Week 4 Term 2 2024

Catholic Education Week  #lovemyCatholicSchool

Last week, we focused on celebrating the amazing teaching and learning that happens in our school and what it means to be part of a Catholic community.

Here is what some of our students had to say about why they love Saint Joseph’s Memorial School:

• " I love playing basketball for my school." Tayla, Year 5.
• " I love that the teachers are nice." Blake, Year 5.
• " I love that the students are all welcoming." Jessie, Year 6.
• " I love all the different programs we get to learn about, like STEM." Liam, Year 5.
• " I love the welcoming school community." Sienna, Year 6.
• " I love learning Japanese." Harriet, Year 2.
• " I love playing sports at school." Olivia, Year 2.
• " I love playing in the sport's carnivals." Aiden, Year 5.
• " I like learning the piano at school." Sameer, Year 4.

School Board

The school board has an important role in relation to the management and functioning of the school, which is outlined in the SACCS (South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools) Guidelines for School Boards. 

The Board is comprised of elected and appointed members and supports an effective partnership between parents, staff, students, and the parish.

It meets monthly and considers a broad range of financial, resource, infrastructure, educational, and spiritual issues. 

Current Board Members: 

Fr. Chris Jenkins - Parish Priest/Board President
Adam Slater - Principal
Grace Vassallo-Wakefield - Assistant Principal of Religious Identity and Mission
Brett Thompson - Chairperson of the School Board and Finance Committee member
Huiling Zhu - Elected representative and Finance Committee member
Roman Kluba - Elected representative
Nick McCabe - Elected representative
Josie Crowley - Elected representative
Andrew Baker - Elected representative
Michelle Attwood - Elected representative
Janelle Harris - Parents and friends representative
David Holmes - Staff representative

Visit the Catholic Education South Australia School Board website for resources to assist with school boards in Catholic schools in SA.

Choir partnership with Mary Mackillop

Recently, our Year 1 and Year 4 students have been working on a collaboration with students from Mary MacKillop College Kensington to learn a song about Mary MacKillop called ‘Mary’s Vision.’ They are hoping to share this song at an assembly at the college and at our school later on in the term.

National Simultaneous Storytelling

This week, our students from William St visited their younger buddies at Bridge St to celebrate National Simultaneous Story Time, which is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). It was great to see the wonderful collective joy for reading displayed by all students.

Pyjama Day

This week we held a whole school Pyjama Day to raise money for a social justice initiative to support Vinnies Winter Appeal.

Drum Showcase

This week, Jordan from our instrument lesson provider, ‘Learning Through Music', presented a drum showcase to our students as we were introducing lessons for our children to undertake. The students enjoyed learning the beats and rhythms.

Year 5 and 6 Debating

Well done to the Year 5 and Year 6 Debating Teams, who had their first debate for the season last week. Well done to Henry, who was awarded Speaker of the Night, which was a great achievement for his first ever debate.

New school sport jackets

The new school sport jackets have arrived and the students have loved wearing them, especially as the weather gets cooler.

Mid-Year Reception

Child safety information and guidelines
At St. Joseph’s Memorial School, we recognise that every child has the right to be safe and free from all kinds of abuse, including bullying, harassment, and neglect. Schools are mandated child-safe environments with legal, policy, and procedural requirements for staff and volunteers.

The South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools (SACCS) requires its schools to implement child safety policies and practices, including child safety education. At St. Joseph’s Memorial, we teach the Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum.

In the attached link, you will find the Child Protection policies and associated materials our school and system adhere to: https://www.cesa.catholic.edu.au/our-schools/safe-environments-for-all

Thank you,
Adam Slater
Principal

On Sunday we celebrated the Feast of Pentecost.   

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

Pentecost is the birth of the Church and a cause for great celebration because we have received the power of the Spirit just as Jesus’ followers did at Pentecost.  

As people of God upon receiving this great gift we are sent out into the world to bring about Jesus’ peace, joy, love and forgiveness to everyone.  

This is why Pentecost is often called "the birthday of the Church." On this day, with the descent of the Holy Spirit, Christ's mission was completed, and the New Covenant created.  

Breath of God,
Spirit who appeared like a driving wind,
blow away our prejudice
and teach us to value all people.

Spirit of God,
who appeared like tongues of flame,
burn in us as a passion for justice
and a commitment to change.

Family Faith Formation Program

Earlier this term, a note was sent out to families of students in Years 3 - 6 (via Audiri) who would like their child to celebrate the Sacraments of Reconciliation (2024), Confirmation and First Eucharist (2025) through the Family Faith Formation Program at St Ignatius Church.

If your child is in Year 3 and above, has been Baptised in the Catholic Church and you would like them to celebrate these Sacraments, could you please contact me for Enrolment Forms for this program.

Preparation for Reconciliation will commence early Term 3 and enrolments should be submitted to the Parish Office before the end of this term (Friday 5 July).

Dear parents/caregivers of St Joseph’s,

My name is Emily McGuffin (Miss Em) and I am the new Mid-Year Reception Teacher for 2024. I am a passionate, dedicated and nurturing educator, I have recently graduated with a Bachelor of Education (Primary) and a Bachelor of Special Education. I look forward to meeting you all and working closely with your child to guide them through this exciting reception year. Our classroom will be a place of wonder, discovery and growth and together we’ll make this year unforgettable. 

Many thanks 

Emily

Mother’s Day 
Our Mother’s Day Morning Tea was beautiful Thank You to everyone who attended. Was great to see not only mums but grandparents and aunties join the morning too. Thank You to Cheeky Grin for providing coffees and thank you to our wonderful P&F community for baking and being up bright and early with us helping set up and all our SJMS mums who assisted us with packing up etc.
A big Congratulations to the Raffle Prize Winners who won some beautiful items including some generously donated Surreal Hair Vouchers, Vera Wang Photo frames and lots of other goodies. We hope everyone enjoyed the gifts carefully selected by the children from the Mother’s Day Stalls. Thank You to all that volunteered making the day a huge success.

Quiz Night
Reminder Friday is the last day to purchase tickets for The SJMS Quiz Night! 
If you haven’t already please purchase your tickets this week. Allocate a table captain and add their name when you checkout so we can seat you with your table. Don’t have a table? No Problem! We can allocate a table for you to sit at!
Reminder this is open to friends and family of SJMS so you do not need to have a student attending the school to come! We have some amazing items generously donated so far including.
A  will voucher 
2 Walking pads 
A  photography Voucher 
Dinner vouchers 
Merchandise from Swim Centre, football club, sports store 
… and many more!! 

Please get your tickets now as they are selling quick!
Details are:
Saturday 1 June 2024
6:30pm - 11:30pm
Payneham Library
$25
Book now through QKR!

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.

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

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

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

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.

Term 2

• Week 10 - Friday 5 July 2024 Preschool-6 (Whole School Pupil Free Day)

Term 3

• Week 1 - Monday 22 July 2024  R-6

Term 4

• Week 1 - Monday 14 October 2024 R-6
• Week 9 -