Dear Parents,

Project Compassion Launch

Our four student captains were invited to be part of the annual Caritas Project Compassion launch at the Sacred Heart Cathedral on Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Tuesday). This project spans across the six weeks of Lent and aims to raise funds for people living in the most vulnerable parts of the world. The launch liturgy was a lovely service, with people representing the schools, parishes, childcare centres, Catholic Care and other service areas of the diocese. There was a very beautiful liturgical dance performed by a group of Samoan dancers as part of the reflection and after receiving our collection boxes and commissioning letter we were treated to pancakes.  Our leaders represented our school with pride and were lucky enough to be photographed with the bishop as part of this launch.  

Beginning of School Year Mass

Last Wednesday, we launched our school year with a heartwarming Mass, marking both the beginning of a new academic journey and the solemn occasion of Ash Wednesday. Led by Fr. Anil, our new assistant parish priest, the service brought our faith community together to reflect on the significance of Lent and our collective call to action during this period of spiritual growth.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Fr. Anil for his presence, inspiring words, and blessings, which set a meaningful tone for the year ahead. It was particularly touching to witness our Kinder students participating in their first school Mass, demonstrating remarkable reverence and enthusiasm as they joined in prayers and songs. Following the Mass, we proudly commissioned our new Year 6 student leaders, who pledged to uphold our school values and support our community with unwavering dedication.

The presence of parents, family members, and friends added to the joyous atmosphere, as we celebrated this special occasion with a delightful morning tea in the school hall.

Indeed, it was a truly special start to our school year, filled with unity, reflection, and a sense of shared purpose. Here's to the journey ahead, guided by faith and community spirit!

Awards 

We believe it is important to acknowledge students’ efforts and achievements in various ways.  One way we do this is with the presentation of school awards.  Below is a brief outline of our regular awards. 

Weekly Awards – KLA based  

These are in class Merit Awards (2 per class). Students will receive class recognition and a certificate. These are awarded for achievement and/or growth and improvement in a KLA or for a particular learning task that may cross over several KLAs.

Fortnightly SRC PBL Award  

This is awarded every fortnight at the assembly. SRC reps nominate 3 class members each fortnight, demonstrating the fortnightly PBL expectations. The Assistant Principal will email these three nominations to teachers, on Thursday afternoons (even weeks) after the SRC meetings. Class teachers will then select one student from their class from these three names that they think has best demonstrated commitment to the PBL focus for that fortnight. At Friday assemblies, one student per class will be awarded the PBL Award (certificate).

There will be 14 PBL recipients in total each fortnight.  

Fortnightly Principal’s Award (PA) – Learning Dispositions 

Awarded fortnightly at Friday assemblies, in addition to a certificate, recipients will each get to take home a PA trophy and then return it for the next assembly.  It needs to be returned by the Wednesday of each even week, so that we know we have them all back for the Friday assembly.

The Principal’s Award differs from the class merit awards as they are not KLA or achievement related. These awards are based on learning dispositions. The purpose of this is to help students further connect with what learning truly is and how, through the demonstration of these dispositions, they will be able to successfully make their way out of ‘the learning pit’ and learn what qualities are needed to be successful learners. 

Term 1 Principal Awards Schedule

Week 4: Kindergarten  
Week 6: Year 1 and Year 2  
Week 8: Year 3 and Year 4  
Week 10: Year 5 and Year 6  

The recipients each term are invited to a Principal’s Morning Tea at the end of the term. This will occur in Week 11 of this term.

Lunch Times

Our trial lunch time procedures where children have their sitting and eating time at 11:15am has now been in practice for four weeks.  We will continue this trial for the remainder of the term and in a few weeks’ time we will seek feedback from students, parents and staff around the practice in order to inform our decision going forward for the remainder of the year.  Please be aware that if your children are hungry before the designated sitting time, they can eat something from their lunchboxes, but they are not able to take their food out to the field, handball courts, climbing equipment etc.  We ask that you remind your children that besides ‘Crunch and Sip’ time and lunch time that they also have recess (which is 40 minutes in duration) to eat.  For those of you who may have missed the letter outlining the procedures we have included it here.

Enrolments 

Enrolments for 2025 will open Friday 1 March and will close on Friday 24 May 2024. 

