St Joseph's Primary School South Grafton eNewsletter

From our Leadership

Welcome

Dear St Joseph's Community,

What is it we try to instil in our students at St Joseph's? It is always striving to be a Disciple of Jesus. What is that? To show love as expressed by Mercy, Compassion, Forgiveness, in generosity of heart and spirit, in our individual lives and in our life together here at Joeys.

Colour Fun Run

This is such a fun event for the students and parents involved. How can YOU help?

Let the school know you are available to help create the course on the morning of the event
Let the school know you are available to fill the canisters with dry paint powder
Let the school know you are available to assist on the run

Every student will need a white T-Shirt (the cheaper the better!!)

Finally thanks to our business sponsors and those students who are seeking sponsorship. All money raised goes to purchasing computers for the students.

Year 6

This is a busy time for our year 6 students. Please keep an eye out for COMPASS events to give consent/decline. If no action is taken it is considered a decline.

COMPASS

As mentioned in the last Newsletter please check EVENTS on COMPASS. We make arrangements for buses and budgeting decisions based on consent/decline. No action for us means decline.

Stage 2 Excursion

Our fantastic Stage 2 students had an amazing time on their school trip! They went to the Grafton Regional Gallery and had a blast at the Crazy Confetti Plaster Painting Fun House.

At the gallery, they saw some incredible art! They checked out the 2023 Clarence Valley Indigenous Art Award, especially viewing and responding to the winning entry. They also saw the "Relative Terrains" exhibit, where artists used colourful earth pigments to make amazing pictures! Plus, there was the "Purple Reign Marie Claire" photography show.

But that's not all! They then travelled to Crazy Confetti where the students got to use their new art skills to create their very own plaster art pieces.

A big thank you to the Grafton Regional Gallery and Crazy Confetti for hosting us!

Congratulations to our Stage 2 student Kevin L who won the Kevin Hogan MP reading award. Kevin was nominated for this prestigious award by his teachers for his love of reading and the growth he has had in reading. Kevin was successful in winning this award and received a certificate and book at our assembly last Monday.

School Community Group Meeting Minutes 24.10.2023

Combined Parish Celebration Thursday, 30 November evening with St Mary’s, MCC and St Joseph's. We have the role of running the BBQ, meat will be provided. BBQ will start at 6.00pm and will run for 2 hours approx. We will place a facebook post asking for helpers and this will also be in the newsletter.
Our School awards night and games Thursday, 7 December evening. Community group were asked their thoughts about food ideas for the evening. This will be purchased and provided. A combination of subway and sushi and icy poles. Community group will also organise a Christmas raffle.
Canteen position. The school will advertise for a paid position for 8 hours total. This will be advertised firstly through the school newsletter. We are hoping to run the canteen for 3 days next year. We will still require volunteers to run our canteen. We will call for volunteers for the colour run.
Colour run - we have powder. The sponsor form has gone home. The date is 29 November. Thank you Leisa who is gathering sponsorship.
We are continually updating our computers. Each child has 1 to 1 device and we are ensuring they are all in good working order and being renewed on a cycle.
Paschal ponds - dams are dry so the school is cleaning up the pond area. The dams need to be cleaned and re planting needs to take place. The water can then be used to water all of our gardens.

Jacaranda Parade of Youth

Our school captains, Rose and Callum, had the opportunity to meet our NSW Governor Margaret Beazley at the march. We are most grateful for the time Her Excellency gave to Callum and Rose as she asked them questions about themselves and their leadership position at our school.

Also on that day we were announced Runners Up for our school banner. It is important to note that whilst Mrs Vidler and her team came up with the design concept the students do all the art work. Well done Team Joeys.

I thank those families who took the time to bring their children to the March and to the Float Parade this Saturday.

Teaching and Learning

Last week, all teachers met with Mr Rankin and Mrs Donoghue for our Writing Data Meetings that we have each term. We discuss each individual student's growth and achievement over the past term and plan for further areas for growth for each individual. The meeting each term is in addition to our fortnightly PLT (Professional Learning Team Meeting) where we look at and discuss each students writing work samples against the Learning Intentions and Success Criteria for the past fortnight, set a new learning goal for each student and create new Success Criteria for the group which includes at least 1 goal from every student. We then differentiate our English Units of Work to include explicit teaching of students' learning goals to ensure all students have the opportunity to learn something new during the next learning cycle. The planning and differentiation that follows the information gathered from these meetings assists to achieve our School Improvement and Action Plan, ‘All students are within the expected learning progressions for their grade in text forms and features’.

