Latest Newsletter Term 3 | Week 9

Key Information

Term 3 - Important Dates

Week 10

• Science Week - All Week
• Monday & Tuesday, 15th to 16th September - Prep Enrolment Interviews Continue 
  
• Tuesday 16th September - Year 5 Camp Information Evening - 5.30pm - Year 5 Classroom
  
• Wednesday & Thursday  17th/18th September - Vinnies Clothes Sale
• Thursday 18th September - Staff Appreciation Day 
• Friday 19th September - Assembly at 8.30am in the MMS / Dress By Vinnies Day / Jump Off Day (Jump Rope for Heart) Last day of Term 3

Term 4 - a reminder that Tuesday 7th October is a pupil free day. School will resume for Term 4 on Wednesday 8th  October. 

Tuckshop News

Please ensure all orders are placed in the My School Connect App by 8:30am on Wednesdays. 

Upcoming Specials

Week 10 - Mac & Cheese and Tim Tam Brownie

Volunteering:
Our tuckshop relies on the generosity of volunteers each week. If you would like to volunteer in our tuckshop please join the school's tuckshop facebook group - St Joseph's Tuckshop Crew. A friendly reminder that a tuckshop volunteer induction must be completed prior to volunteering. 

Please see the office if you need any help with ordering through the app or website. 

Uniform Shop

Our Uniform Shop is open to orders being placed via the app: https://myschoolconnect.com.au/

Please give us 24 hours to organise collection of your order; we usually contact you when your order is ready to collect.

If you would like to try on sizes, the Uniform Shop will be open on Wednesday mornings from 8.10-8.30 and Wednesday afternoons from 2.30-3.00.

Miss Heather 

Principal's News

Welcome to the final newsletter for Term 3. As we wrap up another vibrant and busy term, thank you for being such an essential part of our school family and for your ongoing support throughout the term. We have had a busy term with lots of events - NAIDOC week, Verification for our Year of Renewal, 100 days of Prep, Rock Pop Rehearsals Commenced, Rodeo Celebrations, Catholic Education  Week, Retreats, Fete, Mary MacKillop Feast Day, Bullying No Way Week, UMY School Camp, Premiers Reading Challenge, Book Week, Ride to School Day, Fathers Day, Open Classrooms, Vinnies Clothing sale, R U OK Day. We also had several visits from external companies, including a visit from Bubsie (a replica of the first car to travel around Australia), QLD Cricket, Dance North, AusKick, Surf Life Saving Bush 2 Beach Program.

Principals Conference Reflections:
I commenced this busy week in Townsville at the Principals Conference, where I joined colleagues from across the Diocese to actively explore staff wellbeing initiatives and examine quality procedures that help create the best environment for our students. Continual learning is fundamental to effective leadership, and the conference reinforced both my personal desire—and our school’s collective drive—to keep progressing in pursuit of excellence. Together, we strive to foster a culture of growth, for staff and students alike.

Child Protection Week & R U Ok? Day:
Our school community celebrated National Child Protection Week, highlighting the crucial responsibility we share to keep children and young people safe. This year’s theme, ‘Protecting Children is Everybody’s Business.’, reminds us that child protection is everyone’s business and asks us to transform awareness into action. On Thursday, R U OK? Day filled our school with the colour yellow, reminding us of the power of caring questions and connected relationships in building a safe, supportive community. Staff gathered for a morning tea today (due to it being tuckshop day yesterday) and students joined in activities designed to check in with one another—demonstrating the true values of community and wellbeing.

2026 Prep Enrolment Interviews Begin:
Yesterday marked the start of our Prep Enrolment Interviews for 2026. These important sessions will continue next Monday and Tuesday, providing families an opportunity to meet, share and begin their journey with St Joseph’s. We look forward to welcoming the newest members of our school community in Term 4 for the Transition Day and Move Up Day. The remainder of our school will celebrate Move Up Day at the same time as our Prep Families, on Friday 21st November. 

Looking Ahead at Week 10: Science Week & Staff Appreciation Day:
Next week, students will dive into the wonders of discovery as we celebrate Science Week. This year’s theme—‘Decoding the Universe: Exploring the unknown with nature’s hidden language’—encourages curiosity and shows how science shapes the world around us. Watching students participate in experiments and activities is always a highlight.

On Thursday, we will celebrate Staff Appreciation Day. Although originally scheduled for today, the date was moved due to staff availability. Today, however, our amazing staff received beautiful thank you cards from students—a heartwarming gesture of gratitude. Families are warmly invited to encourage their children to write a card or draw a picture and place it in the basket at the front office, to be distributed next Thursday.

