St Joseph's Primary School South Grafton eNewsletter

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers,

As the term comes to an end we can look back on a great term where we could get back to 'some sort of normal' with Covid restrictions being eased. We have been very pleased and grateful for the number of you who have been attending our Writing Workshop, Masses and assemblies.

Your class teachers are always available for interviews, but with the half yearly reports going live last Friday, I would encourage you to make an appointment with your class teachers if you have not already done so. This would be a great time for information sharing on both sides - yours and the teachers.

Also remember that in Week 3 of next term we will have part two of our writing workshop. The second workshop will focus on report writing. This is an important skill that all students need because most of their writing will be information-style as they complete assignments during their time at school.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity, on your behalf, to thank Larissa Deleiuen for the significant impact she has made to each child K - 2 over the past 5 years, especially in English and Maths. We wish her well as she starts her maternity leave and look forward to her return after the safe delivery of her baby.

Have a great holiday, make memories with your children - and encourage them to read during the break!

With every good wish

Lee Denton

Principal

Masters of Education (Leadership)

Assistant Principal - Anne Forwell

Thank you to all of our wonderful families for another great term. It was great to have you all come into the school for assemblies and school events. We look forward to this again in term 3.

Reports and Parent Teacher Interviews

As previously communicated your child’s report is available via the parent portal http://parent.lism.catholic.edu.au/ Please contact the office if you require assistance.

I encourage you to take the opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher. Parent teacher interviews will continue in Week 1 of Term 3. Although we encourage regular communication, this time is set aside as a formal opportunity for you to discuss your child’s report with their teachers and set goals for semester 2.

Term Dates

The last day of school for students is Friday 25 June. The first day of Term 3 is Monday 12 July.

Have a happy and safe holiday.

Leader of Evangelisation - Donna Bancroft

Stage 1 Class Mass

On Wednesday, Father Joe celebrated Mass with the students from Stage 1. The theme of the Mass was centred on the Holy Spirit, as a gift to all Christians which is so rich that it produces many fruits. The students prayed for the Holy Spirit to continue to strengthen and guide them on their faith journey.

Mrs Bancroft and Miss Cormick were so proud of the Prayers of the Faithful readings by Owen, Stevie, Charlotte, Ned and Elijah.

Next term, the students at St Joseph's Primary School will be fortunate to visit St Patrick's Church each week and attend the Parish Mass on Wednesdays at 9.15am. All parents and friends are most welcome to join us. We thank Father Joe and Father Emmanuel for their continual support and enriching us in our faith.

Leader of Catechesis - Joe Stewart

Confirmation

A letter was sent home this week with the candidates outlining further details of their preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. A parent meeting will be held on Tuesday, 13 July at 6:00pm at the McCarthy Centre. The children will attend a Confirmation Reflection Day on Wednesday, 21 July at St Mary's Primary School. Confirmation will be held on Friday, 23 July at St Mary's Church at 6:00pm. Bishop Greg will meet the candidates at 5:30pm before the Mass. All are invited to attend the Confirmation Mass to join in celebrating the Confirmation of the children in our Parish. Please keep these children and their families in your prayers during the last few weeks of their preparation and faith journey. Miranda Scully, Lara Forwell, Rowan Lloyd, Rachael Savins, Hugh Brotherson and Ivy Lloyd.

First Holy Communion

Preparation for the Sacrament of First Holy Communion will commence early in Term 3. A letter will be sent home with the children who were confirmed in 2019 next term. Most of these students will be in Year 4. The First Communion Mass will be held on the weekend of 11/12 September. Please contact the school if you require more information regarding enrolling your child in the preparation of this sacrament.

K-2 Instructional Leader - Larissa Deleiuen

The Importance of Reading

Reading is a very important skill. Children learn about the importance of and the love of reading from watching their family members read every day. Reading with your child will help them in all learning areas of school. Read with your child whenever you can and make reading an enjoyable, shared activity. Share a story with your child, involve them in conversations and encourage them to speak in full sentences, read recipes, comics, street signs, tv guides, newspapers, letters and emails. This teaches them that reading is a useful skill in today’s world. Below are some tips for encouraging and supporting reading at home:

Before reading, talk about the cover, the title, the pictures, and discuss what the book may be about.
During reading, discuss what has been read up to that point, and imagine what will happen next time.
After reading is finished, talk and ask questions about the story and the pictures.
When reading a harder book together, take turns. Beginning readers can read the repetitive parts and more experienced readers can read a paragraph or a page.

(NSW Departmentment of Education)

Use the prompts on the below bookmark, that we use at school during reading, when you read with your child to prompt them with the skills and strategies they need to be successful readers. Ensure you read over the holiday break!

Leader of Curriculum - Hannah Gorman

Student Reports and Parent Meetings Semester 1

Last Friday 18 June, student reports were available to be accessed online via the Schoolworx Parent Portal. Reports are a reflection of the learning that has take place so far as well as an indication of 'where to next'. Celebrating your child's achievements certainly helps to build a sense of self confidence and contributes to positive engagement in future learning.

Formal parent teacher meeting opportunities are being provided and will continue in Term 3 during Week 1. You are encouraged to take up the formal meeting opportunity and can arrange a meeting by contacting your child's teacher/s directly via their email or by phone on 66 422 899.

Sport Coordinator - Emma Davis

School Athletics Carnival

The school athletics carnival was held on Wednesday 16 June. Congratulations to all students who participated, all students displayed excellent sportsmanship and perseverance when competing. Thank you to Nikki and Mitch from Grafton Little Athletics for the use of the clubs equipment and their assistance with events throughout the day. Also a big thank you to the students from McAuley Catholic College who assisted with timing and field events at the carnival.

