School News

Happy Birthday

Wishing all our students a very happy birthday who celebrated their special day over the last fortnight.

30 August -  Benjamin D Year 1, Miley J Year 1 and Hugh B Year 2

2 September - Emily I Year 2, Violet L Year 3 and Bianca S Year 6

3 September - Alaska G Kinder, Harvey W Year 3 and Liam N Year 6

4 September - Eloise R Year 1

5 September - Rubin D Kinder, Sonny D Kinder, Rufaro B Year 2, Austin P Year 3 and Zaine B Year 6

6 September - Jennifer D Year 4

7 September - Harrison C Kinder and Ming C Year 5

8 September - Monroe H Kinder

9 September - Hunter M Year 1 and Wes P Year 5

10 September - Charley M Year 3 and Genevieve S Year 5

11 September - Blair A Kinder

12 September - Harrison B Year 2 and Isabella N Year 2

Social Media, iPads, and Online Communication

We have recently become aware that some students in Years 3-6 are accessing social media platforms and messaging apps at home. While these interactions happen outside of school, the concerns or anxieties that arise from them often carry over into the school environment, impacting students' well-being and learning. We kindly ask all parents to be vigilant in checking and monitoring their children’s iPads and other devices to ensure their online communication is safe, appropriate, and in line with our school’s expectations and Catholic values.

In the coming weeks, I will be providing information in our newsletter about various social media platforms and apps. This will help you become more aware of their potential implications and risks so you can better support your children in navigating these spaces safely.

This week, we begin with Messenger Kids.

What is Messenger Kids?

Messenger Kids is a messaging app created by Facebook for children under 13. Parents must log in with their Facebook account to set up and approve contacts. The app includes features like Supervised Friending, which allows children to manage their contacts while parents maintain oversight. Kids can send messages with GIFs, stickers, live filters, and participate in video chats with approved friends. The app also offers a digital citizenship feature called Pledge Planets to teach kids about responsible online behaviour.

Key Advantages:

• Parents fully control who their child communicates with and approve all contacts.
• Messages, contacts, and shared media are easily monitored by parents.
• Kids cannot delete messages, ensuring parents can supervise all communication.
• The app is ad-free, with no in-app purchases, and allows parents to remotely log out their child if necessary.

Potential Drawbacks:

• Data is stored, and may follow your child into future Facebook/Instagram use.
• Although the app is designed for ages 6-12, many experts recommend social media use only for children aged 13+ due to privacy and mental health concerns.
• Privacy policies can change frequently, so regular review by parents is essential.

What to Keep an Eye On:

• Regularly review who your child is communicating with and their chat history.
• Watch for any new contacts, especially those added through group connections.
• Monitor the media your child sends and receives, as well as their usage habits.
• Stay updated on the app’s privacy policy to understand how your child’s data is being handled.

By staying involved and informed, you can ensure your child uses the app in a safe and responsible way.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact your child's teacher or Mr Aguilera.

Miguel Aguilera

Assistant Principal

Public Speaking Competition

The St Joseph's Stage 3 speech finals will be held Monday 16 September in the school Hall at 10.00 am. One finalist from Year 5 and one from Year 6 will be selected. They will then proceed to the South Eastern Regional Competition Friday 25 October at St Therese, West Wollongong.  Parents are most welcome.

Morning Transition in the Library

Morning drop-off can feel hard for both children and their parents, especially for some students with diverse learning needs. One way we support this at St Joseph’s is by providing the Library as a quiet and calm space to ease the transition to the school day.  

Although we acknowledge that there are some children who require support with separating from parents/carers on an on-going basis; in most cases, accessing the Library for transition support should be temporary or sporadically used for those harder days/weeks.

Our overall goal is for students to be able to access the playground space each morning and to start each day moving around and socialising with their peers. It is important that we work together with parents to encourage our students to achieve this. 

