Third Edition 2023

Dear Families,

It has been so wonderful to see many families in our school and connecting with our staff and each other. We look forward to a year of reconnection and celebrating our beautiful school and
community.

2023 Vision

At the Annual General Meeting in Week 3, I shared the areas for vision for St Joseph’s Memorial School for 2023 and beyond.

The key areas of focus are:

Relationships & Culture: Co-constructing three school pillars and values.

Literacy and Numeracy School strategy and shared practices to create a shared school curriculum handbook.

Wellbeing Creating a school wellbeing policy of whole school shared practices.

Community Partnership and events.

Infrastructure: Site developments at Bridge St and William St.

Preschool and Ready for Reception Program development.

Communication: SETQA school planning, reports & parent engagement.

Catholic Education South Australia Clarity Project – Making learning visible for all students.

Graduate Leadership Program – Providing opportunities for all students to enhance their leadership capabilities.

Creating shared school values and pillars

This year we will be constructing three school pillars to guide our future direction for growth and three shared school community values that will guide our actions in everything we do. We would like all community members including staff, students, parents and the community to have the opportunity to share in the creation of the three school pillars and three school values, so we have devised a short two question survey to gain your integral input to help us in this process. The survey will ask to you to name the three pillars and three values that you feel best represent the school moving forward with the opportunity for elaboration and discussion. We sincerely appreciate your insights into this process and look forward to sharing the collectively co-constructed school pillars and values with you.

Please feel free complete the short survey by clicking the link below:

SJMS Values and Pillars

Catholic Education South Australia Clarity Project in action at St Joseph’s Memorial

As mentioned above, one of our areas of focus this year is to undertake the Clarity Project to create shared teaching and learning practices that help make learning more visible to students. We have commenced this project with teachers creating and sharing learning intentions for tasks that focus on what students would have learnt by the end of the lesson or activity, such as what is the learning they should retain and take away with them. Then next practice we have introduced involves teachers creating and sharing success criteria for tasks. Success criteria help students to know what's expected of them to know exactly what they need to know or do to be successful with their learning.

Below we have an example of Literacy learning intentions and success criteria used in our classrooms:

Another Clarity practice we have introduced is a ‘Bump It Up Wall’, which consist of linear visual rubrics presented in the classroom that clearly show students how they can progress in their learning for a specific task. The walls can be used for any subject and students use them to gain specific information to help them enhance their learning and work.

Below we have two examples of Literacy ‘Bump It Walls’ used in our classrooms the focus on narrative writing and persuasive writing progression:

I am looking forward at the positive impact that introducing the Clarity practices will have to enhance student learning and achievement outcomes.

Chess Club

In recent weeks our Year 4 students initiated a Chess Club at recess and lunchtime. It has been great seeing students from various year levels play against each other whilst learning more about the game.

School Board

Our School Board has an advisory role in supporting the Principal in planning and implementing the overriding direction of the school. We formulate and approve policies and hear updates from staff. Alongside the School Board sits the School Finance Committee. Some members of the Board also sit on this committee and we discuss the specific financial situation of the school, monitor income and expenditure and plan the annual budget for each year. The Chair of the Finance Committee then presents to the whole School Board. At our Annual General Meeting the group voted in three new parent representatives to the school board. In addition, we have a new staff representative in Mr David Holmes. In future newsletters, we will be sharing information about the members of our school board for you as a community to know them.

School Sports Program

The school sports program is well underway this term with the Cricket, Basketball and Netball. We are appreciative of work the parent volunteers as coaches have been doing to help the afterschool and weekend sports program run smoothly. It brings me great joy to see the positive buzz of energy on mornings that practices are held at the school. 

Southern Cross Article

Recently, I was interviewed by the Southern Cross Newspaper and was featured in the March edition. In the article I shared my passion for education, building positive relationships, and faith. Here is a link to the article if you would like to read it:

https://thesoutherncross.org.au/schools/2023/02/28/strong-faith-guides-young-principal/

Dear Parents and Caregivers

As we journey through the Lenten Season, we are asked to focus on prayer. Have you ever thought of praying the Stations of the Cross as a family during Lent? There are many sites you can go to but here is a link that you might like to use with your family with simple text:

https://wau.org/resources/article/re_stations_cross_kids/

You might like to search for some images on the stations of the cross to reflect on as well or you might like to reflect on the words and ask your children to draw images for each station. You can even visit the Church, when it isn’t being used and pray as you view the images on the wall.

HOLY WEEK

During Holy Week, the school will be coming together to pray and reflect on some significant events for Jesus during this week. Parents and Caregivers are welcome to attend.

