School News
Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L)
Take a little time to talk with your child/ren about our two focus areas for the week. They will be happy to explain what these might look and sound like at school.
Weekly Classroom Focus
Sanitise hands on arrival to school, before eating and before entering the classroom after breaks
Weekly Non-Classroom Focus
Play games appropriate to playground areas and use playground equipment safely and responsibly
2020 Yearbook Orders STILL OPEN!
Orders are now open to purchase our SJB 2020 School Year Book.
To purchase your copy use the online Canteen system QuickCliq under 'EVENTS'.
or by clicking the link below by tomorrow.
Christmas Story Art Finalists
St Joseph’s achieved outstanding results in this year’s Christmas Story Art Exhibition and Competition with all five artworks selected from the St Joseph's entries receiving awards.
Congratulations Kiara. Neve, Emily and Leila who were finalists in this year’s Christmas Story Competition, and to Neala who received a Highly Commended award.
Awards were presented last week in a virtual presentation and all finalists will progress to the next level of the competition in the Archdiocese of Sydney.
Special thanks to Mrs. Birac and Mrs. Van Akker for their work with Year 5 and 6 students and for the wonderful experience students received in learning new art skills and in gaining a deeper understanding of the Christmas story.
Well done everyone!
School Photos - Wednesday 28 October 2020
School Photo Day will be held on Wednesday 28 October 2020. All students are to wear FULL SCHOOL SUMMER UNIFORM. Long hair must be tied back for the photos. Group and portrait photographs can be purchased by clicking the button below.
Important Information:
- All school photos are to be purchased online. (CODE: LY9LKXN18 - closes 28/10/2020)
- Sibling Photos (CODE: LY9LKXN18 - closes 28/10/2020)Sibling photographs must be ordered online prior to the day of photography. A photograph will not be taken without an order. Sibling photographs only apply to children enrolled at the school.
- Late fees/additional charges (after 4 November 2020)a late fee of $15 will be apply.
- Photos will be returned to your school for distribution approximately six weeks after photos are taken.
Wollongong City Council - School Zone Parking
Thank you to all of our parents and carers who are so respectful of others when parking around the school and who care for the safety of others. We are all very grateful.
The council rangers frequently visit the school in the morning or afternoon and below is a flyer produced by Wollongong City Council outlining the infringements and fines. Please take particular note of rules around parking near double centre lines.
SJB 2020 Spelling Bee
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 before an in-class competition/test will be held in Week 3 to determine the three participants for a Junior or a Primary School Final.
The School Final will be held in Week 4 for both Juniors and Seniors. An unseen word list will be used for the finals.
Say it, spell it, say it!
In the SJB spelling competition, the reader will pronounce the word and use it in a sentence. The competitor (participant)would then say the word, spell the word, and say the word again: “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 SCHOOL oral spelling bee competition as soon as he or she is unable/incorrectly spells a word.
- Once the word is said at the end of a participant’s attempt, you 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 10 seconds or before saying the word the second time that participant remains in the game.
- The count begins after the participant says the first letter of the word he/she is attempting. If a word is not spelled out within the 15 seconds (Senior) and 10 seconds (Juniors) count, 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 eg fuel f-u-e-l fuel
- The adjudicator’s decision is final.
Spelling Bee Timeline
Week 2 - Word lists will be distributed to students.
Week 3 - Class competition will be held to select 3 participants from each class for the school spelling bee competition.
Week 4 - School Final (using an unseen word list) will be held.
Week 5 - Spelling champions in each category will be listed in the newsletter and awards for the Winners (JUNIOR and PRIMARY) will be handed out at Friday’s assembly.
Learning Labs are back on at the University of Wollongong
The University of Wollongong would like to invite your students to LITTLE and EARLY LEARNING LABS, an academic enrichment holiday program. We are targeting students from Year 1 to 6 during 2020, who are passionate, self-motivated and curious learners.
| Little Learning Labs (Years 1 and 2) | 13-15 January 2021 |
| Early Learning Labs (Years 3-6) | 19 - 21 January 2021 |
Venue: University of Wollongong (Wollongong campus only)
Applications close: 9th November 2020
APPLICATION PROCESS
- Students can be encouraged to apply by their school, classroom teacher, subject specialist teachers from school or out-of-school or by their parents. If a school-based professional is identifying a potential student they will supply them with a Teacher Nomination Letter
- Parents/Guardians visit our website and read the full list of workshops available by scrolling to the “January workshops overview” section.
- Parents/Guardians (or school if parent/guardian is unable to) fill out the online application form.
- This is an academic enrichment program designed for students who are motivated and passionate learners and performing excellently in their area of interest. First-time applicants are required to demonstrate their suitability for the program. One piece of supporting documentation is required (see 'Supporting Documentation' section on website). Please note that the Teacher Nomination Letter can be used as a supporting document.
- Learning Labs is registered as COVID-Safe and follows the guidelines set out by the NSW Government here.
Please know that workshops fill very quickly.
We will also have several sponsorship places available for students who identify as Australian Aboriginal/Torres Strait or students experiencing financial difficulty.
For further information about workshops and the application process please visit our website, or contact the Learning Labs team via email at learning-labs@uow.edu.au or phone on (02) 4221 5557.
We thank you for your continued support of Learning Labs and we hope to share our passion for providing further opportunities to your students in January!
NSW Creative Kids Vouchers may be used to assist with cost of some Learning Lab programs see link for applications.
2021 Kindergarten Enrolment Applications
Applications can be handed in at the school office, or emailed to info@sjbdow.catholic.edu.au
Happy Birthday
21 October: Inga G Yr4
23 October: Cassandra J Yr5 & Xanthe B Kinder
24 October: Daniel R Yr4
25 October: Ari W Yr6 & Ashton B Yr1
26 October: Cody L Yr6
