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We respectfully acknowledge the past and present traditional owners of this land on which we are meeting – the Algnith people. We also acknowledge the contributions of First Nations peoples to the education of all children and people in our country Australia, in which we all live and share together.
2023 Newsletter Term 2 Week 7
Dear Families and Friends
We have enjoyed another week of beautiful North Queensland winter weather. No better place to be at this time of the year.
While I was grocery shopping this week, I had an interesting conversation with someone in the community who explained to me that Catholic Schools get heaps more money from the government than State Schools do. They were pleasantly surprised when I explained that this is not the case and that is why parents pay school fees to help our school run.
This misconception must be shared with other people in our community so I thought it might be helpful to share with our families how funding for our school and other Catholic schools works.
Catholic schools, only receive 74% (Federal 58.4%; State Gov 15.6%) of the total cost associated with per student funding compared to 96.8% (76.3% State Gov; 20.5% Fed Gov) which Ed. Qld schools receive. School fees and levies exist to go a small way towards bridge the government funding shortfall.
As you can see from the above figures, Ed. Qld schools’ main source of funding is received from the State Government while the majority of funding for Catholic Schools is sourced from the Federal Government.
Where do school fees & levies go?
School fees and levies you pay are a major source of income and are directed towards additional teacher and support staff wages, classroom resourcing, capital projects, IT upgrades, building & grounds maintenance, library and curriculum resourcing and of course general operating expenses such as insurance, rates, electricity etc.
Families also need to keep in mind that the school always strives to keep fees and levies to an absolute minimum. When you consider the resourcing levels and amount of free of charge opportunities available for students here at St Joseph’s, the level of fees is extremely reasonable. Of course, we do understand that from time to time, families fall on financial hardship. Our fees and levies are not designed to be a burden on any family. All we ask is that you contact the office to make an appointment to come in and discuss alternative payment options or concessions.
National Sorry Day & National Reconciliation Week
As shared last week, May 26 is National Sorry Day. It is marked as a day of healing, commemorating the Stolen Generations. It is part of the ongoing efforts towards reconciliation. Last Friday morning we joined together in liturgy as part of St Joseph’s understanding the truth of our past and saying sorry.
National Sorry Day is a day to acknowledge the strength of Stolen Generations Survivors and reflect on how we can all play a part in the healing process for our people and nation.
The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2023, Be a Voice for Generations, encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work and socialise. This week our students have been learning about our shared histories, cultures and achievements and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. Be a Voice for Generations, urges all Australians to use their power, their words and their actions to create a better, more just Australia for all of us.
At St Joseph’s we take up this challenge to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, knowledges, cultures, and futures. We are responding to the call of reconciliation through the development of our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), which is a formal statement of commitment. The statement encompasses a whole-school approach to driving reconciliation by building relationships, respect and opportunities in our classrooms, around the school and with the community. We are also working to formally establish our school’s Vision for Reconciliation and Acknowledgement of Country. May we all share the commitment to Reconciliation now and into the future.
Athletics Carnival
Our athletics carnival is coming around quickly. It will be held at the Andoom Oval on Thursday 22nd June and will start early. ALL children will need to be at the Oval by 8am ready for events starting at 8:15am. P-2 will be bused back to the school approximately around 12:30pm after relays, ready for a Wet Play afternoon. Yr3-6 will stay to complete field events and then be bused back to school ready to depart at 3pm as usual. The Carnival Program and further details will be emailed home early next week.
This year we are after some champion parent helpers for our Athletics Carnival this year, needed for the canteen, timing sprints, photos, or move around the field events with their child/children so you could still see them participate and to assist with the activities. You would be required to help with measuring, racking sand, and retrieving equipment. You don't have to know much about the field events, as there will be a teacher accompanying you and running the actual event.
If you think you could lend a hand, please let us know as soon as possible.
End Of Semester Report Cards
Teachers have been very busy preparing for end of Semester Reports. This process involves gathering, analysing and reflecting on multiple sources of evidence to make an informed judgment about what students know, understand, and can do. Our Semester One Report Cards this year will be distributed via the Parent Portal and in hard copy during the last week of this term.
