Public Speaking 

Public Speaking has been a focus for all students at St Joseph’s in Term 3 for a number of years now.  This year will be no different!  As part of the English curriculum, it is our aim for students to be confident and effective communicators as well as creative and critical thinkers.  

In class, teachers will dedicate time to Speaking and Listening activities, focusing on the skills required for Public Speaking.  This will include how to plan and write a speech and skills for delivering an engaging speech.  Depending on the year level, students will be asked to deliver prepared and/or impromptu speeches.  Teachers are aware that for some students Public Speaking may cause a degree stress and/or anxiety and it is their role in supporting the children in accessing this part of the curriculum. 

If you would like to support your child in developing their Public Speaking skills at home, please click on the following link

Our focus on Public Speaking will culminate in a school Public Speaking Competition.  This will take place in Week 10 of Term 3.  As part of a selection process at a class, grade and stage level, some students will selected to represent their stage at this competition. Winners from our school competition will then represent St Joseph’s at the Regional Public Speaking Competition later in the year.   

Good luck to all students in their Public Speaking endeavours this term! 

Our school focus on Literacy - Writing 

Each year our school has different areas to focus on for school improvement.  One of our school goals this year is to use an evidence based approach to lift the performance of all students in writing through high quality teaching practices.  In Semester One, staff spent time in Professional Development Meetings analysing data and identifying the areas they would like to focus on in helping the students in their class become even better writers.  Staff attended the Seven Steps to Writing Success professional development course last term to further develop their own skills in teaching students to write.  To continue in achieving our school goal two staff, Leanne Skinner and Nicola Matheson, are working in the role of Writing Teaching and Learning Coaches.  Leanne and Nicola will work alongside our Leadership Team, personnel from the Catholic Schools Office and other experts in the field to best support staff in their ability to continue to develop confident and capable writers across the school.  Thank you to Leanne and Nicola for taking on this role across the school! 

Australian Catholics Young Journalist Award 

In Term 2, Year 6 students entered the Australian Catholics Young Journalist Competition.  The theme this year was ‘The journey of a family’. Students were asked to think of a family in the community who have embarked on an inspiring journey.  This may not have been just a physical journey, but one where they had to overcome adversity and/or celebrate success.  Students were asked to interview members of the family and write an article detailing their story. 

We are pleased to announce that Ali Hayes and Molly Boyle both received a Highly Commended Award for their respective articles.  Ali’s article was titled Living with Autism and Molly’s was Leaving Mosul.   

In our community there is a student who was very fortunate to WIN the Junior Category of the competition.  Congratulations to Jack Webber! Jack’s article is titled, Coping with Cancer and he detailed the story of one family’s battle with ill health. 

Students and their families have been given the opportunity to receive the award personally at the Innovating for the Future Showcase at the Catholic Leadership Centre in Melbourne. Alternatively Tracey Edstein, the former editor of the Diocesan magazine, The Aurora, will acknowledge and present awards to these students at morning assembly on Tuesday, 13 August. 

Congratulations to all Year 6 students for entering the competition and to Ali, Molly and Jack for having their articles recognised in this very special way!  

Student Council 

In Semester One, the Student Council achieved a lot during meetings.  We worked with Mini Vinnies to organise and promote Pyjama Day, including the sale of hot chocolates at recess.  The Student Council worked together to advertise our school Read-A-Thon at morning assemblies.  We worked to install Buddy Benches around the school and promote their use.  The Student Council also changed the music before the bell and suggested different things that needed maintaining around the school.  We had an exciting experience and we can’t wait for another amazing semester. 

Jack Webber, Jett MacGregor and Molly Boyle (Year 6) 

What was your experience of being on the Student Council in Semester One? 

I enjoyed talking with the teachers about how we can make our school a better place.  I loved being able to pick the bell song.  Gus Mitchell (2B)  

I like just being on the SC and going to the meetings.  We wanted to make the school a better place. Elliot Mole (3G) 

I liked making decisions and listening to everybody else's suggestions.  It was fun.  It was great being a class representative. Eleonor McConkey (3G) 

I liked reporting back to my class about the changes we were organising to do at our school. I liked going to the meetings and giving my suggestions. Bonnie Petersen (4G) 

I really enjoyed having the experience of being in a leadership position. This taught me skills such as public speaking and working collaboratively. Arun Griffiths (5G) 

What are you looking forward to the most about being on the Student Council in Semester Two? 

I’m looking forward to helping the school by adding more play things to the Quadrangle. Lochlan Hickey (2B)  

I am looking forward to taking in people’s suggestions on how they want to make the school better. Ashley Heron (3G) 

I am looking forward to meeting the other members of the Student Council and working together to improve the school. Luke Craft (3G)  

I’m looking forward to going to the meetings and working with all the other members of the Student Council in our school.  It will be good to read out the suggestions that our class makes. Sunny Hardy (4G) 

This semester, I’m looking forward to working with other people to think of ideas that can change the school and make the school more fun for everyone. Max Mitchell (5G)