Filter Content
Dear Families and friends of St Joseph’s,
It has been another busy week, classrooms are humming with activity and learning.
It is timely to reflect on what extraordinary work is done here by all our staff and students. We are dedicated to continually improving the wellbeing and educational outcomes for our students. Those of you who have met with your child’s teacher earlier this term will no doubt have realised just how well our teachers know their students.
Although we live in a remote area, here at St Joseph’s we aim to provide the best quality education for your children, so it gives me great pleasure to report that overall, our students are achieving at a very high level, with some of our classes achieving the highest results in reading for our Diocese.
This excellent result is due to good quality targeted teaching, the early identification of areas of strength and areas for focussed teaching. Each term every student in the school participates in both reading and Math diagnostic assessments that identify any gaps in learning. This assessment also enables us to track progress and monitor academic growth.
At the recent Parent Teacher Consultation meetings, classroom teachers will have indicated any areas for growth that they are working on with your child but this should not be confused with the A-E marks in Report Card, which report on each students‘ skill level as set by the Australian Curriculum.
Report cards include judgements and comments on student learning, effort and behaviour for the semester. The final A-E mark that you see in the report card is the result of an assessment process that takes place in each classroom that is facilitated by the class teacher over the course of the semester.
One key principle is that assessment is ongoing. No longer does a student's final result rely on a test at the end of the unit or term. Students are now frequently assessed within lessons to help teachers understand where students are at in their learning and to inform what teaching they need moving forward. All of this assessment and observation then contribute to the final mark that you see on the report card.
As we head toward the end of Semester our students are currently working away at learning content and will continue to participate in small summative assessments throughout the next few weeks. Assessment takes on a variety of structures and report card grades are never reliant on individual test, but rather a collection of items completed over a five month period.
Report cards are scheduled to be released online and available through the parent portal in the second last week of school. This year we are also providing parents with the added option to receive a printed reported card also. A parent slip will be sent in the next few weeks so that you can indicate if you would like to receive a printed copy.
Parent Teacher Consultations will then be held in the last week of term 2 and first week of term 4. They are a very important way of providing feedback to parents and carers and developing good working relationships between teachers and parents and carers.
It is important that schools and parents work together so that our children can achieve, thrive and learn. So that you have a clear understanding of what your child is learning, how they are assessed and what they are being taught. To ensures both parents and teachers are on the same page when having conversations about their children’s learning, we are holding a parent information session this term. This session be held on the Thursday of Week 8 this term. Invitations will be sent out early next week via parent slips.
Although we schedule Parent Teacher Consultations at the beginning and end of each term, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher and any stage of the term if you have any queries or concerns about your child’s progress.
Checking in with Students about Their Learning
Knowing learners and how they learn often involves asking powerful questions and seeing the classroom through the child's eyes.
There is also a list of questions that parents can ask their children about learning:
- What did you learn today?
- How are you doing?
- What did you do if you didn't understand?
- How can you improve on your learning?
- What are you most proud of?
I'd encourage you to have a go at asking these questions with your child/ren - their responses may surprise you!
Australian Early Development Census
Later this term, Miss Anneka Reynolds and I will begin the Australian Early Development Census. The AEDC is a nationwide census of early childhood development that measures the progress of children as they start their first year of full-time school. The information collected helps shape the future and well-being of our children by providing evidence to support education, health, policy and community planning, at the national, state, community and local level. The survey will be completed by staff. Individual results are not published and students cannot be identified through the reports. The data collected, will be available at a later date publicly on the AEDC website. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to see me.
Visitors
This week Ann Barr the Student Protection Consultant from CES is visiting us. During Ann’s visit she will be conducting a Child Safety Audit, update training for student protection officers and staff.
Volunteers
We always welcome volunteers in our library, tuckshop or at out-of-class activities. If you would like to become a volunteer please book in with the Office to undertake the Student Protection and Code of Conduct for 2021. Once completed, you be issued with a Volunteer Declaration Certificate from the school. Please note that Parents/Caregivers cannot volunteer in any capacity without the Volunteer Declaration Certificate.
Uniform
We believe a clean, neat, uniformed appearance reflects a pride in the individual as well as reflecting well upon his/her family and school. The expectation is that all students are wearing the correct uniform and groomed as per the policy every day.
Please also ensure you print your child’s name on their school uniforms with a permanent marker.
NAPLAN
Currently, our Years 3 and 5 classes are participating in the 2021 NAPLAN Online testing. Our students sat the Writing test on Tuesday, the Language Conventions Wednesday and the Reading test on Thursday. Testing concludes early next week with the Maths test on Tuesday.
You can support your child during the testing period by ensuring that they have had a good night’s sleep, have eaten breakfast before arriving to school, are well hydrated, and by reminding them on the day to simply do their best!
