The Year 2/3C students have diligently dedicated themselves to their genre focus for the term, particularly in procedure writing. The incorporation of hands-on learning has served to make them active participants in their educational journey. This approach not only fosters their engagement but also aids in the development of critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and a profound understanding of the subject matter. Witnessing their enthusiasm and the seamless transfer of knowledge from one context to another has been a delightful experience.

Teaching and Learning: 1/2D and 2/3C Term 4 News

Year 1/2D - N Doyle

In Literacy we are writing a recount on Monday’s and our genre this term is procedure writing. The children have been using the bump it up wall to enhance their writing skills and develop clear learning goals for themselves.  It has been very successful as children strive to move from a 1 star to a 3 or 4 star piece of writing.

In Numeracy groups we have been looking at chance & data and fractions. We are also looking at word problems as our maths warm up each day.

In Buddy together time we have been enjoying our getting along skills and our focus on reading big books and using the nature play space. 

Year 2/3C - C Chong

In literacy the focus for writing this term centres around procedure and instructional writing, with students exploring procedure checklists and details. Targeted literacy groups continue to provide tailored support for students' learning needs, including areas such as grammar, spelling, reading, oral language, and comprehension skills.  

In numeracy, the term began with a deep dive into the topics of chance and probability, as well as a focus on building students' understanding of fractions. Interactive games enriched with visuals have kept the students actively engaged. Additionally, we are still practicing our essential arithmetic skills, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. In the weeks ahead, our focus will shift toward concepts of position, location, and angles.  

In the realm of science, the students have been captivated by the study of Earth and space. Their fascination with the solar system has sparked discussions and questions about how astronauts live in space. The classroom has been buzzing with curiosity and active participation in all things related to outer space. In an integrated learning approach, the students are also incorporating some procedural writing to describe how astronauts make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in space.

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

You did a survey to find out who felt excited and who felt bored. What pictures could you use to represent these feelings?

Some students did a survey, and they recorded their results like this:

What might their survey have been about? Give more than one possibility.

What might the graph they drew look like? Be creative.

Years 4-6

The average of three numbers is 8.5. One of the numbers is 10.3. What might the other numbers be?

What might this graph be of?

Happy inquiry.

Children develop their reading skills, knowledge and understanding by reading regularly. Below are some strategies you might like to try at home to support your children’s learning:

·         Encourage and model reading in the home

      ?       Listen to your child read their reading material and ask specific questions related to what

              they have read

      ?       Read with your child

      ?       Share what you are reading with your child

      ?       Read your child a bedtime story

      ?       Talk to your child about the different situations you find yourself in whereby you are

              required to read texts.

Happy reading.

School Master Plan Update

The installation of internal wall frames has been completed on our new Education and Administration Centre. The installation of windows and doors has commenced with brickwork and external cladding to follow.

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 visited on Tuesday November 21, parents were invited to attend a Parent Information Session that provided 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.

Family Fun Night

This term we will hold our Family Fun Night in the school grounds on Friday December 8 commencing at 5:30pm. Members of our Parents and Friends will work alongside APRIM Simon McCullough to plan for and prepare the evening. Further details about the event will be distributed to families. I encourage you to put this date into your diaries.

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.

New School Crossing on Rosewater Terrace

During the recent holidays the Port Adelaide Enfield Council installed a crossing to the rear of the school on Rosewater Terrace. As enrolment numbers at the school have increased in recent years so has our desire to have a crossing at the rear of the school. Children and adults will now be required to cross Rosewater Terrace using the school crossing and drivers will be required to park outsides of the yellow lines and not across driveways.

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

Family Fun Night 8 December 2023

Family Fun Evening - ‘St Joseph’s on the Green’ - Friday 8 December

Families are invited to the school grounds for ‘Family Fun Evening’ from 5.30 pm to 8.00 pm. This evening is an opportunity for the St Joseph’s School community to celebrate the ‘2023 School Year’ together. Students will be demonstrating the dances they have learnt this term and the School Band, ‘Peace and Harmony’ will be playing.

Please bring your own dinner and drinks. There will be a free BBQ sausage available until we run out. The canteen will be closed on the night, but we hope to have a tea and coffee van available.

All children must be accompanied by an adult for this event. Please join us with your blanket to enjoy the Family Fun Evening presented by your children.

BBQ help needed

We are looking for help to cook the BBQ on Friday 8 December from about 4pm. If you’re free please let me know when you see me or through email smccullough@stjotto.catholic.edu.au or 84151100.

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.

Next Mass

You are very welcome to join us in the Church at 10am on Friday 8 December.

Volunteers always needed

Our parents and volunteers are an integral part of our school community.

There are a variety of ways in which parents, grandparents and carers can become involved in our school community.  Involvement strengthens links between home and school whilst developing a sense of community through:

• Classroom volunteering - please chat with our teachers and will let you know about any needs or ways to become involved in children’s learning
• Supporting children and staff on school excursions
• Coaching a sporting team - we can help you to start a team
• Joining the Parents & Friends initiatives and/or the School Board
• Supporting school fundraising 

**Please see the Front Office prior to volunteering for assistance with the requirements listed below:

Volunteer Requirements at St Joseph’s School Ottoway

• St Joseph's School provides a safe environment for all while valuing the partnership between school and home.
• As a Catholic community, we welcome and value volunteers. To be able to volunteer, and/or attend at other times throughout the school year, we ask that you hold the following:

1. a current Catholic Police Check (parents/caregivers attending excursions, reading in class, helping in class, attending community events);
2. a current Responding to Abuse and Neglect in Education and Care for Volunteers certificate;
3. have completed the volunteers application.

A Catholic Police Check for volunteers at St Joseph’s is free for our current parents and caregivers. Application forms are available at the school office.

We ask that you present your completed form with verification ID to the office, and we will submit the application on your behalf. You will then receive an email link to complete the process online. Once all cleared you will receive a Catholic Police Check ID card in the post.  Please bring this into the office and we will take a copy of your clearance.

This process ensures we maintain a child safe environment. To avoid disappointment, we encourage you to apply for a Catholic Police Check through the school office as soon as possible.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thanking you
Simon McCullough APRIM

smccullough@stjotto.catholic.edu.au  ph 84151100

Summary of what is needed to volunteer at St Joseph's:
Valid Catholic Police Check
Responding to Abuse and Neglect Education and Care Volunteer Certificate
Completed application form

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