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- PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
- DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
- ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL PRIMARY
- ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL FORMATION & IDENTITY
- SchoolTV
- YEAR 12 CHEMISTRY
- BATH BOMBS ARE A FIZZING !
- YEAR 8 SCIENCE
- WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE IN YEAR 3
- WEEK OF INSPIRATIONAL MATHS
- YEAR 6 LEADERS
- EASTER ESCAPE ROOM
- RICE DAY
- EISTEDDFOD PREPARATIONS ARE UNDER WAY
- BULLYING NO WAY DAY
- EPILEPSY AWARENESS DAY
- SCHOOL PHOTOS
- SAVE THE DATE !!
- TUCKSHOP NEWS
- LET'S DO THIS FOR SANTINA !
- SPORT
- UPCOMING EVENTS
This term has, no doubt, been another challenging one for us all and the weeks ahead will present further challenges. However, as the last two years have shown, we all adapt to the change and strive to do our best in the circumstances. My thanks to the staff and students for their good work throughout the term.
School Board
On 30 March, the School Board met for its AGM and the first meeting of the year. The Board for this year is:
Julie Kay (Chair)
Andrew Kendall (Principal)
Father Gonzalo Garcia Duran (Parish Priest)
Angelina Sims (Secretary)
Megan Mahoney (Staff Representative)
Suzy Dole
Amy Hill
Michael Letters
Patrick McCosker
Michael Pradella
Amanda St John
Dorothy Switala
The key roles of the Board are to monitor the progress of the school’s implementation of the Strategic Plan and advise on policy.
I thank them for their support of the school and welcome the new members, Amy Hill and Michael Letters, to the Board.
Have a Great Easter
This week we had an early Easter gift in the form of a morning tea visit to the school by Santina Leonardi, our receptionist. This is the first time Santina has been able to return to the school since she was hospitalised for treatment of her illness last year. Santina is hoping to return to work on a part-time basis during Term 2. Thanks all who have prayed, visited and cared for her since she became ill.
To all students, families and staff I wish you a blessed, safe and restful Easter break.
God Bless
It is always hard to fathom how quickly the weeks tick by in the context of school life. As we draw close to yet another term here at St Joseph’s I thank the students, families and staff for their resilience and perseverance in the face of many challenges we have encountered. As always, the students have engaged well in their learning and most should be proud of their results and achievements across a shortened Term 1.
Due to the on-going impact of COVID-19 and the disruptions caused both at the start of the year and towards the end of term, the decision has been made to delay the issuing of interim reports for students in Years 7-12. Interim reports will be posted out to parents in Week 1 Term 2. This decision was made in order to maximise the time staff and students had across Term 1 to finalise assessment and class work.
Further to this, Secondary Parent Teacher Consultations will be scheduled for 10 May (Tuesday Week 4). This will allow time for interim reports to be sent home to families. Further information in relation to bookings times for consultations with teachers will be sent out early in Term 2. In the interim, if you have any questions relating to the progress of your child in any area of their learning, please do not hesitate to contact us or any of the teaching staff to discuss.
Have a safe and happy Easter.
Matthew Brown
Deputy Principal
ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL PRIMARY
The first term of this academic year has not been without its challenges including a delayed start and then many families succumbing to the effects of COVID.
However, as we look forward to the Easter holidays, there is much for which we can be thankful this term. Let's look at the numbers....As a campus we have welcomed 6 new staff members as well as 18 new students into Yr 1 - Yr 6 and 28 Prep students, all of whom have settled well and are contributing positively to the life of our school. We have presented 72 Mercy Awards in our assemblies, recognising the learning and behaviour of the students.
With regards to sport, 18 students have been chosen to represent the district and students from Year 6, and a few from Year 5, have participated in a rain-affected interschools sport competition.
While it is good to look at the statistical data, at St Joseph's each student is much, much more than a number. During my time in each classroom and on the playground, this has been very apparent as each individual has displayed their personality and character. We have seen each of them grow as learners and as human beings this term and the prospect of them continuing to develop in future terms is very exciting. We have high expectations of the children in our care and will work to provide every opportunity for every one of them to succeed.
On behalf of the staff on the Primary Campus, I wish every family a holy and blessed holiday period and a safe return to school on 20 April.
With God's blessings.
Sarah Yates
Assistant to the Principal Primary
ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL FORMATION & IDENTITY
Easter People
As we continue our 40-day Lenten journey, we see the familiar signs that Easter is not too far away. Shops stocking brightly coloured, foil wrapped chocolate eggs, chatter and preparations about the upcoming Easter break, and crisp, dewy mornings to begin our autumn days. However, amidst the sights and sounds of Easter it is the Easter story – the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus - that holds great meaning for Christians.