Fete Summary & Feedback Form:
We would like to sincerely thank our amazing community for not only supporting our school fete but also for coming along to celebrate with us. The turnout was incredible, with over 400 lucky door prizes handed out in the first 30–45 minutes, and together we raised a fantastic amount towards our Solar Panels project. We are now working with TCEO to prepare a tender request for the installation of solar panels, which is very exciting.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on the event—please take a moment to complete the attached Google Form to share your feedback.

Fete Feedback Google Form

Key Dates for Term 4:
Our school will resume on Wednesday 8th October for Term 4. Secondary students will finish on Friday 28th November, while Primary students conclude on Friday 5th December. A calendar outlining Term 4 events will be shared during the holidays to help families save important dates.

As the holiday period approaches, we hope everyone enjoys the Beat The Heat celebrations this weekend and finds joy and rest during the term break.

May God Bless you and your families.

Mrs Samantha Kelley,
Principal 

Deputy's News/Curriculum

2025 NAPLAN Results – A Whole-School Celebration

The release of the 2025 NAPLAN results provides us with a valuable opportunity to reflect on the learning journey at St Joseph’s Cloncurry. While these assessments focus on Years 3, 5, 7 and 9, the results are the outcome of years of effort, commitment, and quality teaching right across our school.

This year’s results show that our students have not only performed strongly against the Queensland state mean but have also outperformed our like schools in all 20 domains. This consistent strength across year levels highlights the effectiveness of our focus on reading and writing, as well as the high-quality teaching and learning practices embedded across the whole school.

We are also mindful that these results are not achieved in isolation. They reflect the sustained effort of our students — both in their learning at school and in the habits they develop at home — and the invaluable support of parents who encourage them every day. Whether it’s helping with homework, reading together, or simply motivating their children to do their best, families play a crucial role in creating the confidence, persistence, and love of learning that lead to success. 

As we have now seen this level of achievement consistently over the past few years, it is clear that such outcomes are no longer a one-off; they are becoming a defining part of our school’s identity and the way we approach teaching and learning at St Joseph’s.

These results are a celebration of our whole community — teachers, students, and families working together with shared purpose.

The graph below shows how students at St Joseph’s Cloncurry performed in Writing, Reading, Grammar, Spelling, and Numeracy compared with the Queensland state average.

• Green and Dark Green = our students scored above the state average
  
  
• White = results are close to the state average
  
  
• Red and Dark Red = results below the state average
  

You can see that in many areas — especially Writing, Reading, and Grammar — our students are performing well above the state mean. These results reflect the combined effort of our students, the support of families at home, and the quality teaching across the school.

We look forward to seeing you all in Term 4. Please note that school will return on Wednesday 8th October.

Mr Dean Kelley
Deputy Principal - Teaching and Learning

Assistant Principal Religious Education

Last week, I had the privilege of visiting Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney, along with around 39 other participants from across Australia, for a time of spiritual reflection. It was my first visit, and from the moment I arrived, I was deeply moved by the serenity of the place. To walk where Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop once walked felt both humbling and inspiring, especially as she is such an important part of our charism at St Joseph’s.

What struck me most was the sense of peace and presence that filled the grounds. Being there gave me a deeper appreciation of Mary MacKillop’s life and the good works of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. If you ever have the opportunity to visit Mary MacKillop Place, I would warmly encourage you to do so. It is truly an experience of faith and inspiration.

Sunday celebration this week at Mass - The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

This Sunday 14th September, we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, a tradition the Church has honoured for centuries. The feast traces back to the 4th century, when St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, is believed to have discovered the True Cross in Jerusalem, the place of Jesus’ crucifixion.

We celebrate this feast because the Cross is the central sign of our faith. It reveals the depth of Jesus’ love, as he gave his life to free us from sin. What was once an instrument of suffering and death has been transformed into a symbol of hope and new life. The Cross reminds us that through Jesus, pain and struggle are turned into victory and everlasting life.

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross also invites us to live out its message in our daily lives. We can do this by accepting life’s small challenges and uniting them with the sacrifice of Christ. In doing so, we learn to see our hardships differently, finding strength in Christ’s love and drawing closer to him.

Adopt A Cop
We are excited to welcome our new Adopt-a-Cop, Constable Alice Powell, to the St Joseph’s community. Constable Powell will join us at different times throughout the year, taking part in school events and visiting students during lunchtime drop-ins.

We are also very grateful for the continued support of our police liaison officers, Jenny and Mitch. Together, they help strengthen the important connection between our school and the wider community.

Call to Action Assembly this week
Last Tuesday, at our Call to Action Assembly, students received two important messages: staying safe and checking in with each other and themselves. This week is National Child Protection Week, with the theme “Protecting Children is Everybody’s Business.” Every child has the right to feel safe at school, at home, and in the wider community. We all play a part in helping each other feel safe through kindness, respect, and speaking up if something doesn’t seem right.

