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Welcome back to 2023. I sincerely hope that you all had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year spent with family and friends, and that the students have enjoyed their break.
New Staff
A big welcome to the new members of our team at St Joseph’s. We are exceptionally lucky to have such enthusiastic and experienced staff joining us!
Chelsea Harveyson (Yr 5/6 Teacher)
Deborah Green (Teacher assisting in a variety of areas, including InitiaLit 1)
Sally Metcalfe (Classroom Assistant)
New students and families
Yesterday we welcomed 9 kindergarten students and their families to our school. It’s always very daunting starting ‘big’ school but there were lots of smiles and laughs. We are so pleased to have you here with us!
Faith in Learning
On Monday, our staff participated in the 2023 C.E System Day - ‘Faith in Learning’ at the Canberra Convention Centre. We joined 2,300 colleagues from across our diocese to engage in insightful presentations from leaders in Education and Faith. It was wonderful to see how we at Grenfell, fit into the bigger picture of our system, and it was both inspiring and affirming for the work we are doing here to transform student’s lives through learning.
New programs - Spelling Mastery and Connecting Math Concepts
Next week, we begin the implementation of our new Spelling and Math programs. Students in years 3 to 6 will be involved in Spelling Mastery (students in Kinder to year 2 will continue with InitiaLit) and the whole school will utilise Connecting Maths Concepts. The programs provide highly explicit and systematic instruction in the wide range of content for Mathematics and Spelling.
The programs ensure student understanding and introduce concepts carefully, then weaves them together throughout the program. Lessons are designed to introduce concepts at a reasonable rate and help students make connections between important concepts. Specific strategies are taught for all content and provide mastery support for students that need it. The nature of being at-level, to help students meet and exceed achievement goals.
Further information was shared with parents at the end of last year, however please contact me if you would like to find out more.
Teacher contact details
Communication between the classroom teacher and home is essential. We would like all parents to be actively engaged in their child’s learning and encourage you to contact your child’s teacher regularly for updates or any questions you may have.
K/1:
Danielle McFarlane - danielle.mcfarlane@cg.catholic.edu.au
Loy Best - loyola.best@cg.catholic.edu.au
2/3/4:
Lachlan Martens - lachlan.martens@cg.catholic.edu.au
5/6:
Chelsea Harveyson - chelsea.anderson1@cg.catholic.edu.au
Principal:
Melissa Hotham - melissa.hotham@cg.catholic.edu.au
Calendar
The school calendar is now available electronically both through the school website (calendar tab - https://sjpsgrenfell.schoolzineplus.com/calendar) and on Compass. This will enable the school community to keep up to date with planned events. We will no longer include a calendar in the newsletter.
Sport day
Sport day this term will be Tuesdays. Students are to wear their Sports uniform every Tuesday this term. They will be doing Cricket lessons with Cricket NSW, thanks to our Sporting Schools Grant.
Music
We are excited to be continuing our partnership with the Young Regional Conservatorium for classroom music lessons, music tutoring and choir. There are still places available for guitar tutoring, so if you are interested please contact them directly.
Swimming Carnival
The St Joseph’s Swimming Carnival will be held on Thursday 9th February 9:15am to approximately 1:00pm. Please see the Compass Event to respond by Friday to provide consent and for nominations in events. If students do not wish to participate in any nominated events there will be novelty games in the smaller pool on the day that they can join, along with the K/1 students.
After the success of last year's event, it was decided to keep the carnival as a daytime event. I apologise that this will not suit all parents, but we appreciate if any are able to come along on the day to volunteer for timekeeping. Please remember that we need to have a current WWCC to volunteer at the school, including sporting events.
Back to School Vouchers
We are pleased to be able to accept the ‘Back to School’ vouchers for purchases of school uniforms. Please contact the Office if you would like to use them.
I look forward to a year of great success in learning and teaching with our students and staff.
Kind thoughts,
Melissa Hotham
Principal
REC News
It has been wonderful to see the smiling faces of students as they excitedly return to school and catch-up with teaching staff and friends, ready for the start of a terrific year of learning.
Last Friday, St Joseph’s School staff gathered for prayer to mark the beginning of the 2023 school year. The theme for our start of the year prayer was the gospel reading of “The Mustard Seed”. This seed is one of the smallest, yet the tree which grows from this seed is one of the largest in the world.
In the gospel reading, we hear Jesus comparing the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed - the smallest of seeds - which, when given the right conditions and care, grows to an immense height. Just as tall trees from tiny seeds can grow, staff reflected on how great things can happen when they contribute to the lives of those around them making a difference so large they may not even recognise.
Whether a teacher, parent, or child, may we all remember that each tiny mustard seed we plant and nurture through our kind words and positive actions has the potential to grow to vast heights.
Considering this gospel reading, let us take heed of the signs of growth and change and try to remember that the mustard seed is a great example of how things, once small, can prosper into great things. I wish you all a fulfilled and blessed year ahead.
Prayer to Begin the School Year
God of tiny seeds and giant trees,
you take our lives and, with Your endless love,
help us to produce acts of loving kindness for You each day in this world.
Enable us to let our light shine, knowing that You are always there for us.
Prepare our hearts to receive Your word,
and our spirits to respond in eagerness to serve You.
In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.
Yours in Faith,
Danielle McFarlane
Religious Education Coordinator
Thanks to Gina and the wonderfull team at Grenfell Food Hall, for their generous donations.
If you are unable to do the day you are rostered on, please arrange to swap with another parent.
Thank you very much to the Gibson family for taking good care of the school chickens over the break. I’m sure they enjoyed their holiday and we appreciate your help!
