2023 Week 9 Term 1
- Principal's Message
- Assistant Principal Mission
- Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching
- Principal 3R Awards
- Cross Country
- Dates for 2023
- Holy Week Play
- Sport
- P & F Doughraiser
- Canteen
- Uniforms
- New School Fee Structure
- ANZAC DAY TUESDAY 25th APRIL 2023
- 2024 Enrolment Year 7
- Domino's MND fundraiser
- Compass
- CSO Child Protection Policy and Procedures 2023 with Mandatory Reporting
- April School Holidays at your local Library
- Council Splashfest 2023
Bless us, God, that we may have hearts full of peace. May we strive to be reconciled to You and to one another. Help us to always remember and live by the words that Jesus shared with his disciples when he taught them to pray:
“Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
Amen.
Dear Parents
This week on Wednesday evening, many of our wonderful Year 3 students (and a couple of older students as well) celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a special part of our Catholic faith journey and students have been preparing for this since early in the Term. Through various Gospel stories, they have explored the concepts of forgiveness, love and responsibility. In learning about the Sacrament of Reconciliation, they have learned more about self-reflection, understanding the power of our words and actions, asking for forgiveness and saying sorry. The Sacramental celebrations were a beautiful culmination of the students’ learning during class over recent weeks. We congratulate them on this special step in their faith journey.
Farewell Mrs Power
Mrs Jessica Power has made the very difficult decision to step away from her role as classroom teacher S1P, in support of other family commitments. Jessica wishes to express her gratitude for the time she has been with us at St Joseph’s School, Wauchope. She also extends good wishes to our children and families for the remainder of the year.
The replacement teacher of Mrs Jessica Power will be Miss Ellie Norman until the end of the Term. Miss Ellie Norman has offered to fill in this role, until a teacher is employed for the position. I know you will join me in welcoming Miss Ellie Norman back to Stage 1 and wish Mrs Jessica Power and her family all the best for the future.
NAPLAN 2023
Over the last two weeks, students in Year 3 and Year 5 have been completing NAPLAN assessments. They have demonstrated perseverance, commitment and a growth mindset as they have completed the tasks. They are quite different in design to our usual learning style. We remind our parents and children every year, these tests provide ONE source of data for us and a snapshot of individual learners at a given point in time. The tests do not tell us about character strengths, such as leadership or kindness; they do not give evidence of a student’s engagement or creativity – they only tell us ‘part of the story’, and while this is valuable, it is not a complete assessment of learning or growth.
Parent Carer Headspace Workshops
Youth Mental Health Outreach Service, Headspace is hosting free webinars for parents and carers who are supporting young people with their mental health during the school holidays. The session aims to:
- Identify challenges and opportunities of the school holiday period
- Offer practical ideas for parents and carers
- Provide information about additional support services
- Highlight the importance of self-care
Click the link below to register for this free webinar.
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/headspace-nsw-parent-and-carer-sessions-34085927895
Wellbeing
10 Questions to Ask Your Child Instead of “How Was Your Day?”
via www.tlc.com
Have you ever had this after-school conversation with your little one?
“How was your day?” You ask.
“Good."
“What did you do?” You try again.
“Nothing much.”
Sound familiar? Sometimes finding out how your child’s day went seems as hard as bathing a cat. But, let’s face it, “How was your day?” is not the best question to ask. Instead, ask them one (or two or three) of these conversation starters:
10 Better Questions to Ask Your Kids About Their Day:
1. What made you smile today?
2. Did you like your lunch? What did you have for lunch? Who did you sit with at lunch?
3. What did you play at recess? And with whom?
4. Did you catch anyone doing something funny?
5. What did you like best about your day today?
6. Was there anything that happened today that made you feel bad?
7. What was the most interesting thing that you learned in school today?
8. Did you do anything different or new today?
9. What was the most difficult thing you did today?
10. What made you feel proud of yourself today?
IMPORTANT INFORMATION - Administering Non-Prescription Medication (eg Paracetamol) to Students
A reminder to parents that when a student presents to the (school Office/Administration/Sick Bay) and is feeling unwell or experiencing significant or acute pain, an Office lady or member of staff will contact the parent or guardian seeking permission to administer non-prescription pain relief (eg Paracetamol). If a parent or guardian cannot be contacted, the student will remain in (school Office/Administration/Sick Bay) however we will not be able to give them any non-prescription pain relief medication. Any previous permission to give non-prescription pain relief no longer applies. You will receive a phone call each time your child presents to the (school Office/Administration/Sick Bay) to seek consent.
