NEWSLETTER

Footsteps is a fantastic program that focuses on learning the basic elements of dance and movement, helping our students develop coordination, rhythm, and self-expression. It's not about the spotlight; it's about fostering a love for dance and movement. Our students are relishing the opportunity to discover new skills, build self-confidence, and enjoy the joy of dance.

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 7.

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

Years 4-6

Three consecutive even numbers add to give a number between 120 and 160. What might the numbers be?

I am thinking of a number. If I divide the number by 4 there is a remainder of 3. If I divide the number by 5 there is a remainder of 2. 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.

Teaching and Learning in our Reception Year One Unit

Term 1 was a very busy and exciting one for our students, as some had begun school for the very first time. The Year 1’s reviewed set 4 of the Jolly Phonics sounds. They also focused on the narrative genre through picture books and animated stories and participated in book making on Friday mornings. The Reception students learned the first set of letter-sounds from the Jolly Phonics program and are learning to blend these sounds together to read words. It has been wonderful to see their excitement with first learning how to read. Both Year 1 and Reception students explored number concepts in Term 1 (Receptions with numbers up to 20 and Year 1's beyond), such as counting, ordering, matching and number formation. Students also learned patterning and sorting strategies through a range of hands-on activities.

School Master Plan Update

The prefabricated steel frame for our new Education and Administration Centre was erected during the recent school holidays. The installation of roofing and future first floor has commenced this week.

Pupil Free Day

Monday November 6 will be a Pupil Free Day. All staff will be involved in developing our 2024-2026 Three Year Strategic School Improvement Plan. OSHC will be available on the day. Bookings are essential and can be made by contacting Mieke or 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 number 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.

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 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.   

Safety Message

Students and families are reminded to be wary of approaches from strangers, especially when they are unaccompanied or travelling to and from school. If they are approached, students should not respond and should not accept offers of rides or gifts. Students should seek the assistance of other nearby adults if they feel unsafe and should report the event to a trusted adult (parent or school staff member) as soon as possible. SAPOL advises that taking out a mobile phone and calling police can deter the offender and they recommend the student making a formal report to their closest police station.

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.

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

Working in partnership with you.

Shaun O’Leary

Sacrament Group - First Communion

The Sacrament of First Eucharist will be held in St Maximilian Kolbe Church on Sunday 12^th November at 8:30am.

Here are some details about the day, please let me know if you have any other questions.

Children will sit together at the front of the Church come forward for their first communion before the rest of the congregation. 

Fr Marek has said he understands that this Mass date and time may not suit all families. You can choose another weekend Mass and we can let Fr Marek know you will be there, or your child can celebrate this in your own Parish.

If you celebrate in another parish, please ask the priest to write a note that this has occurred, and this will be forwarded to Fr Marek and the parish office.

Next Mass

You are always welcome to join us at Mass.

• All Saints - Wednesday 1st November 10am in the Church.
• The Immaculate Conception - Friday 8th December 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

Audiri App (formerly Skool Bag)

To keep up to date with what is happening within our school along with upcoming school events why not download the Audiri 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/Skool Bag App to keep up to date with what is happening across our school.

Qkr! App

The Qkr! App can be used to:

• Order from the Canteen
• Pay school fees
• Pay OSHC fees
• Book into Occasional Care (limited spaces and the app  is open from Noon on Tuesdays until Noon Wednesdays)