Newsletter Term 4 Week 8

Principal's Report

Date Claimers

Student of the week

Week 6 

Prep/One: Ryan Kelly - Concentrating and trying his hardest during Miss Jenny's music lesson.

Year 2: Lola Fitzgerald- For writing some great descriptive sentences about a horse!

Year 3/4: Nate Sinclair – for doing a great OREO plan in English

Week 7

Prep/One: Noah Orchison - Hood - Trying his hardest during the Maths test yesterday.

Year 2: Fletcher French - For being a great leader when the Prep/One's visited our classroom!

Year 3/4: Toby Evans: For choosing to write his English assessment and doing some of his neatest handwriting!

Year 5/6: Aidan Schicker - for his great focus and concentration to complete assessment tasks to a high standard.

Learning Behaviours

Week 6

Prep/One: Courageous Corella: Xander Burgess - Completing all his testing so well and reaching a new reading level.

Year 2: Persistent Parakeet- Matilda Jones- For putting in 110% effort when answering division questions!

Year 3/4: Iah Bejarin – persistent parakeet for doing an awesome job at creating a detailed map in Maths

 Year 5/6:  Persistant Parakeet - Levi Bryce – for his perseverance with his assessment this week and being willing to take on feedback to improve and refine his work.

Courageous Corella - Cooper Klein– for participating in the Choral workshop, even when none of his friends were.

Week 7

Prep/One: Curious Cockatoo: Aden Hollis - Asking great questions at the fire fighter visit.

Year 2: Persistent Parakeet - Isabella Collier - For working hard to catch up and complete all assessment tasks this week!

Year 3/4: Courageous Corella: Ellie Purnell: For coming to school after being unwell and having the courage to catch up on work and assessments!

Year 5/6: Welcoming Wagtail - Josephine Wise - for giving up her time to help her classmates complete their work and solve problems this week.

Prep/One News

Hi Everyone, 

Wow what a year it has been! Every single Prep/One student has improved so much this year, whether that is academically and/or socially. I am so proud of each and every student and will miss them immensely! I am hoping these last two weeks go by slowly however, I know that they always seem to pass by quick! Have a lovely and safe holiday everyone but before then, enjoy the rest of the term. Hopefully I won’t be sending home too much Christmas craft (sorry in advance!). 

Thanks for being such supportive parents. You and your beautiful children make my job a dream  - more than I ever could have hoped for 😊 

Kind Regards, 

Grace 

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Year Two News

Hello Everyone!

I can’t believe that we are already at the end of our 2023 school year! As we say goodbye to another incredible year, I want to express my deepest gratitude for being a part of your children’s schooling journey. It has been a year filled with growth, laughter, and accomplishments. Each student has brought a unique spark to our classroom, contributing to our amazing learning and discoveries. The memories created over these past few years will forever be cherished.  

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time out here in Millmerran and I am very sad that it is coming to an end. Thank you to everyone who made me feel welcome in the school and community throughout my 5 years.  

I hope everyone has a happy and safe Christmas break and enjoys all the family time! 

Thankyou

Lauren Grant

Year 3/4 News

Dear community,

Another year has come to an end, and it’s hard to believe that I’ve nearly finished my first year of teaching! This year has been a lot of fun, filled with laughter and plenty of new discoveries. The 3/4 students have taught me more than they will ever understand, and they have risen to the challenges I have set them every term, week, and day. I am beyond proud of these kids and so grateful for the light they brought to my first classroom. We have all been brought out of our comfort zones at times, yet they managed to make me laugh/smile no matter the day.

I wish the Year 4 students well in your new classroom with a new teacher. You have brought so much laughter and knowledge to this class, and I will miss teaching you every day. I look forward to seeing you around the school and hearing all the stories from your new class.

To the Year 3 students, I know you will make me proud when we welcome the current Year 2 students into our classroom. I am very much looking forward to getting to know the new students alongside you all and learning even more than I have this year. I can’t wait to continue watching you achieve great things!

Thank you to all the parents for supporting your children throughout the year and for allowing them opportunities to grow and develop. Not only this, but thank you for being supportive to me when navigating my first year.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.  I look forward to seeing all your smiling faces in the new year.

Georgia Tocknell

Year 5/6 News

Dear Community

Well, I can't believe that another year has come to an end.  This year has been a great year, filled with much laughter, fun, lessons and new discoveries.  The students in 5/6 have pushed themselves to achieve new heights and limits this year and each and every one of them has done something that has been outside of their comfort zone, helping them to grow and learn.

