Dear parents and carers,

This week has seen the rains arrive and much cooler days.

Our focus for the week has been to always try our best – many of our children have really worked to ensure that they are always trying their best – congratulations on your efforts!

As we move closer to the end of term, it is noticeable that the busyness of life is causing the children to become more tired as the week progresses.  We encourage you to ensure that the children are well rested so as to make the most of each day of learning.

If your child/ren is absent from school, please remember to let us know the cause of the missed days so that this can be recorded accurately for compliance and record keeping purposes.

The first LwMD (Lunch with Mum and Dad) event is scheduled for tomorrow.  Parents, grandparents, and family are welcome to join us for lunch at 1:20pm.  We will be following covid social distancing/sign in protocols on the day.  We look forward to seeing you or grandma/pa/family for lunch.

Thank you to those families who have met or spoken with teachers in recent days for parent teacher conferences.  It is hoped that this contact will help in building stronger links between home and school.

WR Cross Country - The Western Region Cross Country event is set down for Tuesday at Boorowa.  Information for those involved was sent home earlier this week.

For those participating, all paperwork should be returned to school by tomorrow. 

Uniform – now is the time to start thinking about winter uniforms.  Clothing that was ordered earlier this term now arriving and will be sent home you over the next few weeks.

Thank you to those families who have ensured that school jumpers are clearly labelled. This is very helpful when trying to return jumpers to the right family.

NAPLAN – preparations for the 2021 NAPLAN program are underway.  Children in years 3 and 5 will participate in  Naplan testing during May (11-21).  If you wish to withdraw your child from this process, please contact Therese Clancy.

The Parent Commitment Agreement developed by Catholic Education was sent home earlier this term for you to sign and return to school. Thank you to those families who have already returned this document to school.  If you have any queries, please make contact.

Working Bee – a working bee will be held on Wednesday after school 3:30-5:30pm.  Information was sent home earlier this week.  Please bring along tools that will help out with the jobs on our list.

Some of the jobs that we would like to complete include:

• Weeding and tidying of the front garden
• Pruning the trees near the bus shed
• Covering of new readers
• Cleaning of gutters

School fees – as we approach the end of term, now is the time to finalise fee payments.  Thank you to those families who have already done so.  If your family is having trouble with fee payments, and would like to discuss fee relief, please contact Therese Clancy.

NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge – Please record your child’s reading online.  The children can include challenge books that they have read both at school and at home.

Well done to those children who have already recorded their reading online.

Easter Egg Raffle - It is nearly time for our Easter raffle. Thank you to those families who have donated Easter eggs. We will certainly have plenty of prizes!

Please send any last egg donations to school by Friday March 26. There are still raffle tickets available for purchase. 

Term 2 - please be aware that the first day of Term 2 for the children will be on Tuesday April 20.

 Take care and stay safe,

Last Friday all of the students in the school participated in a prayer celebration for the Feast Day of St Joseph. The students did an excellent job of presenting the readings and prayers.

As they left the room, each person present was asked to take a reflection about Joseph in order to think about how we can emulate his wonderful virtues in our own lives.

To mark the ‘Year of St Joseph, every St Joseph’s School in the Archdiocese received a beautiful  new banner featuring St Joseph and Jesus. Ours is being proudly displayed in the front office foyer.

Sacramental News

This year, St Joseph’s Parish will be celebrating the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation. The meetings for the Confirmation candidates will begin early in Term 2. The preparation for Reconciliation and First Holy Communion will take place later in the year.

Children in Years 5 and 6 (or older) who have already received the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion will be eligible to join the Confirmation preparation group. As I need to order books for this group, could you please call the school or email me and leave the name of the child who will be preparing for this sacrament. The number is 6343 1514 and my email is leslie.king@cg.catholic.edu.au.

May the peace of Christ find a special place in your heart as we approach Holy Week.

The K/1/2 students have all enjoyed a wonderful first term in 2021. All students have settled into school well and are enjoying all the educational experiences and opportunities on offer to them. It has been a busy but exciting term thus far, having participated in our school Swimming Carnival, Opening Mass, SwimSafe program, Book Fair, Cross Country, and St Joseph’s Feast Day, to list a few!

This term, Religious Education and History were studied together. The students focused on the various signs of faith evident in our school. The students then looked at seasons of growth and change, including examining an Aboriginal seasonal calendar, and the Church liturgical seasons, such as Lent. They explored the concept of change, discovering ways in which the past has made us into who we are and how and why society changes over time. This led to a visit to the local Grenfell Museum, where students were fascinated with objects from the past, and how these have changed. The students also explored Biblical stories, with a primary focus on Moses and his faith experiences.

In English this term, the students have commenced their respective InitiaLit programs. This is an evidence-based whole-class literacy program which provides all children with the essential core knowledge and strong foundations to become successful readers and writers over a period of time. The students are enjoying the lessons, as are the teachers! The students also focused on how to develop effective sentences, before turning their attention to both imaginary and persuasive texts.

This term, in Mathematics, the students have been learning about several concepts, including number, addition and subtraction, 3D objects, and area and length. At the beginning of the term, the students recorded addition and subtraction using drawings, words, numerals and mathematical symbols. They then used strategies to solve addition and subtraction problems i.e., the jump strategy, doubles, and near doubles, and counting back. They identified, named, manipulated and described three-dimensional objects, including cones, cubes, cylinders, spheres and prisms. The students also recognised the need for a formal unit to both measure and record lengths and areas.

In Creative Arts, the students have been learning about the styles and techniques used by many well-known artists, including Ken Done, Thomas Gainsborough and Joseph Stella. They were intrigued by the variety of styles evident. The students then had the opportunity to create artworks based on their own styles and preferences, thus creating their own artistic influence! Based on their resulting artworks, there could very well be another Claude Monet artist or two in our midst.

This term, in Personal Development and Health (PDH), the students learnt to recognise that everyone is unique and special. They measured and recorded their heights, foot lengths and eye colours, to determine similarities and differences between the students in our class. The students also became aware of ways in which people grow and change over time. We had a visit from Ms Martens, Eadie, and Harry, to ask questions about what babies and toddlers can and cannot do. The students also identified ways they have changed since they were born.

In Physical Education (PE), the students were taught a variety of gross motor skills necessary for controlled body movement and participation in basic games. They participated in activities aimed at developing their spatial awareness, body awareness, locomotor skills and hand eye coordination. The students then moved within defined areas using locomotor movements. They participated in a simple obstacle course. The students will also develop their ability to throw, catch and bounce balls. Both the SwimSafe program and school Cross Country event were great highlights for the students.

With the term fast drawing to a close, all of the students are very much looking forward to the upcoming Easter raffle. If you have not purchased any tickets yet, make sure you do, so as not to miss out on some of the wonderful Easter prizes on offer! Mrs King and Miss Schneider, along with all the K/1/2 students, would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very safe, happy and holy Easter!