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Dear Parents,
Welcome back to Term 3. We have another great term planned for your children and for yourselves. There are excursions occurring for various grades, including the Great Aussie Bush Camp for Year 5, opportunities for our senior students to experience workshops at Newcastle University and opportunities for all children to further enhance their writing, special liturgies, our annual public speaking competition, Book Week and Grandparents Day as well as Trivia Night for the parents and our whole school musical extravaganza!
Please see the Term Planner attached to this week’s newsletter that outlines the various activities and events as they stand at this time.
Disco
“This is the best night I’ve had in weeks – no months, actually!” “All this dancing releases the endorphins and makes you feel happy” and “I love it because I get to wear make-up” are just some of the various comments I heard at least week’s disco. The night was a great success with both age groups loving the DJ and all children having a wonderful night. The staff and parents were amazed at some of the dance moves we witnessed and are all wishing we had even half the energy of our children. Congratulations and a big thanks to all those parents who organised the disco and volunteered on the evening. It ran like clockwork and was a fabulous community event.
Playground Grant
Voting Details:
Our project is called: A multipurpose all weather greenspace @ The Junction
To view and vote for our project click on this link:
Staffing Update
For the remainder of this year Mrs Lauretta Tonkin will be working in Kinder Blue on Miss Colvin’s REC executive release days. Also for the remainder of the year we have Mr David Martin working with us as our groundsman. We are very happy to have both of them as part of our school community
Tokooliba
All parents and members of our community are invited to make use of our new sacred space, Tokooliba, meaning place of truth. Feel free to sit, think, rest and reflect. If you haven’t seen this space yet, please take some time to go over and admire it when you are next here at school. The striking Brolga that you see over by the natural playground and in the direction of the staff car park, will show you the direction to head towards.
Thank You
The Houston family are so very grateful for the support of our community and would like to share their gratitude with you through the letter below. Please continue to keep Mason, Mark and the family in your prayers
To all the wonderful people at St Joseph’s Primary School - Merewether
Five weeks ago, we experienced an abundance of love, care and support after the loss of our wonderful daughter-in-law. As grandparents of the young person attending St Joseph’s we were inundated with generosity and concern for ourselves and our families. The Principal, teachers and counsellor, the P&F and the office staff, the parents and students (our grandson’s friends) showed such kindness we were completely reassured he would be well supported when he returned to school.
Under the guidance of the class teachers (and parents) each child wrote a personal note to our grandson providing much needed comfort. They are now treasured.
The Mothers Club’s support was enormous and started many months ago, with beautiful meals, visitations, prayer circles and then on the saddest day of all, tables laden with food for more than 80 people. The flowers sent by the P&F were so beautiful and appropriate for the day.
It is overwhelmingly apparent that the sense of community at St Joseph’s is strongly fostered and imbibed. It encompasses many facets and extends far beyond the school gates. We know, we shared in it and are so grateful for it.
With kindest thoughts
Robyn and Peter
(Grandparents of Mason Houston)
St Dominic’s Centre
St Dominic’s Centre is a systemic Catholic special school that enrols students from Kindergarten to Year 10 who have a moderate cognitive disability or are deaf or hard of hearing. St Dominic’s also accepts enrolments for students in Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 who meet the criteria of Autism Spectrum Disorder. If you would like to find out more the school is holding an Open Night next week, Wednesday August 7th from 4pm – 5pm.
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ST DOMINIC’S CENTRE?
Come along to our Open Night!
You are warmly invited to attend our Open Night on Wednesday 7 August, from 4pm to 5pm.
Come and meet the St Dominic’s team, experience our purpose-built facilities and gain an insight into the programs we offer.
The Open Night will begin in our flexible learning space with a short information session about St Dominic’s and our enrolment criteria.
Students will then take you on a guided tour of our facilities before serving some light refreshments and giving you the chance to ask our specialist staff any questions you may have.
Students enrolled at St Dominic’s are also eligible for Assisted Travel, which is a government program that provides free travel by car to and from school within a 45km radius.
For more information and register your interest, please click here:
To hear from our transdisciplinary team about their work with our students, please click here
For all other enquiries, please phone 4968 1295 or email admin@mayfieldsd.catholic.edu.au.
