Term 2 Week 10, 2024
From our Leadership
Welcome
Saints are courageous people of their day who inspire us….religious heroes if you like. A lovely Catholic tradition and quick prayer is the following:
St Joseph.............pray for us.
With Gratitude
Our St Joseph’s School community has been blessed by the donation of a statue of our Patron - St Joseph. This statue was purchased by the Sisters of Mercy for their Convent Chapel around 1935. It has been lovingly restored by Mr Jim Muldoon and donated by the Muldoon and McLennan families in memory of Lynan Scott. Lynan was a school captain here at Joeys. The Muldoon and McLennan families are wonderful members of our Parish and have a long history with our school.
Term in Review
We would like to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the entire community for contributing to the success of our school term. With your support we have achieved significant milestones and created an environment conducive to learning and growth.
Your involvement and partnering with us to support student learning, has positively influenced each child's educational experience. As we celebrate the successful culmination of this school term, let us cherish the knowledge we have gained and the experiences that have shaped us.
Please enjoy looking back over our Highlights of Term 2 in the next section of this newsletter.
Staff Development Day
A reminder that this Friday is a Staff Development day (pupil free). We thank our families for their support as we continue to use these days to improve our school, learning and teaching for all students.
We continue with the next part of our bullying and friendships information……….Snitches!
It is not uncommon for children to worry about being labelled as a ‘dobber’, ‘tattler’, or ‘snitch’ when facing bullying situations. The fear of being seen as a ‘snitch’ can make them reluctant to report incidents to parents or teachers. However, bullying is a serious matter that is unlikely to be resolved if it is ignored. As a parent, it is essential to understand these concerns and approach the situation with sensitivity. Here are some tips to encourage your child to share their experiences.
Be Patient and Supportive: It may take time for your child to feel comfortable enough to open up about bullying. Be patient, provide a supportive environment, and let them know you are always there for them.
Empathise and Validate: Let your child know that their feelings and fears are valid. Reassure them that you understand their concerns about being labelled negatively and that you will navigate the situation with care.
Explain the Importance: Help your child understand that reporting bullying is not about "dobbing" on someone but about ensuring their safety and wellbeing. Explain that it's essential to address the issue so that we can take appropriate actions to stop the bullying.
Focus on the Behaviour, Not the Child: Emphasise that it is the bullying behaviour that needs to be addressed. The goal is to promote a safe and respectful environment for everyone.
Responsible Reporting: Help your child see this important action as Responsible Reporting. Dobbing, tattling or snitching is telling on a peer when the situation is safe. Responsible reporting is alerting an adult to a situation that is not safe and/or your child needs help managing the situation. Discuss the Consequences: Help your child understand that students who display bullying behaviour need to face consequences for their actions, as it is essential for them to learn from their actions and to change their behaviour. Remind your child that reporting bullying can also help protect other children who might be facing similar issues.
Involve the School Sensitively: If your child remains hesitant, consider discussing the issue with the school in a way that maintains anonymity, if possible, while still addressing the concern.
The cornerstone of all Catholic Social Teaching is the inherent value of the human individual. Thus, at the heart of our school lies the principle that every person is created in God's image and likeness.
Canteen news
Our canteen menu will be updated starting in Term 3, items removed and others added, with a few price adjustments. The updated menu will be reflective of the NSW Health School Canteen Strategy. We thank NSW Health for their advice, compliance suggestions and reviewing the menu. The only item on our menu that does not meet the requirements will be our yoghurt sticks which are classified as confectionary. These will only be available via COMPASS order so that parents can make the choice.
Each fortnight we will have some specials available and these will be advertised in our newsletter. These specials will be cash only on the day. An example of these are custard pots, frozen juice pots, garlic bread, frozen pineapple rings and so on.
Some of the products that did not make it to our new menu will still be sold over the counter until the stock has been diminished.
Tell Them From Me Data
Below is a graph of the parent data. Blue is our averaged school results and the grey is the averaged results of other schools. What we can see:
- Parents feel very welcome at St Joseph’s.
- Parents are well informed at St Joseph’s.
- St Joseph’s is an inclusive community.
We fall closer to other schools:
- Safety at school [the question that brought the average down was behaviour issues are dealt with in a timely manner]
- Parents support learning at home.
Parent Group - Colour Fun Run
Our annual Colour Fun Run will be held on Wednesday, 11 September. A request for help will come out next term. Volunteers are needed to:
- Fill the canisters with powdered paint [these can be sent home]
- Assist with the construction of the course [on the morning of the 11th]
- Collecting/Donating prizes for the children - often we make up packs so any donation is always welcome.
