2023 Week 9 Term 4
Dear Parents
With the end of the school year just around the corner, many reflections of 2023 come to mind. We were blessed to share many school celebrations which have been a wonderful representation of the spirit of St Joseph's School. Here are some highlights throughout the year:
* Athletics Carnival * Matilda Jnr Musical * Christmas Carols Evening * Swimming Carnival * Retreat Days * Sacramental visit from Bishop Greg Homming * Introduction of new uniforms for 2024 * Mini Market * LeMoNaDe Day * End of School Rewards Days * Da Vinci decathalon * St Joey's Got Talent * Dance Eisteddfod * School Liturgies and Masses * Year 5 and Year 6 Camps
Our school community is a blessing to us all. Together we have been and will continue to be amazing.
I wish to acknowledge and give thanks to Fr Felix and Staff at St Joseph's School. Their response to all that was asked of them this year has been inspiring to say the least. The year has transpired with very little break for staff, they kept the students engaged with learning and continued to foster a sense of belonging and concern for the well-being of all the children within their care. I admire them and give thanks for the gift of each one.
To our P & F and volunteers throughout the year. You were there for our school whenever we needed your help and support, you came when the call went out and you did this graciously and with a knowing our school needs your help. I thank you for being selfless and having our students at the centre of what we needed to achieve. The generosity of your time to meet, achieve and have fun together was a highlight for me.
To our parent community, I extend the most heartfelt thank you. For a year that has brought many of you challenges and successes. I am in awe of the way you have supported our school, assisted us in educating your child along side of you. You provided your children with a nurturing, loving and enriching environment where they continued to learn and grow.
Of course the stars of our 2023 school year are our children. They adapted to all that was asked of them. They pushed themselves to stay motivated and positive. Our children have learnt. They have matured. They have grown in their appreciation of being able to come to school and enjoy the many opportunities we have provided. The students are simply amazing and we look forward to teaching them next year.
Fond Farewells
We say thanks and appreciate the time the following staff and students contributed to our school which made up the culture and the loving place our school has become over this year and over the many years they have been a part of St Joseph's School. May God Bless each and everyone of you and may the road in front, be filled with many of God's graces and cherised moments.
Staff: Mrs Jessica Larkan, Mrs Kristin Burns and Miss Kellie Burke
Year 6 - Families Leaving
As this is the last Newsletter for 2023, we would like to acknowledge the families who are leaving the school community, particularly those who have been a part of St Joseph’s for a significant period of time. We know the school has changed a great deal during the time you have been with us, and we thank you for supporting the growth, innovation and change throughout that time. Thank you for your contribution to our Parish school community, and we wish you all the very best moving forward.
Farewell to these families - Austin, Burgess, Everson, Fagnani, Hornidge, Larkan, Mabey, Mann, Marchment (Joel), O'Malley, Rixon, Smallwood, Smyth, Sonter, Vause and Warren
Staffing 2024
Parish Administrator: Fr Felix Ekeh
Principal: Mr Brendan Kiely
Assistant Principals: Ms Sonia Solares & Mr Nigel Toole
Instructional Leader: Ms Kara Dewhurst, Leaders of Learning: Miss Sophie Anderson & Mrs Gemma Leonard
Class Teachers:
Kindergarten – Miss Sophie Mann & Mrs Kandis Howe, Mrs Cherie Knox
Year 1 - Mrs Petrina Lewis & Mrs Alison Trezise
Year 2 - Ms Rhianna Hancock & Mrs Rachel Moss (M- Th)
Stage 1 - Mrs Susan Stewart (M - W) & Mrs Lisa Chilko (Th - F) & Mr Peter Roods
Stage 2 - Miss Kimberley Latimore, Mrs Brooke Saville, Miss Samantha Ryder,
Ms Josephine Richardson, Mrs Lauren Mascord (Th - F) & Mrs Nicole Douglas
Stage 3 - Mrs Kate Coman, Miss Georgie Cain, Mr Dane Seymour, Mrs Danielle MacKay & Mrs Romona Webb
Support Teachers: Mr David Poulton, Mr Andrew Inman & Mrs Alfina Jackson.
