Principal's News

Remembrance Day

On Monday, at 11am, our Year 6 students led the school in a very reverent Remembrance Day Liturgy. We thank them for leading us all in prayer for those who have been affected by war across the world and over the years.

On 11 November 1918, the guns of the Western Front fell silent after four years of continuous warfare. With their armies retreating and close to collapse, German leaders signed an Armistice, bringing to an end the First World War. From the summer of 1918, the five divisions of the Australian Corps had been at the forefront of the allied advance to victory. Beginning with their stunning success at the battle of Hamel in July, they helped to turn the tide of the war at Amiens in August, followed by the capture of Mont St Quentin and Pèronne, and the breaching of German defences at the Hindenburg Line in September. By early October the exhausted Australians were withdrawn from battle. They had achieved a fighting reputation out of proportion to their numbers, but victory had come at a heavy cost. They suffered almost 48,000 casualties during 1918, including more than 12,000 dead.

In the four years of the war more than 330,000 Australians served overseas, and more than 60,000 of them had died. The social effects of these losses cast a long shadow over the postwar decades.

Each year on the 11th of November, Australians observe one minute's silence at 11am, in memory of those who died or suffered in all wars and armed conflicts.

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; 

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. 

At the going down of the sun and in the morning 

We will remember them."

Four Corners: Digikids and Literacy

On Monday night, the ABC aired an episode of Four Corners titled ‘DigiKids’. The episode explored the idea that too many young Australians are struggling with literacy in ‘the digital age’. It was affirming to see the recommended teaching practices reported on are in fact embedded in our teaching at                  St. Joseph's. These include a rigorous assessment schedule and the explicit teaching of phonics and grammar.

In our Junior classes, we use Multisensory Structured Language for the teaching of spelling. It is a scientific-based approach to teaching common spelling rules and patterns that is explicit, systematic and sequential. Teachers in the Junior Years have been coached by our Literacy Coordinator, Amanda Jackson (M.S.L trained Spelling teacher) with this research-based model. Our Year 2 to Year 6 students participate in daily Spelling Mastery lessons. These explicit, structured lessons both revisit and build upon the learning from Prep and Year One. Our most senior students are not only explicitly taught spelling patterns but are extended by researching the etymology and morphology of words. This involves learning about prefixes, suffixes and base words as well as the origin of the word and its meaning.

Our approaches to writing and reading provide ample opportunity to develop student vocabulary, such a vital aspect of mastering the English language. 

We pride ourselves on ensuring our teaching practices reflect evidence-based research across all areas of the curriculum as well as tailoring the learning for all students so that they all experience success. 

Watch the report

DigiKids, reported by Louise Milligan, went to air on Monday 11th November at 8.30pm and can also be seen on ABC NEWS channel on Saturday at 8.10pm AEST, ABC iview and at abc.net.au/4corners

https://www.abc.net.au/4corners/digi-kids/11693706

Dr Maithili CSIRO STEM Partnership

This week Dr Maithili taught a super Science session with our Year 5 and 6 students, who had also enjoyed a science incursion the day before. Our students are simply relishing the opportunities to investigate and experiment with physical science! Thank you to Dr Maithili for giving so generously with her time and expertise to inspire our students and we sincerely hope our partnership continues into 2020.

Prep Parent Information Night

We enjoyed a special gathering of our new prep families on Tuesday night, where we shared all things ‘St. Joseph’s’. Once again I experienced a proud principal moment as our curriculum leaders (Martin, Amanda and Faye) presented key information to parents, with Georgina Mardling presenting the routines and expectations the prep year. Thank you to Xavier, one of our School Captains who led us in the school prayer, and to Elissa, Stacey and Shahan Priamo for presenting information about our community and parish so beautifully. On Friday, we welcomed our new preps for their longer classroom orientation, led by Mrs Jackson and Ms Huebner. Our Year 5s were simply thrilled to be allocated their prep buddy for next year. Our new students are more than ready for their new school journey next year.

A special thank you to Pina for organising the uniform fittings, with Elissa, Sarah and Emily McConochie helping out. They were terrific! Liza Spear helped to set up yesterday, which was a great help. We are very fortunate to have great volunteers at the school!

Important Reminders:

• We invite our Year 6 students and parents to attend our Parent /Student Transition Forum on Tuesday 19th  November @ 7:00 in the Hall. The transition from Primary school to Secondary school is potentially one of the most challenging times in a young person’s education. Data shows that young people who disengage in Years 7, 8, and 9 frequently had difficulties around the transition to Secondary school which were compounded by other issues occurring in the young person’s life, such as family issues. We aim to support our students in Year 6 to prepare for the transition to Year 7 at both the practical and socio-emotional level. We understand that parents are the constant support people across a young person’s educational experience. Our Year 6 students have been participating in school-based sessions covering: preparing for transitions, life skills, biggest worries, expectations, myth busters, practical skills, friendships, and self-identity. We strongly recommend that you and your Year 6 child(ren) attend the Transition Forum. The highlight of the evening is our Panel of Experts (Year 7 students who attended St Joseph’s in Year 6 in 2018) who will present their insights into their transition experiences.
• The Year 4K Family Mass will take place this Sunday at 6pm. We would love to see as many of you there as possible, and of course, families from other year levels are also warmly invited.
• The Twilight Market is only 8 sleeps away! Please complete the Caremonkey eform sent out earlier in the week if you are able to assist in any way...(already praying for good weather!)

Wishing you all a wonderful and relaxing weekend ahead!

Michelle