Week 10, Term 3 2023

Dear St Joseph’s Memorial Families

Celebrating Term 3

As we approach the end of the final week of Term 3, I would like to acknowledge the wonderful opportunities for learning that students have engaged in this term. 

Throughout Term 3, our staff have contributed their skills in a range of ways and worked hard to promote the growth and development of every child, both in and beyond the classroom. All of these experiences work together to extend each child's learning, and staff actively monitor the progress each student is making, in all facets of their learning.

During this term staff have provided an array of wonderful opportunities for students to experience in their learning and enjoyment of school beyond their classroom including, Catholic School’s Music Festival Choir, SACPSSA carnivals, park and museum visits, excursions, masses, debating competitions, Children’s University, co-curricular sport, judo and gymnastic sport sessions, Premier’s Reading Challenge and the school disco.

The Year 5 students participated in a Social Justice Project with Tony Johnston from Catholic Mission. Tony helped the students to create sockballs for World Mission Day coming up in October. This activity is part of the Socktober mission the class has undertaken, where the students have raised over $900 to support improvements for the Timor-Leste community.

The Reception & Year 1 students had a follow up visit regarding Road Safety from local community Police liaisons. The children were extremely excited to get a special visit from Jeff the safety dog, to teach them important lessons about their safe actions on the road.

The Reception and Year 1 students went on an excursion to the St Mary MacKillop Museum. Sister Jen and Sister Meg spoke to the group in the St Joseph chapel about being a Sister of St Joseph's. Both taught at William St, which was very special. The museum staff also spoke to the children and guided the group through artefacts and the life of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop.

The Year 2/3 classes enjoyed a wonderful day by the seaside at the Marine Discovery Centre at Henley Beach. In the morning, the classes explored the beach to discover many shell types, sea-grasses and more. The afternoon session was spent in the Marine Discovery Centre participating in a range of fun filled, informative activities to learn more about ocean life and sustainability.

The whole school disco was a huge success and the students enjoyed singing and dancing with all their friends. Thank you to the Parents and Friends Committee for their work to ensure the event was extremely successful and the parent volunteers for their assistance on the night.

This week our school choir performed at the Adelaide Festival Centre for the Catholic Schools Music Festival. As the chair of the festival, it was wonderful to see the students from our school share their amazing talents alongside many Catholic schools. Well done to our choir trainer, Mrs Radman for leading the group to deliver a flawless performance.

Clarity Project

The staff had the incredible privilege to have Dr Lyn Sharratt from Canada and leaders of Catholic Education of South Australia, who visited our school to focus more deeply on our work undertaking the Clarity project. We were able to share and reflect on our whole school teaching and learning practices to enhance student learning and make goals for future development in specific areas. The learning walks and talks in the classes allowed students to articulate what, why and how they learn, as well as, how they use learning intentions, success criteria, bump it up walls as the ‘third teacher’ to provide them with help when needed. We’d like to thank our leadership team, the whole staff and the students for their wonderful work and we are looking forward to the positive impact this opportunity will have for our school in the future.

Uniform survey

A reminder that we are still seeking feedback on the school uniform in relation to potentially adding an optional school jacket for students to wear. Please find below, the link to the survey to provide your selections and thoughts on this possible addition.

https://forms.office.com/r/s00U3FKLdE

Thank you 

Thank you to all families for the varied ways that you have engaged in partnership with the school this term.  This could be supporting excursions, assisting children at home with their learning or meeting with us to discuss how we can best work together to support your child. All of these interactions support the growth and development of our learning community, and collaboration between home and school actively supports improved learning outcomes for each child. 

Dear Parents and Caregivers

Last Sunday at mass we celebrated World Migrant and Refugee Sunday. The theme of this mass was “Free to choose whether to migrate or stay.”

Pope Francis emphasised that "we are called to show maximum respect for the dignity of each migrant; this entails accompanying and managing waves of migration as best we can, constructing bridges and not walls, expanding channels for a safe and regular migration. In whatever place we decide to build our future, in the country of our birth or elsewhere, the important thing is that there we should always be a community ready to welcome, protect, promote and integrate everyone, without distinctions and without excluding anyone."

