NEWSLETTER

Welcome to Term 4. I hope you and your family had the opportunity to rest and refresh in preparation for this term.

It has been pleasing to see our children return to school after the recent holiday break refreshed and settled. At St Joseph’s School we talk a lot about the 5 Keys to Success; Confidence, Resilience, Persistence, Getting Along and Organisation. Children have been busy putting the Keys to Success into practice. This has been evident through their engagement in the learning opportunities presented to them throughout each day and the way they have been interacting with each other both in the classroom and school yard.

Catholic identity 

During Week 8 of Term 3 our school once again participated in the Religious Literacy Assessment Tool (ReLAT) test, an assessment in Religious Education for all Year 4 students in South Australian Catholic Schools. Religious Education (RE) is a core Learning Area in all Catholic schools. It is a foundation for all learning and is integrated into the life of the school through prayer, liturgy, community building and social justice programs. 

ReLAT focuses on knowledge content which is core to the Year 3/4 Crossways Religious Education curriculum. As a basic knowledge test, ReLAT complements the continuous, fuller, and deeper assessment of learning that occurs in the RE classroom. The ReLAT assessment is not a measure of a child’s faith nor their participation in the broader life of the Catholic community.

The ReLAT assessment tool is an online multiple-choice test with 35 questions. The data from the ReLAT assessment is collated and used by the school to inform whole-of-school professional learning needs and the continuous improvement of teaching in Religious Education. 

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

Write down everything you know about the number 5.

I have written a secret number between 10 and 30. It is an even number. What might it be?

Years 4-6

Three consecutive even numbers add to give a number between 150 and 200. What might the numbers be?

I am thinking of a number. If I divide the number by 5 there is a remainder of 3. If I divide the number by 3 there is a remainder of 1. What might my number be?

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.

School fees for 2025

We are pleased to inform our school families that there will be no increase in school fees for the 2025 school year. It is at the heart of Catholic education that our school and all Catholic schools are affordable and accessible to all.

In addition to the fee-freeze, further fee remissions are available to any family who is struggling to pay school fees due to financial difficulties. Families should contact finance officer Kali Brown or myself for more information.

What is Resilience?

Resilience is the ability to grow and thrive in the face of challenges and bounce back from adversity. Resilience enables you to take calculated risks and capitalise on opportunities. Karen Reivich & Andrew Shatte, 2011.

Resilience does not come from rare and special qualities, but from the everyday magic of ordinary human resources in the minds, brains and bodies of children, in their families and relationships, and in their communities. Masten, 2001.

Research suggest that resilient people live longer and have better overall health, cope with adverse stressors in more adaptive ways, persist longer on difficult tasks and perform better in school and work, are less likely to experience mental health problems and are less passive and fatalistic in their thinking.

At St Joseph’s School we aim to build resilience amongst our children in a number of ways including; Striving for Excellence, using teacher feedback to grow and improve, Restorative Conversations, learning about the Five Keys to Success, Buddy Classes, involvement in extra curricula activities, leadership roles within the school, and Respecting Each Other including those who have different interests and opinions to our own.

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.

I hope you have a positive end to the working week and an enjoyable weekend.

Working in partnership with you.

Shaun O’Leary.

Vinnies Refugee and Asylum seeker service

Vinnies Refugee and Asylum seeker service at Kilburn are trying to collect some hamper donations for this year to give to their companions/ clients to tide them over the Christmas break. 

Vinnies Asylum Seekers service at Kilburn have asked if we would be willing to collect some items from students and families which they can include in Christmas bags. 

These could be just a few extra items on a family’s shopping list dropped off at the school.

These would include non-perishable items such as;

Cooking oil in 1 litre bottles

Rice in 500g-1kg bags

Pasta

Tea

Coffee

Sugar

Tuna cans

Long life milk

Nappies for toddlers

Stationary like gifts for kids, colouring books, pencils, textas,

Shampoo/Conditioner

Tooth brushes

Toiletries, deodorant, body cream, etc

Biscuits sweet and savory

Healthy kids snacks

Muesli bars

Instant Noodles

Dates

Nuts

Vinnies will gather these donations together and distribute to their companions/clients to assist them while they are closed over the Christmas break. Many of these people are on bridging visas and do not have income, our assistance would be a great help.

Next Mass

You are always invited to join with us at the Parish Mass. The next Mass will be to celebrate All Saints on Friday 1^st November at 10am in the Church.

** School Card applications for 2024 close Thursday 28^th of November. If you intend on applying, please do so before the due date.**

We are pleased to inform our school families that there will not be an increase in school fees for the 2025 school year.

It is at the heart of Catholic education that our schools are affordable and accessible to all.

If any family has financial concerns, we ask them to contact Kali Brown to confidentially discuss additional support through fee remissions.

If you are yet to settle your account for 2024 Finance will be in contact shortly. 

NEW UNIFORM SHOP OPENING TIMES

Thursday and Friday mornings 8:30am to 9:30am commencing this week

Halal Hotdogs

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

Dear Parents and Caregivers.

Welcome to Week 2, Term 4, 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   

Australian Girls Choir Open Day

Look no further than the Australian Girls Choir (AGC) because we encourage, challenge and inspire girls as they learn to sing, dance and perform. School aged girls are invited to come along to our November Open Day to try our fun and inclusive classes and learn more about being part of the AGC! Please visit our website to register to attend our free Open Day: ausgirlschoir.com.au/joinagc

14^th - Term 4 Commences 8:45am