Students were also reminded, through the focus on R U OK?, that learning how to support their peers and talk about their feelings is an important life lesson. A prayer was shared during this time to reflect on caring for ourselves and one another.

Sacramental Program: First Reconciliation commencing - Term 4
St Colman’s Parish will be offering a First Reconciliation program next term. The program will include 2–3 preparation sessions, held over consecutive weeks, to help students grow in their understanding of this special sacrament.

First Reconciliation is considered one of the great spiritual gifts of our Catholic faith. This sacrament encourages reflection and strengthens the values that support healthy relationships at home, at school, and in the wider community.

We warmly invite families who would like their child to take part to email me at lnelson5@sjctsv.catholic.edu.au by Friday 19 September, to register their interest. 

If you would like more information about the program, please contact me, and I will be glad to provide further details.

St Colman’s Mass - Upcoming Schedule
Join us in celebrating the Eucharist. Below is the presider schedule for upcoming Masses:

Date                  Mass             Time           Presider

Sept 14, 2025          Sunday Mass       8.30 am         Fr. Mick Lowcock 

Sept 21, 2025         Sunday Mass        8.30 am         Fr. Col Reinhard 

Sept 28, 2025         Sunday Mass        8.30 am         Fr. Col Reinhard

Oct  5, 2025            Sunday Mass        8.30 am          Fr. Will Brennan

Oct 12, 2025            Sunday Mass       8.30 am         Fr. Will Brennan

Happy Holidays and God Bless,

Ms Lei Nelson
Assistant Principal - Religious Education 

Pastoral Care

Understanding the growing challenges related to mental health among young people is an important consideration. Anxiety, depression and self-harm - are all causes for concern. Factors like academic pressure, social media, family dynamics, and societal expectations, are contributing to these issues. It's therefore crucial for parents and caregivers to take action early, remove the stigma around discussing mental health, and offer accessible support to address these issues and the wellbeing of their children.

R U OK? Day is an initiative that focuses on preventing suicide by encouraging meaningful personal connections and helping informal support networks to help recognise the signs of distress. We urge all families to take part, emphasising the value of genuine human relationships and reminding everyone to ask the important question, "Are you OK?"

Engaging in R U OK? Day activities goes beyond the classroom; it's a commitment to our students' overall development. By talking openly about mental health, schools create safe spaces where students feel understood, valued, and supported. As parents and caregivers, you can contribute by fostering open conversations, normalising feelings and breaking down mental health stigmas. Participating in R U OK? Day promotes compassion and shows our dedication to the wellbeing of the entire school community, reaffirming that together, we can truly make a difference.

This Special Report provides guidance on how to talk to your child about mental health and engage in meaningful discussions.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report:
https://sjctsv.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-r-u-ok-day

Miss Hannah McCall
Pastoral Care Leader

Youth Ministry

Youth Ministry News

As we reach the end of Term 3, I want to extend my thanks to our students, staff, and families for the way you continue to engage so positively with our Youth Ministry initiatives.

Firstly, my apologies to our Year 2 students and families for the postponement of their retreat, Stewards of God’s Creation. This special experience will now take place in Term 4, and families will be updated directly with details via their nominated Compass email address. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

On Tuesday of Week 8, our SIA and Mini Vinnies students met with Sr Lyn to engage in a community outreach session. Together, they sorted through clothing donations for Vinnies — carefully preparing items that will go directly to families in need. It was wonderful to see their teamwork, joy, and generosity in action. Opportunities like this allow our young people to live out their faith in a very real and practical way, and we are so proud of their willingness to serve both our local and wider communities.

This week, the Dressed by Vinnies clothing sale has also been a wonderful success! A huge well done to the students who showed incredible initiative, drive, and servant leadership in ensuring the stall could run in my absence. Your commitment to making a difference is inspiring. A sincere thank you also to Ms Lei Nelson for her generous support in helping facilitate this throughout the week.

A reminder that Dressed by Vinnies Day will be held next Friday (Week 10), the last day of term. We invite all students to come dressed in their best Vinnies outfit in support of this great cause. Every purchase and donation helps Vinnies continue their vital work in caring for the poor and vulnerable in our communities.

Looking ahead to Term 4, October is Mission Month — a time when Catholic communities around the world unite to pray and act in solidarity with those in need. To support this, we will be selling icy cups every second Friday after school, with all proceeds going directly to Catholic Mission. This is a wonderful way for our students to take part in the Church’s mission of love and service in a practical and simple way.

Thank you for your continued support, and I wish all families a safe and restful holiday break.

