NEWSLETTER

This week brings to an end Term 3. We are certainly moving through what has been another busy year. During this term break I encourage you to take some time to relax and spend time with your children. I hope you can also find some time for yourself. I know our teachers will both appreciate and benefit from things moving a little slower over the next two weeks. School holidays provide both children and teachers the opportunity to refresh and recharge in preparation for the following school term.

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

How many things can you find that are longer than 3 of your foot lengths but shorter than 5 of your foot lengths?

What is there in your home that is 4 of your foot lengths long?

Years 4-6

What might the perimeter of a garden fence be if the area of the garden is 72 square metres?

You have 38 metres of fence for a garden. What might your garden look like?

Happy inquiry.

Reading is another core learning area here at St Joseph’s School. Children develop their reading skills, knowledge and understanding by reading regularly. At St Joseph’s School regular reading at home forms a major part of homework set each evening. Why not create regular timeslots throughout the week whereby all electronic devices in the home are turned off and members of the family spend 15 minutes reading together. 

Happy reading.

Multicultural Day

Across Tuesday September 17 and Wednesday September 18 we held our annual multicultural day celebrations. The two days provided the school with an opportunity to celebrate our Multiculturalism. Children had the opportunity to come to school dressed in their traditional cultural dress as part of the celebration. Several activities planned across the two days were led by a group of our senior students and some of our parents with the support of APRIM Simon McCullough. It was great to see a number of our Parents and Carers join our celebration. A big thank you to Simon McCullough for all the work he has done in coordinating the two days.

Catholic Schools Music Festival Choir

30 of our children have been preparing since Term One for the Catholic Schools Music Festival Choir which was held at the Festival Theatre on Tuesday September 24. Choir coordinator Janine Meyer has spent many hours working with the choir throughout the year in preparation for the event. The Catholic Schools Music Festival Choir is held during the last week of Term Three each year. It is a wonderful advertisement for Catholic Education in South Australia. A big thank you to Janine Meyer for all her efforts in preparing our children for this year’s event.

How a Child’s Brain Develops 

The early years are critical for brain development because of the rapid growth of neural connections at this stage. It’s estimated that during the first few years of life, more than one million neural connections form every second. These connections correspond with various skills. For example, when a child is learning to ride a bike, the skills required to ride, such as balancing, pushing pedals and watching ahead need to be stored in memory. This happens with repeated opportunities to practice these skills, so that when they ride on another day, they can do so without much thought thanks to the existing connections. If the child doesn’t ride again for an extended period, they may need to make these connections all over again.

Experiences during the early years have the greatest impact on brain development - more than any other stage of life. The brain is most sensitive to stimulation during this period, so early experiences shape children’s brain development and have a lasting effect on their mental health and wellbeing. Positive relationships and rich learning environments promote children’s development while early adverse experiences may alter a child’s progress.

Most experiences occur through a child’s relationship with their family and other significant adults, including early childhood educators. Positive interactions are described as ‘serve and return’: when adults respond appropriately to an infant or young child’s needs (communicated through cries, smiles, babbling). In this way, the neural pathways responsible for communication and social skills are formed. If an adult is consistently warm and responsive to the child, the brain architecture develops in an optimal way. However, if they’re inconsistent, absent, unreliable or inappropriate in their responses, this can have a negative impact on the child’s brain architecture, affecting future learning and behaviour. Experiences in the early years affect the way children respond and react to the world they live in for the rest of their lives.

To learn more about how you can support the Social and Emotional Learning and Wellbeing of your child visit Be You (formerly Beyond Blue) https://beyou.edu.au  

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.

Diary Dates

Term 3 Concludes - 3:00pm Thursday September 26.

Friday September 27 is a school directed non-teaching day. OSHC is available for children requiring care. See Mieke to make a booking.

Term 4 Commences - 8:45am Monday October 14.

I wish you and your family a safe and happy school holiday period.

Working in partnership with you.

Shaun O’Leary.

Halal Hotdogs

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

Dear Parents and Caregivers.

Welcome to Week 10, 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   

2^nd -  School Photos

18^th -  Multicultural Week Performances and Celebrations

26^th - Term 3 Concludes 3:00pm

27^th - PUPIL FREE DAY

OSHC available - see Mieke to make a booking