Dear Parents,

Thanks for all your engagement with our recent activities  - coming along to our events as well as helping to prepare the children for them.  What a wonderful community we have!

Book Week Celebrations

Last week, the school was buzzing with excitement as we celebrated our annual Book Week, with the theme "Reading is Magic." The week kicked off with a whole-school launch where staff captivated everyone by reciting a poem about the wonders of reading. We also continued our beloved tradition of presenting a book that fits the year's theme—this time, one filled with magical adventures.

The highlight for many was the mesmerising magic show, which had all the children utterly spellbound, with cheers echoing through the school. Another special moment was our partner reading activity, where students from different grades teamed up to share stories, fostering new friendships and a shared love for reading.

The pièce de résistance was, of course, our Character Parade on Friday. The school was awash with colour and creativity as students paraded in costumes representing a myriad of beloved characters—from unicorns and the Three Little Pigs, to Wally, The Cat in the Hat, Alice in Wonderland, and Willy Wonka. Miss Morgan, or should we say, Miss Maleficent, MC-ed the event with great flair, and the staff’s enthusiasm and willingness to dress up added to the fun-filled atmosphere. The wide range of book-themed canteen treats, like Mucous Muck, Mr. Middleton's Meringue Mess, Bower Bird Blues Biscuits, and Galaxy Jelly, were a huge hit!

A huge thank you to all the staff, especially our dedicated Library team, who worked tirelessly to make the week so special.

Father’s Day Celebrations

This morning’s Father’s Day celebrations were nothing short of amazing. From the delicious sausage sandwiches to the raffle, followed by a deeply moving liturgy that honoured our fathers and father figures, it was a morning to remember. Year 5 led us in prayer with grace and sincerity, making us all proud of their efforts. A big thank you to the Year 5 team and the parents who organised the breakfast and raffle.

Musical Countdown

Don’t forget that our school musical is just around the corner! If you haven’t secured your tickets yet, act fast—there are only a few left for the evening performance, though more are available for the Thursday matinee. The students and staff are working hard behind the scenes, and we can’t wait to share this extravaganza with you. A separate Compass note with costume requirements for each grade will be sent out today!

‘Trapped’

I had the privilege today of going along to see the latest Aspire production of ‘Trapped’ which has three of our Year 6 students perfoming in it – Ivy, Louis and Grace.  They were in character the whole time,  projected their voices brilliantly and took on the mannerisms of their roles superbly.  I was accompanied by a small group of fellow Year 6 students who were incredibly supportive and admiring of their peers’ talents.

Home-School Communication

The procedure at St Joseph’s is to either phone or email the office if you wish to contact your child’s teacher. 

Phone: 4961 2827  

Email: admin@merewether.catholic.edu.au 

Please provide an indication in the email or phone call as to why you are contacting us, for example, social concerns, a lost jacket, etc... and we ask that you address who you are writing to and sign off in an appropriate manner.  Some of you may think I shouldn’t be writing this however recently a number of our staff have been expressing to me how there is a lack of respect or common courtesy being demonstrated in emailed communications as well as verbal interactions, on occasions. 

If you would like your child’s teacher to call you, it is important to provide an indication of what you’d like to discuss. Suggesting a suitable time will also streamline this process. If the teacher is unable to reach you during this time, they will email to arrange a more suitable time. 

Once an initial email has been forwarded to the class teacher, and communication established, parents may email the teacher directly regarding the reason for the initial communication. If there is a new reason to contact the class teacher or a period of time between emails has lapsed, then a new request is to be emailed directly to St Joseph’s administration. 

There are many reasons for this procedure of emailing admin, which are not limited to, but include:

- students being in library/music lessons and not with their classroom teacher, and this can lead to messages not getting to children for things like a change in pick up arrangements;

- urgent messages/information reaching teachers as teachers are unable to check their emails during teaching time and may not get an opportunity to read emails until the end of the day;

- classroom teachers being on sick leave or extended leave and unable to monitor emails 

Please take the time to read back over the following extract from the diocesan Parents’ Code of Conduct.  We appreciate our strong community relationships we have here at St Joseph’s but acknowledge that like our students, we adults, also need reminders at times around our behaviours.  

Thank you for following our school and diocesan procedures. Your continued support and exemplary role modelling for our children are greatly appreciated. 

