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Dear Parents and Carers,
We are coming up to the final weeks of the school year. We will be arranging our classes for 2021 similar to this year; they will be banded around students' interest areas. This weel, students will be filling in a survey asking if their preference is English/HSIE or Science. Mathematics will be sitting separately in classes with a top group and mixed ability groups. If your child is interested in both areas that is ok they just have to choose one for the class. The work in all classes will cover the same outcomes, but some enrichment in the focus area will exist.
Our Year 12 2020 finished with a beautiful Formal at the Fraternity Club. The students, or should I say the young men and women present, looked very glamorous. It was a real red carpet event and such a happy night. The gratitude that they expressed for the night was heartfelt and very much appreciated.
COVID is not disappearing, considerations will exist throughout 2021 until there is a vaccine available for everyone or it is eradicated. With the lower infection rates we will be able to do more outside events with students such as sport etc but there has been a significant increase in the cost of running events for students with the regulations in place so they will be considered on their educational merit before increasing cost to parents. Please be aware that consideration does exist if you're under financial stress. We just need to talk about it and fill in the relevant paperwork.
As we are coming into the ‘silly season’ up to Christmas I would remind all students that the behaviour expectations remain the same. Treat each other with respect and kindness.
Ms Amanda Wilson
Principal
ICAS MATHEMATICS ASSESSMENTS
ICAS Assessments are designed to recognise academic excellence. Students are assessed on their ability to apply classroom learning to new contexts using higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills.
22 students completed the ICAS Mathematics Assessment last week from Year 7 to 10. The Assessment consisted of 40 challenging questions that were to be completed within 60 minutes on the new ICAS online platform.
4 Credit, 2 Merit and 16 Participation Certificates were awarded.
Congratulations to all students who took up the challenge to test their Mathematical knowledge, thinking and reasoning skills.
Special mention of the following students who achieved a Merit or Credit Award in the Assessment.
|
Credit Recipients |
Merit Recipients |
| Emily Di Pietro (Year 7) | Daniella Avtarorvski (Year 9) |
| Flynn Gould-Anthony (Year 7) | Tayissa Buchanan (Year 9) |
| Anastasia Bierczynski (Year 9) | |
| Clayton Van Leeuwen (Year 9) |
HOSPITALITY NEWS
Mr Ferderer's Year 11 Hospitality has been cooking up a storm over the past few weeks. As part of their Task 4 competency assessment the students (in pairs) needed to produce a platter of Tapas dishes, the platters were of a high standard and the students really enjoyed the range of flavours. There were deep fried mozzarella sticks, an Italian rocket salad, spicy fried potatoes, chorizo and tomato saute and stuffed baked mushrooms.
As they now move into year 12 the practicals ramp up a little, this week the class produced two dishes: a warm pasta salad of pan fried then poached chicken, julienne of four vegetables, penne pasta, a mustard and chive dressing and a boiled egg. Along with a duo of fruit tartlets-nectarine and apple fans cooked on puff pastry served with creme fraiche.
Next fortnight we make a range of five sandwiches and five salads and a mega pizza practical where they make a fifteen kg dough and produce a range of five different pizzas. The school year is finished off with a week of kitchen cleaning competency practicals.
Representative Sport Update
Introducing our 2020/21 Aspiring/Elite Athlete Team
Congratulations to the following athletes on their successful selection into the St Joseph’s Aspiring/Elite Athlete Program for 2020/21:
Front row: Mia Santos (Oztag), Indiana Lucas (Gymnastics), Alex Tololeska (Netball/Oztag), Kiana Rieck (Netball/Oztag), Breanna Cresswell (Hockey), Molly Jewiss (Acrobatics), Zali Schofield (Hockey), Daniella Avtarovski (Netball), Grace Pomery (Cross Country/Athletics.
Middle row: Janae Robertson (Swimming), April Gray (League/Oztag), Thomas Hofman (Basketball), Samuel Shepherd (Snowboarding), Zane Stroemer (Soccer), Tess Jenkins (Dancing), Holly Czornobej (Athletics), Charli St Clair (Acrobatics).
Third Row: Liam Richardson (Physiotherapist), Michelle Garbutt (Representative Sport Coordinator), Mackenzie Best (Soccer), Flynn Gould-Anthony (Swimming), Matt Leembruggen (Swimming), Jett Stroemer (Soccer), Jackson Rieck (Rugby League), Kalani Vella (Soccer), Mason Shimwell (Jiu Jitsu), Tayissa Buchanan (Cross Country/Athletics).
Back Row: BaiMed Exercise Physiologists.
