Newsletter Term 3 Week 10

Principal's Report

Dear Community,

Welcome to the final newsletter for Term 3! I cannot believe that we are at this time of the year. Term 4 is traditionally a very busy and very fast-moving term. It will be Christmas before we know it!

Just a few notes for our final newsletter.

St Joseph’s Learning Behaviours

I am very pleased today to be launching the ‘St Joseph’s Learning Behaviours’ to the wider school community, following their ‘soft’ launch at last night's PPF meeting. These have been 12 months in the making and have come to life through our Inspire Mathematics project. Our Learning Behaviours, are based off Learning Dispositions which are skills children use to understand, interact positively, be self-motivated and be lifelong learners in a changing world. They are characteristics or attitudes to learning that are life skills.

This project started with these questions:

• What skills and attributes do we want our students to have by the time they leave St Joseph’s?
• How is the May MacKillop Charism brought to life through our school?

From this, the 5 St Joseph’s Learning Behaviours and Elaborations were born. For each behaviour we have found a quote from Mary MacKillop that truly encapsulates each important area.

• Welcoming: “Serving others is the best sacrifice we can make.”-Mary MacKillop
• Courageous: “Whatever troubles may be before you, may you accept them bravely.”- Mary MacKillop
• Respectful: “We are all but travellers here.”- Mary MacKillop
• Persistent: “A little patience will in the end be rewarded.”- Mary MacKillop
• Curious: “Nothing is too little to be noticed.”- Mary MacKillop

Each of the 5 Learning Behaviours is further defined by a few ‘I can…” statements, which highlight how students can demonstrate each behaviour. Two posters have been developed, a P-3 and a 4-6, each with slightly different, more age appropriate language.

The posters were developed with student input and we tried to take on a very unique and very ‘Millmerran’ feel through the use of our local native bird species.

These Learning Behaviours posters, and associated resources will form a part of our social and emotional teachings at St Joseph’s,  our student awards systems, our health curriculum and our Christian life of the school.

I am sure you will be seeing much more of our little bird friends.. around the school.. around the town.. and in our St Joseph’s advertising. 

We will continue developing this ready for full implementation in Term 1 2023.

Uniform

We have had some inquiries as to the uniform review, where we are up to, and what is happening, so I would like to provide an update to all families in this area.

I have attached the old uniform policy, with the changes that have been made and implemented so far, which was implemented through community feedback:  These being-

• No summer and winter uniform, both boy and girl uniforms will be all year round.
• White shoes were replaced with black all-purpose joggers/shoes.
• Gender inclusive option to be developed.

There is minimal change to all other aspects of uniform policy. To ensure we are meeting all anti-discrimination legislation and for practicality and modernity, from 2023 these changes will occur to the Uniform Policy:

• Girls will have a blouse/shirt option, that can be worn with shorts (instead of the dress). (Prototype currently in development)
• Girls may wear black stockings under dress (for warmth) or short white socks (not anklets). This has been in place since Term 2.
• Students will have the option to wear a reversable bucket hat- one side school coloured, the other side house coloured.
• Backpack options will be explored further.

If there are any other questions at all around uniform, please do not hesitate to make contact.

Communication

I would like to ask / remind parents to remember that I very much have an open-door policy and would love to hear from parents around how they think their child is travelling here at St Joseph’s,  and any adjustments and improvements that we as a school can make (where possible) to ensure positive experiences all round.

I see myself as a facilitator of learning of the school and it is my job to look after the staff, students, and families, to ensure everyone receives a quality education, and a wonderful educational experience in a happy environment for all.

I would say- for classroom matters, the classroom teacher is always the best and first point of contact, but I am more than happy to discuss any issues or concerns with parents. With a busy schedule, the best way to contact and make a time is either by phone or email to myself or the office.

God Bless,

Mr Lawson Short.

Date Claimers

From the APRE

Well another term is done already.  When I reflect back on Term 3, there are many things to celebrate; Catholic Education Week, Mary MacKillop Feast Day, Sacraments of Confirmation and Communion and Father's Day.  We have had so many opportunies for students to be involved in the religious life of the school from reading and singing to preparing fundraising activities.  It is wonderful to see the students so engaged and willing to be involved in these experiences.

Last week we spoilt our Dads with a lovely breakfast and liturgy led by our Prep/1 students. Thank you to the 4/5/6 students who helped to prepare and serve at the breakfast.  Once again, it is wonderful to see so many students wanting to get involved and help out.

I wish you all a very happy holiday and look forward to many great events in Term 4.

