Term 4 Week 10, 2022
From our Leadership
Welcome
Dear St Joseph's Community,
Christmas is fast approaching and the end of our 2022 school year is upon us. Christmas, (“Mass on Christ’s day”) is a joyous and family orientated celebration. St Joseph's is also that, a joyous place that celebrates families.
Our school is also very fortunate to have as its patron saint a key character in the Nativity story - St Joseph. Next year the staff will be exploring the life of St Joseph in some detail.
Awards and Nativity Evening
Thank you to all the families who joined us last Thursday evening as we celebrated one of our key seasons of the Catholic Church with a Nativity and Carols.
We also congratulated Kindergarten on their first year of primary school. We thanked our outgoing school captains Noah and Thomas as they passed the candle on to Rose and Callum, the incoming 2023 school captains.
It was also wonderful to acknowledge the wonderful effort and learning from 2022 with student awards. Noah and Thomas reminded us that St Joseph's is very proud of every student regardless of whether they won an award on the night and that the most wonderful aspect of our school is that everybody is welcome to receive the greatest gift of all – the gift of God’s love.
Congratulations to the following award winners;
Kindergarten
St Joseph's Award - Mason
Academic achievement award - Reuben
Most improved - Aylee
Most consistent - Daisy
Year 1
St Joseph's Award - Ruby
Academic achievement award - Tyler
Most improved - Maddelyn
Most consistent - Skyla
Year 2
St Joseph's Award - Chelsea
Academic achievement award - David
Most improved - Elsie-Maree
Most consistent - Pippa
Year 3
St Joseph's Award - Eli
Academic achievement award - Charlotte
Most improved - Phoenix
Most consistent - James
Year 4
St Joseph's Award - William
Academic achievement award - Nate
Most improved - Hunter
Most consistent - Botshelo
Year 5
St Joseph's Award - Jackson
Academic achievement award - Callum
Most improved - Hugh
Most consistent -Rose
Year 6
St Joseph's Award - Lily
Most improved - Thomas
Most consistent - Noah
Geography and History Award - Rachel
Avid Reader Awards
Year 3 Kevin
Year 4 Alexander
Year 5 Matthew
Year 6 Kyle
Academic Achievement Award - Tallon
Sportsperson of the Year 2022 - Kyle
Rotary Literacy & Numeracy Award - Bradley
Year 6 Graduation
Last Wednesday night the Year 6 students celebrated the end of their primary school years. It was wonderful to celebrate with all the families and staff and we wish Year 6 all the best for the future.
Thank you volunteers
St Joseph's would not be successful without all our volunteers. It is only through volunteering that our canteen is open 2 days a week, our library books get covered, our carnivals proceed etc. So thank you grandparents, parents, aunties and uncles for stepping up and helping us out!
The staff offer their thanks for the many gifts, cards and best wishes for the Christmas season. We extend our thanks also to you.
No one is more thankful than Anne and I. Leading this school is a pleasure. The students are delightful and when things seem a little overwhelming we simply head down to the classrooms where your beautiful children are learning and somehow all is well again.
All Blessings to each and everyone of you.
Principal-Danny Rankin
Assistant Principal-Anne Forwell
K-2 Instructional Leader -Brooke Donoghue
2023 Beginning of School Year
Next year we will not have a staggered start for years 1-6. Therefore our school year will begin for students in years 1-6 on Monday, 30 January. During this week we will still conduct the student assessments that were completed as part of a staggered start in previous years. Thank you to our teachers who have been able to organise this whilst having your children at school.
The Assessments: Best Start (Literacy) for Kinder and MAI (Maths Assessment Interview) for K-6 in 2023
Feeling known and valued in their school community, is a strong contributing factor to making sure that your child’s transition into Kindergarten or their new grade is smooth and positive. Taking the time to engage in Best Start (Literacy) for Kindergarten students and the MAI with every child, allows your child’s teacher to get to know them as an individual, as well as understanding what their learning strengths are. As your child gets time one on one with their teacher, it also encourages and nurtures the special relationship that makes sure that your child feels safe, comfortable and valued at school.
Kinder: Students in Kindergarten for 2023 will commence school on Friday, 3 February. Prior to this commencement date, your child will come to school for their individual Best Start (Literacy) Assessment. During this time, your child will work with their teacher in a one-to-one setting for approximately 60 minutes. Parents/caregivers remain at school during this time.
During the first week of school, your child will complete the Maths Assessment Interview with their teacher.
Years 1-6
During the first week of school, your child will complete the Maths Assessment Interview with their teacher.
What are Best Start (Literacy) and MAI?
Best Start (Literacy) and the MAI;
- Show your child’s teacher the early literacy and numeracy skills your child brings with them into Kindergarten
- Allows your child’s teacher to continue the literacy and numeracy development that has occurred as part of your child’s early experiences
- Focuses on what your child can do and what their next steps are in learning might look like
Do I need to do anything to prepare my child?
As mentioned above, Best Start (Literacy) and the MAI focus on what your child’s strengths are in literacy and numeracy. It simply allows your child’s teacher to gain a snapshot of their current literacy and numeracy development, so that they can plan for a smooth continuation in your child’s learning. There is no expected ‘result’ or ‘mark’ and your child does not need to do anything to prepare.