School Fee - Direct Debit Payers
All families will receive a School Fee statement early in Term 2 with our BPAY facility added.
Families who pay their School Fees via the Direct Debit payment plan will be required to set up the BPAY facility from their statement with the same arrangements as their Direct Debit payment plan. It is imperative that this takes place ASAP once the statement is sent. This will allow the school to function normally with the finances.
Have a wonderful weekend ahead
Peace be with you
Brendan Kiely
Whole School Reward
First Reconciliation
Congratulations to those children who received their First Reconciliation this week and all children involved in this Sacramental Program. We hope this experience filled our children with a closer understanding of God’s endless mercy and love.
We thank our teachers, staff and our parent community who have helped, prepared and supported the children throughout this Sacrament journey.
Lucy Seymour, Peyton Dewhurst, Owen Webb, Rexx Davison, Keira McCarthy, Adelaide Thrum & Hudson Cook
Holy Week 2023 - Program
PALM SUNDAY - Saturday 1 April 2023 & Sunday 2 April 2023
Vigil/ Mass: Children’s Liturgy - 6:00 pm, Our Lady of Lourdes church
Sunday Masses: 7:30 am, Our Lady of Lourdes Church
9:30 am, Beechwood Church
HOLY THURSDAY - 6 April 2023
Mass of the Lord’s Supper - 7:00 pm, Our Lady of Lourdes Church
GOOD FRIDAY - 7 April 2023
Stations of the Cross: - 10:00 am, Our Lady of Lourdes Church
Divine Mercy Novena - 2:30 pm, Our Lady of Lourdes Church
Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ - 3:00 pm, Our Lady of Lourdes Church
HOLY SATURDAY - 8 April 2023
Vigil Mass of Easter - 7:00 pm, Our Lady of Lourdes church
EASTER SUNDAY - 9 April 2023
Mass - 7:30 am, Our Lady of Lourdes church
Mass - 9:30 am, St Peter’s Catholic Church, Long Flat
Stations of the Cross
In preparation for Easter, students at St Joseph’s School will be learning about the Stations of the Cross with Fr Felix. This traditional devotion allows students to reflect on Jesus' journey to the cross and the sacrifice He made for humanity's salvation. The students focus on a different station, learning about the events that took place and discussing their significance. Through this practice, the students deepen their understanding of the passion of Christ and are better able to appreciate the Easter season.
WHERE DID THE TERM GO?
What a busy Term it has been for learning and teaching. When we go through the list of all the learning we have completed, whether as students or teachers, it is amazing to think how much we have fitted in during the Term. Below is just a glimpse of some of the happenings around our school.
We started the year with Maths Assessment Interviews for the whole school and Best Start (Literacy) for Kindergarten. There was the introduction of the new English and Maths syllabus for Kindergarten, Year 1, and Year 2 and the students wrote to persuade in the Whole School Write. Staff embarked on a Science of Language and Reading course through La Trobe University as their professional learning.
NAPLAN (National Assessment Program- Literacy and Numeracy) has recently been completed and we were impressed with the way our students took on the assessments and did their very best. The whole school, except Kindergarten, was also assessed on a program called DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills). This enables us to monitor student progress in reading and spelling across the year. See the parent information guide below.
We express our sincere gratitude to all our families for their support of learning and teaching in Term 1.
Award recipients - Week 9 Term 1
Early Stage: Harper Jacobs & Sebastian Duddle
Stage 1: Bronte Foster, Iluka Rennes & Sophiabelle Dy
Stage 2: Koby Morgan, Edith Hornery & Zoe Welton
Stage 3: John Majo, Chelsea Copeland & Olivia Riley
Week 7, Term 1 Principal 3R award recipients
Whole School Cross Country
Our Cross Country was a wonderful day Friday 31 March for competitive and non-competitive runners, but in particular, it was exciting to have parents and carers to join us. Students in ages 8/9 years, 10 years, 11 years and 12 years, who received 1st to 6th place will be selected to participate in the Zone Cross Country to be held next Term in Kempsey. We congratulate all students who participated.