Principal-Danny Rankin

Assistant Principal-Anne Forwell

Leader of Learning - Brooke Donoghue

Thumbs up

In this section of our newsletter we congratulate students of St Joseph's who have represented our community beyond the city limits.

With thanks to the Grafton Rowing Club, some Year 6 students got to experience rowing on the mighty Clarence River. More than eight Club members volunteered their time and expertise to instruct our students.

The students were great ambassadors for our school as they displayed good manners, listened attentively and showed great team work and tenacity in learning new skills.

We are looking forward to doing it all again next week!

Congratulations to Callum who recently attended the PSSA Athletics in Sydney. He made another personal best jump of 1.50m which placed him 12th out of 40 athletes. A massive effort Callum, we are very proud of your achievements and sportsmanship.

Swimming Carnival

This Friday, 3 November is our School Swimming Carnival at Maclean Olympic pool.

8:50am: Teachers mark class rolls

9:00am : Buses depart for Maclean Pool

9.50am: Students assemble in the grandstand.

10.00am- 1.00pm: Swimming events

1.50pm: Arrive back at school

Gumbaynggirr Language - Liz Hegedus

Ginnagay Ngujawiny -Hello You Mob,

This week Kindergarten and Stage 1 are learning about the stars. The word for star in Gumbaynggirr language is 'birraarl.'

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were, and continue to be, careful observers of the stars. The stars serve as an important source to help the Aboriginals survive. There are four ways Aboriginal people have been using the stars as indicators. The stars help them to recognise seasonal change, finding food, learning Aboriginal laws and knowing how to find direction at night time.

Seasonal Change Aboriginals would observe the night sky to look at the position and brightness of the stars to help navigate what season they are in. Stars shine brighter in winter because the night sky is clearer. Winter's night cold air cannot hold as much moisture as warm air can. In the summer, the warm moisture atmosphere causes the sky to appear hazier.

Food The position and brightness of the stars throughout the year helps the Aboriginals know what food was available to hunt and gather. For example When the star Arcturus appears in the dawn sky (just before sunrise), the Yolngu people from Arnhem Land begin harvesting the corms of the spike-rush. The spike-rush is a grass-like sedge with an edible tuber, which can grow to a height of over 1.5 m and is found across northern Australia.

Learning Law Aboriginal culture is based on respect, for the land and for their elders. Not showing respect is one of the biggest mistakes non-Aboriginal people do when interacting with Aboriginal culture. Following the rules and laws on how to navigate the stars is very important, it ensures order and discipline. If you do not respect the traditions and cultures of the Aboriginal way then you will face severe punishment.

Direction At Night Time At night when it is too dark to see landmarks the Aboriginal people use the stars to navigate. The position of the stars in the night sky change throughout the night and the year. The Aboriginal people recognise the pattern of stars at different times, and use these as a guide. A particular star is followed to make sure they are traveling in the right direction.The best time of year to use the stars for navigation is during the dry season when there are no clouds in the sky. The dry season is also a good time to travel in a boat at night because the seas are calm and the breeze is gentle.

Story Telling This is another way Aboriginals share their culture and its through our 'Songlines.' Songlines are the responsibilities of the Aboriginal people of Australia. Songlines connect the Aboriginal people with the Dreamtime and how they believe the world was created. Songlines tell the story of the Australian landscape and the night sky. It is believed in the Dreamtime, ancestral spirits created songlines, also known as 'Dreaming Tracks' to create routes through the landscape and the stars at night. The songlines relate to landscape, landmarkers, animals, plants, stories, songs, dance, sky, stars and paintings. Through these creations the bond between Aboriginal people, Dreamtime and songlines are sacred and strong.

Some stories are: Emu In The Sky, The Seven Sisters, The Story Of The Southern Cross and The Three Brothers.

The stars are the homes of ancestors, animals, plants, and spirits.

Darrundang Ngiinda - Thankyou Miss Liz Hegedus IEW Indigenous 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.

