Term 3 Week 8
Key Information
Term 3 Important Dates
Week 9 – Child Safety Week
Wednesday 4th September – Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure Show (P-2), 1:30pm
Thursday 5th September – Sean Choolburra – First Nations Performance
Friday 6th September – Assembly, 8:30am
Week 10
- Tuesday 10th September – Chaplaincy Breakfast, 7:45am-8:10am; Board Meeting, 5:30pm
Wednesday 11th September – R U OK Day; SRC Meeting, First Break
- Thursday 12th September - Chaplaincy Breakfast, 7:45am-8:10am; Year 7/8 Retreat (Be the Attitude of Our School)
Friday 13th September – Assembly, 2:30pm (Farewell from MMS); Last Day Term 3
Term 4 Important Dates
Week 1
- Monday 30th September - First Day Term 4
- Friday 4th October - Go Pink for Breast Cancer
Tuckshop News
Please have your orders in by WEDNESDAY 8:30 am. Please remember to pack a healthy snack for Brain Break.
To order: https://myschoolconnect.com.au/
Our special for Week 9 is: Lemon Chicken & Butter Cookies
Our special for Week 10 is: Chicken Sloppy Joes & R U Ok cookies
OUR TUCKSHOP CREW NEEDS YOU
Miss Jamie-Lea is looking for some wonderful volunteers to help her in Tuckshop on Thursdays. You do not have to be a parent to volunteer. We have had grandparents, aunties, uncles, friends and cousins, as well as mums and dads. If you are interested in volunteering, please join Miss Jamie-Lea's tuckshop volunteer group. 
https://m.facebook.com/groups/
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 for your order; we generally contact you when your order is ready to collect.
If you are needing students to try on sizes, we are available:
Monday from 2:30-3pm and Wednesday from 8:10-8:30am.
Miss Heather
General News
Principal's News
Dear Families
What a wonderful couple of weeks we’ve had, filled with joy, laughter, and community spirit!
School and Parish Fete
Our annual school fete was a resounding success, bringing together students, parents and friends for a night of fun and connection. From the delicious food stalls to the lively games and activities, it was heartwarming to see everyone enjoying themselves and supporting our school. Thank you to all who volunteered and participated. Your support makes our school a vibrant and caring community.
Father’s Day
As we reflect on the recent celebrations, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the significance of Father’s Day within our school community. This day is more than just a calendar event; it’s a special opportunity for us to honour the fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and male role models who play such a vital role in our students' lives.
Our Father’s Day breakfast was a heartfelt gathering, where we witnessed the beautiful bond between our students and their father figures. It was touching to see the joy and pride in our students as they shared this moment with the men who guide, support, and inspire them. I encourage all of us to continue fostering these relationships, not just on special occasions, but every day. Our children thrive when they feel supported and loved by the important people in their lives.
Enrolment Terms and Conditions
When a student is accepted for enrolment at our school, parents/carers/guardians sign a Student Enrolment Agreement which contains important terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are updated from time to time, and were last updated earlier this year.
The Conditions of Enrolment are available on our school website (click here) . Please contact the school office to arrange a meeting with myself if you would like to discuss the information contained in these documents.
Media/Photography/Video Consent for students
During the enrolment process, parents/carers/guardians consent to the use of images of their child. The consent is outlined below. Parents who wish to withdraw this consent should contact the school.
Photos, video footage and work samples of students are used regularly by the school for the purpose of acknowledging the efforts of the student/school, or for promotion, marketing or advertising the school or Catholic Education. Parents consent to the student being photographed or filmed for school, Catholic Education or Townsville Catholic Diocese related communication or for education purposes. Parents understand this may include media (e.g. television, radio, publications), school publications (e.g. newsletters, year books), online media (e.g. websites) and social media (e.g. Facebook, Instagram). Please note the student’s name and voice may be included with the photograph/video. Parent’s understand it is their responsibility to notify the school if they do not wish to consent to the student’s photograph/ video appearing in any or all of the above, or if they wish to withdraw this authorisation and consent.
