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- PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
- DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
- ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL PRIMARY
- ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL FORMATION & IDENTITY
- GENERAL ADMINISTRATION REMINDERS
- WELCOME TO OUR NEW STUDENTS & FAMILIES
- ST JOSEPH'S SCHOOL FOUNDATION DAY
- 2021 YEAR 12 GRADUATE NAMED JUNIOR CITIZEN 2022
- OUR SCHOOL FARM
- INSTRUMENTAL LESSONS - 2022
- WELCOME TO OUR STUDENT TEACHER
- SENIORS 2021 - WHERE ARE THEY NOW ?
- SCHOOL FEES
- NEWS FROM TUCKSHOP
- COVID INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
- 2022 COLLECTION NOTICE FOR PARENTS
- SPORT
- UPCOMING EVENTS
School has returned at last, and all students and staff have settled very well. This year we are excited to welcome 70 new students to the school across Prep to Year 11, especially our 28 Prep students. We now have over 400 students at St Joseph’s School, a significant increase in enrolments over recent years.
The words of some of our students best sums up what the return to school means for everyone.
Aiden McCosker (Year 5): “It’s great to be back at school to see all my friends.”
Fletcher Heads (Year 5): “I am glad to be back learning because I love learning new things.”
Isabel Kay (School Captain 2022): “It is exciting to come back and see everyone. The Year 12s are looking forward to the challenge of leading across Prep to 12. Our focus will be to make sure all kids feel welcome at St Joey’s and have a successful 2022.”
On Wednesday 9 February, St Joseph’s School Foundation Day, we held our beginning of year Foundation Day Mass and Senior Leader Commissioning. Student leadership at St Joseph’s School is based on servant leadership, with Jesus as the role model for leadership and service in our community. All our Year 12s are committed to providing quality servant leadership for all students.
I congratulate our appointed Student Leaders for 2022 and the Year 12 group as a whole.
SCHOOL CAPTAINS & PREFECTS
CAPTAINS: |
Isabel Kay |
|
Kira St John |
VICE-CAPTAINS: |
Kaelie Doyle |
|
Ashley O'Brien |
|
Lucas Wren |
PREFECTS: |
Natasha Brierley |
|
Kirra Daddow |
Caitlin Ellis |
|
|
Cydney McERvale |
HOUSE CAPTAINS
DAVADI: |
Natasha Brierley |
|
Lucas Wren |
McAULEY: |
Caitlyn Hennoste |
|
Ashley O'Brien |
We all looking forward to a great year for all students at St Joey’s. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries or concerns, or if your child needs extra support in any way.
God Bless
After another disjointed start to the year courtesy of the ongoing concerns around COVID, it was wonderful to welcome back all students across our school community. There was definitely a sense of energy and positivity across the campuses, with the influx of a large number of new students adding to the excitement. I take this opportunity to welcome all new members of our St Joseph’s community and to our existing families, it is great to see you all back. I also thank our Year 12 student leaders for arriving early to welcome students and families to the 2022 school year.
On Secondary, I addressed students in relation to the year ahead and the expectations we have as a school community. Firstly, I spoke of the importance of learning and creating a learning environment that will enable all students to achieve success in their own academic journey. It is important that all students maximise the opportunities to learn in every class room and focus on positive and collaborative engagement with the teachers and their peers.
Secondly, I spoke of the importance of positive and respectful relationships. The key message centred on ensuring that each student, as an individual, focuses on having a positive influence with every interaction they have, whether it is a staff member, another student or a member of our wider community.
