Term 4 Week 7

Key Information

Term 4 Important Dates

• Prep Transition Day - Tuesday 15th November 
• Move Up Morning - Friday 18th November 
• 2023 Student Leader Elections - Tuesday 22nd November 
• Year 9 Graduation Dinner - Thursday 24th November 
• End of Year Mass - Friday 25th November
• Year 6 Graduation Evening - Wednesday 30th November 

Please note that students in years 7 to 9 conclude term 4 on Friday 25th of November. Students in prep to year 6 conclude term 4 on Friday 2nd of December. 

Tuckshop Menu:

Orders to be in by 8.30am Wednesday morning! Click the link to order!

https://myschoolconnect.com.au/

A little note for all Parents & Friends -
If you are needing to contact Miss Jamie-Lea, please call the office on 47421633 Wednesday/Thursday, or alternatively on her email jmcconachy@sjctsv.catholic.com.au

Uniform Shop

Open Days:

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

Any requests for uniforms outside of these days MUST be done via the link below. Please click the link to access the Uniform shop! https://myschoolconnect.com.au/

Orders have been placed with stockists and we are confident that all items will be available for purchase in January. Please keep an eye out for new information towards the end of the term relating to uniforms.

Principal News

Welcome to Week 7,

The term is flying by with our teachers working hard to finalise assessments and reporting for students and families. The assessment and reporting cycle is a crucial point in a student's development as it is a time of reflection. In preparation for the upcoming assessment results, I encourage you to talk with your child about what they are learning at school, what they are finding challenging and why, as well as what they are excelling in and why that might be. This will create a foundation of reflection for when reporting is released to families towards the end of the term. 

Move Up Day 
We are very excited about ‘Move Up Day’ this coming Friday, which will begin after our assembly. This is such a great opportunity for students to go into their new classrooms and meet their teachers for 2023. 

The transition to a new school year is an important milestone for both children and their families. We do however acknowledge that transitioning to a new year level, classroom and teacher can bring with it a different level of anxiety and uncertainty for many of our students and families. The ‘Move Up Day’ event this Friday is in place to foster a positive environment for students in preparation for 2023. It allows students to move into their new classrooms, meet their new teachers and establish relationships before they conclude the school year, which in return will make the transition easier for many. 

We welcomed our new 2023 Prep students this morning to their first orientation day and will be welcoming them back on Friday for Move Up Day. 

Following assembly this Friday there will be morning tea in the library for parents and carers. Grace Reid our Speech Pathologist and Bec Greaves our Guidance Officer will be joining us at this morning tea to provide a ‘How to prepare for Prep’ presentation. If you’re not a prep parent we would still love you to join us as Grace and Bec will present about their role in the school and how they can assist your child. School uniforms will also be on display during this morning tea and can be ordered during this time. 

End-of-Year Activities
You may have noticed that our end-of-year activities are a little bit different this year. On Wednesday of Week 8 (23rd November), we will have an awards night and Christmas concert at the Cloncurry Council Building— we are very excited. We will then have our school mass on Friday of Week 8 (24th November) - in this mass, we will celebrate our preps' first year of schooling, the right of passage for year 6 students and the graduation of our year 9 students. We will also bless all departing students, families and staff members. 

2023 School Leaders and House Captains

It has been great to see so many students interested in becoming a School Leader or House Captain in 2023. It is important that students hand their speech into the office this week for proofing by Mrs Schneekloth and myself prior to their speech next Tuesday. 

The speech date is next Tuesday the 22nd of November at 9:30am in the Mary MacKillop Shed. Please join us for this occasion. Voting will then begin straight after the speeches. Teachers will then come together straight away to begin tallying the votes. 

Please note that the house captains and school leaders for 2023 will be announced at the Awards Night and Christmas Concert on Wednesday 23rd November. Parents will be notified on the day of the speeches if their child has a school leadership position in the following year. We will also notify parents of children who didn’t get a position. 

The number of students running this year is the highest we have seen. Please talk with your child about the valuable lessons they have learnt while preparing their manifesto, speech and presenting this in front of their peers. It isn’t possible for all students to be selected for a leadership position in 2023, but it is possible for them to keep leading alongside their peers. 

2023 Enrolments

As communicated via email last week it is important that we know which students will be departing St Joseph’s at the end of the year. Please complete the linked google form if your child will be departing. We will farewell your child/children at the End of Year Mass on Friday 25th November. 

Enjoy your week, 

God Bless,

Mrs Samantha Kelley

Principal 

APRE News

Welcome to week 7! On Sunday it was lovely to welcome Fr Mick back to the community after his time away to focus on his health. At the start of Mass, he thanked everyone for their prayers and the support he had received in his absence. It was lovely to have him back and we look forward to celebrating our End of Year events with him. 