Nude Food Environmental Awareness Initiative
I am excited to share that Bella Swalling and friends in Year 4 have launched a wonderful initiative promoting Nude Food—bringing lunches and snacks without disposable packaging. This SRC student-driven effort is part of our commitment to sustainability and environmental awareness within our school community. By participating in this initiative, we can reduce waste and encourage healthier eating habits. We ask for your support in packing lunches in reusable containers, avoiding single-use plastics, and minimizing food packaging. Together, we can make a significant impact on reducing our environmental footprint.
Thank you for encouraging your children to participate and for supporting this important cause. Let’s work together to make our school a greener and cleaner place for everyone!
Heavenly Father
We thank You for the blessings of our school community. As we continue our journey together, guide us in our efforts to foster love, understanding, and respect among all. Help us to be mindful of Your presence in our daily lives and to seek Your wisdom in all that we do. May our hearts be filled with gratitude for the opportunities we have to grow and learn together.
Grant us the strength to support one another and the courage to make a positive difference in the world. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
God bless
Mrs Karen Good
Acting Principal
Deputy's News
Mr Dean Kelley
Deputy Principal - Teaching and Learning
Reflective Practice Day
Today we held our Reflective Practice Day, a dedicated time for teachers and school officers to engage in professional development and deepen their practice. This day offered a valuable opportunity for our staff to reflect on their teaching strategies, collaborate with peers, and enhance their skills, all with the goal of improving student outcomes.
Throughout the day, our teachers and school officers engaged in a variety of sessions aimed at enhancing their professional growth. These sessions emphasized strategic planning for the 2025 curriculum rollout, explored best practices in pedagogy — our approach to delivering lessons — and featured a presentation on advancing reading practices, among other key topics.
By investing in the professional development of our teachers and school officers, we ensure that our students receive the highest quality education.
APRE
We are on the countdown for Term 3, and what a busy term it has been. Our annual Fete did not disappoint! A huge thank you goes out to all our staff and parents who offered their time to support this wonderful event. I would like to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of Helen Phillips and Mia Dickson as our Fete Coordinators. Our Fete brings immense joy to our community and we are so very lucky to have such wonderful staff and parents who offer their time to make these events such a success.
Father’s Day
This weekend we celebrate Fathers Day. A day to thank and show our love to all our fathers, grandfathers and father figures in our lives. Thank you to all the fathers and father figures we have in our school community. We hope you enjoyed the Father’s Day Breakfast on Thursday. Happy Father’s Day to all the amazing dads out there!
Have a blessed week
Therese Curley
APRE
Pastoral Care
URSTRONG - Friendships for Highly Sensitive Children
Raise your hand if you or your child is an HSP, like me? 🙋♀️
It wasn’t until I was an adult that I stumbled on the book, The Highly Sensitive Person, by Dr Elaine Aron. I felt like I was reading an autobiography. She perfectly described what I’ve felt and experienced my whole life.
In her research, she’s identified that 15-20% of the population qualify as highly sensitive, having what’s called: “Sensory-Processing Sensitivity”. These people (adults and children):
💗Feel things deeply. This means, the highs are high and the lows are low.
💗Are sensitive to loud sounds, bright lights, tags on clothing, strong smells. Each of the senses are heightened, so they can feel overwhelmed easily. This also means they are deeply moved when they hear music they love, or smell fresh flowers, or are wrapped up in a hug from a loved one.
💗Are very tuned in to others. They are highly affected by the energy and moods of others, notice subtleties in body language and tone, and are extremely empathetic. HSPs are Empaths.
💗Think deeply and spend a lot of time reflecting. As Dr Aron says, “they have a rich, complex inner life” and tend to get absorbed in thoughts.
💗Are conscientious. They show up on time, follow the rules, and are tuned in to the finer details.
💗Avoid violent, disturbing, or scary experiences. Things that feel upsetting can simply be ‘too much’ for HSPs.
Within friendship, highly sensitive children are amazing friends – they’re super caring and thoughtful. However, little Friendship Fires feel like giant BONFIRES to them. [Try this activity: Sorting Friendship Fires] They can also struggle with friends who don’t follow the rules, or friends who are loud and aggressive.