Yours in Faith, Love and Service

Mrs Rachel Delaney-Lovett
Acting Youth Ministry Middle Leader

First Nations

First Nations Advisory Committee (FNAC) Update
Next week, communication will be sent containing a summary of the minutes of the previous First Nations Advisory Committee meeting. This will also include an agenda for the next scheduled meeting, which will be held on Tuesday, 21st October 2025, starting at 3 pm. 

Mental Health and Wellbeing Roadshow
Next term, our Emerging Leaders will have an opportunity to join students from Good Shepherd Catholic College at the Emerging Leaders 2025 Mental Health and Wellbeing Roadshow in Mount Isa.  This Roadshow runs over 3 days between Mount Isa (15th October) and Townsville (16th & 17th October). As a whole, the Mental Health & Wellbeing Roadshow will include a group of deadly presenters, discussing the importance of mental health and sharing their stories and strategies that have worked for them. Stallholders from external health agencies will also be in attendance to provide resources to students that they can engage with after the Roadshow has concluded.

Miss Leonie Ansell
First Nations Teacher

Prep

Dear Families,

We can hardly believe it is already the end of Week 9. There is just one week to go until the holidays.

This week, our Little Leaders revised the sounds “ch”, “v”, “x” and “y” alongside all the tricky words they have been learning. Our literacy focus shifted to fairytales, where students identified both fictional and non-fictional texts and explained why fairytales are fictional. We have seen some fantastic writing in this area, with many students confidently creating sentences orally and in writing using the sounds and tricky words we have covered.

In Maths, the class continued to explore the language of direction, using Rosie’s Walk and Where is the Green Sheep as inspiration. These stories have been excellent tools to help develop spatial awareness and directional language.

During Science lessons, students have been investigating different materials and their uses. They explored what materials could be used to build the houses of the Three Little Pigs and discussed why certain materials are better suited for building.

We are very proud of the progress the students are making and look forward to more exciting learning opportunities in the final week before the break.

Reminders:

Monday: 

• Mrs Jill Smith will take our little learners for music in Period 5.

Tuesday: 

• Miss Borlase will take our students for Sport in Period 5, Sport uniform

Wednesday:

• Miss Pucciarmati will take our Prep students for Technology in Period 5. 
• Coloured house shirts
• Readers and library books are to be returned

Thursday: 

• Mrs McConachy will be the classroom teacher

Friday: 

• This week we will have assembly in the Mary MacKillop Shed at 8.30am.

Literacy Rotations will continue from Monday to Thursday, 9:00 to 9:30 am. We would love to welcome parent helpers during these sessions. If you're available to support, please let me know. Your help truly makes a difference.

Due to attending a Professional Development course, I will not be at school on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in Week 10. Please be assured that arrangements have been made to ensure the students continue to receive support during this time.

Week 10 Reminders:

• Science Week celebrated
• Thursday 18th September is Staff Appreciation Day. 
• Friday 19th of September is dress by Vinnies day
  • Don't forget to purchase your clothes at our school Vinnies shop during lunchtime (Nothing over $5) 

Yours in fun and learning,

Miss Mae-Louise Brock, Miss Josie Smith, Miss Rachel Adcock and Mrs Renee McConachy

Year 1

Hello Parents and Carers,

We are nearly at the end of term 3!

The past two weeks, our Year 1 mathematicians have been busy learning different strategies to help with addition. We've been exploring the counting on strategy, which helps students add a small number to a larger one by starting with the bigger number and counting up. For example, to solve 5 + 3, they learn to say "5" and then count "6, 7, 8" to find the answer. We've also been getting hands-on with column addition, a great skill for working with two-digit numbers. This has sparked lots of interest with the students. 

In English, the students are truly becoming experts on Australian animals! We've begun our journey into information reports, and they've been fascinated by koalas, kangaroos, and kookaburras. The children have been learning how to research and find interesting facts about these animals, like what they eat, where they live, and what they look like. It's been wonderful to see their curiosity and excitement as they share what they've learned with their classmates.

Our plants are thriving thanks to the dedicated help of our little gardeners! The children have been taking turns watering our class plants every day, which has been a great lesson in responsibility and watching living things grow. We've been talking about what plants need to stay healthy, including water, sunlight, and space.

And the big news is, our chickens have officially moved into their new home in the chicken coop! The students have been so excited to see them exploring their bigger space. This is a wonderful opportunity for the children to learn about animal care and responsibility, and we look forward to watching our feathered friends grow.

Reminders 

• No more homework or library for the rest of the term.
• Please return all home readers and library books before the end of term!
• Friday 19th of September is dress by Vinnies day
  • Don't forget to purchase your clothes at our school Vinnies shop during lunchtime (Nothing over $5) 
• Miss Haley will be away next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 

Have a wonderful week,

Miss Erin Haley and the always fun Year 1’s

Year 2

Dear Parents and Carers, 

As we approached the end of Term 3 our classroom has been buzzing with learning and engagement across all subject areas. 