World Kindness Day!

On Sunday it was World Day of Kindness. In 1998, the World Kindness Movement launched World Kindness Day as a worldwide holiday to promote kindness. Each year on November 13, World Kindness day is observed. Today— World Kindness Day— we can reflect on one of the most important and universal human qualities. On this day, raise awareness of and support this fundamental attribute that links people from all walks of life by recognizing the beneficial impact of all acts of kindness.

This week on Assembly Year 2 will present a prayer with a focus on Kindness.  

Mrs Therese Curley
APRE

Pastoral Care

Just a few reminders from our Student Representative Council (SRC)!

The SRC is holding its annual appeal for non-perishable grocery items for those in need this Christmas. These items will be donated to those in our local community. Items in particular need are nappies, toothbrushes & toothpaste, deodorant, soap, washing powder and cleaning products in addition to food items.

In Week 9, the SRC is holding a final fundraiser on Thursday 1st December.  Come and join them for a Movie Night with funds raised going to provide prizes and a small Christmas bag of goodies for our Cloncurry Seniors. Entry is $10 per child and this will also provide dinner!  The movie will start at 6pm and finish at 8pm for collection by parents from the Library. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our hard-working SRC members - they come from all year levels with ideas and enthusiasm to make our school community a better place.  Well done to all and hope to see you volunteering again next year!

Mrs Toni Schneekloth 
Pastoral Leader

Prep

Week 7 news,

Only 3 weeks to go! We have almost made it to the end of the year! I am treasuring every day left with my 2022 Prep class as it is almost time to hand them on to Miss Brock 

Literacy rotations have now concluded for the year. Thank you so much to those of you that have helped out! 

Homework/Readers will not be sent home anymore. Please bring any readers that you have at home back and let us know if they are lost or misplaced.

On Tuesday at 8.30am, the 2023 Preps will be coming in for the morning. Our current Prep class will be taken to another room with Mrs Cullen until the first lunch.

On Friday we have "move up day" and every class in the school will move up to the classroom they will be in next year. The 2023 Preps will be coming into Prep again for that morning and our current class will spend the morning with Miss Brock.

It is the busy time of the year, family Christmas gifts from the Preps are being finished and wrapped. Please let us know if your child is not going to be at school up until the last day. This is so we have time to organise all their end-of-year things, ready to send home. 

In class this week we will be finishing InitialLit lessons and revising what has been learnt, practicing the "Going on a Bear Hunt" performance (which is being performed on Friday at assembly), practicing for our Christmas concert song, decorating gingerbread people which will be used as a writing prop, revising numbers to 20 and beyond, exploring the nativity story and participating in Christmas craft and activities. 

Reminders:

• Tuesday - 2023 Prep class will be in Prep until 10.30am. In the morning the current class will put their things away, mark the roll and head to another room with Mrs Cullen.
• Wednesday - Swimming. Students are to be dropped off at the pool at 8.20am.
• Thursday - Tuckshop and library
• Friday- "Going on a Bear Hunt" performance at assembly and "Move up" to Year 1 morning.

Yours in fun and learning,

Miss Tamara Williams and Mrs Sharon McLauchlan

Year 1

Welcome to week 7!

What a fun and busy week ahead, this week in Year 1 we have started revising all mathematics concepts that we have learnt over the last year. We have also started a mini HASS unit where we are looking at Christmas traditions around the world. Students will create a passport to travel to different countries and explore that country's traditions.

Reminders:

• Wednesday:: Sport with Mr Murray, we are swimming!
• Thursday: Library with Mrs Chaplain
• Friday: 'Move up Morning' following assembly

Homework: No readers - As of this week we will not be sending readers home. Due to it being close to the end of the year, we will start collecting and scanning all year-one readers so we can audit them.

Have a fantastic week,

Miss Mae-Louise Brock and the always fun in Year 1’s!

Year 2

Hi all,

This week we are learning:

English: We have been working on including different sentence types in our writing. Our tricky words are: interesting, would, wouldn’t

Maths: During maths rotations this week we will be interpreting data and continuing to work on addition and subtraction strategies

Religion: We have just finished our assessment on healing Relationships through reconciliation and prayer. We will now look at Saints and how they apply forgiveness and reconciliation to their lives

HASS: Significant sites and why we need to take care of them

Reminders

• Swimming is on Wednesdays. Due to this, our Sport day has been moved to Wednesday.
• Drama on Tuesdays
• Library is on Thursdays
• Our Homework day is Wednesday. Please make sure homework is brought back in so I can have new readers checked out and a new sheet glued in.