Absent: Rhianna Boag (Rugby League Referee), Harrison Best (Soccer), Halle Bone (Swimming/Lifesaving), Allyra Elliss (Acrobatics), Amelia Porter (Soccer) Sarah Wyber (Netball).
Congratulations to Daniella Avtarovski and Kiana Rieck on their selection in the Illawarra Academy of Sport Netball Squad.
Term 4 Lunchtime Sports Competition
Our Sports Captains Maddy and Telina have organised a lunchtime sports competition that starts in week 5:
Wednesday 11th November- Year 7 v 8 at Soccer
Thursday 12th November- Year 9 v 10 at Oztag
Friday 13th November- Year 11 v 11’s at Oztag
Representative Sport Update
Selection trials for the St Joseph’s 2021 Representative teams will also commence in Week 5.
Monday 9th November - U15’s & Open Girls Touch Football
Tuesday 10th November - U15’s & Open Boys Touch Football
Thursday 12th November - Open Girls and Boys Tennis
Key Dates for Term 1 Representative Sport:
|
Sport |
Date |
|
|
February 15th |
U13’s, U15’s & Open Boys Touch |
|
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February 18th |
Year 7-11 Tennis |
|
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February 24th |
School Swimming Carnival |
|
|
March 1st |
U13’s, U15’s & Open Girls Touch |
|
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March 12th |
Diocesan Swimming |
|
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March 16th |
School Cross Country Carnival |
|
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March 17th |
U15 & Open Boys Rugby League Trial |
|
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March 19th |
Boys and Girls Football |
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March 29th |
NSWCCC Swimming |
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Do you have a good news sports story? I would love to hear from you. Please email them to garbuttm01@dow.catholic.edu.au
Michelle Garbutt
Representative Sport Coordinator
Dear Parents and Students,
We are busily putting the final touches to the NAIDOC book with your children. We need you to sign the permission notes and return ASAP so that we can publish these books.
There is an Art competition to design the new shirts for the Illawarra Aboriginal Health network in Dapto that we would like your children to enter. It is open to all current students in Illawarra. They will be working with Uncle Kevin to refine their designs.
Our NAIDOC liturgy will happen online next week and we will share this after the day.
We spent time with the students last week speaking about direction for next year and seeking suggestions from them aout activities they would like to do in Aboriginal Education in 2021. Can I please encourage you to speak with them about this and help them write down and email their thoughts to us please.
Thank you.
Kane Brown - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Coordinator
Dakotah Acevedo - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Contact
Uncle Kevin Butler, Josephine Ball, Toumanda Fohrman -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander Education Assistants
WELLBEING
Mental Health News
Tune in to your community - how can we help others in our community?
Australian Catholic Bishops Social Justice Statement
The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the mental health of many members of our parishes, schools and communities. In fact, most of us will experience a mental health problem at some point over the course of our lives. Understanding mental health will help us to be aware of those who need our support. Our parishes, organisations and communities can be places of acceptance, care and healing, not places of rejection, judgment or stigma.
https://socialjustice.catholic.org.au/2020/07/03/social-justice-statement-2020-21/
CONSENT FOR FORM USE OF STUDENT'S IMAGES AND/OR WORK
It is an annual requirement that we have parents and carers complete the consent form for use of image and work.
Please find the form attached. Once completed and returned to the school office, it will last for a year until term 4 2021.
Thank you for your assistance with this requirement.
IMPORTANT OPAL CARD INFORMATION - FROM TRANSPORT FOR NSW
From January onwards, there will be a number of School Opal cards expiring, as the physical card has reached its lifespan.
These are cards for students who will be in years 8 to 12 in 2021, and only those Opal cards which haven’t been replaced in the last five years.
Impacted students and/or their parent/guardian will be contacted directly by Transport for NSW via email or post. They will be asked to confirm their details online in order for a new School Opal card to be sent to the correct postal address in time for the new school year.
If contacted by Transport for NSW, details should be submitted online by December 1, 2020 at the latest. Affected students who do not confirm their details in time will have a new School Opal card posted to the address we currently have on file.
2021 SCHOOL TRAVEL APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN
Applications for student travel in 2021 opened on Monday 12 October 2020.
Students who require a School Opal card or travel pass for 2021 can now apply online. A new application should be submitted if a student is applying for a school travel pass for the first time or requesting an additional pass as a result of a new shared parental responsibility situation (e.g. joint custody).
Students who have changed school/campus, changed address, repeated a year or received an expiry notification from Transport for NSW for their school travel entitlement should re-apply or update their details.