We look forward to sharing our unique and vibrant setting with you!
With thanks
St Dom’s Team
Important Dates
7 August | Diocesan Athletics Carnival | |
8 August | Feast of St Mary MacKillop Liturgy | 9.15am St Joseph's Church |
8 August | Boys Soccer Gala Day | |
9 August | Year 5 Mass | 10.15am St Joseph's Church |
15 August | Feast of The Assumption Mass | 9.15am St Joseph's Church |
Congratulations to this fortnight's Principal Awards recipients Jack Wilson, Eliza Morgan, Gizelle Bailey, Hayden Craig, Xavier Crosby, Gus Mitchell, Hugh Stathis, Emmy Michilis, Mason Van Huisstede, Isaac Flanagan, Shiloh Flynn, Will Boyle, Ava Barboutas and Felicity Hoskins
Curriculum Corner - Renata Powell
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)
Celebrating our Faith - Stephanie Colvin
Prayer
Reflection on Feast of St Benedict Mass
At the end of last term, on Friday 5th July, St Joseph’s and Holy Family gathered as a parish community at Sacred Heart Cathedral to celebrate the Feast of St Benedict. Thank you to the students K-6 who all reverently participated in the Mass, it was a great day of community celebration. We ended the term with a delicious slice of cake and would like to pass on our thanks to Kristen Rock for her amazing cake decorating skills. We thank Fr Peter and Holy Family for a great day celebrating our Catholic school communities in the St Benedict’s Parish.
The day was such a success and a lovely way for the two schools to come together, that a second parish community celebration and Mass has been planned for the end of the year. Stay tuned for more information and a date (TBA).
Feast of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop
Mary MacKillop, Australia’s first Saint, was passionate about bringing education to the young from all sectors of society - wealthy, poor, migrants and indigenous. She believed in the importance of educating the young from all walks of life to use their gifts to build a better future for themselves and society. Mary believed in living the message of the Gospel. To be the face of Christ to those in need. This is reflected in our school motto, ‘Live the Truth’.
Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop lived by the adage ‘Never see a need without trying to do something about it.’ Our St Joseph’s school community works hard at following this motto by being aware of the needs of people both within and beyond the school community, supporting people through prayer, friendship and acts of kindness and generosity.
On Thursday 8th August at 9:15am in St Joseph’s Church, we will gather as a community to celebrate the life and teaching of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop in our liturgy. We thank Fr Peter Street and Year 1, in advance, for leading us in our liturgy.
Feast of the Assumption, Holy Day of Obligation
On Thursday 15th August at 9:00am in St Joseph’s Church, we will gather as a community to celebrate Mass for the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We celebrate Mary’s passing from this world, united as body and soul, into the glory of God. We remember that Mary was especially chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus. Mary was a holy and prayerful woman who showed great trust and love for God. Thank you, in advance to Fr Peter for celebrating the Mass for us.
What is a Holy Day of Obligation?
On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God. (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2185).
Historically derived, holy days of obligation were special occasions on which Catholics, over the age of reason, were obliged to attend Mass. They were also encouraged to refrain from any work or involvement with commerce which would interfere with their participation in divine worship.
The number of holy days of obligation has changed greatly over time, cognisant of social change and the need for employment to support the family. For example, in 1642, Pope Urban VIII greatly decreased the number to 36 from the much larger set which had been observed since the Middle Ages. Such a change enabled Catholics, many of whom were labourers in the fields, to more easily meet their obligations.
In Australia (since 2001), the Catholic faithful should observe as holy days of obligation:
- Christmas Day (December 25 – the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ)
- The Assumption (August 15 – the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
- All Sundays of the year
Reference:
Term 3 Class Mass Timetable
Parents and family are warmly invited to join Parish Mass each Friday at 10:15am. The timetable below indicates when each grade will attend Parish Mass this term.
