Welcome to 2024!

Welcome back to 2024, especially to those families that are new to our school. Staff are happy to be back and have been preparing for a year full of opportunity. In our opening mass on Friday Fr Arokia spoke to us about the role of school and its importance. He taught us that school has three roles in a child's world. These include increasing knowledge, growing confidence and becoming - growing an identity. As a staff, we are proud that we have been chosen to have such important work to do alongside parents in guiding, teaching and encouraging students.  

As a school we are committed to building knowledge.  In 2024 we are endeavouring to make Mathematics count. This is a system direction where teachers will deliver a curriculum that is statewide, explicit. Alongside the changes we have made to the teaching of literacy we are confident that students will improve knowledge.

School is full of opportunities for all of us to grow. Confidence is the permission many of us need to try things for the first time. Many of us don't like to feel uncomfortable, however learning and growing occurs in the small window of discomfort. When we push ourselves, surprise ourselves, fail and then succeed, these are all elements of building confidence.  

Through gaining knowledge and building confidence we learn who we are. We become a person who can contribute wholeheartedly to our communities. We are valued and appreciated for who we are. With parents and families, schools have an important responsibility to encourage the becoming of others. We are proud as a school community of the education and experiences that we offer at St Joseph's. The staff are knowledgeable and caring. They are committed to working hard and improving each day to ensure that all students at our school have the opportunity to improve knowledge, gain confidence and become.

New Staff

We have been blessed to have Mary Duggan and Jessie Crack join our staff this year.

Mary is taking on the role of student support and literacy leader in the school. Mary has had experience in many schools and comes to us from the West Coast of Australia. 

Jessie is teaching in Kinder and is looking forward to the opportunities that living and working on the West Coast will bring.

Lent

This morning we celebrated Shrove Tuesday at school by cooking and sharing pancakes with all students.  Shrove Tuesday signifies that Lent begins tomorrow on Ash Wednesday. Traditionally pancakes were made on this day because they use up rich foods such as eggs, milk, and sugar, before the fasting season of the 40 days of Lent.

Tomorrow we celebrate Ash Wednesday with a Whole School Mass in the Church, celebrated with the parish at 2pm. Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent which is a time that Catholics participate in Fasting, praying and giving. It lasts for 40 days, the same amount of time that Jesus spent in the desert before his death. During this service ashes are placed on our foreheads to remind us of ​​the dust from which God made us. All are welcome to join us.

If you are looking for some practical activities to support and grow an understanding of Lent in your homes please access the 40 Lenten activities for families ideas sheet.

Happy Everything

Teresa

Term 1: 7th February - 11th April

Term 2: 29th April - 5th July

Term 3: 23rd July - 27th September

Term 4: 15th October - 18th December

A reminder that Year 1-6-Sports Uniform can be worn every Monday and Thursday. 

Please keep an eye out in our newsleters for updates on the uniform. 

We have all really enjoyed our start to the new year.  As we get to know our new classes and students, we are keen to meet with parents to set goals for our new year.  Please book a time to meet your child's teacher. Parents can do this on the COMPASS App. If the times listed are unsuitable please contact your child's teacher to arrange a convenient time.

The swimming program is an important opportunity for learning at St Jospehs.  We are excited for its return after not being able to provide a swimming program in 2023.  Throughout the week students will participate in aquatic skills that develop their ability to be safe in the pool as well as teaching correct stroke actions.  Building confidence and ability in the water allows  students to participate in many activities that involve water as they grow.  Parents are required to give permission for the children to participate.  You are able to do this via Compass.

Place: Queenstown Swimming Pool

Date: Monday 26th February - Friday 1 March 2024 (Week 4)

Students  will require: Bathers, rash vest or T-shirt, goggles, towels x 2, plastic bag, sunscreen, school bag and hat.

This year we will be updating our available items in the canteen.  We will be making a move toward improving our Canteen rating from Bronze to Silver.  This will mean some items will no longer be available.  The immediate changes will involve the removal of the items below with the further removal and addition of items throughout the year.

• Milk drinks
• Juice
• Icy Poles
• Frozen yoghurt
• Saveloys
• Big pies

As a Move Well/Eat Well school we request that students drink water only during the school day.