Term 1 l Week 10 Newsletter

Key Information

• Last Day of Term - Thursday 31st March
• School Holiday Period - Friday 1st April to Monday 18th April
• Palm Sunday Mass - Sunday 10th April 8.30am 
• Holy Thursday Mass - Thursday 14th April 6.00pm
• Good Friday Mass - Friday 15th April 3.00pm
• Easter Vigil - Saturday 16th 7.00pm
• Easter Sunday Mass - Sunday 17th April 8.30am
• Term 2 Commences - Tuesday 19th April 

Tuckshop Menu:

Thank you to all volunteers who have helped each week throughout Term 1! If you wish to volunteer or contribute to Tuckshop in any way in Term 2, please contact the office or see Miss Jamie-Lea. All volunteers must complete a volunteer induction package. 

Uniform Shop

As advertised, all uniform items with the old logo are being sold at 50% off normal price. There are limited sizes as shown. If ordering online your discount will be applied when you collect your order from the Uniform Shop or office.

Uniform Shop Days:

• Monday 2.30-3pm
• Thursday: 8:10am-8:30am

Any requests for uniforms outside these days MUST be done via the link below. 

The uniform shop will not be open during the holidays. You can however order via the below link and pick them up on Tuesday 19th of April. 

Principal News

Welcome to Week 10, 

As we come to the end of Term 1, it is important that we reflect on the incredibly busy, but rewarding term that we have had. In Term 1 we united for the following events:

• Cyber Safety Week
• National Apology Day
• Blessing and introduction of our School Captains 
• Term 1 Virtual Parent Information Sessions 
• LoveBites for Years 7 to 9 
• MW and NW Trials for Rugby League, Netball and Touch Football
• Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday 
• Clean Up Australia Day
• QMEA: Water Yours, Ours, Mine for Year 7 students 
• Harmony Week 
• Opening Mass and St Joseph’s Feast Day 
• Day against Bullying 
• NAPLAN Practice Test 
• Ride to School Day 
• Life Education - Healthy Harold for Prep to Year 6 
• Musica Viva for our band students 
• Books in Homes 
• Holy Week activities

Due to the delayed start to the term it is important to note what we have been able to achieve together as a community. The above events are in addition to the incredible learning experiences our students have engaged in, in their classrooms. These have been showcased in our weekly newletters and at assembly. 

Week 10 Assembly & Easter Hat Parade
This Friday we have the opportunity to come together for one last time in Term 1 for our assembly at 8.40am in the Mary MacKillop Shed. The assembly area will be set up so please pop down to the shed after drop off for a tea / coffee / biscuit and chat with other parents. Our assembly will be followed by a Easter Hat Parade. We would love for you to join us. 

Term Dates
A reminder that Term 1 concludes on Thursday as Friday is an IPRASS Day. IPRASS Day's are a remote area scheme to allow travel time for our staff, parents and families due to our rural and remote location. This means that students and staff will not be at school on Friday. We have two of these days a year, the second being in Term 3. 

The first 3 Monday’s in Term 2 are Public Holidays, school will therefore resume on Tuesday the 19th of April. 

Timetables:
In Term 1 St Joseph’s implemented a two week timetable, this meant that we worked on an A week and a B week cycle. In my newsletter at the beginning of the term I outlined some issues we had with this timetable, especially with library and PE classes not falling on the same day each week. Please note that this has been corrected. Your child’s day for library and PE may change in Term 2, however, this will mean that it will be the same day each week. As an example if your child has PE on Monday in Week 1, they will have this on Monday in Week 2. Thank you for your patience and understanding with this. This will be communicated by your child's classroom teacher. 

COVID-19 Cases:
There have been 7 close contacts and 9 positive cases of COVID-19 reported this week. 

I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday period. 

God Bless you and your families, 

Samantha Kelley
Principal 

APRE News

Welcome to week 10! Thank you to all the families who joined us for our Children’s Mass on Sunday. I wish to say a special thank you to all the children who participated in the mass, whether they were reading, acting out the gospel, singing or bringing up the gifts, it was their presence that makes these gatherings so special - So thank you to all who participated!

This week the students are participating in “Holy Week” rotations. We first gathered as a whole school and watched the Easter Story yesterday. Then over this week classes will participate in rotations of the four main events that led up to Easter Morning. 

These activities include; 

• Palm sunday where they create a booklet on the Easter story, 
• The Last supper where we share wine (grape juice) and unleavened  bread (tortillas) and act out the “Last Supper”, 
• The Stations of the Cross in the church and lastly 
• Easter Morning where the students bake “Empty Tomb Rolls” marshmallows (Jesus)  wrapped in puff pastry (cloth) - when cooked the marshmallow melts away leaving an empty tomb.  

