School News

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:

Let’s get ready for learning!

Happy Birthday

Wishing all our students a very happy birthday who celebrated their special day over the school holiday period and the last week.

6 July - Elizabeth K Year 5

8 July - Lincoln H Year 5

9 July - Lucas M Year 3 and Chloe C Year 6

11 July - Torin D Year 1

12 July - Lumi C Kinder & Ella C Year 2

13 July - Arlo B Year 3

14 July - Zoe C Year 5

15 July - Caleb L Year 3 and Saul O Year 5

16 July - Josie M Year 1, Curtis V Year 5, Cruz G Year 6 and Oliver P Year 6

17 July - Eloise B Year 4

20 July - Hudson F Kinder, Fletcher B Year 1, Saul B Year 1 and Hudson B Year 2

22 July - Acacia B Year 3

28 July - Abbygail F Year 1, George S Year 1, Harlan D Year 4

30 July - Taavi R Year 5 and Xavier M Year 6

1 August - Sophia J Year 4

Headlice

We have been advised of a number of cases of head lice.  Please check your child's hair  and treat accordingly.  

Please click on this link from NSW Health that you may find helpful.

WriteOn Competition

The annual WriteOn competition gives students the opportunity to become published authors and develop skills in writing to express their ideas.The competition is for students in Years 1 to 6 who are using NSW syllabuses, including students registered for home schooling. Students compose an imaginative text of up to 500 words, using an image as the stimulus.Each year, winning entries are published in 'The Best of WriteOn' anthology.

This year over 60 students from St Joseph entered the WriteOn competition.

Only 1 student from each stage can be chosen from each school to go into the competition. Congratulations to:

NAIDOC Week Celebration at St Joseph's

What a spectacular! 

On the last day of Term 2, St Joseph's hosted a group of amazingly talented students from John Therry Catholic College. The students taught some of our St Joseph's students how to dance and later performed for the school. The students were privileged to hear Tom sing "Land Rights' and engage in art, dance and Polydoo (PVC pipe didgeridoo) workshops. Many thanks must go to Arlo and Florence's grandmother for making the experience possible for our students.

Book Club - Issue 5 - Closes Monday 12 August 2024

Students received our Book Club Issue 5, 2024, last week.  Issue 5 will close Monday 12 August 2024.

Books will be delivered in the week beginning Monday 19 August 2024.

Important Road Safety Updates 

School Zones

The 40km/h speed limit in school zones helps to protect children on their way to and from school. The lower speed limit reduces the risk and potential severity of a crash. School zone signs, dragon’s teeth road markings and flashing lights improve the visibility and driver awareness of school zones.

Drive under the school zone speed limit when school zones are active. Increased fines and demerit points apply for certain school zone offences. Illegal use of mobile phones and speeding are among those included in double demerit periods. See more on fines and demerit point offences. 

School zone days

40km/h school zones are in force on all notified school days. These exclude weekends, public holidays and public school holidays.

School zone times

Most school zones operate 8–9.30am and 2.30–4pm. However, there are a few non-standard school zone times in NSW. You can identify these by the red or orange school zone signs which have the school zone times on them.Every school zone in NSW has at least one school zone flashing light sign.30km/h zonesThe NSW Government is installing High Pedestrian Activity Area (HPAA) speed zones of 30km/h to support the community and improve safety.The Manly HPAA  has several school zones within the 30km/h zones. These school zones also operate at 30km/h. To emphasise this, 30km/h orange school zone signs and road markings are there to alert you.

Rail Safety Week

5-11 August 2024: Rail Safety Week is an annual community awareness week held in Australia designed to engage the community in safe rail practices - more information and resources.

Free Parent Courses

Blended Online Learning offers Specialised self-paced online courses that build understanding, awareness, and knowledge about students with disability. The following courses are available for parents and are focused on helping parents and the family understand ADHD and Autism

Parent Courses - ADHD & Autism https://aus.oltinternational.net/free-parents-courses

Parent and Carer Evening with Dr Justin Coulson at St John's Catholic Parish Primary School Dapto

The St John's Catholic Parish Primary School Dapto Parents and Friends Association are excited to announce they are hosting a parent and carer information session with Dr Justin Coulson on Wednesday, 28 August 2024 at 6:30pm.