Date | Class |
2 August | Year 6 attending Mass |
9 August | Year 5 attending Mass |
30 August | Year 4 attending Mass |
6 September | Year 3 attending Mass |
13 September | Year 2 attending Mass |
20 September | Year 1 attending Mass |
27 September | Kindergarten attending Mass |
________________________________________________________
Newcastle Inner City Catholic Community - Weekend Mass times
Sacred Heart Cathedral – Vigil Saturday 5:30pm, Sunday 9:30am and 5:00pm
St Joseph’s, The Junction – Sunday 9:00am
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Tighes Hill – Sunday 8:00am
St Mary’s, Newcastle – Sunday 7:30am
_________________________________________________________
Sporting Highlights - Nicole Charnock
Soccer Gala Days
The Boys Soccer Gala day will be held on Thursday 8th August at Speers Point Park. Mrs Matheson and Mr Watson will be taking along 3 Senior and 6 Junior Boys Teams. We wish the following boys all the very best for a fun and competitive day!
Senior Boys Team 1 | Senior Boys Team 2 | Senior Boys Team 3 |
Julian Dunn | Cailen Moran | Max Mitchell |
Oliver Cockle | Alex Mulley | Lewis Patterson |
Will Harvey | Miles Vickery | Ryan Owen |
Darcy Mitchell | Liam Hartnett | Oscar Yuen |
Jett MacGregor | Liam Doyle | Romy Kirkovski |
Patrick Burgess | Eli Wasley | Will Boyle |
Oscar Buxton | Arun Griffiths | Daniel Urube |
Tim Collins | Ollie Russell | Luca Pavlovsky |
Harry Green | Kyle Burr | Mateo Martinelli |
Jonah Rheinberger | Tom Scanlon | Lachlan Mooney |
Oliver Turkovic | Ben Moran | Kaden Stewart |
Coach - Peter Harvey | Coach - TBA | Coach - TBA |
Junior Boys Team 1 | Junior Boys Team 2 | Junior Boys Team 3 |
Dominic Papichio | Ziggy Brett | Ben Duffy |
Zac Griffiths | Dante Mtanda | Angus Lane |
Rhys Kelly | Archie Williams | Charlie Whittaker |
Isaac Flanagan | Maverick Ford | Patrick Aguado |
Christian Di Nardo | Chase Firman | Carter Allan |
Jack Simpson | Raj Gujral | Zac McGready |
Isaac Leonard | Oliver Moran | Sandon Keane |
Leo Langworthy | ||
Coach - Paul Langworthy | Coach - Tim Ford | Coach - Jimmy Duffy |
Junior Boys Team 4 | Junior Boys Team 5 | Junior Boys Team 6 |
Spencer Smith | Luke Craft | Oliver Cruz |
George Beath | Tom Carney | Theo Spak |
Jacob Urube | Jake Kelly | Mason Van Huisstede |
Louis Wilson | Joey Leis | Luca Wildschut |
Archie Stathis | Edward Morton | Hamish Stanger |
Harry Hillard | Hugh Mulley | Christian Escobedo |
Zenon Griffiths | Isaac Moran | Lucas Vickery |
Elliot Mole | ||
Coach - Ryan Griffiths | Coach - Julian Morton | Coach - Mark Van Huisstede |
The Girls Gala Day will be held on Thursday 15th of August at Speers Point Park. Ms McCalden will be taking along 2 Senior and 2 Junior teams. We also wish the following girls all the very best for a fun and competitive day!
Senior Girls Team 1 | Senior Girls Team 2 |
Daisy Breasley | Ivy Kiem |
Billie Davies | Elki Long |
Aylah Flynn | Kaylah Broadhead |
Matilda Friend | Charlotte Sessions |
Yasmin Fogarty | Poppy Wildschut |
Hannah Horn | Siena Hails |
Genevieve Smith | Charisse Watters-Cowan |
Koko Minto | Ava Williams |
Charlotte Dunleavy | Lateisha Aloupis-Banks |
Bronte Bowker | Emily Simpson |
Hannah Francis | Frankie Leach |
Ellen Moran | Ruby Watson |
Ava Barboutas | Chloe Vickery |
Coach - Leah Temple | Coach - Ainslie Wildschut |
Junior Girls Team 1 | Junior Girls Team 2 |
Eden Buxton | Lucia Merlo |
Giselle Griffiths | Olivia Halverson |
Abbie Booth | Abbie Hartnett |
Sunny Hardy | Shiloh Flynn |
Rhapyte Molinia | Eva Cootes |
Lillian Scanlon | Maddie Lusby |
Sienna Friend | Lucy Webber |
Josie Ryba | Chloe O'Donahue |
Isla Rose-Spiga | Edie Callinan |
Eleanor McConkey | Bella Wildschut |
Halle Stewart | Annaliese Pavlidis |
Coach - TBA | Coach - Robert Merlo |
We would like to thank all of the parents who have volunteered to coach a team. Without you, days like this are not possible. We greatly appreciate all of your help and support.
