coffs Harbour in Week 2 next term to compete in the Clarence Zone Carnival.

Lastly, we would like to thank Mr. Gilchrist for his organization and seamless management of the athletics carnival. His planning and commitment ensured that the event ran smoothly and was enjoyed by all.

Kind regards

Dale

Upcoming School Dates

• School Photos (Wednesday 26th June)
• SRC Fun Day - Esports Day (Thursday 27th June)
• Stage 3 Camp (Mon 1st July- Thurs 4th July)
• Last Day of Term 2 (Thursday 4th July)
• Pupil Free Day - Staff Development Day (Friday 5th July)
• First Day Term 3 (Tuesday 23rd July)
  
• NAIDOC Day (Wed 24th July)
• Clarence Zone Athletics Carnival (Tuesday 30th July)
• Little Joey's Begins (Friday 2nd August) 

Leader of Learning

The Five Critical Questions

In our ongoing efforts to enhance student achievement, we ask students the 'Five Critical Questions.' This approach, developed by educational expert Lyn Sharratt, ensures that every student's learning journey is thoroughly supported and monitored. The method focuses on assessing the depth of learning and identifying areas for improvement.

The Five Critical Questions we ask are:

1. What are you learning?
2. How are you doing?
3. How do you know?
4. How can you improve?
5. Where do you go for help?

By asking these questions, we gather evidence of teaching effectiveness and student progress. Students who can accurately describe their learning and how to improve are more likely to close the achievement gap. The insights gained from these questions enable our teachers to have meaningful conversations, discuss instructional decisions, and identify areas where further support may be needed.

Starting in Term 3, we will delve into each of these questions in more detail, focusing on one question each week in our newsletters. This will provide deeper insights into how these questions are used in the classroom and how you can support your child's learning at home.

Stay tuned for more information on this approach and its positive impact on our students' learning journeys.

Mrs Senz, Mrs Mclennan and Mrs Mullins

Leader of Mission

Confirmation

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Sophia Wright, who received the sacrament of Confirmation on Monday night at St. Mary’s Church in Maclean. This significant step in her spiritual journey was overseen by Bishop Greg.

Sophia diligently prepared for this important sacrament during a retreat with St. James in Yamba, which enriched her understanding of the Catholic faith and reaffirmed her commitment to living its teachings.

During the Confirmation Mass, each candidate received the anointing with chrism oil and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This anointing symbolizes their strengthened connection with the Church and their readiness to embrace greater responsibilities as they continue to grow.

Congratulations, Sophia!

Please note that in the Lismore Diocese, the order of Sacraments is as follows: Baptism, Confirmation (Year 3), Reconciliation (Year 4), First Eucharist (Year 4). All preparations are conducted within the school setting.

For those interested in Baptism for their child/ren, please contact the Maclean Parish Office at 66451188 during Mon/Wed/Fri from 9am to 2pm.

Farewell to Fr. Nicolas Maurice

With deep sadness, we bid farewell to Fr. Nicolas as he transitions to St. Joseph’s parish in Tweed Heads. As we say goodbye, we reflect on the profound impact he has had on our school community. Fr. Nicolas has been a source of faith, compassion, and unwavering support. Whether leading a school Mass, teaching chess to students, or simply sharing a cup of tea during his Thursday visits, his genuine care and concern were always palpable. He has guided us through moments of joy and challenge, consistently reminding us of the strength and solace found in our faith.

As Fr. Nicolas embarks on this new chapter, we express our heartfelt gratitude for his service and support. His presence will be dearly missed, and we wish him the very best in all his future endeavors.

Mercy In Action

Congratulations to this fortnights recipient of our prestigious Mercy In Action Award, Luna Wood. Luna recieves this award in recognition of displaying the Mercy Value of COMPASSION.

Luna exemplifies our school's Mercy Value of Compassion with grace and humility. Always ready to lend a hand, she volunteers to assist her classmates with their work in the classroom, embodying true kindness and selflessness. She creates a warm and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and cared for in all situations.

Mrs Senz

Class Awards

Our Principal's Award winners this week are:

Our Class Award winners this week are: 

School Sport

Our students have been enthusiastically participating in a rugby union skills clinic during Friday sports, where they have been learning essential skills such as passing, throwing, and running with the ball. The clinic also emphasizes showcasing agility, and in recent weeks, students have safely learned how to tackle using tackling pads.

In addition to rugby, students have been developing their fundamental athletic skills in scheduled PE time. They practised techniques for shot put, long jump, high jump, and various running events, ensuring a well-rounded athletic education and that they were prepared for the Athletics Carnival hosted on Friday.

During Buddy Time, Year 6 students have been taking the lead in teaching fundamental movement skills through rotational activities. These student-led sessions have provided an excellent opportunity for Year 6 to demonstrate their leadership skills. Kindergarten students have engaged in these sports activities with enthusiasm, showcasing resilience and accountability, while also enjoying the experience.