Our school is a pilot school for online enrolments which means you will be able to apply online from 1 March.  We will share the link to this site with families prior to this date.

Information regarding the new Enrolment Policy can be found here.

If you have a younger child that will be starting Kindergarten in 2025 you are encouraged to submit an application prior to the closing date.

We will be conducting student lead tours again this year.  A link to register your interest will be sent out with the link to enrolling online.

SFX Enrolments - Year 7 2025

Please note the enrolment period for SFX Year 7 is 1 March - 10 May 2024.

P&F 

Our first P&F Meeting of the year and the AGM will be held at 6.00pm in the Staff Cafe on Monday 4 March.  We would love to see as many of your there as possible to see what the P&F has planned for this year and for you to spend some time socialising with other parents over drinks and nibbles. 

As Taylor Swift mania abounds this weekend, I thought I’d finish off with one of her quotes:

"No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind."

Karen 

Semester One Student Council 

In Week 3, Students in Years 2-6 have had the opportunity to nominate themselves for the Semester One Student Council. Student Council members represent the peers in their class and bring suggestions forward on how together we can make St Joseph’s an even better place. The council meets each fortnight with Mrs Charnock, bringing the ideas and suggestions of their peers to the school executive.  

This Semester the council will continue to support our PBL, as well as involving themselves in projects that serve our school community. 

We wish to congratulate the following students who will represent their classes as student council leaders throughout Semester One: 

Bike Safety 

We have recently had communications from the public with concerns about student and community safety, citing several examples of St Joseph's students riding to and from school in an unsafe manner.  

Two of these reported incidents were near misses for the students involved, or members of the public and their property.   

In speaking with the students, we have asked that as they approach the high traffic areas in the block surrounding the school, including Farquhar St, Union St and Kenrick St, that they get off their bikes and walk them the remainer of the way to the school gate. Similarly, we have requested that they do the same as they depart from school in the afternoon.   

We have outlined the following consequences for students who are identified to be involved in these unsafe behaviours:  

1. An investigation will occur to determined what happened and who was involved
   
   
2. Student's parents will be contacted and informed 
   
   
3. Students will be unable to ride their bike to school for a week and they and their families will be asked to make alternate arrangements
   
4. During that week, students will spend their recess breaks viewing /reading bike safety materials and preparing a report to share with their class on the importance of bike safety. 

We ask you to please remind your children about the importance of riding their bikes safely to and from school. Please consider using the following resources to support your conversations with your children. 

https://www.safetytown.com.au/families/ 

https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/bicycle-riders/safe-riding 

nrma-kidsafe-kids-on-wheels.pdf 

Bike_Safety.docx 

Safeguarding in all schools in the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese 

The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle has an absolute and abiding commitment to promote the safeguarding of children.  

Our previous Bishop, Bill Wright established the Office of Safeguarding, whose director answers to the Bishop’s Office and is charged to oversee the whole of the Diocese’s safeguarding of children, including the students in our system of schools. 

As a parent sending your child to a Diocesan school, you are expected to be an active participant in safeguarding your child’s wellbeing. To do so, it’s important that you have the best information available to you. The Office of Safeguarding website offers comprehensive details of the Diocese’s approach to safeguarding children. You are also encouraged to be an active participant in the life of your school. 

As a parent of a diocesan school student, if you are concerned for: 

• the safety, welfare or wellbeing of one or more children in the school
• the conduct of a member of staff, a volunteer, contractor or other adult associated with the school

… you are able to: 

• discuss your concerns with a teacher, Assistant Principal or Principal
• talk to an investigator at the Office if Safeguarding (Ph. 4979 1390, during office hours)
• report your concerns to the Department of Communities and Justice’s (DCJ) Child Protection Helpline (Ph. 132 111, 24 hrs/7 days) if your concerns constitute a risk of significant harm
• report to NSW Police if you believe a crime has been committed.

In consultation with the Diocese’s Office of Safeguarding, St Joseph’s is in the process of implementing a school-based Safeguarding Plan. This plan will incorporate the 10 National Catholic Safeguarding Standards. These standards are designed to keep children and vulnerable adults safe from institutional abuse of any form and to develop habits of safety across all levels of the community. 

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) 

This fortnight our schoolwide PBL focus has been Be Respectful: Include Others.  

