2024 Week 2 Term 3
Dear Parents
A warm Term 3 welcome.
I hope you and your family enjoyed a restful holiday, full of fun, family times and relaxation. It is nice to see the children at school, ready and enthusiastic to commence the 2nd Semester of learning.
To all our students, welcome back to an exciting 10 weeks of ‘driving your learning’, making new friendships and achieving your personal best. For parents of little ones who have experienced some distress in the mornings, regarding children returning to school following the break, can I suggest that you continue to reassure them that all will be OK. The change in routine from comfy, warm ‘sleep-ins’ and extended time with family, to early morning routines and returning to school, can sometimes make them feel a little nervous. Adults can feel the same when they are returning to work after time away. Two weeks is a long time for young children. Remember, be strong and keep smiling. Students learn from our confidence and trust that all will be well.
School Review
From Monday 12 August to Wednesday 14 August 2024 during Week 5 our school will undertake a School Review. The school review will be conducted by ACER (Australian Council for Educational Research) with support of the Catholic Schools Office. ACER Reviewer - Roberta Barbe, Lead School Improvement & Performance - Nathan Trezise and Jenny Trigalone.
Each of the following nine areas will be the focus for the Review:
Domain 1 – An Explicit Improvement Agenda, Domain 2 – Analysis and Discussion of Data, Domain 3 – Culture that Promotes Learning, Domain 4 – Targeted Use of Resources, Domain 5 – Expert Teaching Team, Domain 6 – Systematic Curriculum Delivery, Domain 7 – Differentiated Teaching and Learning, Domain 8 – Effective Pedagogical Practices and Domain 9 – School–Community Partnerships.
Staff, students and parents will be a part of the review process and are welcome to speak with the reviewers on this date and contribute to the conversations around St Joseph’s School.
Bain Park
It has been brought to our attention that a number of students from St Joseph's Primary School, Wauchope, are enjoying their time playing in the newly opened Bain Park. We are delighted to see our students being active and spending time with their friends in one of our beautiful local parks. From all accounts, our students have been conducting themselves well, and we are proud of their positive behaviour.
However, we have noticed that the number of primary school students gathering at Bain Park is increasing along with the number of minor injuries occurring. While we encourage outdoor play, we are concerned that some students have come to school with minor injuries and there has been no adult supervision, which increases the risk of accidents.
We strongly encourage families who drop their children off or allow them to go to Bain Park to supervise the play, helping ensure their safety and well-being. Your presence and guidance will ensure that our students continue to enjoy the park safely.
NAPLAN Reports
The Year 3 and Year 5 NAPLAN reports will be distributed this week. Parents will receive their child's individual student report and an information sheet about the NAPLAN results.
Since 2023, NAPLAN results have been reported against proficiency standards, with student achievement shown against four levels of proficiency. This replaced what were previously numerical NAPLAN bands and national minimum standards.
We are delighted with the students' results and the significant learning improvements they have demonstrated. Our staff will use this valuable data to inform and enhance future learning programs for our students.
Holiday Maintenance
Several maintenance projects were completed during the holidays, ensuring our school is safe and compliant. The total works for this was estimated at $300,000.
Here are the updates:
- Roofing restructure and new tiling on the Stage 1 and Stage 3 building
- Roof repairs and structural improvements on the Kindergarten building
- Playground surface repair on the Infants playground
- New plants and mulch for gardens
- A false wall erected in the Speech and Counsellor room
These improvements reflect our ongoing commitment to providing the best possible environment for our students' and staffs’ learning and well-being.
School Enrolments
Kindergarten Interviews for 2025 are going wonderfully, and we’re thrilled to see that this ES1 is already at full capacity! We’ve also welcomed a growing number of families who are choosing to join St Joseph’s School, Wauchope by enrolling their children in other grades. We extend our warmest wishes to all our new families, confident that they are joining a school culture that is both inclusive and welcoming, dedicated to creating the best possible learning environment for their children. We eagerly anticipate strengthening our school community with their involvement and participation. Please make these families welcome to St Joseph’s school.
- Daly
- Goldby
- Shute
- Meki Tuakalau
Thank you St Joseph’s school community
Thank you to everyone for the heartfelt cards, emails, and phone calls of support following my dad’s passing last Term. Your thoughts and prayers have provided much-needed comfort and strength, during this challenging time, for my family and I. I am truly grateful for your kindness and for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.
I’m thrilled to be back after some time away overseas and I am excited about the fantastic learning opportunities that the Term ahead has in store. I’m eager to reconnect with our amazing students and dive back into supporting their growth. A big thank you to Mr Nigel Toole for stepping up as Principal while I was away—his efforts, along with the outstanding work of our school leaders, Ms Sonia Solares and Miss Sophie Anderson as Assistant Principals, Mrs Gemma Leonard as Leader of Learning and Mrs Brooke Saville in the Mission role have been truly commendable for the school to run seamlessly. You were all in very good hands while I was away.
