The old expressions are gradually fading away with the current generation not having a context for understanding. For example, at an assembly this week I spoke about  the development of the ankle sock that has wrecked the expression ‘pull up your socks and get on with it’ which is an old expression that was about the resilience of people. I started with the statement that ankle socks have wrecked the world! This caused a murmur amongst the group and hopefully they will remember the message. Socks used to be much longer in those times and for workers was also a protection of their legs. So can one say that ankle socks have affected a person's resilience? The real answer is no but it makes a point that times change but our humanity does not! We have to be resilient but young people have to develop the skills of resilience throughout their lives.  One of my mothers favourite expressions was ‘build a bridge and get over it’ this applied to many circumstances - issues with friends, being cranky with my parents over rules or even not liking what I was being served for dinner ( and you never did not eat it!).

Expressions may change but the ability to forgive others when friendship break down occurs is very important. No one is perfect. Sometimes we need to like a person not because of who they are but in spite of themselves. We do not have to be best friends but positive acquaintances are important for a workplace and in society as a whole that we demonstrate respect for each other.

I hope you can take the time to share some of the expressions you grew up with or even their grandparents grew up with and share them and the meanings behind them. 

For example

‘As the crow flies’ 

‘Like a broken record’ 

‘Your living in a pigsty’ 

‘I’ll be there with bells on’ 

'Kick up your heels’ 

‘That's the bee's knees’

‘You look happy as a clam at high water’ or ‘happy as a clam’ 

And there are many more!

We're living in challenging times, under the threat of war in the Ukraine, the devastation of the floods and the aftermath of the pandemic. This is no less difficult than generations past - every generation has its challenges but the inclusion of social media can be brilliant or can be negative and our young people today have to grow up way too fast in some aspects but also currently have the longest period of teenage hood that is extending into their 20’s before moving to independent living. 

Jesus asks us to be respectful and inclusive of others no matter where they come from or who they are - this creates a community full of respect and tolerance for difference. Encourage your young person to be part of that inclusiveness. 

Term 1 Week 8

Now that we are into the swing of things we are approaching that stage in the Semester where students will begin sitting Formal Assessment tasks. As mentioned in the previous newsletter students have been issued with an Assessment Manual that has the assessment grid for each subject they are studying that outlines when formal tasks will be held and the weighting of those tasks. Some other things to be aware of:

• Students will receive a written notification at least 2 weeks prior to the submission date for each formal assessment task. This will contain specific detail about the nature of the task, the outcomes being assessed as well as submission details
• Tasks need to be submitted on time, issues with submitting/completing a task should be notified to either the class teacher/Leader of Learning or the Curriculum Office asap.
• Technical issues such as printer not working are generally not considered a valid reason for a task not to be completed
• Students can email work to their teacher as an interim to demonstrate completion of class work, tasks may also be submitted by others such as siblings/parents if a student is absent on the day of submission
• Students who are absent on the day of an in class assessment task need to make arrangements to complete the task by contacting their class teacher or the Curriculum Office. Tasks will generally be rescheduled for the first day the student returns after their absence
• Students in Years 10-12 need to ensure they are following the appropriate NESA protoci;ls regarding submission/non submission of tasks

Study Samurai

To support students with their preparation for exams at the end of the semester we have provided access to all students in Years 7-10 to the Study Samurai online platform. This is an online resource library for secondary students, combining study skills techniques and mental health & wellbeing strategies. At a school level students have already started working through specific modules in PALS to help with organisation. Students/parents are encouraged to access the platform at home to complete further modules to assist in their knowledge and understanding of study habits, prepare for their Sem 1 exams and support their personal well being (especially if they are feeling overwhelmed or anxious about exam periods and home study). If you are not aware parents also have access to the platform and are encouraged to help support students to develop proper study habits at home early. To access the platform you can click the Study Samurai link to go straight to the site.

NAPLAN

Students in Years 7 and 9 will participate in a practice NAPLAN test on Thursday 24th March (wk 9). This test is an omnibus test meaning there will be a mixture of questions from each of the different Naplan tests for students to do. The test is done by all students doing NAPLAN in Australia at the same time with 2 purposes:

1. Test the load capacity of the network before the actual exams to make sure there are no issues
2. Allow students to work with and familiarise themselves with the online platform they will be using for the tests

Unfortunately the tests are not marked and students will not be given feedback about their results.