In English, students have continued to explore Informative texts and have begun their assessment research on their chosen topic on either Burke and Wills or Ernest Henry. 

In Mathematics, we have been consolidating our understanding of multiplication and division. The students have been enjoying playing around the world, which is a great way for students to practice and revise their facts. We have also been consolidating and strengthening our knowledge on Place Value and counting to 1000. 

In Science, our exploration of materials has continued. This week, students investigated the properties of different types of paper. They made predictions, tested their ideas, and recorded their observations. Next week, we will turn our attention to play-dough, exploring how it changes over time and under different conditions. These hands-on activities have been a real highlight for the students!

In HASS, we have been comparing life Then and Now, while in Religion, students have been learning about the sacredness of God’s Creation. 

Finally, in Health, we have started our unit on Interacting with Others, which encourages students to build positive relationships and strengthen their communication skills.

Team Up- Keep an eye out for information about our trip to the PCYC hall next Wednesday with the year 4s to celebrate the end of our team building sessions with Sergeant Ben. Students will be provided with hot chips thanks to the PCYC and will be able to use the facilities. This has been a wonderful project, and I do believe that the collaborative skills the students have developed have transferred into the classroom.

We’ve had a fantastic Term 3, and I can’t wait to continue building on this momentum as we move into Term 4.

Week 10 Reminders:

• Science Week celebrated
• Wednesday 17th September - Excursion to PCYC Hall
• Thursday 18th September is Staff Appreciation Day. 
• Friday 19th of September is dress by Vinnies day
  • Don't forget to purchase your clothes at our school Vinnies shop during lunchtime (Nothing over $5) 

Miss Tess Motti

Year 3

It’s hard to believe we are already in Week 9 – the term has certainly flown by! Year 3 has been busy and productive, working hard across all of our subjects.

We are pleased to share that, apart from the Mathematics assessment on Measurement, all of our assessments for this term have now been completed. In general, most learners achieved their goals, and it has been wonderful to see the effort and determination they have shown in their learning. Well done to all of Year 3 for their commitment and progress – we are very proud of you!

Looking ahead to Week 10, we will be taking some time to revise and revisit areas of our learning that need reinforcing. This will help us consolidate the great progress made so far and prepare us for Term 4.

• Mathematics: We will be starting a new unit on Mapping, which promises to be both practical and fun. Learners will get the chance to create their own maps – and maybe even take part in a treasure hunt!
  
  
• English: Our focus will be on reading, both reading aloud and continuing with our Accelerated Reader program. Learners will be able to track their progress and see how close they are to reaching their personal goals. We will also begin preparing for our new writing unit next term, laying the foundations for the wonderful stories we will create in Term 4.
  

Week 10 Reminders:

• Science Week celebrated
• Thursday 18th September is Staff Appreciation Day. 
• Friday 19th of September is dress by Vinnies day
  • Don't forget to purchase your clothes at our school Vinnies shop during lunchtime (Nothing over $5) 

We are looking forward to an exciting final week of the term, filled with learning, creativity, and fun!

Mrs Deirdre Koekemoer, Mrs Sharon McLauchlan, Miss Sonnie Cusack, and Miss Abbie Bailey.
The Year 3 Teaching Team

Year 4

Hello everyone,

This week we have been finishing off many of the units for the term and completing assessment tasks.

ENGLISH- In English, the students have written imaginative and well-structured narratives based on the book, ‘The Wild Robot’ by Peter Brown. Their illustrations were also to be in the style of Peter Brown which were all done in pencil with shading. Each and every student has put in a great effort with really pleasing results and they are all very proud of the results.

MATHS- In Maths we have been looking at location and scales on a map. Today we studied a map of Australia, using the scale to work out the actual distance. Students then became one of the capital cities and had to use direction and distance to place themselves around the oval. Some of the cities were a little off track, but on the whole the students accurately placed each other.

Team Up- Keep an eye out for information about our trip to the PCYC hall next Wednesday with the year 2s to celebrate the end of our team building sessions with Sergeant Ben. Students will be provided with hot chips thanks to the PCYC and will be able to use the facilities. This has been a wonderful project, and I do believe that the collaborative skills the students have developed have transferred into the classroom.

Week 10 Reminders:

• Science Week celebrated
• Wednesday 17th September - Excursion to PCYC Hall
• Thursday 18th September is Staff Appreciation Day. 
• Friday 19th of September is dress by Vinnies day
  • Don't forget to purchase your clothes at our school Vinnies shop during lunchtime (Nothing over $5) 

Have a wonderful week!