The greatest assistance is to help your child raise sponsorship. As always funds raised go directly to the purchase of computers for the students - last year we purchased 10 new Chromebooks!
Next term the Parent Group will meet on Tuesday, 6 August and 3 September.
Teaching and Learning Learning Intentions and Success Criteria
As we continue to advance in our efforts to achieve the 2024 School Action Improvement Plan Goal for Teaching and Learning, ensuring that "All students meet the expected learning progressions for their grade in 'Grammar' and 'Punctuation'," teachers will implement explicit and tailored teaching strategies in the upcoming learning cycle.
The learning will be based on the clearly defined Learning Intentions and Success Criteria for each group shown below. These goals will guide both teachers and students in the achievement of specific writing goals for their group, as well as their own personalised goal, fostering a focused and structured learning environment.
Additionally, teachers and students will utilise these criteria for teacher feedback, self-assessment and provide constructive feedback to their peers, promoting a collaborative and reflective approach to learning.
Principal-Danny Rankin
Assistant Principal-Anne Forwell
Leader of Learning - Brooke Donoghue
Leader of Evangelisation - Matthew Green
Highlights of Term 2
ANZAC Day March
Grafton Show Scarecrow Competiton
St Joseph's Farmer Joey
Mother's Day Celebration
Cross Country
Owen went on to compete at the Diocesan Cross Country, coming in 6th and earning a place to compete at the Polding Cross Country in Sydney where he came 16th.
Welcoming new students
We welcomed two new Kindergarten students this Term, Joseph & Layke.
Joeys Choir
Our senior choir visited St Francis Nursing Home. The students performed a set of songs and a few comedy sketches for the residents, who delighted in their entertainment.
Celebrating Class Mass with Fr Emmanual in Mercy Hall
Eisteddfod
Remembering the engaging performance of our students at the Grafton Eisteddfod. Our Junior Choir placed 1st and the Senior Choir placed 2nd. How proud we felt!
Hockey
Kindergarten and Stage 2 practising their hockey skills with Coach Rick from Hockey Australia. Rick will be teaching the fundamental skills of hockey to all Stages.
Baptism
Congratulations to Owen and Mason who were admitted into the Catholic Church through the Sacrament of Baptism.
Sacrament of Confirmation
Five students received the Sacrament of Confirmation from Bishop Gregory in a ceremony at St Mary’s Church. Alice, Maddelyn, Mason, Patrick and Owen received the Holy Spirit as a sign of a deeper committment to their faith.
Our School Athletics Carnival
A special mention to Owen for breaking the school record for 12/13 years boys 100m race.
Our new school record for the 12/13 years boys 100m is 15.01 seconds.
Pyjama Day - Tinnies for Vinnies
Students wore their pyjamas and brought a non perishable food item to donate to the St Vincent de Paul Society.
Thank you for your overwhelming generosity!
Sport Coordinator - Caitlin Crispin
A reminder the Zone Athletics Carnival will be held on Tuesday, 30 July at the Coffs Harbour International Stadium. A compass event will be going out this week, please keep an eye out.
Term 3 Sporting Dates
- 30 July Zone Athletics Carnival, Coffs Harbour
- 2 August Green and Gold Olympics Day at school
- 9 August Zone Soccer Knockout, Yamba
- 16 August Dio Athletics Carnival, Coffs Harbour
- 21 August Touch Gala Day Years 5/6, Rushforth Park
- 13 September Polding Athletics Carnival, Newcastle
Gumbaynggirr Language - Liz Hegedus
Ginnagay Ngujawiny -Hello You Mob,
Last week I had the pleasure of attending two NAIDOC events in the community.
The first event was at South Grafton Primary School. My sister and I had the opportunity to speak to Year 3 & 4 students about our life as an Aboriginal.
We had lots of questions put to us about our Aboriginal culture-
- What food did we eat
- What was our favorite sport
- Where was our favorite holiday spot
- What did we want to be when we grew up
- What is it like to have an Aboriginal Family
- What Aboriginal culture stuff did we do growing up
There were some great questions and my sister and I spoke for 1 and a 1/2 hours. At the end of the session the students created a poster using all of the information we had shared with them.