For children who are highly sensitive, it’s important the adults around them are aware of their heightened nervous system. Parents and teachers can support and empower HSCs by giving them strategies to feel a little more in control and less helpless to their emotions. Start by going through each of the five senses with them, providing tips for what they can do when that sense is overwhelmed. [Try this activity: Big Emotions Snowglobe]
The Resilience Project
Did you know ….
80% of our happiness is derived from:
- Friendship.
- Health.
- Work fulfillment.
- Loving relationships.
- Spirituality.
When you do something kind for someone else your brain releases the love hormone oxytocin. This makes you feel good too. Check out Martin Heppell from The Resilience Project talking about being kind and the benefits of kindness. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO-ja3h5INc
“Kindness is the greatest wealth of all. Small acts of kindness last longer than a lifetime” - Eddie Jaku (Author of ‘The Happiest Man on Earth’).
Student Representative Council - Nude Food Challenge
Feed and Succeed
I encourage all senior students to attend weekly tutoring available on Thursdays from 3-4pm!
Best regards
Mrs Schneekloth
Pastoral Care Leader
Prep
I cannot believe that it is already Week 8! Only two weeks until the holidays.
This week the class revised the sounds "ch", "v", "x" and "y" and all Tricky Words. Our Little Leaders continued with The Cranky Hungry Bear as our book focus. Some great writing has been happening in this literacy area! We will continue to practice creating sentences orally and also writing these using the sounds and Tricky Words we have learned. Over the coming weeks we will learn the digraphs "wh' and "th" during our InitialLit lessons. During Math, the class will begin to explore collecting data and making inferences from the data collected. During Science, the class will continue to explore how objects move based on their characteristics. In Math, we will begin our data unit.
Reminders:
- Home readers and library books will not be sent home again in Week 9. This gives us a week to chase up outstanding home reader books before the holidays. Please return any books that you have.
- Home Learning: Readers and a Home Reading Diary have been sent home with all students. Readers are to be returned on Wednesday mornings so they can be scanned in and changed. It would also be awesome if Library books were returned on Wednesday mornings to be scanned in Library books. Library books will then be handed out on Thursday afternoons. Keep up to date with what is happening in Prep by checking out our Little Leaders Website.
Yours in fun and learning,
Miss Brock, Mrs McLauchlan, Miss Rachel, Miss Kylie and Miss Josie
Year 1
Hello Families
The students have been busy collecting information on their chosen animal for English. The students chose from a Koala, Emu or Kangaroo. They have done a fantastic craft of their animals that are hung up in the classroom.
In Math, the students have enjoyed looking at money and how we can use the $1 and $2 coins to buy things around the room. They have also been using their friends of ten knowledge to create Part, Part Whole diagrams.
We were so lucky to have Healthy Harold come last week to talk about what things we can do to keep our bodies safe and healthy.
Here are some photos:
Reminders:
Tuesday: Art
Thursday: Sports, Homework due and Library (no more library for the term)
Friday: Technology
Please bring back all home readers and library books as we won’t be handing out anymore for this term.
Have a wonderful week.
Miss Haley and the always fun Year 1s!
Year 2
Hi all
During Writing this term we will be looking at Informative Texts. During HASS the students will be researching significant people in our community and this research will be used to create an information report on a chosen person of significance for writing. Our Maths topic for the next few weeks is Transformation. In Science, we are looking into Earth’s resources and how they are used in a variety of ways. We will also be examining messages and advertising during Health.
During Technologies in the coming weeks, students will be creating a pool toy. Miss P has asked if the students could bring in materials from home that students could use to make this. Some suggestions include plastics, bottles, bottle caps, wine corks and foam.
Reminders:
Homework - Homework day is due Mondays
Library - Monday (Week B)
Have a great week.
Miss Ansell
Year 3
Hi all!
Here’s an update from Week 7 and 8. Can you believe we only have two more weeks to go?
Mathematics
The students continued to learn about measurement where they participated in a range of activities to measure length, mass, and capacity. Students used metric units like mm, cm, m, mL, L, g, and kg. The students also started to use an online program called IXL to continue to practice answering questions that directly reflect the learning that is happening in class.
