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I walked around the school today and was so pleased by the learning that I saw occurring in the classrooms. The enthusiasm of the drama class, the intense concentration of the music students and the passion of the English classes as they discussed ‘what matters?’.
The number of students who are not engaging in their learning is decreasing, which provides better opportunities for everyone. This is a justice issue. Last week students completed a survey to create a baseline of data for improvement. It was pleasing to see that 100% of students felt their teachers believed they could learn – that is a credit to our dedicated and professional staff. I think the challenge now is for students to believe in themselves and work towards their ‘anything’!
At assembly on Monday, I spoke about a psychological study I had been reading that said that when people were asked to spread jam on toast for example, or dish out ice cream, the amount they took varied depending on how full the container was. People took more when the containers were full, and less when the containers were half empty. This taking more when there is more, and taking less when doing less, can have many analogies. Within friendships, do you take more in the beginning, thus draining the friendship and then settle to a happy medium? At the beginning of the year, do you do more than in the second half of the year? I just found it an interesting piece of trivia and also why would anyone think to ask students about how much is taken when a container is either full or when half empty?
Our War on Waste Club is working towards reducing playground waste. This is part of our Respect for the Environment Initiative. We may not be able to solve the problems of the world, however, we can look towards our own little patch and look after that the best that we can. Every bottle we place in the Vinnies bin contributes to someone else having a better life. This is such a small thing that can make a big difference. A reminder to all parents that Monday is a pupil free day as staff are engaged in a combined Diocesan pupil free day with all diocesan secondary schools. This day is focussed on improving student learning and the differentiation of work for students in the classroom.
Collect your enrolment package from our Administration Office
Come join us @ Joey's!
Assessment Manuals
Assessment Manuals for all year groups have now been emailed to parents and students. Please ensure that you are familiar with the procedures for assessment tasks and Illness/Misadventure. Students are asked to save the document to their desktop for quick access when required. If you any questions regarding the document, please contact the Curriculum Office.
Year 7 Best Start
Year 7 students will be participating in Best Start which is an online literacy and numeracy assessment. Best Start will be held on Thursday 28th February (Numeracy) and Friday 1st March (Literacy). We request that students not be late to school on these days as students will only have a short homeroom before we head into testing. Students are required to bring headphones or earbuds that plug into their device to enable them to hear audio and all devices must be fully charged for the start of the day.
NSW SCHOOL VACCINATION PROGRAM
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine- 2 dose course with a minimum 6 month interval
- dTpa vaccine [Diphtheria, Tetanus & Pertussis (whooping cough)] as a single dose
- Meningococcal ACWY vaccine as a single dose
- read all the information provided
- complete the consent form, including signing your name next to the vaccine/s they would like your child to receive
- return the completed consent form to the school by Thursday 28th February
- ensure that your child eats breakfast on the day of the school vaccination clinic.
School Fee statements have been issued. Please contact the Finance Office if you have not received your copy. Payment is due 30 days from invoice date. However, families may pay periodically. To access this payment flexibility, families must complete a School Fee Agreement (available on the school website) and return it to the finance office prior to the expiry of 30 days. If you have an existing Agreement, you are required to send in an amended School Fee Agreement.
Uniform Shop - WE HAVE MOVED!
The Uniform Shop has now relocated to the front of the school. From Monday 25th February, please access the new Uniform Shop via the pathway (laid by our Construction students as part of their practical assessment) that runs parallel to the front of the Administration building.
New Uniform Shop phone number is: 0413 441 892
Hours: Monday 12 pm - 4 pm and Thursday 8:30 am - 1:30 pm
Head Lice
We wish to advise families that we have had a reported case of Head Lice in the school. If you suspect that your child may have head lice, please do not send them to school, but ensure that hair is treated before returning. Parents are asked to regularly check your child's hair and a reminder that long hair is to be tied up at all times.
A reminder that
Monday 25th February is a
Pupil Free Day.
There will be no supervision at school as all staff are attending
Diocesan Professional Development.
Last Wednesday Yr 12 Drama students had the opportunity to attend a workshop at Belvoir St Theatre in Sydney conducted by a current working director focusing on individual performance techniques to help them develop their Individual Project for the HSC. Following this workshop students had the opportunity to view OnStage which is a showcase of the exemplary Drama performances from the 2018 HSC. Thanks to Mr Dennelly and Miss Swift for accompanying our students.
On Tuesday, Year 7 students attended an incursion at school which explored percussion techniques, timing and rhythm. All students participated well and had to use listening skills and coordination on a wide variety of drums and percussion instruments.
Also on Tuesday, our Yr 12 Photography class attended a field trip in Port Kembla. They observed and recorded industrial objects and spaces as a part of their current assessment work. Thanks to Mrs Berto for accompanying the students on this day.
On Wednesday Yr 9 and 10 Visual Arts students went on an excursion to the Art Gallery of NSW. The purpose of this excursion was to view Art Express and Australian Collection Exhibitions. Art Express is an annual event enabling current students to see the work of the previous year’s HSC course of study in Visual Arts. Students had the opportunity to view the resident Australian Collection whilst at the Gallery.
Students in Year 10 also attended a Student Discussion Tour on The Life and Art of Brett Whiteley at the Brett Whiteley Studios in Surry Hills. Mrs Berto and Mrs Oliver accompanied these students to Sydney.
Experiences like these are both rewarding, memorable and educationally enriching for our students. They are very necessary to provide awareness and real-life experiences of the creative world around us.
TAS - Technology and Applied Science
Year 7F Technology students were busy making straw towers this week Students were encouraged to use innovative construction ideas in a bid to reach great heights!
Year 11 Hospitality
Year 11 Hospitality students completed their first practical lesson cooking a beautiful Thai Beef Salad. Some stunning dishes were produced - we look forward to our next practical lesson.
Thank you for your attendance at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education evening last Wednesday 13th February. It was great to be able to meet some of our parents and share the vision that we have for Aboriginal education in 2019.
Please remember to return the Personalised Cultural Plan from the blue folder that was sent home, as well as the permission note for the AIME program.
This year the NAIDOC theme is "Voice. Treaty. Truth. Let’s work together." In line with that theme, we aim to ensure that your voice is heard in relation to helping you teach your children more about the Aboriginal culture. NAIDOC Week 2019 will be held nationally from Sunday 7 July and continue through to Sunday 14 July. We will be holding our NAIDOC assembly on Monday 24th June, so please save the date to come in and celebrate with us.
Don't forget the “Didge in a Day” Program. Please see Sentral or the school website for permission notes and return to the office as soon as possible.
13th February - This date is significant for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as it was the anniversary of The National Apology. It all started with;
“That today we honour the Indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest continuing cultures in human history....
Read more
Year 7 P&F Welcome Night
The St Joseph's P&F will be hosting a Welcome Night for all Year 7 families on Wednesday 27th February. We will commence at 5:30 pm in the school Gym with a short Liturgy and this will be followed by a BBQ for families and staff. This evening is a great opportunity for families to meet Year 7 teachers and for staff to meet the parents of those they teach. Come along and enjoy a relaxed evening - we look forward to your attendance!
Please click the link below to be directed to the School website for access to current Permission Notes.