The online learning period for Year 11 and 12 students in Week 2 went very well across the board. It was great to walk in on lessons and view the quality teaching and learning taking place in these virtual environments. It is a credit to both the teachers and students for the way in which this was managed so successfully.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Live Jesus in our hearts,
Matthew Brown
Deputy Principal
ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL PRIMARY
What an absolute delight to welcome the students back to school this week after their extended holiday! Amongst those were 17 new students across Year 1 - Year 6 and 28 Prep students. It has also been a pleasure to welcome some members of staff on Primary:
- Emma Mason is our new Year 1 teacher, having moved to Stanthorpe from Brisbane
- Karyn Heads will be working with Year 4/5 for the equivalent of one day - as well as continuing in her role as a relief teacher
- Cate Green is our new learning support teacher across P- 12
- Mel Skuse has joined us as a school officer in the early years
- Sarah Fleming has taken on the role of tuckshop convenor
The first day was filled with much excitement, the renewal of old friendships and the establishment of new ones. It is a special trait of our school that the new members of our community are always welcomed so warmly and this helps to alleviate some of the inevitable anxiety of starting at a new school.
As a school, we are very excited about the opportunities that the new school year brings. It is important to look back first though and acknowledge what was achieved, as well as take stock of the challenges which weren't met so successfully. Both provide stepping-stones for moving into 2022 with renewed effort and confidence. One of our priorities is always that each student feels valued and that they feel they belong in our community. Another is that we seek, at all times, to provide the best education for each student so that they are challenged to be the best learner that they can be, developing the skills necessary for today, tomorrow and the future. As a Visible Learning school, we are using the latest research to implement strategies that are proven to work effectively. A further commitment is around all members of our community coming to know Jesus more clearly and living out the Gospel values in their thoughts, words and actions. Throughout the school year, I look forward to sharing many snapshots of life on the Primary Campus with you in this newsletter, the Primary Campus newsletter and also on Facebook.
We very much encourage parents and caregivers to be part of our community in any way that you can and look forward to your ongoing support this year. Please feel free to contact us at any time should the need arise - or even just to say hello!
With God's blessing
Sarah YatesAssistant to the Principal Primary
ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL FORMATION & IDENTITY
Illuminate RE - Revisit, Refresh, Refine, Renew
Wednesday 19th January, staff participated in our first online meeting for Illuminate RE. Illuminate RE is the Tier One project for St. Joseph’s School this year, and will involve all staff revisiting, refreshing, refining and renewing how we continue to engage our students in Religious Education and the religious life of the school whilst ensuring that we remain distinctively Catholic.
During our meeting, staff were challenged to reflect upon quotes and questions to consider how Religious Education can meet the changing contexts and needs of schools, and continue to be relevant for students, staff and parents. Staff reviewed their role as witness, specialist and moderator within Catholic schools, as well as considering the changing contexts in which we live and work. We now look forward to continuing our work in this realm, in anticipation of the changes which lay ahead.
“Religious education needs to ‘recontextualise’ so that students can engage in open dialogue between the Catholic tradition and their personal experiences and contemporary culture.” NCEC Framing Paper: RE in Australian Catholic Schools
“Religious education needs to interpret the signs of the times and to ‘reread the memory of faith’, recontextualising so that students can engage in an open narrative and dialogue between the Catholic tradition and their personal experiences and contemporary cultural contexts.” NCEC Framing Paper: RE in Australian Catholic Schools
God's Blessings
Megan Mahoney
Assistant to the Principal Formation & Identity
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION REMINDERS
Early departure & late arrival slips
A friendly reminder regarding correct procedures for late arrivals, early departures and visitors as follows:
- All late students MUST report to the School Office prior to proceeding to class.
- For early departures, the usual parental permission is required, however, the students sign out at the School Office kiosk. Returning students MUST present this printed slip to the office before heading back to class. Should the student not return to the office with the slip prior to returning to class, they will be marked as absent for the remainder of the day. All students in Prep to Year 11 leaving early, must be collected by a parent / caregiver. Parents are asked to wait at the office - we will have the child come to the office.
- All contractors, parents and visitors must sign in and out at the School Office kiosk if they are visiting classrooms or coming into other parts of the school. This does not apply to parents dropping students off before school and collecting them after school.
- Call ahead to the office if you wish to make an appointment with the Principal, Principal's Assistant or the Bursar.