On the playground staff are keeping an eye out on how students are including others as they are playing. In the classroom students are learning about the definition of ‘inclusion’ and ‘exclusion’ and having discussions about the associated feelings connected with each of these. It is reinforced for students that including others is important because we  

• celebrate everyone’s differences (their individuality) 
• display kindness as we are empowered when we care for others 
• want to be ‘shepherds not sheep’ (idea of not following the crowd) 
• if we notice exclusion, it is each of our responsibility to do something about it 

Please take the opportunity at home to discuss how we can all be inclusive with your child.  

It is great to see the excitement students are displaying around the Dash tokens so far this year!  Our first mid-term final count is going to take place at the end of next week. The winning sport colour house will enjoy a special reward.  

Last week, Wednesday 14th February, was the start of Lent but before we could officially begin Lent, we had to say goodbye to the word Alleluia. During Lent, we do not hear the word said before the Gospel in liturgies and masses. The next time we will hear Alleluia is on Easter Sunday when Jesus is risen again after 3 days. It is a time of celebration. 

We also celebrated Ash Wednesday as a whole school community, inducted our elected Year 6 leaders for 2024 and welcomed Fr Anil who blessed our school and sports leaders’ badges. It was wonderful to see the students together to mark such a significant time in the Liturgical calendar. During the next 40 days we remember that Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice and accepted God’s plan for Him to die on the cross. Jesus’ crucifixion was planned by the religious leaders of Israel. It is written in the Gospel of Matthew that “the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him.” (Mt 26:3-4) Then the Jewish leaders demanded the Romans put Jesus to death using a common Roman method of crucifixion.  

2024 Diocesan Theme 

This year the diocesan theme follows on from last year’s theme; Encounter, where Jesus meets us wherever we are on our journey. Follow Me, focuses on the call to Christian service. Pope Francis tells us that ‘Christian service’ is much more than being faithful to our duties or carrying out some action. We are not called to serve merely in order to receive a reward, but rather to imitate God, who made himself a servant for our love. Nor are we called to serve only now and again, but to live a life of loving service. Service is thus a way of life. It recapitulates the entire Christian way of life and is our response to Jesus’ call of “Follow Me!” 

Project Compassion 

The season of Lent also marks the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Donations to Project Compassion allow Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to alleviate poverty, hunger, oppression, and injustice. This year Caritas is turning their attention to communities in Philippines, Samoa, and Malawi. I encourage you and your family to put your compassion into action this Lent through your prayer, fasting and giving by supporting Project Compassion. Each classroom has a donation box, and it would be wonderful for the students to practice giving to others. One idea could be doing jobs around the house to earn some extra money that can be placed in their class box. Over the next 5 weeks classes will be meeting the stories of Ronita, Leaia and Memory and we will be having some fundraising events that will go directly to Caritas. I invite our families to encourage their children in Year 3-6 to be part of the St Joseph's Social Justice team this year. The first meeting will be Thursday 29th February with all ideas for outreach welcomed. 

Donna Morgan 
Religious Education Coordinator  

At St Joseph’s, we deeply value the holistic development of our students. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it's easy to get caught up in the academics and extracurricular activities. This week let us slow down, take a moment and remember that the mental, emotional, and physical health of our children is paramount. 

SchoolTV - School Refusal Edition  

A topic that we know some families may be facing bravely but silently within our community. School refusal is not uncommon, and many families have and are facing similar struggles. If your family is experiencing this challenge, please know that you are not alone, and there is support available to help you navigate through this difficult time.  

Click here to visit our SchoolTV platform to view a range of videos, interviews, articles, fact sheets and resources from specialists in this field.  

Here are some key points to keep in mind: 

Open Communication: We encourage you to reach out and communicate openly with class teachers about any concerns or challenges your child may be experiencing. Our doors are always open, and we are here to listen, understand, and support you and your child. 

Understanding the Root Cause: Identifying the underlying reasons behind your child's school refusal is crucial. By working together, we can explore the triggers and develop strategies to address them effectively. 

Collaboration with Professionals: In some cases, seeking guidance from mental health professionals may be beneficial. These experts can offer valuable insights and support tailored to your child's specific needs. 

Patience and Encouragement: Progress may not always be linear. Offer words of encouragement and reassurance along the way. 

