Principal's News
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome back to a new term! It's great to see everyone refreshed and ready to learn.
During the break, the school underwent various building works. We are proud to announce that the Stage 1 building has a new roof, the Library and Kindergarten rooms have new carpets, and the physical construction of the new garden beds for our Yarning Circle project has been completed. Our next steps are to complete the internal structure (paving) and then fill the beds so that we can start planting.
If there is anyone who has access to soil that we can use for our garden beds and would like to donate some to our school, please contact our school office; we would be most appreciative of this.
Students were also very pleased to see our new ‘Mud Kitchen’ that was created for us by the members of the Narrabri Men's Shed. They did a great job creating an outdoor kitchen that students will use for imaginative play at break times. Thank you again to the Men's Shed in Narrabri!
Our staff members also had a fantastic opportunity to attend Professional Learning facilitated by Dr Lyn Sharratt. Lyn has been working closely with the Diocese of Armidale for the past 8 years. Her evidence-based approaches have led to significant positive changes in learning within our diocese, particularly within our school. Our staff had the opportunity to join other schools to conduct learning walks, plan collaboratively and ask questions of Lyn about the evidenced-based instructional model that makes up her Clarity Learning approach. This is less of an ‘approach’ but rather an exemplary practice that good schools follow. Lyn Sharratt, Michael Fullan and John Hattie (all well-renowned educational leaders) researched these practices and came up with the 14 parameters that make schools successful. As a system we were focusing on Parameter 3 Quality Assessment Informs Instruction. Participants worked together to refine school practices to enhance the use of assessment and data that we gather as educators every day we teach students.
Staffing
Unfortunately, Mr Ruan Coetzer will not be returning to St Joseph’s Wee Waa. I have been in contact with Ruan, and his father is very ill in South Africa. He has elected to stay in South Africa and support his mother and father through this time. He asked me to pass on his thanks for welcoming him into Wee Waa, and he will cherish the time that he had at our school and the time he had living in Australia. I know that you will all join me in praying for Ruan and his family, and we wish his father a successful recovery.
I would also like to welcome two new Education Assistants to our team here at St Joseph’s. Janine Jol and Jordann Hobden. We were very blessed to have a large number of experienced applicants apply for this position, which made the process very competitive.
Janine joins our team as an experienced Early Childhood educator. Her previous position was as director of a preschool, and she has vast experience working with students. She will be working in our Infants team, supporting Kinder and Stage 1.
I would also like to welcome Jordann Hobden to our team. Jordann is an experienced EA who worked for the Department of Education. She has a lot of experience working with small groups of learners and individuals in intensive literacy and numeracy programs and will be working in our Stage 2 and Stage 3 classrooms.
Cross Country
Last term, on Tuesday, 9 April, students participated in our annual Cross Country event at Cook Oval. A big thank you to the volunteers, parents, Miss Suttor for organising the event, and the staff for their support. Congratulations to the following students who have qualified for the ADPSC Cross Country, which will be held in Barraba on Friday, 17 May:
Jag C, Leyton C, Edward C, Alexis B, Lincoln B, Campbell C, Jillian C, Sophie C, Bailey C, Toby D, Xavier E, James G, Reggie G, Kaia G, Hunter G, Ava H, Hemi H, Ebonie H, Gracie H, Ruby H, Blaikley H, Riley K, Laycey M, Ellie M, Elizma N, Alexandrea N, Benji S, Sophia S, Ava S, Harry S, Brodie S, Edee T, Marley V, Henry W, Johnathon W, Charlie W, Sophia W, Lucas W.
ANZAC Day
On Thursday, April 25, during the school holidays, the community held our annual ANZAC Day march. It was great to see so many students, staff and families attend, even though it was during the break. Our School Captains, Reggie and Edee, spoke wonderfully. They gave a speech on the Battle of the Somme in France during World War One. You can view a copy of their speech here.
Dubbo Excursion
On Wednesday, May 1, our Stage 2 students and staff embarked on their two-night excursion to Dubbo.
During their trip, they explored Wellington Caves, played ten-pin bowling, toured Taronga Western Plains Zoo, and got up close with some reptiles. They also visited the old Dubbo Goal, the Royal Flying Doctors Service, and the Western Plains Cultural Centre.
For further information about their trip and to view photos, please visit our Facebook page.
Polding Winter Trials
Today, Jag Carroll, Joey Crutcher and Sophie Crutcher travelled to Tamworth to participate in the Polding Winter Trials. Well done to the students for their efforts and sportsmanship. They all played brilliantly, and we are very proud of them. A big thank you to the parents for your support.
Finally, a special mention to Jag, who has been selected to join the NSWCPS Polding team to attend the NSWPSSA Rugby League 12 Years Championships next month.
Mother’s Day Breakfast, Stall & Mass
This is a reminder that we will be celebrating Mother’s Day on Friday, 10 May. The P & F will be holding a Breakfast with assorted fruit, muffins, sweet and savoury items, and tea and coffee, starting at 8:00 am for our mothers/carers and a Stall, with gifts available for $5 and $10. This will then be followed by a Mass in the afternoon held at St Andrew’s Catholic Church, starting at 2 pm. All are welcome to attend.
If you and your family are able to join us for the Breakfast, please complete the following RSVP via bit.ly/4bgv1I5. If you are available to volunteer on the day to help and have a valid WWCC, please complete the following form via https://calendly.com/stjoeysweewaa/mother-s-day-stall by selecting Friday, 10 May, and the time.
Winter Uniform
Please be advised that our school requires all children to wear their full winter uniform (including school tie) starting Tuesday, May 28th. This is a bit earlier than usual due to the weather forecast and also to ensure that our students are wearing the same uniform for our School Photo Day on Thursday, May 30th. You may refer to our uniform guide by visiting bit.ly/3vn5UhT.
If it becomes colder in the coming weeks, students may wear their full winter uniform before the official changeover date.
If you require any uniform items, we recommend using the Made for School website or our on-site secondhand uniform shop (limited supply) via the Compass app. All uniforms are available to try on at the school office. If a specific item is out of stock online or you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.
Have a great weekend.
Gold Bless,
Alistair Stewart
Principal