Dr Justin Coulson is the co-host and parenting expert on Channel Nine’s “Parental Guidance” and the founder of happyfamilies.com.au and is considered one of Australia’s most trusted parenting experts.

The parent session will focus on the topic of Resilience, in this session, parents will learn the psychological secrets that build their child’s sense of identity, strengths, and growth mindset in order to perform better, be happier, and build resilience.

Tickets can be purchased using this link https://events.humanitix.com/resilience-with-dr-justin-coulson-parental-guidance-workshop

The live session runs from 7:00pm-8:30pm and refreshments will be provided from 6:30pm on the night.

Free Program for Separating and Divorcing Parents

Family Transitions Triple P Online, developed by the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, is an easy-to-use online resource that gives proven tips and strategies for managing the transition in a way that can boost parenting confidence and minimise the impact on children.

Bullying No Way: National week of action

St Joseph’s will be participating in the Bullying No Way: National week of action on Friday 16 August 2024.

Bullying No Way is a commitment being made by thousands of schools and supporters across the country. It provides an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to bullying prevention. It gives us an opportunity to connect with students, staff and school communities to implement workable solutions to prevent bullying.

The new hero colour for the campaign is purple – symbolising peace, strength and empowerment to take a stand against bullying behaviour.

Students are welcome to wear a ‘pop of purple’ which involves wearing a purple accessory to school on Friday 16 August 2024. This may include a purple ribbon, badge, hat or socks.

The theme for this year's campaign is ‘Everyone belongs’. This theme highlights the importance of creating a sense of belonging and inclusion for students. On the day students will participate in some webinars and class activities.

For more information about Bullying No Way Week and bullying prevention, visit the Bullying No Way website.

Save the Date - The Fathering Project - Handball & Hot Dogs - Friday 30 August 2024

Library News

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

Teddy Bear Sleepover

In the lead up to book week we are going to host a Teddy Bear Sleepover at the library.

On Monday 12 August Week 4, can all students please send in a toy that can stay overnight in the library for a special Teddy Bear Sleepover. The toys will get to enjoy sharing stories in the library after dark before snuggling down for a comfy sleep amongst the books.

We'll keep you up to date on their sleepover via facebook and SeeSaw.

Book Week Competitions - 19-23 August 

Sports News

Sports Uniform Days - Term 3

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.

National Swimming Championships

A huge congratulations goes to Nash H in Year 6 who represented NSW at the National Swimming Championships last week in Queensland. Nash swam exceptionally well and as a result came home with a swag of National medals in the following events:

• Mixed Medley Relay  - 1st Gold
• 100m Boys Breastroke - 2nd Silver
• 50m Boys Breastroke - 2nd Silver
• Boys Medley Relay - 3rd Bronze

A talented swimmer that we wish continued success in the future. Well done Nash!

NSWCPS Golf Tournament - Monday 5 August 

Students must have a golf link number and handicap.

The NSWCPS Golf Tournament (MacKillop team to be selected from this tournament) is coming up early in Term 3. If you know of any golfers in your school, please promote this pathway for them. This link will take them to the information and registration page.

There are 9 hole and 18 hole competitions in Boys and Girls divisions.

The 18 hole competition is for students wishing to be selected in the MacKillop team, while the 9 hole competitions are designed to get younger (Year 3-4) or less experienced golfers involved in the process.

NSWCPS Girls 7s Rugby (MacKillop and Polding)

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

Booking Information

Enrolment Form

CatholicCare Website

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.

Catholic Care - Group Programs for Term 3 2024

Our group programs can help adults and parents become the best versions of themselves. We are available to attend your service to provide an overview of the groups we offer, speak in more detail about a particular group, or discuss other service offerings such as our individual groups or professional development sessions. Our range of groups focus on:

• strengthening relationships
• parenting
• post-separation
• supporting parents with children in care
• managing challenging emotions
• grief and loss

Group programs are held in a supportive environment online or in-person at our Nowra, Campbelltown and Wollongong offices, with others who share similar life experiences. 

For more information or to make a booking please contact our Intake Service on 4254 9395 or email IntakeService@catholiccare.dow.org.au

Community Notices

Northern Illawarra Little Athletics Club - Season 2024-2025

Woonona Girls Guides

Northern Districts Auskick