Child Safeguarding

The Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Limited (DLCSL) has launched a Child Safeguarding website as part of our commitment to implementing the Child Safe Standards. It contains information on Child Safe Standards, our Commitment Statement, a contact form for concerns or inquiries, and other useful links and resources. The website can also be accessed through the 'Parent Information' tab on our school website https://www.sgrafplism.catholic.edu.au/child-safeguarding-statement . We encourage you to visit the website to understand our commitment to building a school where every child feels valued, heard, and protected.

E-safety Webinar for Primary School Parents and Families

All parents are encouraged to register for a free 30-minute webinar to be held on Thursday, 9 November from 7.30 to 8.00 pm.

The webinar facilitated by the e-Safety Commissioner will cover:

creating a positive digital identity
privacy and sharing online
managing what you see online
good practices in group chats
help-seeking.

Click here to register or read the flyer for more details and to register.

Bushfires

Many Catholic schools in the Diocese of Lismore are currently impacted by smoke haze due to bushfire events. Bushfires can result in a large amount of smoke particles in the air even when fires may be many kilometres away. Please monitor your child for any potential health implications. Signs and symptoms students may experience include runny nose, itchy or burning eyes, headaches, coughing, throat irritation, and shortness of breath. For families of students with Asthma, respiratory illness or heart conditions, please be reminded to consider your child's current health condition, ensure they carry relieving medication with them. Please contact the school if you have any concerns about your child being at school. Communicating with your child during this time is important. Discussing being prepared for natural hazards, such as bushfires, is not harmful to your child, but avoiding conversations can leave them to worry on their own.

Emerging Minds provides the following tips: ● Your child may have already been exposed to media coverage or heard conversations about the bushfires. Finding out what they already know will help you to address their specific worries and concerns. ● Tell your child that disasters can happen and if all members of the family know what to do, it will help everyone keep safe. It’s important for adults to stay calm and speak with confidence when discussing the family emergency plan. This will help to reduce your child’s worries. ● Allow your child to ask any questions or make any comments they may have about disaster preparedness. This will help you to understand what needs clarification and dispel any misconceptions they may have. ● Assure your child that with preparedness, things will be less scary and a lot safer.

Involving your child in the planning can make your child feel more able to deal with a bushfire threat and feel safe and secure in knowing that you have a plan. Your child will know that even if they are affected by a disaster, you and your family will use your resources to work together. For information on how to make a Bushfire Family Plan go to NSW Rural Fire Service.

Parents may choose to read with their child the Queensland Health ebook Birdie and the Fire by Angela Murray. This is from a resource called Birdie’s Tree, a suite of resources to support families and young children prepare for, cope with and recover from a natural disaster or disruptive event. Relaxing With Birdie is a mindfulness and movement routine to help children calm down, relax, rest and sleep, even in stressful times.

Relaxing with Birdie ebook

Relaxing with Birdie relaxation clip

McAuley_Catholic_College_Orientation_Day_for_Year_7_2024.pdf

MCC_Save_the_Dates_for_2023.pdf

Transport_for_NSW_School_Student_Travel_2024.pdf

School Calendar

TERM 4 2023

Week 4

Thursday, 2 November - Jacaranda Thursday ( School Closed)
Friday, 3 November - Swimming Carnival, Maclean Olympic Pool

Week 5

Tuesday, 7 November - McAuley Catholic College Orientation Day for Year 7 2024
Wednesday, 8 November - Junior Joey's
Wednesday, 8 November - Infants Swimming 1.00pm-2.30pm

Week 6

Monday, 13 November - School Assembly 2.15pm
Wednesday, 15 November - Junior Joey's
Wednesday, 15 November - Infants Swimming 1.00pm-2.30pm

Week 7

Tuesday, 21 November - School Community Group Meeting 6.00pm
Wednesday, 22 November - Junior Joey's
Wednesday, 22 November - Infants Swimming 1.00pm-2.30pm

Week 8

Monday, 27 November - School Assembly 2.15pm
Wednesday, 29 November - Colour Fun Run
Wednesday, 29 November - Junior Joey's Last Day
Thursday, 30 November - Combined Christmas Celebration with St Mary’s Primary & McAuley Catholic College

Week 9