God Bless,

Michele Sanders

Father's Day

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Prep Transition Days

Prep/ 1 News

What a busy and amazing two weeks of learning we have had in Prep/One!

In English, we have been working very hard on our narratives. We are currently focusing on writing our solutions now which means we are almost finished our stories. I can’t wait to read all our finished pieces of writing!

Last week in Maths we competed in our Matific Olympiad. Prep/One have done an absolutely amazing job at this competition. They worked so unbelievably hard at school and at home to help earn their 300 stars. Their hard work and determination has definitely paid off! It was great to see everyone find different strategies to help solve problems as well as help others to solve difficult tasks.

In HASS, we are still continuing to design our parks. Last week we got to do some online research, watching different YouTube videos of parks around Australia, and finding different features we would like to include in our own.

I can’t believe how fast this term has flown! I hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday and are ready for some more amazing learning next term.

       Lauren Grant

2/3 News

Hi St Joey’s parents, friends, and community, hope you have had a great couple of weeks!

We are almost there! The end of Term 3 is upon us, and I think the students have earnt a well-deserved break.

I hope everyone had a lovely Father’s Day weekend, and the kids spoiled their dads and father figures in their lives.

Well done to all the students who participated in the St Joey’s Talent show as well. It was a great spectacle, and everyone who took to the stage did an amazing job. It takes courage to get up in front of a crowd and perform, so well done!

We have had a busy few weeks to end the term. In class we have been exploring 2D and 3D shapes and objects, beginning to identify and construct procedural texts, investigating places in Australia and their history and so much more.

As you all would know, we also participated in the Matific Olympiad last week which was a maths competition. Schools from across Australia and New Zealand who use Matific fought it out, working together to complete activities and earn stars for their school. The aim of this challenge was to create an environment of learning, collaboration, and a love for mathematics, and I definitely know this was achieved. So well done to all the students, and parents who supported their kids.

Thank you for another wonderful term, we’re on the downward spiral to Christmas now. I know Term 4 will fly by as it always does. Enjoy the break and see you all next term.

Mitchell Albury

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4/5/6 News

Final week is here! What a term it has been.  We have been extremely busy this term with lots of events, but there has been lots of great learning happening in 4/5/6.  A big thank you to our prac teacher Miss Lainey McPhee for all her hard work during the past seven weeks.  Miss McPhee was a great asset to our class and school and she will be greatly missed.  We wish her all the best for the beginning of her teaching career.

In this final week of school, we will be working on area and perimeter in Maths and catching up on some much needed musical rehearsals.  We also enjoyed our Mulitcultural lunch today.  It was lovely to see so many Parents.

I wish everyone a very happy and restful break and I look foward to seeing you all next term.

Michele Sanders

Swimming Lessons

Swimming will take place in Week 2 of Term 4.  Students will travel to Pittsworth Pool by bus Monday 10th October - Thursday 13th October.  The bus will leave at 9:15am and return to school at approximately 1:45pm.

Students will have two 45 minute lessons on each of these days.  They will need to pack swimmers, 2 towels, goggles, thongs and all girls and boys with long hair MUST have a swimming cap.

They will also need to pack a full lunch and waterbottle as they will eat morning tea and lunch at the pool between their lessons.

On Friday 14th October we will hold our Swimming Carnival at the Pittsworth Pool, beginning at 9:00am.  Transport to and from this day will be by own means.

The cost of swimming lessons will be added to Term 4 school fees.

PPF News

St Joseph's Parent Partnership Forum
General Meeting Minutes – 16.8.22
Date: 16.8.22
Meeting Opened: 5:30pm

