NEWSLETTER

Welcome to Term 3. I hope you and your family have had the opportunity to rest and refresh in preparation for this term.

A special welcome to Vittorio, Zachary, Barish, Aldrich and Luca who have commenced Preschool with us this term as part of our Term 3 Preschool intake.

Welcome also to Adam A, Adam M, Benjamin, Daniel, Janet, Natalie, Rocco, Shaheer, Amina, Barat and Maveryck to our new Reception class. 9 of these children have moved from our Preschool to commence Reception with us this term as part of our Term 3 Reception intake. Barat and Maveryck are new to our school community.

I hope all our beginning Preschool and Reception children have a positive start to their Preschool/Primary School journey at St Joseph’s and make many new friends. I also hope they are engaged in their learning and feel a sense of fun and belonging to our school community.

Throughout his ministry, Jesus often used parables (stories) to help explain his teachings. Many parables involved the use of images of vegetation known to the region at the time. The parable of the Mustard Seed is one such example. The message Jesus portrays is that from little things big things grow. The mustard seed, the smallest of all seeds grows to become the largest of all plants. Here at St Joseph’s School, we are entrusted with supporting our parents as they nurture their children to grow and become thriving people, capable learners and leaders for the world God desires. At St Joseph’s School we focus on the education of the whole child, intellectually, morally, emotionally, spiritually, religiously, physically and socially, providing many varied learning opportunities and experiences in the process.

Curriculum News

I have included two mathematical tasks which you might like to have a go at with your child/children.

This week’s Mathematical tasks:

Reception to Year 3

What objects can you find at home that have 250g marked on them? Ask someone at home to help you make a list.

What can you find that is bigger than an orange but lighter than it?

Years 4-6

A jar of jelly beans weighs 0.75kg. How much might each jelly bean weigh? How much might the jar weigh?

Can you find a collection of objects with a total mass of 2.5kg?

Happy inquiry.

Premier’s Reading Challenge

This year many of our children have once again taken up the opportunity to participate in the Premier’s Reading Challenge. The challenge closes later this term with children needing to have their Premier’s Reading Challenge Student Reading Record forms handed into the front office by then. I encourage all our children to continue to read regularly at home whether they are involved in the challenge or simply reading for fun.

Happy reading.

School Climate Surveys

During Term 3 each year we survey our school community to gauge how things are going for families, children and staff in terms of their current experience of school life at St Joseph’s. This year through Catholic Education South Australia we are continuing our partnership with Professor Jill Aldridge from Curtin University who is supporting Catholic schools in Developing Leadership Capacity in School Improvement through surveying the school community using the Living Learning Leading surveys. The Living Learning Leading parent online survey provides families with an opportunity to inform the school of how things are going for them at the moment. Staff and children will be involved in a similar survey. An information flier was sent home to all families on Monday July 22 with details of how to access this online survey. The Living Learning Leading parent online survey opened on Monday July 22 and closes on Friday August 23.

STEM Open Day

As part of Catholic Schools Open Week (Term 3 Week 5) and as a follow up to National Science Week (Term 3 Week 4), you are invited to join our school STEM Open Day on Tuesday August 20, 11:30am-1:30pm in the school grounds. Parents and family members will have the opportunity to join our children as they work in class groups engaging in STEM learning activities planned by our teaching staff. It is hoped that as many of our parents and carers as possible will be able to join us as it provides teaching staff with an opportunity to showcase the learning which takes place as part of our ongoing STEM learning focus. 

Staffing News

9 of our Semester One Preschool children and 3 children new to the school have formed our Term 3 new Reception class. Teresa Deren has once again been employed to teach this class.

I would also like to welcome Nicole Brown, Margaret Hancock and Luisa Carrillo who join our school staff as Curriculum Education Support Officers (ESOs).

Pupil Free Day Monday August 26

Monday August 26 will be a Pupil Free Day. All staff will be involved in our annual Staff Reflection Day. This year we will focus on developing strategies to support the mental health and wellbeing of children and staff. As this is a whole staff day, Mieke Vandenbos and the OSHC staff will join us and as a result OSHC will not be available on Monday August 26.

