School Counsellor

Hello everyone,

I wanted to introduce myself to the school community and those I haven’t had the opportunity to meet yet.
My name Is Jessica Jones, and I’m very happy to have recently joined the pastoral care team at St Joseph’s as the new school counsellor.
I am a qualified Social Worker with broad experience working with children and families. I use evidence based interventions to support students experiencing a range of mental health challenges including anxiety and depression as well as assistance with social and emotional issues.
I use a strengths-based approach in my work, and am passionate about building wellbeing and resilience in children during their Primary School years.
School Counselling services are available to students via referral and include individual short-term counselling, small group programs and support for parents and families.
If you have any questions about the counselling services offered or would like to speak with me, please contact me via the office on Tel: 6645 2340 or email me at jessica.jones@lism.catholic.edu.au

I’m at the school on Thursdays and Fridays and look forward to working together to help the St Joseph’s school community thrive.

Jess Jones - School Counsellor

Creative Arts

Upcoming School Dates & Events

Term 1 Dates:

• Monday 8th April - Visual Arts Night (Week 11 - CHANGE OF DATE)
• Tuesday 9th April - Zone Cross Country (Week 11)
• Wednesday 10th April - St Joseph's Days NEW DATE  (Week 11)
• Thursday 11th April - SRC Fun Day (Week 11) - Last day of Term 1
• Friday 12th - Staff Develeopment/Pupil Free Day

Term 2 Dates:

• Monday 29th - Staff Develeopment/Pupil Free Day (Week 1)
  
• Mother's Day Stall (Tuesday 7th May - Week 2)
• Close the Gap Stage 3 (Wednesday 8th May - Week 2)
• Mother's Day High Tea & Liturgy (Friday 10th May - Week 2)
• Stage 2 & 3 Maclean Netball Gala Day (Thursday 23rd May - Week 4)
• PROCLAIM Staff Day - PUPIL FREE DAY (Thursday 30th May - Week 5)

Pastoral Care - School Chaplain

SRC funday- Thursday 11th April

We are thrilled to announce an exhilarating event coming up at St. Joseph School: our SRC Funday featuring an Inflatable Ninja Warrior Course! This fun-filled activity is for all students from Kindergarten to Year 6 and promises a day of adventure, laughter, and friendly competition. Students will have the opportunity to test their agility, balance, and strength as they navigate through the exciting obstacles of the Ninja Warrior Course.

But wait, there's more! Our beloved teachers will also be taking on the challenge! It's a chance for them to showcase their skills and determination as they tackle the course. Let's show our support by cheering them on and witnessing their impressive feats!

Mother’s Day High Tea - Friday 10th May

In celebration of Mother’s Day, St. Joseph School and the Parent Assembly invite all mothers, grandmothers, and significant women in our students' lives to a delightful High Tea event. This is our way of showing appreciation for the love, care, and support these remarkable women provide each and every day. More information will be sent out in term 2. 

Warm regards,

Ms Juana Mead - School Chaplain

Parent Forum

Easter Raffle

Thank you so much to everyone who supported our Easter raffle by donating and/or selling tickets! We raised over $1000.  These funds will go towards the resoucres for Creative Arts, Sport & the Library.

Lauren Kirkland - Chairperson of the Parent Forum

Awards

Congratulations to the following students recognised at this fortnight's Awards Assembly:

Principal Awards

Our Class Award winners this week are: 

School Sport

School Cross Country

Thankfully the sun came out for the school Cross Country Carnival on Tuesday 2nd April. Seeing so many families there to support the students was amazing and make it a special day for everyone. Congratulations to all the students for their efforts and resilience during their events.

House winners on the day were Yuragir with 71 points, Gibraltar with 67 points and Bundjalung with 59 points. 

St Joseph’s Cross Country Carnival Results for 2024

Zone Team: 

Antony Gilchrist - Sports Coordinator

Community Notices

Leader of Mission

Easter Liturgy

Thank you to all the staff for their time and effort to prepare the students for their re-enactments of scripture, and to the families and friends who were able to attend and share this special liturgical event with us. Most of all thank you to each and every one of our wonderful students for their efforts in preparing and presenting the Easter Story!