Students will be given further details regarding the organisation of these tests next week. Students need to ensure that they are prepared to do the tests by:

• Making sure the NAPLAN Lockdown Browser has been installed on their device (visit IT support if not sure)
• Ensure their device is fully charged on the morning of the test
• Bring headphones/earpods etc for their device as there will be questions requiring students to listen to audio files

It has been a washout month with lots of cancellations and postponements of representative sporting events. Unfortunately the Boys and Girls Diocesan Touch football were cancelled and the NSW All Schools Triathlon Championships postponed. Hopefully the Diocesan Swimming Championships will proceed as planned this Friday 18th March and the Junior Soccer Championships on Friday April 1. We are also very much looking forward to our St Joseph’s Annual Cross Country Carnival next Tuesday 22nd March. 

Congratulations and Good Luck

• Grace Pomery and Tayissa Buchanan (Year 11) competed in the NSW Junior Athletics Championships in Sydney. Competing in a full field against some of the best Under 18 year old female athletes in NSW, Grace put in an outstanding performance to run a strong and consistent race to record a PB, collect the Bronze medal for the event and achieve a National Qualifying time to compete at the upcoming Australian Athletic Championships. Grace has committed to some hard training between now and then and is determined to lower her PB yet again.
• In the U17 age group, Tayissa produced a personal best performance in the 400m to finish 3rd. She also ran very close to her PB in the 800m to bring home the silver medal. Tayissa has also qualified for the National Championships. We wish both Tayissa and Grace the best of luck as they proudly represent both St Joseph’s and the State at the upcoming National Championships.  

• Alex Tololeska (Year 9) has been selected to represent the Diocese of Wollongong at the NSWCCC Touch Championships at Nelson Bay.
• Ethan Aleckson (Year 9) is representing St Joey’s at the Australian Interschools Mountain Biking Championships at Thredbo. This is Ethan’s chance as one of the young upcoming riders of the future to test his skills against some of the best riders in the country. Go for Gold Ethan!
• Good luck to our team of swimmers competing at the Diocesan Swimming Championships. 

Congratulations to Declan Bone of Year 9, who has been awarded the Surf Lifesaving Illawarra Branch Junior Lifesaver of the Year (an award which his sister, Halle of Year 12 won in 2019). He will attend a three day camp in April which focuses on self-leadership, socialisation, teamwork, surf lifesaving and self-awareness. He will also undergo an interview as a finalist for the NSW Junior Lifesaver of the Year, which will be announced at the end of the camp.  

Halle is also attending the camp as part of the Youth Opportunity Makers Workshop, which is run at the same time. This workshop explores the idea that Surf Lifesaving is more than just about the club level and focuses on small team leadership, developing their social network with Surf Lifesaving, pathways and opportunities within and awareness of those outside Surf Lifesaving.

Upcoming Events

St Joseph’s Cross Country Carnival

The St Joseph’s Annual Cross Country Carnival is being held at the Kembla Joggers Running Park at West Dapto on Tuesday 22nd March. It is a full school community event. The carnival is compulsory for all students in Years 7-12. Please be advised that the school office will be closed on this day. Students who have medical certificates will be allocated as officials. Students have formed teams and will participate in a tabloid of events including inflatables! Prizes will be awarded and the aim of the day is for maximum participation and enjoyment. Teams are encouraged to get into the spirit of the day by dressing up in fancy dress costumes. Judging for the best dressed teams will take place after the St Joseph's Day Liturgy at the start of the carnival. 

All students are required to complete this Google Form to assist with the organisation of the event. 

Students are reminded to bring something to sit on (e.g. tarp, towel, chair), sun protection and insect repellant.

Parents are most welcome to attend. 

Mrs Michelle Garbutt

Representative Sports Coordinator

The school musical for 2022 is CINDERELLA by by JOSEPH MCDONOUGH, FITZ PATTON and DAVID KISOR. Auditions have been held and rehearsals are underway. Save the date for 29 June - 2nd July, 2022 at Roo Theatre.

