NEWSLETTER

The Human Brain and its Ability to Change

“Sow a thought and you reap an action; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny.”

                                                                                                       Ralph Waldo Emerson

Did you know that the human brain changes throughout our lives and that our experiences play a significant role in the changes which take place? Our brains are constantly looking for ways to save energy. The part of the brain known as the basal ganglia is responsible for recalling patterns and acting on them, assisting the brain to conserve energy in the process. But what happens if the patterns we find ourselves in are not particularly helpful or productive. The good news is we can re-train our brains with new, more productive patterns, but it takes time and energy and requires self-control. Self-control can strengthen our character and resolve. People high in self-control set up life with good habits and don’t have to waste as much energy on effort and resistance. They achieve higher academic and work performance and have less incidents of mental health, impulse and behaviour problems. To form new habits people need to set clear goals, start small, monitor progress and build from there.

“Willpower is about being able to hold opposites. So... I can feel the craving, and at the very same time, I just make my awareness big enough to hold my commitment to make a different choice.”

                                                                                                  Kelly McGonigal, 2014

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/

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 7.5. One of the numbers is 9.4. 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.

Specialist Physical Education Lessons with Mr Nguyen

Reception - Year 2

In Term 4, junior primary students continue their journey of developing and refining key fundamental movement skills development. This term focuses on consolidating the skills they've learned so far and seeking to further develop their correct techniques and fluency. Some key objects this term include focusing on identifying key cues and understanding how their body works. This includes honing their running, jumping, hopping, skipping, catching, throwing, kicking, and balancing abilities. Additionally, this term allows students to engage in team activities and games that emphasize cooperation and communication. These experiences help them understand the importance of working together in sports and games.

Year 3 - 6

This term, students in Year 3 - 6 will explore the unique and exciting skills associated with volleyball and tennis. These sports combine elements of teamwork, agility, hand-eye coordination, and physical fitness. Students will aim to develop the fundamental skills of these sports and incorporate them into practical modified game situations. They will also have experienced the value of teamwork, physical fitness, and sportsmanship in the context of this exciting and fast-paced sport.

Sports Carnival

This term a large number of selected students from Years 3 - 6 participated in this year’s Catholic School’s Athletics Carnival held at Athletic Stadium SA, Mile End. Students were excited about being able to compete in both track and field events.

Family Fun Night Friday December 6

This year the St Joseph’s School Family Fun Night will incorporate the celebration of the school’s 70^th anniversary. The event will take place on Friday December 6, 5:30pm-8pm in the school grounds.

This evening is an opportunity for the St Joseph’s School and Ottoway Parish community to celebrate both the ‘2024 School Year’ and the school’s 70^th anniversary. The evening will begin with a liturgy giving thanks to God for our school and everyone who has been involved with the school since its beginning. Each class will put on a short performance which they will develop this term. The School Band, ‘Peace and Harmony’ will also be playing.

Old scholars are particularly welcome to join our celebration.

Please bring your own dinner, drinks, picnic rug and deck chairs. 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.

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.

Transition Program for Preschool and Reception children in Preparation for 2025

This year our Transition Program for children entering Preschool and Reception in 2025 will be run over three consecutive Tuesday mornings; November 19, 26 and December 3.

While children were visiting on Tuesday November 19, 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 2025 feel comfortable, happy and familiar with their surroundings leading up to the start of the 2025 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 2025 school year.

Year 6 Graduation

On Wednesday December 11 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 hall 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 11 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 bandwill perform at the Semaphore Street Fair on Sunday 24 November at 12:00pm 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. 

2025 School Board Nominations

Nominations are now open to members of the school community who would like to serve on the school board in 2025. 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 2025, please complete the nomination form below and return it to the front office.

2025 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 2025. 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 2025, please complete the nomination form below and return it to the front office.

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.

2025 School Board Nomination

Please return to Shaun O’Leary

I wish to nominate_______________________________________________ to serve on the St Joseph’s School Board in 2025.

Nominee’s Signature __________________________________________

I wish to nominate myself _____________________________ to serve on the St Joseph’s School Board in 2025.

 Signature __________________________________________

2025 School Finance Committee Nomination

Please return to Shaun O’Leary

I wish to nominate myself _____________________________ to serve on the St Joseph’s School Finance Committee in 2025.

 Signature __________________________________________

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

Our community supported this last year and recently received this feedback -

“Hello Simon

We are wondering if your community might be able to support us again this year with donations of groceries for our Christmas hampers for asylum seekers. Last year’s effort on St Joseph’s part was phenomenal!

Many thanks

Kevin Comber

Vinnies Refugee and Asylum Seeker Service”

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.

We are now collecting items to send for this Christmas, you will find a basket in your child’s classroom or in the office. Thanks for all your great help and generosity.

Next Mass

You are always invited to join with us at the Parish Mass. The next Mass will be Monday 9^th December at 10am in the Church.

2025 Sacrament Program

Every second year at St Joseph’s School, students are invited to be a part of the Sacramental preparation program.

We are preparing to begin our 2025 Sacrament Program group. Catholic children from Year 3 to Year 6 can nominate to be prepared for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation. Baptism is a prerequisite.

Can you please indicate on the form below your choices and return it to the office or email me at smccullough@stjotto.catholic.edu.au

We have no dates available for these celebrations, but families will be advised of these as they come to hand from the parish. If you are interested or would like to find out more about the Sacramental program, please fill in the slip below and return to the front office.

Kind regards,

Simon McCullough

APRIM

 I would like for my child to join in the 2025 Sacramental program.

My child is already baptised: Yes       No  

I would like to enrol them in Reconciliation      

I would like to enrol them in Confirmation        

Child’s Name.........................................      Class:...........................

Parent’s Name........................................    Signature:........................

Congratulations to our Year 6 students who are about to graduate!

I’m excited to share some great news from Wednesday's Catholic Schools Athletics Carnival! The team performed exceptionally well, securing 2nd place for both the Boys and Girls categories. We also received Age Champion banners for Year 4 Girls, Year 5 Boys, and Year 6 Boys. Special congratulations to our Age Champion students: Curtricia (Year 4 Girl), Lachlan (Year 5 Boy), and Eliana (Year 6 Girl)!

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

Here at Saint Josephs Ottoway the Library has been busy getting together certificates and medals for all our borrowers who participated in the Premier reading challenge this year !

These will be handed out to students in week six or seven this term.

A big Congratulations to all our readers and I encourage you all to keep reading through the holidays.

Thank you to all the parents who continue to read, support and encourage the magic of reading within the home.

The Premier's Reading Challenge is important because it encourages students to develop a lifelong love for reading, improving their literacy skills and broadening their knowledge. By participating, students explore a wide range of books, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and empathy as they encounter diverse perspectives and ideas. The challenge also promotes a culture of reading within schools and communities, inspiring students to set goals and celebrate their achievements, which boosts confidence and academic success.

Happy reading!

Kylie Zouroudis

Librarian/ESO

Advent Retreat “Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room”

Saturday 30th November 9:15am - 4pm

At Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church 420 Seaview Road Henley Beach.

The day will include

Talks given by Fr Manu Kumbidiyamackal MSFS Mass Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Reflection Reconciliation Benediction Please bring your own lunch tea/coffee provided. Enquiries and bookings phone Pauline 0403002240 by 27th November. Cost by cash donation. All Welcome

1st - All Saints Mass

6^th - Athletics Carnival