Holy Week marks the end of the Lenten season. It begins on Palm Sunday and finishes when we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday.  The Season of Easter then commences and extends for 50 days, closing with Pentecost Sunday.

Anzac Day March and School Service

I would like to invite our School Captains, students and families to participate in the Maclean RSL ANZAC Day March, which will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday, 25th April.  Students gather at Maclean Boulevard and walk to the Cenotaph near the Council Chambers.  Students are requested to wear full school uniforms, including hats and bring plenty of water as it can get extremely hot.

We will hold an ANZAC service at school on Wednesday, 1st May, at 10:00 am.

Mercy In Action Award

This fortnight's prestigious Mercy Award goes to Marco Quarello in recognition of displaying the Mercy Value of Hospitality. Marco's genuine welcoming nature and thoughtfulness towards others have not gone unnoticed. Whether lending a helping hand, offering a kind word, or simply brightening someone's day with his warm smile, Marco consistently demonstrates the true essence of hospitality.

Congratulations, Marco.

Mrs Senz

Leader of Learning

Holiday Reading!

As we approach the school holidays, a time when children and parents alike enjoy some extra freedoms and downtime, it's easy for reading to take a backseat. But did you know that students can experience a decline in reading skills over a school break? 

Getting kids to pick up a book can feel like an uphill battle. But, the holidays can actually be the perfect time to embrace fun family activities centred around reading and maintain their reading habits even during these breaks.

Here are some tips to help combat the 'holiday dip' and keep the magic of reading alive at home.

1. Storytime Under the Stars: Grab a blanket, head outside, and enjoy family storytime under the twinkling night sky.
2. Visit a library: take a trip, explore new books together, and foster a love for reading beyond the home.
3. Morning Reading Ritual: Read a chapter in the morning, when your child is used to learning and before other plans cause distraction.
4. Borrow from our digital library: students can log onto Sora using their school account to borrow eBooks and audiobooks
5. Rewards: Create a reward system for finishing books and chapters

By incorporating these fun activities into our holiday routines, we can help our kids maintain their love for reading all year long!

Mrs Senz, Mrs Mullins & Mrs Mclennan

Principal's Message

Dear Families and Friends,

Welcome to our final newsletter for Term 1, 2024. What an busy and eventful term it has been!  We kicked off the term with our highly attended (and deliciously catered!) Parent Information Night, followed by enjoyable social gatherings such as the Silent Disco. Additionally, we prioritized the academic progress and well-being of our students with Parent Interviews, culminating in our upcoming Easter Liturgy, Cross Country, and Art Show (scheduled for next Monday!). One of the most cherished aspects of our school is our vibrant community spirit and the sheer joy that radiates when we come together. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for your invaluable contributions in making our school a "peaceful and happy place to be."

Anzac Day March

Please note St Joey's will again participate in the Maclean Anzac Day Parade on Thursday, 25th April. We encourage as many children as possible to gather at 10.30 am outside The Boulevard in River Street to represent our school community on this important National Day. A full school uniform, including a hat, must be worn, and a drink bottle is highly recommended. A number of staff will be present and assisting on the day. 

St Joey's Celebration Day - Brooms Head 

Just a reminder that after having to postpone our original date that we will be celebrating the Feast Day of St. Joseph next on Wednesday 10th April, as a school community. We warmly invite you to meet us at Brooms Head Beach to help us celebrate this day as a school community.

During this day, students will participate in a Liturgy by the beach, a beach walk & organised class activities. It is anticipated that this will be a day of reflection and relationship building amongst all students & staff and an excellent opportunity to strengthen our community.

We will start with our Whole School Liturgy at the Lagoon (beach-side) as you pass the Bowling Club upon entering the town. Students will walk down the beach from the Caravan Park to the Lagoon and, following the liturgy, will proceed to walk back and participate in some class-based beach activities. We intend to set up an organised area (dependent on campers) near the undercover BBQ area. Any parental assistance to help with serving lunch would be greatly appreciated.

