News from the Principal - Megan Pearce
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As it is Book Week, this is a timely reminder for us all on the wonder and power of reading, both for ourselves and for our children. Research has shown that parents frequently get involved in reading to their children when they are young, but as they grow and progress through primary school and are more able to read themselves, many parents stop reading aloud to their children. But there is evidence to show that there are still many things older children gain from being read to by adults.
Being read to can improve and develop a child’s vocabulary, phonological awareness, comprehension and imagination skills and understanding of literature and writing. It can also help to develop curiosity, motivation and language skills and promotes and encourages lifelong readers. When adults read to children, they can also choose stories which are at a higher level to what a child could comfortably read themselves and get them hooked on wonderful books that will continue to interest them in later years. One of the best benefits from reading aloud to children is that it can support bonding and strengthen the relationship between a parent and child. Snuggling up to their mother, father or grandparent and listening to an interesting or exciting story, may be one of the fondest memories’ children hold of their childhood and family.
If you’re feeling time-poor, why not consider downloading some audiobooks and listening to them together while on car trips? This can be a fun shared experience, plus a great way of keeping the kids happy (and quiet!) during long journeys.
Parents reading aloud for children – don’t give it up! What are you reading together?
Have a look at this article about the benefits of reading aloud for all:
Book Week and Book Fair
A huge thank you to all the staff who have put together a great week of celebrating the power of reading. Congratulations Yvonne, Rachael and Susan. Thank you for using your Reading Superpower to inspire us to have a love reading.
Father’s Day Colour Run/Obstacle Course
On Friday the 30th of August we will be celebrating Father’s Day by having a Colour Run/Obstacle Course. All parents are invited to come and run with their children on the day and join in the fun.
The celebration will begin at 1.30pm with a Father’s Day Liturgy followed by our Colour Run/Obstacle Course. We then invite all families to stay for a sausage sizzle/bbq and a few cold drinks. Each family and child in attendance will receive an entry into the Father’s Day Raffles that will be drawn at the BBQ.
Some Rugby League players from the Far North Queensland Cowboys will visit us throughout the day and are excited to be able to join in our Colour Run/Obstacle Course.
All St Joseph’s Students will be provided with a White T-Shirt and a pair of sunglasses on the day. We ask that every child wear old clothes and running shoes as we will be getting dirty, wet and very colourful as we go around the course. It is advisable for students to wear togs or a singlet top underneath their white shirt as there will be lots of water involved. The course is quite extensive, and we welcome all volunteers to help set up from Thursday afternoon and early Friday morning. Hope to see you there!
School Maintenance
Living in an isolated community teaches us patience, that’s for sure. We are pleased to have our new water tank in thanks to Suzy and Errol Taske. Our lawns are starting to look green again but we are still waiting for some plumbing parts to arrive before we are in full swing. Our irrigation system has had many problems since being installed 4 years ago. We will be systematically reinstalling the system to fix and overcome these problems.
Live life without fear, confront all obstacles and know that you can overcome them.
It is perhaps a good motto to live by because there will always be obstacles to overcome. As parents we encourage our children to persist, not give up, confront the problem before them. It is just as much a matter of practice and confidence as it is one of developing skills. Unfortunately, and more often than not, we learn better through experience than we do through just words.
We don’t always get what we want. That’s life. We deal with it and move on. Sometimes we are left wondering why something happened to us. I like to think of it in these terms –
I asked for strength . . . and God gave me difficulties to make me strong.
I asked for wisdom . . . and God gave me problems to solve.
I asked for prosperity . . . and God gave me the ability to work.
I asked for courage . . . and God gave me obstacles to overcome.
I asked for love . . . and God gave me troubled people to help.
I asked for favours . . . and God gave me opportunities.
I received nothing I wanted . . . but I received everything I needed.
God Bless,
Megan