St Joseph's Catholic School - Mundingburra eNewsletter

Acknowledgement of Country

We respectfully acknowledge the past and present traditional owners of this land on which we stand, the Wulgurukaba and neighbouring Bindal people who are the custodians. We pray that we can walk together to a better future.

From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers, Staff and Students

Welcome to the 2023 school year! It is with great pleasure that I welcome back all of our students, staff and families to St Joseph’s Catholic School Mundingburra. We wish you a fabulous year. A particularly warm welcome to staff, students and families who are new to our school community. I know they will be made to feel welcome and at home very quickly. I have listed below staff who are new to St Joseph’s Mundingburra. A full list of teaching staff is also included in this newsletter.

Claire Mythen - Year 3B (full time)

Marie Rogers - Year 5A (relieving Julie Franklin for Term 1 - Julie has Long Service Leave)

Rachel Stockham - Year 5B (Friday)

Michael Gleeson - Year 3B School Officer (relieving Nanda Sivagnanan in Term 1)

Lena Hewitt and Julie Kinnane - Guidance Counsellors (new to St Joseph’s in 2023)

Alyssa Kelly - Speech and Drama (Alyssa is our new Ann Murrell)

Staff returned to work on Monday 16th January for a week of professional development. Topics throughout the week included Catholic Social Teaching, and how this can be implemented within their Religious Education Units. Staff also explored the latest version of the Australian Curriculum. The implementation schedule for this curriculum is currently being finalised, but Version 9 of the Australian Curriculum is set to be introduced in a staged approach. We are currently in the familiarisation stage. The Townsville Catholic Education Student Support Services team ran masterclasses for teachers which included EAL/D, Hearing, Inclusion and Speech/Language sessions. Teachers were upskilled in the writing program Seven Steps to Writing Success, and finally all staff attended our Compliance training session at the end of the week.

The beginning of a school year is an opportune time to reflect on our overall mission which, as stated in our school Mission Statement, is to encourage each child to develop their individual potential through experiences which foster a love of learning and value education as a partnership between home and school. We aim to live out our school motto, ‘Love is Service’, inspired by Mary MacKillop, by striving for inclusiveness, social justice and outreach to others. As stewards of God’s creation, we respect and care for one another and the world in which we live. The Joey’s Way is underpinned by and reflects our school mission and motto. Everything we do is under the guidance of Jesus Christ, who is our model, as demonstrated by Mary MacKillop and the Sisters of St Joseph, whose ethos and charisms form our traditions and history alongside our understanding of the importance of St Joseph, as a guiding figure in the life of Jesus.

Wishing you all a wonderful week.

God bless

Tracy

Staffing 2023

The Joey's Way

School Policy Reviews - Important changes

While it is important to have school policies and procedures, it is equally important that these are regularly reviewed, and amendments made to cater for changes in legislation and 'researched' best practice. Part of the role of the School Board is to assist the school's administration to review school policies, and over the past year the St Joseph's School Board members have been engaged in reviewing a number of school policies. The policies which have been reviewed are:

- Dealing with Bullying Policy
- Code of Dress Policy
- Sun Smart Policy

Changes to the Uniform Policy to note include:
Hair - not permitted:
- Hairstyles which draw attention to the student, dreadlocks, mullets, rats’ tails, undercuts and shaving patterns of any form.

- Coloured hair, unless it is a single natural colour (no streaks, tips, bleached hair).

Jewellery - not permitted

- SMART WATCHES or watches with internet connectivity will not be allowed as part

of the school uniform in 2023.

Reminders regarding Uniform Policy include:
Shoes (Formal Uniform) - All black leather shoes or joggers (no white/coloured trimmings).
Shoes (Sports Uniform) - All black joggers (no white/coloured trimmings).

I have noticed students wearing black shoes with white and other coloured trimmings which are not our school uniform, and have also noticed some in joggers.

When purchasing shoes, please ensure they are completely black, in line with the school Uniform Policy.

Please note that school policies can be found on our school website, along with a link to the Diocesan Education Council policies which provide the overarching policies for Catholic schools in the Townsville Diocese.

Bullying Policy 2023

Code of Dress 2023

Sun Smart Policy 2023

Swimming Carnival

Swimming carnival notes were sent home with students on Monday. Our school swimming carnival is on Wednesday 1 February. Please return notes to classroom teachers no later than Friday 27 January. A copy of the note is attached.

School Swimming Carnival 2023.pdf

Swimming Lessons

Swimming lessons will commence on Fridays in weeks 4 to 9 for years 1, 2 and 4.

Notes were sent home today. Please complete and return with payment before Wednesday 8 February.

Swimming Note Yr 1, 2 amd 4 Term 1

ICT Agreement and Digital Citizenship

ICT User Agreement / Digital Citizenship Lessons

Currently, ALL students are in the process of participating in our Digital Citizenship lessons and completing our school ICT Acceptable Use Agreements. Students complete these at the beginning of each new year. Parents will notice these forms coming home with their child. Parents need to sign these agreements which then need to be returned to their teacher / class.

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) includes the use of digital devices, the school network and the internet. At St Joseph's, digital devices are used to enhance teaching and learning. All students need digital citizenship skills to participate fully in their communities and make smart choices online and in life. If the school decides that a student has broken this agreement, they may be prevented from using devices for a period of time.

Students will also participate in Safer Internet Day on 7th February. Activities will take on real challenges and digital dilemmas that students face today, giving them the skills needed to succeed as digital learners and citizens.

School Uniform Days

From the Office

Please ensure that we have up to date family details, Concession Cards and a new Multi School Discount form completed for 2023. Multi School Discount form and Pay Way forms are attached.

Multi School Discount Form

Direct Debit Form 2023

We are currently taking sibling enrolments for Prep for 2024. Enrolment applications can be found on our website or by visiting our office for a paper copy. Please return to the office as soon as possible as interviews commence later this term.

Is your child absent from school? Please notify the office via

emailing absent@sjmbtsv.catholic.edu.au
calling the office and leaving a message at the absent option
parent/guardian can note the absence through Compass

A text message will go out at 9.30am to any parents whose child is marked absent without an explanation. Please reply to this text using one of the above methods. If your child arrives after 8.30am, they must pass through the office for a late pass so that if the role has been marked at the classroom, office staff can make the ammendment for the arrival. We thank parents for assisting with this. Roles are marked promptly at 8.30am on Mondays due to assembly - students are required to collect a late pass before moving to assembly if they are late.

Tuckshop

Our school Tuckshop is open Monday to Friday for both morning tea and lunch orders.

Flexischools offers a convenient way to order school lunches online. Please update your child's class to their 2023 class so that orders go to the correct place and children are not delayed in receiving their order.

Our Tuckshop list is also available on our school website.

Jeannine is our Tuckshop Convenor and is always appreciative of volunteers. If you can spare even an hour of your time, please contact her on M: 0407 578 105

Volunteers are required to complete our Induction process. Please follow the link below and follow the instructions.

Flexischools

Volunteer Induction Process for Parents and Carers