Dear Parents,

Yesterday we held our second Kinder orientation morning. Our incoming Kinders happily went with our Year 5 buddies to the Kinder classrooms engaging in play experiences together, story time and then our traditional scavenger hunt.

The idea of the scavenger hunt is for the children to familiarise themselves with all areas of the school. They take a school passport with them and as they go to each location, they collect an item that reminds them of what occurs in that part of the school. For example, in the library they collect a book; from the music room there is a mini instrument; from the canteen a treat to eat; at the toilets a cake of soap; on the playground a handball; and various other items of relevance at other locations. Smiles abounded and a great morning was had by all. Remi also worked her magic and proved to be a real hit with the children.

Year 6 Retreat

At the start of this week our Year 6 students participated in a two day retreat at Glenrock Scout Park. This retreat experience is a traditional right of passage for our Year 6 students. The main focus areas of the retreat were for the students to recognise their personal gifts as they prepare to leave the security of primary school and venture into unknown territory. The other focus was to reflect on what reconciliation is and how important it is to be open to it and to practise it in our relationships with others. On the Monday evening, I was privileged to join the students for dinner, lead them in a prayerful labyrinth experience outdoors and then be part of an incredibly moving liturgy that had a great sense of sacredness about it. It was an experience that was very special for me, and I hope was as moving and memorable for our students. I’d like to thank Leah Temple, Zoe Parish, Shannon Bailey, Judy and Terry Collins and Donna Morgan for the time and effort they all put in to provide such a meaningful experience for our Year 6 cohort.

Carols by Candlelight

As it was a musical year this year, our school community Christmas celebrations will be in the form of Carols by Candlelight on Thursday 12th December. We plan to start a little later than in previous years, so families are not so rushed. We will commence with our family picnics, as has become tradition, however we will not be providing food vans or food ordering services. The children will sit with their families, and we encourage you to bring along battery operated candles or alternatively purchase them on the night. To assist us with ordering please indicate on this Candles form how many candles you would like for your family. We look forward to hearing all voices, young and old, join in with the singing and sharing the spirit of Christmas together.

Fr John’s Retirement

It was recently announced that Fr John will be retiring from active ministry at the end of this year. We are so very grateful for all his support over the last couple of years, in helping us to live and share our Catholic faith.  He is a true friend of ours and we will miss him greatly.  We will have the opportunity to thank him personally at our end of year liturgy and carols evening.  Our new parish priest, as of January 1^st 2025, will be Fr Greg Barker, the diocesan Vicar-General. 

Period Positivity

Period Poverty

Period poverty is the lack of access to sanitary products, menstrual hygiene education and inadequate toilet facilities. It is also the stigma and feelings of shame and embarrassment of a normal bodily function, and subsequent impacts on mental health.

Period Positivity

Period Positivity is about making periods normal. From free period care products to more informative discussions, the initiative aims to promote greater accessibility, equity and dignity for all.

In 2022 a pilot program was conducted at St Paul’s Catholic College Booragul, trialling the installation of sanitary dispensing machines with the provision of free sanitary products at the school. The trial was very successful – with strong survey results in addition to positive student engagement and feedback.

Due to the success of the trial, dispensers were rolled out across all Diocesan Secondary schools in 2023. This is being followed up with a rollout across Primary schools in the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle across 2024.

The Period Positivity initiative will commence at St Joseph’s starting Monday 18^th November.

• Sanitary products will be available to students for free, via dispensers in the toilet blocks.
• If students find themselves needing pads they will be available from the dispensers.
• Students are encouraged to use their own products, but there will be the option to use the free products provided in the female toilets for those who need them.

The product roll-out will be complemented by an educational awareness program that will be delivered to all students, in an age appropriate way. Professional Learning resources will enable teachers to be competent and confident to deliver the educational materials such as Menstrual health; information about periods and anatomy, dispelling myths, products, accessibility, gender equity and promoting dignity. For more information, please see the Period Positivity Parent Resource or visit https://www.mn.catholic.edu.au/students/period-positivity/.

Enjoy the weekend sunshine and your family time,

Karen

Newcastle Permanent Maths Competition 

We wish to congratulate Xavier Crosby for his outstanding achievement in this year’s Newcastle Permanent Maths Competiton. Xavier was one of 2 students across the Newcastle region to receive a District Award for the Year 6 division of the competition. Xavier finished among the high performers and was invited to attend a special award ceremony to celebrate his achievement. As a prize for his amazing efforts, Xavier was awarded a complimentary account with Newcastle Permanent. We are all very proud of Xavier and this wonderful achievement! 