Teacher Assistants: Mrs Cherie Knox, Mrs Christine Ninness, Mr Peter Roods, Mrs Nicole Douglas & Mrs Romona Webb
Indigenous Education Worker: Ms Tegan Houghton
Librarian: Mrs Christine Ninness
Secretaries: Mrs Robyn Mackay & Mrs Mira Gill
ICT Technical Officers: Mr Wayne Hamlin & Mr James Lee
Counsellor: Mrs Rebecca Jamieson
Speech Therapist – Mrs Nerine McGrath
School Canteen & Uniform Co-ordinator: Mrs Renate Pope
Groundsman and Maintenance: Mr Ron Burke
Classes
A great deal of thought and planning is involved in allocating students to classes. We take into account social groupings, academic performance, intervention needs, previous teachers the children have been taught by as well as other factors. To ensure that this process was done with every student’s best interest at heart, a collaborative process is undertaken with all our educational professionals who have relevant knowledge of any of the students to be grouped into new classes. This includes the current class teachers, specialist teachers, intervention teachers, teacher assistants, Additional Needs teacher, and members of the school leadership team.
Next Tuesday our children will participate in a step up day where they will meet their new teachers for next year or continue with the teachers they have worked with this year. We ask that you embrace with your child their teacher and classmates and be encouraged that all considerations have been made. The school will not be in a position to rearrange children into alternative classroom groupings.
Thank you for your understanding with this aspect of school life. I have every confidence in the class distribution process and in the quality and care afforded all students at St Joseph’s. There is no perfect arrangement of classes, no perfect class group, and no perfect teacher for any student. Rather, in each class, we aim to create a balance of gender, learning needs, plus social and emotional needs.
Christmas Blessings
I wish all in our community every blessing for this Christmas season. Be safe, have fun, and enjoy the important parts of life of spending time with family and friends. Take time to replenish and give thanks for all that has been and we look forward to welcoming everyone back next year in 2024.
Peace be with you
Brendan Kiely
Advent
Advent begins each year with a call for us to awake from our sleep. But what does it mean to be awake? It means we must shake off the things in our spiritual life that make us drowsy and sluggish. It means we must turn away from sin and receive the grace that God offers us. Every day. It means we are invited to hope and to receive the grace that God offers us to recommence. It means to get ready for Jesus to come again. Advent is a time of waiting and watching.
Stay awake! Mt 24:37-44
The first candle, which is purple, symbolises hope. It is sometimes called the Prophecy Candle in remembrance of the prophets, especially Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ. It represents the expectation felt in anticipation of the coming Messiah.
The second candle, also purple, represents faith. It is called the Bethlehem Candle as a reminder of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem.
The third candle is pink and symbolises joy. It is called the Shepherd's Candle, and is pink because rose is a liturgical colour for joy. The third Sundayof Advent is Gaudete Sunday and is meant to remind us of the joy that the world experienced at the birth of Jesus, aswell as the joy that the faithful have reached the mid point of Advent.
On the fourth week of Advent, we light the final purple candle to mark the final week of prayer and penance as we wait for the birth- of our Saviour. This final candle, the Angel's Candle, symbolises peace. It reminds us of the message of the angels: Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.
The white candle is placed in the middle of the wreath and lit on Christmas Eve. This candle is called the Christ Candle and represents the life of Christ. The colour white is for purity because Christ is our sinless pure Savour.
Semester 2 Reports
As mentioned in last week's Newsletter, we remind parents that our Semester 2 reports will reflect a new format in line with the recent curriculum updates in Mathematics and English for Kinderarten - Year 6. This change ensures alignment with the latest educational standards, research, and Diocesan consistency.
Please note that reports will be accessible via the Compass App from Friday 8 December 2023, after 3pm. If you are viewing via the Compass App, you will find the reports under the REPORT tab on your child's dashboard. On the web browser, reports can be found on the dashboard in a link entitled 'VIEW ACADEMIC REPORTS' under your child's photo.
We appreciate your understanding as we transition to this improved reporting method. If you would like to discuss your child's Semester 2 report, please contact your child's Home Class teacher to organise a meeting time.
New Student Leadership
Aunty Doreen Leadership Award recipient - Joel
End of Year Mass
Joey's Junior Graduation
Christmas Carols
Talent Quest
Regional Band and Choir Visit
Mini Market
Lolly Guessing Competition Winners
Swimming Carnival
Congratulations to all the students who participated in our swimming carnival yesterday. It was a warm day, and the children represented themselves and the school proudly. It was beautiful to share this day with parents and grandparents. Thank you to Renate and the P & F for organising and cooking the sausage sizzle.