Parent Access to School and Drop Off/Pick Up Provisions
- To limit the number of people on the school site, we have asked that parents and carers drop
off and pick up their children at the school gates. - This provision does not apply to parents and carers of Prep, Year 1 and vulnerable students.
Vulnerable students include those students who may be particularly anxious returning to or
starting school. These parents and carers of Primary students may drop off and pick up their
children at the door of their child’s classroom. - For parents and carers who come on site we strongly recommend that they wear face masks,
maintain social distancing, do not arrive too early or linger on site. Note that the school cannot
enforce the face mask wearing request. - There is no requirement that parents and carers who enter the school to drop off or pick up
their children are vaccinated.
Hygiene
- Please encourage your child to practice good personal hygiene:
- wash hands often for 20 seconds with soap and water, including before eating
- use alcohol-based hand sanitisers when you can’t use soap and water
- avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- keep that cough undercover.
Absent student
If your child is absent from school, please advise the office by calling on 07 4681 5900 or emailing stanthorpe@twb.catholic.edu.au. When leaving a message please clearly state your child's name and their class. Please do not ask your other children to advise the office as often these messages are not passed on. If no advice is received, an SMS will be sent seeking confirmation, followed by a phone call if required.
Change of details
If you have recently changed address, phone number or any other details have changed, please advise the office so we can ensure our records are up to date and we can update any systems that may be impacted.
Primary carpark
Parents are reminded that the carpark at the Primary office is strictly for teachers and staff only during school hours. Please do not use the car park to collect your children.
Volunteers
We always welcome volunteers in our library, tuckshop or at out-of-class activities. If you would like to become a volunteer please undertake the Student Protection and Code of Conduct for 2021. Once completed, you will be required to print and return the Volunteer Declaration form to the Primary office at stanthorpe@twb.catholic.edu.au. Please note that Parents/Caregivers cannot volunteer in any capacity without completing the Declaration.
Uniform
We believe a clean, neat, uniformed appearance reflects a pride in the individual as well as reflecting well upon his/her family and school. The expectation is that all students are wearing the correct uniform and groomed as per the policy every day.
Please also ensure you print your child’s name on their school uniforms with a permanent marker. There is a lost property box located in in the Multipurpose room at Primary and in the staffroom at Secondary – lost or unnamed articles are placed here to await collection. We encourage parents to check these boxes regularly for lost clothing.
WELCOME TO OUR NEW STUDENTS & FAMILIES
The 2022 school year at St Joseph’s School started with a hive of activity, with some excited (and nervous) students finally starting their first day at a new school, and others starting their first day of Prep or Secondary school.
We would like to warmly welcome our existing and new families to the school for 2022 and to welcome our new teachers. All of our new staff bring experience, enthusiasm and a passion for teaching to the school. Our community of teachers continues to grow, but our mission remains the same; we are here to serve, teach and help our students.
Our new teachers are :
- Mrs Emma-Jane Mason - Year 1 Teacher
- Mrs Karyn Heads - Year 4/5 Teacher
- Mrs Melissa Skuse - Primary Teacher Aide
- Ms Claudia Villari – Secondary Teacher (Humanities)
- Ms Jenny Pierson – Secondary Teacher (Maths, Science & Humanities)
- Miss Katherine Henney – Secondary Teacher (Chemistry & Maths)
- Ms Catherine Green - Learning Support Teacher
- Miss Sarah Fleming - Tuckshop Convenor
We look forward to a busy, productive and fun year ahead!
From L-R : Mrs Karyn Heads, Mrs Emma-Jane Mason, Ms Catherine Green, Miss Sarah Fleming, Miss Katherine Henney, Ms Jenny Pierson, Ms Claudia Villari (absent - Mrs Melissa Skuse)
ST JOSEPH'S SCHOOL FOUNDATION DAY
St Joseph's School had its beginning with the arrival in Stanthorpe by four Sisters of Mercy on the 9th February 1875. They were Sisters M Agnes, Emilian, Muredach and Malachy, This small group of dedicated Sisters pioneered Christian education enduring great hardships in the fulfilment of their apostolic mission.