Our Athletics Carnival was a standout event this term. The attached results highlight the incredible performances of our students. It was a fantastic day where students demonstrated accountability, resilience, sportsmanship, and participation efforts, all with smiles on their faces. The high spirits were palpable, and we thank the families and staff present for making the day as special as it was, cheering on our little legends. Special thanks also to MHS and Maclean Show Society for their accommodation and assistance with the day.

Looking ahead to Term 3, we have several exciting events on the horizon, including the Touch Gala Day, Basketball Gala Days, and the Diocesan Athletics. We are eager to see our students continue to grow and excel in these upcoming activities!

Thank you for your continued support.

Mr Gilchrist

Creative Arts

WHAT AN EISTEDDFOD!

On Thursday of Week 8, ALL St Joey’s students confidently and proudly represented our little school in the Lower Clarence Music Eisteddfod, held at the River Rooms. It was a LONG morning for our senior students, but as always everyone carried themselves beautifully - showing our school values of respect, responsibility and safety.

This year we were adjudicated by Dr. Jennifer Carter who is an exceptionally decorated musician, teacher, lecturer, Senior Registration Officer for NESA and Chief Examiner of HSC Music. AND she was lovely too!

All in all, we WON across every section that we entered in: Verse Speaking and Choir Singing!

• 1st Place - Infants (Year 2) Verse Speaking: Mr Negative & Alexander Beetle
• 1st Place - Junior Verse Speaking: My Absolutely True Life Story & In Flanders Fields
• 1st Place - Senior Verse Speaking: Hope Is The Thing With Feathers & It Couldn’t Be Done
• 1st Place - Infants Choir Singing: On My Way & Mary Poppins Medley
• 1st Place - Junior Choir Singing: Why We Sing & The Lion Sleeps Tonight
• 1st Place - Senior Choir Singing: Lean On Me & Waltzing Matilda (QLD Version)

ON TOP OF THIS, Saint Joseph’s also, on Saturday, won the ‘School Choirs Support Award’, which Annie accepted on our behalf. This award goes to bolstering and supporting singing and choirs in schools; assisting in teamwork/unison, community, working memory, confidence and self-esteem, dynamics of music (harmonies, rounds, call & response) and all round vocal skills.

We are again blessed to have had Annie play for us! Thank you!

Please see below the certificates the school won and also the adjudicators notes; which are a delightful read!

All the prize money won (totaling over $350!) will be going back into the Creative Arts fund and I have put it to the students as to what our school needs (or what they want) in the realm of Creative Arts that they might like to spend the money on!

There have been some very interesting, some very outrageous and some very cool suggestions!

You all were divine and I couldn’t be prouder.Thank you for your efforts!

Ms Zietsch

Library News

Premiers Reading Challenge (PRC)

We have now passed the half way mark of the Premiers Reading Challenge (PRC)! Our juniors (K-2) are completing this in class and we are so close! Our older students are well on their way too. Every book that your child reads at home and at school can be logged and counts towards their tally. If you could help your young person write down (just on a scrap of paper) the books they are reading (or you are reading to them) at home, that would be really helpful as we will be assisting them in logging these books at school.
A very fun, whole school surprise is being planned for students that finish the PRC by the 24th August.

Book Club

Orders for Book club will close on the 24th June so get your orders in on time! Please place all orders through Scholastic LOOP.

Happy reading,

Mrs O'Brien

Technology News

Proudly represented by 17 students from Years 4, 5, and 6, our school had a successful day at the DLCS Clarence eSports competition in Coffs Harbour. Demonstrating strong team spirit, our students competed enthusiastically in Mario Kart and Just Dance events. We are thrilled to celebrate the success of our talented Just Dance team—Jessika Dalton, Brock Camilleri, and Zali Nichols—who brought home the championship trophy!

Congratulations to all our participants for their excellent performance against schools from Macksville and Coffs Harbour.

Mrs Mclennan

Pastoral Care - School Chaplain

Student Wellbeing- Social Justice

St Vincent De Paul’s Winter Appeal

We are thrilled to share the success of our recent Winter Appeal for St Vincent De Paul. Our school community came together with enthusiasm and generosity to support vulnerable individuals in our region during the colder months.

The appeal kicked off with a cosy start as students and staff arrived in dressing gowns, slippers, and winter pyjamas. 

A special mention goes to our Student Representative Council (SRC) and school captains for their outstanding leadership. They organised and served with utmost professionalism, turning our event into a seamless operation. Their dedication and warmth truly set the tone for the entire community.

Thanks to the incredible support from our school families, we raised an impressive $400 for the Maclean Vinnies. This contribution will directly assist vulnerable individuals and families in our community, ensuring they have the essential support they need during the challenging winter season.