Congratulations to MacKillop on being overall winners for our annual swimming carnival.
| Girls Champion | Girls Runners Up | |
| 13 Years | Emily Saunders | Ellie Smallwood |
| 12 Years | Isabel Thompson | Maddison Saville |
| 11 Years | Ivy Pope | Adelaide Thrum |
| 10 Years | Ruby Winchcombe | Bronagh Towey |
| 9 Years | Lilah Moss | Laurie Marvie & Mary Fullbrook |
| 8 Years | Elsie Laurie | Madeline Kirkland |
| 7 Years | Audrey Hedges |
| Boys Champion | Boys Runners Up | |
| 13 Years | Ruairi Groogan | Gus Hornery |
| 12 Years | Livio Sonneville | Jack Drummond |
| 11 Years | William Saunders | Rhett Moylan |
| 10 Years | Shae Towey | Hudson Marchment |
| 9 Years | Hudson Brown | Jack Pippin |
| 8 Years | Harvey Walker |
Rhett
2024 - Rhett finished off the year as Cadet 12 Coffs Harbour Club Champion, Cadet 12 Port Macquarie Club Champion, he holds fastest lap record of Mid north coast and he is a representative for Praga Karts (international Kart manufacturer).
Follow Rehtt - insta : @rhettraces.
Shea
Thank you - for Christmas Raffle Prices to:
Bago Maze
IGA
Lewie's Buther
Intersport
Drawn on Thursday 14 December 2023 - Winners notified
Term 1 - 2024 Start
School Administration Day (PUPIL FREE DAY) - Tuesday 30 January 2024
Year 1 - Year 6 commence Maths Assessment Interviews
Wednesday 31 January 2024 to Friday 1 February 2024
Year 1 - Year 6 classes begin Monday 5 February 2024
Kindergarten Best Start Interviews -
Wednesday 31 January 2024 to Monday 3 February 2024
Kindergarten commence - Wednesday 7 February 2024
Term 1 last day – Thursday 11 April 2024
| Term 1 Week 1 | ||
| Monday | 29/01/2024 | School Holidays |
| Tuesday | 30/01/2024 | Staff Administration Day (Pupil Free Day) |
| Wednesday | 31/01/2024 | MAI Assessing / Best Start (Kindergarten) Compass booking form Coming soon for students in Years 1 - 6 |
| Thursday | 01/02/2024 | MAI Assessing / Best Start (Kindergarten) Compass booking form Coming soon for students in Years 1 - 6 |
| Friday | 02/02/2024 | MAI Assessing / Best Start (Kindergarten) Compass booking form Coming soon for students in Year 1 - Year 6 |
| Term 1 Week 2 | ||
| Monday | 05/02/2024 | First Day 2024 School year for Students Year 1 - Year 6 |
| Wednesday | 07/02/2024 | Kindergarten commence |
| Sunday | 11/02/2024 | Our Lady of Sorrows Feast Day |
PLACE UNIFORM ORDERS AND PAYMENT VIA FLEXISCHOOL APP - UNDER 2024 UNIFORMS.
2024 - Week 1 Special Opening Hours 9.00 AM - 12.30 PM
TUESDAY 30 JANUARY 2024,
WEDNESDAY 31 JANUARY 2024,
THURSDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2024 and
FRIDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2024
COLLECT YOUR UNIFORM ORDER DURING YOUR CHILD'S MAI APPOINTMENT.
NORMAL OPERATING HOURS WILL BE COMMENCE FROM WEEK 3, TERM 1, 2024
MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY 12.00 noon - 12.30 pm
The uniform shop is situated on the side of the Administration building.
2024 School Uniforms - available to order
New uniforms are now available to order via FlexiSchools App. Thank you to those parents who have already placed an order, this will ensure a smooth transition. Please note the bucket hat design will remain the same, and can be worn 2024. Surf hat design will no longer be part of our uniform once the new uniform becomes compolsory.
Uniforms purchased will be available at your child's MAI assessment Week 1, ready for their official start of school year 2024 in Week 2 - 2024.