We are still currently looking for two Senior Boys coaches and two Girls coaches. If you are available to coach on these dates and have a valid Working with Children’s Check Number, please contact the office via email at admin@merewether.catholic.edu.au
Chris Gangemi Gala Rugby Day
We would like to congratulate the St Joseph’s members of the combined team (with Holy Family Merewether Beach) who attended the Newcastle/Hunter Catholic Schools Rugby Union Challenge.
Darcy Mitchell, Ben Moran, Max Mitchell, Arun Griffiths, Eli Wasley, Ryan Owen and Lewis Patterson played with great enthusiasm, pride and sportsmanship. The boys won both of their matches on the day, making them the overall winners of the tournament.
What an outstanding effort boys! You have done yourself and St Joseph’s proud!
Diocesan Athletics Carnival
Diocesan Athletics Carnival will be held on Wednesday 7th August 2019 at the Hunter Sports Centre Glendale. Please refer to the previously supplied notes for further details regarding this event.
The Diocesan team will be as follows:
Nina Amidy, Bronte Bowker, Daisy Breasley, Kyle Burr, Oliver Cockle, Angelique Douglas, Madeleine Gill, Harry Green, Rajbir Gujrul, Mabel Hainsworth, Will Harvey, Leo Langworthy, Violet Luby, Sidney Maxwell, Darcy Mitchell, Raphyte Molinia, Lewis Patterson, Bonnie Petersen, Arabella Read, Harriet Saunders, Chloe Vickery and Ava Williams.
Best of luck to all of our St Joseph’s athletes!
Netball Gala Day
Preparations for the upcoming Netball Gala day on Tuesday 3rd September are now underway. This year we will send along 2 senior girls teams, 1 senior boys team, 1 senior mixed team and 2 junior girls teams.
The teams will be practising each Wednesday at National Park under the guidance of our amazing parent coaches. Thank you to all of those parents who have so generously donated their time and expertise to ensure that all our teams have a fun and memorable experience at this year’s Gala day.
Upcoming Dates
Diocesan Athletics Carnival: Wednesday 7th August
Boys Soccer Gala Day: Thursday 8th August
Girls Soccer Gala Day: Thursday 15th August
Senior Touch Football Gala Day: Friday 16th August
Netball Gala Day: Tuesday 3rd September
NSW/PSSA Boys Softball: 10th-12th September
St Joseph’s Sports Committee
Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!
The Premier’s Reading Challenge finishes on 30th August. Reading records must be completed online before that date.
These children have recently finished their challenge. Paris Mavros, Alexandria Mavros, Luca O’Connor, Lily Graham, Erica lane, Hamish Stanger, Louis Wilson, Charlie Whittaker, Daisy Breasley, Harrison Cooper, Archie Doyle, Audrey Johnson, Lucy McKell, Alessandra Barboutas, George Beath, Tom Carney, Spencer Smith, Shloka Tummala, Olivia Halverson, Liam Doyle, Elki Long and Genevieve Smith. Well done everyone!
BOOK WEEK will be celebrated from 17th to 23rd August. The theme this year is ‘Reading is my secret power’. We will be celebrating with several activities during the week. Stay tuned for more information, coming soon.
OVERDUE LOANS. Some children will receive notices this week to remind them to return their books to the library ASAP. Please assist your children to locate any ‘lost’ books. Books which cannot be returned must be paid for at the office.
Happy Reading
You can find more information and register your attendance at
Stephanie Colvin
Term Planner - Term 3
St Joseph's Primary School Trivia Night
St Joseph's Primary School Fundraising Ball
Entertainment Book
Uniform Price List
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