Attendees: Fiona Andrews, Lawson Short, Katie Battisson, Kass Clark, Marg Gaske, Catherine Folker, Tanya French, Lindsay Sese, Leticia Tolson, Kelsee Huth.
Apologies: Adan Sanders
Housekeeping: Kass discussed the etiquette of meetings, and showing respect and kindness to all.
Opening Prayer: LS
Previous Minutes:
• Moved: TF
• Seconded: MG
Issues arising from previous meeting:
• Chip Cooker – attachment – Catherine – Scott has the attachment and will fit before the next use.
• Thermomix Raffle – was drawn on Friday – the winner was Genevieve Clark. After the price of the Thermomix was deducted we made $2731.
• Sponsorship – Mort and Co – Kelc has spoken to Mort and Co – they will donate $500 towards the meat for the campdraft.
• Concreting Quotes / Letter to Council – Lawson to discuss in his report.
• Christmas in the Bush – we made about $600 between the bar and the donut sales.
Principal’s Report: LS
• Lawson asked that the PPF donate money for the bush for the Year 5/6 camp – Moved: LT, Seconded: L Sese.
• Lawson discussed the fact that housing is very difficult to come by in Millmerran, and has made a suggestion that Catholic Education buys / builds some property in Millmerran to support teachers and prac students. Lawson asked the PPF / Community to write a letter of support as well. Lawson and Fi to coordinate.
• A uniform levy will be put on fees to cover the cost of uniforms that are now not needed, and then this will be credited back to families – will cost families nothing but needs to be tracked through the system.
• In Term Three next year, Millmerran will host the Principal’s Forum and the PPF will be offered the opportunity to cater for one of the nights – passed as a good idea.
Correspondence IN:
• Well done email from WHS director.
Correspondence OUT:
• NIL
Chairperson Report: Kass and Katie
• Christmas in the Bush – thanks to all the helpers.
• Thermomix raffle – wonderful fundraising.
• Looking forward to the social night coming up this Friday.
• Thanks to all for the working bee on the sports shed – it looks great!
Team Coordinator – Finance Report:
• All true and correct.
Committee Reports:
• Maintenance: Nothing to report.
• Tuckshop: About $1200 in profit so far this year.
Agenda Items:
1. Social Night – Movie and Mingle Night. Babysitters will be Julia and Monica Commens and Charlotte Crellin. Will pay them $30 each. Scott Folker to run the bar, Matt to get the beer etc. Tanya will be getting the wine - Leticia to donate some wine from her family vineyard - Chardonnay and Shiraz. Families from each class to bring food to share – P/1 – kids food, 2/3 – hot nibblies, 4/5/6 – cold nibblies and desserts. Set up at 3pm on Friday afternoon – tables from staffroom, classrooms etc. Steve Huth brought in the heaters this afternoon.
2. Campdraft – September – Kelc. Catherine asked Fran to help and Kelsee asked Lindsay. Fran, Leanne Huth and Sharon Willett will coordinate, plus Lindsay has a crew of 10 helpers, so we won’t need helpers on the night. Will just need helpers to sell tickets on Friday night and through the day on Saturday. Kelc and Fran to organise equipment needed, food etc. Need to create a roster for selling tickets – Kass to organise the roster and approach people. Will use the Eftpos machine as well as collect cash. The option of putting steak on the menu had been raised, but this would be too difficult so not a possibility. The menu will be roast beef, vegetables and apple crumble for dessert.
3. Markets – markets are run every fortnight out at the Estates. Suggestion was made by Marg that every once in a while we could sell donuts or hot chips. Will need stallholders insurance.
4. Another Thermomix Raffle – will run one over the Camp Oven and Campdraft. Marg to organise, Lawson to do posters.
5. Colour Run – Katie. Suggestion to run a colour run as a fun fundraising idea. Katie has sent for more info, can be discussed down the track. Might be something we could do in the last few weeks of the year.
6. Foldable Barriers – Tanya – need to purchase something for safety when using deep fryers etc and in the sports shed. Lisa found some quotes for barriers. Voted to purchase three foldable barriers. Tanya to follow up on costing, availability etc. Lawson asked the PPF to donate the money for the school to purchase. Leticia offered to ask at the Power Station about any that may be unused and could be donated.
7. Trivia night raffles – Marg to follow up with raffle prizes etc. Fi to create a generic donation letter. Prizes also need to be sourced for the winners of the Trivia night.
Agenda items for next meeting:
1. Trivia Night

Next meeting date: 13th September at 5:30pm.
Meeting Closed: 7:08pm

Parish News

Library News

Spring has sprung in the Library!

Today we read Amira’s Suitcase, an honour book in the Book of the Year awards, Early Childhood category. A story of a little girl who grows a tree in her suitcase.  We also read the book, Uno’s Garden by Graham Base, a lovely book about taking care of our environment and finding a balance between animals, trees and human progress.  So, being the first week of Spring, we have spent the day changing the library into our Springdom!! Each student has contributed to our display by adding a flower.

I would like to congratulate all students on their participation in our Book Week Parade. What amazing costumes we saw, and how wonderful to see our community celebrating everything Books & Reading. And a big shout-out to Mrs Gunning for the fantastic book week activities.

Finally, a big thankyou to our St Joseph’s community for supporting our Book Fair. With sales of over $1300, our school’s commission will be used and appreciated by our library to add to our student collections and teacher resources.

Mrs Trudi Burgess
Teacher Librarian.

PSHS Transition Days

Every Day Matters

Guidance Counsellor News

Club Information