Student Wellbeing Programs

Our Stage 2 students started Seasons For Growth this week. 

Seasons for Growth is a small group education program that supports children and young people to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to understand and respond well to experiences of change, loss and grief. 

Seasons for Growth supports connection with others going through similar circumstances, fostering emotional literacy and resilience as a pathway to improved social and emotional wellbeing.

The program includes eight formal sessions (40-50 minutes per session); one celebration session.

Ms Mead

Pastoral Care - School Counsellor

The five resilience building areas to be covered this term include Thinking, Habits, Relationships, Emotions and Strengths

4. Positive EMOTIONS 

Many of us know that positive emotions feel good, but did you know that they also contribute to creativity, better health, stronger relationships and higher levels of resilience?

Research consistently recognises the importance of positive emotions to our wellbeing. Our positive emotions can broaden our thoughts and actions and increase our  intellectual, psychological and social resources. This means that when people are experiencing positive emotions they become better problem solvers, are more creative and can perform better when facing challenges.

Because positive emotions help build our resources and increase creative and flexible thinking, they can act as a buffer to stress and increase our coping skills and resilience in the face of adversity.

So what are positive emotions?  The obvious examples are love, joy and amusement.  But positive emotions can also come in the form of curiosity, pride, inspiration, hope, gratitude, serenity and awe. 

How can we increase Positive EMOTIONS?

Quantity is more important than quality when it comes to positive emotions and their positive effect on our wellbeing and resilience. Keep it simple and do more of the activities that generate positive emotions for your child and your family.

Notice when your child is at their happiest. Is it when they're in nature or being creative? Or is it when they are playing sports or being with family and friends.  Provide simple and small opportunities for experiencing positive emotions frequently.

Some ideas include

• Watching a funny family movie together
• Board game night
• Starting a gratitude ritual at dinner or bedtime where each person says one thing they are grateful for and why
• Walking on the beach or in nature together
• Cooking or baking
• Working on a project together like building a veggie patch or jigsaw puzzle
• Recognising and celebrating the efforts and achievement of family members

If you would like to learn more about practical strategies for building your child’s resilience please come along to the parent education session Raising Resilient Kids at 5.30 pm on Tuesday 25th June at the school. Dinner and childminding will be provided. I’m looking forward to meeting more parents, discussing simple strategies and answering any questions. Hope to see you there.

Jessica Jones - School Counsellor

Bullying & Friendships

Snitches

It is not uncommon for children to worry about being labelled as a ‘dobber’, ‘tattler’, or ‘snitch’ when facing bullying situations. The fear of being seen as a ‘snitch’ can make them reluctant to report incidents to parents or teachers. However, bullying is a serious matter that is unlikely to be resolved if it is ignored. As a parent, it is essential to understand these concerns and approach the situation with sensitivity.

Here are some tips to encourage your child to share their experiences:

• Be Patient and Supportive: It may take time for your child to feel comfortable enough to open up about bullying. Be patient, provide a supportive environment, and let them know you are always there for them.
  
• Empathise and Validate: Let your child know that their feelings and fears are valid. Reassure them that you understand their concerns about being labelled negatively and that you will navigate the situation with care.
  
• Explain the Importance: Help your child understand that reporting bullying is not about "dobbing" on someone but about ensuring their safety and wellbeing. Explain that it's essential to address the issue so that we can take appropriate actions to stop the bullying.
  
• Focus on the Behaviour, Not the Child: Emphasise that it is the bullying behaviour that needs to be addressed. The goal is to promote a safe and respectful environment for everyone.
  
• Responsible Reporting: Help your child see this important action as Responsible Reporting. Dobbing, tattling or snitching is telling on a peer when the situation is safe. Responsible reporting is alerting an adult to a situation that is not safe and/or your child needs help managing the situation.
  
• Discuss the Consequences: Help your child understand that students who display bullying behaviour need to face consequences for their actions, as it is essential for them to learn from their actions and to change their behaviour. Remind your child that reporting bullying can also help protect other children who might be facing similar issues.
• Involve the School Sensitively: If your child remains hesitant, consider discussing the issue with the school in a way that maintains anonymity, if possible, while still addressing the concern.

The cornerstone of all Catholic social teaching is the inherent value of the human individual. Thus, at the heart of our school lies the principle that every person is created in God's image and likeness.

Parent Forum

Parent Assembly Gathering Opal Cove

Four of our parent community attended the recent gathering held by the CSO parent assembly at Opal Cove. It was a wonderful weekend of learning and connection with some amazing guest speakers. Any one would would like further information can check out Michelle Mitchell (author) and Lael Stone (author) on Facebook or Insta.

Raising Resilient Kids

Dont forget next Tuesday night there is a workshop being held at the school by our school counsellor with the topic being about raising resilient children. Please come along and support Jess. Baby sitting and catering provided.

Lauren Kirkland - Chairperson

Community Notices