Cinderella
Book by JOSEPH MCDONOUGH Music by FITZ PATTON Lyrics by DAVID KISOR

Romantically-challenged Prince Freddy, having just received his Doctor of Philosophy, has returned to his home kingdom and is being pressured by his all-business father, King Frederick, to quickly choose a bride at the upcoming royal ball. Domineering Brunhilda and greedy daughters, Clarissa and Priscilla, are excited to go to the ball but smart and modern stepdaughter Cinderella would rather stay home and read with her animal friends Aristotle the Crow, Plato the Toad, and Socrates the Spider. Magical Gwendolyn the Well-Wisher appears and urges Cinderella to go to the ball. Stubborn Cinderella finally agrees to go… provided she doesn’t have to wear any stupid glass slippers. At the ball, Cinderella and Prince Freddy dance and fall in love, but the ball erupts into chaos at midnight with every girl losing a glass slipper; Cinderella loses her red sneaker. Prince Freddy tours the countryside with his trusty friend, Gaston to reunite the sneaker with its rightful owner. Brunhilda, Clarissa and Priscilla throw obstacles in the would-be princess’ way, but Cinderella and Freddy find each other by learning that appearances aren’t important and it’s better to trust your heart.

Harmony Week is celebrated from Monday March 21st to Sunday March 27th.

Harmony week celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. It is a week about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.

This year as a school community we are celebrating Harmony Day on Monday 21^st March, we will be celebrating with a School Liturgy in the morning, followed by activities across the week in Religious Education classes.

On Monday 21^st of March, students are encouraged to wear a bright coloured t-shirt with their school uniform to celebrate the theme ‘Everybody Belongs’. A gold coin donation will be collected and donated to Bishop Brian Mascord’s Flood Appeal.

Soft drink cans will also be sold in the COLA at lunchtime with proceeds being donated to the Flood Appeal.

Make sure to have your coloured t-shirt and gold coin ready for Monday.

Just a reminder to all parents and students that meat will not be available every friday until the end of term due to Lent.

On Friday's the normal menu (exluding meat) will be available as well as this special Lent menu:

St Joseph's Catholic High School Library will be running the NSW PRC (NSW Premier's Reading Challenge) this year. 

Fee Statements went out last week from the Catholic Education Office, if you have not received your fee statement please email accounts@sjchsdow.catholic.edu.au. The invoicing of school fees and the distribution of school fee statements each month, is now a function carried out by the Catholic Education Office. Payment of fees, whether as an annual payment or payment by instalments is due on the date/s provided on your school fee statement. 

Options available for payment are:

• Pay from statement in full within 28 days
• Pay regularly payments whether weekly, fortnightly, monthly or termly, please complete request to pay by instalments form (include link to webpage)
• Irregular payments or lump sums pay by agreement, please call the school finance office    4230 8525 or email accounts@sjchsdow.catholic.edu.au to set up an agreement and save the issue of reminders for late payment via email and SMS messages. These reminders are automatically generated by the software based on the number of days a payment is overdue and are distributed by the Catholic Education Office.  
• If you are experiencing financial difficulty, please complete a Diocesan Fee Concession Form for fee assistance.  Be reassured that your situation will be treated with strict confidentiality and respect for your circumstances.  Please note, if you have children in more than one school, it will only be necessary to submit one application. (include link)

For further information regarding school fees, please access the Diocesan School Fee Management Policy and Frequently Asked Questions which is available on your school’s website.

 

Just a friendly reminder to all school students and staff that masks are still mandatory on all public transport buses including school buses.

We understand that even though in recent times mask wearing mandates and restrictions have been easing, we wish to remind you that it is still mandatory on buses, at bus stops and interchanges such as train stations for students 12 and over.

These restrictions are still in place under the public health act and we ask for the school communities support and assistance in maintaining this practice during this time.

Premier Illawarra remains committed to the ongoing safety of the students and school community relying on our buses daily and we hope we can rely on your assistance in maintaining a safe environment while travelling on our buses.

Details relating to what is required can be found at the following links:

https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/advice-for-families

https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/stay-safe/travelling-on-public-transport#toc-using-public-transport-and-when-to-wear-a-face-mask

https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/stay-safe/rules/face-mask-rules

If you have any questions or enquiries please don’t hesitate to contact us.

We thank you for your support in this matter.

Kind Regards,

Blake Hayward | OSMBSC10 | Compliance 10 | CTP Claims | Premier Illawarra | CTM

A: 13-23 Investigator Drive UNANDERRA NSW 2530 | P: 02 4271 1322  F: 02 4272 1608

E: compliance10@premierillawarra.com.au | W: www.premierillawarra.com.au  

Safety : Customer Service : Teamwork : Respect : Integrity : Continuous Improvement