The foundation stone for the Convent building now on the Secondary campus was laid on 11 October 1931. The building cost the grand sum of 12,258 pounds and solemnly blessed and opened by his Lordship Dr J Byrne, Bishop of Towoomba on the 17th of April 1932.
The original school was formerly the Globe Hotel. The school occupied the position more or less where the current Presbytery now stands. It was thought that its initial roll call was in the excess of 120 students, some of whom travelled considerable distances by foot from th the outlying tin mines. The original 'school' consisted of one large room with the barest of necessities.
2021 YEAR 12 GRADUATE NAMED JUNIOR CITIZEN 2022
Congratulations to 2021 Year 12 Graduate Teresa Pozzebon who was recently named as the Junior Citizen of the Year 2022 - Southern Region in the Southern Downs Australia Day Awards 2022.
During her time at St Joseph’s School, including as a School Prefect and House Captain in 2021, Teresa was a much loved and respected student leader. At St Joseph’s School respect, compassion and service are three of our key Mercy Values. Teresa role models all of them in her daily life. Teresa is an exceptional young woman who always is ready to help others and serve our community with a smile. She has a good understanding of what ‘community’ means and how important it is to be a part of it and actively support it.
This is a well-deserved award for an outstanding young member of our Stanthorpe community.
Our school farm is located at Applethorpe. This week construction was completed on a new netting structure at the farm. It will provide a large, protected space to grow crops and an orchard containing a variety of trees.
During Agricultural Science classes, students access the farm.
Our thanks to NetPro Protective Canopies who constructed the structure and provided some sponsorship.
Congratulations to all students who have been involved in instrumental lessons and music ensembles throughout 2021. It is wonderful to see students participating in music tuition and we have been delighted with the progress that has been made.
This year, lessons are available with the following teachers:
Piano : Caroline Ryan (Tuesday and Thursday)
Strings : Maple Egerton (Thursday)
Brass/Woodwind : Phil Ryan (Tuesday and Thursday).
In addition, there will be two band rehearsal per week, one on the Secondary campus and one on the Primary campus. There is no charge for students to participate in the Band and we encourage all students to get involved.
If you are interested in lessons for your son/daughter, please contact the teacher directly:
Caroline/Phil Ryan : ryanette@bigpond.net.au
Maple Egerton : mapleisnow@gmail.com
Lessons are timetabled by the teacher and all fees are paid directly to the teacher. Students are permitted to leave class to attend lessons during school time.
If there are any questions, or if I can help in any way, please don’t hesitate to contact me james.cuskelly@twb.catholic.edu.au
Dr Cuskelly
Music Teacher
WELCOME TO OUR STUDENT TEACHER
Welcome to our Student Teacher, Mr Jake Adsett.
SENIORS 2021 - WHERE ARE THEY NOW ?
Congratulations to our Seniors of 2021! All students successfully obtained their QCE certificates and those students who wished to go University have successfully gained entry into their preferred courses. So, what are our graduates up to now:
Karla Brien
Karla is taking the time to consider her options whilst she works at IGA.
Louise Day
Louise was accepted into a Bachelor of Nursing at JCU. Louise is taking a GAP year and has secured a job on a large property up north.
Gianna Newman
Gianna has accepted and deferred a Bachelor of Nursing with UNE. Gianna will be taking a GAP year and is investigating applying to the Queensland Police Force.
Vanessa Petrocitto
Vanessa is working at Red Rooster and IGA. She is considering management or supervisor roles with these businesses.
Teresa Pozzebon
Is working full time at Foxy’s continuing her apprenticeship.
Eric Richards
Eric is working part time at a hardware store as he finalises his application to the Australian Navy.
