School Newsletter

We are very pleased to be able to offer this course FREE OF CHARGE to our families in Term 3 thanks to the receipt of a Parents in Education grant.  This series of workshops will help parents of any aged child to adopt or improve their strength-based parenting. A strengths-based approach to parenting has been linked to:

• Increased wellbeing and life satisfaction
• Improved grades and academic achievement
• Lower rates of depression and anxiety
• Increased parent satisfaction

This course, facilitated by Courtney Quigley, Visible Wellbeing Facilitator and Coach, will complement the whole school learning your child has been doing as a part of our Visible Wellbeing project. It has been developed by Professor Lea Waters, pioneer in the field of positive psychology and is based on her book ‘The Strength Switch’.

📅 The course will occur over three sessions here at school on

Session 1: August 20
Session 2: August 27 
Session 3: September 4

🕡 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. 

👉 Please get in early to secure your place at no cost! Book here.

This year, St Vincent de Paul Society are focusing on the issue of the working homeless. The lack of affordable housing and increased demand for rental properties in Australia means that even those working can’t afford a roof over their heads. As a result, more and more Australians are being forced into homelessness – ‘the working homeless’.

Meeting basic needs such as food, water and a place to sleep can be the most important daily priority for people experiencing homelessness.

Our school’s support of the Vinnies Winter Appeal will allow specialist homelessness services, Members and Volunteers on the frontline, to support people who are already, or at risk of experiencing homelessness, by providing access to practical and emotional supports

👉 Your child can take donations to their classroom. We will be collecting donations until week 9, Friday 28th June.

 On Tuesday the 4th of June Emma from Children’s University visited our school and invited the children to join in a lunchtime activity of Domino Dash. The children had a fun afternoon engaging with the domino challenge exploring cause and effect and patterns. Here is what the children thought of the activity:

It was a fun activity. It was trial and error. We made some mistakes but with patience and persistence we were able to be successful. 
- Nikolai and Abel

We made a dominoes golfing set. The dominoes knocked the ball into the hole. It was hard but it was worth it. 
- Hamish, Christian and Elliott

We rolled the ball on the ramp, and it pushed the dominoes to the other ball which went into the hole. It worked the first time. We were happy. 
- Mel and Lucas

We learnt that dominoes are very slippery, and they don’t stand up straight. It was lots of fun playing with our friends. It was a good Children’s University activity because we were excited that our challenge worked. Our second challenge worked better. This taught us to never give up.
- Bruk, Erin and Sofia

 

St Joseph’s, Hindmarsh celebrates ‘National Reconciliation Week.’

This year’s theme: ‘Now More Than Ever.’

“Now More Than Ever,’ we need to continue to build greater connection, we need to show greater respect, we need hope, and we need to work for positive change.

“Now More Than Ever’, we need to work towards a reconciled Australia. 

The week-long celebration is an important opportunity for all of us here at St Joseph’s School, to recognise, work together, engage in and more importantly, use our ‘voice’ to positively & actively celebrate ‘National Reconciliation Week’.

As a Catholic school community, we will continue to work together to join in the reconciliation effort to build a more united Australia.

Let’s walk through the door of a few classrooms to see how the children celebrated this very significant Indigenous event. Enjoy!

To acknowledge National Reconciliation Week, we shared Somebody’s Land with both Preschool classes. The children shared their knowledge about the land we live on and how we can show belonging with the Kaurna people. 

The Preschool Blue group made paper people, showing how we all belong together on Kaurna Land, while the Preschool Gold group created Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags after discussing the meaning of each of the colours and sections of the flags. 

On Friday afternoon, Preschool Gold also had some fun singing songs with Uncle Tamaru, who also taught us a great new Acknowledgement of Country in Kaurna language.

In Year 1/2 we learnt about the native hibiscus flower which is a symbol for Sorry Day. It can be found throughout the country & is able to survive in our harsh climate conditions, therefore the native hibiscus flower It is an important symbol to the Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander People as it represents resilience and strength.We used various mediums to decorate our hibiscus flowers including collage, oil pastels, soft pastels and paint.

Last week was Reconciliation Week, a time when we honor not only the rich cultural history and contributions of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples but also actively engage in initiatives promoting unity and mutual understanding. This time of reflection and learning reminds us of our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, furthering reconciliation in our country.

In our pursuit of a deeper understanding during this week, we read 'Sorry Sorry' by Anne Kerr. This powerful work of literature was selected as an invaluable resource to help us deepen our understanding and respect for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. The book played an instrumental role in educating us about the nuances of these cultures and their importance.

Last week, Savva had an absolute blast at the SAPSASA footy carnival! He played his heart out, and the Western team scored big by winning two out of their three games. Go team!

✅ Bookings OPEN: Today!

📆 Vacation Care Dates
Open: Monday 8th July - Friday 19th July

🕘 Operating Hours
Monday to Friday, 7.30am - 6.00pm

💰 Cost per Child
$65 - IN Day
$70 - INCURSION Day
$80 - EXCURSION Day

Childcare Subsidy will be applied for eligible families

🤔 How to Book into Vacation Care?

Collect your printed program and consent form from OSHC.

Make a booking for your child/ren using the SPIKE app

Return your signed consent form to OSHC. Please note bookings will not be accepted until the consent form has been returned.

Booking confirmation will be sent to families once the consent form has been received and bookings have been made via the SPIKE app.

🤩 These holidays we have lots of FUN activities planned:

🌈 Mon 8th July - Colour Run (Incursion)
🫧 Tues 9th July - Marty McBubble (Incursion)
🏰 Wed 10th July - Inflatable World (Excursion)
🌏 Thurs 11th July - Culture Day (In Day)
🎥 Fri 12th July - PJ & Movie Day (In Day)

🏅 Mon 15th July - Sports Day at OSHC (In Day)
🌱 Tues 16th July - Para Wirra (Excursion)
☃️ Wed 17th July - Winter Wonderland (In Day)
🧪 Thurs 18th July - Nitro Nat (Incursion)
🚲 Fri 19th July - Wheels Day (In Day)

🆕 Using Vac Care for the first time?

Families using our service for the first time will need to complete an OSHC Enrolment process before care can be provided or bookings accepted. Come and speak to someone on the OSHC Team to learn more.

😊 If you have any questions please contact the OSHC team in person, via phone on 0408 809 107 or email oshc@sjsh.catholic.edu.au