Healthy Eating Equals Fuel For Our Brain

As I have been moving around the school, I have noticed many of our classes stopping for Brain Food. Eating well is good for our mental as well as our physical health. The brain requires nutrients just like our heart, lungs and muscles do. Here at St Joseph’s School children are encouraged to bring healthy foods to school to eat daily, with many classes stopping throughout the day for Brain Food snack time. Wholegrain breads, fresh fruit and vegetables are easy to manage Brain Foods children should be eating on a regular basis. A helpful tip when choosing snacks for your children is; if it comes with packaging it generally is high in salt, sugar and/or fat so avoid these snacks where possible.

Kiss and Drop Zone Speed Limit 10km per Hour.

A reminder that the school Kiss and Drop Zone along Rosewater Terrace has a speed limit of 10km per hour. Please ensure you observe the speed limit when using the Kiss and Drop Zone as this is an area where children are entering and exiting the school in large numbers.

A reminder also that the school Kiss and Drop Zone is not a place to park your car if you need to enter the school grounds as this holds up all incoming and outgoing traffic. It also leads to children exiting their cars on Rosewater Terrace and having to manoeuvre between traffic, raising further safety concerns. If you need to come into the school grounds, parking is available along Rosewater Terrace and on Ina Avenue.

Thank you in anticipation of your support with these important safety matter.

Audiri App

To keep up to date with what is happening within our school along with upcoming school events why not download the AudiriApp from the App Store on your mobile phone. Once downloaded simply search St Joseph’s School, Ottoway and add to your Audiri page. Many of our families currently use the Audiri App to keep up to date with what is happening across our school.

May God bless all our families throughout Term 3.

Working in partnership with you.

Shaun O’Leary.

Walk a mile in my boots

As part of our focus on social justice, on Tuesday 13 August 2024 we will meet at 2pm in our House Teams. 

From there we will walk together to the Wingfield Oval and walk around this several times. You are very welcome to join in with us at the oval.

You have already given permission for local walks on our beginning of year forms. 

We would like to collect some food donations for the Hutt Street Centre

to support their work and your donation would be much appreciated.

Thanks for your great support!

Some items you could send in

·         Coffee

·         Sugar

·         Cereals

·         Spreads, jam Vegemite, peanut butter

·         Museli bars

·         Small chips 

·         2-min noodles 

·         Long-life milk including almond, oat and lactose-free

·         Pasta (no spaghetti please)

·         Baked beans

·         Juice boxes

Please ensure they are in date and have a long shelf life.

Upcoming Mass:

·         Mass Thursday 8 August St Mary of the Cross 10am

·         Mass Thursday 15 August The Assumption of the Blessed Mary 10am

Halal Hotdogs

We would like to inform you that Halal hotdogs are now available on Tuesdays.

Monday September 2 is school photo day. Children are to be in full school uniform with hair neatly styled. Blue colour hair ties only.

Please see below advertisement to place your order now.

Dear Parents and Caregivers.

Welcome to Week 2, Term 3, 2024 in OSHC.

Children are in a safe supervised environment; learning happens while children play, have fun, and make new friends.

Please feel welcome to visit.

Morning care in OSHC is available, 6.30-8.30am.                                          

Afterschool care in OSHC is available 3.00-6.00pm, 2.45-6.00pm Tuesday.

Please remember to make a booking when you need OSHC.

All bookings can be made by ringing or messaging the OSHC mobile on 0437 863 067.                                               

If there is no answer leave a message on the service. I will call or message you back.                            

Making a booking helps us keep the child/educator ratio in line with legislation.                                                                                          

24 hours’ notice is necessary when cancelling a booking or charges will occur.

All parents using OSHC will need to check their myGov app to check for messages.              

When you attend OSHC casually.     

Please remember check your myGov app and Centrelink for messages.                                                                                                                                      

When parents use OSHC casually you won’t automatically receive CCS (Childcare Subsidy).

Follow the prompts-confirming that you used the OSHC service.

Centrelink is just confirming that you are using the service.

Parents/caregivers are welcome to read the OSHC Policies, feel welcome to ask and I will make copies available for your perusal.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Mieke   

OSHC Director   

21^st - Bookweek Parade

26^th - PUPIL FREE DAY

OSHC not available