Term 1 & 2 - 2023
Term 1 Week 10 |
||
| Thursday | 06/04/2023 | Last day for Term 1 |
| 06/04/2023 | Whole School Rewards | |
| Friday | 07/04/2023 | Good Friday - Stations of the Cross |
| Saturday | 08/04/2023 | Easter Saturday |
| Sunday | 09/04/2023 | Easter Sunday |
| Monday | 10/04/2023 | Easter Monday |
Term 2 Week 1 |
||
| Monday | 24/04/2023 | Staff Development Day |
| Tuesday | 25/04/2023 | ANZAC DAY |
| Wednesday | 26/04/2023 |
First Day back Term 2 Change to Compass communication tool and BPAY for collection of School Fees. |
| Friday | 28/04/2023 | Polding Winter Sports Trials - Tamworth |
Term 2 Week 2 |
||
| Monday | 1/05/2023 | St Joseph's the Workers Feast Day |
| Tuesday | 2/05/2023 | Scholastic Book Fair Day 1 of 3 |
| Wednesday | 3/05/2023 | Scholastic Book Fair Day 2 of 3 |
| Thursday | 4/05/2023 | Reconciliation for Sacrament of Eucharist |
| Friday | 5/05/2023 | Scholastic Book Fair Day 3 of 3 |
Term 2 Week 3 |
||
| Sunday | 7/05/2023 | Sacrament of Eucharist |
| Wednesday | 10/05/2023 | Zone Cross Country |
| Friday | 12/05/2023 | Mother's Day Celebration |
Swimming
Thursday 30 March, Emily Saunders represented our School and the Lismore Diocese at the Polding swimming carnival in Sydney. This is an outstanding achievement and we are proud to announce that Emily finished 12th in 50 metre Backstroke. Congratulations Emily.
Polding Touch Football Trials
Well done Jack, Brody and Peyton who represented St Joseph's Wauchope and the Lismore Diocese at the Polding Touch Football trials on Tuesday 28 March 2023 in Parkes. All three played and excelled in their games of touch football in very competetive trials. You have made the school community proud.
Thank you to all the families who supported P & F Doughraiser and came along to the picnic and enjoyed a pizza. Thank you also to the wider community for helping us raise money through the Domino's doughraiser.
Easter Mini Menu
As we wind down for Easter Break please be advised we will be using our mini menu for Canteen, week 10.
Your child's favorite heat and serve lunches will be available.
Fresh food will recommence Week 2, Term 2.
Happy Easter
Change over to Winter uniform
As the weather cools we will transition and change over to our warm winter uniform. Below are the dates for our uniform change to take place. Please refer to Uniform Policy and ensure your child is fitted out with the correct winter attire. Be aware that we will monitor the weather conditions and changes may occur at short notice.
Business Sponsorship Needed
We had such a positive response from our recent Winter Trials about the new representative footbal jerseys, we have decided to launch a range of soccer jerseys.
St Joseph's is seeking interest for sponsorship, especially from parents and families who wish to promote their business. We are currently in the design phase. Please contact Renate Pope at renate.pope@lism.catholic.edu.au or by calling the school Office (6585 1745) for a letter of sponsorship form or further details.
Thank you again to Mid North Coast Allied Health, Office Choice, Scott Cooper Metal Roofing, BDM Heavy Vehicle Repairs, Pope Tiling, Wattle Recruitment Agency, Handy Andy Tech Support for their generous support so far.
Art work titled: GATHAY NYIIRUN WAKULDA
"Lets us all go together as one" Jamie Donovan
New School Fee Structure
The Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Ltd is implementing a new financial management system to all Catholic schools within the Diocese. The changes are part of the Diocesan-wide shift to new systems which provide stronger accounting and reporting capacity for schools. These changes bring the Diocese of Lismore in line with the same or similar systems used by most Dioceses in Australia. A number of schools will be converted each Term and the process is scheduled to be completed by mid-2023.
Our school will transition at the commencement of Term 2, 2023, and as such, there will be some changes to School Fee billing and payment methods.
Two payment methods will operate from April 2023 onwards.
Bpay – St Joseph’s School Bpay biller code and your individual Bpay reference number will be advised early in Term 2.
CompassPay – Compass is our new student management system with a mobile interface.
More information regarding Compass and CompassPay will be forwarded to families during the coming weeks.
Payments via Direct Debit will be phased out.
Parents can still pay ‘over the counter’, if they choose.
WHAT IS NEXT?
From 2023, School Fees will be billed at the beginning of each Term along with the School Building Levy. All Resource Fees and Technology Fees will be billed, in full, in Term 1.