Preparing for Kindergarten is much more about helping your child feel comfortable and confident during this transition. Some ways you could support them are;
- Regularly sharing picture books together, including nursery rhymes
- Encouraging lots of conversation, questioning and talking
- Talking positively about school and learning
- Allowing lots of time for indoor and outdoor play
- Talking openly with your child about how they are feeling and answering their questions
- ‘Practising’ independence to allow them to feel more confident in their new community eg. using their new school bag, asking a friend to play or asking for help when needed
Sport Coordinator - Emma Davis
Sport in 2022
It has been another great year for sport at St Joseph’s. It was wonderful being able to hold our carnivals and pathway carnivals after the interruptions to these over the previous years, even if the wet weather did make it a little tricky! Thank you to parents for their support with sport at St Joseph's this year, it has been a joy to see students enjoying their sport and being successful.
St Joseph’s Swimming Carnival 2023
Due to the closure of the Grafton pool and the costs involved in transporting students to alternative venues, there will be no St Joseph’s swimming carnival in 2023. Students who wish to trial to be selected to attend the Clarence Zone Swimming Carnival will be able to attend the school swimming trials. These trials will be held at South Grafton Indoor Pool. The date of these trials will be Wednesday, 8 February 2023. Students who are eligible to attend these trials will receive information about these trials at the beginning of the school year.
Key Sporting Dates for Term 1 2023
Wednesday, 8 February - School Zone Swimming Sports Trials, South Grafton Pool
Monday, 20 February - Clarence Zone Winter Sports Trials for Stage 3 students
Monday, 27 February - Clarence Zone Swimming Carnival, Maclean
Friday, 3 March - Lismore Dioeasan Swimming Carnival, Kempsey
Friday, 10 March - Lismore Dioeasan Winter Sports Trials for Stage 3 students
Wednesday, 29 March - School Cross Country Carnival
Gumbaynggirr Language - Liz Hegedus
Ginnagay Ngujawiny -Hello You Mob,
Well we made it to the end of the school year. I have loved teaching the students all about my Indigenous culture and how important it is to recognise and acknowledge the Indigenous history of Australia.
This year we have covered:
- Aniversary of National Apology
- National Close the Gap Day
- National Sorry Day
- 1967 Referendum
- National Reconciliation Week
- Mabo Day
- Coming of the Light
- NAIDOC Week
- National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day
- Indigenous Literacy Day
- Anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People
All of these events are very important to the Indigenous and TSI people as they recognise and acknowledge past history. We also recognise our Indigenous culture, achievements and opportunities and the contributions that Indigenous Australians make to our country and society.
I believe by teaching my Indignous culture to the students it helps to develop their ability to respect, coexist and communicate with people of different cultural backgrounds and ethnic groups.
It has been a pleasure to share my knowledge, I hope everyone has a wonderful christmas and a happy new year. I will see you all in 2023.
Darrundang Ngiinda - Thankyou
Miss Liz Hegedus
IEW Indigenous Educational Worker
School Notes
COMMUNICATION TO LEAVING PARENTS
Parents of students who are leaving St Joseph's Primary School at the end of the 2022 school year, and not continuing their education within the Diocese of Lismore will lose their Compass portal on 31 December, 2022. Therefore parents are encouraged to download their child's reports in Compass prior to this date.
Parents of students who are continuing their education in 2023 within the Diocese of Lismore will still be able to access their child's reports through their Compass portal.
ABSENCES
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 with any changes.
REMINDER
Parents & Caregivers are reminded when dropping off or picking students up, the Staff Carpark is not a designated zone. Exception if you require use of a disabled parking space.
Please note the speed limit coming into this carpark at other times is 10 klms. Please be mindful of the school speed zones.
School Calendar
TERM 4
Week 10
Friday, 16 December - Final day for students
TERM 1 2023
Week 1
Monday, 30 January - Students in Years 1- 6 return
Friday, 3 February - Kindergarten's first day
Week 2
Monday, 6 February 2.15pm- School Assembly
Week 3
Week 4
Monday, 20 February - School Assembly 2.15pm
Monday, 20 February - Clarence Zone Winter Sports Trials for Stage 3
Week 5
Monday, 27 February - Clarence Zone Swimming Carnival, Maclean
Friday, 3 March - Lismore Dioeasan Swimming Carnival, Kempsey
Week 6
Monday, 6 March - School Assembly 2.15pm
Friday, 10 March - Lismore Dioeasan Winter Sports Trials for Stage 3
Week 7
Friday, 17 March - St Joseph's Feast Day Celebration
Friday 17 March - St Patrick's Day
Week 8
Monday, 20 March - School Assembly 2.15pm
Week 9
Tuesday, 28 March - Polding Touch Football, Parkes
Wednesday, 29 March - School Cross Country
Week 10
Monday, 3 April - School Assembly 2.15 pm
Wednesday, 4 April - Last day of Term 1 for students
Thursday, 6 April - Staff Development Day (Pupil Free Day)
Friday, 7 April - Good Friday
Sunday, 9 April - Easter Sunday
Uniform Shop
The uniform shop is located in the Brewhouse Village.
Opening hours:
Monday - Wednesday 10.00am to 4.30pm
Thursday 10 to 3.30pm
Email: fytexptyltd@bigpond.com
Ph: 0434 025 493
Canteen
CANTEEN CLOSED
Reopening in 2023
Volunteers are always welcome, please leave your details with our School Office.
When placing canteen orders please provide a paper bag for your child with their order clearly written on the front. It is also essential that each child has their own bag please - we ask that siblings do not have their orders placed on the same bag. We appreciated your cooperation as this allows our volunteers to smoothly prepare lunches.
Community Notices
