School News
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Handbook
PB4L (Positive Behaviour for Learning)
Ask your child about the weekly focus for students.
This week's focus:
Be responsible!
Use your words or ask for help. Physical contact is not okay!
Happy Birthday
We wish all our students a very happy birthday who celebrated their special day over the holiday period and the last week.
28 October - Laila M Year 6, Gabriel A Year 4, Woody C Year 2 and Max W Year 1
29 October - Poppy I Year 5
30 October - Liam C Kinder
31 October - Audrey T Year 1
1 November - Aleira G Year 3 and Mason G Year 3
Lost Property
If any of these items belong to you, please collect from the office school immediately.
School Fees Due by 1 December 2023
Thank you to those families who have finalised their 2023 school fees. The October statement has just been sent.
If you are paying via instalments, please ensure these are up to date. For anyone with an outstanding amount on their instalments, you will be contacted by the end of this week via email.
All fees must have ZERO balance by Friday 5 December 2023.
Should you be experiencing any difficulties in finalising your school fees, please contact the school office to arrange a meeting with the Principal
2023 Grade Spelling Bee Competition
What is a Spelling Bee?
A spelling bee is a contest in which participants are asked to spell words in a round-robin format where each person gets a turn to spell a word.
Students will receive a list of words to practise at home. Students will be tested on these words in a written test to source the top ten spellers per class. Each class will hold an oral competition with their top ten spellers to determine the 3 participants for the Junior/Senior Spelling Bee Competition.
The School Junior/Senior Spelling Bee Competition will be held on Friday in Week 7 (24 November). An unseen word list will be used for the Junior/Senior School Spelling Bee Competition.
Say it, spell it, say it!
In the Grade Spelling Bee competition the teacher will pronounce the word and use it in a sentence. The competitor (participant) will then say the word, spell the word, and say the word again. For example, “Snowflakes… S-N-O-W-F-L-A-K-E-S….. Snowflakes.” A scribe will write the letters/word as the competitor says them.
Rules
A participant is eliminated from the grade oral spelling bee competition as soon as they incorrectly spell a word.
Once the word is said at the end of a participant’s attempt, they cannot go back and self-correct.
Upper case letters are required as in Wollongong – Capital W-o-l-l (double –l-)
If a competitor spells a word incorrectly but “self-corrects” within 15 (junior) or 20 seconds (senior) or self corrects before saying the word the second time that participant remains in the game.
The timing begins once the participant has said the first letter of the word he/she is attempting. If a word is not spelled out within the 20 seconds (Senior) and 15 seconds (Juniors), that competitor no longer remains in the competition.
It is required that a competitor says the word at the end to show they are finished spelling. For example: “fuel f-u-e-l fuel”
If a competitor spells a word correctly, he or she remains in the competition, waiting for his or her next turn. If the competitor spells a word incorrectly, he or she is eliminated from the competition and the next participant is given a new word from the list.
The teacher’s decision is final.
Spelling Bee Timeline
Week 4
Word lists will be sent home for students to prepare for the class written test.
Week 5
Students will participate in a class written test to determine the top 10 spellers.
Week 6
Students will participate in a class oral spelling bee to select 3 participants for the school Junior/Senior Spelling Bee Competition.
Week 7
Junior/Senior Spelling Bee Competition finalists will be published in the newsletter. The words for the Junior/Senior Spelling Bee Competition will be an unseen list. The final will be held on Friday 24 November 2023.
Week 8
Junior/Senior Spelling Bee Champions will be listed in the newsletter.
Formation of Classes for 2024
The process for forming classes for 2024 will soon begin. Teachers have a very good understanding of their students, their learning, and their social and academic needs and strengths. They spend a great deal of time considering the placement of each student with grade partners.
Included with this newsletter is St Joseph’s formation of classes policy. Please take time to read the policy as it will provide you with an understanding of the process.
At times, there may be extenuating circumstances where parents may make a request regarding class placement.
It is not appropriate to make a request for your child to be with their friends or your preferred teacher. Teachers will ensure your child is placed with a friend.
All requests regarding a child’s placement should be in writing and addressed to the Principal by Friday 17 November.
Whilst parental requests are considered, there is never a guarantee that they will be granted. Please be aware that there may be circumstances surrounding requests that prevent them from being granted.
Library News
Term 4 Library Days
Mrs Holly Pirie
Teacher Librarian
Sports News
Sports Uniform Days - Term 4
Students are required to wear sports uniform as outlined below.
Please be advised that students will be required to wear their sports uniform the following days.
Year | Days required to wear sports uniform |
|---|---|
Kindergarten | Wednesday & Friday |
Year 1 | Monday & Wednesday |
Year 2 | Monday and Thursday |
Year 3 | Tuesday & Thursday |
Year 4 | Wednesday & Friday |
Year 5 | Monday & Wednesday |
Year 6 | Tuesday & Friday |
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)
Catholic Care
OOSH, Out of School Hours care at St Joseph's
Email: bullioosh@catholiccare.dow.org.au
Mobile: 0437 713 067
Service hours
Before School Care
7:00am – 8:30am
After School Care
2:45pm – 6:00pm
If you require the use of OOSH for your child/ren you need to be enrolled in the service prior to commencing.
Casual bookings
If your child already uses the service and you requireacasual booking please do this viathe Xplor app.
Before School Care: Bookings are to be made no later than 5:30 pm the night before
After School Care: Bookings are to be made no later than 9:00 am that morning
Casual booking must be made as per the times above to ensure enough staff. If notice is not provided within these time frames and the service does not have sufficient staff your child/ren will be sent to the office for collection. This is something that we all wish to avoid, so please keep in mind the time frames to help support the service.
If there is an emergency and care is needed please phone and leave a message and we will see what we can do.
If you do have any questions, need clarification, or have any feedback please feel free to contact the service mobile during operating hours on 0437 713 067 or Jacinta, Team Leader – 0407 759 720.
Strengthening Relationships