Student Leadership 2025 

The process of selecting our Student Leaders for 2025 will begin on Monday 18th November. Please see the proposed timeline below: 

Monday 18 November  

Year 5 complete Leadership Reflection sheet 

Leadership Parent letter & student nomination form sent home 

Thursday 21 November 

Nominations need to be returned  

Absent students to email their nomination form 

Monday 25 November 

Year 5 students vote and determine 10 girls and 10 boys 

Tuesday 26 - Friday 29 November 

Staff vote to narrow 20 children to 10 - 5 boys and 5 girls – the Student Leadership Team of 2025 

Monday 2 December 

Student Leadership Team for 2025 announced 

Nominees for Sports House Captain to complete speech at House Team Meeting 

Students 2-6 vote for Sport House Captains 

Tuesday 3 December 

Sports House Captains announced 

Wednesday 4 December 

Student Leadership Team will write a short speech at school 

Speeches presented to the whole school in the hall 

Year 2-6 vote 

Captains and Vice Captains and their parents are informed  

Captains and Vice Captains for 2025 announced 

Graduation Mass – Thursday 12 December 

Passing of light between 2024 Leadership Team and 2025 Leadership Team at the End of Year Mass. 

Positive Behaviours for Learning (PBL) 

Students have been busy collecting tokens for these positive behaviours. Our current token tally count is as follows: 

There is still another week left for students to receive tokens before our first half of Term 4 winner is announced.  

We continue to focus on Caring for our Belongings and the Place we are in. We are very proud of each class's efforts to minimise their lost property.  

Our PBL focus this coming fortnight is Be Respectful – Be Honest. During PBL lessons, students are identifying: 

• What is meant by truthfulness and honesty? 

• Why is being honest important? 

• How can we be honest at school? 

The following Power Point may be a conversation starter for you and your child/ren. Below you will also find another resource which reinforces this concept. Hopefully they are useful too. 

Truthfulness and Honesty PowerPoint 

Honesty Acrostic Poem 

Safeguarding - ‘It’s everyone’s responsibility’ 

OLT Parent Courses 

OLT's tutored online courses are for people supporting students with disability and special educational needs. OLT has been providing professional learning in Australia since 2008 and continues to work closely with our Australian partners to develop courses and the learning management system that underpins its success. Their courses are co-designed with expert practitioners and regularly updated in line with the latest evidence-based best practice to maintain a high standard of learning and impact. 

The following courses are currently available for parents to access: 

• ADHD for Parents 

• Autism for Parents’ 

These short open courses are free to any interested parent/carer. Please see the link below for further information: https://aus.oltinternational.net/courses#parent-courses 

Nicole Charnock 
Assistant Principal 

Assessment 

At St Joseph’s we continually use a range of assessment strategies to plan teaching, set learning goals and monitor progress. As teachers are preparing to write Semester Two reports for your children they will use a variety of assessment tasks to gather information and data. Assessment is the broad name for the collection and evaluation of evidence of a student's learning (NESA 2023). Please find below an insight into some of the various styles of assessment used in our school, shedding light on their significance, and how they contribute to your child's development.  

The following information about assessment is provided by NESA and can be found via this link: https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/k-10/understanding-the-curriculum/assessment/approaches 

Assessment for Learning involves teachers using evidence about students' knowledge, understanding and skills to inform their teaching. Sometimes referred to as ‘formative assessment', it usually occurs throughout the teaching and learning process to clarify student learning and understanding. 

Assessment as Learning occurs when students are their own assessors. Students monitor their own learning, ask questions and use a range of strategies to decide what they know and can do, and how to use assessment information for new learning. 

Assessment of Learning assists teachers in using evidence of student learning to assess achievement against outcomes and standards. Sometimes referred to as ‘summative assessment', it usually occurs at defined key points during a teaching work or at the end of a unit, term or semester, and may be used to assign grades.  

The various assessment styles we employ are for your child to flourish in their own unique way. We appreciate your partnership in this journey, and together, we will help your child to reach their full potential. 

Leanne Skinner 
Primary Coordinator and Pedagogical Mentor 

Celebrating Our Year 6 Achievements in Religious Literacy! 

We are incredibly proud to announce that 79% of our Year 6 students achieved scores above the Diocesan average in the recent Religious Literacy test for Term 3! This impressive achievement highlights their hard work and dedication in deepening their understanding of our faith. 

The Religious Literacy test is a comprehensive assessment that draws on the content covered in both the Year 5 and Year 6 Religious Education units. The test included 25 multiple-choice questions, focusing on essential areas of our Catholic faith, including Lent and Easter, Jesus' call to discipleship, stories from the Hebrew Scriptures, and the Sacraments of Service. In addition to this, students completed two short-response sections where they demonstrated their understanding of key church celebrations, important symbols of our faith, and the mission of Jesus. 

This strong performance is a testament to the dedication of our students, teachers, and families who work together to build a rich foundation in faith. Congratulations to our Year 6 students for this achievement – your hard work has truly paid off! Let’s continue to support and celebrate each other as we grow together in faith and knowledge. 

Upcoming Events 

Family and friends are warmly welcome to attend all or any of the following events being held throughout the rest of the term.

• Remembrance Day Liturgy –  Monday 11th November (lead by Year 4)
• Advent Liturgies - Monday mornings starting 2nd December  
• Year 6 Graduation – Thursday 12th December in St Joseph’s Church. 

Donna Morgan 
REC 

School Counsellor Recognition Day - Friday 8th November 2024  

We would like to sincerely thank Sharon Beckett and Alex Kenny for the millions of different ways they contribute to the students, staff and families of St Joseph’s. 