Shoe Requirements
A New Look for St Joseph's Primary Wauchope
Dear Parents
We are thrilled to introduce an exciting change at St Joseph's Primary School, Wauchope for the upcoming 2024 school year. As a result of your valuable feedback, we have made the decision to update our school uniform to better meet the needs of our students and families. This change will provide a more practical, comfortable, and cost-effective uniform while preserving the school's identity and the high standards we uphold. We are committed to enhancing the overall experience for our students and parents alike.
Background
In September, we reached out to all parents to seek your opinions on the quality and suitability of our current school uniform. Your overwhelming response indicated that the current uniform, particularly for the girls, was impractical and outdated. In response to this feedback, we established a uniform committee comprising Principal, teachers, parents, and members of our Parents & Friends (P & F) Association to address this issue effectively. After much consultation and the wonderful work of the uniform committee, some decisions have been made in relation to the uniforms from 2024 onwards. Student representatives were consulted, and tried the new items during the final stages of the decision-making process.
The New School Uniform
The new school uniform will offer several improvements, designed to address the concerns raised by parents and ensure the comfort, ease of care, and affordability of the uniforms. Our new provider will be Team Spirit in Kempsey. Team Spirit has been contracted by the school to produce our new school uniforms. Although these will be produced and supplied by Team Spirit the purchasing of our school uniforms will be through the Uniform Shop onsite at St Joseph’s School.
Key Elements of the New School Uniform:
-
Navy and Gold Cotton Blend Polo (Monday - Friday wear): A comfortable and stylish polo shirt the students will wear every day to display pride in our school.
-
Choice of Microfiber Navy Shorts with Emblem or Skort with Emblem (Monday - Friday wear): Practical and comfortable options for both boys and girls.
-
Navy Bucket Hat with Emblem (Monday - Friday wear): To protect students from the sun while showcasing their school identity.
-
Navy with SJW Logo Socks (Monday - Friday wear): Completing the look and reinforcing our school's identity.
-
Optional School Bag: Families can choose either the official St Joseph's school bag or one of their own preference.
-
Optional Library Bag: Students can use either a St Joseph's Library bag or choose one of their own liking.
For Cooler Days:
-
Navy and Yellow Track Jacket with Emblem: A warm and stylish option for colder weather.
-
Navy Track Pants with Emblem: Comfortable and practical track pants for added warmth.
-
Navy Sloppy Joe with Emblem: A cozy option to keep students comfortable during the cooler months.
Transition to the New Uniform
To ensure a smooth transition, the new uniform will be introduced in a phased manner. Kindergarten students starting in 2024, and all new enrolments, will be required to purchase the new uniform. Students in Stage 1, Stage 2, and Stage 3 will need to purchase the new uniforms when replacing their existing uniforms. As of Monday 22 July 2024 (Day 1, Term 3), it will be expected that all students will be wearing the new uniform in its entirety and no mixing of old and new uniforms will be allowed.
Please note - Current uniform stock will be available to purchase until the end of Term 4 at a discounted 50%.
Old uniform stock will not be available post 2023.
Year 6 students/families only - we understand the dilemma facing Year 6 families who may not wish to outlay funds for new uniforms. The transition period for Year 6 students has been extended to the end of Term 4, 2024. Year 6 Class shirts are to be worn on sport days and either the new uniform or current uniforms on normal school days.
Purchasing the New Uniform
We have simplified the uniform ordering process to make it as convenient as possible for parents. You can continue to use Flexi Schools as the preferred method for ordering. Uniforms will be available for ordering from Week 3, and they will be packaged and sent home with your child during their MAI assessment in Term 1, 2024. Students will wear their new uniforms on the first official day of school. To assist you in choosing the correct size, a sizing guide will be available on Flexi School and via the Newsletter. Additionally, we will have a display with sample sizes for trying on in our uniform store. Sample sizing will be available to families, as a staggered approach, with regular Uniform Shop hours remaining unchanged. More information will follow once the new stock has arrived.
Updates
We hope that this advanced notice and detailed information will enable you to plan your uniform purchases for the 2024 school year effectively. Thank you for your valuable input, which has played a significant role in this important change for our school. We look forward to enhancing the comfort and satisfaction of our students and the convenience for our parents with this updated school uniform.
Please stay tuned for further updates through our school's Information Book, Compass, and Flexi Schools. If you have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact the school on (02) 6585 1745. Your partnership in this exciting change is greatly appreciated.
Kind Regards
Brendan Kiely
Principal