Dear Parents and Carers,

We are now to the mid-point of this term, and we continue to experience different weather types.  This is reminding us to keep drinking plenty of water.

Please note the change of date for our end of year Mass and graduation celebration. Our end of year Celebration and Yr. 6 Graduation Mass will now be held on Tuesday December 11.

Our Presentation Night is set down for Thursday December 13.

Please note these changes on your calendars.

During this week we have noticed that some children have been eating most, if not all of their lunch at recess time.  Please check with your children to ensure that they have enough food to keep their energy levels up during each school day.

At present many of the children are enjoying the bike riding activity during recess and lunch.  Naturally this is challenging us to think about how we can share the available equipment and enjoy a different playground activity.  For the most part, the children are doing a terrific job of this.

Armistice Day – Thank you to everyone who was able to come along and participate in the Remembrance Day service last Sunday. 

Congratulations to Hamish and Kate, you did a terrific job when speaking on behalf of our school.

At the conclusion of the event, Mr Kelly complemented Kate and Hamish on their excellent effort and noted that things have changed a lot since his time at St Joseph’s in the early 1960’s.

During this week, we have been having conversations about ensuring that our actions match our words.  When things go wrong it can be quite easy to say “Sorry” and move on.  However, there are times when actions don’t match words and behaviours can reflect that we aren’t so “sorry” after all.

There have been some challenges for students in ensuring that our actions do reflect that we understand that an action was inappropriate and our choice not to use that behaviour again.

Happy Snaps – as we move closer to the end of this year, we are beginning to look for snaps of the current Yr. 6 children throughout their career at St Joseph’s.  If you have any photos we would appreciate being able to make a copy for use at the end of this year.

Library - Well done to everyone who has been looking out for overdue library books and returning these to school.  This week we’ve had a number of books handed in which is terrific to see.  In terms of overdue books, our best result for this year, was an item that had been on loan for 2056 days!!  The book in question was borrowed in February 2011…

Please feel free to keep returning any “extra” books that you find at home.

Congratulations to those children who have been making regular use of our newest books (more have been added to the shelves this week) – it is wonderful to see the excitement and interest when new books come on to the shelves!

School Fees – Thank you to those families who have already paid the fees for this term.  Thank you also to those who are keeping us up to date with making payments, this is very helpful.

If your family is experiencing difficulties paying school fees, please make contact with Therese Clancy at school for assistance.  There are a number of options available to assist when people are experiencing financial challenges.

ABC – during this term, we have been speaking with the children about using a simple method of reminding ourselves to be the best people and learners possible.

Our ABC explains what we need to be doing in order to be able to make the most of each day both at school and elsewhere in life.

Aspire – to be our best

Believe – that Jesus is with us

Connect – with each other, the world and God

When we remember these three aspects of our day at school then days will flow smoothly and we will get the most out of our learning.

Kinder Transition – Our Kinder orientation program has continued this week.   Keep up the great work Kinder 2019!

We are looking forward to seeing you again next week.

Book Club - the final book club flyer of the year was sent home earlier in the week.  All orders must be returned to school by next Wednesday (21/11).

All children are welcome to join us for the Kinder Orientation program. If you are aware of any parents who would like their child to participate in our transition program, please invite them to make contact with us at school.

The dates for this year’s program are as follows: November 21 and 28. 

Thank you to those families who have already returned completed and returned enrolment forms for our new Kinder students.

If you need an enrolment form, please let us know and we will send one home to you.

K/1/2 English – K/1/2 are asking for your help – if you have any plastic containers, plastic bottles or netting, please send these to K/1/2. The items will be put to good use in their English unit of work this term. Thank you.

PACER Support of our Canberra Excursion - Students from our school have recently undertaken, an education tour of the national capital. Students were given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy.

The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government is contributing funding of $30 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion.

Please be aware that we used the rebate to reduce the overall cost per student of the trip.

Sincerely,

Therese Clancy

Principal