ST JOSEPH’S DAY MASS

St Joseph was the husband of Mary and the father of Jesus. God called Joseph, a simple carpenter, to care for and protect Mary and Jesus. With great faith and trust, he accepted God’s call. You are all warmly welcomed to join us at our School Mass to honour St Joseph on Tuesday 21 March in St Ignatius Church at 9:15am.

TERM 1 LITURGIES AND MASSES

There has been some confusion regarding Class Liturgies and Masses for this term. Please find below the dates of masses and liturgies for Term 1.

Dates can also be found at the link below:

https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/embed?src=jess@sjms.catholic.edu.au&ctz=Australia/Adelaide

Prayer to St Joseph the Father

St. Joseph, guardian of Jesus and husband of Mary,

you passed your life in loving fulfillment of duty.

You supported the holy family of Nazareth with the work of your hands.

Kindly protect those who trustingly come to you.

You know their aspirations, their hardships, their hopes.

They look to you because they know you will understand and protect them.

You too knew trial, labour, and weariness.

But amid the worries of material life your soul

was full of deep peace and sang out in true joy.

 Assure those you protect that they do not labour alone.

 Teach them to find Jesus near them and

to watch over him faithfully as you have done. Amen

Pope John XXIII

Dear Parents and Caregivers

We would like to inform you of the dates for Pupil Free Days (PFD) for this year. Please note that OSHC will be available for families that require this service on these days.

• Monday 1 May 2023
• Friday 7 July 2023
• Monday 24 July 2023
• Monday 16 October 2023
• Thursday 14 December 2023
• Friday 15 December 2023

Yours sincerely

Adam Slater
Principal

Dear Parents and Caregivers

We are trialing a new Assembly format for the year.
In Term 1 to Term 3 we will have 3 Assemblies per term and in Term 4, 2 Assemblies.
All Assemblies will be held in the Performing Arts Studio at William St on Friday afternoons at 2pm.
Students from Bridge Street will walk across to William Street to participate in Assemblies, face to face.
Below, please find the dates for our Assembly and the Class that will be hosting in that week. 

Term 1
10 March - Year 6B Assembly
31 March - Year 1G Assembly

Term 2
19 May - Year 5G Assembly
9 June - Year 1B Assembly
30 June - Year 4B Assembly

Term 3
11 August - Preschool Assembly
1 September - Reception Assembly
22 September - Year 2/3B Assembly

Term 4
10 November - Year 2/3G Assembly
1 December - Mid-Year Reception Assembly

We will ask for help from our wonderful parents and caregivers to help walk the Bridge Street students across on these dates. Please look out for the form on Skoolbag, next week.

Please remember to check the school calendar regularly for any updates.

Come see our Preschool in action, contact us for a tour or enrolment information.

St Joseph's Memorial School provides a safe environment for all while valuing the partnership between school and home.

As a Catholic community, we welcome and value volunteers. To be able to volunteer, and/or attend at other times throughout the school year, we ask that you hold the following:

1. A current Catholic Police Check (parents/caregivers attending excursions, reading in class, helping in class, attending community events);
2. A current Responding to Abuse and Neglect in Education and Care for Volunteers certificate (please click here to view how to complete this requirement);
3. Completed the volunteers application.

A Catholic Police Check for volunteers at SJMS are free for our current parents and caregivers. Application Forms are available to download here or at either school office.

We ask that you present your completed form with verification ID to the front office, and we will submit the application on your behalf. You will then receive an email link to complete the process online. Once all cleared you will receive a Catholic Police Check ID card in the post, please bring this in to the front office and we will take a copy of your clearance.

This process ensures we maintain a child safe environment. To avoid disappointment, we encourage you to apply for a Catholic Police Check through either school office as soon as possible.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at either office.

Thanking you
The SJMS Admin Team
info@sjms.catholic.edu.au

For more information on how Catholic Education SA provides a safe environment for all, please click here.

Summary of what is needed to volunteer at SJMS:
Valid Catholic Police Check
Responding to Abuse and Neglect Education and Care Volunteer Certificate
Completed application form

Please check the SJMS Calendar for up to date Pupil Free Days.

2023
Term 2 Monday 1 May to Friday 7 July
Term 3 Monday 24 July to Friday 29 September
Term 4 Monday 16 October to Friday 15 December

2024
Term 1 Monday 29 January to Friday 12 April
Term 2 Monday 29 April to Friday 5 July
Term 3 Monday 22 July to Friday 27 September
Term 4 Monday 14 October to Friday 13 December

2025
Term 1 Tuesday 28 January to Friday 11 April
Term 2 Monday 28 April to Friday 4 July
Term 3 Monday 21 July to Friday 26 September
Term 4 Monday 13 October to Friday 12 December

Please remember to check the SJMS calendar regularly for important dates and events.