Mrs Lesley Wall

Year 5

Hi Parents and Carers,

In Maths this week, we’ve been working on calculating the perimeter and area of simple and more complex shapes. In Writing, students have continued developing their informative texts using Google Sites for their assessment. It’s been wonderful to see their hard work and creativity as they build their pages and present their research in engaging ways.

In Religion, we’ve been learning about the fruits of the Holy Spirit and discussing how we can show these qualities in our everyday lives. In Science, we’ve been fascinated by the many amazing ways plants and animals adapt to survive in their environments.

We have almost completed our assessment tasks across Writing, Science, and Religion. Students are showing persistence and pride in their efforts as they pull together everything they’ve been learning this term.

Our Year 5 Camp Information Night will be held this Tuesday at 5:30pm in the Year 5 classroom. We’ll run through the camp experiences, medical and dietary requirements, behavioural expectations, and answer any questions you may have. We hope to see you there!

Week 10 Reminders:

• Science Week celebrated
  
• Thursday 18th September is Staff Appreciation Day. 
• Friday 19th of September is dress by Vinnies day
  • Don't forget to purchase your clothes at our school Vinnies shop during lunchtime (Nothing over $5) 

Have a great week,

Miss Leonie Ansell

Year 6

Dear Families,

As we approach the end of our third term, I wanted to say a huge thank you for your continued support. So many people either cooked sausages, walked, cycled and generally helped our excursion to the dam which contributed to an amazing day out! To Mr Larry, Mrs Bruce, Miss P, Miss Sigi, Melissa, Therese, Stephen, Erin, Danielle, Talisa, Jarrod and Kim - we say a huge THANK YOU!

In English, we have continued with our persuasive writing. We have discussed structure for arguments and have now focussed on our introduction–using our opinion, definition of the issue, global statement, rhetorical question and linking sentence to structure our writing. Students have started to write their own introduction to their text about zoos. In reading, we read a range of personal texts in Accelerated Reader and I am happy to announce that 89% of our class have reached their 100% target. We have continued our focus on comprehension skills–word meaning, clarifying meaning and discussion about connections to the texts. In spelling, students have investigated [y, u] yoyo/computer with these common graphemes and other less common ones. We have discussed word origins–where words have evolved from originally e.g. perfume originated in French with the meaning ‘scent of smoke’ and queue was also French meaning ‘tail’ which has become a line of people. Our work on synonyms and antonyms and the prefix uni- (which means one) has also continued.

In maths, we have been revising our work on decimals and connected fractions using tenths, hundredths and thousandths. Our algebra work is coming to an end with children developing their understanding of x being the same as a missing number that they have to work out e.g. x+3=9 - what do we add to 3 to make 9. We have discussed variables as being unknown numbers and that our thinking to solve needs to be logical. If you have a dart board at home - we have loved pretending to throw darts to add three numbers to make different totals, using trebles and doubles. Congratulations to Darcie, who has spent over 7 hours practising her algebra on IXL, while Sid currently leads our second leaderboard for most correct questions.

Science Week preparations: On Monday and Wednesday next week (Week 10) we will host several other classes to share our learning about drones, 3D Printing, Makey Makey and micro:bit circuits. Families are very welcome to visit the Y6 classroom between 11:30-1:00 pm on Monday and Wednesday or after school on Monday to discuss this learning with our child and see the other displays in action.

Week 10 Reminders:

• Science Week celebrated
• Thursday 18th September is Staff Appreciation Day. 
• Friday 19th of September is dress by Vinnies day
  • Don't forget to purchase your clothes at our school Vinnies shop during lunchtime (Nothing over $5) 

Have a great week,

Mr Mike Tarleton & Mr Larry Cullen

Excursion to the Dam

UMY Subject Spotlight

Primary Technologies with Miss P

Dear Parents and Carers,

This term in Design Technology, students across Prep to Year 6 worked on exciting hands on projects that encouraged creativity, problem-solving, and design thinking. Each year level is tackling a different challenge, and it has been wonderful to see their enthusiasm and ideas come to life.

• Prep: Our youngest learners were busy designing and creating their very own playground. They are exploring materials, safety, and fun as they think about how playgrounds are built and what makes them enjoyable for children.
  
  
• Years 1 & 2: Students were using their imagination to invent something new for our Technology classroom. They learnt how to identify needs, plan their designs, and explain how their inventions will be useful in real life.
  
  
• Years 3 & 4: Building on their design skills, these students also created an invention, but with a focus on solving everyday problems. They learnt how to take their ideas from a sketch to a practical model, testing and improving along the way.
  
  
• Years 5 & 6: Our senior students are worked on a large scale project  designing and creating a garden at school. This project combined planning, teamwork, and hands on building as they brought their garden designs to life, thinking carefully about sustainability and purpose. 