Congratulations to the following age champions:

Junior Girls: Chole Pye

Junior Boys: Callum Tait

11 Year Girls: Saffira Bariner

11 Year Boys: Noah Brockwell

Senior Girls: Emily Hyde

Senior Boys: Archie Steel

Congratulations to Craig who was the winning house.

Congratulations to the following students who will represent the school at the Clarence Zone Athletics canrival on Tuesday 13 June in Coffs Harbour: Braxton Metcalfe, Noah Grainger, Tynan Boers, Emmett Hammond, Callum Tait, Jackson Grieve, Noah Brockwell, Tallon Shoesmith, Nicholas Beard, Archie Steel, Stevie Rizzo, Bonnie Shoesmith, Miranda Scully, Rose Coelli, Chloe Pye, Skye Brennand, Isabelle Pye, Saffira Barnier, Emily Hyde, Eve Pullen, Aleah Jeffery, Monique Rogers, Cameron Barratt, Peter Hewitt, Annabella Fordham, Isla Johnson, Matthew F, Eve Pullen.

Students who placed in the top 2 in their age group in each event were selected to represent the school at the Clarence Zone Athletics Carnival.

High Jump and Discus

If your child wishes to nominate to qualify for high jump and discus at the Lismore Diocesan Athletics Carnival they are required to submit measurements and heights from results collected through Little Athletics or an Athletics Coach. Please contact Miss Davis if you wish to nominate your child for these events and have a coach that can provide these measurements.

Library/Book Club Coordinator - Anna Smidt

Premier's Reading Challenge

As I have mentioned in previous newsletters, the Premier's Reading Challenge ends on Friday 20 August and this deadline is rapidly approaching. These school holidays, encourage your child to turn off their device and get lost in a good book instead. Don't forget to then remind your child to add the book to their individual PRC reading log.

Overdue Books

Thank you to all those students who have already returned overdue books to the library, well done! If you haven't found your overdues yet, please keep looking.

Gumbaynggirr Language - Liz Hegedus

Giinagay Ngujawiny - Hello You Mob,

Kindergarten are starting to learn about Indigenous 'Dreamtime Stories' This is known to the Indigenous people as 'The Dreaming.' The Dreamtime is the Aboriginal understanding of the world, of its creation and its great stories. The Dreatime is the beginning of knowledge, from which came the laws of existence. For survival these laws must be observed and obeyed.
Kindergarten watched the Dreamtime story 'Tiddalick.' Tiddalik is a mischievous and very thirsty frog whose greed results in him drinking all the water from the creeks, lakes and rivers. This results in the earth and animals starting to die from lack of water. So, the animals have to find a way to make 'Tiddalick' laugh to release all the water back into the creeks, lakes and rivers for survival.

Kindergaten enjoyed this story very much. Their beautiful frogs will be displayed in the 'Dreamtime' corner of our library.

Darrundang Ngiinda -Thankyou

Miss Liz

IEW (Indigenous Educational Worker)

School Notes

Student Banking

As per Commonwealth Bank guidelines student deposit books are to be brought to school only on the day of banking and returned to students the same day.

Our banking day is Wednesday, therefore students are asked to only bring their deposit book in on that day. Thank you

Drama and Voice Tuition

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

School Events & Dates

TERM 2

WEEK 10

Friday 25 June - Last Day of Term 2

TERM 3

Week 1

Monday 12 July - Students return for first day of Term 3
Tuesday 14 July - Zone Athletics Carnival

WEEK 2

Monday 19 July - School Assembly 2.15pm - 2.45pm
Friday 23 July - Sacrament of Confirmation - St Mary's Church, Grafton 6.00pm

WEEK 3

Monday 26 July - School Assembly 2.15pm - 2.45pm
Tuesday 27 July - Parent Partnership Evening 5.00pm - 6.30pm

Weekly Merit Awards

Congratulations to the following students who received a Merit Award this week.

Kindergarten

Stage 1

Jimi Smith for making a concerted effort to listen during explicit instructions.

Ruby Gray for locking her eyes in and focusing during stamina reading.

Owen Trickett for explaining his mathematical thinking during the warm up.

Max Fraser for his thoughtfulness during guided meditation and thinking of others.

Maverick Buchanan for his efforts during guided reading and working towards reading with fluency.

Stage 2

Aidan Knox for always working dilligently at class tasks.

Rose Coelli for always completing class tasks to a high standard.

Rachael Savins for her consistent efforts on all class tasks.

Hugh Brotherson for his improved focus on learning tasks and engagement in learning.

Stage 3

Tallon Shoesmith for modelling expectations to our younger students and celebrating their success.

Kyle McCann for showing independent skills when taking notes on BTN.

Lily Barrett for her well researched and thoughtful contribution to our class meeting, adding a valuable opinion and information.

Uniform Shop

The uniform shop is located in the BrewHouse Village.

Opening hours:

Monday - Thursday 10.00am to 4.30pm

Friday by appointment only

Email: fytexptyltd@bigpond.com or Phone 6643 2989

Canteen

Canteen closed on Thursday's in Term 3

Our canteen will be closed on Thursday's in Term 3. This is due to not having enough volunteers to operate three days.

If you are able to assist us between 9.00 am and 12.00 pm on any canteen day.

Babies in prams are very welcome. Toddlers, however, can find the canteen an unsafe place so we would recommend that they are not present.

You may find you cannot volunteer every week - that is fine! We are grateful for any help you can give us. Please contact the School Office if you are able to help.

Term 2 Week 10