What a great week! It started with an excellent Staff Development Day that focussed on improving outcomes for students.  On Wednesday night we had a wonderful community evening with the Year 7 Welcome BBQ and liturgy. It was a relaxed atmosphere with parents mingling and meeting their child’s friends and parents. Thank you to our great cooks, and  Ms Madaschi and Mrs Burns for the preparation of the liturgy. Thursday night was the welcome dinner for new staff to the Diocese and we had eight members attend the evening.

Next week is Catholic Schools Week. It is a celebration of Catholic schools across the state. Our schools are places of hope against a darker landscape in the broader church. Our students are leaders of the future. May they learn from the mistakes in the past and contribute to making the world a better place.  On Thursday, students will participate in a celebratory event - a concert by Eric Genius. The week finishes with our Open Day on Saturday. I encourage all current and prospective parents to attend and see our wonderful students and school showcased. Thank you to all staff for so generously giving of your time, to allow this day to take place so parents can attend conveniently on a weekend.

Catholic schools are places for everyone – all people are welcome. It is an educational opportunity that works best when your value systems align with the school values of respect for self, others, learning and the environment.  I am so proud of our students as they are developing into wonderful young people – even those who make mistakes are willing to grow and develop into better young people.

Year 7 Best Start
Congratulations to our Year 7 students who this week completed the Year 7 Best Start Online tests.  Students were excellent in ensuring they had the required equipment, were prompt to the testing rooms and completed the set tasks with enthusiasm.  This was a great opportunity for students to use the online platform before NAPLAN which will be online this year in May.

Assessment  
Assessments have commenced in Stage 6.  Students in all year groups are reminded to please make sure they are aware of their assessment policy and to ensure they follow the correct procedure for Illness/Misadventure.

Assessment Dates

What is the NCCD?  
The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on school students with a disability is an annual collection that counts the number of schools students receiving an adjustment due to disability and the level of adjustment they are receiving to access education on the same basis as other students.  Please take some time to read the document below which answers many of the questions that are often asked by parents and carers.

Swimming Carnival 2019
Last Thursday the 21^st February we held own annual school Swimming Carnival. The day ran smoothly with some tough competition between athletes. The small group of competitors enjoyed the spirit and comradery of the carnival. The St Joseph’s community would like to thank everyone who was involved in the running of the carnival. In particular, we would like to thank all staff involved especially Mr Armstrong and Mr Moran for the organisation of the carnival, school staff that worked tirelessly all day, Mr Moran’s Year 11 SLR class who took on many roles throughout the day and lastly the parents and grandparents who not only attended to support our competitors but assisted in many roles including timekeeping; thank you to Mrs Leembruggen, Mrs Best, Mr Miller and Mr Davis - your assistance is greatly appreciated.

New Records were created with Matthew Leembruggen breaking 7 records on the day.

Congratulation to our Swimming Age Champions for 2019:                      

St Joseph's Cross Country Carnival

The St Joseph’s Annual Cross Country Carnival is being held at the Kembla Joggers Cross Country Running Park at Brownsville on Friday 15th March. The cross country carnival is compulsory for all students in Years 7-12. Students may make their own way to the venue or they can catch their normal school bus to St Joseph's and catch the shuttle bus to and from the venue.

Students will form teams of 6 within their year group and will participate in a tabloid of events. Prizes will be awarded and the aim of the day is for maximum participation and enjoyment. It's a great day to build school community! Teams are encouraged to dress and prizes for the best-dressed teams will be awarded. The organisation of teams will take place at year meetings prior to the event. A Google form will be sent to all students to assist in the organisation of the event. All students are required to complete this form.

A Canteen will be operating on the day and the Mission Team will be taking orders for Vegetarian or Cheese pizza's which will be delivered at lunchtime.  Refer to Sentral notices next week for ordering details.

SAVE THE DATE - CROSS COUNTRY - FRIDAY 15TH MARCH

Illawarra Branch Junior Lifesaver of the Year - Halle Bone
It is with great pleasure to inform the St Joseph’s community that Halle Bone of Year 9 has been awarded the Illawarra Branch Junior Lifesaver of the Year!