Should parents have any further questions about NAPLAN they are encouraged to see their child’s teacher.
Enrolments
As we continue to take Prep Enrolments for 2022, I would like to take this opportunity to remind all current families who have siblings commencing Prep next year to secure their position by submitting an enrolment application if they have not yet done so.
Say No to Bullying Week
At St Joseph’s we take a proactive approach to bullying education and prevention. This term we are dedicating week 6 focus on the topic of Bullying and our students will be participating in many learning activities that teach how to be an “upstander not a bystander”. On the evening of Tuesday 25th May at 6pm we will have guest speaker Hannah Chapman presenting an Information Session on “Bullying”. Hannah is the Manager of Counselling and Psychology for CES. We look forward to seeing you there.
On Wednesday 26th May, we will have a free dress fundraiser for "Do it for Dolly Day"
Staffing Update
We welcome Kristen McLeish (Relief Teacher) and Demi Horvath (Support Officer) to our St Joseph's staff.
Indigenous Liaison Officer
Next week we welcome Joy Reimann who will join our school team as Indigenous Liaison Officer. Joy will work across all classes supporting all students with learning and wellbeing.
Tuckshop
Just before the holidays Annette O’Shea, our tuckshop convenor, resigned. After an extensive recruitment process, I am pleased to welcome Mrs Cindy Andresen as our new Tuckshop convenor. We are in the process of revamping our current menu choices and will have an exciting new menu will be available from week 6.
We value your ideas on the types of menu you would prefer so that we can be sure our tuckshop is the best it can be. Please help us out by completing a short survey that we will be sending home to each family this week.
Capital Works
A big thank to our P and F for the donation of three shade shelters that are currently being installed in our playground. We were all so excited to see the concrete poured this morning and are looking forward to using the shelters next week.
May the Month of Mary
During the month of May we honour Mary our Mother. She is a mother to all of us, protecting, loving and shining over us. With prayer being central to our Catholic faith, it is one way in which we can express our love of Mary this month. You may like to consider praying the Hail Mary as a family.
Hail Mary full of Grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed are thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus.
Holy Mary Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death
Amen
The Feast of the Ascension- 13th May
The Ascension celebrates the ongoing presence of the risen Christ as he transcends into Heaven.
Did you know there are two accounts of the Ascension, one found at the end of Luke’s Gospel (Luke 24:50-53) and a lengthier version found in Acts- 1:1-11. It is believed that the author of the Acts of the Apostles is Luke. The event takes place forty days after Easter Sunday. It is through the Ascension that Christ can be present to us as He could never be before, and we are presented with the challenge in our busy lives to be present and still with him.
Term 2 Class Prayer Assemblies
Parents are warmly invited to attend.
Week 4 Friday 14th May Year 4
Week 5 Friday 21st May Year 5
Week 6 Friday 28th May Year 3
Week 7 Friday 4th June Year 6
Week 8 Friday 11th June Year 2
Best Class Attendance Winners
Meet Adam the Fish and Barry the Barramundi. These two fish are awarded to the class with the highest attendance in a two week period. The children are loving having the new additions to the classroom.
Congratulations to Year 3 who had the highest attendance in Week 1 and 2 of Term 2.
Congratulations to Year 4 who had the highest attendance in Week 3 and 4 of Term 2. Adam and Barry will spend the next two weeks being care for by Year 4.
Students are also rewarded individually with stickers to place on their chart every two weeks if they have 100% attendance. They are working towards attending the Principal’s Morning Tea if they have four stickers in a term.
Registration details and information can be accessed from the Catholic Education Services Webpage under News and Events.
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Welcome to Week 4. It is has been an incredibly busy 2 weeks and there has been lots to celebrate in that time - St. Joseph’s Day, AFL lessons and Mother’s Day Liturgy Art/ Craft and Morning Tea.
Social Emotional Learning
This Term in Second Step the Year 5 and 6 students are learning about Emotional Management in class and will also be working with Ms Tosca on line and in person to support us and focus on the following concepts:
- Mindsets & Goals
- Recognising Bullying & Harassment
- Thoughts, Emotions, & Decisions
- Managing Relationships & Social Conflict
Personalised Learning Plans (PLPs)
The teachers are in the process of finalising the Personalised Learning Plans (PLPs) and meeting with Parents. Personalised learning is a process that supports a wide range of students with additional learning and support needs. This includes students who may require support in one or more of the following areas: learning (including high potential learners), behaviour, social/emotional, cultural/language (including international students, boarders and learners of English as an Additional Language or Dialect) and those who have educational support needs arising from disability. Teachers will direct School Officer support and plan for adjustments on a weekly basis. Teachers communicate weekly with School Officers regarding student progress and make adjustments as needed. Evidence is collected regularly and uploaded to ENGAGE. PLP meetings are set 6 monthly and will determine if current goals have been achieved before setting further goals.