It truly takes a special kind of person to do the work they do. Sharon and Alex’s ability to listen, support, and guide our community through their challenges is a gift. One that has a profound and lasting impact on all of our lives. They are here to help our students navigate the ups and downs of childhood, offering not just guidance but a safe space where they can express themselves without fear of judgment. 

This year’s theme, "Little Moments, Lasting Change," captures the essence of the invaluable work our counsellors do every day in our schools. They have provided little moments of listening, understanding, and connecting that have supported students, families, and staff to notice their needs and strengths, persevere and grow.  

We are so grateful for your skills, professionalism, and dedication.  

World Kindness Day – Wednesday 13th November  

The Student Wellbeing Team will be running a kindness challenge next week in celebration of World Kindness Day. Colouring and card making stations will be available to all students at recess on Wednesday. 

The Healing Power of Therapy Dogs in Our School Community 

Our school Therapy Dog, Remi, arguably has one of the most important jobs at St Joseph’s in providing emotional support and comfort to students and staff.  

Research has shown that the presence of therapy dogs in educational settings has a wide range of benefits for students, especially in Primary Schools. Here are just a few of the many ways therapy dogs can make a positive impact: 

1. Emotional Support 
   For many children, especially those dealing with stress, anxiety, or sadness, therapy dogs provide a comforting presence. Petting or simply being around a dog has been shown to lower heart rates, reduce feelings of anxiety, and improve overall mood. For children who may feel anxious before a test, during a tough day, or after experiencing a difficult situation at home, the dog’s calm presence can offer them a sense of peace and reassurance. 
2. Improved Social Skills 
   Therapy dogs also help children develop better social and communication skills. The dogs encourage positive interactions and cooperation, whether in group settings or one-on-one. Children who may be shy or struggle with social anxiety can often feel more comfortable talking and interacting with the dog, which in turn builds their confidence in social situations. 
3. Supporting Emotional Regulation 
   Therapy dogs can be a helpful tool in teaching children how to manage their emotions. When students are upset, frustrated, or angry, interacting with a therapy dog can provide an opportunity for children to calm down and refocus. The process of petting a dog has a soothing effect that helps children regain control of their emotions, especially when they are feeling overwhelmed. 
4. Encouraging Positive School Attendance 
   Some children who experience separation anxiety or struggle with the idea of going to school can benefit from the presence of therapy dogs. Knowing that a friendly and non-judgmental dog will be there to greet them can encourage students to come to school with a positive mindset, helping to ease any nervousness or fears they may have about the day ahead. 
5. Building a Positive School Environment 
   The presence of a therapy dog fosters a sense of belonging and community in our school. Dogs bring joy and smiles wherever they go, and they have a special way of bringing people together. Therapy dogs often become an integral part of the school culture, allowing students, teachers, and parents to bond over their love of animals while also enhancing the overall atmosphere of kindness and compassion within our school. 

In addition to Remi’s regular routine of visiting classrooms, assisting with learning and supporting students, she also found the time to meet our 2025 Kindergarten students during their transition visits. 

SchoolTV 

“Grief is like a fingerprint, it's unique to everyone, and so is the way you process it.” - Dr Michael Carr-Gregg 

Click here to explore SchoolTV’s resources, videos and articles about grief and loss. We believe that the strength of our school community lies in the connections we share with one another. In times of grief, leaning on one another is more important than ever. If you or your child are struggling, please don’t hesitate to reach out.  

Chloe Coe 
Wellbeing Coordinator

St Joseph’s Swimming Carnival 2024 

The St Joseph’s Primary School Swimming Carnival is to be held on Wednesday 11th December 2024 at the Forum, Newcastle University. The carnival is only for students who are turning 8 -13 years old next year, 2025. Kindergarten and Year 6 students will not be eligible to attend. 

The procedure to nominate students for the swimming carnival has changed this year to make it more efficient in collecting information. Please ensure you have read the following so that you are up to date with the new procedure.  

• Students in Years 1 and 2 will bring home a swimming nomination form to be completed by parents.  

• This year, the students in Years 3-5 will have the opportunity to nominate for their events at school. We are hoping that this will streamline the process and make the program preparation more efficient. In order for this to be successful, we need the assistance of parents. We would like you to have a conversation with your child/children next week (Week 5) before the nominations that will take place at school in their classroom on Friday 15th November. Please discuss suitable events for them to compete in.  

The events are as follows: 

Please note it is advised that students have prior experience for the following events: 100m Open Freestyle and the 200m Individual Medley.

The students’ nominations will need to be completed in class by Friday 15th November 2024.

Thank you for your support,

The Sports Team

House Renaming Project 

Things are progressing with our Awabakal House naming project. This afternoon families will receive a Compass notification detailing the name options. We invite you to discuss this with your children in preparation for voting next week and share your preferences via the Microsoft Form that will be provided.  

We are very excited see how the students vote next week and look forward to sharing our new house names with you very soon!  

Leah Temple 
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Teacher 

School Fees

School fees are to be finalised by 30 November 2024.
If you are experiencing financial hardship please contact the school office to arrange an appointment with the Principal.

Term Planner - Term 4**Please note these dates are subject to change and any changes will be communicated via Compass as soon as they occur.

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