Check out these photos of students measuring volume using measuring jugs and length using a tape measure…
English
This fortnight, the students completed their Book Study Assessment Project! They had so much fun completing the tasks both on the computer and in a workbook. To complete the project, the students described how authors use language features (like past tense verbs, saying verbs, onomatopoeia, and similes) and visual features (the pictures that help tell a story!). They also chose and described a key character and event from “Nerra” to describe how characters and events develop a story. Finally, they completed a range of comprehension questions to show their ability to identify literal meaning and describe inferred meaning from the text.
As per routine, students have been working hard to:
- enhance their writing skills with Writer’s Toolbox
(check out this em-dash sentence that one of the Year 3s wrote about their protagonist: Mr Bojangles— smart, curious, and fat—loved eating crabs and cake.) - learn to write using joined letters in handwriting
- learn new sounds each week to enhance their spelling skills
Religion
In Week 7, we started the week with a morning prayer session with Mr James Delaney. They read our focus scripture (Matthew 5:3-11 Jesus Teaches the People) to allow the words to flow through their body and minds. When participating in this prayer, students focused on one Beatitude teaching from Jesus and used it to guide their day. For example, some students chose the Beatitude value of righteousness to act with integrity and do the right thing no matter what.
HASS
Students created a map of Australia and its neighbouring countries, labelling the countries and creating a colour coded key to indicate the various climate zones. The students also analysed aerial photos of two places in Indonesia (Jakarta and Taba Padang) to describe their settlement type, settlement pattern, and natural, managed, and constructed features.
Reminders:
- Homework - Due Thursday
- PE uniform Tuesday
- Library every second Thursday (odd weeks - W1,3,5,7,9)
- Chaplain’s Breakfast - Tuesday and Thursday at 7:45am in MMS
Thank you
Laura Cook
Year 4
Hi all
For English we have been diving into some exciting and adventurous reading! The students have been exploring factual texts, focusing on two fascinating topics: Emperor penguin chicks and sustainability. We started by reading about the incredible journey of Emperor penguin chicks, who make a daring 15-metre leap off an ice shelf for their first swim. Following this, we turned our attention to sustainability, reading about how we can all play a part in protecting our planet. The students have shown great enthusiasm in discussing the importance of taking care of the environment and have been making connections between the texts we've read and real-world actions we can take.
In Maths, we've been sharpening our skills and learning some crucial concepts! During the last two weeks, we focused on naming angles in relation to a right angle. The students have become experts at identifying acute, obtuse, and right angles, and even learned how to compare them accurately. We’ve also been working on calculating the perimeter of various shapes. Starting with simple shapes, we gradually progressed to more complex figures, where students applied their knowledge of side lengths and addition to find the total perimeter.
For Religion, we’ve been reflecting on the powerful story where Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy. This story has encouraged us to think about the choices we make in our everyday lives and how we can be more compassionate and understanding towards others. To deepen our connection with the story, Mr. Delaney visited our class and led us through an Ignatian imaginative prayer. This special experience allowed us to place ourselves within the story, helping us to understand the emotions and lessons it holds on a more personal level.
Please don’t forget:
- Homework is due every Monday. This needs to be in on Monday to then be sent home the same day for the new week. If possible, I would love for this to be completed by Friday, however I understand that with the variety of extracurriculars that the Year 4 children participate in, this can be difficult.
- We will be visiting the Library every Friday. Please make sure your child brings their homework bag and any outstanding books on Fridays.
- Children need to wear their Sports Uniforms every Thursday.
Have a great fortnight.
Thank you,
Mairin Borlase
Year 5
Hello to all our families.
We have had another busy two weeks in Year 5. We have finished our Mini Olympics project with the Year 6, Prep and Year 1. The children not only worked on information texts about many aspects of the Olympics and presented their website to the Year 6 class but they also organised Mini Olympic games for Prep and Year 1. The children designed games, organised the sports equipment and explained the games to the younger children. It was great to see the Year 5 children’s confidence in giving instructions and ensuring everyone had an opportunity to join in and be successful. We all had a great time at the Book Week Parade, an interesting session with Life Education learning about making good decisions and an amazing time at the Fete.