Miss Leonie Ansell

Year 3

Welcome to week 7

We are in the final few weeks of the 2022 school year. Time seems to have flown by so quickly.

We have a few students still completing assessments but our main focus now is the revision of foundation knowledge in both literacy and numeracy.

Literacy - this week we go back to basics - punctuation is used to convey and clarify the meaning of written language. Our students are being reminded that if they write without punctuation, their writing won’t make sense. 

We are also assessing reading levels. It is great to see the progress our students are making with their reading ability and stamina.

Numeracy - place value provides the foundation for all other areas in maths. We are working in small groups to really focus on any gaps in our place value knowledge.

Christmas song - we try to practice this every day.

Homework this week is to complete a graphic organiser of a nonfiction book.

Reminders

• Wednesday - Swimming
• Thursday - library
• Friday - assembly and 'move up' day

Have a great week

Mrs Deb McCann

Year 4

Hi Everyone,

The students are well into their assessment tasks and are all working really hard to showcase their best work. I have been so impressed by their independence and willingness to stay on task.

HaSS- Students have almost completed their investigation and will then go on to create a diorama of their animal enclosure. Could all students please bring in a box e.g. shoe box, drink carton to complete this task. We also need a box each for our Christmas concert act, please.

Secret Santa- This year our class would like to participate in Secret Santa. Students will choose another name out of a hat and then buy a present under $10. If you do not want your child to participate, please let me know before this Friday when we will draw out names.

If you have any shoe boxes or boxes of a similar size at home, could you please send them in. Each student will need one box to create their animal enclosure for HaSS.

Have a great week!

WE NEED THESE PLEASE (shoe boxes)

Have a great week!

Mrs Lesley Wall

Year 5

Hi everyone,

Happy Week 7! This week we have been displaying photos and thoughts from camp and displaying them in the office and Y5 classroom - if you have a spare minute, please feel free to pop in after school to have a look.

English:

Students have been finalising their Informative Text, Kahoot quiz and website ready for their presentation with Year 2 students on Wednesday. We have also continued to use Writer’s Toolbox as a daily challenge to improve our word count, sentence variety and quality of our writing.

Maths:

Finalising our end-of-year assessments has been the primary focus - this has highlighted rounding and +/- strategies as areas for us to focus our learning. We are also wrapping up our assessments of shape, symmetry, transformations and reflections.

Key Dates/Times:

Moving Up:

Friday 18th November is when our Year 5 students become Year 6 for the morning. This is an important part of the transition to meet and greet their new teacher and get a feel for their new classroom space.

Swimming Lessons: 

• Please be aware that our lessons change to the following days for our last two weeks.
• Week 8 - Wednesday
• Week 9 - Monday

Awards/Christmas Concert: 

• Week 8 - Wednesday (Please join us at 5:15pm in the Shire Council)

Enjoy your week,

Mr Mike Tarleton 

Year 6

Welcome to Week 7!

This week’s learning focuses:

Religion: Students will explore the core scripture that highlights Jesus’ New Law and demonstrate their understanding by making connections to Old Testament stories. 

English: This week, steaming ahead with the writing of their fantasy narratives based on the characters they created and the role-playing game they completed. We will also finish reading Fireborn and respond to the text. 

Maths: Students are wrapping up their maths for the term by looking at probability - particularly, by exploring expected and observed frequency. 

HaSS: We will be exploring Australia’s parliament, including the roles and responsibilities of ministers. 

Keep an eye out for communication regarding PE dates and times over the coming weeks!
Library is still on Wednesdays - if there are any books that belong to the school library that are still at home, please send these to school with the kiddos. 

Have a blessed week!

Mr. James Delaney and the Year 6 Legends!

UMY Spotlight

Year 7 & 8 - Civics and Citizenship

Civics and citizenship education builds students' knowledge and understanding of the ways in which citizens can actively participate in Australia's diverse and inclusive society. 

It focuses on three main areas of knowledge: government and democracy, laws and citizens and diversity, citizenship and identity.

At St. Joseph’s, this subject falls under the Humanities portfolio, along with History, Geography and Business and Economics. The subjects of Civics and Citizenship and Business and Economics are delivered as intensive subjects - delivered over the course of a few weeks, for the allocated four lessons of Humanities per week.

Currently, our Year 7 students are studying Civics and Citizenship and will complete a few small assessment pieces based on the three areas of knowledge utilising the skills that will be taught.  This week to consolidate our knowledge of the Australian constitution, students completed an online quiz using questions devised in class.  Check out Kahoot with your student - it is a great interactive way to deliver content and get feedback on student understanding!

