Term 3 Week 9 Newsletter

From the Principal

Dear Parents/Caregivers

I hope your week so far has been a good one. This week is a week of ‘weeks’ with National Child Protection Week, National eSmart Week and Electrical Safety Week. These are awareness raising weeks, where schools are provided with information, resources and a variety of suggested activities for staff and students to participate in.

National Child Protection Week in Queensland is coordinated by the Child Protection Week Committee under the auspicing body of Act for Kids. The aim is to promote the value of children and raise the profile of all issues connected with Child Protection. The theme this year is ‘Every child, in every community, needs a fair go’. On Monday morning, our Student Protection Coordinator at Townsville Catholic Education, Katherine Olsen, spoke to us during our Assembly. Katherine's message focused on Recognise, React and Report and who our five trusted adults are. Katherine also visited our Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 classrooms, and read them a book called. 'Only For Me' by Michelle Derrig. This book empowers and teaches young children about protecting their body and their privacy.

National eSmart Week is a week when schools and public libraries around Australia come together to help raise awareness of cyber safety and encourage positive online experiences for our kids. This year ‘Responsible Action’ is being celebrated. By taking responsible action, we can demonstrate how we all keep kids safe online and offline. Under the facilitation of staff member Kristin Cantoni, St Joseph’s Mundingburra is currently undertaking the process of becoming an eSmart School. The eSmart Schools Framework is designed to help schools improve cyber safety and reduce cyberbullying and bullying. It is an initiative of the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, with the Framework sitting across the entire community - teachers, students and parents/carers. Today’s newsletter includes part one of a three part series which looks at the shift students can make from bystanding to upstanding behaviour when faced with bullying or cyberbullying. It is hoped this information can be useful for parents/carers in explaining what is good practice for schools when addressing situations of bullying or cyberbullying.

Electrical Safety Week raises awareness of the hazards associated with electricity and teaches students how to be safe around electricity. This year we have been lucky enough to have two parents who work in the electricity industry volunteer to come and deliver part of the Safety Heroes Program to our Year 1 students. The Safety Heroes program provides interactive teaching resources that are aligned to support the curriculum requirements of Queensland schools.  The teaching resources align with the P-6 Australian Curriculum for Health and Physical Education, and key outcomes for Science, English, Mathematics and Drama.

Have a wonderful week.

God Bless

Tracy

Student Protection Week

APRE News

It was a wonderful weekend of celebrations.

We hope that all fathers enjoyed a very happy Sunday.

Thank you to Ms White and 2A who led our Monday morning Liturgy.   The children read beautifully and led us in prayer celebrating all Fathers.   Just as St. Joseph was father to Jesus and cared for him. We thank God for Fathers everywhere who care and look after their families. God keep all Fathers in your care , guide and look after them in good times and in difficult times. 

Celebration of First Eucharist and Confirmation

Father’s Day may well have been overshadowed somewhat with the beautiful celebrations of Confirmation and First Eucharist which were held on Saturday evening, September 4th and Sunday morning September 5th. We were fortunate that Bishop Tim and Fr Joshy were able to officiate at both celebrations.   Thank you Bishop Tim and Fr. Joshy for celebrating with the children. 

Our heartfelt congratulations to all of our Sacramental candidates who made their Confirmation & First Eucharist.  We invite all children and their families to the 7.30am Mass on Sunday 10th October to complete the Sacramental Programme.

At the mass the children will receive their Confirmation Certificate and there will be a cake to share. Parents will receive photos from the official photographer.

We pray that the children continue their journey in faith. 

Mary’s Birthday  8th September 

On Wednesday, the 8th of September, we celebrate the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary - or Mary's birthday!  We know that everyone has a birthday. The Bible doesn’t say anything about Mary’s birth, but we know that her parents were Joachim and Ann.   Let us remember Mary in our prayers throughout this week.

Saint Teresa of Calcutta  Feast Day: September 5

In 1999, Pope John Paul II waived the traditional 5 year waiting period before commencing the cause for Mother Teresa’s beatification, less than two years after her death on September 5th 1997.  Mother Teresa, was born in Albania but as a Catholic nun she worked tirelessly with India’s poorest and her Sisters continue to minister to those in need in many parts of India.

We pray for all our community at this time and remember those who are unwell. 

Blessings for the week…

Clare

Upcoming Events

Week 9

Week 10

Information for Parents

Before and After school

Parents are reminded that supervision begins at 8am in the mornings.  Students should not be left on the school grounds before this time.

We have a teacher on duty until 3.15pm each afternoon.  If you are running late to collect your child, please contact the office.  At 3.15pm any children still at pick up will be brought to the office and parents contacted.  Our office closes at 3.30pm each day.

Late arrivals and early departures

The first school bell goes at 8.15am.  This is the bell for students to move to their classrooms in preparation for the school day at 8.30am.  If you arrive after 8.30am, we ask that you come through the office to receive a late pass so that if the role has been marked, the office can mark the student present in Compass.

