Over the last few weeks, the R/1s have enjoyed participating in Footsteps!

Every Tuesday they take part in dancing lessons and learn different dance concepts such as space, time, rhythm, and relationships.

Each week they look forward to dancing to a new song and learning new dance moves!

We are fast approaching the halfway point of Term 4 in what is shaping as another busy term. Children and teachers are busy working hard to ensure all areas of the curriculum are covered in preparation for end of year assessments and report writing. Our children have done a fantastic job this year focusing on their learning while enjoying each other’s company.

Teaching and Learning: R/1L and R/1H Term 4 News

Beginning in Week 1, every Tuesday students participate in the ‘Footsteps’ Dance program. Students are thoroughly enjoying learning new dance moves, practising rhythm and coordination, and simply having fun.

In Literacy Blocks the Reception children are continuing to build on their phonics knowledge, reading and writing short words, sight words and sentences. They are also beginning to learn the initial concepts of Functional Grammar, which will expand their sentence writing and oral language skills.

In Literacy Blocks the Year 1’s are continuing to focus on the concepts of Functional Grammar. They are practicing independently adding full stops, capital letters, finger spaces and going back and editing their own work. All Reception and Year 1 students have begun looking at Procedural Texts - orally, pictorially and written. Students will learn the key concepts of what makes a good procedural text through language, grammar and structure. By the end of the term, students will produce their own procedural text.

In Numeracy Blocks the Year 1 children are exploring concepts of Measurement, looking at Mass, and then capacity, length and duration of time. The Receptions are also exploring concepts of Measurement. They have been introduced to the key words in mass (mass, heavy, light, balance). They have enjoyed exploring these topics through hands-on activity and utilising these newly learnt key words.

Our Inquiry Unit this term is ‘How do people change over time?’ which covers the topics of Religion/MITIOG (Made In the Image of God), Health and History. We will also explore Chemical Sciences/Materials this term through the inquiry question ‘What’s it made of?’.

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

I drew a shape with 4 sides. What might my shape look like?

I drew a picture using only circles and triangles. What might my picture have looked like?

Years 4-6

The Year 6 students said they were going to mark out a soccer oval. Write down the instructions they need to follow.

A shape has at least two sides 3cm long and at least two sides 6cm long. One angle is 90 degrees, one angle is less, but the rest are more. What might the shape 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.

School Master Plan Update

The installation of roofing has been completed on our new Education and Administration Centre. Internal walls are currently being constructed on site with windows and doors to be installed in the next week.

Transition Program for Preschool and Reception children in Preparation for 2024

This year our Transition Program for children entering Preschool and Reception in 2024 will be run over three consecutive Tuesday mornings; November 21, 28 and December 5.

While children are visiting on Tuesday November 21, parents have been invited to attend a Parent Information Session that will provide important information to assist with a smooth transition to St Joseph’s School.

The aim of our transition visits is to ensure all children entering Preschool and Reception in 2024 feel comfortable, happy and familiar with their surroundings leading up to the start of the 2024 school year. The transition visits also provide staff with the opportunity to get to know each child and begin putting in place support programs in preparation for the 2024 school year.

Year 6 Graduation

On Wednesday December 13 our Year 6 children will celebrate the completion of their primary years schooling with our Year 6 Graduation Liturgy which will take place in the school courtyard at 6:00pm. Following the Graduation Liturgy, the children will travel by bus to and from the Watermark Hotel, Glenelg to celebrate their Year 6 Graduation Dinner together. Further details surrounding the evening will be provided to families closer to the time.

Wednesday December 13 will be the last day of the school year for our Year 6 children. All children across the school will receive their end of year school report on this day.

School Band

Our school band Peace and Harmony will perform at the Semaphore Street Fair on Sunday 26 November at 12:30pm on the Jagoe Street stage. It would be great to see members of our school community come along on the day to support the band. 

2024 School Board Nominations

Nominations are now open to members of the school community who would like to serve on the school board in 2024. The school board plays a valuable role in school governance. The board also allows parents to have a voice in the strategic direction of the school. Being a part of the school board can be a very fulfilling and rewarding experience. The school board meets twice a term on Mondays at 5:30pm.

If you are interested in serving on the school board in 2024, please complete the nomination form below and return it to the front office.

2024 School Finance Committee Nominations

Nominations are now open to members of the school community who would like to serve on the school finance committee in 2024. The school finance committee reports directly to the school board and plays a valuable role in school governance and transparency.  The school finance committee meets the week before school board meetings (twice per term).

If you are interested in serving on the school finance committee in 2024, please complete the nomination form below and return it to the front office.

Safety Around Ina Avenue Pick Up/Drop Off Points

A friendly reminder to ensure that for safety reasons, you park outside of the yellow lines and not over driveways adjacent to the school crossings on Ina Avenue and Rosewater Terrace when picking up/dropping off children. Drivers are also reminded that the disabled parking spaces at the front of the school are reserved for those with a disability. Alternative parking before and after school (along with school access) is available along Rosewater Terrace. The local council has informed the school that they will be conducting random inspections to enforce parking regulations around our school. As a school community we are seeking your support in following the parking regulations in place outside of the school.   

School Newsletter Translation Button on our School Website

Our school website has been recently upgraded giving users the ability to read the school newsletter in their first language. To access this new feature, visit our school website and:

·         Click: news and events (towards the top of the homepage).

·         Click: newsletter.

·         Click: newsletter online.

·         Click: select language (bottom right-hand corner).

·         Scroll down to select your desired language.

Audiri App

To keep up to date with what is happening within our school along with upcoming school events why not download the Audiri (formerly Skool Bag) App 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

The Vinnies Refugee and Asylum seeker service at Kilburn are collecting hamper donations to give to their companions/clients to assist 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:

• Tuna
• Long life milk
• Olive oil
• Rice
• Shampoo/conditioner
• Toiletries
• Biscuits
• Lentils

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.

First Communion

The children in the Sacrament Program will celebrate their First Communion this Sunday, 12/11 at the 8:30am Mass here at St Maximilian Kolbe Parish Church

Next Mass

You are always invited to join with us at our next school mass. The next Mass will be to celebrate the Immaculate Conception on Friday 8^th December at 10am in the Church.

School Card Applications

School Card Applications for 2023 must be submitted before 24^th November.  Late applications will not be considered by the Department for Education.

To be eligible for Low Income Remissions you must apply and be approved for School Card.

Application forms are available in the office or you can apply online:

https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/education-and-learning/financial-help-scholarships-and-grants/school-card-scheme

2023 School Fees

A reminder that school fees for 2023 need to be paid in full before 14^th December.

Should you be experiencing difficulties with meeting your fee obligations please make a time to see Mr O’Leary or myself so that we can tailor a plan to your particular circumstances.

St Joseph’s School aims to meet the needs of all families and to this end we encourage you to meet with our Principal, or Finance Officer, to assist you where we can.

Anne Turtle

08 8415 1102

Three of our students attended the graduation ceremony for 2023, last Friday at Bonython Hall, Adelaide University.

Congratulations to Ayliffe, Crystal and Jack.