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- Keep our school beautiful!

Happy Birthday

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

5 August - Archie S Year 4

7 August - Katrina G Year 6, Hartley B Year 4 and Noah D Year 4

8 August - Samuel R Year 5, Duke M Year 3 and Thomas L Year 3

9 August - Harper A Year 4

10 August - Evan S Year 6 and Taj C Year 5

National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence

On Friday 18 August 2023, St Joseph’s is participating in the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence (NDA). The NDA is Australia’s key bullying prevention initiative for schools, connecting schools and communities to implement workable solutions to prevent bullying.

Research has shown that strong school connections and positive relationships can help to prevent bullying. When students feel a sense of belonging and connectedness at school, they are more likely to enjoy school, trust and respect their teachers, and be concerned about and help others (Australian Education Research Organisation 2023).

At St Joseph’s we will help grow connections by participating in a variety of activities and an afternoon school assembly promoting inclusiveness, respect and community belonging for all students.

Planning for a safe and supportive school community requires a whole-school community approach. Whole-school responses to bullying prevention build positive and supportive school environments by incorporating strategies for intervention at all levels, inclusive of students, teachers, parents and carers.

Three key characteristics outlined in the national definition of bullying distinguish bullying behaviours from other negative behaviours which are not bullying. The key characteristics of bullying include:

1.    power imbalance

2.    deliberate intent to cause harm, and

3.    ongoing and repeated behaviour.

While the following behaviours are not bullying, they may still be serious and require intervention at home and at school:

·      arguments and disagreements (where there is no power imbalance)

·      single acts of social rejection or unkind behaviour, or

·      isolated incidents of aggression, intimidation or violence.

It is important for our whole-school community, including our staff, parents, carers and students to have a clear understanding of the definition of bullying to be able to correctly identify and respond to incidents of bullying. The full national definition can be found on the Bullying. No Way! website.

Mathematics at SJB

Our teachers have been working hard and diligently, engaging in professional learning, collaborative planning, and lesson observations using the Launch, Explore, Summarise & Relaunch pedagogies as part of our teaching toolkit.

We're delighted to see our students' enthusiastic engagement in the learning process. Their dedication is reflected in the visible growth we're witnessing in their understanding, skills and attitude toward Mathematics.

As we continue this journey, we're committed to refining our strategies and approaches to ensure the best possible learning experience for every student.

Thank you for your continued support in fostering a positive and effective Mathematics learning environment.

Miguel Aguilera

Assistant Principal

ICAS Assessment

Selected students will be participating in the following ICAS Assessments.  Below are the dates the assessment will take place here at school.

Library News

How can I help in the library?

Students' library class visits for Term 3 are as follows.

 I can't wait to see all your amazing Book Week costumes in week 6!

Mrs Holly Pirie

Teacher Librarian

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.

MacKillop Golf Representation

Charlotte B competed in the NSW CPS State Golf Tournament held at Blackheath this week. Great news as Charlotte has not only qualified for the Mackillop team, but she also won the girls state tournament by 5 shots with a tremendous score of 84. Charlotte will now be part of the Mackillop team competing at the NSW PSSA Golf Championship to be held in Batemans Bay September 12-14. 

We wish Charlotte continued success!

South Coast Regional Athletics Carnival 

On Tuesday 8 August, 32 students from St Joseph’s represented our school at the South Coast Regional Athletics carnival. All of the students demonstrated their amazing SJB spirit and sportsmanship as they participated in their events throughout the day. The enthusiasm and positive attitudes displayed by the students was such a joy to watch as they cheered each other on and gave their all. The students represented St Joseph’s in the best way possible. 

Congratulations on the following carnival results: 

This was a fantastic team effort by the whole squad! Thank you also to our teachers and parents who supported in the lead up to the event and on the day. 

Congratulations to the following individuals who were acknowledged for their outstanding performances and point scores: 

Seventeen SJB students who finished in the top 4 of their event(s) or have been nominated in the 1500m event are now invited to compete at the Wollongong Diocese Primary Athletics Selection Trials next Tuesday 15 August at Beaton Park against students from the West within our Diocese. We wish these athletes the best of luck for this upcoming event and we know they will do their absolute best. 

Athletics Selection Trial Squad 

Sebastian B, London C, Ruby D, Lorelei G, Natalia H, Nash H, Owen O, Saul O, Ella R, Thomas S, Archer T, Flynn W, Daphne W, Charlie S, Hayes G, Ethan M and Hartley B

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.