Return for Term 2

Students return for Term 2 on Tuesday, 30th of April. Staff begin the term on Monday, 24th April, with a Spirituality Reatreat Day held out at Brooms Head. This day will be focusing on developing & strengthening the individual and collective faith in our staff. As always I appreciate your understanding around the importance of these Professional Learning despite the inconvenience and additional logistics it may place on families. 

I wish all families a happy, safe and holy Easter and look forward to seeing you all in Term 2. 

Warmest regards

Dale

Library News

Our second issue of Book Club for 2024 closes next Friday 29th March. Make sure you have your orders submitted to LOOP by that date to get free postage. If you have lost your copy feel free to grab a copy from the library or have a look online here.

Happy reading!

Mrs O'Brien

Creative Arts

The Little Mermaid

On Friday 15th, Stage 2 & 3 students from St Joeys had the gift of a live production by Clarence Coast Theatrical Society, performing DISNEY'S The Little Mermaid.

Students and staff were mesmerised with Ariel, Urzula, Sebastian and Flounder (Roxy Bailey!) in particular, plus the remaining cast and whole chorus of other underwater creatures and supporting roles. Cast members showcased their skills in singing, dancing, gymnastics, quick costume changes, multiple roles and of course dramatic performance!

We thank LLTS for their amazing performance and cannot wait until the announcement of their next musical. We are so grateful for this opportunity to experience and support creative arts/ drama performances in our little community.

The remaining shows are being performed at the Maclean Civic Hall on the following dates and times:

• Friday 22nd: 630pm
• Saturday 23rd: 630pm
• Sunday 24th: 2pm

Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for 11 yrs and under. They are available at the Maclean Flower Box or at the following link.

Leaders of Learning

Literacy Intervention

What is Intervention?

Intervention in literacy refers to targeted support provided to students who may require extra assistance in spelling, reading and writing. It's a personalised approach aimed at addressing individual needs and ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed academically.

Identifying Students for Intervention

We use standardised testing to identify students who may benefit from literacy intervention. These assessments help us pinpoint areas where additional support may be needed, allowing us to tailor interventions to effectively meet each child's specific needs.

Our Programs

MiniLit and MacqLit are evidence-based literacy intervention programs used to support students of all ages. Teachers work with small groups of students, using structured materials daily during our Literacy block. 

MiniLit:

• Tailored for young learners in Years 1 and 2
• Focuses on explicitly teaching the relationship between sounds and letters, emphasising the critical role this knowledge plays in reading.

 MacqLit:

• Designed for students from Year 3 to 6
• Focuses on enhancing reading and spelling and emphasises building independence, accuracy, and fluency in reading.

By implementing these programs, we're committed to providing the necessary support to ensure every child reaches their full potential. Literacy intervention allows children to become more confident and proficient readers, setting a strong foundation for future academic success.

Mrs Senz, Mrs Mullins & Mrs Mclennan

Upcoming School Dates

Term 1 Dates:

• Parent Teacher Interviews (Week 9)
• Thursday 28th March - Easter Liturgy (Week 9)
• Good Friday 29th March (Week 9)
• Easter Monday 1st April (Week 10)
  
• Tuesday 2nd April - School Cross Country (Week 10)
  
• Monday 8th April - Visual Arts Night (Week 11 - CHANGE OF DATE)
• Tuesday 9th April - Zone Cross Country (Week 11)
• Wednesday 10th April - St Joseph's Days NEW DATE  (Week 11)
• Thursday 11th April - SRC Fun Day (Week 11) - Last day of Term 1

Term 2 Dates:

• Friday 12th - Staff Develeopment/Pupil Free Day
• Mother's Day Stall (Wednesday 7th May - Week 2 TBC)
• Mother's Day High Tea & Liturgy (Friday 10th May - Week 2)

Parent Forum

Thank you to all that attended out Silent Disco - it was great to see the kids dancing and having fun with their friends.

Our ever popular Easter Egg Raffle will be held after the Easter Liturgy next Thursday 28th March. Thank you to families who have bought in donations - we will continue to take donations up until Wednesday 27th - the more prizes the more chance the kids have to win!

Sold & unsold raffle tickets are to be returned to the front office by Wednesday - more tickets are available from the office.

