As we reflect on the completion of Term Two, it is important to express gratitude to all those who have contributed to its success. Students, parents, and staff have played crucial roles in making this term a highlight both academically and socially.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the parents and carers who have been actively involved in supporting our students through various events such as the St Joseph's Movie Night, community council meetings, Mother's Day stall, and volunteering in the canteen. Your presence and participation have truly made a difference.

Our dedicated staff members deserve special recognition for their unwavering commitment to providing quality education and support to our students. Their hard work goes beyond the normal working hours as they meticulously plan lessons, engage in professional development activities, and assist in organising various extracurricular activities such as SRC, Sacramental preparation, excursions ans sport.

I want to acknowledge our students for their positive attitude and willingness to adhere to school rules while embodying the values of Jesus every day. Their behaviour sets a shining example for others and contributes greatly to the overall success of our school community.

We wish our staff and students a well earned break and look forward to all students returning on Wednesday 24th July 2024.

Public Speaking-Y3-6
Early next term our students from Year 3-6 have the opportunity to represent St Joseph's at the Northern Region Public Speaking Competition. St Joseph's students have set a very high standard in this competition in past years and we look forward to witnessing similar quality speeches in
2024. We have included details below:

Students in Year 3 and 4 prepare and present a 2 minute speech.
Students in Year 5 and 6 prepare and present a 3 minute speech.

1. Your child will present their speech to their own class and may choose to present their speech to other classes as well.
2. Classroom teachers will choose two best speeches from each class. These students will present their speech to Year 3-6 students in the School Hall on Wednesday, August 7 (Week 3).
3. Following adjudication on the 7th of August, two students from each Year level will be selected to speak at the Northern Region Competition on August 23rd and if successful at the Northern Region Competition are able to represent their region at the Arch-Diocesan Carnival.

The topics for the Year levels are:

Year 3
Time Limit: 2 Minutes
Topic: IF KIDS RULED THE WORLD

Year 4
Time Limit: 2 Minutes
Topic: AUSTRALIAN STORIES

Year 5
Time Limit: 3 Minutes
Topic: LEARNING FROM THE PAST

Year 6
Time Limit: 3 Minutes
Topic: OUR VOICES

Peer Support

This Friday our senior year 5 and 6 students will be trained as leaders for our Term Three Peer Support Program.
This program offers better connectedness and strategies for:
• improved resilience
• shared identity and acceptance
• increased self-confidence
• the value of helping others
• developing and sharing skills
• emotional resilience and wellbeing.

Our senior students will lead a group of from Kinder to Year Four each Friday of next term. Thankyou Mrs. McNamara and Stage 3 teachers for preparing the students for training and beyond.

Tissues

A reminder to all our parents and carers as our cold weather continues could you please send in a box of tissues with your children as we are using a lot of them at the
moment. Please remind your children of good hygiene habits; blowing our nose, throwing the tissue in the bin and washing hands.

Reporting guidelines

A Semester Report will be accessible via COMPASS this Friday providing ‘A-E grading for Key Learning Areas and ‘engagement with learning’ summary. CECG has advised schools that a general comment will not be included in Semester 1, Term 2, 2024 reports.

Semester 2, Term 4, 2024 reports will include a general comment for all K-6 reports.
This general comment in Term 4 will be a summative comment for the whole year, including areas of achievement and areas to focus on for 2024.  

I read an informative article for parents to consider when opening the report with your child -
''• Do a little self-check to see if you are in the right frame of mind before sitting down with your child to discuss the report
• Reports can mean anxious times for children too. Will my parents be disappointed or proud… This is the main concern of most children. Children of all ages take their cues
from their parents, so your reaction to their school report can affect the way they see themselves as learners and as people.
• Are your expectations for your child realistic and in line with their ability.. Expectations are tricky. If they are too high then your child could be turned off learning. Too low and there is nothing to strive for.
• Pitch your expectations in line with your child’s abilities.
• Children learn at different rates. There are slow bloomers, late developers and steady- as-you-go kids in every classroom, so avoid comparing your child to
siblings, your friends’ children and even yourself when you were a child.  Instead look for individual progress.
• Are you willing to safeguard your child’s self-esteem rather than deflate it… Selfconfidence is a pre-requisite for learning, so be prepared to be as positive and encouraging as possible.
• Focus on strengths. Do you look for strengths or weaknesses first?
• Take into account your child’s effort and attitude to learning. If the report indicates that effort is below standard, then you have something to work on. If your child is putting in the required effort, then you cannot ask any more than that, regardless of the grading.
• Broaden your focus away from academic performance to form a picture of your child’s progress as a member of a social setting. How your child gets along with his or her
peers will influence his happiness and well-being, as well as give an indicator to his future.
• The skills of independence and co-operation are highly valued so don’t dismiss these as unimportant.
• Take note of student self-assessment. Children are generally very honest and will give a realistic assessment of their progress. Discuss the report talking about strengths first before looking at areas that need improvement. Ask for their opinion about how they performed and discuss their concerns.
• After reports are read and discussed celebrate your child’s efforts with a special activity or treat. In this way you will recognise progress!''

'Chess Lessons' opportunity reminder at St Joseph's-

Before  / After School Options

(If you are interested please let the organisers know this week)

A reminder from last week's newsletter regarding the availability of chess lessons before and after school on the St Joseph's campus.Details include-

Wednesdays next term W2-10, provided there is enough interest from students.   

Students from all classes are eligible and the afternoon session would commence at 3.20pm.

 If you are interested in having your child participate in these lessons,  please notify the Chess Coaches(details on the flyer below)..

Autism Workshop