Holy week is an important time for Chrisitans and it is through these rotations that children gain a deeper understanding of the events leading up to Easter Morning. 

I would like to thank all our students, families, staff and friends of St Joseph's for their support and engagement in our school gatherings over our first term. For those who are traveling away for the break may you travel safely. I look forward to welcoming everyone back after what I hope will be a restful Easter Break.  May you enjoy this Easter to its true spirit and make every blessing count.

Easter blessing to all! 

Therese Curley
APRE

How Do Catholics Celebrate Holy Week?

The special ceremonies that commemorate the events of Christ’s Passion from His entrance into Jerusalem, when palm branches were placed in His path, through His arrest on Holy Thursday and Crucifixion on Good Friday, to Holy Saturday, the day that Christ’s body lay in the tomb. Finally to His resurrection on Easter morning.

St Colmans’ Holy Week liturgical services will be celebrated in the Church on:

• Palm Sunday April 10th 8:30 am
• Holy Thursday: Mass of the Lord’s Supper April 14th 6pm
• Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion April 15th 3pm
• Easter Vigil (Saturday) April 16th 7pm
• Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord (Easter morning) April 17th at 8:30 am

Pastoral Care

Positive Parenting
Despite the best efforts of parents around the world, the reality is, there is no such thing as the ‘perfect parent’. However, arming yourself with the right information is a good start!

Research shows that one of the most important protective factors in the lives of young people, is a close relationship with a supportive adult. With the mental health of today’s young people being at an all-time low, it is simply not enough to parent effectively. Parents need to familiarise themselves with practical skills, knowledge and strategies when it comes to raising children.

Many parents today are over-protective, resulting in children being less independent, unable to problem-solve or self-regulate. Parents are failing to set clear boundaries, which is unfortunately making kids feeling less secure. There is too much pressure on kids today. Parents fill their days with too many activities in an effort to avoid their child’s boredom.

In this edition of SchoolTV, parents will learn what is the best approach for primary and secondary school aged children.

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 either Toni Schneekloth, Pastoral Care Leader, or Rebecca Greaves, Guidance Counsellor, for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to the Positive Parenting edition of SchoolTV

https://sjctsv.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/positive-parenting

Wishing you all a restful holiday with your family! See you back on 19th April! 

Toni Schneekloth
Pastoral Leader

Prep

Good afternoon,

I cannot believe it is already the last week of the term!

Week 10 is only a 4 day week as there is no school on Friday.

Healthy Harold visited the Preps this week. The Prep class loved this visit. The lead up to Easter is an important time in the Christian Year and will be celebrated with Holy Week Activities each day this week. Prep will also be involved with Easter craft and activities during class time. Due to the extra activities and the short week, there will be no Literacy Groups. Thank you very much to the parents who have been helping in our literacy time. I will not be at school on Thursday. I am a little sad about this as I will miss the Easter Bunny visiting! I hope you have a safe and restful Easter break.

Reminders:

• Please return any library books before the holidays.
• Holy Week Activities will be during our library and PE times this week.
• Wednesday: Order tuckshop
• Thursday: Tuckshop and last day of school.

Yours in fun and learning,

Mrs McLauchlan and Miss Tamara

Year 1

Hello Year 1 parents and caregivers,

Welcome to Week 10!!

This week we have some awesome holy week activities planned for each afternoon. We will also be partaking in an Easter Bonnet parade on Thursday morning after the whole-school assembly so we'll spend tomorrow designing and creating our Easter Bonnets. 

Reminders:

• This week is Week B!
• Sport: Monday with Mr Murray. Please have your child wear their sports uniform.
• Library: Is on Thursday with Mrs Chaplain.
• Tuckshop: Tuckshop orders are due on Wednesday! 
• Please note that while at our Liturgy the Easter Bunny will be coming to our Year 1 classroom. Please let me know if your child will require an alternative to chocolate. 

Have a fantastic holiday,

Miss Mae-Louise Brock

Year 2

Hi all,

This week we are finishing off any outstanding assessments we have. There will be no homework this week!

Year 2 have had a busy week engaging in Holy Week activities. This is a time for them to join other year groups as we celebrate the most sacred week in the church year. 

We also had Jordan from Life Education present to the year 2 students last Friday for Healthy Harold. The topic that we focused on is Growing Good Friends. The students loved this and have been talking about this throughout the week. 

On Thursday we will join together for assembly in the Mary MacKillop Shed from 8.40am, followed by an Easter Hat Parade. The easter bunny will also be visiting our class while we are at the assembly. 

Thank you for a wonderful term! I wish you all a safe and Happy Easter.

Miss Ansell

Year 3

Hi everyone,

Welcome to the last week of Term 1. I’m sure you can agree this term has flown by and it’s hard to believe we only have a few days until the holidays.

