St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Wandal Newsletter

True Importance

“For the most important person in the world – you!”  Whenever I see an ad with a line like that in it, I feel like taking a gun to the TV or ripping out the page.  What a terrible attitude to expose children to.  Anyone living by that philosophy is condemning themselves to an unhappy, selfish life. 

We are important…but as children of God.  Made in God’s image, we are made to love and love is expressed as care. Image a community where everyone aimed at doing what was best for each other. Now you have some idea of the dance of love that goes on within God between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Many of you would have experienced a taste of that passion when your new born baby was first placed in your arms.  The surge of care and responsibility towards this infant is a taste of true love. 

The challenge as parents is to continue that love and care, day in and day out when you often don’t feel like it.  But there is a greater challenge: to teach your child/ren to love and care in the simple daily tasks of family, school and community life. Rather than looking after ‘number one’ they need to learn to be like God and look after each other.  Fostering habits of helpfulness will lay the foundation for true happiness.  Small acts of daily service help them to grow into large-hearted people – true sons and daughters of God.

Loving God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you call us to join in your dance of love.  Give us the wisdom to show our children how to truly love you and to care for each other.  We ask this in Jesus’ name confident that you will hear us.

Thank you  to the parents who booked a Parent Teacher Interview this week. At last count, approximately 189 (out of 321) interviews were booked. In the past, we have received feedback that some parents find the reporting system confusing….these parent teacher interviews are a perfect way to discuss and engage with your child’s progress, hopefully ensuring that you understand more fully the feedback they receive via their report cards at the end of the semester.

Hairstyles and Uniforms – A reminder as we approach the school holidays to ensure any haircuts are in line with our Uniform and Presentation Guidelines. If unsure, ask.

Please take particular note of the following: Hair is to be neatly groomed, the student’s own natural colour and, if shoulder length or longer, tied back away from the face with a navy/ yellow or white hair accessory. There are to be no extremes in style or cut. If doubt exists with a style of hair, parents should check with the Principal before having a style change.

You can find our guidelines here http://sjwlrok.catholic.edu.au/policies/UniformAndPresentationGuidelines.pdf and our policy here: http://sjwlrok.catholic.edu.au/policies/Uniform.pdf

Holidays are always a good opportunity to ensure that your child’s uniforms are in good order, and that any necessary stationery requirements have been ‘topped up.’

If a teacher, after considerable observations of the child and communication with the parents, considers a repeat of prep might be in the child’s best interests then the following must occur:

 a. Dependent upon the area of need, evidence of some form of formal assessment by a specialist or paediatrician must be provided to the school by the parent/s

b. The Regional Co-ordinator: Inclusive Curriculum from the Diocesan Catholic Education Office must observe the student and provide a written report

c. The Principal then provides this evidence to the Assistant Director: Schools from the Catholic Education Office who will discuss this decision with the Assistant Director: Curriculum before reaching a decision.

If you have any questions about this process, please do not hesitate to contact either myself or the school’s Learning Support Teacher, Mrs Christine Gawne (after speaking to yoru child’s classroom teacher first, or course).

As of Term 4 this year, any students arriving early will be expected to be at Before School Care where formal supervision will be provided. Our OSHC coordinator, Hailey Svensen, can answer any questions you may have, provide you with enrolment paperwork  and can be reached on 0429316543.

Some spots are still available but filling quickly! Some days have nearly 40 children booked in. If you are interested in your child attending our Vacation Care program, please do not hesitate to give Hailey, a call on 0429316543.

The P & F Meeting was held on 12 September.

Discussions were held regarding the purchase of new marquees for next year, feedback regarding the volunteer website, discussions regarding the possibility of swimming lessons for next year, the possible introduction of Reading Eggs and Mathletics and ideas were discussed for the new outdoor learning area. 

The Year 6 camp, possibility of a silent disco for next year and World Teachers' Day were also briefly discussed. 