Brayden Spiller
Brayden is continuing his apprenticeship, working full time with Elite Torque Mechanical.
Struan Trenning
Struan has accepted an offer to study a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/Bachelor of Aviation at Griffith University.
Taylah Whiticker
Taylah has accepted an offer to study a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) with Griffith University. She has moved to Brisbane and has secured a casual job.
Charlotte Wilson
Is working at the Sweets’ farm, taking a GAP year whilst applying to the Australian Airforce.
Cooper Wren
Cooper has accepted an offer to study a Bachelor of Paramedicine at USC. Cooper has moved to the Sunshine Coast for study.
Greg Zournazidis
Greg is working with a local business as a part time labourer.
We wish them all the best for their futures.
Tuition Fees are utilised to meet the operating costs of the school and we appreciate the commitment in making payment of school fees. Fees are essential for the school to provide quality education for all students. We ask families to make full payment of school fees within one month of fees being issued. School Fees will be issued in the coming weeks and more information pertaining to School Fees will be in next fortnight’s School Newsletter.
If you wish to start making payment towards your child’s school fees, payments can be paid at the office by cash, cheque or EFTPOS. Alternatively internet banking can be directly deposited into the following bank account;
Account Name — St Joseph’s School
Bank & Branch — Commonwealth, Stanthorpe (064-431)
Account No. — 1018-4376
Reference – Surname and Account Code (located on your invoice and statement)
Annual payments can be made annually for which a 5% discount is applied on tuition fees, if paid within 1 month of date of issue of fees. If you would like to partake in the annual fee option, please advise the Bursar of this choice via email Megan.Hines@twb.catholic.edu.au by 24th February, 2022.
If you require any further information or have any other issues regarding school fees and payments, please contact Mrs Megan Hines via the above email or phone directly on 4681 5903.
The St Joseph’s Primary Tuckshop operates on Mondays and Fridays offering pre-ordered hot food and over the counter sales of snacks and drinks, at morning and afternoon breaks.
The Secondary Tuckshop operates on Wednesday's and all pre-ordered items for morning and afternoon breaks are from Foxy’s Bakery. Drinks and chips are available for purchase over the counter at both breaks.
Both Primary and Secondary Tuckshops have already commenced.
St Joseph’s School uses the Qkr! ordering system to order Tuckshop meals for both Tuckshops. This can be accessed at https://qkr.mastercard.com/store/#/home, or by downloading the QKR! App onto a smart phone or tablet. If you are new to this system, please contact the school's Tuckshop Convenor, Mrs Sarah Fleming (sarah.fleming@twb.catholic.edu.au) if you have any difficulty setting this up. For returning students, parents need to remember to update their child's classes (and make them a “Secondary Student” if they are commencing Year 7) before you order for the first time this year. It is important to select the correct menu and date when placing your child’s order, remembering also that Secondary tuckshop is only available on Wednesday's. Secondary students CANNOT order from the Primary tuckshop.
New volunteers are always welcomed to work in both Tuckshops! It is a great way to meet other parents and students. Volunteers are only rostered once a term unless they request to work more often. Grandparents are also welcomed to be Tuckshop volunteers. Grandparents require a Blue Card, the application form can be found here: https://www.bluecard.qld.gov.au/applications/need-to-apply-for-card.html
All volunteers must complete the Student Protection and Code of Conduct for 2022 prior to working at the school. Please note that Parents/Caregivers cannot volunteer in any capacity without completing the Declaration The link is provided: https://www.twb.catholic.edu.au/work-and-learn-with-us/volunteers-and-visiting-service-providers/
11 February | Year 12 Leadership Day |
15 February | Darling Downs Cluster Day 1 |
21 February | School Photos |
23 February | Southern Downs / Border District Cricket Trials |
24 February | Border District Winter Trials |
SDYC Induction Day | |
25 February | Secondary Swimming Carnival |
26 February | Busking Championships |
28 February | Lions Youth of the Year |
1 March | Year 6 Leadership Day |