Looking forward to another fantastic fortnight ahead

Warm regards, 
Karen

Positive Behaviours for Learning (PBL)

Congratulations to the Red Sports Colour House for achieving the most tokens in the first half of Term 3! We will continue to give tokens out for this second half of the term to support our focus on our four PBL expectations

• Act Safely
• Be Respectful
• Care for All
• Do Your Best

This last fortnight our focus has been Care for All: Care for yourself and others. Students have used this time to consider how they can care for themselves and others physically, emotionally and spiritually

Congratulations to the following students who received a PBL Award this fortnight: Louis B (KG), Audrey R (KB), Nara P (1B), Ray C (1G), Alexandra F (2B), Hugo C (2G), Amie R (3B), Angeline J (3G), Tyler O (4B), Ruby P (4G), Emeriss A (5B), Ava K (5G), Bailar G (6B) and Audrey J (6G)

Safeguarding - ‘Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility’

National Child Protection Week

In 2024, the National Child Protection Week message that ‘Every child in every community needs a fair go’ will be complemented with the theme ‘Every conversation matters’.

Conversations are powerful tools to keep children and young people safe and well.

Conversations can help us understand issues, craft solutions, value community knowledge, and build the brains and social connections of children and young people.

Conversations between
…children and their caregivers matter (from the very earliest days)
…children and their peers matter
…families with teachers, doctors, and other professionals matter
…friends or neighbours matter                                                                               …decision-makers and the communities they serve matter.

And, of course, conversations in the public realm and media matter…

So, this National Child Protection Week we invite you to speak up – and speak together – about what needs to change for every child in every community to have a fair go.

This theme provides a platform to:

• engage in important conversations,
• promote the value of conversations, and
• equip us to have conversations that keep kids safe

For further information please click here

Aspire Wow! Gallery Competition

Aspire is still seeking artwork from the talented students in our diocese, for the upcoming Interactive art Exhibition, "WOW Gallery". Open to both individual students and classes to submit their interpretation of that breathtaking moment that makes you go "wow!".

Attached is the poster for submissions or click this link

Please reach out to lara.crockett@mn.catholic.edu.au with any questions or any assistance you might need.

Keep an eye on Compass in the coming weeks to learn about how and when to buy tickets to see the exhibition, showing November 4-9.

Nicole Charnock
Assistant Principal

PJ Day Reminder - Thursday 5 September

Get ready for a cozy day at school! On Thursday 5 September, we're inviting all students to wear their favourite pyjamas to school for PJ Day. In the spirit of giving, please bring a donation for Mum's Cottage and place it in the basket provided for your grade on the day. Your generosity will make a difference! For more information, please see the flyer below, check it out on Compass or around the school.

Catholic Mission Socktober Launch – Tuesday 17 September

We’re excited to announce that this year’s Socktober will kick off with a special liturgy at MacDonald Jones Stadium on Tuesday 17 September with our student councillors representing the school on the day. This year, Catholic Mission is focusing on the incredible country of Mongolia, a land of vast steppes, rugged mountains, and a rich nomadic culture that dates back to the time of Genghis Khan.

Mongolia is a country of contrasts, where ancient traditions meet modern life. From the bustling capital of Ulaanbaatar to the tranquil Gobi Desert, the people of Mongolia are known for their warmth and resilience. However, many children face challenges in getting the nutritious food, school supplies, and warm clothing they need to thrive.

Your support during Socktober can make a real difference in the lives of these children. To learn more about these children's stories and the beautiful country of Mongolia, click here. 

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to contribute to a cause that helps children grow strong and healthy!

Donna Morgan 
Religious Education Coordinator

Andrew Fuller Webinars – free parent sessions

Register now- free information session with leading Australian psychologist on how to identify your child’s learning strengths and support them to achieve their best.
 
You are invited to attend one of two, free parent and carer information sessions being held on Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 September with clinical psychologist, author, speaker and creator of Learning Strengths, Andrew Fuller.
 
Andrew Fuller will speak on the topic ‘Biohacking learning’ – providing you with tools and strategies to identify your child’s learning strengths as well as why this is so important in supporting young people to engage, increase performance, gain
new skills and discover pathways to success

All parents and carers of children enrolled in local Catholic schools from K-12 are welcome to attend.
 
An overview of the webinar is provided in the attached flyer, with key details provided in the summary below:
 
Session One

Session Two

These information sessions are proudly hosted by the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle’s Federation of P & F Associations for parents and carers of children enrolled in local Catholic schools.

Karen Young Webinar – free parent session

We are thrilled to inform you about an upcoming webinar that promises to be incredibly insightful and beneficial for anyone raising or working with children. Renowned Psychologist and Author, Karen Young, will be hosting a webinar for parents on managing anxiety in children, and we strongly encourage all our parents to register. 