My next outing was a visit to ACMENA. I had the opportunity to attend NAIDOC day with lots of other Indigenous community members. It was a day to understand how these young men came to be in a place where they needed help. A lot of them come from dysfunctional families and do not have the stability of a nuclear family. At ACMENA they are offered a lot of assistance to help them stay or get on the right track. Sometimes the tracks they take are shaky and need to be walked a few times. ACMENA is a Youth Justice Centre for Indigenous boys. The center offers a range of health, educational and spiritual services to the young people, including individual case management, specialised counselling, and training in jobs and living skills.
The Department of Education operates a school at the center, so they can continue their studies while at the center and learn new skills to help them re-enter education, training or the workforce when they leave.
I had the opportunity to watch as the young men performed Aboriginal dancing, singing and storytelling.
So, after experiencing 2 different NAIDOC celebrations, I believe by having Aboriginal Educational Workers in schools we can improve components of success for not only Aboriginal students, but for all students. I also have the opportunity to liaise with families and the community.
I am also blessed with the opportunity to teach Indigenous history to all stages. By teaching and sharing the Indigenous perspective in history it helps all students, especially the Indigenous students to take a sense of pride in their culture and have a strong sense of identity and self-esteem and know where they belong in their country/place and people.
This year the NAIDOC Theme is 'Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud’. This theme echoes the enduring flame of First Nations cultures, shining brightly through adversity and celebrating the richness of First Nations heritage.
Here at St Joseph's, I have been working with Stage 3 about this year's theme. I asked stage 3 to create their own posters for ‘NAIDOC 2024’. We have some great artists in Stage 3. I had the pleasure of submitting 16 posters! The posters will be displayed at Grafton Shoppingworld during the school holidays.
Well done stage 3!
Darrundang Ngiinda - Thankyou
Miss Liz Hegedus
Aboriginal Educational Worker
School Notes
SCHOOL FEES
Thank you to those families who have made the change from Direct Debit to BPay for fee payments. BPay is the preferred payment method for school fees.
Scheduled payments can also be set up using BPay, the Biller Code and your personal reference number can be found on your Fee Statement.
Paying through BPay ensures that your payment goes directly to your account. Any enquireies please contact the School Office.
ABSENCES
Please notify the School Office if your child will be absent for an extended period of time, Principal approval may be required.
Only full day absences are to be entered into Compass, for partial absences - arriving late or leaving early please phone the School Office to notify.
Change to afternoon travel arrangements may be emailed to the school if before 12.00pm sjpgraf@lism.catholic.edu.au
After 12.00pm please phone the School Office on 6642 2899 with any changes.
Uniforms
Merit Awards
Congratulations to the following students who received a Merit Award.
TERM 2 WEEK 10
ES1: Joseph, Olivia, Patrick, Briella
Stage 1: Leia, Noah, Aiden
Stage 2: Lochlann, Skyla, Maddelyn, Dakota
Stage 3: Braith, William, Sophie, Portia, Aleah
School Calendar
TERM 2 2024
Week 10
Thursday, 4 July - Last day of Term 2 for students
Friday, 5 July - Staff Development Day (Pupil Free Day)
TERM 3 2024
Week 1
Monday, 22 July - Students return for Term 3
Friday, 26 July - Grandparent's Day Liturgy at 2.00pm in Mercy Hall
Week 2
Monday, 29 July - School Assembly 2.15pm
Tuesday, 30 July - Zone Athletics Carnival at Coffs Harbour
Week 3
Tuesday, 6 August - Parent Group Meeting 6.00pm - 7.00pm
Thursday, 8 August - St Mary Mackillop Feast Day
Week 4
Monday, 12 August - School Assembly 2.15pm
Monday, 12 to Wednesday, 14 August - Stage 3 at Camp Goodenough
Week 5
Week 6
Monday, 26 August - School Photo Day
Monday, 26 August - School Assembly 2.15pm
Week 7
Week 8
Monday, 9 September - School Assembly 2.15pm
Wednesday, 11 September - Colour Fun Run
Week 9
Week 10
Monday, 23 September - School Assembly 2.15pm
Thursday, 26 September - Last Day of Term 3 for students
Friday, 27 September - Staff Development Day (Pupil Free)
Canteen
Canteen
Open every Wednesday and Friday
Volunteers are always welcome, please leave your details with the School office if you're able to assist.
Exciting news!!
In Term 3 students will be able to purchase items off the 'Canteen Specials Board'.
Specials will be available on Canteen days during each fortnight and will be advertised in the Newsletter for students to purchase directly from the Canteen.
Below is our new canteen Menu, it has been updated and is reflective of the NSW Health School Canteen Strategy.
