Term 2 Week 1

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers,

It was wonderful to see so many smiling faces as the children returned to school this week. The teachers showed much enthusiasm as they readied their rooms for Day 1.

Our Staff Development Day on Monday was a very fruitful day, with the teachers involved in our school action plan. The aim of this day was to continue to improve the standards of our students, especially in                                                                    writing.  

Some key points brought out on the day included the belief that:

• All students can learn to a high standard.
• If children are not progressing, the teachers need to find new ways to engage them in their studies.
• The relationship the child and teacher create together is the key to their success.
• Teachers are life-long learners too!
• It is very important to celebrate the successes of everyone.

Please note the Writing Workshop that will be occurring before the P&F meeting in week 3. This will be a very worthwhile event where I will lead the students (with your help) through a process of creating a piece of writing. This is the first of two workshops, where we hope to show parents and carers the ways we support writers at school.  The first session will outline how we plan and do our first draft.  The second workshop in June will be about editing our writing.

At 3:30 the children will be supervised in the playground whilst parents gather in the hall where we have a guest speaker arranged.

At 3:45 the students will gather to write with their parents and teachers.

This will be followed by our P&F meeting - and pizza!

For catering purposes, please complete the note going home to parents in the coming week, to indicate how many people will be attending.

With every good wish,                                                                                                                                                                Lee Denton                                                                                                                                                                                      Principal                                                                                                                                                                                        Masters of Education (Leadership)

Assistant Principal - Anne Forwell

A very big thank you to all of our families for supporting the pupil free day last Monday. On this day the staff of St Joseph's continued to learn about data walls through the research of Lyn Sharratt.  We will be refining our data wall at school to focus on student growth and achievement - every child, every day! Our focus is to do whatever it takes to move each child forward in their learning.

Staff Development Dates

This term we have two more staff development days (pupil free). These are Wednesday 5 May and Thursday 17 June. 

Again thank you.

Dental Visit

In week 10 of this term we are having a visit from trained and qualified dental staff from Australian Dental Health NSW. The purpose of this school initiative is to provide an opportunity for your child’s teeth to be checked if you provide consent. Permission forms have been sent home with your child. Please return the form by Monday 10 May.

Statement of Intent: Our Shared Commitment

The role of schools in strengthening children and young people’s understanding of consent, and preventing and responding to sexual assault and sexual violence among young people.

A Statement of Intent (please see the link below) was signed on Friday, 26 March 2021 by the Government,  Catholic and Independent Schools to strengthen school-aged children and young people’s ability to form healthy relationships,  understanding of consent and harm prevention. The Statement acknowledges the key role of school staff, in partnership with families, in supporting change.

This Statement is our system commitment, which recognises the innate dignity of the child and young person and their inherent goodness, ‘to enable each to achieve the fullness of life’.  The Statement acknowledges the key role of school staff, in partnership with families, in supporting children and young people to reach their full potential by strengthening their ability to form healthy relationships, understand consent and harm prevention. 

As a system of Catholic schools, we recognise our duties and responsibilities as educators and the growing concerns in the community in this area. We believe that each person is made in the image and likeness of God and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect regardless of race, gender, religion or ethnicity.

At St Joseph's Primary School South Grafton, we believe in delivering a robust curriculum across stages. Healthy relationships and harm prevention is in the following PDHPE units; Early Stage 1 - Positive, Safe Choices, Growing Up Healthy and Safe. Stage 1 - Healthy Body, Healthy Mind Balance, Relationships Rock, Safety Supporters. Stage 2 - Changes, Personal Safety. Stage 3 - Times a Changing, Relationships Rule, Responsibility is Key, Ch..Ch..Changin’, Let’s Take a Selfie.

The voice of parents/carers is valuable as the first and continuing educators of their children. We encourage families to complete a survey to support our future direction in driving cultural change around respectful relationships.

The survey is open until Friday, 7 May and can be completed via the link below. 

If you have any questions please email the school sjpgraf@lism.catholic.edu.au and a school leadership member will contact you.

Leader of Evangelisation - Donna Bancroft

Anzac Day- Sunday 25 April

Anzac Day provides us with the opportunity to talk to our children about the importance of the ANZACS (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) and the significant roles service men and women of our nations, have now and had, during the war. 

St Joseph’s Primary School will be marching at the South Grafton ANZAC Service this Sunday, 25 April 2021, to commemorate the contribution and suffering of all Australians and New Zealand service men and women who have served and given their lives during war. 

We will be assembling at 10.30am at the New School of Arts, South Grafton, to commence marching at 11.00am. The service will take place at 11.15am and conclude at 12 noon with the laying of a wreath by our school captains Jason Burling and Isabelle Pye.  

Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, we remember with thanksgiving those who made the supreme sacrifice for us in time or war. We pray that the offering of their lives may not have been in vain. May your grace enable us this day to dedicate ourselves to the cause of justice, freedom and peace; and give us the wisdom and strength to build a better world, for the honour and glory of your Name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

K-2 Instructional Leader - Larissa Deleiuen

AEDC - Playing our part to build a national picture of child health

In early 2021, our school, along with thousands of others across the country will begin preparations for the fifth Australian Early Development Census (AEDC).

The AEDC gives us a national picture of the development, health and wellbeing of children in their first year of full-time school. Since 2009, the census results have helped communities, schools and governments plan services and develop better policies to target support for children and families.

Children don’t miss any class time, and parents/carers don’t need to supply schools with any new information for the census. The AEDC gives us data at a school and community level - it isn’t an assessment of individual children.

