Dear Parents and Guardians,

Another week full of learning opportunities for our students as we close in on the halfway point of the term. 

Improving the learning outcomes for all children at St Joseph’s is our core business. The children are our first priority. We aim to develop each child according to their ability. We strive to develop the whole child, that is to develop each child spiritually, emotionally, physically and academically.

One such priority for our school is the striving of our students to achieve to the fullness of their ability. To push beyond the "I know what I am doing" and reach the "I don't know that YET, but I am going to strive to reach my FULL POTENTIAL." How do we achieve this - A LOVE OF LEARNING, a love for being a learner and the ability to take risks and having the RESILIENCE to keep going.

For our school to do its job effectively, the ongoing interest and involvement of parents is vital. It is important that the children see teachers and parents supporting each other. Working together assists the children’s development and learning in so many ways. A happy, supportive and harmonious link between teachers and parents with realistic common goals creates a unified approach. When a child perceives a breakdown in communication of this vital link a child experiences conflict and may play one off against the other.

We are very fortunate at St Joseph’s to have supportive and caring parents, not only supportive in developing community spirit, but more importantly loyal and supportive in helping and assisting their children’s learning.

My appreciation and thanks to you as parents, for your valuable role as the primary educators of your child and to the teachers, a dedicated team of professionals who give so generously of their self, skills and time.

Thank you for your continued support. It is in partnership that we can achieve great things for our children.

Religious Life of the School

On Sunday and Monday, both myself and Amanda Saunders had the privilege of attending some excellent professional development around enhancing our Catholic Identity and moving towards becoming a Recontextualised Dialogue School. Visiting presenters at the Conference, Professor Dr Didier Pollefeyt and Dr Jan Bouwens are leading Theologians and led conversations about leading in this aera of significant change.

As a school, working together with families, we can continue to support each other in the overall development and growing self-understanding and spirituality of our children.

Uniform

St Joseph’s Parish School requires all students to be in school uniform. The school uniform provides the child with a sense of identity and unity within our community and is an integral part of the school’s identity. When parents or guardians enrol their children in St Joseph’s Parish School, they are stating that they are committed to supporting the school and ensuring their child follows all school guidelines, policies and procedures. In the case that a student cannot wear the appropriate school uniform, we ask that the parent/guardian notify the class teacher in writing.

The students at St Joseph’s mostly wear the correct uniform but it would be greatly appreciated if parents/guardians could check and ensure your child wears the correct uniform to school each day. If a student has not worn the correct uniform to school and has not provided a written letter explaining why, a reminder note will be sent home to parents advising of a breach of uniform. We ask that the note then be signed and then returned the next day. Please find our Uniform Policy on our website.

Book Week and Book Fair

Book Week is next week! A huge thanks to Yvonne Grant, Susan Lesic and Rachael Steele have worked hard to organise a great celebration of reading for the week. As well as interesting activities set up in the library, there will be a series of Mystery Readers at lunch time each day.

Dress Up Day and Book Character Parade will be held Friday morning. We love seeing hand made costumes. Making them is a great family activity. Some ideas for costumes around our theme include:
Reading gives us the:

• secret power of knowledge… Albert Einstein, ‘Rosie Revere, Engineer’
• secret power of magic… Captain Underpants, Harry Potter, ‘Deltora Quest’, ‘Amulet’ series, 'George's Marvellous Medicine',
• secret power of adventuring… Dora the Explorer, astronauts, Bear Grylls, ‘A Wrinkle in Time’
• secret power of empathy… ‘Wonder’, ‘Bridge to Terabithia’, ‘The Happiest Refugee’
• secret power of amazing abilities… ‘Guinness Book of Records’, Tiny Timmy, ‘Alpacas with Maracas’, Angelina Ballerina, Superman, Ned Kelly, Wonder Woman

The Book Fair isl being held in conjunction with our Book Week. It is being held in our Multi Purpose room and is open from 8am to 8.30am and then again in the afternoon 3pm to 3.30pm. Each class will have the opportunity to have a good look at the books Friday.

New Phone Number                                                                                      

St Joseph’s is transitioning to a new phone number. This is due to Telstra ISDN services being discontinued from 30 Sept. 2019 and Catholic Education Cairns migrating to a Centralised/ Hybrid SIP solution. This number will be phased in over the next 18 months. SGM has now been switched over to the number of 07 442146600.

For a 12 month period (until 31st July 2020) anyone calling the current number will be automatically diverted to the school after receiving a message advising them of the new number. After this, there will be a six month period (until 31st January 2021) where callers will be advised of our new number without their call being transferred through to the school.

APRE Appraisal Update                                                                                       

A survey will be forwarded out to parents this Friday 16th August, asking for your contribution in reviewing the performance of Amanda Saunders in her role as APRE at St Joseph’s. I ask for your support in completing this survey as it will assist Amanda in reflecting upon her professional practice and planning for improvement as she continues her work as APRE within our community.

School Satisfaction Survey                                                                                  

Thank you to our parents who also completed the School Satisfaction Survey online. This feedback will provide us valuable information to ensure that continual school improvement occurs and what future directions need to be taken. Not only were parents invited to participate but also our staff and Year 3, 4, 5 & 6 students.

Father’s Day Obstacle Course and Colour Run

Get out your joggers and grab a white T-Shirt ready for the big event on Friday 30^th August. Staff are getting excited about our Colour Run and are planning for a fantastic event.

The event will be held on Friday on the school oval starting at 1 pm. Children are to wear to school on the day: White T-Shirt (supplied by school) and old clothes (be prepared for stained clothing), closed in shoes, bring a towel, shower/ swimming cap and change of clothes if necessary.  All funds raised will help our local CAPS.  All parents and friends are invited to attend the event with us. Come and join in the fun! We will send out more detailed information in the form of an announcement towards the end of next week.

FATHERS DAY STALL

Our Father’s Day stall is coming up and if you are able to help out in any way that would be fantastic! Our stall is setting up in the afternoon of Wednesday the 28^th August, and the stall runs on Thursday 29^th August the 29th August! Can you please add your name to the roster in the office or contact Susan Lesic if you can help out so we know if we have enough helpers! You would not believe how much we appreciate your help even if it's for 1/2 hr or 1 hr! Thank you so much!

Wishing you every blessing for the coming week,

Megan