Halle had to submit a written application answering a series of questions about her involvement, achievements and goals in Surf Lifesaving, as well as what she thinks is important in Surf Lifesaving and programs she could initiate to promote the sport. She then had to attend a workshop with the other nominees and undertake a formal interview before a panel. The decision was announced at the Illawarra Branch Championships on Saturday 9th February.

Halle now progresses to a 3 day Development camp in Sydney during the 
first week of the April school holidays where she will participate in further activities to promote personal development and goal setting. Halle will then undertake another formal interview once again before a panel of experienced lifesavers who will assess her merit to become the 2018/9 New South Wales Junior Lifesaver of the Year. Congratulations and good luck with the additional processes Halle.

Regional Little Athletics  
In addition to the results addressed in the week 3 newsletter, Harrison and Mackenzie Best from Year 9 and Year 7 respectively also competed at the Regional Athletics held in Griffith. Harrison came 1st in the walk and progresses to State Athletics and Mackenzie came 3rd. Well done Harrison and Mackenzie.

NSW Junior Championships - Athletics  
Tayissa Buchanan and Grace Pomery of Year 8, both competed over the weekend at the NSW Junior championships. Grace come away with a silver in both the 1500m with a time 4.53 and the 800m event with the time of 2:21.10. Additionally, Grace achieved PBs in both of these events.

Tayissa, come home with silver for the 400m with a PB and breaking the 60 second barrier with a time of 59.13. Tayissa also achieved gold in the 800m and is now the NSW Junior Champion with a seven sec PB of 2.19:78.  Congratulations Grace and Tayissa.

JJAMM Leadership Conference
Last week our School Captains, Trent Allchin and Brooke Smith, attended the JJAMM Leadership Conference in Sydney.  Here they met with school captains from other Josephite Schools around the country to share ideas and develop their skills as leaders.  Throughout the course of the conference, Trent and Brooke learnt about Mary MacKillop's life and legacy which they will use to guide their own leadership to build school spirit, advocate for social justice and leave their mark on the Joey's community.

Year 12 Hospitality
Yr 12 Hospitality students have been cooking up a storm. Creme Caramels with honey tuile biscuits and orange and strawberry salad last week. This week the classes made Thai flavoured chicken sausages, with Asian style slaw, ginger and kaffir lime dressing. One class also processed (washed, peeled, de-cored, diced and roasted with sugar and vanilla bean ) a box of donated Granny Smith apples, ready for apple crumble or pies.

NSW SCHOOL VACCINATION PROGRAM

Our first school vaccination clinic for 2019 will take place on Tuesday 5th March.  Please ensure that you complete and return your consent form to the school immediately

We would like to invite all Parents, Friends and Carers to attend the Parent’s & Friends Annual General Meeting on Monday 18^th March, at 7 pm.  It is an opportunity for parent discussion and the promotion of support, sharing and communication within the school community.  The committee promotes ideas and discussions on any relevant issues that will benefit the education and learning experience of students, and to work to provide valuable resources for students and staff.

As a committee, we strive to enhance the sense of community by working together to encourage parent involvement in activities including social, sporting, spiritual and educational life of the school community.  We provide a friendly and relaxed environment in which to meet other parents and staff and support our school in a positive and active way.  We encourage any involvement and appreciate the commitment and dedication of all involved and hope to see as many enthusiastic and motivated people as possible. Please join us to work towards a future that benefits students, staff and the school community.  
Rachel Woolfe, Treasurer

Wednesday 6th March is Ash Wednesday.  The Canteen will not be serving meat or chicken products on this day.  Further, whilst we are in the season of Lent, there will be no meat or chicken products sold on Fridays for the rest of term 1.  Lent Menu 2019.  Monday to Thursdays will be our usual menu.

Uniform Shop - WE HAVE MOVED!  
The Uniform Shop has now relocated to the front of the school.  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

Please click the link below to be directed to the School website for access to current Permission Notes.