Please click on the link to read Pope Francis’ message to us for this special day.

https://migrants-refugees.va/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/MESSAGE-OF-HIS-HOLINESS-POPE-FRANCIS.pdf

As we approach the end of the term, I reflect on the wonderful liturgical celebrations we have participated in.

Whole school celebrations for:

• St Mary MacKillop’s Feast Day (Led by Year 4 class)
• Father’s Day (Led by Year 2/3 classes)

Class Mass celebrations for:

• Year 5 and Year 6 classes

Liturgies of the Word for:

• Preschool
• Reception and Mid-Year Reception
• Year 1

These celebrations unite us as a community. We come together to worship and receive God’s grace. To be in communion with God and other worshipers through the liturgy and most importantly through the sacrament of the Eucharist.

As well as our Liturgical celebrations, we also had students from St Joseph’s Memorial school join in with children from the Parish to prepare for and celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It was wonderful to be able to be part of this process. Celebrating the Sacraments helps us to build up the body of Christ. They are a way to relate to, give praise for and to worship God. Sacraments help to nourish, strengthen and express our faith.

As we come to the end of the term, I would like to wish you all a safe and happy holiday. I especially wish you all the very best for the remainder of this year as I take Long Service Leave in Term 4.

May God bless you all and keep you safe.

END OF TERM 4 PARENTS & FRIENDS UPDATE

It feels like we were just providing our end of Term 2 update and yet, here we are at the end of Term 3 already! As we say each term, it has been busy!!

A look at the P&F Calendar update we have circulated this week proves just how busy it has been, beginning with our Bridge Street Welcome Morning Tea, the events leading up to our fabulous Quiz Night, Fathers’ Day events, school disco last Friday and our end of term lunch order.

A huge thank you to everyone who has been involved in any of these events, whether it be in their organisation, volunteering on the day or coming along to ensure they were a success.

Class Representatives

Thank you to all of the class-reps who have arranged get togethers this term. As Term 4 becomes especially busy, it’s a good idea to get in early if you have one planned and send us any proposed dates.

The following class event is coming up:

Year 1 Mums’ Dinner                                      Saturday 21 October

End of Year Family Picnic                             Sunday 12 November from 11.30am

We have already sent out a save the date for this event. The plan is that this be a casual affair with families encouraged to bring along their own picnic lunch and enjoy a fun day out with their families and the rest of the SJMS school community. Further details will be released early next term.

Quiz Night Sponsors

Our P&F Facebook page has a list of all of our sponsors. We encourage you to patronise their businesses wherever you can and show your appreciation for their support of our school.

P&F Survey

We will be sending out a short survey over the holidays seeking your views on the events we have hosted this year, the role of the P&F more broadly and any suggestions you may have for future events particularly as we begin to prepare for 2024. We look forward to receiving your feedback.

Want to learn more about the P&F?

Our next P&F catch up is scheduled for Friday 20 October (week 1, term 4) at the High Street Café’.

We will also be hosting an information night on Monday 30 October, sharing information on what the P&F does, sharing this year’s achievements and seeking any feedback you may have.

We are always looking for new members and would love parents to come along and find out more.

How to contact the P&F

You can contact us at any time at pandf@sjms.catholic.edu.au by sending a message through the P&F Facebook page or approaching one of the P&F members. Alternatively, speak to your class rep and they will be happy to forward your question/feedback on.

Diary Dates for Term 4

Week 1  P&F Catch-up (all welcome) Friday 20 October

Week 3  P&F Information Night (all welcome)  Monday 30 October

Week 3  Kent Town Bunnings Sausage Sizzle  Sunday 5 November

Week 4  Family Picnic  Sunday 12 November

Week 5  P&F Recess and Lunch Order  Friday 17 November

We wish all of our SJMS families an enjoyable school holiday break and look forward to seeing you all in Term 4.

Bec Humphrey and Pina Bria, On behalf of the SJMS Parents and Friends Committee

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 16 October 2023
• Thursday 14 December 2023
• Friday 15 December 2023

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.

Term 3

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