TUCKSHOP UPDATE - Please be aware that there will be no service in week 8 but will resume as per normal from Monday week 9.
Lost Property
We have lots of unclaimed items in lost property basket which is located in the entrance into the Flexible Learning Space waiting to be reunited with their owners. Please take a moment to have a look through and see if anything belongs to your child/ren.
Wishing a great week ahead,
Megan
At St Joseph’s we have a focus on positive behaviour and management through our Multi-Tiered Systems of Support – Engagement (MTSSE). Our MTSSE team regularly review data, produce weekly focuses and reflect on current behaviour management practices to ensure maximum engagement by all of our learners. The 4Rs are the expectations at St Josephs – Respectful, Responsible, Resilient, and Ready for Learning. The matrix below shows these expected behaviours across different areas of the school. The team review this document to ensure relevancy and accuracy using student-friendly language. The team are currently reviewing our response to behaviour and how teachers can use essential skills to engage learners in authentic classroom tasks.
The focus this week for the MTSSE team was handball. As more and more students show interest in the game, we decided to review our own school’s handball rules. These posters are now displayed around the school and in classrooms to ensure everyone knows the way to play and show good sportsmanship.
Feast of the Visitation 31st May 2023
(Luke 1: 39-45, NIV)
At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
Prayer
Blessed be you, God of mercy and compassion, for you inspired Mary, the humble maiden of Nazareth, to visit her cousin Elizabeth and to assist her in her earthly needs.
Help us, that by following Mary's example we may remain always open to the needs and sufferings of others.
Strengthen us to walk gently with one another, and in times of need turn to you for help.
We as this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Reconciliation Week
Reconciliation means many different things to different people. In Australia, reconciliation usually means working to ensure everyone understands and values our culture and that we can learn, know and speak in many different ways.
A large part of learning about and working towards reconciliation is learning about and respecting Australia’s First Peoples– Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Through designing a RAP Icon, past students worked together to reflect on what Reconciliation means to them personally and to translate their ideas into a visible icon.
After many round-the-table discussions, the students combined their ideas and came up with an icon which they believe represents what Reconciliation means for the St Joseph’s school community.
The icon includes:
Emu track- It is shaped like an arrow and represents the distinctive three toed footprint of an emu. The tracks show that we are all on a journey towards reconciliation, the black colour represents the land we walk on.
Stars- Represent the Algnith people and the elders watching over us at all times. The stars guide us on our journey and remind us of our beautiful night skies.
Rainbow Serpent- He is a guardian who protects and looks after us. He created the land and water and is forever moving, surrounding us with love.
St Joseph’s school icon. It symbolises the Mission and Embley rivers crossing each other to make a fish. The cross reminds us that we are making our faith journey and bringing it to life in our daily actions.
Dots- The dots inside the snake represent the art and traditions of the First Nations people and the arrows inside the fish icon represent that we are all on a journey, going in different directions and crossing paths.
Dear Parents and Guardians,
NCCD - Nationally Consistent Collection of Data
The NCCD is an annual collection of information from all Australian schools on the numbers of students with disability and the adjustments they receive. All Teachers at St. Joseph’s School will be expected to understand their obligations to students with disability under the DDA and the Disability Standards for Education 2005 and consistently collect and provide evidence which is recorded on ENGAGE.
Visitors for Term 2
In Week 10 Lillian Miller – Consultant - First Nations Education will be in Weipa working with Staff and students and helping us celebrate NAIDOC Week.
If you have any questions, please feel free to make contact with myself at a convenient time that suits. My email address is mturner@cns.catholic.edu.au
Kind Regards,
Melanie Turner.
Come & Try
CRICKET
Where: Weipa Junior Cricket Club
Hibberd Drive
When: Wednesday 14th June 4-5pm
Who: Ages 5-16
For more information- Kylie Argent 0488 432 038
