The Joeys way...

Welcome back to the 2020 school year. The holiday period was a challenge for many families with bushfires, and then floods up north, storms to the west, pandemics, and the issues between the USA and Iran. From all this there is not just challenges but opportunities for change. 

This year our theme is ‘Walking With’. As we walk beside all these people in challenging circumstances, we are called together as a community. It is not just about giving money, it is about giving ourselves the chance to do our best. For students, it is about being educated so that they can make contributions to the future. 

Our builders use sustainable materials; our plumbers are water wise and encourage others to be too; our medical personnel can work with burns patients and make break-throughs that support disease management; scientific research contributes to a better future; our business people make ethical decisions for the planet, environment and people; and most of all, our relationships with others throughout our lives are positive. 

The ‘Walking With’ theme comes from the Emmaus ‘walk where Jesus talked with others’, to make sense of their experiences, develop an understanding, celebrate by eating with them, and then seeing them forth to share the good news. For students, it is learning as much as you can, making understanding of what it is you are learning, applying your knowledge, celebrating achievements and then moving forward. 

During the holiday period we had work done in repainting the hall (I think it looks fantastic and thank you to our contractors Program Services for their fantastic work), replacing some of the projectors and televisions around the school, and made some improvements to the infrastructure. The retaining wall at the back of the construction space is also being replaced. Updating of the front office facilities and refurbishment of a couple of the rooms also occurred. A busy time. 

Year 7 had a great start - they have settled very quickly. The remainder of our students have also had a very smooth start.

Just a reminder for parents, that if you are on the school property you must sign in at the front office. It is not appropriate just to wander the school. This year we also have our Pastoral and Learning Support (PALS) team for each stage of students. This gives the students the opportunity to connect with one of the four people on the team rather than relying on connecting with just one person as in the previous model. 

Parents are welcome to approach any of the four people on each stage team to support your young person so that may do their best learning possible.

Thank you to all parents and caregivers for attending the information nights with their child. This will make your understanding of the school year so much better as you now have a sense of where we are heading together. 

If there are any issues, please contact the school. 

Ms Amanda Wilson

Principal

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL UPDATES

The majority of students have returned to school in correct uniform. This week the lengths of girls' skirts have been checked to ensure that these meet the prescribed requirement of being worn to the knee.  

A number of girls have been requested to alter the length of their skirts by taking the hem down by next Monday 10 February 2020. The support of parents and carers is greatly appreciated to ensure your child is abiding by the School Uniform and Grooming Policy. 

A reminder that all students are required to wear plain white socks with the sports uniform. 

Driving Students to and from School

As we start the new school year, we have a few reminders to ensure student safety and minimise the risk of an accident.

Students who are driven to and from school are required to be dropped off and picked up in Macquarie Street. This is to minimise traffic in Church St, which is already very congested with bus arrivals and departures, senior students crossing the road to walk to and leave this street in their cars, and many students walking home.

There are 'No Parking' signs in Macquarie Street which allow parents and carers to complete the dropping off, or picking up of passengers within 2 minutes after stopping. 

Where possible, the suggested traffic direction is into Amaral Avenue and out of Macquarie Street.

A reminder Parents /Carers are not permitted to enter the school car park when dropping off or picking your students up from school. 

As always, your support by following these requirements, is greatly appreciated to ensure the safety of all students.

Mrs Jenny Bell

Assistant Principal

BUS PASS INFORMATION

The previous 8 week moratorium period for student travel at the beginning of each year has now been altered to 4 weeks, ending Friday 28^th February 2020. This means that students who require travel in 2020 will need to apply early to avoid any possible delays with receiving the student’s travel pass before the end of the moratorium period.

All rural and regional school bus operators have been informed of this change and will be enforcing the new 4 week period. Therefore, we seek your support for students who require travel in 2020 and apply for their school travel entitlement as soon as possible.

INTERNET SAFETY

The War On Waste Club will meet Tuesday B Week at Lunch Two in F3.

YEAR 9 YAM PROGRAM

Please find attached information flyer for Year 9 parents regarding the YAM program.