There was also a brief overview of NAPLAN with greats results and positive feedback on the success of the Father’s Day Stall. Thank you to all the volunteers who assisted. Your help is greatly appreciated. 

Please note that the link to the volunteer website does not work in the newsletter due to security restrictions. For all future fundraisers, please copy the link and paste into an internet browser.

We welcome all parents to come to our P & F meetings. Your contribution will assist in determining how best to support our children throughout the school year. 

The next P & F meeting will be held on 24 October 2019 at 5pm. We look forward to seeing you there. 

 Jess Gorman - 2019 P and F Secretary

This week marks the last week of Term Three. I would like to extend a huge thank you to all of you for your support and partnership in educating your precious children this term. I hope you all have a chance to spend some family time together over the school holidays, and that our children come back refreshed and enthusiastic about the last term of the year. Term Four is a fairly short one (nine weeks) and commences on Tuesday 8 October. 

Finally a thank you to the staff. My staff work tirelessly throughout the term, and often then also on their holiday breaks to prepare the very best learning experiences for their students. I thank each and every one of them for their dedication and hard work this term, and hope they all have some ‘down-time’ over this two week break.

Have a safe and enjoyable two week break everyone (those of you fortunate enough to take some time off) and I look forward to catching up with all of you next term. 

As of next term, we will once again be providing a Homework Club one afternoon, after school, per week. This will be supervised by Year 10 & 11 students from The Cathedral College.

When: Tuesday afternoons 3.20- 4.20pm (commencing in Week 2 of Term)

Where: The ‘Be-Hive’ - St Joseph’s Wandal

Who: Years 3-6 students

Parents will be required to book their children into Homework Club by midday Tuesday of each week by contacting the school office via email or phone.

Please join year 4 C in the Hall for Prayer Assembly this Friday at 8.35am

2019-2020 Cathedral Parish of St Joseph

Calling all families with children who have reached the age of reason (which is seven years of age) to join the preparation journey 2019-2020 towards the celebration of Reconciliation, Confirmation and Eucharist in 2020.

To register please come along to the Information session dates indicated below

Parents only need to attend ONE session

A reminder that Children’s Liturgy is held most Sundays at St Joseph’s Cathedral at 9.30am during the school term.   Please click on the link to access Mass times.

This has been a question I have been asking this week.  My two favourite responses today were 'excited to learn' and 'determined to learn'.  Parents, I would like to give you some homework.  Can you ask your children how they are coming to school each day?  Let's work together to enact our curriculum vision of striving for excellence, seeking justice and accepting responsibility.  Thanks!

On Friday the Year Three students continued their love of reading and celebrated Roald Dahl's birthday at the Roald Dahl Rocky Reads at the Southside Library. Students participated in two workshops creating a 'zine' - mini magazine and participating in a drama based on Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Ella and Paige were both lucky enough to be chosen to recieve Golden Tickets - A Roald Dahl pack worth $200. It was a very enjoyable day for all. 

The Year Five students have been busily preparing light dispersal systems for a Catholic Education wide project called 'Minds @ Work'.  One of our teams were finalists, and were awarded Highly Commended by the judges.  Congratulations Charli Campbell, Jake Lucas, Scarlett Stephens and Harrison McQuillan.

Congratulations to our award winners.  Please click on link.

Thank you to ALL the students who got involved with Jump Rope for Heart!

A huge thank you for the effort skipping and fundraising for the Jump Rope for Heart program this term. Together we raised an incredible $4838 and this money will go towards vital heart research and education programs.

We’ve loved seeing so many smiling faces skipping on the playground and in sports lessons. Our Jump Off Days were a huge success, you can see a few action photos from the day below.

I will be closing our fundraising page, this Friday 20 September to finalise prizes.  

Keep on skipping,

Mrs Rutherford

PE Teacher

Come, pray with us!  

                              When: 11 am Saturday, 12 October

                              Where: Central Park, Denham Street (opposite Hungry Jack’s)

 All welcome!    (bring a chair)

 Our Lady needs to hear from us!