For Christians the Easter story is one of hope: hope of a new start, a new direction, a new future, and the hope that promises fullness of life.
Sometimes we may feel a little like Jesus’ friends following his death – alone and discouraged, living in a world of uncertainty, isolation and questioning. However, the hope that comes with Jesus’ resurrection tells us that there is a way forward, even if we struggle to see it at times. The hope of Easter is found by looking outwards, by reaching out and by looking at our own lives and seeing what really matters to ourselves and those around us.
This Easter may we be a people of hope, remembering that Easter Sunday always follows Good Friday.
God's blessings,
Megan Mahoney
Assistant to the Principal Formation & Identity
Flood Support & Recovery
Being exposed to a natural disaster, either directly through lived experience or indirectly through the media, stirs up various feelings of sadness, depression, anxiety and frustration. Communities and families around Australia have been touched by the recent floods in NSW and Queensland with many still coming to terms with what has happened. While others are rallying together to provide much needed moral and financial support.
As the clean-up continues, families are faced with the real presence of the disaster. Dealing with their emotions and providing support to their children and teenagers. How well young people cope, or manage any trauma, will depend on specific risk factors in existence before, during and after the event. It is vital to talk and listen to them to help them process their feelings.
Parents and caregivers need to remain vigilant in monitoring their children during this time and check in with them regularly. They may be distressed by images they have seen either physically or through social media and news reports. Young people may exhibit or experience a wide range of emotional reactions and it is therefore important to reassure them that what they are feeling is considered normal.
This Special Report offers a number of strategies to help support families during this time of recovery. We hope you take a moment to reflect on the information offered, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the wellbeing of your child, please seek medical or professional help.
Here is the link to your special report https://stjosephs.qld.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-flood-support-recovery
Year 12 Chemistry students recently completed a mandatory practical.
In this instance, students are verifying the series of Reactivity by conducting a number of single displacement reactions.
This is one of the several experiments they can modify as part of their second assessment, the student experiment.
Wednesday 23rd March saw Year 6 students test their first prototype of their bath bombs in Science.
Improvements were already observed in the second round….only one was actively bubbling in the mould !
One more prototype to go !!
Teacher Mrs McPherson was once again impressed with the students technology skills. Students were able to take photos and videos of their first prototype and upload into their digital notebook with zero assistance from me her.
Students in Year 8 recently completed a sheep’s heart dissection as part of their studies in Science.
As part of their study of body systems, students were examining the circulatory system. The dissection allowed them to locate the vessels and chambers in the heart in order to trace the flow of blood through atria and ventricles. They discovered that although real life organs don’t look exactly the same as the diagrams in textbooks, they were similar enough to allow students the opportunity to follow the paths very successfully.
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE IN YEAR 3
As our Year 3 students grow and learn, they are beginning to understand that there is always more to discover and achieve.
In Week 9, students participated in a Week of Inspirational Mathematics aimed at bringing curiosity and creativity to engage our Mathematical learners. Across the Secondary Campus, students were engaged in Mathematical concepts in a variety of learning areas.
English looked at the frequency and percentage of parts of speach within simple and complex sentences to identify the prevalence and importance of each technique within an extract from ‘Black Snake: The Daring Ned Kelly’.
Humanities provided opportunities for students to interpret data through anlysis of populations.
Science investigates rates and rations through rates of reation, voltage and current and pulse rates.
Mathematics classes experienced Three Act Tasks developed to ecourage students to formulate questions and ideas around complex problems, speculate and trial methods to solve problems and evaluate the strengths and limitations of their procedure to reflect and refine their approaches.
As part of the recent Year 6 Leadership Day, students were introduced to the St Joseph's School Primary Student Leadership program.
The intention of this program is that students in Year 6 will have the opportunity to develop and practise their leadership skills whilst undertaking acts of service within the campus and the wider community. Throughout the year, they will also work with the Senior Leaders of the school to coordinate activities across P-12.
Students have been assigned to groups and every student within Year 6 has a role to play as a leader. The enthusiasm which students have shown towards this new program and to leadership in general has been amazing. The assigned roles will be changed in Semester Two, allowing the students to gain experience in different areas. Again the students will be able to nominate for a group of their choice.
Our Year 6 students also received received their Year 6 Jersey's - which as you can see, they were super excited about.
Year 11 Religion & Ethics students cracking the codes for an Easter Escape Room.
The Easter Escape Room takes students back in time where they have to solve mysteries related to the arrest, trial, crucifixion, & resurrection of Christ by decoding puzzles, answering questions, and breaking secret codes.
Teen Vinnies recently held a rice day on Thursday 24th March. The fundraiser was held as an awareness day and fundraiser for Caritas and to raise awareness of how important a bowl of rice is to so many people in our world.