English
Over the last two weeks the children have completed their website on their favourite country and presented it to the Year 3 class as part of their assessment. I was so very proud of them all. If you would like to see their work please let your child know and they can email you a link.
The children have also continued their weekly Soundwaves lessons. We worked on the sound ‘T’. ‘T’. is most commonly represented by the grapheme t (e.g. start, table).
The grapheme tt for ‘T’. is seen in the middle of words, after short vowel sounds (e.g. button, lettuce). Unusual graphemes for ‘T’. include te, bt, pt and tte (e.g. route, doubt, receipt, pirouette).
We have also worked on ‘or’ sound. We usually use a for ‘or’ before ‘ll’ (e.g. all, call, fall, also, always). The grapheme ar for ‘or’ is often used after ‘w’ (e.g. warm, quarter).
The grapheme al for ‘or’ is uncommon, but it is used in a few high frequency words (e.g. talk, walk).
Unusual graphemes for ‘or’ include oor, ough, augh, oa and ort (e.g. door, bought, caught, broad, mortgage).
I have also changed our silent reading time to reading a class novel. This will allow the children to experience modelled, shared and guided reading.
Maths
Over the last two weeks we have worked on grid references and began our shape unit. Within our shape unit we have covered 2D and 3D shapes including their properties. We have looked at nets of 3D shapes.
Religion
In Religion we have continued our new unit ‘Keeping the faith through love’. The children have learnt Jesus’ new commandment ‘love one another as I have loved you’. We have looked at how we show love in our everyday lives.
Homework
Homework is due on the Friday each week to allow me time to go over the work in class with the children. Please make sure homework is returned on Friday so the new homework can be reissued on Monday for the following week.
Specialist Subjects:
Monday: Japanese and Science
Tuesday: Drama
Wednesday: Health and Technology , students may wear their House Shirts to school
Thursday: Science and HASS
Friday: Sport and HASS Students may wear their Sports Uniform
Reminders:
- Tuesdays and Thursdays: Chaplaincy breakfast begins at 7:45am.
- Wednesday : Tuck shop orders due by 8.30am
Hope you have a great weekend.
Nicola Cullen
Year 6
Dear Families,
In Week 7 and 8, Year 6 have continued a very busy time - concluding our Science Week activities, Life Education visit and discussion about making informed decisions (drugs and alcohol), culminating in our fete and Silent Disco organisation. Thank you to everyone who supported our stall on Friday and the fete in general - a hugely successful evening. In Week 8, we celebrate Father's Day on Thursday, while Friday is a Pupil Free Day where staff are involved in professional development. Check out the photos on our class website - Book Week, Science Week, Baking and Headspace. During Week 8 and 9, we will complete several Maths and English assessments - if students are absent for a day, in Year 6 we aim to catch up with them on their return.
Maintaining high expectations has been a theme for the last couple of weeks. I have noticed that some of our learners have dropped their levels of what I expect as we move towards the end of the year. This has been hugely disappointing and I'd like you all to be aware that I have been 'on their case.' I do not ever want to be the teacher who takes away privileges, however there are some learners 'skating on thin ice.' Can you please all have a chat with your child about how they can raise their expectations to ensure the remaining 12 weeks of Year 6 can be focussed working, fun and enjoyable for all.
In English, we have continued to complete our work on informative texts, particularly volcanoes and natural disasters. This has been a great scientifically connected research text, which learners have enjoyed discovering more about. I have loved the discussions and what if... questions. Our reading continues to focus on the areas of comparing and contrasting and the main idea; this comprehension is completed through age appropriate challenging texts. In spelling, we have been investigating words containing the phonemes [or ore au aw a], [w wh u] and [v ve], the prefix auto- meaning self, prefix trans- meaning across, Latin Roots port meaning carry and form meaning shape, and also words with the suffix -ive. Our Sound Waves books have been coming home as Homework this term, this has been catch up work but is also preparation for high school where home workload may increase beyond reading, multiplication facts etc.
