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Welcome back to term 3 - I hope you have all had a restful holiday time.
COVID and Illness
We are returning to school during the winter months. I would remind parents that there is an increase at the moment of COVID and flu and if your child has any symptoms they cannot return to school whether it is COVID or not. Hand washing and sanitiser use is important to keep up and hand sanitisers have been made available in all classrooms for the students’ use. Students are welcome to wear masks and if any household member has COVID students must wear a mask at school. I would remind students that your work will be available on Google classroom if required. We will do our best to cover classes over this term but there is a shortage of casual staff available at the moment when staff members are sick. Please continue to notify the school via sms response if your child is absent for COVID.
Staff Changes
There are some staff changes for classes this term that will be occurring over the next two weeks. We welcome Mrs Sara back after Long service leave and Ms Chantel Anzalone and Mr Ashik Romy join the English staff for this term. Ms Sneddon is moving from Maths staff to the Science staff replacing Ms Conlon whilst she is on parental leave. We wish Ms Conlon well for this very exciting time. We also have a new Maths teacher starting in week 4 to cover the Maths classes.
Plenary Council
During the holidays the Plenary council met to discern the findings of the consultations of the future of the Catholic Church in Australia. There has been significant debate that has been reported and this is an opportunity for change to move forward. When there is open and true debate it does not mean that everyone has to agree but there does need to be a pathway created for the Church to respond to the thinking of the people who contributed to the consultation process. ‘We’ are the Church, not the buildings or the clerical staff, whether you go to church or not - it is always there for you. Watch for the release of the findings.
Staff Development Day
Our Staff development day was upskilling teachers in feedback for students’ learning which focussed on finding ways for students to improve their learning. It is the students learning and they have a responsibility to themselves that they take the feedback and work with it to improve their outcomes. Feedback is useless if students don’t use it. Feedback creates growth and also is about the positives, not just what students can’t do. I was very impressed with the staff engagement and desire to do their best for the students in their care.
Uniform
Following feedback from students we are adding the following uniform items to be available from the Uniform Shop:
A school beanie - which is a plain navy beanie of a tailored style which will be available from the uniform shop soon
A navy Cardigan - some students have requested a cardigan rather than a jumper so we are trialling this item
An overcoat - this is an optional item for additional warmth for students that is showerproof and windproof for the colder months. This is currently in production and we are not certain on the availability dates. This overcoat is not a replacement for the blazer. Blazers are a compulsory item of the uniform
Thank you to the students on the SRC who brought forward these suggestions.
Regards,
Ms Amanda Wilson
Principal
At the school assembly this week students were reminded of the requirement that they wear their blazers to and from school each day. Students were also informed that it is only a plain white undergarment that is permitted to be worn as an extra layer of warmth. Students are aware that if this is not rectified by next Monday they may be asked to go home.
There are still a number of students who are not entering and exiting the school via the provided pedestrian only path. Students have been reminded that this is a significant saftey issue and no student is permitted to enter or exit the school via the school driveway on the Macquarie Street entrance as this is reserved for staff vehicles only. If parents could please remind your child of this saftey requirement when you are picking up and dropping off your child.
Mrs Jenny Bell
Assistant Principal
Semester 1 Reports
Reports for Semester 1 were distributed on the last week of term 2. These can be accessed via each students Compass portal. Students are strongly encouraged to review their comments and profiles and use the feedback provided from their teachers to set appropriate goals to elicit growth in their subjects across Semester 2.
7-10 Parent Teacher Interviews
Parent teacher Interviews will take place on Wednesday 20/7/2022 between 4:00pm and 8:00pm. Interviews will take place via zoom and parents/students needed to book interview times as previously communicated. If you missed out on booking an interview with any teachers and would like to discuss your child’s progress please contact the teacher via email or call the front office to arrange an appointment at a suitable time
Trial HSC Exams
Trial HSC Exams are scheduled for weeks 3 and 4 of this term. The exam schedule has been emailed to students, students will have flexible attendance during the exam period but a reminder the Library/Yr 12 study space will remain open for students to access as required during this time. Students in Yr 11 doing Yr 12 Pathways classes will also complete exams for their subjects during this time. Provisions for these students to study/prepare for their exams have also been emailed to these students.
Subject Selection Update
Yr 10 students will finalise their selections for Yr 11 2023 subjects across the first few weeks of this term. Once Yr 10 have completed their subject selection process Yr 9 students will choose their electives for Yr 10. This will also include the Pathways option where students can consider starting a HSC course 12 months early instead of doing electives. More information about Pathways will be provided in coming weeks. Yr 8 students will also be choosing electives for Yr 9 2023, this process will take place towards the end of the term
As always feel free to call/email the Curriculum Office if you have any questions or issues you would like to discuss.
School fees are essential for the financial viability of Catholic schools. Upon enrolment of your child you have given an undertaking to meet payment of school fees as they fall due. School principals have the responsibility of ensuring school fees are collected.
The Catholic Education Office has strict guidelines, so it is suggested that all overdue payments are required now to avoid further action. If you are having difficulty in paying your school fees, please contact the finance office to arrange an appointment with Ms Wilson to discuss this matter. Thank you
This morning Sue Kennedy with the assistance of our school RIEP Jennifer Watts coordinated a School Apprenticeship and Trade marketplace for 40 of our yr 10,11 and 12 students. Students engaged in industry Q and A and small group mentoring from some of the area's leading recruitment agencies. In attendance there were representatives from 9 local organisations:
- Endeavour Energy
- Jamberoo Action Park
- Brick and Block Careers
- Skills Road Australia
- Training Services NSW
- Defence Force Recruitment
- Hunter Valley Training Company
- Big Fat Smile
A big thank you to Jenny Watts for her support in running the event. Also To Sue Kennedy who worked tirelessly to ensure this event met the needs of our students. With any school event, it would not be possible without the support of the front office staff, Steve and Kim Heggen. It is the behind the scene administration that allows our students to have these opportunities. We thank you.
Over the holidays, we’ve had two brilliant students (along with their teammates) competing at the 2022 NSW Gymnastics Country Championships, which was held in Armidale. Zara Wells in year 7, competed in the Women's Acrobatics - level 4 (Pair) and Dakota Fothergill in year 9, competed in the Women's Acrobatics - level 4 (Trio). Both students were very successful in their two brilliant routines, resulting in 2nd place for both their balance and dynamic routines and also placed 2nd overall.
This was such a fantastic result for these girls who haven’t been able to participate in competitions over the last couple of years (due to covid), it was so great for them to get back out onto the competition floor.
An honourable mention also goes to Molly Jewiss, of year 12, who was a major part of the coaching team for these girls.
They will both, along with a number of other acrobats we have at Joey's, head off to Sydney at the end of the month for the NSW State competition and Nationals up on the Gold Coast, in September.
The junior team played a total of 9 games in division 1. Every player in the team gave their absolute best effort and never gave up. We faced some tough competition and the girls had such a positive attitude in each and every game. The girls demonstrated great skill and sportsmanship and were a pleasure to Coach on the day. Every member of the team supported each other and represented our school with pride. Congratulations to all those who represented St Joseph’s in the junior netball competition. Well done!
We are pleased to announce that the tickets for Cinderella are on sale today from 10:00am.
These are the details:
We are currently offering free singing lessons at lunchtimes on Tuesdays with Mrs Serafina Minns. These lessons are offered to any interested students who are keen to develop their vocal and musical skills. Singing lessons are in E01.