We have a busy week ahead, full of end of term activities and Easter fun:

• Class party - our class party will be on Thursday! We will play some games and watch a movie. Students are welcome to bring in a small treat to share. 

• Good Friday Liturgy and Easter Hat Parade - we will be having our whole school Good Friday Assembly on Thursday morning, followed by the ‘Easter Hat Parade’. Students will be making their hats in class on Wednesday.  

• Easter Bunny - the Easter Bunny will be visiting our classroom on Thursday and dropping off some easter eggs for each student. 

• We are just about finished with our assessments for the term, except for a few final bits of work. We will be revising the concepts that we have covered this term and pre-learning some content for next term. 

 Finally, I'd like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all of you and your children for a wonderful and enriching first term.

Have a great week ahead and a restful holiday!

Miss Suzannah Coombs

Year 4

Hi Everyone,

We have made it! As we approach our final day of Term 1 I would like to wish everyone a happy Easter and hope you all have a lovely time with your family over the holidays. I hope all our Year 4 students return with fresh enthusiasm and love of learning!

Eggs- Do you or someone you know have a rooster and could provide our class and the Year 2 class with fertile eggs? We were hoping to put the eggs in the incubator early in Term 2 so would love it if you could let us know this week if you can provide any for after the holidays.

Mrs Lesley Wall

Year 5

Welcome to week 10! What an enjoyable term in year 5!

This week students will engage with:

Monday: Healthy Harold, Literacy and Numeracy activities and Holy week rotations.

Tuesday: Some of our students will be engaging in music this morning from 8:40-10:40am, numeracy and literacy activities, easter craft and Holy Week rotations.

Wednesday: Stem activities, art, library, Holy Week rotations.

Thursday: Final day! Class party, class games and Holy week activities.

A huge thank you to every single student, parent and colleague on making this term so enjoyable. I can't wait to hear about the growth of every student and their learning journey over the course of the year. I hope to see everyone soon.

Have a safe, happy and enjoyable Easter break.

Alastair Fraser

Year 6

Welcome to Week 10!

Wow! Week 10… Crazy that it’s here already. This week will be hectic!

Our learning focuses for this week:

Religion: We are taking a break from our regular curriculum for the week and will be picking up where we left off next term. This week, we are participating in a range of Holy Week activities and practicing for our assembly liturgy which will be this Thursday morning! Year 6 will be presenting the prayer on Thursday. 

English: By the end of the week, students will have written their creative diary entries and after viewing the Holes movie they will complete a short responsive task to compare to the novel. 

Mathematics: We will be ending the term by beginning to explore problems involving the properties of angles. 

HaSS: Students will have some opportunities to complete their proposal slideshow assessment and if time permits, we will continue our learning about migration as a result of factors that cause poverty. 

Have a safe holiday and a blessed Holy Week!

Mr. Delaney & The Year 6 Legends

Recap P-6 Technology

Our technology content has been streamlined this year, with all students from Prep to 6 starting with digital systems in Term 1. 

Prep - Year 2 have looked at different devices and what they are used for. It is trickier than it sounds, because today's technology is so SMART! Watches can make phone calls and phones can watch movies! We sang rhymes and played games to help us with sequencing to lead into Term 2 content. 

Grades 3 & 4 looked at peripheral devices; all those gadgets you can attach to technology like USBs, headphones etc, as well as software used by devices. They used their understanding to predict what kind of peripheral devices would be needed to read code files. These were of course hilarious puns. Students even began making their own code files. They assured me theirs would be more hilarious than mine. I maintain that nothing will beat "What kind of photos do turtles take? Shell-fies!"

Grade 5 & 6 explored some new technology this term, using gadgets called Touchboards to make interactive music/sound makers. They experimented with electric paint, copper tape, lead pencil and alligator clips to conduct the signals from their personally designed interface to the Touchboards. The highlight for me was the Generating Ideas phase. Teaching students how to create and develop original designs is so rewarding. It builds confidence & resilience and encourages imagination; all the good things!

We continue with digital technologies in Term 2, and look at Design Technologies for Terms 3 & 4.

Mrs Tania Laffey

Library

Hello to Everyone,

Library has gone well this term. If you could remind your children that they must have a library bag to be able to borrow books as a book protection strategy.

Prep students can borrow 2 books a week and the rest of the school can borrow up to 4 books.

I also received this information about Story Box: 
This could be good news for the holidays.
Drum roll please…the first ever StoryBox app is here!
Free to download (with an active subscription) onto Apple and Android devices, a world
of stories is now even easier to access.

Download the StoryBox app now, featuring:

 Over 400 diverse stories, with new stories added regularly
 Quick and easy search filters and playlist functions
 Language learning and audio-visual support, including closed-captioning
 Individual profile settings for parents and children for family subscribers

Mrs Chris Chaplain 

Teacher Librarian 

Student Wellbeing

As we get closer to the school holidays it is important to take some time to consider how the change in daily routine may affect our young people.