In the past, completing the assessments have made teachers more aware of the needs of individual children and the class as a whole and that the census results are useful in planning for transitions to Year 1 and developing class programs.

Participation in the AEDC is voluntary. Parents/carers don’t need to take any action unless they choose not to include their children in the census.

To find out more about the census and how communities are using the data to help children and families visit the AEDC website: www.aedc.gov.au.

A separate note with more detailed information has been sent home to all Kindergarten families.

If you have any questions, you can contact Lee Denton or Larissa Deleiuen.

Leader of Curriculum - Hannah Gorman

                                     NAPLAN Years 3 and 5                               

Week 4 - Tuesday 11 May & Thursday 13 May 2021 

As children progress through their school years, it is very important that checks are made along the way to see how well they are learning the essential skills of reading, writing and mathematics – skills that will set them upon the path to success as adults.

NAPLAN is a point-in-time assessment that allows parents to see how their child is progressing in literacy and numeracy against the national standard and compared with their peers throughout Australia. At the classroom level, NAPLAN provides additional information to support teachers’ professional judgement about student progress.

Preparing for NAPLAN

NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students have already learnt through the school curriculum. Teachers will ensure that students are familiar with the test formats and will provide appropriate support and guidance. Excessive preparation is not useful and can lead to unnecessary anxiety. If you have any questions about your child's preparation for NAPLAN, please make a time to speak with your child's teacher.

NAPLAN tests are constructed to give students an opportunity to demonstrate skills they have learnt over time through the school curriculum, and NAPLAN test days should be treated as just another routine event on the school calendar. The best way you can help your child prepare for NAPLAN is to reassure them that NAPLAN tests are just one part of their school program, and to advise them to simply do the best they can on the day.

For further information and to find answers to some of the most common queries ACARA receives regarding the National Assessment Program, please follow the link below.   

NAPLAN Frequently Asked Questions

Sport Coordinator-Emma Davis

Clarence Zone Cross Country Carnival 

Congratulations to the following students who will represent the school at the Clarence Zone Cross Country Carnival on Wednesday 28 April at McAuley Catholic College.

Braxton Metcalfe, Noah Grainger, Alexander Van der Vlist, Kruze Colby, Harrison Light, Bath-Sheba Bowman, Miranda Scully, Eva Davis, Stevie Rizzo, Jackson Grieve, Callum Tait, Thomas Awberry, Sheen Thrupp, Chloe Pye, Skye Brennand, Peter Hewitt, Tallon Shoesmith, Noah Brockwell, Isabelle Pye, Rachel Surawski, Archie Steel, Nicholas Beard, Jason Burling, Zylan Dobra Garrett, Eve Pullen, Emily Hyde, Monique Rogers , Sophie Van der Vlist. 

Library/Book Club Coordinator - Anna Smidt

There are so many avid readers at St Joseph’s however one reader has really stood out for me lately- Robert. Every time I see Robert around the school he has his head in a book and I wanted to know what had him so engrossed.

Hello Robert, can you tell me what you’re reading at the moment?

I’m reading “The World's Worst Children 2” by David Walliams.

Oh, that sounds interesting, I hope you’re not in it! :)

What is this book about?

This book is about really naughty children who do lots of bad things. They’re rude to their parents, they break things, they don’t do their homework, they’re so bad.

What do you like about this book Robert?

I like that the book is really funny and also the book is set out in small chapters that make it easy to read.

Who do you think might like to read this book?

I think anyone who likes a good laugh would love to read this book.

Thank you for sharing Robert and don’t forget to add it to your Premier's Reading Challenge list!

Bookclub                                                                                                                                                                                        Issue 3 will be sent home soon, if you would like to order please do so by Thursday 6 May.

School Events & Dates

TERM 2

WEEK 1

• Monday 19 April - Staff Development Day (Pupil Free)
• Tuesday 20 April - Students return Term 2
• Sunday 25 April - ANZAC Day

WEEK 2

• Monday 26 April-Friday 30 April - Catholic Schools Week

WEEK 3

• Tuesday 4 May 3.30pm to 5.00pm - Parent Partnership Evening, Writing
• Tuesday 4 May 5.00pm to 6.00pm P & F Meeting
• Wednesday 5 May - Staff Development Day (Pupil Free)
• Sunday 9 May - Mother's Day

Drama and Voice Tuition

If your child would like tuition in drama or voice                                              please contact Maree Hickson on 0421 656 019

P & F Easter Raffle

Congratulations to the following prize winners:

1. Jasmine Hewitt
2. Sophie Pole
3. Daniel Trickett
4. Shane Rogers
5. Van der Vlist Family
6. Rose Coelli
7. Kruze Colby
8. Jenny Campbell
9. Rose Coelli
10. Rahni Hummelstad
11. Max Campbell
12. Nathan Bennett
13. Vashti Bowman
14. Annabella Fordham

Thank you to everyone who supported our raffle by purchasing tickets.

School Notes

School Office

Student changes to afternoon travel:

Please phone the School Office if you need to make a change to your childs afternoon travel arrangement on the day. If notice is given in advance any changes may be emailed or phoned through to the school.

Uniform Shop

U Design Schoowear                                                                                                                                                      BrewHouse Village                                                                                                                                                                      Gate 4

Opening hours from 19 April 2021                                                                                                                          Monday - Friday  10.00 am to 4.30 pm                                                                                                                        Phone 6643 2989

Canteen Roster