Lauren Kirkland - Parent Forum Chairperson

Pastoral Care - School Chaplain

Social Justice- Caritas Project Compassion

Partnership in action  

The work of Caritas Australia is only possible with the dedication, passion and tenacity of our local partners who implement the programs. They are the heroes on the ground, working tirelessly behind-the-scenes every day to create a better future for their communities.

Caritas Australia partners with the Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ) to support communities living in urban slums in the Philippines. FCJ runs a number of programs that include house renovating, food processing, basic literacy skills, urban gardening, upcycling and income generating activities. They also have a clinic visited weekly by a doctor and community nurse. 

Caritas Australia partners with Caritas Samoa to assist communities to have increased access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene to ensure human health and well-being by providing water tanks and sanitation facilities.

Caritas Australia partners with the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi through the A+ program. Since 2016, the A+ program has helped 7,397 families across Malawi improve their food security, access to basic water and sanitation, boost women’s income generation and strengthen child protection.  

Please donate to Project Compassion.

Together, we can help vulnerable communities face their challenges today and build a better tomorrow for all future generations.

You can donate through Project Compassion donation boxes, online by visiting  caritas.org.au/project-compassion or by calling 1800 024 413.

SRC Initiatives

 We're delighted to share some upcoming initiatives organised by the Student Representative Council (SRC) that will surely enhance our students school experience:

1. Easter Egg Hunt: Get ready for a fun-filled Easter Egg Hunt! Students will have a blast searching for hidden eggs around the school grounds.
2. Ninja Warrior Course: students test their agility and strength on our Ninja Warrior Course. It's a fantastic opportunity for them to stay active and challenge themselves.
3. SRC Meeting:The SRC meetings are led by our dedicated SRC captains and occur every second week.  These meetings are a great way for students to voice their ideas, concerns, and contribute to the school community.

We believe these initiatives will not only be enjoyable for students but also help foster a sense of camaraderie and involvement within the school.

Ms Juana Mead - School Chaplain

Class Awards

Congratulations to the following students recognised at this fortnight's Awards Assembly:

Principal Awards

Class Awards

School Sport

The first term has been incredible with many of our students achieving remarkable sporting feats, representing the school at Zone, Dio, and soon Polding levels. Additionally, all students have actively participated in the Rookie Rollers program, honing their fundamental movement skills for future sporting success. We extend our gratitude to the Maclean Greens team for providing support and efforts in accommodating us over the past few weeks. For the remainder of the term, students will engage in a teacher-led rookie rollers program.

Looking ahead, we have the Cross Country event on Tuesday April 2nd (Week 10) and the Color Run to follow shortly after. Stay tuned for more information on both these events. The practice cross country sessions held during Week 8 were a success, and we look forward to continuing to hone students' cross country confidence and excellence through our practice cross country sessions to be held Week 9 (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday) from 1:20 to 1:40. We again encourage students to bring their runners and extra healthy snacks on these days.

For further updates and details, please keep an eye on Compass. Thank you for your continued support.

Anthony Gilchrist - Sports Coordinator

Class News - Stage 3

In Stage 3, students have been deeply immersed in their assigned novels: "Storm Boy" for Year 6 and "The Wild Robot" for Year 5. Using these novels as a focal point, students have been able to recognize narrative elements to incorporate into their own writing, master the art of crafting vivid settings and character descriptions, and enhance their reading fluency through practice.

In Maths , Year 6 students have been actively involved in activities centered on fractions. They are currently grasping the concept of recognising the significance of the number one as representing the whole, as well as comparing and representing fractions. Additionally, they are tackling problems that involve the addition and subtraction of fractions. Year 5 have been learning all about perimeter, and the practical aspects of applying this skill to measure distances within the school, and on town maps.

In Science, we have just wrapped up our 'micro farming' experiment. We have been learning that making sustainable decisions can come with a lot of challenges for our farmers. We were on strict water restrictions when growing our alfalfa crops, and unfortunately, some of our farms didn't produce any yield. Making decisions as a farmer is a tough gig! 

Mrs Senz & Mrs Kinsella