REPRESENTATIVE SPORTS UPDATE

Term 1 is a busy term with many opportunities for students to represent St Joseph’s at various sports gala days. Touch Football and Tennis team selections were finalised this week. The Diocesan Touch Football Gala Day is being held on Wednesday 19th February (boys competition) and Monday 2nd March (girls event). Tennis is being held on Thursday 20th February. This is also the date of our school swimming carnival. Students who are affected by this clash are asked to email or speak to Mrs Garbutt. Our swimming carnival is a competitors only event and students are required to sign up via the Google form link on Compass. This term we will also be selecting teams to play at the Diocesan Soccer Gala Day on April 1.

We are in the process of learning to set up permission notes and payments for events on Compass. Whilst we are still in the initial stages of learning this new system, students will receive hard copies of the permission notes which need to be returned to school by the due date. Many of our sports teams have a reserve list so students who have secured a spot are encouraged to attend training sessions and return notes on time to maintain their position in the team. 

The CEO has implemented a new requirement that parents register their child on the Catholic Schools NSW Sport Website BEFORE attending Diocesan gala days. The link is:  https://csnsw.sport/. Attached is a tip sheet to assist parents with their registration. 

The reason for the online registration  is that when students are selected in Diocean teams they will receive information about the CCC event, be able to get online parent and school consent, order rep gear and pay for this and the levy - all online with no paper.

Upcoming NSWCCC events include Triathlon, Softball, Cricket and Baseball. Parents are required to register their child for the selection trials for these events on the CSNSW Sport Website. For more information, go to: 

https://csnsw.sport/sports/nswccc/triathlon

https://csnsw.sport/sports/nswccc/softball

https://csnsw.sport/sports/nswccc/cricket

https://csnsw.sport/sports/nswccc/baseball

Students interested in competing in the teams event at the NSWCCC Triathlon Championships need to email Mrs Garbutt ASAP (if they have not already done so). Permission notes for the teams events will be given out shortly. 

Mrs Linsley is organising a St Joey’s Dragon Boating team. She is looking for 20 rowers. Please send her an email if you are interested in training and competing in this fun team sport. Training commences on 13th February with race day on 7th March.

Congratulations to Tahlia Dole (Year 12) who won a bronze medal at the Australian Road Cycling Titles in January. Tahlia has been selected in the Veris womens racing team to compete in Europe in the middle of the year.

COMPASS PARENT INFORMATION

For those parents who were unable to attend the parent information evenings and receive their unique access codes, your code will be forwarded to you by post.

You will need the code to access the parent portal and update your child's attendance, see their timetable and assessments as well as information about events and excursions happening within the school.

What is Compass?

Compass is a Student Information System that allows you as parents access to your child(ren)’s records. 

The Parent Portal allows parents/carers to:

• Monitor your child(ren)’s attendance, and enter explanations for late arrivals or absences
• Update your family details - mobile and email address
• Download and view your child(ren)’s semester reports
• View ‘My News’- a news feed of school announcements, alerts and updates
• View your school calendar
• Book parent-teacher meetings
• Provide consent for events and excursions.

How can I get access?

https://sjchsdow-nsw.compass.education/

Every parent/carer will have a separate account to log into the Compass Parent Portal.

What can I get access to?

• The student's profile page 
• Attendance pages where notes/approvals can be entered
• Full record history of the student’s attendance
• Academic reports for the student
• School Calendar
• Parent/Student/Teacher Conference bookings

What is ‘My News’?

The ‘My News’ section displays any applicable reminders or notifications which may include:

• Outstanding absences or late arrivals that require a note or approval
• Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences that are available for booking
• Semester Reports that are available to download
• Excursions or Events that require consent and/or payment
• News Feed items that have been targeted to you as a parent will display.

SCHOOL FEES

UNIFORM SHOP 

Blazers, Jumpers and Tracksuit Jackets are in stock ready for purchase.

Blazers will be required for Term 2.

New Uniform Shop phone number is: 0413 441 892
Hours: Monday 12pm - 4pm and Thursday 8:30am - 1:30pm