Year 7 & 8 LOTE (Japanese)

This term the students have been learning about a heap of different Japanese Suupaa Hiiros (see below). 

They learned about their backstories, particularly what they can and can’t do. To further this learning, we learned the days of the week in Japanese. As a result, the students have been tasked with creating a week in the life of one of these heroes (some students sought my permission to use a different Japanese superhero that they know). They used a storyboard template to create a comic strip that included illustrations of what the heroes can/can’t do throughout the week. This task encouraged them to demonstrate their learning of complex sentence structure, using all three Japanese scripts, correct verb tense, and even some creative drawing. 

Library News

Welcome to Term 4,

A busy term ahead with the Reading Challenge, Books in Homes and all the Christmas festivities coming towards the end of term.

For those eager to join the Reading Challenge we are having at school, I ask you to come and borrow some books from the Library. As it is a school Reading Challenge, books from the library are only allowed. We have plenty to offer for all ages.

I hope this will bring enjoyment to our children and encourage them to read more.

Mrs Chris Chaplain

Teacher/Librarian.

Student Wellbeing

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 and unable to problem-solve or self-regulate. Parents are failing to set clear boundaries, which is unfortunately making kids feel 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.

Here is the link to the Positive Parenting edition of SchoolTV

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

Emerging Leaders Presentations 2022

Friday Afternoon Fundraiser

We will have Icy Poles for sale each Friday to help raise funds for Catholic Mission. Please keep an eye out in the primary eating area. The door will open around 2.50pm. 

Save the Date - Awards Night & Christmas Concert

We will be trialling a new way to acknowledge the achievement of our students and celebrate Christmas this year. We have booked the Cloncurry Shire Council for this evening. We hope that this change will make the end-of-year mass a little bit shorter - due to our school numbers growing we can no longer fit in the Church for this celebration and it is quite hot under the shed.

CHOIR/BAND

Our choir and band will be performing at the Awards Night next Wednesday night. They do not need to wear anything special but if you have any reindeer antlers they would be greatly appreciated. 

The following students are our regular attendees and will be performing on the night-:

Adeline Campbell, Molly Mitchell, Erin Cullen, Audrey Smith, Kirani Dissanayaka, Jasmine Carstairs, Olivia Campbell, Gemma Pratt, Brydee Gresham, Aubree Lowe, Peggie Hansen, Jasmine Kidd, Sarah Richardson, Chelsea Saunders, Grace Swalling, James Marriott, Hannah Lawlor, Reggie Lawlor.

If I have left anyone off the list could you please let me know ASAP.

Thanks,

Lesley Wall

Week 8/9 Events - Save the Date

Road Safety & Parking

Parents and Carers, 

You may have noticed that we have had police assistance at the Sheaffe Street crossing. Please note that this has been requested as we have had a number of concerns raised about cars travelling quite fast along Sheaffe Street and children not looking before they walk across the road. 

A road safety session was conducted this morning with students in our primary school by Constable Lauchy. Please spend some time talking with your child/children about the importance of stopping, looking and listening before they cross the road. It is also important that they don't start to cross the road until the approaching car has come to a full stop. 

If your child is in prep, year 1 or year 2 we kindly ask that they are accompanied across the road by either an older sibling and/or a parent/carer. 

There are also designated 'no standing zones' on either side of the crossing. Please do not park in these zones at any time, regardless of how quick you will be. These zones are there to ensure drivers have visibility of the crossing. If parents/carers are parking here it limits visibility for oncoming cars. 

Parking and Road Rules

Parking and stopping rules apply at all times unless the signed area lets you know otherwise. You may receive a fine if you commit one of the following offences:

• Park or stop along the length of the road indicated by a no-stopping sign.
• Park or stop where there is a no parking sign
• Park or stop within 10m of any intersection without traffic lights unless:
• there are road signs that tell you that you can
• or it is a T-intersection and you are parking along the continuous side of the continuing road
• Park or stop within 20m before, or 10m after, a pedestrian crossing (unless there are signs telling you differently).
• Park or stop on a bicycle path, footpath, shared path, dividing strip, nature strip, or painted island unless signs tell you otherwise.

The yellow-painted zone along Ham Street next to the school is for drop-and-go or pick-up-and-go. This area is not for parking and leaving your car. For parents that need to walk into the school grounds please park on either Sheaffe Street or George Street, or alternatively on the opposite side of Ham Street and utilize the crossing.

Please also remember that parking within 20m before, or 10m after a pedestrian crossing may incur a fine from QLD Police if caught doing so.

Community Notices

Family Day Care Vacancies