Here’s to a great Term ahead!
Peace be with you
Brendan Kiely
Confirmation
As we approach a significant milestone for our students, we invite you to join us in prayer and support for those preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. This is a momentous occasion in their faith journey, and your thoughts and prayers will be greatly appreciated.
Parent Information Evening
We will be holding a Parent Information Evening on Tuesday 13 August 2024 at 5.30 pm in the Staffroom. This session is crucial for parents and guardians to understand the significance of Confirmation and the preparations involved.
Inscription Mass
Our Inscription Mass will take place on Saturday 24 August 2024 at 6.00 pm in Our Lady of Lourdes Church. This Mass marks an important step in the Confirmation process, and we encourage all families to attend and support our candidates.
Confirmation Ceremony
Later in the Term, on Friday, 20 September 2024 at 5.30 pm, Bishop Greg will confirm our students at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. This ceremony is a culmination of their hard work and dedication. We look forward to celebrating this blessed event with our Parish and School community.
We ask that you keep our Confirmation candidates in your prayers as they continue their spiritual preparation. Your support and encouragement mean a great deal to them and their families.
Stage 2 Student Discipleship Day
We are delighted to share the wonderful experiences our Year 3 students had during their Confirmation Spiritual Retreat last Monday. Alongside students from St Joseph's Laurieton, our children embarked on a day of reflection, prayer, and spiritual growth, designed to deepen their understanding of the Sacrament of Confirmation.
The purpose of this retreat was to provide our students with an opportunity to connect with God and each other, fostering a sense of community and spiritual readiness as they prepare for their Confirmation. The day was filled with meaningful activities, group discussions, and moments of personal reflection.
While our Year 3 students were engaged in their retreat, our Year 4 students joined their peers from St Joseph's Port Macquarie and St Joseph's Laurieton for the Accendere Spiritual Retreat. This retreat aimed to ignite their faith and encourage a deeper relationship with God.
Both retreats were resounding successes, with the children thoroughly enjoying their time meeting new friends and exploring their faith in a supportive and nurturing environment. These experiences are invaluable in their spiritual journey, helping them to grow closer to God and build lasting connections with others.
We are incredibly proud of our students and grateful to the staff and volunteers who made these retreats possible. Thank you for your continued support of our school's spiritual programs.
Year 4 Accendere Retreat - Monday 29 July
Year 3 Confirmation Spirituality Day - Monday 29 July
Zone Athletics Carnival - Wednesday 24 July
Canteen Roster - Term 3
Please view Canteen roster for your days this Term. We still require help on a few Fridays. If you can assist please fill in the Canteen Volunteer note on Compass.
Reminder to please purchase your Cadbury's Chocolate Fundraiser Box, ordering will close later this afternoon.
We understand that there is an initial outlay cost for families, however all money raised from selling the box of chocolates goes straight back into your pocket, hence no expense to you. Just your time in selling to friends, family, co workers, clients or sports members.
This is an important fundraiser to our school, we would like to see as many families as possible support this event, all funds raised go towards the lighting and music for this terms showcase!
You will not be dissappointed.
Any questions please do not hesitate to ask.
renate.pope@lism.cahtolic.edu.au
The NSW Premier's Reading Challenge is now open and we are excited to be participating!
What is the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge?
The PRC is a statewide Challenge that encourages students to develop a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students and enables them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition, but a challenge to encourage each student to read, to read more, and to read more widely.
All students who complete the challenge and have their reading record validated by the school’s PRC coordinator will receive a certificate signed by the Premier of NSW.
How many books do students need to read?
Students in Kindergarten to Year 2 are challenged to read or experience 30 books. 20 of these books must be from the relevant Challenge booklists, and up to 10 books can be personal choice books. Books can be read with a parent, carer, teacher or another student.
Students in Year 3 to Year 6 are challenged to read 20 books independently. At least 10 of these books must be from the relevant Challenge booklists, and up to 10 books can be personal choice books.
If a book is from an approved PRC series, students can enter up to 5 books as Challenge books, and can read up to 10 other books from the same series as Personal Choice books. More information on the rules of the Challenge & book lists can be found on the PRC website.
How do students log their reading?
Students can access the PRC’s Student Experience site using their DoE username and password, or can log into the site via the Student Portal. A video guide explaining how to use the Student Experience site can be found here. If you need a copy of your child’s username and password please ask your child’s home class teacher.
Or students may also record their reading on the Personal Reading Log and submit it to the school by August 2024, who will complete the reading log on the students’ behalf.