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.
Last week we welcomed back Mia Lumley from CES - our School Psychologist and she will continue to provide her service to St. Joseph's School throughout the year.
Weipa Men’s Shed
Weipa Men’s Shed are excited to host their first guest Speaker. Thank you Mary O’Brien from “Are You Bogged Mate?” for reaching out to Weipa Men’s Shed and offering your services.
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.
P Ed News
AFL with Matt and Shelby has been a great success over the last 2 weeks on a Friday. The afterschool signup has been for more than 80 students, a record apparently in such a small school! So thankyou parents for your support of this great initiative.
Please see the attached flyer for the Yr 4-6 Carnival on the 1st June.
The Cape Sun JRL committee thank the parents of St Joseph’s for your involvement and attendance at training and signing up your kids for the year. The word is that it is great to see so many new faces sign up for such a great community club. Particularly the Under 12’s!
Thankyou to Aiden, Noah and Leon for speaking at assembly about their Peninsula trip to represent St Joseph’s for Rugby League in Week 2. Leon has made the Peninsula team which is an outstanding effort!
Our Cross Country Age Champions were awarded their medals at Assembly in Week 2. Congratulations to each of these students for their outstanding effort. Luke Wright has been selected for the Cross-Country Peninsula trials to be run in Cairns on the 28th May. He has continued his training and we wish him every success in running a personal best time.
In class P Ed lessons we have been focusing on catching and throwing different types of balls, rolling skills and games to consolidate these skills. Over the next few weeks we will be practising ball games skills and field event skills in lead up to our Athletics Carnival in Week 10.
Queensland Cricket will be visiting our school on the 9th and 11th June. Each class will have the chance to learn different cricket skills and on the 11th the Yr 3-6 students will be involved in a School Cup Challenge.
Lots of great sport and activities happening this term to keep your child active, learn new skills and enjoy themselves.
Cross Country photos
Regards,
Libby Lange
Prep was very excited to have another week of AFL last week and had great fun with Mr Matt and Miss Shelby. Students practiced kicking balls, how to hold an AFL ball and played lots of great games. It was fantastic to see resilience and team spirit as students cheered each other on and were happy for others to win. Check out the Cape York Weekly for a picture of all the Preps at last weeks AFL session!
In English, the students have been focusing this week on the letter ‘o’ and reading this sound in words. Next week we will be focusing on the sound /k/ and linking that sound to the letter ‘c’. Students are very excited to be getting to read this term with the introduction of readers to their homework folders and in class rotations. Our genre focus is sequencing stories that we have been learning about, this weeks story was the ‘Three Little Pigs’.
Show and share has started this week with some fantastic stories about the Mother’s Day weekend. Thank you all prep’s for sharing your stories.
In Maths, we are revising or number and counting knowledge with students Maths Assessment Interviews happening in class it is fantastic to see the student’s confidence and abilities in counting and number recognition growing since the beginning of the year
In Religion, we are finishing up our unit on Jesus’ Life next week and will be moving on to learning about Love, Forgiveness and Compassion. We have finished our St Joseph Feast Day plates and the remaining plates at school will be sent home on Friday.
In Science, we have been watching the weather and made some fantastic craft works of how we viewed the sky on Tuesday when it was a little overcast. We will be exploring the different changes that make in weather including temperature, cloud types and wind strength.
In mathematics Year 1 have been learning how to solve simple addition and subtraction algorithms using a range of strategies. We are learning to be choose the most efficient strategy to solve each problems. Some of the strategies we have be learning to use include:
- Using pictures
- Using concrete materials
- Using our fingers
- Number lines
- Doubles
- Doubles + 1
- Counting on & Counting back
- Jump strategy
We enjoy learning how to use these strategies in a range of fun and engaging math activities every day.
Last week in Technology we planted our seeds – some flowers and some herbs. We looked at the different materials and equipment required to plant seeds as well as the different parts of a flower. Every day 1 lucky student gets to water and care for our plants. Some of them have even started to grow.
We are still waiting for some students to email or send in a photo of their favourite place around Weipa or the Cape. We require these photos to create our diorama at the end of the term as well as during Science, Geography and Technology. We will use the photos to determine the features of our environments and plan the construction of our dioramas.
Hello families of Year 2,
We have had a productive 2 weeks in learning, as well as some exciting extra curriculum activities. In religion, the students have been unpacking the scripture that talks about Jesus and his community. We have looked at Jesus healing a blind man, and Jesus healing a crippled woman. We were able to find ways to be more like Jesus in our daily life.
Year 2 were very excited to have the team from AFL here over the past 2 weeks, we have learnt the art of kicking and passing in AFL.
In English, the students have been learning to describe characters using adjectives and write sentences and words to match the characters actions. We are now moving on to innovating a page from different texts, to finally finish with creating a class book.
