School Newsletter

• From the Principal
• Staffing News
• Long Service Leave/Acting Principal
• Sad News
• International Day Celebrations & Photos
• ACBC Research Project - Absent from the Table
• From the APRIM - Religious Education News
• Thank you from Mini Vinnies
• Mini Vinnies Soup Kitchen
• International Day & Even More Photos
• Year 1/2 Liturgy
• Children's University & Winter Holiday Activities
• Support our Winter Plant Sale
• Visible Wellbeing Project
• Morning Check-ins at Preschool
• Strength Monsters in Reception

• NAIDOC Week
• Keep the fire burning! Blak, Loud and Proud
• NAIDOC Week Prayer
• Thriving People Event for Primary Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Students Excursion
• School News & Reminders
• Strength Switch Parenting Course - RSVP
• Parents & Friends News
• Order your School Merch

 Term 2

Term Dates

Dear families,

The chilly winter is definitely upon us now and many of our families have suffered with winter illnesses over the past few weeks. We look forward to the upcoming holiday weeks to provide a circuit breaker for our students and staff who have been ill. As Term 2 comes to a close, and as end of Semester 1 reports are distributed, it is timely to reflect on how much your children, and our wonderful students, have learnt, grown and developed as young people over this past six months.

This week we will be farewelling two of our staff members who are moving onto new roles at different schools/centres. 

Firstly, Nikki Ouwejan, our Education Support Officer in the Preschool will finish with us this week.  Nikki has been a key member of our Preschool team since July 2023, and she will be greatly missed by children and staff alike. We are currently advertising for someone suitable to fill this important role in our Preschool.

Secondly, Kim Williams, currently working in Year 1/2 RW and in our Preschool, will also leave us at the end of the week.  Kim has been a beloved member of staff since 2008 and in recent years following some parenting leave, has been working on reduced time whilst her youngest child approaches school age. Kim has accepted a teaching position which is closer to home and better suits her family life with young children of her own.

Kelly Morgan, who is very well known to our children and families, has been appointed to the one day per week position in the Year 1/2 class.  We have also successfully appointed Kyria Laparidis to the position of Preschool Teacher for one day per week. Kyria is an early career teacher who has had significant experience in both school and early years settings, and we look forward to welcoming her as a part of the St Joseph’s Preschool teaching team.

We also welcome Meg Fuller who officially begins with us in Term 3 as the teacher for Reception F – our mid-year Reception group. Meg has already facilitated several transition visits with our new Receptions and we look forward to having her on-board full time from the start of Term 3.

I would also like to inform you that I will be accessing some Long Service Leave during Weeks 1- 3 of Term 3. During this time, CESA have appointed Ruth Taylor as Acting Principal to work alongside our very capable leadership team and staff. Ruth is currently the APRIM at Thomas More College and has recently engaged in acting leadership positions both at her own school and at Holy Family School in Parafield Gardens.  I am sure you will make Ruth very welcome into the St Joseph’s School community.

Dear families, I can’t believe that we have already come to the end of another term. This term has been amazing, and it is thanks to the collective efforts of our incredible staff, the enthusiasm and commitment of our students, and the ongoing support of our parents and caregivers that we have achieved so much together.

This term, the Preschool children have continued to ‘check-in’ each morning, putting their face on an emoji for happy, silly, tired, worried, sad or angry. The children first check-in as they arrive, and change their face throughout the day, giving educators the opportunity to support children as needed.

Many group time conversations have centred around emotions and how there are no ‘bad’ emotions, but we need to find ways to reach positive emotions when we are feeling sad, angry or worried. The children have been using their strengths to find ways within their play and friendships to reach positive emotions. Preschool have created the ‘Kindness Club’ where we share the different ways we can share toys, resources and time with one another.

One of Australia’s culturally significant events that celebrates and recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, contributions to and achievements is National NAIDOC Week.

NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee.

National NAIDOC Week is celebrated annually in the month of July and carries a different theme each year.

This year, NAIDOC Week is celebrated on Sunday, July 7 to Sunday, July 14.

The theme for 2024 is, "Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud".

“The National NAIDOC Committee selected this theme to celebrate not only the survival but also the relentless spirit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The theme also celebrates the enduring strength of First Nations culture and offers teachers a chance to explore various topics, perspectives and experiences with students.”

It is also an opportunity for our school, St Joseph’s, to reflect on our ongoing commitment and respect of First Nations peoples of the land, seas and waterways and to build on what we have learned and continue to learn about the history & culture of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples on our Reconciliation Journey.

+ Let us pray…

 Loving God, we thank you and praise you for who you are, for your unending love for us and your creation of these lands on which we now live.

We thank you for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the First Australians, who you placed as stewards and custodians of these lands and waters.

Lord, will you increase our capacity during NAIDOC Week to humble ourselves and listen afresh to truly hear the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Lord Jesus, through the cross we are reconciled to you and are your family under Christ. You call us to love one another just as you have loved us.

+ May the God of the Dreaming bless all Australians. +

FOR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN THE SOUTH, WEST, AND CENTRAL REGIONS

This annual event, is a significant opportunity for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander students to celebrate and learn about their culture and identity.

This year, students and teachers gathered at Carclew House at North Adelaide to engage in and experience activities that celebrate Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander culture, history, and stories.

It is also an opportunity for students to bond with, learn from and form relationships with students from other schools.

Students (and brothers) Hudson and Jett, attended this immersive event @ Carclew House @ North Adelaide, on Monday, 24 June.

They were accompanied and supported by Lola, Hudson and Jett’s mother and Aboriginal Education Focus Teacher, Mrs Antoinette Di Paolo.

There were approximately 100 students from a number of Catholic Primary schools who engaged in three main activities: Dance (Hip Hop), Wood Carving and Music/Gig Rig- song writing and studio recording.

“It was really fun. I enjoyed making our own song, learning hip hop dancing and carving. The hardest thing for me was using an axe to carve a piece of wood but I managed to do it with another lighter axe.”

“I enjoyed making the pencil and we got to use an axe. I liked when we got to use it because I’ve never used one before. I also liked doing the dancing, but it took a lot of energy out of me. The whole day was excellent even when we recorded our group’s own song, it was AMAZING!!!”

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