Where there is a change of distance eligibility based on a student’s grade, the system will automatically update a student’s entitlement if they meet the new criteria. If they do not meet the new eligibility criteria, they will receive an expiry notification via email.
Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition which is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply.
Term Bus Pass holders will receive a notification to re-apply.
Applications need to be submitted before 31 December 2020 to ensure that current student entitlements are updated and their current entitlement/card remains valid. If their application is submitted after 31 December 2020, the system will automatically cancel an entitlement/card and a new one will need to be issued.
Students in the Opal network applying for a SSTS or Term Bus Pass entitlement for the first time will receive their card at their nominated postal address. Cards will be mailed out from January 2021.
Students residing in Rural and Regional (R&R) areas should receive their travel pass at the commencement of the new school year from their nominated operator, this may be distributed via the school or sent direct to their address. Note: some R&R operators do not issue travel passes. Students/Parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.
Please refer to flyer attached for further information.
SCHOOL FEES
OUTSTANDING SCHOOL FEES
A friendly reminder about school fees to those families who have significant amounts outstanding.
We have been asked by the Catholic Education Office to follow up the outstanding fees. If you could please address any outstanding fees as soon as possible. Payment can be made by EFTPOS, BPay and in cash. School fees are important as the school relies on fees and the payment of school fees is part of the agreement you signed with the school upon enrolment of your child/ren.
If you are experiencing genuine financial difficulty and are unable to pay the account, there are concessions available which may be of assistance. You may wish to complete an Application for Fee Concession or a COVID-19 Fee Concession form. The process of concession involves completion of an Application for Fee Concession with supporting documentation.
Regards
Ms Sue Easter
CANTEEN ONLINE ORDERS
The canteen will be opened as usual for recess but only opening first half of lunch for drinks and snacks. Online orders are still necessary.
Thank you.
Donna Niceforo - Canteen Manager
An information flyer is attached to order your lunch online.
If you do not have an account, please click here to access an online form.
PARENT VOLUNTEER ROSTER
| Date | Volunteers |
| Monday 9 November | Sandra Murray |
| Tuesday 10 November | Kissaine O'Donnell |
| Wednesday 11 November | Linda Pallone |
| Thursday 12 November | Volunteers Needed |
| Friday 13 November | Nicole Oswald, Nada Shephard |
| Monday 16 November | Leisa Smith |
| Tuesday 17 November | Derek Pyrah |
| Wednesday 18 November | Kelly Daley |
| Thursday 19 November | Helen Cheetham, Kim Meehan |
| Friday 20 November | Mary Daly |
UNIFORM SHOP
Year 7 and 11 in 2021 are required to make a booking for their uniform shop fitting. Please see attached information for further details.
Year 10 parents are required to make an online booking for their Uniform fitting. Year 10 students can be booked in on a Thursday whilst at school if they do not need parent assistance. The student will leave class for the booking at the selected time. Each booking is for 30 minutes. Parents of year 10 students already fitted can then buy online if the child does not pay on the day. They are provided with a sheet listing all the sizes of the items they were fitted for on the day.
Please see attached information advising how to make your booking online.
Monday 12pm-4pm
Thursday 8.30-1.30pm
New Uniform Shop phone number is: 0413 441 892
LEARNING LABS
The University of Wollongong would like to invite your students to LEARNING LABS, an academic enrichment holiday program. We are targeting students from Year 7 to 10 during 2020, who are passionate, self-motivated and curious learners.
Wollongong Campus Dates: 14th- 15th January 2021
Applications close: 9th November 2020
Help us spread the word by passing this information on to your students and their parents via your school newsletters, website or individual selection process:
APPLICATION PROCESS
- Students can be encouraged to apply by their school, classroom teacher, subject specialist teachers from school or out-of-school or by their parents. If a school-based professional is identifying a potential student they will supply them with a Teacher Nomination Letter
- Parents/Guardians/student visit our website and read the full list of workshops available by scrolling to the “January workshops overview” section.
- Parents/Guardians/student (or school if parent/guardian is unable to) fill out the online application form.
- One piece of supporting documentation for first time applicants is required that demonstrates their ability (see 'Supporting Documentation' section on website). Please note that the Teacher Nomination Letters can be used as a supporting document.
- Learning Labs is registered as COVID-Safe and follows the guidelines set out by the NSW Government here.
Please know that workshops fill very quickly.
We will also have several sponsorship places available for students who identify as Australian Aboriginal/Torres Strait or students experiencing financial difficulty.
For further information about workshops and the application process please visit our website, or contact the Learning Labs team via email at learning-labs@uow.edu.au or phone on (02) 4221 5557.