I’d like to say a massive thank you to Nathan Keyes at the sales yards who kindly donated a huge trailer of gardening soil which has helped the students' gardens thrive!

We’d also like to thank Karen (Darcie’s grandmother) who donated lots of gardening tools, gloves and plants! Thank you for your generosity!

The student gardens are really starting to take off now - be sure to check them out at the front of the school! The best part has been seeing how much the students have loved creating it! Stay tuned to see in Term 4 what we do with it!

We are so proud of the persistence and imagination our students are showing. I loved seeing their different personalities shine through with all of their different designs and creations!

Thank you for supporting our projects and sending in all of the materials they required!

Warm regards,
Miss Lisa Pucciarmati
P-6 Technology Teacher

Garden Beds

Garden Beds

Thank you for our donations

Year 4

Year 4

Primary Arts with Miss Jill

Term 3 Recap - Music Highlights 

Term 3 has been another busy term for The Arts. It was wonderful to have 5 entries in the Lip-Sync competition at the Fete this year and the 3 Rock Pop Groups are putting a lot of effort into learning their routines for next term’s competition.  

We are in the music room this term. Prep to Year 6 are working with The Fun Music Factory program. This is a great program that is in line with the curriculum, has variety in each lesson and builds on the students’ learning throughout the lessons.

The Fun Music Company is an Australian business founded by a former music teacher to provide teacher-friendly, curriculum-aligned music education resources and programs for primary schools. They offer a comprehensive curriculum with online lessons, games, worksheets, and other materials designed to make music education accessible, engaging, and easy to implement for both specialist and generalist teachers. The programs are structured around key areas of music education, including skills, singing, playing, composing, and connecting music to the wider world.

Here is an article that explains the origin and purpose of the program.

https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/one-teachers-mission-making-quality-music-education-accessible-to-all-australian-schools

In each year level, students explore the following topics, Skills, Sing and Play, Compose and Connect. Each grade follows the same layout. The content builds and changes based on the year levels.

Prep

• Skills - Listening games, echo rhythm and echo singing
• Sing and Play - The students sang, played untuned and tuned instruments to the songs ‘Cows in the Kitchen’ and ‘Frère Jacques’. They performed in the informal setting of the classroom.
• Compose - As a class and in groups, the students created a composition sequencing periods of sound and silence and improvised adding and changing words to a known song.
• Connect - The students listened and responded to classical music; ‘Prelude from Carmen’ and ‘Flight of the Bumble Bee’ and first nations music; ‘Djamirri’ by Dr. G Yunupingu.

Year 1

• Skills - Listening games to identify elements of music; tempo, dynamics and pitch, echo rhythm and echo singing.
• Sing and Play - The students sang, played untuned and tuned instruments to the songs ‘Obwisana’ and ‘Kye Kye Kule’ and performed in the informal setting of the classroom.
• Compose - Students performed a group chant and explored how the musical element of dynamics creates an expressive effect. They created a piece of music that explores the contrast of sound and silence. Students created a piece of music that explores the element of high and low pitch.
• Connect - The students listened and responded to First Nations music and explored the functions of each section in the Orchestra.

Year 2

• Skills - Listening games to identify elements of music; pitch, tempo, and dynamics, echo rhythm and echo singing.
• Sing and Play - The students sang, played untuned and tuned instruments to the songs ‘Bow wow wow’ and ‘Charlie over the Ocean’ and performed in the informal setting of the classroom.
• Compose - Students performed a group chants exploring dynamics and tempo. They explored the contrast of sound and silence and how the musical element of tempo creates an expressive effect.
• Connect - The students listened and responded to First Nations music by William Barton and explored the functions of each section in the Orchestra and identified the purpose the music was composed for.

Year 3

• Skills - Listening games to identify elements of music; tempo and pitch, echo clapping rhythm games and echo singing. Students learned about essential rhythm notation elements including bars, barlines and time signatures.
• Sing and Play - The students sang, played untuned and tuned instruments to the songs ‘A Ram Sam Sam’ and ‘Robot Bop’ identifying note values and rests.They performed in the informal setting of the classroom.
• Compose - Students worked in small groups to create an untuned percussion piece which tells a story using dynamics. They used tuned instruments to create a story using high and low pitches.
• Connect - The students listened and responded to First Nations music, Fur Elise, Hungarian Dance, Notturno in G major and Adagio for strings. They explored the background, main themes and the impact on the listener. 