Students made a donation for a bowl of rice and were then able to watch some videos from Caritas about their work in Ukraine and around the world.
Rice was kindly donated by Lees Chinese Restaurant.
EISTEDDFOD PREPARATIONS ARE UNDER WAY
Our students at St Joseph's School have been researching to find their favourite poem and are eagerly preparing and practicing for their participation in the annual Border District Eisteddfod to be held at the end of May 2022.
Monday 30th May will see our students participate in the Drama and Performance Day for Individual Recitation. In the days following, there will more performances which include Music, Drama and Performance and Instrumental and Dance.
The Border District Eisteddfod Inc. began in 1977 and has been an annual event in Stanthorpe. Annually, over 1000 competitors take to the stage in 170 sections both as individual entrants and school groups.
The aim of the Border District Eisteddfod is to give competitors an opportunity to showcase not only their talents but to have a platform to compete, perform and receive feedback from professionals in their field.
This is a very enriching experience for all in literature and self-confidence.
On Friday 18th March, St Joey’s enjoyed raising awareness for ‘Bullying No Way Day’, emphasising the importance of a ‘Kindness Culture’ - spreading kindness, showing respect, being inclusive and being a friend to those who need it most.
With fun team-building activities like Human Letter Construction and Kindness Connect 4, the Secondary campus saw Mentor classes collaborating to get an understanding of the importance of kindness and the positive influence this has on our mental health.
The Primary campus took part in activities promoting kinder words and actions, displaying how this can build better connections between people.
Overall, the day was fun and exciting, and the Student Council look forward to organising their next event!
Monday 28th March, saw students at St Joseph's participate in Epilepsy Awareness Day, Purple Day.
Purple Day is a global initiative dedicated to raising epilepsy awareness, dispelling myths, and increasing support to those affected.
Founded in 2008 by nine-year-old Cassidy Megan of Nova Scotia, Canada, the Purple Day concept was born out of Cassidy’s own struggles with epilepsy, her motivation to get people talking about the condition, and her desire to let those impacted by seizures know that they are not alone. Cassidy named the day ‘Purple Day’ after the internationally recognised colour for epilepsy, lavender.
Since that time, Purple Day has grown into a much loved and supported national awareness day with thousands of people across Australia rallying their private, academic and corporate communities to raise much needed awareness and funds for those affected by epilepsy.
Students were encouraged to purchase purple wrist bands with all funds raised going to this great cause.
Academy Photography have advised that school photos taken 21 February should be distributed to the school at the end of April.
A catch up photo day for individual and family photos (not class groups) is being arranged for Term 2.
Saturday 30th April will see "The Let's Dance Band" featuring Fortunato and Frank perform at a Dinner Dance to be held at the Stanthorpe Civic Centre.
All proceeds from the raffles on the night will go towards helping our beloved Santina.
So why not get your friends and family together and go along along and support a good cause.
Cross Country
Don't forget tomorrow is our annual Cross Country.
Who will the winner be ?
McAuley or Davadi ?
Cricket
What a great afternoon of cricket against Scots PGC College on Tuesday 15th March.
The St. Joey’s boys left it right until the last, needing 19 runs off the final 2 overs, but got the win with 4 balls to spare.
Thanks to Scots PGC students and staff for travelling down from Warwick.
Well done St Joseph's !
Football
Thursday 17th March, Alessia Gasparin attended the Darling Downs 15 Years Girls Football trials in Toowoomba.
After a full on day against some top competition from around the region, Alessia was chosen in the Darling Downs team to contest the State Championships from May 5-8 in Cairns.
We wish Alessia and her family all the best in her upcoming training and the trip to North Queensland.
Swimming
Secondary student, Jessica Pradella last week attended the State Championships which were held at Chandler, Brisbane.
Jessica's results from the meet were as follows :
50m Freestyle – placed 10th – 29.48 with 0.82-time improvement
50m Backstroke – placed 15th - 35.34 with 1.31-time improvement
200m Freestyle – placed 10th - 2:22.67 with 3.40-time improvement
200m Medley Relay – placed 6th – 2:17.65 with 2.41-time improvement
200m Freestyle Relay – placed 7th – 2:04.32 with 0.96-time improvement
400m Freestyle – placed 9th – 5:04.89 with 4.92-time improvement
100m Freestyle – placed 11th – 1:04.98 with 2.07-time improvement – First reserve for the final
Congratulations Jessica on your outstanding achievements !
1 April | Cross Country |
End of Term 1 | |
15 April | Good Friday |
16 April | Easter Saturday |
17 April | Easter Sunday |
18 April | Easter Monday |
19 April | Student Free Day |
20 April | Term 2 Commences |
21 April | Anzac Day Service |
23-24 April | Stanthorpe Show |
25 April | Anzac Day |