Remember, you are not alone in this journey. Many families have walked this path before you, and many will walk it after. 

Chloe Coe 
Wellbeing Coordinator  

Curriculum Corner 

Mathematics can sometimes feel like a daunting subject, both for children and adults alike. However, concrete materials can transform mathematical learning from a overwhelming task into an engaging adventure. 

Concrete materials are physical objects that children can manipulate to explore mathematical concepts that are used in classrooms from Kinder to Year 6. These materials come in various forms, from counting blocks and fraction bars to geometric shapes and measuring tools. By engaging with tangible objects, children can develop a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts that lay a solid foundation for future learning. 

One of the key benefits of using concrete materials in maths education is that they make abstract concepts more tangible and accessible. For example, when learning about addition and subtraction, children can use counting blocks to physically add and remove objects, helping them grasp the concept of combining and taking away quantities. Similarly, geometric shapes can be used to explore spatial relationships and understand concepts like area and perimeter in a hands-on way. 

Concrete materials can cater to different learning styles, making maths more inclusive and engaging for all children. Visual learners can benefit from seeing and manipulating the objects, while kinesthetic learners can engage their sense of touch and movement as they explore mathematical concepts through hands-on activities. 

Using concrete materials also encourages problem-solving and critical thinking skills. When children are presented with a mathematical problem, they can experiment with different strategies and use the concrete materials to model and solve the problem in a way that makes sense to them. This process of exploration and discovery fosters a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts and promotes a growth mindset towards learning. 

Here is an example of how using counters (concrete materials) can be used to solve a fraction problem efficiently and accurately: 

A person goes into a shop to buy some turkey slices. They are given 3 slices which together weigh 1/3 of a kilo but they can only eat 1/4 of a kilo a day. How much of the 3 slices they bought can they eat in one day?  

  
Leanne Skinner  
Primary Co-ordinator and Pedagogical Mentor  

Regional Swimming 

The Central Regional Swimming Carnival was held on Monday 12th February at Mayfield Pool. The St Joseph’s Swimming Team consisted of 44 enthusiastic, eager and well-mannered students. The students should be congratulated for their efforts in and out of the pool. They were gracious in winning, they supported each other, congratulated team members, and represented our school with pride. We congratulate the swimmers who will progress to the Maitland-Newcastle Diocesan Carnival to be held on Tuesday 27th February 2024 at the Forum. It was a pleasure and privilege to be the team manager. Best wishes for the next stage of the competition.

Anne-Maree Mantach 

PSSA Winter Sport Trials 

The last 2 weeks at school have seen students in Years 4, 5 and 6 showcasing their skills, enthusiasm and talents during the winter sports trials for soccer, netball and touch football. 

We appreciate the efforts of all participants and their commitment to sportsmanship. I'm pleased to announce the students who have advanced to the regional trials.  

Soccer 

Congratulations to Evan B, Hayden C, Archie D, Ottavio M, Alexander B, Louella D, Aria F, Clara P, Beatrice P and Saphina D.

Regional trials will be held on Thursday 22nd February at St Pius fields. 

Netball 

Congratulations to Lily G, Jersey F, Ava K, Eve M and Bridget KB.

Regional trials will be held on Thursday 22nd February at Newcastle Netball Courts. 

Touch Football 

Congratulations to Toby B, Evan B, Vincent M, Jersey F, Maya V and Hamish M.

Regional trials will be held on Wednesday 27 March at Wallsend Touch Fields. 

As these selected athletes move on to the regional level, we wish them the best of luck. We know that they will continue to show the exemplorary sportsmanship and teamwork that our school community is known for. 

We would also like to thank Angela Samuels, all round netball expert, and Doug West, technical director and 1st grade coach, for their help during the trials. Their invaluable expertise and assistance aided in the smooth and fair selection process. 

Cricket Dio Trials 

On Tuesday 20 February, Hamish M, Thomas P, Max D, Rory M, Luca O’C and Harriet M attended the regional cricket trials at the Newcastle Cricket Academy. The trials brought together promising cricket talent from around the region and our students represented the school with enthusiasm showing off their talents. We congratuatulate Max D, Thomas P and Hamish M who have progressed through to the diocesan trials to be held on 8 March.