If you require to collect students early, please report to the office and we will call the student down and mark their departure in Compass.  

Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

School Fee Reminder

School fees were issued on 22 July for Term 3.  These were emailed to the email address we have on file.  If you have not received your School fee statement, please check your junk mail or contact the office.  Fees were due on 27th August.

Hot Drinks 

Due to Workplace Health and Safety, parents and students are not permitted to have hot drinks whilst on the grounds.

Safe use of the school car park

Could we all please be aware of being safe when using the school car park. There have been reports of unsafe behaviour, whereby some vehicles are entering the school via the exit lane putting the safety of others at risk. Please stay in line even if you plan to park, or use alternative car park areas. It is also timely to remind parents/carers to watch the speed with which they enter the car park. With the amount of students present in the car park area, vehicles should be moving very slowly. It has been noted there is no Speed Limit sign, and this is something the school will look for advice on. 
Thank you for your assistance with keeping our students safe.

Bimbi Wadja Event

An invitation for our Bimbi Wadja students and families

Instrumental Music Reminder

Star Student's

Congratulations to the following students:

Prep A Star Student is Sophie for always being a polite, co-operative and industrious student in Prep.   Special Mentions go to Alexi, Nell, Flynn S, James, Ethan, Henry and Sophie for giving an extra big effort to master the skills in our obstacle course last week.  

Prep B Star Student is Alexander for trying his best to make good choices in the classroom and in the playground. Alexander is always willing to participate and have-a-go at all learning activities. Special Mention goes to all Prep students for their lovely manners and behaviour when shopping at our school Father’s Day Stall. 

1A Star Student is Noah W for his focus and determination to do his best and complete all his work in a timely manner. He is always one of the first to complete his work independently. Special Mention to Billy for being a kind and considerate classmate to all.

1B Star Students are Mahlea and Henry. Mahlea is receiving this award for her hard work in group rotations, starting her work straight away and asking questions when she is unsure of something. Henry is receiving this award for his improved attitude towards his learning in the classroom and great participation in discussions. Special Mentions to Kade, Milin, Azalea and Billy for always trying their best and showing persistence in their Dragonflies group.

2A  has two Star Students this week.  Maeve for enthusiastically embracing new learning experiences. She has a positive attitude towards her learning and believes that she can achieve anything she puts her mind to. Our second start student is Maya for demonstrating increasing confidence in mathematics and facing problem solving challenges with a positive attitude. Our Special Mention is Myah for her improved attitude to learning and taking great pride in her artistic abilities.

2B  Star Students this week are Adelaide for great work with mapping and always using beautiful manners and Patrick for excellent work in mathematics and for his enthusiastic participation in our Reading and Discussion activities. Special Mentions to Herehau, Thea, Nicola and Amilia for great character representation and trying hard to project their voices in our play.                                      

3A Star Student is Felise for always following class rules and the Joey's way of welcoming and including others in play and class activities. Keep up the good work! Special Mention to the blue reading group, Jack, Matilda, Zac, Lyla and Reuben for working so hard with your reading activities. Well done!                                                                                                                                                                 

3B Star Students are all of Year 3B. You have been working very hard on all your assessments last week and I am very proud of you. Well done! Our Special Mentions are Lucy, Darcy, Mitchell and Daniella for always helping those in need. Keep up the good work!                                                                     

4A Star Student is Gemma for her excellent participation in maths groups and working hard to calculate change to the nearest 5 cents. Special Mention to Taikaha, Charlotte and Mila for their participation and effort during maths groups.                                                                                                               

4B Star Student is Kyle.  Kyle has worked hard to make an excellent start with his informative text about the life cycle and survival needs of a tiger.  Special Mention to Lachie, Cameron, Annabelle, Emiliana and Bianca who have made great progress with their reading fluency.

5A Star Student is Chase. Chase has been involved in a range of activities at school and participates well, living school life to the full with enthusiasm.  Special Mention to Dominic, Zavier, Madison and Phoebe who have quietly got on with their work and participated well in classroom activities. Congratulations to Milly on her wonderful achievements at the North Queensland Athletics Trials last week.

5B Star Student is Thomas. Thomas has been working very hard lately trying to give his best effort in his work and always asking good questions. He also shows great care for others in the school community and is always willing to help his teachers. Well done Thomas!

6A  All of Year 6 have a Special Mention this week. Stand 6A and 6B. This group of students have made us proud any time they have been asked to practise for any sporting event. They put their best effort into individual performances as well as team events. During various team events more capable students have been great mentors for those on teams who have had less experience. When away from school they represent their school with pride and show wonderful team work and excellent sportsmanship. Well done Year 6.

6B Star Students are Lachlan and Sophie for their enthusiasm and collaborative skills when working with their peers to create their science prototype - can’t wait to see the finished product. Keep up the great group work skills! 

Library News

Today, kindy kids visited St Joey's Library on Pirate Day!!

Very exciting!!!