To the Year 6 students, you have brought much laughter, silliness and conversation to our classroom.  I have enjoyed working with you all over the past three years and I look forward to hearing your new stories of high school when we meet again. I am going to miss all the outrageous stories of motorbiking and farming.

To the Year 5 students, I know that you will make fabulous leaders for our school next year and I look foward to seeing all that you can achieve throughout the year.

Thank you to all the parents for supporting your children throughout the year and for allowing them opportuinites to grow and develop.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.  I look forward to seeing all your smiling faces in the new year.

Michelle Sanders

From the APRE

Well another year has come to an end and what a wonderful year it has been.  Thank you to the Mini Vinnies Club for their work throughout the year in organising various activities and fundraisers.  They are running one last fundraiser and that is their annual Christmas Appeal.  A number of families in our community will be struggling this Christmas, so every little bit helps.  Please see the flyer below about appropriate items to bring in.  All donations can be dropped to the school office.

When I reflect back on the year, there are many moments to be proud of and when I think of these moments, I see the values of Mary MacKillop reflected in the actions of the students.  Selflessness, persistence, empathy, tolerance, courage, kindness, compassion and justice are all values that I have wintnessed in students throughout the year and I am glad to see these qualities shining through in the students at our school.

I wish everyone in the school community a very happy and holy Christmas and every blessing for the new year.  

God Bless,

Michelle Sanders

PE News

Wow!  I know we have all said it, but 2023 has flown by!  This year I have really enjoyed teaching PE to all your beautiful children, and am looking forward to continuing again next year.

This term, we started with some games while the Year 5/6's were on camp, and then did our whole school week swimming block and swimming carnival.  The students really impressed me with how much they improved over the week, and it is great to see many of them continuing with lessons and Swimming Club as well.

After that, we started Softball and Teeball, and learnt many skills needed to progress into playing games.  The students showed me some great skills, teamwork and sportsmanship, with only a touch of overcompetitiveness!!

We are finishing off the term with some fun games, and the kids have enjoyed letting loose and running around after a very hectic term.

Wishing you all a wonderful and safe Christmas break, and looking forward to seeing you all again next year!

Cheers, Fiona Andrews.

Tuckshop News

Dear Community

Wow, I cannot believe we have 1 tuckshop left for the year! I have thoroughly enjoyed running the tuckshop this year and hope all your kiddies have loved the menu! With many new families arriving in 2024 I am hoping we can get a good amount of volunteers and keep the tuckshop running strong as I believe our kids definitely deserve it. I will try to have the dates sent out on our survey a couple of weeks before school starts back next year, so if you are able to help out even just 1 Monday a term would be greatly appreciated! I hope everyone has a wonderful safe Christmas and holiday and I look forward to next year 🎄🎄

Billie Sinclair

PPF News

Hi Everyone!

As the year draws to a close, on behalf of the PPF, I would just like to thank all of those who have helped in any way to support our school and students through the work that we have done as a PPF.  Throughout the year, we have managed to donate a lot of money to the school, which is only possible through the hard work of those dedicated parents.

Next year, most of the current executive committee will be finishing up their time, so if you are interested in becoming part of the PPF committee and helping out, we would be very grateful!  

Without the hard work and fundraising done by the PPF, many of the great activities and resources that our students have access to would not be possible, or doing them would put a lot more financial pressure on parents, such as paying for buses to camp and other activities, or the great Arts Council Performances that our kids go to.

As the saying goes, many hands make light work, so the more people to help share the load the better.  Please consider putting your hand up to help, either in an executive role or just as a volunteer.  Our AGM will be in the first couple of weeks next year, so keep an eye out for updates!

We would like to wish all our families a great holiday break and a wonderful Christmas!

Kind Regards,  

St Joseph's PPF.

St Joseph's Parent Partnership Forum

General Meeting Minutes – 13.11.23

Date: 13.11.23

Meeting Opened:  5:05pm

Attendees:  Fiona Andrews, Lawson Short, Kelsee Huth, Catherine Folker, Leanne Huth, Tim Antonio, Billie-Dee Sinclair, Matt Clark.

Apologies:  Marg Gaske, Taylah Willett.