In Maths, we have completed our work on time and have begun to investigate algebra. The children have already demonstrated learning in this challenging area of maths; what they didn't realise is that they have already been secretly learning algebra for at least four years (without the letters though!) Being able to look at a number sequence and calculate the step sizes shows an understanding of the 'rule' that can be applied. Missing numbers in equations like the ones on our website page allowed learners to work logically to calculate the missing value (which later becomes letters in algebra). We have started to use an online resource IXL, which all children have home access for the next 90 days. This resource allows learners to work through the steps of algebra expressions as we work through them in class learning. Please check this out with them and discuss their learning about algebra! If you have a dart board, use it to give children a total that they must achieve in three darts.
Year 6 will be hosting assembly on Friday 6th September, we'd love you to join us to promote RUOK Day.
Kindest regards
Mike
UMY Subject Spotlight
Science with Mr Grehan and Mrs Schneekloth
Year 7 Science
This term in Science, Year 7 students have been tasked with answering the following question, ‘Which launch angle gives the longest horizontal distance?’ for their physics unit. In order to answer the big question, students investigated changes to an object’s motion is caused by unbalanced forces, including Earth’s gravitational attraction, acting on the objects.
Mrs Schneekloth
Year 8 Science : In Term 3, students have been engaged in the study of Cell Biology and microscopy. Investigation of cells including their structure and the function of organelles have been covered. Students prepared animal cells and plant cells using scientific techniques to view under three magnifications of X 10, X 20 and X40. Students will investigate how science has used biology of the cell and specifically cell division of mitosis and meiosis and how this knowledge is used in the treatment of cancer and other diseases.
Year 9 Science: This term students are investigating Energy transferred and transformed using particles and the phenomena of the particle model of energy transferred in waves. Students have examined the principles of energy use from new sources of energy such as wind and solar energy. Students described the impact on society and the necessity of energy requirements in the environment. Students researched the various sources of energy in the particle model and how such energy has been used in a changing environment. Students will evaluate the different sources of energy on the basis of efficiency, cleanliness, reliability, and how the growing need for energy can be maintained.
UMY Students also explained scientific phenomena through demonstrated experiments from Years 1 to 6 during Science week.
Mr Rob Grehan
Maths with Mr Delaney and Mr Grehan
Year 7 Maths: We spent the majority of this term on ALGEBRA. The dreaded word that seems to make students squirm. Happy to report, that by the end, the Year 7 students are a whole lot more confident about letters in their maths. We learned how to simplify by collecting like terms and multiplying, substituting and evaluating equations, and find missing values.
Recently, we have been revising the Cartesian plane and transformations. See below:
Eventually, students will complete multi-syep transformations within the coordinate grid.
Mr. James Delaney
Year 8 Maths: Students are studying and applying algebraic properties to rearrange, expand and factorise linear expressions. They graph linear relations and solve linear equations with rational solutions and one-variable inequalities, graphically and algebraically. Students use mathematical modelling to solve problems using linear relations, interpreting and reviewing the model in context. They make and test conjectures involving linear relations using digital tools.
Year 9 Maths: This term students are using the rules for linear relationships and algebraic expression to find the distance between 2 points on the Cartesian plane, the gradient and midpoint of a line segment. Students use mathematical modelling to solve problems involving linear functions. They graph functions and solve equations algebraically. Students describe the effects of variation of parameters on functions and relations, using digital tools and make connections between their graphical and algebraic representations. They use mathematical modelling to solve practical problems and evaluate the model by communicating their methods and findings.
Mr Rob Grehan
PE with Mr Timms
This term in PE, our students have been actively engaged in learning the game of cricket. Cricket has provided an excellent opportunity for students to develop a range of skills, from hand-eye coordination to teamwork and sportsmanship.
Our lessons have focused on the fundamentals, including batting, bowling, and fielding techniques. Students have learned how to work together as a cohesive team in the field. Through drills and mini-games, they’ve been able to apply these skills in game-like scenarios, fostering a deeper understanding of the sport.
In addition to the physical skills, we’ve emphasised the importance of communication and collaboration. Cricket is a team sport, and our students have demonstrated great enthusiasm in supporting one another, whether it’s through encouraging words or sharing strategies during gameplay.
It’s been a fantastic term of learning and growth, and we’re excited to see our students’ continued progress in PE.