Moving into Term 4, we will be closely monitoring the students who are regularly accessing morning transition in the Library with a view to gradually encouraging them to transition to the playground, even if it is only a couple of days per week.

If you have any questions or queries regarding morning transition support, please contact Mrs Van Gemert or your child’s classroom teacher. 

Second Hand Uniform - Sale Day - Tuesday 17 September 2024  - 8.45am-9.15am

The pop-up uniform shop will be located in the school hall, with entry via the north-east door near the canteen.If arriving early, please line up against the large hall windows so students have space to pass. Items are priced from 50c to $10. Payment is by EFTPOS (preferred) or cash. A stock list and price list can be found on the P&F website a day or two prior to the sale day:

All sales must be made in person. If you are unable to attend, please feel free to send a friend along on your behalf. You can also send your child to the hall with a list and money inan envelope, and we’ll do our best to fill your order.Any donations of uniform pieces can be left at the school office at any time. Thank you to all families who have recently donated, it is greatly appreciated.

We’d love your help! The uniform shop is run by parent volunteers – please email the P&F at sjbpandf@gmail.com if you are able to help out on sale days or with stock take.

Kindergarten Incursion - Radical Reptiles

Kindergarten students had a fantastic day on Wednesday with the Australian Wildlife Sanctuary. 

They were captivated the whole time and learnt fascinating insights into the lives of our spectacular wildlife. They were lucky enough to get up close and personal to a Blue Tongued Lizard, Green Tree Frog ,Bearded Dragon, Long Neck Turtle and even a Python Snake. This amazing learning links with their Science and Technology unit of work - Living Things.

The Fathering Project - Next Dads Meeting

Our next "Dad Meet Up" is on Wednesday 18 September 2024 at 6.30pm at Woonona Bulli RSL.

Dads who are coming along can contact Benn Lim on 0419966000.

2024 Issue 6 Book Club

Students received our Book Club Issue 6, 2024 today.  Issue 6 will close Friday 13 September. 

Books will be delivered in the week beginning Monday 23rd September. 

Summer Uniform Changeover - Monday 2 September 2024

Students change from Winter to Summer uniforms on the Monday following Father’s Day - 2 September 2024.  Parents may use their discretion as to which uniform their child/ren wear up until Friday 13 September should the weather be too cold.

Is your child's name on all their belongings and uniform?

Please check that your child/ren's uniform has been marked with their name. Sometimes names wear off.

Many students have been losing items of uniform that never seem to turn up. 

If you find another child's uniform item among your child's please return it to school. Other families will be very grateful.

Student Absences

Thank you to all parents who are now using Compass to explain student absences. 

Please use COMPASS to advise of WHOLE DAY ABSENCES ONLY.

If your child is leaving school to attend an appointment could you please advise the school office via email.  Please DO NOT enter PARTIAL absences through COMPASS, this will be completed by Office at time of arrival/departure.

Library News

Kindergarten will borrow on Fridays and will be visiting the library on alternating Tuesdays.

Sports News

Sports Uniform Days - Term 3

Due to our Gymnastics program taking place for K-3 on Tuesday during Wks 6, 7, 8 & 9 there have been some changes to sports days. Students are required to wear their sports uniform for the following days.

Canteen

Open Monday to Friday for recess and lunch.

Cash purchases for snacks and drinks can be made at recess and lunchtime. Snacks and drinks can also be ordered via the new platform FlexiSchools.

Lunch orders

Orders for lunch can only be made through Flexischools.  Please note that orders close at 9.15am daily.  Orders cannot be placed after this time.

Flexischool Parent Support Line - 1300 361 769 (Hours: 7.00am-12.00 noon)

Canteen End of Term Lunch Pack - Friday 27 September

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Handbook

2024 Bus Timetable (Premier Charters)

PB4L (Positive Behaviour for Learning)

Ask your child about the weekly focus for students.

This week's focus:

Use positive words and actions to build others up!