Week 4, Term 2 2023

Every day at St Joseph's Memorial School is a blessing and it is wonderful to be a part of a vibrant and dynamic community, that offers engaging learning experiences, along with many opportunities and events.

Winter Co-Curricular

Every Monday, I am always delighted to hear the reports from the students who have participated in school sport over the weekend. Last Saturday, I watched the return of the school football team and it was great to observe the enjoyment of each student representing the school. Last week, the school Debating teams had their first competition and the students demonstrated a high-level of confidence to speak and share their arguments with great success. Once again, I would like to thank all the parent and school volunteers who coach and lead their teams.

Year 6 Netball Team

Year 5 Debating Team

Year 4/5 Soccer Team

Year 4/5/6 Football team

Sports Clinics

This year we have organised a range of sports clinics for students in football and lacrosse. Last week the Reception and Year 1 students enjoyed an AFL session held by the SANFL to develop their skills in football.

Assemblies

School assemblies are a highlight of each term and are an opportunity for the community to gather together to share in the learning taken place and to witness the amazing talents of the students. Assemblies are held in the Performing Arts Space and parents are always very welcome to attend. Last week our Year 5 student hosted the assembly and we had leaders from Mary Mackillop College share a dance for our students.

Update of Key Focus Areas

At the beginning of the year and at the Annual General Meeting, I shared key areas for whole school vision and mission for 2023 and beyond:

1. Relationships & Culture: Currently we are undertaking the process to co-construct three school pillars and values and have received 160+ School community survey responses from students, parents, staff and the wider community.  
2. Literacy and Numeracy: Our School Quality Performance Team, including our Leader of Learning Nick Ryan and Early Years Leader Aimee Caruso have been working on a whole school strategy to formalise our agreed Literacy and Numeracy practices. This term, the leaders met with Catholic Education consultants to begin the process of aligning our shared practices with the new CESA system Literacy and Numeracy strategy. Recently, the leaders undertook professional development at the Catholic Education Office to learn and work on the construction of the agreed practices to work with our school staff and students.
3. Wellbeing: We have created a draft of the school wellbeing policy of a whole school shared focus and practices. Our school leaders and teachers have continued to use the CESA Pulse Check In data to inform student support. The students will undertake the Pulse Check In again in week 5 and 6 of this term.
4. Community Partnership and events: We are currently in the process of creating a yearly event calendar to assist parents knowing in advance the upcoming events.
5. Infrastructure: We intend to upgrade and refurbish the the OSHC / Hall at Bridge St and front office spaces at both campuses.
6. Preschool and Ready for Reception Program: This program has created opportunities for our students to help their smooth transition to school. 
7. Communication: We are currently using SEQTA for teacher planning and reporting. As part of this process, in semester 1 of 2023, CESA is introducing a system-wide school report for all schools. 
8. Catholic Education South Australia Clarity Project: We have continued our work to make learning visible for all students and have created a ‘Clarity in Action’ document to provide evidence of the practice within all classes in our school. Next term we will be hosting the Eastern regional schools to share our work in this area. 
9. Graduate Leadership Program – We are currently working on creating a program to extend our students and provide opportunities for all students to enhance their learning and leadership capabilities. 

Child Safety Information and Guidelines

As you are aware, the safety and wellbeing of every student in our school is our priority. All staff, volunteers and allied health providers are required to complete a Working with Children Screening. Our induction procedures ensure that all persons coming onto the school grounds have the required Child Protection documentation. In addition, as part of our Health Curriculum, our students are taught the Keeping Safe – Child Protection Curriculum which aims to help children develop ways to protect themselves and keep themselves safe.

The links below provide further information for your perusal:

Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy (Archdiocese of Adelaide)

Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum information for Parents and Carers

Uniform 

In relation to St Joseph's Memorial uniform, our aim is that students always take pride with their presentation. Our school is appreciative of parents supporting their child/children in the correct wearing of the school uniform. Please see our school website for more details if required.

I wish all students every achievement in the Term ahead and as always, please contact the the school wherever we may be able to assist you, your child, or your family. 

Adam Slater

Principal

Last Sunday and over the next few weeks, we will be celebrating some significant feasts in our Catholic Community. On Sunday we celebrated the Feast of the Ascension of Jesus which is celebrated each year forty days after Easter Sunday.

The Feast commemorates the day Jesus led His disciples to the Mount of Olives, and after blessing them and asking them to wait for the fulfilment of the promise of the Holy Spirit, He ascends into heaven.

Jesus gives this mission to all the believers: "Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” This mission is not given to a select few but to all believers. To be a Christian is to be a proclaimer and an evangelizer. There is a difference between preaching and proclaiming. “We preach with words, but we proclaim with our lives.”

This Sunday is one of the most ancient feasts of the Church. It is celebrated 50 days after Easter (if we count both Easter and Pentecost).

At Pentecost, Christ promised His Apostles that He would send His Holy Spirit, and they were granted the gifts of the Spirit. The Apostles began to preach the Gospel in all the languages that the Jews who were gathered there spoke, and about 3,000 people were converted and baptised that day.

This is why Pentecost is often called "the birthday of the Church."

Come Holy Spirit,

fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord,

Amen.

Confirmation 2023

'Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit’ These will be the words Fr. Chris Jenkins will use when he anoints students with the oil of Chrism during the Confirmation Ceremony. This seal marks us as a witness of Christ.

At Pentecost, the Apostles received the fullness of the Holy Spirit enabling them to evangelise and serve God. Through Confirmation, we too are prepared for public ministry and receive the fullness of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which help us to be holy.

We congratulate all the students who will celebrate this Sacrament next week.

Confirmation Prayer

Spirit of God, grant me:

the gift of wisdom to see the world through your eyes,

the gift of right judgement to make difficult decisions,

the gifts of knowledge and understanding

to use my mind to know you and to love you,

the gift of courage to live in the faith

despite difficulties and disappointments

the gift of reverence to be able to express

my special love and commitment to you and the gift of awe and wonder

that makes me revere God's love.

Amen.

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.

• Friday 7 July 2023
• Monday 24 July 2023
• 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 2

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