During the week, all St Joseph students had the chance to create a plate design. This was a part of our celebration of St Joseph’s Feast Day, as well as 2021 being the Year of St Joseph.
Gentle reminders:
- Library is Friday. Please make sure your child is returning library books, so that they can borrow
- Homework is due on Friday, and given out on Monday
- For Year 2’s dance performance, we will be moving to Roar. Students are welcome to practice their moves at home if possible!
Welcome to Week 4!
It’s hard to believe that we are nearly halfway through the term already. As always, this past fortnight has been productive in many ways. We have been fortunate enough to have Mrs Pearce in our classroom over the past few weeks working with students on spelling rules and the different suffixes.
In Religion, we have been looking further at Jesus the Messiah and identifying key words, places, and people in scripture. Students are very interested in the scripture that talks about prophesising the arrival of the Messiah and how people, especially King Herod, reacted to these prophecies.
In English, we have continued to work more on the structure of our persuasive texts and have been working in groups to further support each other and consider other points of view.
In Maths, we have been looking at 3D shapes and have begun working on building a symmetrical 3D building that we are constructing in small groups.
The students have been enjoying the AFL sessions with Matt and Shelby this past fortnight. Last week, we were lucky enough to have a session with the Year 4 students and everyone enjoyed competing against each other to handball and kick the football through the goals.
Reminders:
- Homework is due on Monday and sent home Tuesday. Please remember that it is an expectation that student’s complete their homework and read four nights per week.
- NAPLAN begins this week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for English and continues again on Tuesday next week in numeracy.
- Year 3 will be hosting assembly in Week 6.
Year 4 have been busily investigating the properties of different materials, both manmade and natural, as well as discovering about the journey of the First Fleet. The class has shown great interest in our class novel, Tom Appleby – Convict Boy. Students have been getting a firsthand experience about life in 18th Century England and what children did instead of attending school. Many have expressed how grateful they are to have been born in the present and not had a fulltime job at the age of eight!
The Year 5 students have been busy learning how to answer a variety of Math and English questions these past two week in preparation for our Naplan tests. The students have been learning how to answer problem solving problems, apply important spelling rules to words as well as ensuring they are reading all of the question while making sure they know what is being asked of them. They have tackled this week like professionals. Our positive growth mindsets have allowed us to approach what can be a challenging week with confidence and resilience. We are ready more than ever to tackle any work that is given to us.
During the week the students have had the opportunity to design their plate to remember the Year of St Joseph. We constructed a plan and then were able to use coloured pens to decorate our plates. They turned out amazing and I know that this will be a household item that will bring much joy to all of our students in coming months or even years.
We have also been working really hard on our Democracy Research Projects. The students were asked to research the freedoms within a democratic government and the responsibilities of citizens from a democracy. Each group also had to come up with one other question that they wanted to find out about Democracy. These varied from disadvantages of a democracy to how do citizens choose who to have in political positions within our country. These have been great conversation starters in understanding the Australian government. We even had the opportunity to share our newfound knowledge with Mrs. Pearce and Mr Dixon our Executive Director of Cairns Catholic Education.
It was so wonderful seeing so many of our mums at school on Friday as well. There were quite a few different craft activities completed by Year 5 students with their mums. I know as a mum of the school, it was a nice way to start the celebrations. I do hope that you all enjoyed your day and that you got to have some time for yourself as well as time with your amazing children.
Yr 6 Newsletter Week 4 Term 2
We are settling into a calmer routine and Michelle and I are looking forward to seeing some really productive work over the next few weeks.
It has been a pleasure to meet and talk during parent interviews and see the family behind the smiles in class. This process has been very beneficial for us to set goals and gain more insight into each student.
ENGLISH: In class, we have been exploring different ballads, the language features a ballad has and exploring these in depth. Next week the students will start to write their own ballad, a process that may take over a week. Every other day we are increasing our vocabulary by learning about a word of the day: exploring synonyms, antonyms and writing sentences.
MATHS: We have been revising the 4 algorithms (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) as well as revisiting prime, composite, triangular and square numbers. The students are enjoying maths bingo for more fluency and accuracy and the website transum.com has been a great mental maths warmup. We revisited our maths goal today so we will be working towards meeting this over the next few weeks.
SCIENCE: Our unit is Creators and Destroyers and is focusing on Earthquakes and Volcanoes and how these occur in our world. The students are starting to learn about tectonic plates, types and how the movement of these can cause different reactions on our earth.
We have enjoyed the AFL sessions in recent weeks and as always are working towards good Leadership skills in our daily activities at school.
Libby and Michelle
OUR LOST PROPERTY BASKET IS OVERFLOWING.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CHECK IT FOR ANY LOST ITEMS.
(located outside entry to classrooms)