Week 9 Newsletter

This newsletter finds us with only one week of term 1 remaining, I know we all say it, but time has really flown by this term. I look back at our many learnings and achievements this term and am very proud of St Joseph’s School Community. Our Prep children have settled well into school and look like they have been here forever, our school leaders are taking a more active role in the school including leading Assemblies and helping out with events such as Harmony Day. We have worked hard together to make a huge improvement in our attendance data. I can only imagine what we achieve for the remainder of this year.

Congratulations to all parents and teachers for the very successful and well attended parent / teacher meetings to jointly discuss and plan your child’s learning journey. This strong partnership is the foundation for improving student success and ensuring that all students are learning and feeling successful in their learning.

All students from Prep to Yr 6 will enjoy the challenge of the Inter-House Cross Country Competition next Thursday instead of today. It is always a difficult decision to postpone any event, but the call had to be made. I’m praying for a dry day next Thursday. The program is included at the end of the newsletter. Parents, grandparents and friends are invited to attend this gala event, cheering for and photographing your child as they enjoy the fun of being active with their friends.

Harmony Day was another important event that happened in our school this week. Both Miss Knight and Mrs Edmonds did a great job planning and organising the day. The school was a sea of orange and cultural costumes. We started the day with a parade. All classes showed the St Joseph’s Spirit on the day and our St Joey’s Token Boxes are now over flowing.

At this week’s Assembly we will draw out our last Golden Ticket winners for the Term. All Golden Ticket winners will receive a letter today outlining the Fun Day on Tuesday and what to bring and wear on the day.

Among the many happenings this week we had some visitors from Catholic Education Services. Visitors Helen Cadwaller (Inclusive Education Teacher) and Christine Stratford (Senior Education Officer: Primary Curriculum) spent their time here working with and supporting teachers with planning and implementing differentiated teaching strategies.

We are taking enrolment applications for Prep 2020 now. We have had many enquiries about Prep for 2020. We are aware that there are siblings who will be in the Prep class of 2020. Please ensure that you have collected your enrolment package from the office or online @ www.stjosephsweipa.qld.edu.au

 Please complete and return. I am looking forward to meeting our siblings at their Prep Interview. These interviews will take place late June and early July.

Parent Engagement

At the beginning of the year we identified ‘Engagement’ as one of our areas to focus on to improve student academic success and wellbeing. This not only includes student engagement but engagement from parents as well.

What is it? What does it look like, and are you doing it?
You probably are an engaged parent without really realising it.

For example, if you regularly read to your child, or listen to them reading aloud, then you are being an engaged parent.

Research shows that more than any other subject or skill, our children’s futures are all but determined by how well they learn to read. Want to know more? Watch the first video in our Cairns Catholic Education, Reading & Numeracy ...

https://www.cns.catholic.edu.au/our-school-communities/parent-engagement/parent-engagement-in-student-learning-at-home/

Research both in Australia and overseas is unanimous in pointing to the advantage of this engaged approach, and while this is widely understood amongst educators, it is not necessarily understood by parents. It is crucial for parents to see and understand the research that shows their engagement can lead to a variety of educational bonuses - from lower drop-out rates to higher marks, and more chance of post-secondary education.

Beyond academic achievement, parental engagement can deliver their children improved student behaviour and social skills and allow students to understand the importance of a strong education.

Other ways to be an Engaged Parent. Consistency is key;

• Ensure your child has a healthy diet.
• Ensure your child takes regular exercise.
• Ensure your child gets the appropriate hours of sleep for their age.
• Talk about school and education in a positive manner
• Tell your child that you believe in their abilities
• Involve your child in day to day activities. (i.e. measuring ingredients, writing the weekly shopping list, counting coins)
• Stay up to date with what your child is learning
• Make time to read together daily, preferably at bed time.
• Share words, rhyme and stories anytime, anywhere
• Make learning about numbers as important as reading
• Encourage your child to use their imagination and solve problems
• Head outdoors for practical learning opportunities
• Ask your child questions about their day at school
• Encourage a good rapport between you and their teacher
• Have high but realistic expectations for your child
• Support your child with their homework

For more information on Parent Engagement please head to the link below. Also, I would love to hear your parent engagement stories, so if you have any helpful strategies please get in touch.   principal.weipa@cns.catholic.edu,au

Thanks for reading and God Bless,

Megan Pearce

Principal