ANZAC DAY - TUESDAY APRIL 25 APRIL 2023
Anzac Day, this year, falls at the end of the school holidays. Traditionally, St Joseph’s has invited interested students to march behind the school banner in the March Past along High Street to the Cenotaph. If your child or children would like to be involved the details are as follows:
This year we invite parents to walk with their children as a sign of school community.
Our local Wauchope RSL will run the Anzac Day service on Tuesday 25 April 2023.
Our children are invited to march (summer uniform, school shoes and school hat) and attend the service. We would love for our parents to join with us in the march behind the students. All are welcome to be a part of our school community to march this Anzac Day. Please ensure your child is prepared for all types of weather.
The Wreath Laying Ceremony will commence at 11.00 am at the Cenotaph near the town Library.
An Operoo note will be heading out next week as a guide for us to know how many students will be in attendance. Hopefully, our school will be well represented.
COMPASS Platform
We are preparing to change over!
As part of a restructure across the Diocese of Lismore, St Joesph’s School, Wauchope will be moving to a new communication & school management platform called - COMPASS School Manager, the Compass platform will become our school community communication tool from the Wednesday 26 April 2023
About the Compass Platform
The Compass platform is a web-based system which is accessible on any modern web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome & Safari) or by using the Compass School Manager iOS or Android App. Every parent/guardian/carer receives a separate login to Compass which we be provided to you.
The Compass platform includes many different features, you will have the ability to:
- Receive notifications regarding school events, news and information
- Enter an explanation for your child's absences
- Communicate with your child’s teachers,
- Update your family contact details (mobile phone & email)
- Download and view your child’s academic reports
- Book parent-teacher conferences (parent/teacher interviews)
- Pay and provide digital consent for events (No more permission slips)
- Pay school fees
Your login details will arrive via your personal email address, during the April holidays, 2023. Each parent/guardian/carer will receive a username and login provided that we have a valid email or your correct email address. If you share an email address with your significant other, then you will receive two emails with two unique log-ins and these will be sent to you. Your username and password is unique to you, families will not share a username and password, and will come from an address noreply@compass.email - you may need to check your junk mail box.
Smartphone Access
- Download the Compass School Manager App (Google Playstore OR Apple Store)
- Wait for your unique username and log in to be emailed to you after 5.00 pm Wednesday 12 April 2023
- Open the app on your device
- Search for our school by searching for “Wauchope” and then by scrolling through the list of schools and choosing “St Joseph’s Primary School - Wauchope”
- Use the unique username and log in sent to you by email
- Read the welcome message posted on the dashboard
Desktop Access
If you wish to use the desktop version of the platform please note the following;
- Once you receive your unique username and log in, open a new tab on your prefered browser and navigate to https://maclplism-nsw.compass.education
- Use your unique username and password to log into the platform
- Read the welcome message posted on the dashboard
For more information you can visit Compass for Parents or for any assistance email the school at waup@lism.catholic.edu.au
Child Protection Policy and Procedures
Children and young people have a fundamental right to grow, develop and feel safe in environments which are free from violence, exploitation and harm. The Catholic Schools Office Lismore has clear expectations that all students within Catholic systemic schools in the Diocese of Lismore will be protected from all forms of harm including sexual, physical and psychological harm as well as ill-treatment and neglect.
The Catholic Schools Office and Catholic systemic schools in the Diocese have certain responsibilities and expectations to ensure the safety and protection of children in their care, including supporting measures to ensure that children and young people will be taught how to protect themselves, and to seek help if they are concerned about their safety. Consistent with its mission and values, and in compliance with its legislative obligations, the Catholic Schools Office Lismore strives to ensure children in its care are safe and secure. Implementing a variety of practices that reduces potential risk forms part of our strategy to build child safe communities.
This policy sets out the expectations required of employees in the Catholic Schools Office and in Catholic systemic schools of the Diocese. This document is to also inform and remind employees engaged or employed in Catholic systemic schools in the Diocese of Lismore of the standards of behaviour, duties, obligations and other requirements that must be adhered to when working with children.
A range of checks and undertakings are required for people who work for or provide services to Catholic Education in the Diocese of Lismore.
Please follow the link to our website to for full information on the CSO Child Protection Policy & Procedures and Mandatory Reporting - http://www.wauplism.catholic.edu.au/policies
For further information, please visit -
https://education.nsw.gov.au/student-wellbeing/child-protection/mandatory-reporting