Karen Young is well-known for her expertise in Child Psychology, particularly in helping children navigate the complexities of anxiety. Her approach is practical, compassionate, and deeply rooted in understanding the unique challenges our young people face today. This webinar is an opportunity for you to gain valuable insights and tools to support your children in managing their anxieties, whether big or small.

Recently, our teachers participated in a similar webinar led by Karen, and it was nothing short of transformative. The session was engaging, highly relevant to the realities our students face, and left us with a wealth of knowledge that has already made a positive impact in our classrooms. Beyond just professional development, it offered us, as both educators and parents, a deeper understanding of how anxiety can manifest in children and how we can best support them.

One of the standout aspects of Karen's approach is her ability to make complex psychological concepts accessible and actionable. She doesn’t just offer theoretical advice, she provides practical strategies that you can start using immediately to help your child feel more secure, confident, and capable of managing their worries.

Whether your child has expressed feelings of anxiety or you’re simply looking to equip yourself with knowledge to better support their emotional wellbeing, this webinar is an invaluable resource. Karen’s insights are not just for parents of children experiencing anxiety, but for all parents who wish to foster a supportive and understanding environment at home. We highly recommend setting aside the time to join this free session on offer as an investment in your child’s wellbeing and in your own journey as a parent.

If you are unable to attend the webinar at the designated time, you can access a recording of the session for up to two weeks after the event. All you have to do is register to attend the event via the link, and the recording will then be made available to you approximately one week after the live presentation.

This webinar is proudly hosted by the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle’s Federation of P & F Associations for parents and carers of children enrolled in local Catholic schools

SchoolTV

Click here to read SchoolTV’s special edition report on Toxic Achievement Culture. It is a very interesting read that explores how there is nothing wrong with having ambition, but it's crucial to ensure that this desire doesn't push our young people into a toxic cycle of achievement and make them feel they must achieve in order to matter.

Chloe Coe
Wellbeing Coordinator

Reading is the foundation for success in all learning areas, and fostering a love of reading can make a significant difference in your child's development. Reading for enjoyment not only enhances your child's learning but also ignites their imagination, broadens their understanding of the world, and nurtures their emotional development. When children read for pleasure, they are more likely to develop strong reading habits, improve their vocabulary, and gain a deeper understanding of texts.

Key Strategies to Support Reading Development:

1. Build a Strong Vocabulary:

• Talk Often: Engage in conversations about various topics. The more words they hear, the more words they learn.
• Introduce New Words: Use rich and varied language in everyday conversations. Explain new words and encourage your child to use them in context.

• Set Aside Reading Time: Dedicate a specific time each day for reading. This could be after school, before bed, or whenever your child feels most relaxed.
• Provide a Range of Books: Ensure that your child has access to books that are both at their reading level and slightly more challenging. This helps build confidence and promotes growth.

• Ask Questions: While reading together, pause to ask questions about the story. Encourage your child to predict what might happen next or explain why a character acted a certain way.
• Discuss the Story: After reading, have a conversation about the book. Discuss favourite parts, what they learned, and any connections they can make to their own life.

• Be a Reading Role Model: Let your child see you reading regularly. Share what you’re reading with them and talk about why you enjoy it.
• Read Aloud Together: No matter your child’s age, reading aloud together can be a powerful way to bond and build reading skills. It also helps with pronunciation, fluency, and comprehension.

• Designate a Reading Space: Set up a cozy, quiet area in your home where your child can read without distractions.
• Keep Books Accessible: Have a variety of books readily available throughout your home, making it easy for your child to pick up a book whenever they feel inspired or visit the local library.

• Praise Effort: Acknowledge your child’s progress, whether it’s learning a new word or finishing a book. Celebrate these milestones to encourage a positive attitude toward reading.
• Set Goals: Help your child set realistic reading goals, such as reading a certain number of books per month or trying new genres. Achieving these goals can boost their confidence.

Figure 1 https://www.barnsley.ac.uk/student-life/library/reading-for-pleasure/

Thank you for being a vital part of your child’s reading journey!

Happy Reading!

Leanne Skinner 
Primary Coordinator and Pedagogical Mentor 

Indigenous Literacy Day - Wednesday 4 September

Next Wednesday 4 September, we will celebrate Indigenous Literacy Day. This year’s theme is "Be A Proud Voice for Country". The day will include a 15-minute feature film, hosted by Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) ambassador Jess Mauboy, showcasing stories and language from children in remote communities.