Year 4

• Skills - Listening games to identify elements of music; beat, rhythm, pitch, echo clapping rhythm games and echo singing. Students developed the essential skill of breath control for singing.
• Sing and Play - The students sang, played untuned and tuned instruments to the songs ‘Day-O’  and ‘The Goose with an Attitude’ identifying note values and rests. They performed in the informal setting of the classroom.
• Compose - Students improvised a melody on a tuned instrument using the first five notes of the A minor scale. Students created a one bar, four beat melodic pattern and learned to notate it with stick notation.
• Connect - The students listened and responded to First Nations music, Symphony #40, Dr. Who theme and Symphony #5. They explored the background, main themes and how the elements of music are used to convey emotion and theme.

Year 5

• Skills - Listening games to identify elements of music; beat, rhythm, tempo and pitch, echo Clapping rhythm games and echo singing. Students learned basic concepts in music notation and rhythmic values.
• Sing and Play - Students learned rhythm and ensemble skills while learning a bass, harmony and melody part for the piece Calypso Dream..
• Compose - Students improvised a melody on a tuned instrument using the first five notes of the A minor scale. Students created a one bar, four beat melodic pattern and learned to notate it with stick notation.
• Connect - The students explored and investigated ways the elements of music are used in a variety of music; First Nations Yothu Yindi, Theme from Star Wars, Toccata and Fugue in D Minor and Fanfare for the Common Man.

Year 6

• Skills - Listening games to identify elements of music, rhythm,dynamics and pitch, echo Clapping rhythm games and echo singing. Students learned basic concepts in music notation and rhythmic values.
• Sing and Play - Students learned rhythm and ensemble skills while learning a bass, harmony and melody part for the piece juggling.
• Compose - Students composed their own musical fragment using a melodic instrument and use it to explore compositional devices such as contrast, repetition and balance.Students explored digital tools to add other parts to their already created music, and recorded their piece.
• Connect - The students explored and investigated ways the elements of music are used in a variety of music; First Nations Dr G Yunupingu, Hedwig’s Theme, Ride of the Valkyries and Rhapsody in Blue. 

Music will continue into Term 4 as the subject is covered bi-annually. Music class takes place on a Monday and Tuesday.  

Miss Jill Smith

Guidance Counsellor

Fostering a nurturing environment of respectful relationships within your family holds the key to not only harmonious living, but also improved academic outcomes for your children. As parents and caregivers, embracing the art of teaching children about respect at a young age sets the stage for a lifetime of healthy interactions and empathetic understanding. It will help cultivate a positive environment where communication flourishes, conflicts are resolved constructively, and bonds are fortified.

Teaching children to respect themselves and others will open up avenues for both personal growth and academic achievement. Fostering an environment where respect is not just a word, but a practiced behaviour, will empower young people with essential life skills. Effective communication, active listening, and the art of compromise, will provide your child with a solid foundation that will transcend family interactions and help them collaborate effectively with peers, teachers and the broader community.

Equipping children with an understanding of healthy versus unhealthy relationships is an important aspect of their development. It will guide them to make informed choices, foster positive connections, and set boundaries that contribute to their emotional wellbeing. Understanding the nuances between healthy and unhealthy relationships provides children with the essential tools to navigate their social world, build self-esteem, and cultivate meaningful relationships.

In this edition of SchoolTV, learn how to empower young people in healthy interactions to embrace differences and forge connections that honour their self-worth.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the school counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to the Respectful Relationships edition of SchoolTV
https://sjctsv.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/respectful-relationships

Miss Cassie Little 
School Guidance Counsellor

State Championships Superstars!

We want to give a huge shout-out to our incredible students who have represented St Joseph's at the state level across so many different sports this year. Reaching this level is a huge accomplishment!

Congratulations to the following:

Rugby League:

• Kale
• Louis
• Michael
• Samuel
  

Soccer:

• Michael
• Archer
• Noah

Cross Country:

• James
• Owen
• Brydee
  

Touch Rugby:

• Michael

Swimming:

• Brydee
• Vivienne

Athletics:

• Brydee

Well done to each of you for representing St Joseph’s with excellence! 

Swimming - Term 4

Water Safety lessons will begin in Week 2 of Term 4 (13th October) and continue until Week 8. These lessons will take place during your child’s scheduled PE time (note: this may differ from their Term 3 timetable). Correspondence will be sent in the coming weeks. These lessons form part of the Health and Physical Education curriculum.

Students will walk with a teacher and/or school officer to and from the pool. On their swimming day, your child wears their PE uniform and brings the following items:

• Swimming togs
• A swimming shirt for sun protection (no shirt, no swim)
• A towel
• Sports shoes (for walking to/from the pool) – these can be worn for the remainder of the day as part of their sports uniform.
• Sunscreen (available at the pool; students will be encouraged to apply before their lesson. Parents are also asked to apply sunscreen at home before school to ensure best protection.

Parent assistance is greatly appreciated. If you are available to help during your child’s lessons, please indicate this in the upcoming permission form.

Miss B
Sport & Extra Curricular Leader

Community Notices