While most people consider words such as relaxing, quiet, enjoyable and fun as synonymous with school holidays, for some people they may think of them as chaotic, scary, lonely or overwhelming. 

Planning some self-care with your young person may assist them in maintaining their wellbeing during this time. Below are some ideas that they may like to try but you will likely find that, if you ask them, they will have ideas about things they like to do and that help them to feel good. Self-care activities do not have to cost money or take significant amounts of time and effort to implement but they will have a positive impact on your child. 

More ideas are available in the “Wellbeing Activities” booklet available at https://education.qld.gov.au/students/student-health-safety-wellbeing/student-wellbeing

Mulkadee 2022

Registrations for Mulkadee 2022 close THIS FRIDAY! This is open to students from Year 6 - 9.

The Mulkadee Youth Arts Festival is the only event of its kind in Australia, and offers students from across the Townsville Diocese the opportunity to participate in a week-long program of artistic workshops in choir, dance, drama, band, guitar and strings.

Mulkadee is in its 17th year and has become an integral part of the Townsville Arts calendar with industry experts sharing their talents with over 750 students.

This year Mulkadee will be a variety show format and will also have an added element of audio-visual allowing Townsville Catholic Education to showcase the incredible talent in our diocese.

 Held from Monday 18 to Friday 22 July, 2022, Mulkadee provides a unique experience for students to learn from industry experts and culminates in a performance to a sell-out crowd of family and friends at the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre on Friday 22 July.

If you are interested or have any questions, please send Miss Ansell an email: lansell5@sjctsv.catholic.edu.au

Project Compassion Fundraiser

Alpha Program

Employment Opportunties - Teachers & School Officers

We are currently recruiting a teacher to join our team in Term 2 - teaching The Arts, 3 days a week. Please apply by clicking the following link: https://applynow.net.au/jobs/ni/TCE1549-teacher

We are seeking two school officers to join our team in Term 2. For more information please contact our office, alternatively please apply by clicking the following link: https://applynow.net.au/jobs/ni/TCE1561

We are seeking casual School Officers and qualified Teachers to cover sick and leave days.  For more information please contact our office.
Teaching staff will need to apply here > https://tceo-portal.applynow.net.au/jobs/TCE679-supply-teacher-registration-2021

Community Notices - Guitar Lessons

Jill Fisher will be holding guitar lessons for any children interested! These will be occuring at St Joseph's Catholic School. Please contact Jill directly if you would like more information.  

Cloncurry Poetry Competition

The Cloncurry Prize – Junior Poetry Competition is back for another year! The competition is open to all Queensland school aged individuals.

The theme of the 2022 Cloncurry Prize Poetry Competition is “Spirit of the Outback”. Attached is a flyer.

 Key Dates:

• Entries open: Now!
• Entries close: Friday 13 May 2022 at 11:59 AEST

Prizes:

• First prize - $250
• Second prize - $150
• Third prize - $100

How to enter
Email your poem to cloncurryprize@cloncurry.qld.gov.au clearly stating the entry is for the junior competition.

The file name should include the Title followed by the Poets Name e.g. The Cameleers Saddle – Bob Down.

Should you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us or visit our website. www.cloncurry.qld.gov.au/cloncurry-prize

Looking forward to reading some great poetry!

Cloncurry Prize Team

PCYC School Holiday Activities

The PCYC will be celebrating the commencement of Youth Week on Friday with a Disco, Games and Pizza night. This will be hosted by our Youth Leadership Team (YLT). 

They will also be hosting some Easter themed activities for 6 – 10 year old’s. 

There will also be a fishing day in conjunction with Landcare. This will have limited spaces, and each participate will take home their own tackle box full of goodies. This will be advertised via the PCYC Cloncurry Facebook page next week.

Opportunities for Youth

Dear Parents,

Please see some of the fantasic upcoming opportunities for students with disabilities that are occurring in Townsville.

Footy Tipping

It is that time of the year again, although cutting it nice and fine (better late than never). Today is Team List Tuesday and that means that Round 1 of the NRL kicks off this Thursday!

The inaugural SJC Tipping Competition will be running again in 2022!!I am sure we can all agree that after the beginning of the year that we have all endured it is only right and deserved to participate in some healthy competition to bring our SJC community together. Hopefully, we see the return of some famous names such as 'The Big Tipper', 'TSneek', and the cunning, committed, competitive parents that are seasoned veterans to the competition. There can be only one winner! Who will claim the ultimate bragging rights? Who can knock Miss Lovett from her perch?

See the competition link below. Absolutely no entry fee required.https://www.footytips.com.au/comps/sjc_nrl_tips_2022