Indigenous Literacy Day is an annual event organised by the ILF to promote literacy among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. It is a wonderful opportunity for our students to understand the importance of embracing First Languages across Australia. The ILF works in remote communities to provide books and resources, support community literacy projects, and publish books in First Languages. We look forward to being able to support them in their work in the future.

As a school community, we are aware that we need to do more to embrace our local Awabakal languages and culture. We have been looking into ways that we can do this and are excited to begin working with the Miromaa Language and Technology Centre to explore the renaming of our sports colour houses. Watch this space.

Upcoming Events

P&F Meeting (Library & Quadrangle Transformation Launch) - Friday 13 September

Spring Ball - Saturday 14 September 

School Disco -  Thursday 17 October

Golf Day - Friday 15 November

Father’s Day Celebrations

It was great to see so many people come together this morning to celebrate all the fathers, grandfathers and father figures in our lives. The P&F is always proud to help put on this event and organise the catering and the raffle, but we can’t do it without a generous school community.

Big thank you to Priscilla Officer for co-ordinating the event and the volunteers who had an early morning start to set up and cook the BBQ. A shout out to Baker’s Delight, The Junction who donated the bread, and to Sellers Meats Merewether for giving us a very generous discount on the meat.

Thank you also to the many generous families and businesses for donating items for the raffle – Sellers Quality Meats (Amanda and Hayden Cornish), Blue Door (Amy James), The Commonwealth Hotel, Georgetown Cellarbrations (Dagwell family), Doughheads, Mary Ellen Hotel, Body Fit Training (Jemma and Nick Savage), Lotus Corner and Two Hands Café. Our raffle was a huger success and raised over $1400!

Spring Ball – tickets close today!

Thanks to everyone who purchased a ticket to our main fundraiser for the year - the Spring Ball at Ravella on Saturday 14 September. This is your last chance to buy tickets on QKR, which close today. It’s shaping up to be a fabulous night, and we’re excited to announce some great Spring Ball auction items + prizes on offer which include:

• Accommodation package at No 7 Shoal Bay: Donated by the de Witt family. https://follo.com.au/listings/no-7-shoalhaven/.
• The Welders Dog pack: Donated by the de Witt family. https://www.theweldersdog.com.au/.
• Sellers Meats packs. Donated by the Cornish family and Sellers Meats Merewether.
• Beverage pack donated by Georgetown Cellarbrations: Donated by the Dagwell family
• Reflections Holiday Park voucher. Donated by Scott McShane and Peter Chapman.
• Shoal Bay stay for 6 guests: Donated by McGregor Finance Group
• Junction Hotel vouchers
• Good Friends Coffee Voucher
• Bar Beach Bowlo vouchers
• Artwork donated by Tyler Dan
• Prize from Damon Sellis and Street Property Newcastle
• Hamper from Fox and the Beauty Merewether

Come along to the launch of our library and quadrangle transformation!

A launch event you do not want to miss! 

What began as a library refresh has become so much more - and trust us, you’ll be keen to hear the details!

The P&F and the school executive are excited to invite you to the official launch of our library AND quadrangle transformation project! This represents a huge investment in our school and will be a significant capital works project that will take place over 2025.

You’ll have a chance to see all the architect plans up close and ask any questions you have.

The library launch will be in the school library on Friday 13 September from 8 - 8:40am.

Supervision will be provided for school kids and a light breaky will be provided for parents.

Please RSVP via this link for catering purposes.

School Photos - Tuesday 3 September

A reminder that school photos will be taken next Tuesday.

Please ensure children arrive at school on time to assist the photographer's with their schedule and are dressed in full winter uniform.  

Black shoes must be worn and slightly polished.  Hair needs to be tied back if it is shoulder length or longer and any hair that hangs across children’s eyes also needs to be pulled back and fastened. Any accessories like ribbons etc must be in the school colours as well.

Student Leaders are reminded to wear their badges pinned on the right side side of their uniform.

Please ensure that you have completed your order and payment online prior to the day to avoid paying a late fee

Term Three Planner

Unless otherwise stated, the advertisements placed in this newsletter are placed by independent third parties who have no legal relationship with the Diocese.  The activities or services of the advertisers are not supervised or controlled in any way by the Diocese.  The Diocese is not in a position to endorse the advertisers or the services provided and makes no representation about those matters.  Accordingly, the Diocese cannot accept any responsibility for the advertisers or the activities or services that are the subject of these advertisements.