Mr Matthew Timms
Technology
Over the coming weeks, the Prep- Year 2 students will be designing and creating water toys. Years 5 & 6 will be making a sustainable town, each student creating their own house
Miss Pucciarmati is asking for students to bring in any resources that they would like to use for their assessment.
Prep - Year 2 to bring plastic of any kind, bottles, bottle caps, wine corks, foam etc.
Years 5 & 6 to cardboard, corrugated card, foam, recycled plastics, wool, string, blue tack, etc.
Thanks
Youth Ministry & Chaplaincy
Important dates/reminders!
- Chaplaincy Breakfast: every Tuesday and Thursday before school @ 7:45. Due to morning prayer sessions and homeroom time for classes, we will begin to pack up from 8:10.
- Mini Vinnie’s: Our next Mini Vinnie’s session will be next week on Thursday (5/09) during Frist Break. We will be looking at our community and how we can engage in outreach. We may also be brainstorming ideas and ways to plan for our Vinnie’s sleep/hangout…
- Spirit in Action (SIA): Students in Years 6 to 9 are still encouraged to join our group! Our next session will be next Monday 9/09. To accommodate for the students participating in Rock Pop, we will meet from 3:30 to 4:30 - afternoon tea provided!
- Year 7 & 8 Retreat Day: these students will be the first to experience our retreat days. These experiences aim to provide students a chance to explore, deepen, and ask questions about their faith. Hopefully, this will give them a special and unique chance to engage closely with each other, or at the very least, enjoy a day at the dam together. This will take place on Wednesday Week 10. More information will be sent out next week - keep an eye out for emails from me!
The final designs for our badges!! We placed our order this week and can’t wait for them to arrive - see below. These will be for our senior Spirit in Action students, and the Year 6 Mini Vinnie’s. These will identify them as committed leaders in the youth ministry space at our school. Next term, it will be the responsibility of the Mini Vinnie’s students to initiate the Year 4 students into the group.
Yours in faith, hope & love
Mr Delaney
First Nations Education
Sean Choolburra Performance
Next Thursday, St. Joseph’s students and staff will watch a performance by Sean Choolburra. Sean Choolburra was born and raised in Townsville and his ancestors are Gu-Gu-Yalanji, Kalkadoon, Kandju and Bwgcolman from around Townsville and Palm Island. Sean trained and toured internationally with the Bangarra Dance Company and was the creator and leader of the Naroo Dancers.Charismatic, vibrant and captivating, Sean fuses his engaging energy and humour with historical facts, spiritual wisdom, depth of ancestral understanding and knowledge; he is one very exciting and talented cultural ambassador. Dance – stories – painting – fire creation – didgeridoo playing: all are presented with a wonderful array of artefacts, from fishing nets to hunting shields.Students are encouraged to dance, sing and participate!
Check out Sean on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pA04xG6ZHJg
Guidance Counsellor
A Special Report: Mobile Phone Separation Anxiety
The use of mobile phones and technology in schools has been a highly debated topic internationally, including in Australia. Almost all states and territories in Australia, have implemented full bans on mobile phones during class, recess, and lunch times, while allowing students to carry their phones during travel to and from school.
Critics argue that there is no evidence supporting the effectiveness of such bans, but this is a mischaracterisation. Studies have shown the positive impacts of mobile phone bans in schools. One study, conducted in 2016, found that banning mobile phones led to an increase in student performance, with test scores improving by 6.4% of a standard deviation. Similar studies from Spain and Norway also supported these findings.
For parents concerned about mobile phone separation anxiety in their children, it is important to acknowledge it as a real issue and discuss the negative effects of phone addiction, such as sleep problems and mental health issues. Gradually introducing phone-free periods at home, setting clear expectations and boundaries and modelling healthy behaviours can help your child cope. It is also crucial to establish a support network and seek professional help if needed. Implementing mobile phone bans in schools allows for better focus on teaching and learning, minimising distractions and interruptions.
This Special Report will help address mobile phone separation anxiety and provide guidance on supporting your child’s wellbeing during this transition period.
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-mobile-phone-separation-anxiety
Mrs Bec Greaves
Guidance Counsellor
Community Information