Opening Prayer: LS

Previous Minutes:

• Moved: Billie-Dee
• Seconded: Catherine

Issues arising from previous meeting:

• Nil

Principal’s Report: LS

• Welcome BBQ night 2024 and AGM – Friday the 2^nd
• Thank you to PPF for the donation for the Digeribone concert.
• Thank you to the PPF for Lawson’s Farewell last Friday night.
• Thank you to the PPF for the support of Lawson over the last five years.

PPF Principal’s Report 13/11/2023

Enrolments: 

• 75
• 2024- Revised prediction of 86-88
• Prep, 1/2, 3/4, 5/6

Staffing  

• School Officer positions finalised, from current staff. 
• APRE- Recruiting Underway. 
• Teacher- Hope to announce very soon. (Final paperwork). 

PD Undertaken 

• Maree- LST network Day 
• Michele- APRE Network Day 
• Lawson- Middle Leader Network Day 
• Lawson- Principal Forum

Activities 

• Hearing Testing 
• Prep Transition Days 
• Didjeribone Arts C.
• Lockdown Drill 
• Landcare Visit- 
• World Teachers Day 
• Day 4 Daniel
• OT Visit
• Queensland S Orchestra Visit 
• Lawson’s Farewell 
• Firies Visit

Discuss: 

• Welcome BBQ night Date. 
• Farewell- Thank you very much for organising. What a great night it was! 
• Thank you for the support of the P & F and the PPF over the last 5 years. We have come along way. 42 enrolments, to 86-88. 

Correspondence IN: 

• Nil

Correspondence OUT:

• Thank you letter to Halls.

Chairperson Report:

• Marg unwell – no report.

Team Coordinator – Finance Report:

• All true and correct.
• Bank balance is currently $18260

Committee Reports:

• Maintenance: Path out the front and disabled park – is on Council’s list – will be a four to five year project.

• Tuckshop: Chip cooker – leaking oil.  Billie has called Betta Electrical, but it needs to be followed up.  Tanya to follow up.  Hopefully next year we can get some more volunteers.

Agenda Items:

1. Awards Night

• Kelc and Marg have organised the food, hire price has been dropped to $250.
• Black stage boxes need to be taken to the Tavern on the Friday morning, and then collected on the Friday night.
• The Tavern is not sure if they have enough chairs, we may need to take some up.
• We need to stay in Carallen Place, kids won’t be allowed to go into the main area of the Tavern.
• Santa – still need to find someone.
• Food – for those who have ordered, we will give them armbands to show that they have paid.
• Orders need to be in this Friday the 17^th.
• There will be provision for Gluten and Dairy free.

1. Multidraw Raffle

• Kelc and Taylah sold tickets down the street last Friday which went well.
• Lots of people have donated towards the hampers.
• Millmerran Butchery will donate a meat tray.
• Will sell tickets on the Awards Night and then draw it.

1. Prep Info Evening

• Monday the 27^th of November.
• New families and Prep families will be invited.
• Kelsee will organise the food, Billie-Dee will organise the bar.
• Will use up the alcohol in the fridge.
• Will meet at 3pm on that day for set up.

1. Show Canteen 2024

• The Catholic Church would like to continue to work with the school next year to cater the show.
• Tim Antonio is happy to take on the role of Coordinator, and Fran and Leanne will organise a lot of the food and ordering, if the school provides helpers.
• Tim and the Parish will put themselves on the roster and then the school will fill the rest.
• Things will be simplified.
• Breakfast only on the Sunday.
• No softdrinks, just water.
• Tim will organise what he needs to and then we will have a meeting to delegate jobs etc.

1. Sign Board out the front of the school. Lawson got a quote for a digital board and it was over $15000.  Maybe we could apply for a grant?  Sign out on the highway needs updating.  Maybe ask Jo Fitzgerald who they use?  Marg will ask at Tackers who they are using.
2. Matt suggested the possibility of putting down a Bore for watering the oval – Matt to ask Ashley Crank for some idea on price.
3. Cattle – Matt suggested the possibility of buying cattle and getting families to raise them and then sell them, like we have done in the past. We would then keep the profit. We may not have enough money at this point though.  There may be families willing, Matt is willing to help organising.  Matt moved that we spend $5000 on purchasing steers, pending families to house them.  Matt to find more information before proceeding.
4. Bulli Creek Solar Farm – may be able to be approached for grants / donations / sponsorship. Matt will keep at ear out.
5. Any other end of year business – reminder about Santa books on Awards Night.

Agenda items for next meeting: 

Next meeting date: Monday 2^nd February 2024                                       Meeting Closed: 6:45pm